If any American
possibility
lie in this,
I will take better care of it.
I will take better care of it.
Thomas Carlyle
I00 Emerson to Carlyle.
CII.
EMERSON T0 CARLYLE.
Corrconn, 15 September, 1845.
MY DEAR Fmnnn, -- I have seen Furness of Phil-
adelphia, who was, last week, in Boston, and in-
quired of him what account I should send you of
the new Philadelphia edition. " Has not Mr. Carey
paid you? " he said. --No. "Then has he not
paid Carlyle directly? " No, as I believe, or I
should have heard of it. --Furness replied, that
the promised fifty pounds were sure, and that the
debt would have been settled before this time, if
Mr. Carey had lived. So as this is no longer a
Three Blind Callenders' business of Arabian Nights,
I shall rest secure. I have doubted whether the
bad name which Philadelphia has gotten in these
times would not have disquieted you in this long
delay. If you have ever heard directly from Carey
and Hart, you will inform me.
-I am to read to a society in Boston presently
some lectures,--on Plato, or the Philosopher;
Swedenborg, or the Mystic; Montaigne, or the
Sceptic; Shakespeare, or the Poet; Napoleon, or
the Man of the World;+if I dare, and much lec-
uiniin-1---~---. -
. -
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? . Emerson to Carlyle. 101
- ---- -- ~-w? h. ~ ~
turing makes us incorrigibly rash. Perhaps, before
I end it, my list will be longer, and the measure of
presumption overflowed. I may take names less
reverend than some of these,--but six lectures I
have promised. I find this obligation usually a
good spur to the sides of that dull horse I have
charge of. But many of its advantages must be
regarded at a long distance.
I have heard nothing from you for a long time,
--so may your writing prosper the more. I wish
to hear, however, concerning you, and your house,
and your studies, when there is little to tell. The
steamers come so fast--to exchange cards would
not be nothing. My wife and children and my
mother are well. Peace and love to your house-
hold.
R. W. Eunnson.
CIII.
EMERSON T0 CARLYLE.
Conconn, 30 September, 1845.
MY DEAR FRmNn,--I had hardly sent away my
letter by the last steamer, when yours full of good
news arrived. I greet you heartily on the achieve-
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? I02 Enerson to Carlyle. '
ment of your task, and the new days of freedom
obtained and deserved. Happiest, first, that you
can work, which seems the privilege of the great,
and then, also, that thereby you can come at the
sweetness of victory and rest. Yes, flee to the coun-
try, ride, run, leap, sit, spread yourself at large;
and in all ways celebrate the immense benevolence
of the Universe towards you; and never complain
again of dyspepsia, crosses, or the folly of men;
for in giving you this potent concentration, what
has been withholden ? I am glad with all men that
a new book is made, that the gentle creation as
well as the grosser goes ever on. Another month
will bring it to me, and I shall know the secrets of
these late silent years. Welcome the child of my
friend! Why should I regret that I see you not,
when you are forced thus intimately to discover
yourself beyond the intimacy of conversation?
But you should have sent me out the sheets by
the last steamer, or a manuscript copy of the book.
I do not know but Munroe would have printed it
at once, and defied the penny press. And slow
Time might have brought in his hands a most
modest reward.
I wrote you the other day the little I had to say
on affairs. Clark, the financial Conscience, has
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? Carlyle to Emerson. IQ5
never yet made any report, though often he prom-
ised. Half the year he lives out of Boston, and
unless I go to his Bank I never see his face. I
think he will not die till he have disburdened him-
self of this piece of arithmetic. I pray you to send
me my copy of this book at the earliest hour, and
to offer my glad congratulations to Jane Carlyle,
on an occasion, I am sure, of great peace and relief
to her spirit. And so farewell.
R. W. EMERsoN.
CIV.
CARLYLE TO EMERSON.
CHELSEA, 11 November, 1845.
MY DEAR EMERSON,--I have had two Letters
from you since I wrote any; the latest of them was
lying here for me when I returned, about three
weeks ago; the other I had received in Scotland:
it was only the last that demanded a special an-
swer ;--which, alas, I meant faithfully to give it,
but did not succeed! With meet despatch I made
the Bookseller get ready for you a Copy of the un-
published Cromwell Book; hardly complete as yet,
it was nevertheless put together, and even some
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? r04 Carlyle to Emerson.
_xz'. -=_~@-s? s,V--- . -r,'. ':'-:4;--',. =i::;'. =;,'. -, ' K-7- ' |
kind of odious rudiments of a Portrait were bound
up with it; and the Packet inscribed with your
address was put into Wiley and Putnam's hands in
time for the Mail Steamer ;-- and I hope has duly
arrived? If it have not, pray set the Booksellers
a-hunting. Wiley and Putnam was the Carrier's
name; this is all the indication I can give, but
this, I hope, if indeed any prove needful, will be
enough. One may hope you have the Book already
in your hands, a fortnight before this reaches you,
a month before any other Copy can reach America.
In which case the Parcel, without any Letter, must
have seemed a little enigmatic to you! The reason
was this: I miscounted the day of the month, un-
lucky that I was. Sitting down one morning with
full purpose to write at large, and all my tools
round me, I discover that it is no longer the third
of November ; that it is already the fourth, and the
American Mail-Packet has already lifted anchor!
Irrevocable, irremediable! Nothing remained but
to wait for the 18th; -- and now, as you see, to
take Time by the forelock, -- queue, as we all
know, he has none.
My visit to Scotland was wholesome for me, tho'
full of sadness, as the like always is. Thirty years
mow away a Generation of Men. The old Hills,
_
_
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? Carlyle to Emerson. 105
the -old Brooks and Houses, are still there ; but the
Population has marched away, almost all ; it is not
there any more. I cannot enter into light talk
with the survivors and successors; I withdraw
into silence, and converse with the old dumb crags
rather, in a melancholy and abstruse manner. --
Thank God, my good old Mother is still there ; old
and frail, but still young of heart; as young and
strong there, I think, as ever. It is beautiful to
see affection survive where all else is submitting
to decay; the altar with its sacred fire still burn-
ing when the outer walls are all slowly crumbling ;
material Fate saying, "They are mine! " -- I read
some insignificant Books; smoked a great deal of
tobacco; and went moping about among the hills
and hollow water-courses, somewhat like a shade
in Hades. The Gospel which this World of Fact
does preach to one differs considerably from the
sugary twaddle one gets the offer of in Exeter-Hall
and other Spouting-places! Of which, in fact, I am
getting more and more weary; sometimes really
impatient. It seems to me the reign of Cant and
Spoonyism has about lasted long enough. Alas, in
many respects, in this England I too often feel
myself sorrowfully in a "minority of one" ;--if
in the whole world, it amount to a minority of two,
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? 106 Carlyle to Emerson.
that is something! These words of Goethe often
come into my mind, " Verachtung ja lVicht-achtung. "
Lancashire, with its Titanic Industries, with its
smoke and dirt, and brutal stupor to all but money
and the five mechanical Powers, did not excite
much admiration in me ; considerably less, I think,
than ever! Patience, and shuflle the cards!
The Book on Cromwell is not to come out till
the 22d of this month. For many weeks it has
been a real weariness to me; my hope, always dis-
appointed, that now is the last time I shall have
any trade with it. Even since I began writing,
there has been an Engraver here, requiring new
indoctrination,--poor fellow! Nay, in about ten
days it must be over: let us not complain. I feel
it well to be worth nothing, except for the little
fractions or intermittent fits of pious industry there
really were in it; and my one wish is that the hu-
man species would be pleased to take it off my
hands, and honestly let me hear no more about
it! If it please Heaven, I will rest awhile still,
and then try something better.
In three days hence, my Wife and I are off to the
Hampshire coast for a winter visit to kind friends
there, if in such a place it will prosper long with
us. The climate there is greatly better than ours ;
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? Carlyle to Emerson. 107
they are excellent people, well affected to us ; and
can be lived with, though of high temper and ways !
They are the Lord Ashburtons, in fact ; more prop-
erly the younger stratum of that house; partly a
kind of American people, --who know Waldo Em-
erson, among other fine things, very well! I think
we are to stay some three weeks 2 the bustle of
moving is already begun. '
You promise us a new Book soon? Let it be
soon, then. There are many persons here that will
welcome it now. To one man here it is ever as an
articulate voice amid the infinite cackling and caw-
ing. That remains my best definition of the effect
it has on me. Adieu, my friend. Good be with
you and your Household always. Vale.
T. C.
ii
CV.
CARLYLE TO EMERSON.
CHELsEA, 3 January, 1846.
DEAR EMERsoN,--I received your Letter 1 by the
last Packet three or four days ago : this is the last
day of answering, the monthly Packet sails towards
you again from Liverpool to-morrow morning; and
1 Missing.
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? 1 08 Carlyle to Emerson.
I am in great pressure with many writings, else-
whither and thither : therefore I must be very
brief. I have just written to Mr. Hart of Philadel-
phia; his Draft (as I judge clearly by the Banker's
speech and silence) is accepted, all right; and in
fact, means money at this time: for which I have
written to thank him heartily. Do you very heart-
ily thank Mr. Furness for me ; --Furness and vari-
ous friends, as Transatlantic matters now are, must
accept a silent gratitude from me. The speech of
men and American hero-worshippers is grown such
a babblement: in very truth, silence is the thing
that chiefly has meaning,-- there or here. . . . .
To my very great astonishment, the Book Crom-
well proves popular here; and there is to be another
edition very soon. Edition with improvements --
for some fifty or so of new (not all insignificant)
Letters have turned up, and I must try to do some-
thing rational with them ; -- with which painful
operation I am again busy. It will make the two
volumes about equal perhaps, -- which will be one
benefit !
If any American possibility lie in this,
I will take better care of it. -- --Alas, I have not
got one word with you yet ! Tell me of your
Lectures;---of all things. l
Ever yours,
T. CARLYLE.
_. _. __. . _::;y
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? Carlyle to Emerson. I09
We returned from Hampshire exactly a week
ago; never passed six so totally idle weeks in our
lives. -- Better in health a little? Perhaps.
CVI.
CARLYLE TO EMERSON.
CHELSEA, 3 February, 1846.
DEAR EMEnsoN,- One word to you before the
Packet sail ; -- on business of my own, once
more; in such a state of haste as could hardly
be greater. The Printers are upon me, and I have
not a moment.
Contrary to all human expectation, this Book on
Cromwell proves salable to mankind here, and a
second Edition is now going forward with all speed.
The publication of the First has brought out from
their recesses a new heap of Cromwell Letters ;--
which have been a huge embarrassment to me;
for they are highly unimportant for most part, and
do not tend to alter or materially modify anything.
Some Fifty or Sixty new Letters in all (many of
them from Printed Books that had escaped me):
the great majority, with others yet that may come
in future time, I determine to print simply as an
Appendix; but several too, I think about twenty
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? I 10 Carlyle to Emerson.
in all, are to be fitted into the Text, chiefly in the
early part of the First Volume, as tending to bring
some matters into greater clearness there. I am
busy with that even now; sunk deep into the Dust-
abysses again ! -- Of course I have made what pro-
vision I could for printing a Supplement, &c. to the
possessors of the First Edition: but I find this
Second will be the Final standing Edition of the
Book; decidedly preferable to the First; not to be
touched by me again, except on very good cause
indeed. New letters, except they expressly con-
tradict me, shall go at once into the back apart-
ment, or Appendix, in future.
The Printers have sent me some five or six
sheets, they send me hitherto a sheet daily; but
perhaps there are not above three or two in a per-
fect state: so I trouble you with none of them by
this Packet. But by next Packet (3d of March),
unless I hear to the contrary, I will send you all
the Sheets that are ready ; and so by the following
Packets, till we are out of it;--that you, on the
scene there, may do with them once for all whatso-
ever you like. If nothing can be done with them,--
believe me I shall be very glad of that result. But
if you can so much as oblige any honest Bookseller
of your or my acquaintance by the gift of them, let
it be done ; let Pirates and ravenous Bipeds of
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? Carlyle to Emerson. 1 1 I
Prey be excluded from participating: that of itself
will be a comfortable and a proper thing! --You
are hereby authorized to promulgate in any way you
please, That the Second Edition will be augmented,
corrected, as aforesaid; and that Mr. (Any Son of
Adam you please to name) is, so far as I have any
voice in the matter, appointed by me, to the exclusion
of all and sundry others on what pretext soever, to
print and vend the same to my American Friends.
And so it stands; and the Sheets (probably near
thirty in number) will be out with the March Pack-
et : -- and if nothing can come of it, I for one shall
be very glad ! The Book is to be in Three Volumes
now; the first ends at p. 403, Vol. I. ; the third be-
gins at p. 155, Vol. II. , of the present edition.
What are you doing? Write to me: how the
Lectures went, how all things went and go! We
are over head and ears in Anti-Corn-Law here; the
Aristocracy struck almost with a kind of horror at
sight of that terrible Millocracy, rising like a huge
hideous Frankenstein up in Lancashire,-- seem-
ingly with boundless ready-money in its pocket,
and a very fierce humor in its stomach! To mo
it is as yet almost uglier than the Aristocracy;
and I will not fire guns when this small victory is
gained; I will recommend a day of Fasting rather,
that such a victory required such gaining.
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? I I 2 Carlyle to Emerson.
Adieu, my Friend. Is it likely we shall meet in
" Oregon," think you? That would be a beautiful
affair, on the part of the most enlightened Nation!
Yours ever,
T. CARLYLE.
CVII.
CARLYLE TO EMERSON.
CHELsEA, 3 March, 1846.
DEAR EMERSON,--I must write you a word be-
fore this Packet go, tho' my haste is very great.
I received your two Newspapers (price only two-
pence) ; by the same Ship there came, and reached
me some days later, a Letter from Mr. Everett en-
closing the Cromwell portions of the same printed-
matter, clipt out by scissors; written, it appeared,
by Mr. Everett's nephew; some of whose remarks,
especially his wish that I might once be in New
England, and see people " praying," amused me
much! The Cotton Letter, &c. , I have now got to
the bottom of ; Birch's copy is in the Museum here,
--a better edition than I had. Of " Leverett" and
the other small American Documents -- alas, I get
cartloads of the like or better tumbled down at my
door, and my chief duty is to front them resolutely
I
l
1
I
l
l\
'
'
ll
l
\
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? Carlyle to Emerson. I 1 3
V ----;-I-_'~*. ___. _-___-A-. __ . __ . . fi_ ,
with a shovel. "Ten thousand tons " is but a small
estimate for the quantity of loose and indurated
lumber I have had to send sounding, on each hand
of me, down, down to the eternal deeps, never to
trouble me more! The jingle of it, as it did at
last get under way, and go down, was almost my
one consolation in those unutterable operations. --
I am again over head and ears; but shall be out
soon: never to return more.
By this Packet, according to volunteer contract,
there goes out by the favor of your Chapman a
number of sheets, how many I do not exactly
know, of the New Edition: Chapman First and
Chapman Second (yours and mine) have under-
taken to manage the afiair for this month and for
the following months;-- many thanks to them
both for taking it out of my hands. What you
are to do with the Article you already know. If no
other customer present himself, can you signify to
Mr. Hart of Philadelphia that the sheets are much
at his service, ---his conduct on another occasion
having given him right to such an acknowledgment
from me? Or at any rate, you will want a new
Copy of this Book; and can retain the sheets for
that object. -- Enough of them.
From Mr. Everett I learn that your Boston Lec-
voL. II. 8
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? 1 14 Carlyle to Emerson.
tures have been attended with renown enough:
when are the Lectures themselves to get to print ?
I read, last night, an Essay on you, by a kind of
" Young Scotland," as we might call it, in an Edin-
burgh Magazine; very fond of you, but shocked
that you were Antichristian :--really not so bad.
The stupidities of men go crossing one another;
and miles down, at the bottom of all, there is a
little veinlet of sense found running at last!
If you see Mr. Everett, will you thank him for
his kind remembrance of me, till I find leisure (as
I have vainly hoped to-day to do) to thank him
more in form. A dignified, compact kind of man ;
whom I remember with real pleasure.
Jargon abounds in our Newspapers and Parlia-
ment Houses at present ;-- with which " the pres-
ent Editor," and indeed I think the Public at large,
takes little concern, beyond the regret of being
bored by it. The Corn-Laws are going very quietly
the way of all deliriums; and then there will at
least be one delirium less, and we shall start upon
new ones. ' i
Not a word more to-day, but my blessings and
regards. God be with you and yours always.
Ever your affectionate
T. CARLYLE.
'vi!
E
!
I
1
.
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? Carlyle to Emerson. I 1 5
GVIII.
CARLYLE TO EMERSON.
Cnnnsns, 18 April, 1846.
DEAR EmnnsON,--Your two Letters 1 have both
come to hand, the last of them only three days ago.
One word in answer before the Packet sail; one
very hasty word, rather than none.
You have made the best of Bargains for me ;
once again, with the freest contempt of trouble on
my behalf; which I cannot sufficiently wonder at!
Apparently it is a fixed-idea of yours that the Bib-
liopolic Genus shall not cheat me; and you are
decided to make it good. Very well: let it be so,
in as far as the Fates will.
Certainly I will conform in all points to this
Wiley-and-Putnam Treaty, and faithfully observe
the same. The London Wileys have not yet sent
me any tidings ; but when they do, I will say Your
terms on the other side of the sea are the Law to
us, and it is a finished thing. -- No sheets, I think,
will go by this mid-month Packet, the Printer and
Bookseller were bidden not mind that : but by the
Packet of May 3d, I hope the Second Volume will
1 Missing.
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? I I 6 Carlyle to Emerson.
go complete; and, if the Printers make speed, al-
most the whole remainder may go by the June one.
There is to be a " Supplement to the First Edition,"
containing all the new matter that is separable:
of this too the Wileys shall have their due Copy to
reprint: it is what I could do to keep my faith
with purchasers of the First Edition here ; but, on
the whole, there will be no emulating of the Second
Edition except by a reprint of the whole of it;
changes great and small have had to introduce
themselves everywhere, as these new Letters were
woven in. -- -- I hope before May 3d I shall have
ascertained whether it will not be the simplest way
(as with my present light it clearly appears) to give
the sheets direct to the Wiley and Putnam here,
and let them send them? In any case, the cargo
shall come one way or other.
Furthermore,-- Yes, you shall have that sun-
shadow,aDaguerreotype likeness, as the sun shall
please to paint it : there has often been talk of get-
ting me to that establishment, but I never yet could
go. If it be possible, we will have this also ready
for the 3d of May. Provided you, as you promise,
go and do likewise ! A strange moment that, when
I look upon your dead shadow_again; instead of
the living face, which remains unchanged within
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? Carlyle to Emerson. 1 1 7
me, enveloped in beautiful clouds, and emerging
now and then into strange clearness! Has your
head grown grayish? On me are " gray hairs here
and there,"--and I do "know it. " I have lived
half a century in this world, fifty years complete
on the 4th of December last : that is a solemn fact
for me! Few and evil have been the days of the
years of thy servant, -- few for any good that was
ever done in them. Ay de mi!
Within late weeks I have got my Horse again;
go riding through the loud torrent of vehiculatory
discords, till I get into the fields, into the green
lanes; which is intrinsically a great medicine to me.
Most comfortless riding it is, with a horse of such
kangaroo disposition, till I do get to the sight of
my old ever-young green-mantled mother again;
but for an hour there, it is a real blessing to me.
I have company sometimes, but generally prefer
solitude, and a dialogue with the trees and clouds.
Alas, the speech of men, especially the witty-speech
of men, is oftentimes afflictive to me: "in the wide
Earth," I say sometimes with a sigh, "there is none
but Emerson that responds to me with a voice
wholly human! " All " Literature " too is become
I cannot tell you how contemptible to me. On the
whole, one's blessedness is to do as Oliver: Work
?
CII.
EMERSON T0 CARLYLE.
Corrconn, 15 September, 1845.
MY DEAR Fmnnn, -- I have seen Furness of Phil-
adelphia, who was, last week, in Boston, and in-
quired of him what account I should send you of
the new Philadelphia edition. " Has not Mr. Carey
paid you? " he said. --No. "Then has he not
paid Carlyle directly? " No, as I believe, or I
should have heard of it. --Furness replied, that
the promised fifty pounds were sure, and that the
debt would have been settled before this time, if
Mr. Carey had lived. So as this is no longer a
Three Blind Callenders' business of Arabian Nights,
I shall rest secure. I have doubted whether the
bad name which Philadelphia has gotten in these
times would not have disquieted you in this long
delay. If you have ever heard directly from Carey
and Hart, you will inform me.
-I am to read to a society in Boston presently
some lectures,--on Plato, or the Philosopher;
Swedenborg, or the Mystic; Montaigne, or the
Sceptic; Shakespeare, or the Poet; Napoleon, or
the Man of the World;+if I dare, and much lec-
uiniin-1---~---. -
. -
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? . Emerson to Carlyle. 101
- ---- -- ~-w? h. ~ ~
turing makes us incorrigibly rash. Perhaps, before
I end it, my list will be longer, and the measure of
presumption overflowed. I may take names less
reverend than some of these,--but six lectures I
have promised. I find this obligation usually a
good spur to the sides of that dull horse I have
charge of. But many of its advantages must be
regarded at a long distance.
I have heard nothing from you for a long time,
--so may your writing prosper the more. I wish
to hear, however, concerning you, and your house,
and your studies, when there is little to tell. The
steamers come so fast--to exchange cards would
not be nothing. My wife and children and my
mother are well. Peace and love to your house-
hold.
R. W. Eunnson.
CIII.
EMERSON T0 CARLYLE.
Conconn, 30 September, 1845.
MY DEAR FRmNn,--I had hardly sent away my
letter by the last steamer, when yours full of good
news arrived. I greet you heartily on the achieve-
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? I02 Enerson to Carlyle. '
ment of your task, and the new days of freedom
obtained and deserved. Happiest, first, that you
can work, which seems the privilege of the great,
and then, also, that thereby you can come at the
sweetness of victory and rest. Yes, flee to the coun-
try, ride, run, leap, sit, spread yourself at large;
and in all ways celebrate the immense benevolence
of the Universe towards you; and never complain
again of dyspepsia, crosses, or the folly of men;
for in giving you this potent concentration, what
has been withholden ? I am glad with all men that
a new book is made, that the gentle creation as
well as the grosser goes ever on. Another month
will bring it to me, and I shall know the secrets of
these late silent years. Welcome the child of my
friend! Why should I regret that I see you not,
when you are forced thus intimately to discover
yourself beyond the intimacy of conversation?
But you should have sent me out the sheets by
the last steamer, or a manuscript copy of the book.
I do not know but Munroe would have printed it
at once, and defied the penny press. And slow
Time might have brought in his hands a most
modest reward.
I wrote you the other day the little I had to say
on affairs. Clark, the financial Conscience, has
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? Carlyle to Emerson. IQ5
never yet made any report, though often he prom-
ised. Half the year he lives out of Boston, and
unless I go to his Bank I never see his face. I
think he will not die till he have disburdened him-
self of this piece of arithmetic. I pray you to send
me my copy of this book at the earliest hour, and
to offer my glad congratulations to Jane Carlyle,
on an occasion, I am sure, of great peace and relief
to her spirit. And so farewell.
R. W. EMERsoN.
CIV.
CARLYLE TO EMERSON.
CHELSEA, 11 November, 1845.
MY DEAR EMERSON,--I have had two Letters
from you since I wrote any; the latest of them was
lying here for me when I returned, about three
weeks ago; the other I had received in Scotland:
it was only the last that demanded a special an-
swer ;--which, alas, I meant faithfully to give it,
but did not succeed! With meet despatch I made
the Bookseller get ready for you a Copy of the un-
published Cromwell Book; hardly complete as yet,
it was nevertheless put together, and even some
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? r04 Carlyle to Emerson.
_xz'. -=_~@-s? s,V--- . -r,'. ':'-:4;--',. =i::;'. =;,'. -, ' K-7- ' |
kind of odious rudiments of a Portrait were bound
up with it; and the Packet inscribed with your
address was put into Wiley and Putnam's hands in
time for the Mail Steamer ;-- and I hope has duly
arrived? If it have not, pray set the Booksellers
a-hunting. Wiley and Putnam was the Carrier's
name; this is all the indication I can give, but
this, I hope, if indeed any prove needful, will be
enough. One may hope you have the Book already
in your hands, a fortnight before this reaches you,
a month before any other Copy can reach America.
In which case the Parcel, without any Letter, must
have seemed a little enigmatic to you! The reason
was this: I miscounted the day of the month, un-
lucky that I was. Sitting down one morning with
full purpose to write at large, and all my tools
round me, I discover that it is no longer the third
of November ; that it is already the fourth, and the
American Mail-Packet has already lifted anchor!
Irrevocable, irremediable! Nothing remained but
to wait for the 18th; -- and now, as you see, to
take Time by the forelock, -- queue, as we all
know, he has none.
My visit to Scotland was wholesome for me, tho'
full of sadness, as the like always is. Thirty years
mow away a Generation of Men. The old Hills,
_
_
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? Carlyle to Emerson. 105
the -old Brooks and Houses, are still there ; but the
Population has marched away, almost all ; it is not
there any more. I cannot enter into light talk
with the survivors and successors; I withdraw
into silence, and converse with the old dumb crags
rather, in a melancholy and abstruse manner. --
Thank God, my good old Mother is still there ; old
and frail, but still young of heart; as young and
strong there, I think, as ever. It is beautiful to
see affection survive where all else is submitting
to decay; the altar with its sacred fire still burn-
ing when the outer walls are all slowly crumbling ;
material Fate saying, "They are mine! " -- I read
some insignificant Books; smoked a great deal of
tobacco; and went moping about among the hills
and hollow water-courses, somewhat like a shade
in Hades. The Gospel which this World of Fact
does preach to one differs considerably from the
sugary twaddle one gets the offer of in Exeter-Hall
and other Spouting-places! Of which, in fact, I am
getting more and more weary; sometimes really
impatient. It seems to me the reign of Cant and
Spoonyism has about lasted long enough. Alas, in
many respects, in this England I too often feel
myself sorrowfully in a "minority of one" ;--if
in the whole world, it amount to a minority of two,
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? 106 Carlyle to Emerson.
that is something! These words of Goethe often
come into my mind, " Verachtung ja lVicht-achtung. "
Lancashire, with its Titanic Industries, with its
smoke and dirt, and brutal stupor to all but money
and the five mechanical Powers, did not excite
much admiration in me ; considerably less, I think,
than ever! Patience, and shuflle the cards!
The Book on Cromwell is not to come out till
the 22d of this month. For many weeks it has
been a real weariness to me; my hope, always dis-
appointed, that now is the last time I shall have
any trade with it. Even since I began writing,
there has been an Engraver here, requiring new
indoctrination,--poor fellow! Nay, in about ten
days it must be over: let us not complain. I feel
it well to be worth nothing, except for the little
fractions or intermittent fits of pious industry there
really were in it; and my one wish is that the hu-
man species would be pleased to take it off my
hands, and honestly let me hear no more about
it! If it please Heaven, I will rest awhile still,
and then try something better.
In three days hence, my Wife and I are off to the
Hampshire coast for a winter visit to kind friends
there, if in such a place it will prosper long with
us. The climate there is greatly better than ours ;
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? Carlyle to Emerson. 107
they are excellent people, well affected to us ; and
can be lived with, though of high temper and ways !
They are the Lord Ashburtons, in fact ; more prop-
erly the younger stratum of that house; partly a
kind of American people, --who know Waldo Em-
erson, among other fine things, very well! I think
we are to stay some three weeks 2 the bustle of
moving is already begun. '
You promise us a new Book soon? Let it be
soon, then. There are many persons here that will
welcome it now. To one man here it is ever as an
articulate voice amid the infinite cackling and caw-
ing. That remains my best definition of the effect
it has on me. Adieu, my friend. Good be with
you and your Household always. Vale.
T. C.
ii
CV.
CARLYLE TO EMERSON.
CHELsEA, 3 January, 1846.
DEAR EMERsoN,--I received your Letter 1 by the
last Packet three or four days ago : this is the last
day of answering, the monthly Packet sails towards
you again from Liverpool to-morrow morning; and
1 Missing.
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? 1 08 Carlyle to Emerson.
I am in great pressure with many writings, else-
whither and thither : therefore I must be very
brief. I have just written to Mr. Hart of Philadel-
phia; his Draft (as I judge clearly by the Banker's
speech and silence) is accepted, all right; and in
fact, means money at this time: for which I have
written to thank him heartily. Do you very heart-
ily thank Mr. Furness for me ; --Furness and vari-
ous friends, as Transatlantic matters now are, must
accept a silent gratitude from me. The speech of
men and American hero-worshippers is grown such
a babblement: in very truth, silence is the thing
that chiefly has meaning,-- there or here. . . . .
To my very great astonishment, the Book Crom-
well proves popular here; and there is to be another
edition very soon. Edition with improvements --
for some fifty or so of new (not all insignificant)
Letters have turned up, and I must try to do some-
thing rational with them ; -- with which painful
operation I am again busy. It will make the two
volumes about equal perhaps, -- which will be one
benefit !
If any American possibility lie in this,
I will take better care of it. -- --Alas, I have not
got one word with you yet ! Tell me of your
Lectures;---of all things. l
Ever yours,
T. CARLYLE.
_. _. __. . _::;y
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? Carlyle to Emerson. I09
We returned from Hampshire exactly a week
ago; never passed six so totally idle weeks in our
lives. -- Better in health a little? Perhaps.
CVI.
CARLYLE TO EMERSON.
CHELSEA, 3 February, 1846.
DEAR EMEnsoN,- One word to you before the
Packet sail ; -- on business of my own, once
more; in such a state of haste as could hardly
be greater. The Printers are upon me, and I have
not a moment.
Contrary to all human expectation, this Book on
Cromwell proves salable to mankind here, and a
second Edition is now going forward with all speed.
The publication of the First has brought out from
their recesses a new heap of Cromwell Letters ;--
which have been a huge embarrassment to me;
for they are highly unimportant for most part, and
do not tend to alter or materially modify anything.
Some Fifty or Sixty new Letters in all (many of
them from Printed Books that had escaped me):
the great majority, with others yet that may come
in future time, I determine to print simply as an
Appendix; but several too, I think about twenty
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? I 10 Carlyle to Emerson.
in all, are to be fitted into the Text, chiefly in the
early part of the First Volume, as tending to bring
some matters into greater clearness there. I am
busy with that even now; sunk deep into the Dust-
abysses again ! -- Of course I have made what pro-
vision I could for printing a Supplement, &c. to the
possessors of the First Edition: but I find this
Second will be the Final standing Edition of the
Book; decidedly preferable to the First; not to be
touched by me again, except on very good cause
indeed. New letters, except they expressly con-
tradict me, shall go at once into the back apart-
ment, or Appendix, in future.
The Printers have sent me some five or six
sheets, they send me hitherto a sheet daily; but
perhaps there are not above three or two in a per-
fect state: so I trouble you with none of them by
this Packet. But by next Packet (3d of March),
unless I hear to the contrary, I will send you all
the Sheets that are ready ; and so by the following
Packets, till we are out of it;--that you, on the
scene there, may do with them once for all whatso-
ever you like. If nothing can be done with them,--
believe me I shall be very glad of that result. But
if you can so much as oblige any honest Bookseller
of your or my acquaintance by the gift of them, let
it be done ; let Pirates and ravenous Bipeds of
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? Carlyle to Emerson. 1 1 I
Prey be excluded from participating: that of itself
will be a comfortable and a proper thing! --You
are hereby authorized to promulgate in any way you
please, That the Second Edition will be augmented,
corrected, as aforesaid; and that Mr. (Any Son of
Adam you please to name) is, so far as I have any
voice in the matter, appointed by me, to the exclusion
of all and sundry others on what pretext soever, to
print and vend the same to my American Friends.
And so it stands; and the Sheets (probably near
thirty in number) will be out with the March Pack-
et : -- and if nothing can come of it, I for one shall
be very glad ! The Book is to be in Three Volumes
now; the first ends at p. 403, Vol. I. ; the third be-
gins at p. 155, Vol. II. , of the present edition.
What are you doing? Write to me: how the
Lectures went, how all things went and go! We
are over head and ears in Anti-Corn-Law here; the
Aristocracy struck almost with a kind of horror at
sight of that terrible Millocracy, rising like a huge
hideous Frankenstein up in Lancashire,-- seem-
ingly with boundless ready-money in its pocket,
and a very fierce humor in its stomach! To mo
it is as yet almost uglier than the Aristocracy;
and I will not fire guns when this small victory is
gained; I will recommend a day of Fasting rather,
that such a victory required such gaining.
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? I I 2 Carlyle to Emerson.
Adieu, my Friend. Is it likely we shall meet in
" Oregon," think you? That would be a beautiful
affair, on the part of the most enlightened Nation!
Yours ever,
T. CARLYLE.
CVII.
CARLYLE TO EMERSON.
CHELsEA, 3 March, 1846.
DEAR EMERSON,--I must write you a word be-
fore this Packet go, tho' my haste is very great.
I received your two Newspapers (price only two-
pence) ; by the same Ship there came, and reached
me some days later, a Letter from Mr. Everett en-
closing the Cromwell portions of the same printed-
matter, clipt out by scissors; written, it appeared,
by Mr. Everett's nephew; some of whose remarks,
especially his wish that I might once be in New
England, and see people " praying," amused me
much! The Cotton Letter, &c. , I have now got to
the bottom of ; Birch's copy is in the Museum here,
--a better edition than I had. Of " Leverett" and
the other small American Documents -- alas, I get
cartloads of the like or better tumbled down at my
door, and my chief duty is to front them resolutely
I
l
1
I
l
l\
'
'
ll
l
\
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? Carlyle to Emerson. I 1 3
V ----;-I-_'~*. ___. _-___-A-. __ . __ . . fi_ ,
with a shovel. "Ten thousand tons " is but a small
estimate for the quantity of loose and indurated
lumber I have had to send sounding, on each hand
of me, down, down to the eternal deeps, never to
trouble me more! The jingle of it, as it did at
last get under way, and go down, was almost my
one consolation in those unutterable operations. --
I am again over head and ears; but shall be out
soon: never to return more.
By this Packet, according to volunteer contract,
there goes out by the favor of your Chapman a
number of sheets, how many I do not exactly
know, of the New Edition: Chapman First and
Chapman Second (yours and mine) have under-
taken to manage the afiair for this month and for
the following months;-- many thanks to them
both for taking it out of my hands. What you
are to do with the Article you already know. If no
other customer present himself, can you signify to
Mr. Hart of Philadelphia that the sheets are much
at his service, ---his conduct on another occasion
having given him right to such an acknowledgment
from me? Or at any rate, you will want a new
Copy of this Book; and can retain the sheets for
that object. -- Enough of them.
From Mr. Everett I learn that your Boston Lec-
voL. II. 8
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? 1 14 Carlyle to Emerson.
tures have been attended with renown enough:
when are the Lectures themselves to get to print ?
I read, last night, an Essay on you, by a kind of
" Young Scotland," as we might call it, in an Edin-
burgh Magazine; very fond of you, but shocked
that you were Antichristian :--really not so bad.
The stupidities of men go crossing one another;
and miles down, at the bottom of all, there is a
little veinlet of sense found running at last!
If you see Mr. Everett, will you thank him for
his kind remembrance of me, till I find leisure (as
I have vainly hoped to-day to do) to thank him
more in form. A dignified, compact kind of man ;
whom I remember with real pleasure.
Jargon abounds in our Newspapers and Parlia-
ment Houses at present ;-- with which " the pres-
ent Editor," and indeed I think the Public at large,
takes little concern, beyond the regret of being
bored by it. The Corn-Laws are going very quietly
the way of all deliriums; and then there will at
least be one delirium less, and we shall start upon
new ones. ' i
Not a word more to-day, but my blessings and
regards. God be with you and yours always.
Ever your affectionate
T. CARLYLE.
'vi!
E
!
I
1
.
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? Carlyle to Emerson. I 1 5
GVIII.
CARLYLE TO EMERSON.
Cnnnsns, 18 April, 1846.
DEAR EmnnsON,--Your two Letters 1 have both
come to hand, the last of them only three days ago.
One word in answer before the Packet sail; one
very hasty word, rather than none.
You have made the best of Bargains for me ;
once again, with the freest contempt of trouble on
my behalf; which I cannot sufficiently wonder at!
Apparently it is a fixed-idea of yours that the Bib-
liopolic Genus shall not cheat me; and you are
decided to make it good. Very well: let it be so,
in as far as the Fates will.
Certainly I will conform in all points to this
Wiley-and-Putnam Treaty, and faithfully observe
the same. The London Wileys have not yet sent
me any tidings ; but when they do, I will say Your
terms on the other side of the sea are the Law to
us, and it is a finished thing. -- No sheets, I think,
will go by this mid-month Packet, the Printer and
Bookseller were bidden not mind that : but by the
Packet of May 3d, I hope the Second Volume will
1 Missing.
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? I I 6 Carlyle to Emerson.
go complete; and, if the Printers make speed, al-
most the whole remainder may go by the June one.
There is to be a " Supplement to the First Edition,"
containing all the new matter that is separable:
of this too the Wileys shall have their due Copy to
reprint: it is what I could do to keep my faith
with purchasers of the First Edition here ; but, on
the whole, there will be no emulating of the Second
Edition except by a reprint of the whole of it;
changes great and small have had to introduce
themselves everywhere, as these new Letters were
woven in. -- -- I hope before May 3d I shall have
ascertained whether it will not be the simplest way
(as with my present light it clearly appears) to give
the sheets direct to the Wiley and Putnam here,
and let them send them? In any case, the cargo
shall come one way or other.
Furthermore,-- Yes, you shall have that sun-
shadow,aDaguerreotype likeness, as the sun shall
please to paint it : there has often been talk of get-
ting me to that establishment, but I never yet could
go. If it be possible, we will have this also ready
for the 3d of May. Provided you, as you promise,
go and do likewise ! A strange moment that, when
I look upon your dead shadow_again; instead of
the living face, which remains unchanged within
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? Carlyle to Emerson. 1 1 7
me, enveloped in beautiful clouds, and emerging
now and then into strange clearness! Has your
head grown grayish? On me are " gray hairs here
and there,"--and I do "know it. " I have lived
half a century in this world, fifty years complete
on the 4th of December last : that is a solemn fact
for me! Few and evil have been the days of the
years of thy servant, -- few for any good that was
ever done in them. Ay de mi!
Within late weeks I have got my Horse again;
go riding through the loud torrent of vehiculatory
discords, till I get into the fields, into the green
lanes; which is intrinsically a great medicine to me.
Most comfortless riding it is, with a horse of such
kangaroo disposition, till I do get to the sight of
my old ever-young green-mantled mother again;
but for an hour there, it is a real blessing to me.
I have company sometimes, but generally prefer
solitude, and a dialogue with the trees and clouds.
Alas, the speech of men, especially the witty-speech
of men, is oftentimes afflictive to me: "in the wide
Earth," I say sometimes with a sigh, "there is none
but Emerson that responds to me with a voice
wholly human! " All " Literature " too is become
I cannot tell you how contemptible to me. On the
whole, one's blessedness is to do as Oliver: Work
?
