‘My dear Mr.
Rogers,—I cannot let this steamer sail without thanking
you for your kindness to my son when in London. He is now, I suppose, in
Switzerland, where he passes the summer months. I knew, from the interest you
have ever expressed for his father, that you would receive him kindly; but I
feel truly grateful that you should have allowed him to have so much of your
society, and such free admission to your hospitable house. A young man like him
can bring little to society but the qualities of a good listener; and I trust
he has
| 340 | ROGERS AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES |
‘He is too young to travel with the most advantage, but he is not so young as I was, when, in 1816-17, I made the same tour. But, though I enjoyed it right well, I feel now that I saw only the outside of things. I ought to go again to see the inside. And I have been on the point of doing so more than once; but, when I attempt it, I find I am like Gulliver when he tried to rise up in Lilliput, and a thousand little ties pinioned him down. I have not quite so many ties, thank Heaven! but enough, it seems, to pinion me, and keep me from wandering; so my migrations are rarely further than those of the Vicar of Wakefield. The town in winter, a cottage on the cliffs for the sea-breeze in the dog-days—where I am now writing—and my old paternal acres in the autumn, bring round the year; while I find myself idly busy with spinning the historic yarn, and of rather an indifferent staple, I fear, of late. But enough of myself.
‘We have all been occupied the last year, on this side
of the Atlantic, with looking and speculating on what you are doing on the
other. Such a trastorno of kingdoms and popedoms as was
never seen the like! But things seem to be coming now more into the old track.
I trust, however, that important results will remain, both in the awakening of
the minds of men and in the reform of ancient abuses. We have all admired the
composure with which your little island rode out the storm—or rather the
squall—which for a moment seemed to threaten her. Long may she brave
every
| WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT | 341 |
‘I suppose you know Boston is to send you another Minister next autumn. Our town seems to be selected as the nursery for the English mission. It is quite a compliment to us. The Minister now appointed, Mr. Lawrence, is quite a different sort of person from his predecessors—Bancroft and Everett. He represents the industry and material interests of the nation. He made his own way in the world, and has employed his large fortune in a very liberal manner. One of his last acts has been to establish a Scientific School at Cambridge, to which he has given ten thousand pounds, with the purpose, it is understood, of doubling the sum. Besides the donation, he prepared a plan for the organization of the institution, which did his head as much credit as his heart. He has shown an enlightened spirit always; and his knowledge of the interests of the country, especially ts financial and economical relations, is extensive. You will not find in him, however, the elegant literary culture which belongs to his predecessors.
‘Mr. Bancroft will retire on his history, I suppose—as harmless an occupation as diplomacy. Everett has wearied of his academic life, and is passing his days in glorious otium at Cambridge. Yet he has too busy and sensitive a mind to relish the far niente.
‘With my best wishes for your health and happiness, I remain, my dear Mr. Rogers,
