The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-03-04
Ralph waldo Emssson's First Lecture ON
ssThe Times"

Ralph Waldo Emerson's First Lecture On
ssThe Tlmes.''
Ralph Waldo Emerson 10 young men oil very
respectable talent He has very assiduously studied
the works Of honest hearted Thomas CARLYLE, with
whom he has loSg carried on paternal correspon-
dence. But Mr.. Emerson has not, after all, got
very clear insight into that complicated organ the
human heart and on the aspect of 1.-The Times" he
has looked with anxious, but somewhat bewil-
dersd eye Mr.. Emer. on is sincere man He Is
a man after Carlyle's heart But he has not yet
found out the nature and OF all the evils OF
which he complains-the craving appetite-the
importunate temptation-the agitating passion
the corroding cdre-the restless discontent-the
shrieking despair-the blind uncertainty-and all
the thousand agencies OF evil by which conscience
is defiled, peace broken, and the sunshine of Hope
itself overcast with thickigleom. Neither does he
seem to know the remedy.
Mr.. Emerson's lecture was attended by not
very numerous, but highly respectable audience.
There were a great many gentlemen, with fine
chronological Developments, and tastefully arran
ged heads of hair present. aThere were also fair
proportion Of handsome ladies, with classical fea-
tares, and sparkling eyes. The lecturer was in
good voice the audience were very attentive, and
looked as if they understood every melfiuous SEN
fence that fell from the lips of the speaker-that
they r. ally did understand theme. E. d.
For formal report of this lecture we have not
got room. We will give few specimen, by
which those OF our readers who choose, may
judge 10 some extent, Of Mr.. Emerson's style, his
mental calibre ,..aad the worth of his discourses
sin the brain Of some fanatic-in tire wild hope
Of some mountain boy-in the love. glance Of girl
found that which shall constitute the times TO
come, more than in their own organized and accre-
dited oracles."
Look at the actors of our times. Among them
surely are men to admire, as well as men to con-
demn souls of as lofty port as any of Greek or
Roman fame! Men of might. strong minded,
honest-hearted, and Of persuasive speech, of SUBJ
tlety, looking on the past, aud drawing the becom-
ing lesson for the present. To be sure, there are
also fragments and hints of men, bloated promises
If men great men, again, but with some Jaw in
their composition. which nentralizes their whole
force. Here is a Damascus blade Of a man, laid
upon the shelf in some village, to rust and go to
ruin. And how many seem not available for that
idea which they represent Meantime, there
comes now and then holder spirt--l should
rather say, more surrendered soul-more led by
'' anu "
But we are not spectators merely of our "Times"
but parties also, and have responsibility which
Is not 10 De 0ecIlneO- "A little Wnlle tnlS WOEk OIL
wonder and compassion is allowed us; but as the
sslor system moves onward, and certain stars APP
pear before and others 60 out behind, so is Mans
life. The great men Of the Past disappear or fade
have fallen from one sky, and many another star
has turned out to be plaaet-only are few the
fixed stars which have NO paraliax now and for
us
To-day is King in disguise-to-day always looks
trivial to the thoughtess in the face of uniform
experience that all good, and great and happy ac-
lions are made up precisely Of these blank !o-days
as he passes-let US not hear the most wondrous
promises without defining their tendency
What greater fame can any epoch ask Of those
to come, than the acknowledgment that it did not
sleep in the errors it had inherited, but put every
thing the proofa
Our forefathers went to their graves tornented
with the fear Of Sin and the Day Of Judgment One
distemper is distrust of what we do. great per-
plexly hangs over this generation. This ennui, for
which we Saxons have no word, works terrible ha-
VOC The young American even before he gets
into his jacket and trowsers, says-"I want some
thing never saw, and wish was not | % Never
were care and uncertainty so legibly written on
the brows of any people. But what is the cause
deficient actual s.d the exorbitant idea.
l am not afraid of our Vice 1t curses and
SWeSIs, aru DraWIs, ana WMloWs, sec the emu Of
il. But our Virtue sometimes makes me ashamed.
So sour and narrow-so dim and bind-virtue so
vice.like cloud applause.)
Verify, Ralph Waldo Emerson has in him the
soul of poet, if he lacks the sober gifts of Re.
former And no affected retailer Of sparkling com
mon places is he Now that Professor Mafit-
the Rev. ]. N. Maffit has again come to light, we
prescribe to him punctual attendance on Mr.. Emer-
sons remaining lectures, purchauce he may thus
get some insie hit into the virtues of Modesty and
Sincerity, and pick up some Of those oldfashioned
but qaeerlike and unfadng graces.