Cambridge, February 16, 1854.
Gentlemen,—In pursuance of conversations held with Dr. Walker, the subject of which he has already communicated to you,—I now beg leave to tender you my resignation of the ‘Smith Professorship of the French and Spanish Languages and Literatures,’ which I have held in Harvard College since the year 1835.Should it be in your power to appoint my successor before the beginning of the next Term, I should be glad to retire at once. But if this should be inconvenient, I will discharge the duties of the office until the end of the present Academic Year.
I venture on this occasion, Gentlemen, to call your attention to the subject of the salaries paid to the several Instructors in this Department, and to urge, as far as may be proper, such increase as may correspond to the increased expenses of living in this part of the country at the present time.
With sentiments of the highest regard, and sincere acknowledgments of your constant courtesy