| Description | My dear sir,
I have been most gratified by your kind letter which I have just received. ? at you regard your help. I can ensure you most sincerely that I regarded the passage which it explained as the best in my whole work, and one which I should never have found out the meaning of myself. Of course I could not expect you to agree with me upon every point, for there are certain questions which you naturally look at with the prepossessions of your own , & on which ...... will form contrary opinions. I am glad you like what I have said about Joan or Arc. The fact is that I took more pains with that part of by book than wth any other, & I had read ? through M ?? five volumes of original Joan ??. I was so struck by the wonderful ability goodness which she exhibited upon her trial ( the account of which it is to be remembered was drawn up by her enemies, & is therefore by the highest ? authority) that I became almost fascinated by her character; & to not believe that her recantation was any recantation at all. My own life however has been an active one, & full... official duties & home duties, the time which I have had to devote to literature is mostly the odds sods [?] ? from more engrossing pursuits. I am afraid therefore I have done all that I ?? for that "admirable heroine" as Horace calls her.
Most cordially reciprocating your kind wishes, & trusting that you may enjoy years of health and happiness,
I am truly yours ?? |