LETTERS FROM HON. JOSIAH QUINCY, SENIOR. 247 

 FROM HON. JOSIAH QUINCY (SENIOR.) 



Professor Silliman : 



MY DEAR SIR, I am obliged by the interest you ex- 

 press in my recent exertion.* Laudari a laudato viro, is 

 Cicero's standard of exalted praise. I calculate little in 

 party times on the effect of any independent endeavor. 

 Those whose interest it crosses condemn or let it pass in 

 silence if it be too true to be censured. Those whose 

 views it supports are apprehensive of being identified with 

 truths, which are not exactly coincident* with party plat- 

 forms, however much they may approve them. Men are 

 governed by their interests, and care little about prin- 

 ciples. I have, however, but little to complain of, rather 

 nothing. The work has been better received than I ex- 

 pected. Babes do not like strong meat. Diana of the 

 Ephesians is said to be in danger from my doctrines, and 

 all who live by making silver shrines for her temple cry 

 out that the craft by which they live will be destroyed. As 

 to its being " thrown broadcast through the land," that 

 must depend upon others, but though the spirit of some 

 be willing the flesh of many is weak. I have done in this 

 respect, and shall do, my duty. But from age and from 

 having been for more than thirty years disconnected with 

 politics, I almost stand alone. My contemporaries are gone, 

 and beyond the sphere of my own state, my acquaintance 

 is very limited. Besides giving a thousand copies gratui- 

 tously to the public, I have reserved a number for my own 

 distribution, and a second edition, I am told, will be re- 

 quired. If you who have been spreading the light of phi- 

 losophy through distant regions and must know many, of 

 whom I know nothing, and to whom the work would be 

 acceptable, will send me a list of such persons with their 

 address, I will see them supplied. Your interest in the 

 thing, so fully expressed, seems to justify me in giving you 

 this trouble if you see fit to take it. I remember Senator 

 * A pamphlet on the side of freedom. F. 



