256 Edward Livingston Youmans. 



lantic by people hereabout, I know you cannot fail to look 

 upon it very differently and as full of danger. But there are 

 dangers also on land, and the perils of land travel rival the 

 perils of the ocean. I go on an errand of importance, I 

 believe, to the public, and which I trust I am partly quali- 

 fied to execute. There is great satisfaction in having 

 reached a position in which I command the confidence of 

 the publishing house which has known me for eighteen 

 years, and now tenders me an unqualified commission to 

 use their funds to carry out the most important and con- 

 siderable project they have yet undertaken. Even should 

 nothing come of it, so much, at all events, will remain, and 

 the consideration I have with them I have earned myself. 

 In my connection with them I have never pursued a selfish 

 end, and am as far from it now as is possible for one to be 

 who cannot utterly lose sight of a duty to himself. Should 

 the enterprise be carried out I shall be glad, and do not 

 dread the responsibility or the work it may entail. It will 

 be steady, and so will be healthier than the fitful and 

 anxious course I have hitherto pursued. 



I think of you and father very often, often every day, 

 and never forget how much I owe you that I can never 

 repay. I have much happiness in reflecting that you are 

 still so well, though in feeble health, and that you are so 

 comfortably situated in your declining years. Doubtless 

 you have your trials all have them but how many have 

 less cause of thankfulness than falls to your lot. You have 

 done your duty ; be contented, and all will be well. Worry- 

 ing is exhaustive, anti-vital, anti-healthful, injurious, and 

 therefore immoral and irreligious. It cannot be alto- 

 gether avoided, as I know, but something may be done to 

 escape it. It is our highest obligation to make the best of 

 things. Your very affectionate son, 



E. L. YOUMANS. 



