Emily Dickinson — Letter 280 February 1863 T. W. Higginson

                                                                                                      Amherst Dear friend I did not deem that Planetary forces annulled - but suffered an Exchange of Territory, or World - I should have liked to see you, before you became improbable. War feels to me an oblique place - Should there be other Summers, would you perhaps come? I found you were gone, by accident, as I find Systems are, or Seasons of the year, and obtain no cause - but suppose it a treason of Progress - that dissolves as it goes. Carlo - still remained - and I told him -       Best Gains - must have the Losses' test -       To constitute them - Gains - My Shaggy Ally assented - Perhaps Death - gave me awe for friends - striking sharp and early, for I held them since - in a brittle love - of more alarm, than peace. I trust you may pass the limit of War, and though not reared to prayer - when service is had in Church, for Our Arms, I include yourself - I, too, have an "Island" - whose "Rose and Magnolia" are in the Egg, and it's "Black Berry" but a spicy prospective, yet as you say, "fascination" is absolute of Clime. I was thinking, today - as I noticed, that the "Supernatural," was only the Natural, disclosed -       Not "Revelation" - 'tis - that waits,       But our unfurnished eyes - But I fear I detain you - Should you, before this reaches you, experience immortality, who will inform me of the Exchange? Could you, with honor, avoid Death, I entreat you - Sir - It would bereave                                                                                               Your Gnome - I trust the "Procession of Flowers" was not a premonition -