The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-06-30
HAWTHORNE TOAN OLD FRIEND
His Hooks; Ono oil His BABIES; Some Gin
aiid buying House:


Ills books; One Of al. Babies; some Gin,
and Buying u House,. -
Harper for July contains long and fresh
letter from Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is ad-
dressed to William B. Pike. Mr.. Pike was
tor many years collector for the port OF Sa-
lem, and his acquaintance with the great
romancer began early and did not close un-
til he died. The letter was written from
Lensx, Mass, on July 21, 1851, and, in
part, is as follows:
DEAR P1KE:-I should have written to
you long since, acknowledging the receipt
OF your ef1b and In answer to Your letter,
but I have'been very busy with my pen. AS
to the gin, Icannot speak Of it's quality, for
the bottle has not yet been opened, ana will
probably remain corked till cold weather,
when mean to take atl occasional SIP.
really thank you for it, however; nor: could
I help sheddinea few Quiet tears over that
Which was SO ilseless1y split by the express
NAH:
The most important news I have to tell
you lit You have not already heard it) is
that We have another daughter, now about
two months old. She is very bright and
healthy child and neither more nor less
handsome than babies generally are.
think I feel more interest in her than I did
in the other children at the same age, from
the consideration that she is to be the
daughter of my age-the comfort (at, least
SO it is to be hoped) of my declining years.
By the way, if continue to prosper as
heretofore in the literary line, shall soon
be In condition to buy place; and if you
should hear of one, say worth from ST.
900 to 81 600, 1 wish you would keep your
eye on it for me. should wish to be On
the sea-coast, or at all events with easy &C.
cess to the sea. Very little land would
suit my rt1rpose; but t want good house,
with space enough inside, ana which viii
hot heed any considerable repairs. I find
that do not feel at home among these
hills, and should not like to consider N.Y.
self permahently settled hete:
Why did you not express yoilr opinion Of
The House of the Seven Gables, which I
sent you? I suppose you were afraid Of
hurting my feelings by disapproval, but
you need not have been. I should receive
friendly ceusure with Just as much
equanimity as if it were praise; though, Ger
tainly. had rather you would like the book
than not. At any rate, 1t has sold finely,
and seems to havo pleased a good many
people better than the other, and I must
COAAAC6o tunt lily ocAA I'LL tu0 NUN.
Der. tits more characteristic of the author,
and q more natural book for me to write than
the "'ecarlet Letter" Was: When t write
atlother romance shall take the Commit
dity for subject, and shall give sotie Of
my experiences and observations at Brook
Farm. Since the publication of the Seven
Gables" have written book for children,
which is to be put to press immediately.
On receiving your letter wrote to Long
fellow, requesting him to forward you any
books that might facilitate your progress in
the Swedish language. He has not told
me whether or no he did 50. asked
him to send them to the Mansion house in
Salem. wish you had rather undertaken
Latin, or French, or German, or indeed al
most any other language in which there
would have been more extensive and at
tainable literature than In the Bwedish.
But il it turns out to be pleasure and i'm
provement to yourself, the end is attained.
You will never, fear, (you see that take
a ffienls privilege to speak plainly,) make
the impression on the world, that in years
gone by I used to hope you would. It will
not be your fault. however, but the fault of
circumstances. Your flower was not des-
tined to bloom in this world. I hope to
see its glory in the next