- a letter from Linton to Knox, dated November 13, 1839. (No, as yet we have no intervening letter(s) from Knox to Linton. I am posting these in strict chronological order.)
There's really nothing specifically "Beta" in this one, but be patient, there's quite a bit of splendid Beta meat to come! However, it is easy to see our common humanity unchanged in 160+ years. There are more unreadable words than the last time - I will look into posting a sample for you to see how hard this is... But in absence of a time machine, what a treasure to have even these few!
Quote:
Esteemed Friend
It has been more than a month since I heard from you; and why? The fault is my own – my own negligence – hence the sting. But Jacob Faithful says what's done is done "no use cryin about it" it can't be helped now. Since I shall make no apologies to you or to myself; but write now, and like a good boy promise to do better, or like Jacob have "better luck next time." And since I have kept you waiting I will have the larger history to write, yet not an eventful one.
From the "venue" (to use a legal term) of my letter you will discover that I am in the City – nearer to you than formerly – and infer that I am attending the Law School. At least I am sitting by a table in Caldwell's office scribbling as hard as the Devil will let me, and have been attending the lectures about two weeks. I am well pleased with Walker. He has a lively imagination, fine taste, discriminating judgment and is a man of pretty extensive legal attainments. He is an animated and animating lecturer, always interesting, sometimes eloquent. Affable in his manners, gentlemanly in his deportment. We have the largest class that ever attended the Law School, 31 or 2 in number. Tellford, Reynolds, Armstrong and myself the only Oxford boys. We have formed a debating club and our Moot Court will soon commence operation. I have drawn up two declarations this evening to be criticized tomorrow by Walker; whether I shall be [nouructed?] I can not tell, but rather think not. One declaration is trespass. I attend to the subject of the lecture and am reading Stephen on Pleading, [Ros???] on evidence and Selwin's [Nisi?] Prius. I spend but little time with light literature; read the news papers in the morning.
You speak of your success in "the Sylvan war." I became a little hero in that line previous to leaving home, but not [?Abimnad] However I could bring a squirrel from the top of the tallest hickories. I.E. when I happened to hit it. Did you ever hear the anecdote about Davy Crocket and the raccoon? I will suppose not. A raccoon in the top of a tree seeing Davy pass along with his gun on his shoulder accosted him in this wise: "Well Davy is that you?" Davy replies in the affirmative. The raccoon responds, "Well then, I will nock under and come down." Now I have never had the raccoons, squirrels, or pigeons to talk to me in that manner; yet I have brought them down, and that with an [?] force, when judging from circumstances they had no very extraordinary desire to come that way at all Such are some of the wondrous feats performed in the [shevalnic ?] field (where the woods ain't cut down.)
A few lines about the fair part of this world and I will go to bed. I believe with you in regard to the bottom – gone upwards of a good distance – seen the eyes close but surely 'tis a "bottomless pit."
There is a fair damsel in this place who almost makes me forget my studies and even my Quaker Miss. Reily, it is quite late and I am sleepy. Ryan passed through this place some time since, saw him just as he was about to leave, consequently had but little opportunity to converse with him. I should like to see you if you come to town be sure and call upon me and be sure and come. My couch waits for me, were there a damsel in it what a rejoicing there would. But you spoke of going to Indiana. Let me know what you have determined about that matter and write to me immediately.
And believe me in all sincerity your friend indeed
D. Linton
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