Schriftstellerin (1775-1861). Autograph letter (fragment). O. O. 4 SS. auf Doppelblatt. 4to.
$ 2,002 / 1.800 €
(936351/BN936351)
Beginning of a letter to an unidentified recipient: "Dear Sir / I am truly grieved that my request should have weighed upon your mind in any way, and I most lament having made it at all if it is inductive of pain to you - so, however much I may regret losing the really valuable transcripts of your unsophisticated mind I would rather forgo that pleasure than cause you to be forced back upon scenes and feelings which are too much for your strength. You cannot think how really refreshing it is to read any thing which is perfectly natural, which bears no marks of what is called composition about it - but is the genuine portrait (if I may be allowed to expression) of feelings and thoughts [...] I am very much occupied - almost too much so - but I believe one must not look back or forwards but do diligently every hour what we are called upon to do, and if we act thus under the eye of God by the grace of Jesus Christ, the past and the future will take care of themselves.
'But who is sufficient for these things?' No one does what they ought; we can all preach but who is there that practises? Not I God knows, I am perhaps just beginning to be a good child as I am going on into second childhood. - You will be sorry to hear that Mr Bury has had but indifferent health and it is a constant source of anxiety to me [...] My work 'Flirtation' has a great many enemies - but I think it tends to good, and good only, so I care not - one must make up one's mind to being shot at when one sets up a target - everybody who runs a literary career will meet with these rebuffs. They are fearful at first, but secure of one's motive they become merely gnats, in a summer's eve. - I have begun a very great book - I do not trust in my own strength to bring it to good issue but in that of Him who inspired me with the idea to undertake it [...]". - Traces of folds with slight tears..