Lot #433

William Cullen Bryant

Description

Bryant on gold mining—"It is too much like gambling; the pursuit is apt to unsettle men for anything else"

ALS signed “W. C. Bryant,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, February 17, 1859. Letter to his brother Cyrus Bryant, in part: "Yesterday I mailed to your address the Military Regulations of the Military Academy which I obtained by writing to Professor Wier of West Point. When Cullen comes to the Academy you must send him down to see us, and if you were to come with him so much the better. Of my own visit to Illinois in the spring I can say nothing at present, although I think it not improbable that I may come. I am now considerably occupied with the paper, but I do not mean to be so much confined to business as I have been since I returned from Europe. When the spring comes on, however, I shall probably be much engaged with my place. I am looking about for a regular gardener to employ along with the farmer whom I have had for several years. With regard to Pike's Peak and the gold mines, it is probably true that gold is to be found there, but I never knew much good to come from hunting for gold yet. It is too much like gambling; the pursuit is apt to unsettle men for anything else, and the instances of those who have enriched themselves by it are very few. I have known a great many instance of persons to whom the pursuit turned into a real misfortune. For my part I shall as soon think of making my fortune by angling in Bureau River." In fine condition, with scattered small stains, and separation along the hinge.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
• Dates: #587 - Ended July 08, 2020

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