Letter from William Simms to Robert Balmann

Woodlands So. Caro. Dec. 22. 1854. Robert Balmann Esq. dear Sir: Received your note last night, with the volume of Mr. Irving, which accompanies it, and read the latter through with great pleasure. It is a fair specimen of the modern classical drama, after the new model, a [litch ?] two [??] mistaken of "Jon". You, my dear sir, know too well the requisitions of the Gotchic [??], and the post stature of Shakespeare, not to know that the classical drama can have as living uses. We have savoured it. Say this to you young friend that he may waste no more time upon a dead thing. let him [sa ??] his model among the living. This, [??] [??], this [??] from that he has stiff in [??]. and he must work. [??] [??] dialogue, however good, in [??] in a drama, [??] the chacaction are [??] in actual flesh & b lood action. I will take note of this performance somehow, & hand you the [??]. Meanwhile, thank Mr. Irving for me for his book. Pray present me, with affectionate respect to Mrs. B. and [??] me [??] truly [??] to [Signature] W. Gilmore Simms