Page 2

Left page

I returned to the green of
Vermont after that visit, and to the
homely occupation of domestic coun
try life. One year I spent in college
after which I returned to New York
where I renounced all ideas of be
coming an artist and studied chem
istry with Dr [Doremus?] for three
years. But alas! my love for the
Art was too strong I then re
nounced chemistry and alone and
unassisted determined to be only
an Artist.

My friends and family were
in despair, and for four years my
experiences were so sad that I can
hardly recall them without tears.
Anything is more endurable than
the scorn of one's own family but
a brighter day was at length to
dawn, I have hardly proven a
disgrace to my fathers family

[right page]

and I have received too many
proofs of public esteem to be
lieve all my labors have proven
vain. Composition has been
my main study, and although
my numerous piano concerts
may possibly have occasioned you
to notice my name as that of
a virtuoso of humble pretensions,
I am yet sensible of my
great deficiencies as pianist
on account of the careless juven
ile training which I received.

My object is thus so unceri
moniously arresting your atten
tion regarding my affairs my
dear Madam is to say that
I have written many songs of
which only two or three have ever
been published, the publishers
here having invariably said