The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-10-26

The Boston Ado0tiycr says: Many
years ago u young man, barely twenty
one, living in II Western State. Lad sent
poem to Mr.. Willis, then in the height
Of his fame. To this day he remembers
the thrill with which he broke thcdamty
waxen seal it was before the days Of
cnvelOpe and rushed into tine yard,
under the shade Of great beech tree,
to read the letter. 1t was upon one Of
the ample sheets Of the oldcn times,
and had been written with II dnsIup
quill pen that would have been bcltcrrd
by Sharpening But Abou Ben AdhOm.
when he saw his name IN characters Of
gold, could not have felt more dclirhtol.
The letter hus more tIan personal
interest, 1t gives view Of the libors
and hardsmps of literary men forty years
ago, which will be contemplated with
something like wonder by the present.
generation. But tine elders know thr
wretchcd picture is not in the Irust rNug-
gcrntcd There was little appreciation
OF literature, and no adequate reward
for the author. 1t was tine era ui mil
liners magazines, und writer's got only
the cline words that "huttcr no pals-
nips. II was the time when IlaV.
thorne could describe himself uq ihn
"obscurcst man of letters in America
The bulk Of literary achievement md
nearly all literary rauown were yet 10
come. The charm of the letter is in H.
genial and hearty sympathy and it,
wise and gracefully turned council. Few
authors find time TO reply, rs Willis did,
to such oplstlcs, aud few have Ind the
taste and feeling both to inspire such
one M tins. If there ~ any satisfaction
in the grateful recollection Of u lifetime.
Willis might have deemed himself re-
compenscd for his kind words TO an uu-
known youth.
WAwnwGToN, April %, 1876
My DEAR SmYuur letter forwarded To- Inc
here, IL just received, and hasten 10 comply
with your request though young poets ask adj
vice very much az lovers do, after they are
irrcvocably engaged. In the first place, how
ever, ! should always advise against rduping
the literary profession for at best. II In like
making wagOn-truccs If your hnlr, wholly IA.
sufficient for wants which increase ~ the poUor
gives way. Your poetry IWol no matter
about That! The poem WINS judiciuu.ly cuu-
domnod by the writer thereof many YEAR ago
was never guilty of any sub1cquout udisn,-
ton of that nature II IL not necessary now ~
quote (and controversy MIR Willis hatirrny
prognOstlcatlOnl but there are many men "
the same calbro who would go ON and staryr
up to tho empty honor " being remembered
grSt when dead, wcro 1t not that they could |
turn their more common powers to account |
and live by mcanor industry. POcty is an |
angel in your breda, dnd you hat brHy,uoi |
turn her ont 10 be yoW mdd Of all troyk. A, |
to writing for magazines, that ls very nearly |
done wth M n matter Of profit. The COM
petition for notorioty alone gives the editor, |
more than they eau use. YOu could not sell a |
piece OF poetry now In America. Tho literary |
avenues arc all oycr-crowded and you can not |
live by tho pom, except M n drudge to a uows-
paper. Notwithstanding all this, You viii
probably try it and. all can aay il, you ahall
have my sympathy and what mid | can give
you. II you should como to New York. and
Will call on me, | shall be happy to say more
than l have time to write. Yours, very truly,
N. Il. WILLIE