To John Greenleaf Whittier
Dec. 18, 1877
“When I was in England, last summer, in all social circles that I touched, I did not fail to say that, of all the living poets of the world, I placed you at the head, especially in all that pertains to the freedom and elevation of the human race, and the highest spiritual afflatus in thought and expression. … You know me too well, my laurelled friend, to believe that I am using the language of flattery … ” 1