Metadata
Title
Sarah Josepha Hale to David E. Hale
Creator
Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell, 1788-1879
Date
1832-01-18
January 18, 1832
Medium
Manuscripts
Language
eng
Type
text
Collection
Sarah Josepha Hale Collection, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
Identifier
46-M-141
Rights
http://www.philaathenaeum.org/rights.html
Text
Boston, Jan. 18th 1832 -
My dear Son - Your letter reached me
last night, If you could know how much
happiness your success gives me, you
would think all your labor rewarded;
for I am sure your best feelings are
devoted to me, and my happiness.
I was just going out to a party, a
private concert, as your letter came,
and during the whole evening
I thought little of the music [or?]
company. My heart was with you,
picturing your joy, now that
the agony was over and you
had convinced not only others, but
yourself, that success was in your
power. I knew this, I knew you
could conquer - but I have deeply
feared that sense would prevail over
reason, and that you would not
make the trial [DE: ?] necessary to success
with the enthusiasm which only can
give the heart its full enjoyment in
mental pursuits. I am now happy to
say these fears are in a great measure
removed. Blessed is the [?] won by
honorable exertion - by our own self-
devoted exertion. You have done more
Then obtain the approbation of others -
you feel satisfied with yourself.
But you must know permit your efforts
to be suspended or slackened. The studies
on which you are about to enter, you
say are "beautiful." Rely not on the
pleasantness of the path. [De: You may lose] Time may be lost
[DE: as much time] by lingering among flowers
as well as brambles. Resolve to leave
nothing which you can do to ensure success
neglected, and you will succeed. God will
prosper you! I feel assured of it, if you
only "act well your part." The fatherless
have more to encourage them to rely on
a blessing from heaven than those
who are rich in worldly friends. But
those who do have to go forth into the arena
of this selfish world relying on the blessing
of heaven and their own efforts, should be very
careful that their motives are pure. In this respect
the poor have the advantage of the rich,
because the former may put forth all their
Strength from motives founded on the noble
and praise-worthy wish to rise, that they may be more useful to their
friends and to the world. And the poor are
not necessarily exposed to the temptations of flatterers
and the allurements of luxury. The prudence
that their circumstances demands, instead
of making them seem mean, will have the
effect to give a manly & decided cast to the
character. This may be accomplished, if the
poor man is consistent, is true to himself. If
he show the ability to rise, and the self-control
which insures that he will rise. But
nothing is more ridiculous than to see a youth
[whose?] means of support must be of his own earning,
devoting his thoughts to the pleasures which
rich men enjoy. It entirely destroys his dignity
of character, because he assumes what he cannot
support. Go on, my Son, in the path you
have entered, and which you can pursue
with honor & advantage. Endeavor to excel
and if you not gain all at which you aim
the effect on your character will be most
salutary.
I will, the first opportunity, send you
a [seal?] & [Willis' Poems?] which I have.
We are very well - and Willey is studying
bravely. You need not be troubled that
you cannot obtain money for me - I hope
to go on this year - and I must trust that
Providence which has never forsaken me,
for the future. Yours most affectionately.
H. & W. send love
Cadet David E. Hale
West-Point
N. York.
My dear Son - Your letter reached me
last night, If you could know how much
happiness your success gives me, you
would think all your labor rewarded;
for I am sure your best feelings are
devoted to me, and my happiness.
I was just going out to a party, a
private concert, as your letter came,
and during the whole evening
I thought little of the music [or?]
company. My heart was with you,
picturing your joy, now that
the agony was over and you
had convinced not only others, but
yourself, that success was in your
power. I knew this, I knew you
could conquer - but I have deeply
feared that sense would prevail over
reason, and that you would not
make the trial [DE: ?] necessary to success
with the enthusiasm which only can
give the heart its full enjoyment in
mental pursuits. I am now happy to
say these fears are in a great measure
removed. Blessed is the [?] won by
honorable exertion - by our own self-
devoted exertion. You have done more
Then obtain the approbation of others -
you feel satisfied with yourself.
But you must know permit your efforts
to be suspended or slackened. The studies
on which you are about to enter, you
say are "beautiful." Rely not on the
pleasantness of the path. [De: You may lose] Time may be lost
[DE: as much time] by lingering among flowers
as well as brambles. Resolve to leave
nothing which you can do to ensure success
neglected, and you will succeed. God will
prosper you! I feel assured of it, if you
only "act well your part." The fatherless
have more to encourage them to rely on
a blessing from heaven than those
who are rich in worldly friends. But
those who do have to go forth into the arena
of this selfish world relying on the blessing
of heaven and their own efforts, should be very
careful that their motives are pure. In this respect
the poor have the advantage of the rich,
because the former may put forth all their
Strength from motives founded on the noble
and praise-worthy wish to rise, that they may be more useful to their
friends and to the world. And the poor are
not necessarily exposed to the temptations of flatterers
and the allurements of luxury. The prudence
that their circumstances demands, instead
of making them seem mean, will have the
effect to give a manly & decided cast to the
character. This may be accomplished, if the
poor man is consistent, is true to himself. If
he show the ability to rise, and the self-control
which insures that he will rise. But
nothing is more ridiculous than to see a youth
[whose?] means of support must be of his own earning,
devoting his thoughts to the pleasures which
rich men enjoy. It entirely destroys his dignity
of character, because he assumes what he cannot
support. Go on, my Son, in the path you
have entered, and which you can pursue
with honor & advantage. Endeavor to excel
and if you not gain all at which you aim
the effect on your character will be most
salutary.
I will, the first opportunity, send you
a [seal?] & [Willis' Poems?] which I have.
We are very well - and Willey is studying
bravely. You need not be troubled that
you cannot obtain money for me - I hope
to go on this year - and I must trust that
Providence which has never forsaken me,
for the future. Yours most affectionately.
H. & W. send love
Cadet David E. Hale
West-Point
N. York.