Samuel F. B. Morse, His Letters and Journals - Volume I. | Page 3

throwing
a new light on some points which are still the subject of discussion, if I
have been able to call attention to any facts which until now have been
overlooked or unknown, I shall be satisfied. If I have been compelled to
use very plain language with regard to some of those who were his
open or secret enemies, or who have been posthumously glorified by
others, I have done so with regret.
Such as it is I send the book forth in the hope that it may add to the
knowledge and appreciation of the character of one of the world's great
men, and that it may, perhaps, be an inspiration to others who are
striving, against great odds, to benefit their fellow men, or to those who
are championing the cause of justice and truth.
EDWARD LIND MORSE.

CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
APRIL 27. 1791--SEPTEMBER 8, 1810
Birth of S.F.B. Morse.--His parents.--Letters of Dr. Belknap and Rev.
Mr. Wells.--Phillips, Andover.--First letter.--Letter from his father.--
Religious letter from Morse to his brothers.--Letters from the mother to
her sons.--Morse enters Yale.--His journey there.--Difficulty in keeping
up with his class.--Letter of warning from his mother.--Letters of
Jedediah Morse to Bishop of London and Lindley Murray.--Morse
becomes more studious.--Bill of expenses.--Longing to travel and
interest in electricity.--Philadelphia and New York.--Graduates from
college.--Wishes to accompany Allston to England, but submits to
parents' desires
CHAPTER II
OCTOBER 31, 1810--AUGUST 17, 1811
Enters bookshop as clerk.--Devotes leisure to painting.--Leaves shop.--
Letter to his brothers on appointments at Yale.--Letters from Joseph P.
Rossiter.--Morse's first love affair.--Paints "Landing of the Pilgrims."
--Prepares to sail with Allstons for England.--Letters of introduction
from his father.--Disagreeable stage-ride to New York.--Sails on the
Lydia.--Prosperous voyage.--Liverpool.--Trip to
London.--Observations on people and customs.--Frequently
cheated.--Critical time in England.--Dr. Lettsom.--Sheridan's
verse.--Longing for a telegraph.--A ghost
CHAPTER III
AUGUST 24, 1811--DECEMBER 1, 1811
Benjamin West.--George III.--Morse begins his studies.--Introduced to

West.--Enthusiasms.--Smuggling and lotteries.--English appreciation of
art.--Copley.--Friendliness of West.--Elgin marbles.--Cries of
London.-- Custom in knocking.--Witnesses balloon
ascension.--Crowds.--Vauxhall Gardens.--St. Bartholomew's
Fair.--Efforts to be economical.--Signs of war.--Mails
delayed.--Admitted to Royal Academy.--Disturbances, riots, and
murders
CHAPTER IV
JANUARY 18, 1812--AUGUST 6, 1812
Political opinions.--Charles R. Leslie's reminiscences of Morse, Allston,
King, and Coleridge.--C.B. King's letter.--Sidney E. Morse's letter.--
Benjamin West's kindness.--Sir William Beechy.--Murders, robberies,
etc. --Morse and Leslie paint each other's portraits.--The elder Morse's
financial difficulties.--He deprecates the war talk.--The son differs from
his father.--The Prince Regent.--Orders in Council.--Estimate of
West.--Alarming state of affairs in England.--Assassination of Perceval,
Prime Minister.--Execution of assassin.--Morse's love for his art.--
Stephen Van Rensselaer.--Leslie the friend and Allston the master.--
Afternoon tea.--The elder Morse well known in Europe.--Lord
Castlereagh. --The Queen's drawing-room.--Kemble and Mrs.
Siddons.--Zachary Macaulay. --Warning letter from his parents.--War
declared.--Morse approves.-- Gratitude to his parents, and to Allston
CHAPTER V
SEPTEMBER 20, 1812--JUNE 13, 1813
Models the "Dying Hercules."--Dreams of greatness.--Again expresses
gratitude to his parents.--Begins painting of "Dying Hercules."--Letter
from Jeremiah Evarts.--Morse upholds righteousness of the
war.--Henry Thornton.--Political discussions.--Gilbert Stuart.--William
Wilberforce. --James Wynne's reminiscences of Morse, Coleridge,
Leslie, Allston, and Dr. Abernethy.--Letters from his mother and
brother.--Letters from friends on the state of the fine arts in

America.--"The Dying Hercules" exhibited at the Royal
Academy.--Expenses of painting.--Receives Adelphi Gold Medal for
statuette of Hercules.--Mr. Dunlap's reminiscences.-- Critics praise
"Dying Hercules"
CHAPTER VI
JULY 10, 1813--APRIL 6, 1814
Letter from the father on economies and political views.--Morse
deprecates lack of spirit in New England and rejoices at Wellington's
victories.--Allston's poems.--Morse coat-of-arms.--Letter of Joseph
Hillhouse.--Letter of exhortation from his mother.--Morse wishes to
stay longer in Europe.--Amused at mother's political views.--The father
sends more money for a longer stay.--Sidney exalts poetry above
painting.--His mother warns him against infidels and
actors.--Bristol.--Optimism.-- Letter on infidels and his own religious
observances.--Future of American art.--He is in good health, but
thin.--Letter from Mr. Visger.--Benjamin Burritt, American
prisoner.--Efforts in his behalf unsuccessful.--Capture of Paris by the
Allies.--Again expresses gratitude to parents.--Writes a play for Charles
Mathews.--Not produced
CHAPTER VII
MAY 2, 1814--OCTOBER 11, 1814
Allston writes encouragingly to the parents.--Morse unwilling to be
mere portrait-painter.--Ambitious to stand at the head of his
profession.-- Desires patronage, from wealthy friends.--Delay in the
mails.--Account of entrée of Louis XVIII into London.--The Prince
Regent.--Indignation at acts of English.--His parents relieved at hearing
from him after seven months' silence.--No hope of patronage from
America.--His brothers.-- Account of fêtes.--Emperor Alexander, King
of Prussia, Blücher, Platoff. --Wishes to go to Paris.--Letter from M.
Van Schaick about battle of Lake Erie.--Disgusted with England

CHAPTER VIII
NOVEMBER 9, 1814--APRIL 23, 1815
Does not go to Paris.--Letter of admonition from his mother.--His
parents' early economies.--Letter from Leslie.--Letter from Rev. S.F.
Jarvis on politics.--The mother tells of the economies of another young
American, Dr. Parkman.--The son resents constant exhortations to
economize, and tells of meanness of Dr. Parkman.--Writes of his own
economies and industry.--Disgusted with Bristol.--Prophesies peace
between England and America.--Estimates of Morse's character by