Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2479

Letter from F. A. Harper, The Foundation for Economic Education, Irvington-on-Hudson, New York

November 21, 1956

 

Dear Mr. Heath:

If you happen to have at hand, or can find with ease, the exact reference to that quote on the prohibition of beer for the bum — the quote you thought was from either Mark Twain or Emerson — I would like very much to have it at your earliest opportunity. It might be an excellent filler to go at the end of an article which I have just written about punishment for children.

 It was a delight to have you and Spencer with us again, and I only wish I had been a little better, and away from the touch of flu. I had a bit of a guilty conscience, wanting to talk with you but not wanting to plant any parasites upon you.

 I have reread the piece in my files by Wheeler, and it surely is food for thought.

 The very best to you,

Sincerely,

 

/s/  F. A. Harper

 

 

 

 

/Note from Spencer MacCallum, Archive editor: The quote in question could not be found among Emerson’s writings, but Twain has not been checked. As I recall it approximately from Heath, the quote was:

 

“My friend, the Prohibitionist, would deprive Scroggs of his beer, and make him feel the poorer for it. But I, for my part, shall not be content with myself until I have so inspired him that he will give up beer — and know himself the richer for it.”/