His  literary  pursuits,  and  the  increasing  demands  of
his  profession,  compelled  him  to  keep  somewhat  se-
cluded from  society,  but  there  were  a  few  college
acquaintance  of  kindred  tastes,  with  whom  he  main-
tained a  correspondence,  and  in  whose  welfare  he  ever
had  a  deep  interest.  Foremost  among  these  was  his
old  friend  Rev.  Dr.  James  Marsh,  then  President  of
the  University  of  Vermont,  through  whose  efforts  the
American  public  were  first  introduced  to  a  knowledge
of  the  philosophical  writings  of  Coleridge,  and  whose
early  death  took  from  us  one  of  the  most  thorough
scholars,  and  one  of  the  profoundest  Christian  phi-
losophers, which  our  country  has  produced.  There
were  few  men  for  whom  Mr.  Choate  had  such  un-
qualified respect  and  affection.
The  following  letter  is  in  reply  to  one  from  Dr.
Marsh  asking  him  to  review  the  forthcoming  edition
of  the  "  Aids  to  Reflection  :  "  —


42  MEMOIR  OF  RUFUS   CHOATE.  [Chap.  II.
To  President  James  Marsh.
"  Salem,  November  14, 1829.
