Beschreibung:

HAWTHORNE, NATHANIEL. Autograph letter signed ("Nath. Hawthorne") to his close friend PRESIDENT FRANKLIN PIERCE travelling in Europe; Rome, 5 January 1859. 4 pages, 8vo, closely written on both sides of two integral sheets, second sheet inlaid ; in fine condition. "I HAVE FELT MORE AT HOME IN LONDON THAN EVER I DID EVEN IN MY NATIVE TOWN" A fine and lengthy letter written while the Hawthorne family was living in Rome to one of the author's oldest friends: Hawthorne and Pierce had been classmates at Bowdoin College; in 1852 Hawthorne wrote a campaign biography of his friend. After becoming President in 1853 Pierce appointed the author to the most lucrative consular post in Europe, Liverpool. "I ought to have written to you long ago, but I get weary of the pen by driving it pretty diligently...and I feel reluctant to take it up unless actually compelled. I have had very little enjoyment of Rome, this winter, both because I keep myself busy, and because there has been a great deal of sickness in my family..." Hawthorne goes on to detail the illnesses, and continues: "This has been as dreary a winter, thus far, as I ever spent; and I have sometimes been thankful that I could escape from reality into the Romance which I am trying to write [ The Marble Faun , published 1860]...from my experience of Italy, I never should recommend any person to visit any part of it, unless he enjoys particularly firm health. The houses are so very comfortless, and so much depends on local situations, and the natives have everywhere so much to learn in the way of domestic [accomplishments], that there [are] ten chances of getting sick to one of getting well. "How do you like the state of politics in America? For my part, I take considerable enjoyment in looking at the mess which the old fellow (our respected President [James Buchanan], I mean) has made of it. Now that you are out of the [scrape?], I do not much care how affairs go. Providence, I fully believe, will so far take care of our country that no very serious harm will enter [not forseeing the Civil War two years later]; and meanwhile we can afford to laugh at the perplexities of a gentleman who exhibited himself (and was considered by others) so very sagacious, before he came into power..." Hawthorne gives his travels plans for returning to America in the summer after a six-years absence and continues: "It is a long, long while to have been abroad; and I sometimes think that it would have been better if I had either not come abroad, or could spend the rest of my life on this side of the water. I love England, and could be very comfortable and contented there, if I were rich enough. My habits and character easily assimilated themselves to those of Englishmen; and, on my return to America, I suppose I may find myself a good deal changed...I have felt more at home in London than ever I did even in my native town. We talk of annexing Mexico and Cuba; but the only part of the world I care about annexing is England..." The author closes by looking forward to Pierce's upcoming visit to Rome (where the two old friends would have two months together).