{"id":"01KG6G7FZ25ZTP84XNXRHVGT4T","cid":"bafkreihcvq4rpbrvzgqixuguuznf2rbv5vr5iwo7gbc7c2dh4piyvgvicq","type":"section","properties":{"end_line":12548,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T03:47:55.332Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Letter from L. A. V.","source_file":"01KG6FXSCNX5F3D880P3YP3PKR","start_line":12483,"text":"If the devout and exemplary Mussulman, who dying fast in the faith of\r\nhis Prophet, anticipates reclining on beds of roses, gloriously drunk\r\nthrough all the ages of eternity, is to be waited on by Houris such as\r\nthese: waft me, ye gentle gales, beyond this lower world and,\r\n\r\n                     ‘Lap me in soft Lydian airs!’\r\n\r\nBut I am falling into I know not what extravagances, so I will briefly\r\ngive you a portrait of the last of these three divinities, and will then\r\nterminate my tiresome lucubrations.\r\n\r\nThis last is a Lilliputian beauty; diminutive in stature, fair-haired,\r\nand with a foot for which Cinderella’s slipper would be too large; a\r\ncountenance sweet and interesting, and in her manners eminently refined\r\nand engaging. The cast of her physiognomy is singularly mild and\r\namiable, and her whole person is replete with every feminine grace. Her\r\neyes\r\n\r\n               ‘Effuse the mildness of their azure beam;’\r\n\r\nand to her, above all her sex, are applicable the lines of our gentle\r\nColeridge:--\r\n\r\n               ‘Maid of my Love, sweet ⸻\r\n                In Beauty’s light you glide along:\r\n                Your eye is like the star of eve,\r\n                And sweet your Voice as Seraph’s song.\r\n                Yet not your heavenly Beauty gives\r\n                This heart with passion soft to glow:\r\n                Within your soul a Voice there lives!\r\n                It bids you hear the tale of Woe.\r\n                When sinking low the Sufferer wan\r\n                Beholds no hand outstretched to save,\r\n                Fair as the bosom of the Swan\r\n                That rises graceful o’er the wave,\r\n                I’ve seen your breast with pity heave,\r\n                And therefore love I you, sweet ⸻.’\r\n\r\nHere, my dear M----, closes this catalogue of the Graces, this chapter\r\nof Beauties, and I should implore your pardon for trespassing so long on\r\nyour attention. If you, yourself, in whose breast may possibly be\r\nextinguished the amatory flame, should not feel an interest in these\r\nthree ‘counterfeit presentments,’ do not fail to show them to ⸻, and\r\nsolicit her opinion as to their respective merits.\r\n\r\nTender my best acknowledgments to the Major for his prompt attention to\r\nmy request, and, for yourself, accept the assurance of my undiminished\r\nregard; and hoping that the smiles of heaven may continue to illuminate\r\nyour way,--I remain, ever yours,\r\n                                                                L. A. V.\r\n\r\nWritten in long hand (by Melville) across the inner margin:--\r\n\r\n‘When I woke up this morning, what the devil should I see but your cane\r\nalong in bed with me. I shall keep it for you when you come up here\r\nagain.’\r\n\r\n\r\n                     FRAGMENTS FROM A WRITING-DESK\r\n\r\n\r\n                                 No. 2\r\n\r\n                                                     LANSINGBURGH, N.Y.,\r\n                                               _Saturday, May 18, 1839_.\r\n\r","title":"Letter from L. A. V."},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG6G6RG5TGRTNS8V0YWXJWMB","peer_type":"frontmatter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG6FXSCNX5F3D880P3YP3PKR","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG2T49K0H5GDRB0G4YDTPG8H","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG6G7FZ2KB82J0V4BQX7VXJB","peer_type":"intro","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG6G7FZ2C63A2J9GAVKKT5VG","peer_type":"section","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T03:47:55.490Z","ts":"2026-01-30T03:47:57.122Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}