[Rarebooks] FS: Two Fine Letters by Philosopher George Santayana

[Charles Agvent]

SANTAYANA, George. TWO AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED (ALSs). Rome, 1925 & 
1927. Two AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED as "G. Santayana" by this 
Spanish-born American poet and philosopher who is thought to be the 
originator of the oft-used expression: "Those who forget the past are 
condemned to repeat it." Both letters are to S(harpless) D(odson) Green, 
American educator. The one-page letter is an affirmative response to a 
request to sign one of his works for Green. The more interesting 
two-page letter on both sides of one sheet is a response to Green's 
solicitation of a letter offering his pupils life advice and is 
addressed "To the Group of Young People in the Trenton High School who 
have chosen me for a temporary 'Guardian.'" The letter begins: "When I 
was a young man I once went to give a lecture at Bryn Mawr College, and 
as I entered the hall I heard a voice gasping in a distressed whisper: 
'But he is bald!' ... One man is seldom a good model for another nor 
altogether edifying at close quarters: he may inspire love, but that 
very love must screen and idealize him, if his influence is to be 
entirely good. The best 'Guardians' are like Guardian Angels and other 
more or less imaginary beings... The few literary men or philosophers 
that I have known have seemed to me rather poor specimens of humanity; 
and I have always preferred nice simple people, when they were willing 
to be my friends.... If you should find yourself some day ... in too 
narrow a business or domestic round, you may naturally think of artists 
and rich men as leading a superior life but they probably don't. But the 
works and traces of great men, such as I see about me so conspicuously 
here in Rome ... are a stimulation and refreshment to others; and they 
help make us happy and superior to the private accidents of life." Much 
more. Both envelopes are present, one with the address typed and the 
other handwritten by Santayana. Creases from mailing with a short split 
and paperclip stain to the longer letter. Near Fine with excellent 
content. (#019024)        $1,500.00

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