Part 17 (2/2)

My dear John,--I leave Newport this evening, and since ”friend after friend departs,” you will hardly be surprised to hear that I have fallen from the ranks of bachelors; and that when I said I should die such, I had no idea I should live to be married. Prosaically, then, I am engaged to.... Her father is cousin of ... and is of the elder branch of the family, so that I already begin to feel sentimental about Lady Arabella Johnson. On the other side I come plump against plump old Gov. Stuyvesant of the New Netherlands. What with Dutch and Puritan blood, therefore, I shall be sufficiently sobered, you will fancy. Wrong, astutest of Johns, for my girl plays like a sunbeam over the dulness of that old pedigree, and is no whit more Dutch or Puritan than I am. She is, in brief, 22 years old, a very, very p.r.o.nounced blonde, not handsome (to common eyes), graceful and winning, not accomplished nor talented nor fond of books, gay as a bird, bright as suns.h.i.+ne, and has that immortal youth, that perennial freshness and sweetness which is the secret of permanent happiness.

I am as happy as the day, and have no especial intention of marrying directly. Her father has a large property, but she is not, properly, a rich girl. I shall be settled at home in ten days. To-night I am going to Baltimore, and shall return to New York next week.

Give my warmest love to your wife, and believe me--Benedict or no Benedict--always

Your aff.

G.W.C.

XIII

N.Y., _14th April, 1853._

Caro Don Giovanni,--Any time these six months I have seen a skulking scoundrel who endeavored to avoid my notice, and always turned pale when he saw a copy of _Dwight's Journal of Music_. I pursued him vigorously, and he confessed to me that he was the chief of sinners, and that his name was _Hafiz_.

”But,” said he, when he saw in my eyes the firm resolve to acquaint the editor with the fact that his correspondent was still living--”but, oh!

say that I have just paid to Messrs. Scharfenberg and Luis my subscription for the three copies owing the coming year”--and thereupon he vanished; and I haste to discharge my duty, for if I have a failing, it is doing my duty. Should you see the editor will you please state not only the fact of the subscription paid, but that I have heard this pursued Hafiz swear that not many moons should wane before he wrote to _Dwight's Journal of Music_ a letter about things in New York, ”our new music and other things,” for instance.

Hafiz, who tries to make me believe that he does the music in _Putnam_, says that in the May number he has commended your _Journal_. He is an abandoned fellow.

How are you, and how prospers the _Journal_? and have you quite forgiven my wicked silences as well as my imperfect speeches; and will you please not to forget that you are never forgotten by Your aff.

G.W.C.

XIV

N.Y., _Sept. 14, '53._

My dear John,---I have just returned to town, and find your letter suggestive of White Mountains, quiet, artists, and other dissipations; but I am just from the hills, where I have been for six weeks, and am ordered to the sea-sh.o.r.e to be salted. I am not quite sure whether I shall go to Newport or to Long Branch; but I infinitely prefer Newport, although I have very valued friends upon the New Jersey sh.o.r.e.

My old head has been bothering me all summer; but Dr. Gray has taken it fairly in hand, and says I shall soon be all right. I hope he is not all wrong.

I am coming to Boston some time during the season to lecture before your Mercantile Library, and have promised to make something of a visit; but I fear it will hardly be possible to stay long.

X was on my track yesterday, although I havn't seen him for an age. I hear he projects Europe again, but know nothing definite. Today I am just hurrying off to Staten Island to a.s.sist at the nuptials of.... So they go, and so, soon--let us pray--may

Your aff.

G.W.C.

XV

N.Y., _July 19, '53._

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