Edwin James And John Torrey Correspondence

Correspondence from Edwin James to John Torrey, dated March 3, 1854. Written in a deeply philosophical mood following the death of someone close to him, James' letter looks back on his life and choices. He expresses gratitude for Torrey's continued friendship, and modestly describes how he arrived at his life's direction: "It did not take me long to discover that it was not for me to 'make my mark upon the age' and having settled that point to my own satisfaction I determined to make it on myself. I said 'I will rule my own spirit' and thus be greater than 'he that taketh the city.' 'I will not love the world or seek to honors [sic] or possessions that so the love of the Father may be in me and his peace rest upon me.' Looking back across the chilling shadows of the evening and the more sunny tracts of middle and early life I see not much to regret in my course..."