Samuel F. B. Morse, His Letters and Journals - Volume I. | Page 3

compelled to use very plain language with regard to some of those who were his open or secret enemies, or who have been posthumously glorified by others, I have done so with regret.
Such as it is I send the book forth in the hope that it may add to the knowledge and appreciation of the character of one of the world's great men, and that it may, perhaps, be an inspiration to others who are striving, against great odds, to benefit their fellow men, or to those who are championing the cause of justice and truth.
EDWARD LIND MORSE.

CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
APRIL 27. 1791--SEPTEMBER 8, 1810
Birth of S.F.B. Morse.--His parents.--Letters of Dr. Belknap and Rev. Mr. Wells.--Phillips, Andover.--First letter.--Letter from his father.-- Religious letter from Morse to his brothers.--Letters from the mother to her sons.--Morse enters Yale.--His journey there.--Difficulty in keeping up with his class.--Letter of warning from his mother.--Letters of Jedediah Morse to Bishop of London and Lindley Murray.--Morse becomes more studious.--Bill of expenses.--Longing to travel and interest in electricity.--Philadelphia and New York.--Graduates from college.--Wishes to accompany Allston to England, but submits to parents' desires
CHAPTER II
OCTOBER 31, 1810--AUGUST 17, 1811
Enters bookshop as clerk.--Devotes leisure to painting.--Leaves shop.-- Letter to his brothers on appointments at Yale.--Letters from Joseph P. Rossiter.--Morse's first love affair.--Paints "Landing of the Pilgrims." --Prepares to sail with Allstons for England.--Letters of introduction from his father.--Disagreeable stage-ride to New York.--Sails on the Lydia.--Prosperous voyage.--Liverpool.--Trip to London.--Observations on people and customs.--Frequently cheated.--Critical time in England.--Dr. Lettsom.--Sheridan's verse.--Longing for a telegraph.--A ghost
CHAPTER III
AUGUST 24, 1811--DECEMBER 1, 1811
Benjamin West.--George III.--Morse begins his studies.--Introduced to West.--Enthusiasms.--Smuggling and lotteries.--English appreciation of art.--Copley.--Friendliness of West.--Elgin marbles.--Cries of London.-- Custom in knocking.--Witnesses balloon ascension.--Crowds.--Vauxhall Gardens.--St. Bartholomew's Fair.--Efforts to be economical.--Signs of war.--Mails delayed.--Admitted to Royal Academy.--Disturbances, riots, and murders
CHAPTER IV
JANUARY 18, 1812--AUGUST 6, 1812
Political opinions.--Charles R. Leslie's reminiscences of Morse, Allston, King, and Coleridge.--C.B. King's letter.--Sidney E. Morse's letter.-- Benjamin West's kindness.--Sir William Beechy.--Murders, robberies, etc. --Morse and Leslie paint each other's portraits.--The elder Morse's financial difficulties.--He deprecates the war talk.--The son differs from his father.--The Prince Regent.--Orders in Council.--Estimate of West.--Alarming state of affairs in England.--Assassination of Perceval, Prime Minister.--Execution of assassin.--Morse's love for his art.-- Stephen Van Rensselaer.--Leslie the friend and Allston the master.-- Afternoon tea.--The elder Morse well known in Europe.--Lord Castlereagh. --The Queen's drawing-room.--Kemble and Mrs. Siddons.--Zachary Macaulay. --Warning letter from his parents.--War declared.--Morse approves.-- Gratitude to his parents, and to Allston
CHAPTER V
SEPTEMBER 20, 1812--JUNE 13, 1813
Models the "Dying Hercules."--Dreams of greatness.--Again expresses gratitude to his parents.--Begins painting of "Dying Hercules."--Letter from Jeremiah Evarts.--Morse upholds righteousness of the war.--Henry Thornton.--Political discussions.--Gilbert Stuart.--William Wilberforce. --James Wynne's reminiscences of Morse, Coleridge, Leslie, Allston, and Dr. Abernethy.--Letters from his mother and brother.--Letters from friends on the state of the fine arts in America.--"The Dying Hercules" exhibited at the Royal Academy.--Expenses of painting.--Receives Adelphi Gold Medal for statuette of Hercules.--Mr. Dunlap's reminiscences.-- Critics praise "Dying Hercules"
CHAPTER VI
JULY 10, 1813--APRIL 6, 1814
Letter from the father on economies and political views.--Morse deprecates lack of spirit in New England and rejoices at Wellington's victories.--Allston's poems.--Morse coat-of-arms.--Letter of Joseph Hillhouse.--Letter of exhortation from his mother.--Morse wishes to stay longer in Europe.--Amused at mother's political views.--The father sends more money for a longer stay.--Sidney exalts poetry above painting.--His mother warns him against infidels and actors.--Bristol.--Optimism.-- Letter on infidels and his own religious observances.--Future of American art.--He is in good health, but thin.--Letter from Mr. Visger.--Benjamin Burritt, American prisoner.--Efforts in his behalf unsuccessful.--Capture of Paris by the Allies.--Again expresses gratitude to parents.--Writes a play for Charles Mathews.--Not produced
CHAPTER VII
MAY 2, 1814--OCTOBER 11, 1814
Allston writes encouragingly to the parents.--Morse unwilling to be mere portrait-painter.--Ambitious to stand at the head of his profession.-- Desires patronage, from wealthy friends.--Delay in the mails.--Account of entrée of Louis XVIII into London.--The Prince Regent.--Indignation at acts of English.--His parents relieved at hearing from him after seven months' silence.--No hope of patronage from America.--His brothers.-- Account of fêtes.--Emperor Alexander, King of Prussia, Blücher, Platoff. --Wishes to go to Paris.--Letter from M. Van Schaick about battle of Lake Erie.--Disgusted with England
CHAPTER VIII
NOVEMBER 9, 1814--APRIL 23, 1815
Does not go to Paris.--Letter of admonition from his mother.--His parents' early economies.--Letter from Leslie.--Letter from Rev. S.F. Jarvis on politics.--The mother tells of the economies of another young American, Dr. Parkman.--The son resents constant exhortations to economize, and tells of meanness of Dr. Parkman.--Writes of his own economies and industry.--Disgusted with Bristol.--Prophesies peace between England and America.--Estimates of Morse's character by Dr. Romeyn and Mr. Van Schaick.--The father regrets reproof of son for political views.--Death of Mrs. Allston.--Disagreeable experience in Bristol.--More economies.--Napoleon I.--Peace
CHAPTER IX
MAY 8, 1815--OCTOBER 18, 1816
Decides to return home in the fall.--Hopes to return to Europe in a year.--Ambitions.--Paints "Judgment of Jupiter."--Not allowed to compete for premium.--Mr. Russell's portrait.--Reproof of his parents.--Battle of Waterloo.--Wilberforce.--Painting of "Dying Hercules" received by parents.--Much admired.--Sails for home.--Dreadful