26

Sawin, Esq.,

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REVERFND HoMER WILBUR, A. M., inclosing

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[January,

Biglow.

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SAWIN, ESQ., TO MR. HOSEA BIGLOW.

BIRDOFREDUM £etter

Mr.

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the Epistle

aforesaid.

Jaalam, 15th Nov., 1861.

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is not from any idle wish to obtrude my humble person with undue prominence upon the publick view that I resume my pen upon the present occasion. Juniores ad labores. But having been a main instrument in rescuing the talent of my young parishioner from being buried in the ground, by giving it such warrant with the world as would be derived from a name already widely known by several printed discourses, (all of which I may be permitted without immodes ty to state have been deemed worthy of preservation in the Library of Harvard College by my esteemed friend Mr. Sibley,) it seemed becoming that I should not only testify to the genuine long ness of the following production, but call attention to the more Mr. Biglow had any share danger been silent absolute oblivion. insinuate no claim the authourship (vic nostra voco) the works already published by Mr. Biglow, but merely take myself the credit having fulfilled toward them the office taster, (experto crede,) who, hav ing first tried, could afterward bear witness, -an office always arduous, and sometimes even dan gerous, the case those devoted persons who venture their lives the deglutition in

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generalibus, there medicines (dolus latet deceit the most them) and thereafter append their signatures are wonderfully preserved long enough testimonials the diurnal say not this covertly glancing and hebdomadal prints. the authours certain manu my literary judgment, (though twenty-four scripts which have been submitted epick

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save for the prudent forethought Mrs. Wilbur catalogue had arrived beneath the walls and was beginning longanimity the various horns and their blowers, too ambitiously emulous Homer's list ships, might, say, have rendered frustrate any hope could entertain vacare Musis for the books secreting

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mainly indebted for success the contributions and editorial super vision Dr. Holmes, whose excellent “Annals America” occupy honoured place upon my so, shelves. The journal itself have never seen; but this should seem that the recom (though par magis quam similis) would carry brother-clergyman greater amendation weight. glad, suppose that you have department for historical lucubrations, and should deemed desirable, forward for publication my “Collections for the Antiquities Jaalam” origo, the Wild and my (now happily complete) pedigree the Wilbur family from fons my profession by the settlement Boar Ardennes. Withdrawn from the active duties colleague-pastor, the Reverend Jeduthun Hitchcock, formerly Brutus Four-Corners, might general literature find time for further contributions similar topicks. have made large completer genealogy advances toward Mrs. Wilbur's family, the Pilcoxes, not, know myself, from any idle vanity, but with the sole desire rendering myself useful my day and generation. meteorological register, Nulla dies sine lined. inclose list the births, deaths. of

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my days,) but only further small remainder secure myself against any imputation unseemly forthputting. will barely subjoin, this connection, that, whereas Job was left desire, perchance misan the soreness his heart, that his adversary had written book, thropically wishing tempt him indite review thereof, yet was not Satan allowed far unprinted work send Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar each with his wallet submitted might add that write his censure. But this enough. Were need other excuse, by the express desire occupied, Mr. Biglow himself, whose entire winter leisure he answering demands for autographs, itself, and egre assures me, labour exacting enough giously him, who, being ready penman, cannot sign much his name without strange contortions complete success) and pain the face (his nose, even, being essential fully suppressed Saint-Vitus-dance every muscle his body. This, with his having been put the Commission the Peace by our excellent Governour (0, sic omnes!) immediately office, keeps him continually employed. on his accession Haud inexpertus loquor, having for many years written myself P., and being not seldom applied my chirog for specimens raphy, request which have sometimes too weakly assented, believing that nothing autograph, but only those unpremeditated written set purpose can properly called sallies and lively runnings which betray the fireside Man instead the hunted Notoriety doub sing his pursuers. But time that should bethink me Saint Austin's prayer, Libera