Memoirs of Anne C.L. Botta,: written by her friends. With selections from her correspondence and from her writings in prose and poetry.

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Wretched dilemma! I have studied people of genius more than
you were prepared to guard against; and I read in the poems
you send me exactly what your looks and conversation betrayed-boundless capability of love, and no present flow from
the fountain. I cannot enlarge upon this without the hazard of
running against some "Ideal Found," and I leave it till you
make me your confessor - not to say, your "pilgrim prophet."
By the way, I do not see a fault in your style or versification.
You have only to trust your pen.
Yours, with strong interest in your unturned leaves of life,
N. P. WILLIS.
LEIPSIC, September 27, 1845.
My dearest Friend: Your sweet letter and beautiful sonnet
reached me at Wiesbaden a few days ago, and since that time
I have been on the wing, getting northward to see my brother
who is studying at this place. I write now merely to "make
affidavit " that I wish my place kept in your friendship, and to
assure you that there is no one in America whom I wish to see
more. A glorious nature, prodigal of sweetness and genius as
yours is, becomes a sort of "Isola Bella " -a sighed-for island in
the great ocean of memory. I must explain the poetry of this
by telling you that of all my years of travel, the day I spent
at this lovely island in the Lago Maggiore is the most treasured
and freshest in my remembrance. So, hereafter, please answer
to the name of "Isola."... N. P. W.
RAMBLE-BROOK, N.Y., February 12, 1853.
Nellie sends up to inquire whether I have "anything to say
to Lynchie." Why, of course, I have! Well, how are you, dear
equally-beloved-of-man-and-woman? Does our often talking and
always thinking of you have any perceptible effect on your general health? Are you sweetened at all for those who see you by
the blessings sent to you in great lumps by those who don't see
you? It is otherwise a world of mournful shortcomings....
Write us the news, dear Lynchie. Tell us if you are loving
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