Quick gratitude?

Question

(1)Does "feel quick gratitude" mean "feel gratitude (that will readily gush from my heart)"?
(2)Does "would give me sincerer honor – toward you" mean " would give me sincerer honor and this honor will go toward you (you will be honored as well)"?

Context:

Mr Higginson,
Are you too deeply occupied to say if my Verse is alive?
The Mind is so near itself – it cannot see, distinctly – and I have none to ask –
Should you think it breathed – and had you the leisure to tell me, I should feel quick gratitude–
If I make the mistake – that you dared to tell me – would give me sincerer honor – toward you–
I enclose my name – asking you, if you please – Sir – to tell me what is true?
That you will not betray me – it is needless to ask – since Honor is it's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sic] own pawn –

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

SweetFreedom(1)Does "feel quick gratitude" mean "feel gratitude (that will readily gush from my heart)"?

This is a strange letter. I presume that 'quick' means 'ready; soon'.

SweetFreedom2)Does "would give me sincerer honor – toward you" mean " would give me sincerer honor and this honor will go toward you (you will be honored as well)"

Again, too odd to interpret surely. I presume it means that, yes.

Fivejedjon · Answer

Higginson described the wrote that the writer's style was "cultivated, quaint, and wholly unique" (http://www.theatlantic.com/past/unbound/poetry/emilyd/edletter.htm). It is not always easy for 21st century readers to say exactly what she had in mind.

I take 'quick gratitude' to mean gratitude that will be felt very quickly. If Higginson tells her that her verse has life, sshe will feel grateful immediately.

Perhaps somebody else will be able to explain would give me sincerer honor – toward you–

Quick gratitude?

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