Thanking his friend for his financial support - photo 1

Thanking his friend for his financial support

Lot 88
15.06.2023 10:00UTC -05:00
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$ 6 300
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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ID 967540
Lot 88 | Thanking his friend for his financial support
Estimate value
$ 5 000 – 7 000
Thanking his friend for his financial support

Nathaniel Hawthorne, 20 February 1850

HAWTHORNE, Nathaniel (1804-1864). Autograph letter signed ("Nath. Hawthorne") to George S. Hillard, Salem, 20 February 1850.



One page, 247 x 192mm (light toning at upper margin). Green morocco folder.



"It is sweet to be remembered and cared for by one's friends—some of whom know me for what I am, while others, perhaps, know me only through a generous faith—sweet to think that they deem me worth upholding in my poor walk through life. And it is bitter, nevertheless, to need their support."



With the manuscript for The Scarlet Letter complete, Hawthorne thanks his friend Hillard for raising funds for his support after his dismissal the previous summer from his position at the Salem Custom House—the event that sparked the blossoming of his literary career. Hawthorne, a lifelong Democrat, feared the election of the Whig administration of Zachary Taylor would deprive him of his only dependable source of income. His fears came true in June, and Hawthorne turned to Hillard, who, although a Whig himself, believed that the author had been the victim of political chicanery. Hillard attempted to use his Whig friends Daniel Webster and Edward Everett to intercede on his behalf (see Bernard Cohen, "Edward Everett and Hawthorne's Removal from the Salem Custom House," American Literature, May 1955, 27:245-249). Failing an intervention from his political friends, Hillard began a collection that raised a substantial sum from "those who admire your genius and respect your character. It is only paying, in a very imperfect measure, the debt we owe you for what you have done for American literature" (CE).



Hawthorne responds with warm gratitude and a good degree of mortification and self-criticism: "I read your letter in the entry of the Post-Office; and it drew—what my troubles never have—the water to my eyes; so that I was glad of the sharply cold west wind that blew into them as I came homeward, and gave them an excuse for being red and bleared. There was much that was very sweet—and something too that was very bitter—mingled with that same moisture. It is sweet to be remembered and cared for by one's friends—some of whom know me for what I am, while others, perhaps, know me only through a generous faith—sweet to think that they deem me worth upholding in my poor walk through life. And it is bitter, nevertheless, to need their support. It is something else besides pride that teaches me that ill-success in life is really and justly a matter of shame. I am ashamed of it, and I ought to be. The fault of a failure is attributable—in a great degree, at least—to the man who fails. I should apply this truth in judging of other men; and it behooves me not to shun its point or edge in taking it home to my own heart. Nobody has a right to live in this world, unless he be strong and able, and applies his ability to good purpose."



Despite his protests of unworthiness, Hawthorne admits "The money, dear Hillard, will smooth my path for a long time to come. The only way in which a man can retain his self-respect, while availing himself of the generosity of his friends, is, by making it an incitement to his utmost exertions, so that he may not need their help again. I shall look upon it so—nor will shun any drudgery that my hand shall find to do, if thereby I may win bread." Published in Selected Letters, but not Centennial Edition. Provenance: Sotheby's, New York, 16 December 1992, lot 63.

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