A letter from Nathaniel Hawthorne to James Russell Lowell about Hawthorne’s potential contribution to the Democratic Review, 1843.

I am greatly troubled about that contribution for Mr. Poe. Hitherto, I have never been accustomed to write during summer weather; and now I find that my thoughts fly out of the open window, and will not be enticed back again. I am compelled, indeed, to write a worthy article for the Democratic, but is with great pain and dolor, and only by the utmost force of self-com-pultion. If I am to read anything to Mr. Poe, I should wish it to be worth his reception; but I am conscious of no power to produce anything good, at present. When you write to him, do make my apologies, and tell him that I have no more brains than a cabbage—which is absolutely true. He shall hear from me after the first frost—possibly sooner. I shall not forget your promised [[object Object]]

Truly your friend,

Nath Hawthorne.

Citation Information
Hawthorne, Nathaniel, “Lowell, James Russell, ALS to. May? 1843” Digital Public Library of America, https://dp.la/item/0dd3aa0318aa894d9ae5b9415d2c8c44.
Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.
Courtesy of The New York Public Library.

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