3733. HISTORY, Truthful.—
We who
are retired from the business of the world,
are glad to catch a glimpse of truth, here and
there as we can, to guide our path through
the boundless field of fable in which we are
bewildered by public prints, and even by those
calling themselves histories. A word of truth
to us is like the drop of water supplicated
from the tip of Lazarus's finger. It is as an
observation of latitude and longitude to the
mariner long enveloped in clouds, for correcting
the ship's way.—
To John Quincy Adams. Washington ed. vii, 87.
(M.
1817)
