Emerson is asked to recommend other's works for publication, but mostly declines: "I do not remember to have met lately with any short poems that touch me."  However, he does remember Old Wine, Old Books, Old Friends, and that "it should by all means be preserved," though he questions that the author who claimed credit for it, a Mr. Messinger, actually wrote it. He suggests Dana solicits another from Messinger to prove his suspicions: "pray ask him to write another as good."