58 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
much in advance. I shall always be glad to hear from you and to further 
your wishes in any possible way. 
Very sincerely yours, 
BAYARD TAYLOR. 
(Bayard Taylor to Charles Heavysege.) 
Kennett Square, Penn., 19th July, 1865. 
My Dear Sir,—No doubt you have wondered at the non-appearance of any 
article upon your poems, in the “ Atlantic Monthly.’ I wish to assure you, 
therefore, that the article has been for some time in the hands of the Pub- 
lishers, is accepted by them, and will appear very soon—not later, I think, 
than September. My sister’s marriage and other domestic occurrences pre- 
vented me from writing it before May, as I wished to read all your works 
carefully over again, and make a paper which would interest and attract 
the reader. I will confess to you, in advance, that I have very frankly 
judged your poems, according to my point of view (that of a single individual, 
and therefore by no means infallible), measuring them by what is my highest 
standard. Though I have not given indiscriminate praise, I hope you will 
not be disappointed with the spirit of the criticism. The article was written 
con-amore, and I sincerely hope that it may attract attention to your genuine 
qualities as a poet. 
I shall be very glad to hear your impression, after its appearance, and 
beg that you will write to me, not only then, but whenever you are willing 
to exchange your views of literature or life for mine. 
Always sincerely yours, 
BAYARD TAYLOR. 
(Bayard Taylor to Charles Heavysege.) 
Cedarcroft, Kennett Sq., Penn., 6th Oct., 1865. 
My Dear Mr. Heavysege——I have just received your letter, which has 
given me great pleasure. 
My experience of authors has taught me that candour is more or less 
a risk; and the article in the “ Atlantic’’ was candid, if nothing else. 
I gave my sincere and deliberate opinion as to the merits and faults of 
your poetry, judging it, of course, by my highest standard. 
I should have made a better article, but that I was limited as to space, 
and particularly requested not to quote much. 
Under these restrictions, I could not make a very complete critique; but I 
hope it will at least have the effect of calling attention to your poems. 
The article, I am glad to see, already has attracted notice: I have seen 
several references to it in the newspapers. 
It is possible that I may visit Montreal, sometime between now and next 
spring, on copyright business; if so, I hope to have frequent opportunities 
of seeing you. 
I have just completed a poem of over 3000 lines—an art-idyl, called 
“The Picture of St. John,” but do not expect to publish it for a year yet. 
