Cleveland, Dec 26th 52

 

Dear Spooner,

     I only rec’d yours of the 10th incl. in losing Heldreth, notice of your essay. The latter I have published, & I enclose a copy of the publication.

     I have not yet got through with the Essay. The truth is, it is a great work for Mr G, any anything of yours. I need at least a week to read this Essay. Of course, I marvel at Hildreth’s facility of execution in much work. He read it at a night’s sitting.

     The names of all the ____ of the True Democrat were omitted in the paper’s ___ soon after I entered the concern, in imitation of the English fashion, though without consulting myself. The names which paper at the mast of the Local Department are chosen of a couple of ways, on of them Vaughn a son of Vaughn’s. They were placed there to tackle the vanity of those boys; and this too, like almost everything else about the paper, was done with no consultation with myself.

     Horace Mann’s dined with us the other day. He delivered three lectures, one on “Young Men”, & one on “Women”. The last two reminded me of the infinite circumspection Mann ____ to exhibit about Slavery & other matters. He gave with one hand, & he took away with the other. He asked me if he was “to _____.” I told him I could only say, that, if such was to be his fate, he should not, with my consent, an “incumbered between ___ thieves,” as happened to be a better man. B

 

B I gave him a column of as moderate return as I could write.

 

I found him not at all ____ Sumner’s reform to trump the State. He thought Sumner might have timed the election.

     I have not yet brought to a close my connection with the True Democrat. But I am awaiting only the arrival of center papers from the East., & the compliance of my parties will when they have promised. What not the Lord only known. I don’t tell out of attempting anything here in the paper line; for that would not do until I ___ have got a settlement.

     Y_____ sends her ___ to your. Our dear nanny was at Warhampton at the last account, having gone thither with a newly married ____. Geo. Bradburn