Letter from Thayer, March 18, 1855, to Davies about publication of work of Courtenay, now deceased.


Boston, March 18, 1855

 

My Dear Sir,

Your favor of the 15th with the proof sheets has come to hand.

The friends of Education and Science & especially of the late prof. Courtenay have cause to rejoice that he left his great work in so perfect a state and that the duty of making the final corrections it may need & of superintending its publication devolved upon you, naturally so as master of the science & the dearest friend of the author.  I have carefully perused the biographical notice.  There is not a word I would wish to see expunged nor do I seen anything wanting.  All seems to be appropriate, correct & as complete as the occasion requires.  I can make no suggestions for its improvement as to matter or manner.  You have well described the difficulty of the subject.  The heart alone can do it justice.  The head & pen of the ablest could but fall short.  To those who did not know our friend even half justice might seem extravagant praise.  I shall not attempt to say how much I feel indebted to you kindness for the manner in which I am mentioned in the note to the 4th page.  If it be too flattering it is not for me to complain of that.  On the contrary I am bound to feel all the more grateful proud indeed I am to have my name thus associated with that of Courtenay.  It will be an enduring record of the warm frienship with which he honored me.  Except yourself, no one, probably, knew him better than I did.  No one, I think, admired & loved him more.

      I indulge the hope of being relieved from my local? duties here in the course of the present season.  The first use I design to make of my liberty & the one to which I look forward as the most agreeable is the promised visit to Fishkill Landing.  I have constantly borne it in mind & enjoyed it much in the anticipation.  I suppose you hear occasionally from our worthy friend Tillinghorst?.  I went to seem him at Bridgewater in October last.  He was then, altho' very feeble, able to ride out in good weather & even to take a short walk.  My last letter from him was dated early in Jany.  When from what he said I judged his health was not improving.

                  Ever faithfully & truly your friend

                                          S. Thayer

Professor Charles Davies  even half justice might seem extravagant praise.  I shall     

 


Transcription from George Rosenstein.
Web page created December 17, 2000.