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210 LETTERS.
vortex of the world, because I should find myself utterly
unfit for it and lost. But do not think that I pity you. No
such thing! I might perhaps say to you, when you are
fatigued in body and soul: “ Oh! how sorry I am for you,
my dearest Frances;” but I do not pity you on account of
the life which you are leading. It is really so ordained in
this world, that in every direction, and in every position in
life, one can improve one’s self, and develop a peculiar
beauty and excellence. And she who lives in the great
world, active in all domestic duties, gains thereby strength,
assurance, aplomb, and ability, which the solitary one never
attains, even if she could get into her head all the books
which she collects round her in her silent and quiet little
home. She can also develop herself, and work good in
her own way and in her retirement; but she would miss
much of what is gained in a more stirring, outwardly more
practical, life. It makes me happy to feel how every one
can go ouwards in his own path. All depends upon going
forward in the right direction. The retired study has its
dangers, its temptations, as well as the salons of the great.
One can become dried up in the former, whilst in the lat-
ter one evaporates. All roads have their by-roads. It is
therefore necessary that we should take with us the proper
guide. My sincerest thanks for your encouraging words
about my “children.” I wish only that I could properly
execute what I intend and ought to do. But it is with
books as with deeds. We know what is right, but we are
not able to achieve it. Frequently, when I have finished
some book, I feel with anxiety and a kind of pain how
much of it I could have done better. In order to console
myself, I look forward to the future and to new works. I
wonder whether I shall be more pleased with them ?
What you say of our Swedish Psalm-book delights me.
Its compiler has well deserved Tegnér’s eulogy : —
“The merits of Wallin sure we may all discuss, —
He’s yet a psalm-book in advance of us.”
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