Port Royal, S. C. Dec. 20/65

Friend Fisk;--

Not quite so much like winter here as in N. H. We are sitting this evening with the windows and doors all open--Miss Breck proposed shutting them when we lighted the lamps, on account of the mosquitoes, but we decided that it was too warm, and we would run the risk. We also have cold weather sometimes however, and when it does come it is not very comfortable, I assure you in these slight houses.

Don't apologize. I wouldn't give a fig for a letter which the writer had labored to make fine. I feel more honored, by far, to receive the genuine outpourings of another heart--just as it comes--perhaps turbid, perhaps clear, but at least no counterfeit. "The highest compact man can make with his fellows is: Let there be truth between us two forevermore." To such it is easy to reply, for with all our diversity of individuality, all true natures are of the same stock after all, and answer to each other as face answereth to face in water. There is poetry in every heart as in every life, and we see it best standing afar off. A thousand miles apart, I do not see your soiled wristbands, you know nothing of my patience worn to shoestrings. And so when separated from our work by a thousand years, all the drudgery will be forgotten; and if we have been faithful over these few things we shall know the mystery of that wonderful joy, shared by Him who gives to each our work -- who will not ask, "What is it?" but, "How is it wrought?"

I don't understand you quite. you seem to be impatiently chafing at your work, and yet proudly jealous lest it do not receive its just due. It is true that to supply a deficiency of mere book knowledge is difficult in mature life. (though I was not aware of your deficiency in that respect.) but nothing in the shape of early advantages will supply the place of that culture which comes from earnest vigorous thought, and familiarity with the best writers. Indeed I think too many early advantages are rather unfavorable to such culture. I have known people of "liberal education" who would yawn over Macauly, and who preferred George Sand to Scott. Do you read Dickens, and do you remember Toots?

After all, what is this life, that we talk of irretrievable loss in it? I remember an old legend of a monkish painter, who long prayed for a vision of the form

divine which he dare not conceive. At last it came, and his Master filled his humble cell with the glory that surrounded him on earth. Overjoyed, the monk seized his brush, and was about to transfer to his canvass the marvellous vision, when a message came praying him to go to the bedside of a dying beggar. Scarcely casting a look behind, lest he be tempted to forsake his duty, but filled with disappointment, he obeyed the summons. He performed the last offices for the poor wretch, and returned to his cell with a heavy heart. He was surprised on opening the door to find it still filled with the divine radiance. He tried to express his wonder and gratitude that his Master should condescend to wait for him. The Lord turned upon him his mild approving eye, and said, "Hadst thou staid, then had I fled."

Here I remember, you have been described to me as "very critical." I am afraid you will criticize the above very severely. It was beautiful when I read it, but as I have written it, it sounds all elbows. I have just come in from our evening school. It is the pleasantest part of our labors. The men are such noble fellows, and they work so hard to learn. O Slavery! "Earth-born Cyclops! fellest of the giant brood!" What do you think of our improved S. Carolina system?

January 1st 1866

A Happy New Year to you and yours! I have here written the date for the first time. I wonder where I shall write it for the last! In a life so full of things as mine it is quite a fertile subject for speculation. But I won't inflict my egotism on you this beautiful warm New Year's morning. I'll tell you about the Watch meeting in our school house last night. Miss Breck, my associate went to church i the morning & promised them that we would come, at which they were greatly pleased.