A Book of Autographs
A Book of Autographs
[from The Doliver Romance and Other Pieces]
Book Excerpt
y, had
given a place among its rulers. But, on the coarse and dingy paper
before us, the effect is very much inferior; the direction, all except
the signature, is a scrawl, large and heavy, but not forcible; and even
the name itself, while almost identical in its strokes with that of the
Declaration, has a strangely different and more vulgar aspect. Perhaps
it is all right, and typical of the truth. If we may trust tradition,
and unpublished letters, and a few witnesses in print, there was quite
as much difference between the actual man, and his historical aspect, as
between the manuscript signature and the engraved one. One of his
associates, both in political life and permanent renown, is said to have
characterized him as a "man without a head or heart." We, of an after
generation, should hardly be entitled, on whatever evidence, to assume
such ungracious liberty with a name that has occupied a lofty position
until it, has grown almost sacred, and which is associated with memories
more sacred than itse
Editor's choice
(view all)Popular books in Short Story
Readers reviews
0.0
LoginSign up
Be the first to review this book