the intellect that is necessary; it must be affectionate
thinking; there must be heartfelt love, and this can be attained only by
a _habit_ of loving.... I would not impart sternness to the beautiful
countenance of English literature. Beautiful indeed it is, but not like
the beauty of the human face, that may be discovered by all who have
eyes to look upon it; the heart as well as the head must engage, or
as Coleridge says, _the heart in the head_. Let us not approach with
carelessness or light-mindedness. Poetry requires a peculiar state of
mind, a peculiar combination of mental and moral qualifications to be
feelingly apprehended. But there--I will not write a word more. It is
a shame to spoil anything so beautiful. Poor Mr. Dana! I hope he will
never know to what he has been subjected.

_Wednesday._--Everybody has set out to invite me to visit them. I made
two visits last evening, one to Mrs. Robinson, where I had a fine
opportunity to settle some of my Hebrew difficulties with Prof. R., and
saw De Wette's translations of Job. This evening I am to make two more,
and to-morrow I spend the day out and receive company in the evening. So
much for dissipation, and for study.

PORTLAND, March 1, 1836.

I believe there is scarcely any branch of knowledge in which I am so
deficient as history, both ecclesiastical and profane. I have never been
much interested _facts_, considered simply as facts, and that is about
all that is to be found in most historical works. The relations of facts
to each other and of all to reason, in other words, the philosophy of
history, are not often to be found in books, and I have not hitherto
been able to supply the want from my own mind. _April 16, 1836._--If my
bump of combativeness does not grow it won't be for want of exercise.
I have had another dispute of two hours' length to-day with another
person. Subjects, Cousin--Locke--innate ideas--idea of space--of
spirit-life, materialism--phrenology--Upham--wine--alcohol--etc.

_June._--My patience has been sorely tried this afternoon. I was
visiting and Coleridge was dragged in, as it seemed for the express
purpose of provoking me by abusing him--just as anybody might show off a
lunatic.... But I did not and never will dispute on such subjects with
those who seek not to know the truth.

_Feb. 6, 1837._--Why is it that our desires so infinitely transcend our
capacities? We grasp at everything--do so by the very constitution of
our natures; an