New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-28
SUMMER LETTERS.
THE AMERICAN MECCA
CONCORD PAST AND PREsENT-HISToRlC AND
LITERARY ASSOCIATIONS.

CoEcoRD. July col have at last been aDle
to crafty the desire OF many years by visiting the Amer
ican Mecca and like devOut pilgrim, have onereu NY
gifts on the shrine OF Transcendentaism MY eAPoo'a
tops were not too exalted for Reality and nave iounu
much Measure IN the many attractions OF the Piaoe
Concord is situated 20mes northwest from Bos'oh' upn
an almost level plain which gradually rises iho PIC
hills at the horizon, The village Itself mas ABOUT
200 inhabitants and contains number OF pretty STU
ated houses many Of them Of great antiquity anu ioPo'o
with associations The Concord River Virus Aiohk the
eastern side Of the village with such SLOW currcn' ta
floating bodies are sometimes carried upstream "hen
,he wind IL strong Concord somewhat resembles In Stu
ton tho sphnrban towns OF London, such
Eton and Twickenham, and tho river Is not
unlike the Thames In us upper poruoh
About half mile from the village Oh inc pahhs Vi 'ho
river stands the little granite SHAFT Whch MARKS inc se
of the battle OF Concord with simple inscription COM
meuorating the event Compared with later contests,
this Revolutionary skrmsh sensbiy sinks In Importance,
s does the monument when contrased with the larger
shaft erected on the village green In honor OF the dead
heroes OF the late war; but 1t Will always appeal 70 tho
patotio feelings OF Americans, and deserve place In
our memory The natural features OF the LOCALITY are
much changed. The bridge which crossed the Concord
River has disappeared, and EN- avenue OF hne trees,
which were planted by the neghborng farmers when the
monument was erected has up along the road for
some distance and gives quiet and secluded look 10 the
Mace Near at hand stands the old house which was
occupied by the Rev. WIN. Emerson at tho time OF tho
battle and has since been occupied by r. W. Emerson
and Hawthorne as temporary home Unlike most re-
sorts OF the kind the battle ground though visited by
many persons has not been deaced by relic seekers
very valuable antiquarian and historical COLLECTION mas
been formed by Mr.. T. Davis OF Concord, embracing
old furniture. china articles OF dress, and household
wares handed down from New England forefathers with
Indian and Revolutionary curiostes. The collection
private one and was made solely to crafty an antigua
ran taste but it Is open to visitors at certain hours OF
the day. naturally attracts many persons TO examine
It, 1t includes among other rarities an ancient piano or
spinnett
OF tho residents OF Concord the best known to the pub
lie are Emerson and AcOtt who, OF o0urse transcend all
others in fame and Importance, Miss Louisa Alcott'
author OF Little Women" Judge Hoar, Attorney
General who is a man OF culture and one OF the
ablest lawyers In Massachusetts, and Mr. Fred
erck Hudson, formerly Of The Herald.
Margar ct Fuller lived here short time Hawthorne
Thoreau William Henry Cnanning George W. Curtis, and
James r. lowell and host Of Others have been here at
various times including nearly all American writer's
of note besides every cultivated foreigner who has ever
visited New England.
No place Gifts size in the world has probably supplied
so many original MINDS exertea so much intellectual
influence the public. Wemar, some OF the small
German university towns. might rival It, But all OF
these possessed superior advantages which render the
comparison unfair Mr Emerson writes In his essay on
nature "My house stands In low land with limited out
look and on the skirt Of tho village" 1t fine old
fashioned dwelling surrounded with trees but without
any very striking peculiares. Hero he lives with his
wife and two daughters thinking out tho thought Of
the universe" and leading and calm existence
such as can only compared with the later years Of
Goethe at Wemar Emerson's resemblance 10 the great
German is noticeable In other respects His Judgments
OF contemporaries are equally FREQ from prejudice
or Jealousy He has the Same sympathy with
intellectual progress OF all kinds. but takes greater Inter
est IN the elevation Of tho than did Goethe Like
Goethe he Is very much Interested In young persons ana
willing 10 forward them I'm knowledge ana development
He likes TO inquire about promising young persona and
10 be informed OF their progress and aspirations. As
he has objection to having his cOnyorsaton and pd
yate affairs made public. shall not describe inter
Wow with him. report the many striking remarks
which fell from his lips but will DO content with giTng
an account OF his method Of composition detailed 20
me by OF his intimate friends. Like Alcott, Haw
thorne and Thoreau. Mr Emerson keeps diary in which
he records his daily experience and all the ideas and
reflections that TO him, are sug.
other composition 10 prepare he reviews all that lac
has previously written In his Journal until some leading
idea is suggested 10 him. and he then turns this In
bis mind usually while walking I'm the woods celebrating
and adding illustrations or artist might say,
working out tho outline. This is then revised and at
last read either In private or public each time with some
Improvement, until II may be considered finished au
st ' nang Of M rs comPete az once The Want OF
unity of his writings is due TO this fact Great
between paragraph and "a friend OF his
remarked IL diacut 10 conceive how no ever bridges
thcm though he does not seem TO have any trouble III
Called on A. Bronson AlcotI and was very agreeably
disappointed with 10Y reception Nearly ever who
had spoken about him 10 me had warned me 10 expect
rhapsody mOnOlOgue; but the conversation lasting
attempt at Monopoly on Mr Acots part and ons such
as have rarely enjoyed being fun OF Information and
laiing.
dmmed by years, and clear sight surveying tho whole
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only five books the Bible which did not interest him
much, Bunyan, Milton, Youngs Night Thoughts, aud
part OF the United States, and learned much
from observation while earning living by peddng.
library at Philadelphia and these oIerted great nnu
ehe9 on DIS nin9 nc 5hen became teacher which was
earnestly In this profession at the same tmo carrying
public conversations all subjects particularly those Of
philosophical literary character He is almost tue
son has wen described him as man who reads Plato
without surprise and this ia a rare compliment m these
degenerate days Mr. Acotts house Is surrounded with
gateways are built Of rustic work, and there is sum
Mr. Acot himself Here he lives In retirement with his
invalid wife and two daughters, Louisa the author OF
her sisters book Every week Alcott and Emerson take
run into Boston 70 enjoy the intercourse OF kindred
spirits In that metropolis, and thus keep their minds
fresh and in sympathy with the world.
Hawthornos "Old Manse" stands eOee by the Concord
and approached by an avenue q stately trees 1t Is sill
occupied dwelling, but was allowed to visit several
story and overlooked tho river, with south westerly
prospect. On the window OF the dinlngroom below II
inscription, cut with his wiies diamond ring, which
refers ~ their little girl:
"Una Hawthorne stood on this window-sll, Jan %, |
lSI5 while the trees all glass candeler-a goOdy
show which she liked much though only ten years old
The Old Manse occupied by Emerson for a short
time and also by such OF his ancestors clergy
men in Concord. Hawthones later residence was
In house adjoining that OF NJ. AlcOtt, and
about o quarter Of mile beyond Mr.. Emer-
sons, II is built a piece OF land |
between the road and the foot OF hl which had 10 DO
cut to afford building room, aII Is almost hidden
in eyergreenA 1t seemed to rather dismal place,
ALL /