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John Quincy Adams, in many respects, and all things considered, the greatest man in the world, at the time of his death. I suppose you have seen the splendid tributes to his memory in Congress & elsewhere. Some of the warmest too from those who had been his bitterest political enemies. Won't Edward Everett get off a great Eulogy? And Ex Gov. Seward in New York also? I have not seen as the Legislature of Maine are likely even to try to get off anything. That strange man Theodore Parker got off a great Sermon, or what some of them call a Sermon, last Sabbath, in Boston. I have seen it, but not read it much. Parker is certainly a Genius, although a strange man. Have you ever seen the new, review, "The Mass. Quarterly" Edited by Parker, Ralph Waldo Emerson {whom you do not perhaps consider the greatest writer America has ever produced, as some Europeans do} and so forth. One cannot, whatever he thinks of these men, or the tendency of their doctrines, help admiring the hearty good will, or whole souled earnestness, or mad strength, with which they tear away at the foundations of whatever they happen to think error, falsehood, or oppression. I hope to hear from you soon Afft'y I.S.M. PS. March 10th, Your letter and Ann's enclosed just received which I open this to acknowledge You have certainly an "aggravation" way of telling News. Viz. That lecture, and the bargain you mentioned. Did you ever realize such a thing as particulars? Do not let your letter be very long delayed, if you can avoid it. Affc., IS Metcalf