Mentions learning from a letter that his brother, Sam Gunn, had cholera, and comments on William Shakespeare's reasons for writing As You Like It. Transcription: thought of me on Christmas day ? and at Rosa [Gunn] ?s verses. Many a time have I thought and acted unkindness to her. I see it now. And poor little Sam [Gunn] was near dying of the Cholera! They never said that in former letters. Ah what sorrow to return home and miss one face among them! Oh God I pray thee, whenever it may be thy will that I see home and England again there may be no such grief in store for me! / Finished letter f
Mentions learning from a letter that his brother, Sam Gunn, had cholera, and comments on William Shakespeare's reasons for writing As You Like It. Transcription: thought of me on Christmas day ? and at Rosa [Gunn] ?s verses. Many a time have I thought and acted unkindness to her. I see it now. And poor little Sam [Gunn] was near dying of the Cholera! They never said that in former letters. Ah what sorrow to return home and miss one face among them! Oh God I pray thee, whenever it may be thy will that I see home and England again there may be no such grief in store for me! / Finished letter for [William] Boutcher in the evening. 27. Wednesday. Early walk to Post Office, with letter for Boutcher. Brief stroll up the Battery. Then back to [168] Duane. ?ǣMose [among the Britishers] ? all day. Evening wrote a rhyming letter to [Jabez] Wing. 28. Thursday. To the Post Office with letter for Wing. ?ǣMose ? all day. / Thinking of my favourite play ?ǣAs you like it, ? and of the circumstance Knight speaks of in connexion [connection] with it ? that it was written at a time when Lord [Henry Wriothesley] Southampton Shakspere ?s [William Shakespeare ?s] early patron was in disfavour with the court ? (a friend of his also.) In this light, what a memento of the rich, genial heart of our most divine poet it is! Such a testimony of friendship and heart-touching sympathy surely never exceeded in the world. Fancy the solace, the balm to the etiquette-wearied scholar-courtiers as Arden was presented to them. As Touchstone (philosophic fool) descanted on courtier-phrase, and the follies of the great world ? how men ?ǣripe and rot as the jovial songs bid cast all care and carking sorrow aside ? as Jacques spake ?! O play of Sunny hearts, and true Golden Age, blessed be the Memory of the Prospero that produced thee! Title: Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries: Volume 1, page 92, February 26-28, 1850 . 26 February 1850. Gunn, Thomas Butler, 1826-1903
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