To Mr. Norton.

Cambridge, July 24, 1867.

... I have been on the point, on several occasions, of writing to you, but my unconquerable indolence has prevailed, along with the claims of various duties (which I have not done), — enemies which I propitiate, after a barbarous fashion, by sacrificing to them all my nearest relations, with the exception of my ease. I have unintentionally taken a long and uneventful vacation, parleying with the thief of time, and giving myself up to ponderous amusements, such as reading the last “North American Review,” and writing fragmentary essays and criticisms. Do not expect me ever to finish any of them for the Review, for they are only notes of thoughts which seemed to me at the moment better cut and dried for future reference than allowed to resolve themselves into the humus of a fertile oblivion,—for fear that weeds might come up instead of better ones. Among my more serious diversions is the study of ----’s metaphysics in the Review. I can only take small quantities at a time, both on account of the density of the matter and the pungency of the style. I have read your general views on translation with great interest. . . .

I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Abbot, my metaphysical antagonist, personally, and debating in a pleasant conversation the various points of our controversy. I find him as able in talk as in his writings. I also met Mr. White of the Cornell College last week, and hope to meet him again before he leaves these parts, for I had but a few words with him after the dinner on Thursday.

Gurney and Lowell go to-morrow to Manomet, near Plymouth, for a few days by the seashore.