250 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



an acquaintance with the distinguished jurist, Chan- 

 cellor Kent, from whom he received a complimentary 

 letter. 



FROM CHANCELLOR KENT. 



ALBANY, April 11, 1810. 



DEAR SIR, This is the first letter I have ever written 

 to a stranger with no other motive than to gratify the 

 wishes of my heart. "We all owe a debt of gratitude to an 

 author when he has pleased and instructed us. I have just 

 finished your " Journal of Travels," and I feel a propensity 

 too strong to be resisted of making known to you the 

 pleasure I have received from the perusal, and the lively 

 impression of respect and esteem which it has given me 

 for your character. The volumes were read by me with 

 minute attention and unceasing interest. By the aid of 

 excellent maps I followed your steps over every part of the 

 town and the country, and I feel proud that an American, 

 and more so that a professor of the College to which I once 

 belonged and for which I still feel a filial veneration, should 

 have given to the world one of the most instructive arid 

 interesting views of England that any single traveller has 

 ever presented. 



It would not be proper here to enlarge on this subject. 

 I will only add that your work has one feature not always 

 to be met with in books of that description. It has pre- 

 served " virtue in its dignity and taught innocence not to 

 be ashamed." If ever you should be led to visit this part 

 of the country I hope you will give me the pleasure of 

 seeing you, and perhaps my duties would not intervene to 

 prevent me from attending you to any interesting objects 

 or scenery in this State to which your taste or scientific 

 researches might direct you. 



I am, with much respect, 

 Yours, &c. 



JAMES KENT. 



