LECTURES IN BOSTON. 353 



Mrs. Sullivan, he said : " Now, madam, I am not going to 

 talk to-day." He took a seat, and kept his promise for a 

 few minutes, when the gushing torrent broke forth, and 

 flowed almost without cessation, very pleasing and instruc- 

 tive. There was, however, an interval, which Mr. 



made use of to introduce an anecdote. He was, as he 

 said, one evening in company with Professor Parr at Ox- 

 ford, when the conversation grew more and more interest- 

 ing, and they passed the night in high converse on exalted 



classical themes ; " but," added Mr. . addressing Judge 



Story, " it was a dialogue, Judge, and not a monologue." 

 The Judge felt the application, and bowed with a smile. I 

 had been before somewhat acquainted with this eminent 

 man, having met him more than once in the New Haven 

 steamers, passing along upon his judicial journeys. In 

 the letter to Mrs. Silliman, which I quoted above, I find 

 the following remarks : " Everything goes on most agree- 

 ably in the lectures ; everything is said and done that can 

 gratify and encourage me ; and I believe I have completely 

 won the confidence and gained the favor of my audience : 

 there is the most breathless attention at all the lectures." 

 "All this, however, although it cheers, gratifies, and en- 

 courages me, so far from producing an emotion of vanity, 

 serves only to increase my sense of responsibility to my 

 generous audience and to Yale College, that I may not fail 

 to sustain its elevated character." Again : " I wish I could 

 tell you all that passes here ; if it were in my power, I 

 would record every dinner and every party, and all that is 

 said and done ; but, as this is impossible, you will be satis- 

 fied with selections. I must decline going to great even- 

 ing routes, where I must stand for hours ; dinners fatigue 

 me much less. I can sit and enjoy conversation without 

 indulging in wine and luxuries. I am habitually very care- 

 ful that my health may not be deranged and the activity of 

 my mind impaired." Referring to personal religion in the 

 children, it is written in the same letter : " I hope our dear 

 VOL. i. 23 



