Letter from to Isaac Leeser;June 11, 1851 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from to Isaac Leeser;June 11, 1851

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Date Created

11 June 1851

Location(s)

Kingston

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 4 page(s).

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3pr7nd91/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3pr7nd91

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Fragment

Manuscript

Is Part Of

The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries

content

Kingston Jamaica Rosh hodesh
Sivan 5611.
Sunday June 11th
Revd I Leeser
Respected Friend
Your favor of May 6th came duly to hand giving much regret at the ingratitude practiced towards you. But you have that written which must baffle all all the efforts of your enemies; the cannot eqult? long and in their exultation of (what they may term your defeat) they must be condemned by the ? and more enlight-ened portion of the world to which your devotion to their service has been known I trust that your literary efforts will meet with more praising? encouragement than they do here: the few readers there are are unwilling to pay for knowledge, in part, with few exceptions, they are not a people to be depended on. Mr Laruton has changed his mind on his contemplated visit to the States; he, ? your parcel but as the

Postage was high 8/ he allowed them to remain there on for aught he knows may have been taken home again, if this be proper agency, I am quite mistaken, I believe he was not in friends not having received anything for you. I showed him your letter to which he replied that he could sell as many of your works (naming the purchasers) as to remit you $80. but could not under sell them without your sanction. I requested him to communicate the same to you by the Steamer; but fearing he has not done so; I feel it necessary to make you acquainted with it. According to his account the books are somewhat injured; my advice would be to take what you can get for them, and after that charge your full price for new ones. Great complaint at the high price of your publications I friend to literature told me that he thought you would effect confer more benefit to on yourself and the public by sending out your magazines in the way that Chambers does. Let them be sold by numbers

people will gratify a fancy and pay more in a small way, than subscribing to an entire work such is the mean spirit of this place, though I do fortunately meet in my ? with a few expressions. My literary friend would rather feast on a good substantial work than all the dainties of the universe. In fact were it not for his librarying mind (to use your own adage) would long since have gone to vast so much am I indebt-ed to my friend Mr Heyman Cohen Del?; a young gentleman of good parts; clear mind and would by little practice be a fine lec-turer; ? for the world he is only the merchant. I should like to hear some publications of your honorable successor Mr. Morais. How strange it will appear to me should I reform, to see another occupying your place. Louisa seems to regret much the state of affairs when she last wrote. Mrs H has not said anything on the subject but that was owing to the melancholy state of my feelings. I regret exceedingly you did not know the date of

my misfortune ? it was on the 8th Thebet at eleven o clock ? a sad month indeed to me, the loss of a parent at any time is a painful event in ones life, and when attended with so much attachment, so much to render life desirable, tis indeed ? more so. Piety charity were and a firmness in the faith of her fathers were predominant may you explain and widow shared? her smallest stores. A most tender affectionate mother; for two days, all she said was poor ?, poor ? till too weak to speak such was her ardent love for me, I really feel, my friend that some great offence on my part only could have brought down the anger of Heaven on me in this bereavement I feel that the one I loved most on earth in bloom and ? notwithstanding her to age 63, to be thus snatched from me when least expected, is a trial almost more than I can bear, yet tis the Divine hand and I could subscribe the more ? aiding mind not run this constantly or my having it as a punishment; perhaps I did not deserve such an angel; yes, David ? will tell you of her virtues. O! how fervently do I pray that should it

Identifier

LSDCBx1FF8_45

Date

1851-06-11