The Custom House

Hawthorne says that he does not like to talk or write about his private business so it is ironic that he is writing this at all. He finds that some writers say too much and share information that is only appropriate for a "soul mate."

Some authors, indeed, do far more than this, and indulge themselves in such confidential depths of revelation as could fittingly be addressed, only and exclusively, to the one heart and mind of perfect sympathy;