I beg your pardon for not writing before; but I have been very busy
and not particularly well. I enclose a letter to Atherton. Roll up
and pile up as much of a snow-ball as you can in the way of
political interest; for there never was a fiercer time than this
among the office-seekers....
Atherton is a man of rather cold exterior; but has a good heart--at
least for a politician of a quarter of a century's standing. If it
be certain that he cannot help you, he will probably tell you so.
Perhaps it would be as well for you to apply for some place that
has a literary fragrance about it--librarian to some
department--the office that Lanman held. I don't know whether there
is any other such office. Are you fond of brandy? Your strength of
head (which you tell me you possess) may stand you in good stead in
Washington; for most of these public men are inveterate guzzlers,
and love a man that can stand up to them in that particular. It
would never do to let them see you corned, however. But I must
leave you to find your way among them. If you have never associated
with them heretofore, you will find them a new class, and very
unlike poets.
I have finished the "Tanglewood Tales," and they will make a volume
about the size of the "Wonder-Book," consisting of six myths--"The
Minotaur," "The Golden Fleece," "The Story of Proserpine," etc.,
etc., etc., done up in excellent style, purified from all moral
stain, re-created good as new, or better--and fully equal, in their
way, to "Mother Goose." I never did anything so good as those old
baby-stories.
In haste,
Truly yours,
NATH. HAWTHORNE.
Nothing could more succinctly illustrate the readiness of Hawthorne's
sympathies, and the companionable, cordial ease with which he treated a
new friend who approached him in the right way, one who caught his fancy
by a frank and simple independence, than this letter to Mr. Stoddard,
whom he had spoken with only twice. At that very time his old
disinclination to be intruded upon was as strong as ever; for Mr. Fields
relates how, just before Hawthorne sailed for England, they walked
together near the Old Manse and lay down in a secluded, grassy spot
beside the Concord River, to watch the clouds and hear the birds sing.
Suddenly, footsteps were heard approaching, and Hawthorne whispered in
haste, with much solemnity: "Duck! or we shall be interrupted by
somebody." So they were both obliged to prostrate themselves in the
grass until the saunterer had passed out of sight.
The proposition to accept an office from Pierce was made to him as soon
as the new President was inaugurated. Although Hawthorne had considered
the possibility, as we have seen, and had decided what he could
advantageously take if it were offered, he also had grave doubts with
regard to taking any post whatever. When, therefore, the Liverpool
consulate was tendered to him, he at first positively declined it.
President Pierce, however, was much troubled by his refusal, and the
intervention of Hawthorne's publisher, Mr. Ticknor, was sought. Mr.
Ticknor urged him to reconsider, on the ground that it was a duty to his
family; and Hawthorne, who also naturally felt a strong desire to see
England, finally consented. His appointment was confirmed, March 26,
1853; but his predecessor was allowed, by resigning prospectively, to
hold over for five months; so that the departure for England was not
effected until the midsummer of 1853.