Franklin K. Lane — To John W. Hallowell
Bethel, November 3, 1920
MY DEAR JACK,—You have so much idle time hanging, dragging, festooning on round and about your hands that I want to give you a job, something to do. Eh, what!
I have taken it into my head, caput, cranium, that I will read Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, and as the only copy here is too poorly printed to read, and furthermore as I wish to own said work myself, I would that you make purchase of same and send it to me. Now, I do not wish an expensive copy, nor a large copy, nor a heavy copy. Therefore I think it would be best to buy a good second-hand set, say in half-leather—perhaps you can get it in six or eight volumes—and it must not be heavy, because I read in bed. About the size of an ordinary novel would be very good, and pretty good sized type—leaded not solid. Yes, the more I think of a second-hand set, the better I like the idea —old binding but strong, old paper but light, old type but clear. Twelve dollars I enclose for a second-hand set. By devoting twenty dollars worth of time to the search I know you can get a second hand set for twelve dollars. That is uneconomical, but think of the fun you will have. I suggest to you that this was the very thing you needed to do to bring perfect contentment into your life. Search for Gibbon, pretty backs, good type, light in weight for twelve dollars. Oh what joy you will have! Really I should be selfish enough to do it myself but now that I have said so much about it I can’t withdraw this boon. …
Well, get Gibbon and “with all thy getting get understanding.”