GAJS.COM Web Catalogue Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“In the Book of Fate for 1851,
I fear there is no chapter for me,
headed ‘a Visit to England’.”

LONGFELLOW, HENRY WADSWORTH. (1807-82). American poet. Autograph Letter Signed, “Henry W. Longfellow.” Four full pages, octavo. Cambridge, January 21, 1851. Fine condition. To “My dear Sir.” Longfellow writes:

“Accept my warmest thanks for your kind and more than kind invitation. It would give me very great pleasure to accept it, and to be your guest at Blackheath Park; but alas! in the Book of Fate for 1851, I fear there is no chapter for me, headed ‘a Visit to England.’ Thought of it, have I very often; spoken of it, not seldom; and sometimes it has shaped itself into a cloudy plan, assuming various forms, and finally dissolving and fading away utterly. At some future time it will come again, and then I hope and believe appear in a palpable and possible shape, so that I can lay hold of it. Apart from the invitation, I was extremely glad to hear from you. Your souvenir is fresh in our memories; and ‘Lord Grey, musing after a day’s labour,’ looks forth from his crimson armchair behind my desk, often reminding me of you, and of your brief visit in the evening of the days gone by. Do not let the grass grow too high between our houses! My wife joins me in kindest remembrances to you and yours. Since you were here, we have known joy and sorrow: and our chief joy has been the birth of a daughter this Autumn. Fields is well and thriving. Very faithfully yours, Henry W. Longfellow.”


“In the Book of Fate for 1851, I fear there is no chapter for me, headed ‘a Visit to England’.” LONGFELLOW, HENRY WADSWORTH. (1807-82). American poet. Autograph Letter Signed, “Henry W. Longfellow.” Four full pages, octavo. Cambridge, January 21, 1851. Fine condition. To “My dear Sir.” Longfellow writes: “Accept my warmest thanks for your kind and more than kind invitation. It would give me very great pleasure to accept it, and to be your guest at Blackheath Park; but alas! in the Book of Fate for 1851, I fear there is no chapter for me, headed ‘a Visit to England.’ Thought of it, have I very often; spoken of it, not seldom; and sometimes it has shaped itself into a cloudy plan, assuming various forms, and finally dissolving and fading away utterly. At some future time it will come again, and then I hope and believe appear in a palpable and possible shape, so that I can lay hold of it. Apart from the invitation, I was extremely glad to hear from you. Your souvenir is fresh in our memories; and ‘Lord Grey, musing after a day’s labour,’ looks forth from his crimson armchair behind my desk, often reminding me of you, and of your brief visit in the evening of the days gone by. Do not let the grass grow too high between our houses! My wife joins me in kindest remembrances to you and yours. Since you were here, we have known joy and sorrow: and our chief joy has been the birth of a daughter this Autumn. Fields is well and thriving. Very faithfully yours, Henry W. Longfellow.” For more details or to buy this item, please contact us. SOLD... Please contact us for items similar in quality and content.
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