Dec. 28. ‘86
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y dear Dr. Corson, I waited some days after the arrival of your Book and Letter,thinking I might be able to say more of my sense of your goodness:but I can do no more now than a week ago. You “hope I shall not findtoo much to disapprove of”: what I ought to protest against,is “a load to sink a navy--too much honor”: how can I put asideyour generosity, as if cold justice--however befitting myself--would be in better agreement with your nature? Let it remainas an assurance to younger poets that, after fifty years’ workunattended by any conspicuous recognition, an over-payment may be made,if there be such another munificent appreciator as I have beenprivileged to find, in which case let them, even if more deserving,be equally grateful. I have not observed anything in need of correction in the notes.The “little Tablet” was a famous “Last Supper”, mentioned by Vasari,(page. 232), and gone astray long ago from the Church of S. Spirito:it turned up, according to report, in some obscure corner,while I was in Florence, and was at once acquired by a stranger.I saw it, genuine or no, a work of great beauty. (Page 156.)“A canon”, in music, is a piece wherein the subject is repeated--in various keys: and being strictly obeyed in the repetition,becomes the “Canon”--the imperative law--to what follows.Fifty of such parts would be indeed a notable peal:to manage three is enough of an achievement for a good musician. And now,--here is Christmas: all my best wishes go to youand Mrs Corson. Those of my sister also. She was indeed sufferingfrom grave indisposition in the summer, but is happily recovered.I could not venture, under the circumstances, to exposeher convalescence to the accidents of foreign travel:hence our contenting ourselves with Wales rather than Italy.Shall you be again induced to visit us? Present or absent,you will remember me always, I trust, as Yours most affectionately,
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