25–31 March 1861

Yesterday wrote to F. G. Tuckerman to thank him for his book, and praised "Rhotru- da." Ellery Channing finds two or three good lines and metres in the book, thinks it refined and delicate, but says the young poets run on a notion that they must name the flowers, talk about an orchis, and say something about In- dians ; but he says, " I prefer passion and sense and genius to botany." Ellery says of Tenny- son, "What is best, is, the things he don't say."