Joseph Warren Brackett
Letter from Webster
Letter to James W. Brackett (December 22, 1798)
This letter is a very humorous one. Webster opens by assuring Brackett that there
is no postage to be paid, and proceeds to make some self-deprecatory statements,
contradicting the arrogance asserted by some Webster biographers.
He then paints a lively picture of the gaiety
he imagines Brackett to be surrounded by, contrasting it with Webster's study of the
classics, in particular "a dusty volume of Rollin." He flatter's Brackett
and his apparant endowment of the blessings of the Muses. However, he closes with
a lively, " But why do I pay such respect to you, I'm a sophomore, am as good as you,
and wish you good
night."
Source: Dartmouth College Archives
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