beneath it, save poor Mr. Oliver, taking the oath. He must have on a
bag-wig, ruffled sleeves, embroidered coat, and all such ornaments,
because he is the representative of aristocracy and an artificial system.
The people may be as rough and wild as the fancy can make them;
nevertheless, there must be one or two grave, puritanical figures in the
midst. Such an one might sit in the great chair, and be an emblem of
that stern, considerate spirit which brought about the Revolution. But
this would be a hard subject.

But what a dolt am I to obtrude my counsel. . . . .


September 16th.--. . . . I do not very well recollect Monsieur du Miroir,
but, as to Mrs. Bullfrog, I give her up to the severest reprehension.
The story was written as a mere experiment in that style; it did not come
from any depth within me,--neither my heart nor mind had anything to do
with it. I recollect that the Man of Adamant seemed a fine idea to nee
when I looked at it prophetically; but I failed in giving shape and
substance to the vision which I saw. I don't think it can be very
good. . . . .

I cannot believe all these stories about ------, because such a rascal
never could be sustained and countenanced by respectable men. I take him
to be neither better nor worse than the average of his tribe. However, I
intend to have all my copyrights taken out in my own name; and, if he
cheat me once, I will have nothing more to do with him, but will
straightway be cheated by some other publisher,--that being, of course,
the only alternative.

Governor Shirley's young French wife might be the subject of one of the