[Boston—Thursday, 14 February 1867]
Thursday—weather very warm not conducive to energy in work. J. went to Longfellow’s last evening. He was more than ever impressed with the sweetness of his disposition. He drew J. into another room before he left and told him that by accident he, the other day found on Mr Norton’s table a copy of Parsons translation with notes in Norton’s handwriting making use for Parsons benefit of words, phrases, hints, and ideas, he has gathered at Longfellow’s on these Wednesdays. This is hard to bear especially as Parsons’ book will be out very soon. It is even now all printed. Of course L. urged J. to say nothing about it but he says when his book does appear people will say, how’s this, Longfellow is filching from Parsons’ translation. Beside P’s being in very pleasant readable verse will probably find the larger number of admirers in any case. There is this comfort however—Parsons has only finished the Inferno. Longfellow has finished the three books with notes. It is probable Parsons will print the rest if this is a success but in the meantime Longfellow’s may be launched—a perfect vessel.
The contempt of Mr Norton for persons or literary work which he does not chance to admire is really be-littling and “terrific,” (as J. says). Lowell has too much of this also—but Longfellow does not know contempt. Unfortunately the two first men are open on four sides to flattery which causes the sharp eyes of their intellectual perception to lose its keenness when applied to men of whom they have individual knowledge. Howells worships them too much for manliness, but he is young and his eyes will open by & by. Thus stands the little circle now. In the meantime Mr Norton is revising his Vita Nuova Saturdays, but Longfellow & J. are left out of the circle which is best and offends no one.
