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In commencing to write to you I feel like the Irishman who put to sea in his
canoe without chart or compass, and when asked where he was going and how he
would steer, replied "cNeillCollege is much more moral. This may seem a paradox
but it is literally true. In small things, such as talking in recitation,
drinking occasionally, and playing cards once and a while, we are more open but
careless for detection. But in all that relates to riot, habitual intoxication,
and gambling we are completely reformed. The Faculty however were not satisfied
and on the first day of the Session announced that the cords of discipline were
to be tightened. We took fire at this and determined to loosen them and played a
high trump in the commencement of the game. This was the sword cane and sallied
forth but was again driven back. They came very near sending off ten men about
that but were afraid. They now returned our lead and this was a new law of
Internal Police. This made matters worse and it was soon evident that there was
to be an insurrection in College. the demanded amendment and thus were conquered by
the students. This of course created an intense excitement and during these two
days none studied any. It was rumoured that the same law was to be extended to
our class and a paper was drawn up and signed (or promised to be) by 34 out of
thirty eight stating that we would not submit to the law and therefore demanded
an "Honourable Dismission." The Faculty heard of it and
declined extending the Law to our class. But they were not yet taught by
experience and were even still more determined than before to make experiments
in government. They continually practiced those petty tyrannies, which
instructors always may exercise and which never fail to exasperate the student
to the highest degree. As a requital for these the Fresh Treat was wrought on
but we now seem to have gone too far with it. The
But adieu to this stuff and let me now come to some more interesting subject. You
told me in you letter that you had argued the Question, "Is a child
possessed of Soul before it is born." Returning from the Post-Office
the morning I received your letter, I read that passage to the friend who
accompanied me. We forthwith fell into an argument, he in the Neg. and I in the
Aff. and we argued it a week. I have read more articles in the Encyclopedia
about Begetting, Conception, and Bringing forth, than I ever would have thought
myself able to wade through. The result is however that I am confirmed in my
position. Pray what side did you take on the subject. I am the busiest man you
have ever seen. You know the course affairs took in our
is a remark which I often make, when I have obtained a victory for which I
have during weeks made every exertion. Happiness, nor aught that approximates in
nature to that coveted boon, hath ever visited our earth, and the most that we
can do is to protract that fatal hour when apathy succedes to excitement and
calm misery to buoyant hope.
and the stern accents of Historic Truth confirm the Lesson. Yes! All that we
admire, all for which we strive with a fury of passion worthy of embodied
madness, and with an energy of purpose characteristic of Gowould not if I could,
separate myself from the foolish ties with which I am enclosed. In the hour of
strife, when the keen excitement of intellectual contests spurs me, I discard
Philosophy and join in the swelling combat with all the ardour of Enthusiasm.
And there it is that I am happy. In the very moment when I am in a minority and
yet feel an intense desire to gain the contested point, I find my supreme
pleasure. And when the excitement cools off, when success has left me nothing to
wish, then the Demon of Misery enters my soul and until I am again borne away by
the return of the tide, anguish unmitigated is my state. In fact, I cannot live
except in a high state of Excitement. I have it now. Rivalries have me absorbed
in their potent sphere and every hour produces an event, the subject of
necessary cautious reflection. Thus much on this subject. I shall never renew it. I do not like the query you propose. I take
the same side with yourself. How do you like this one. "Should
Patriotism be considered superior to obedience to Parents." I will take
the Affirmative.
Let me give you a piece of Advice. Just as soon as you get this letter go to
Hale's Bookstore and buy "Stanley. A Novel by a man of the world. It is
the next greatest book to Helvetius that I have ever read. If you do not buy it,
get it for your Library. It is a splendid thing. Read it at all events. There is
more knowledge treasured up in it than