early August 1880

Dear friend,

Our friend your Father was so beautifully and intimately recalled Today that it seemed impossible he had experienced the secret of Death - A servant who had been with us a long time and had often opened the Door for him, asked me how to spell "Genius," yesterday - I told her and she said no more - Today, she asked me what "Genius" meant? I told her none had known -

She said she read in a Catholic Paper that Mr Bowles was "the Genius of Hampshire," and thought it might be that past Gentleman - His look could not be extinguished to any who had seen him, for "Because I love, ye shall live also," was his physiognomy -

I congratulate you upon his immortality, which is a constant stimulus to my Household - and upon your noble perpetuation of his cherished "Republican."

Please remember me tenderly to your Mother -

With honor,

Emily Dickinson -