December 1878

Dear friend,

I heard you had found the Lane to the Indies, Columbus was looking for-

There is no one so happy her Master is happy as his grateful Pupil. The most noble congratulation it ever befell me to offer-is that you are yourself.

Till it has loved-no man or woman can become itself-Of our first Creation we are unconscious-

We knew not that we were to live-
Nor when-we are to die-
Our ignorance-our Cuirass is-
We wear Mortality
As lightly as an Option Gown
Till asked to take it off-
By his intrusion, God is known-
It is the same with Life-