college. But why
complain? These golden days are driven like nails into the fabric. Who
knows but they help it to hold fast and firm?" On February 22, he
writes, "You are not misinformed about my leaving the professorship. I
am 'pawing to get free.'" On his birthday, February 27, he writes, in
the joy of approaching freedom, "I am curious to know what poetic
victories, if any, will be won this year." On April 19 he writes, "At
eleven o'clock in No. 6 University Hall, I delivered my last
lecture--the last I shall ever deliver, here or anywhere."{80} The
following are the letters explaining this, and hitherto unpublished, but
preserved in the Harvard College archives.

CAMBRIDGE, February 16, 1854.

GENTLEMEN,--In pursuance of conversations held with Dr. Walker, the
subject of which he has already communicated to you,--I now beg
leave to tender you my resignation of the "Smith Professorship of
the French and Spanish Languages and Literatures," which I have held
in Harvard College since the year 1835.

Should it be in your power to appoint my successor before the
beginning of the next Term, I should be glad to retire at once. But
if this should be inconvenient, I will discharge the duties of the
office until the end of the present Academic Year.

I venture on this occasion, Gentlemen, to call your attention to the
subject of the salaries paid to the several Instructors in this
Department, and to urge, as far as may be proper, such increase as
may correspond to the increased expenses of living in this part of
the country at the present time.

With sentiments of the highest regard, and sincere acknowledgments
of your constant courtesy and kindness, during the eighteen years of
my connection with the College,

I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your Obt. Servt.

HENRY W. LONGFELLOW.{81}

To the President and Corporation of Harvard University.

[TO PRESIDENT WALKER.]

CAMBRIDGE, Feb. 16, 1854.

MY DEAR SIR,--I inclose you my note to the Corporation. Will you be
kind enough to look at it, before handing it to them; for if it is
not in proper form and phrase, I will write it over again.

I also inclose the letter