The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-22
EMERSON-CARLYLE
A Peep Into the Correspondence Between
These Two Sages.


New York Herald.
When the poet Longfellow called at Chelsea
with an introduction from Emerson, Carlyle
told him that Emerson's coming to him at
Craigenputtoch in 1888 was '1ike the visit of
an angel" He afterward introduced him to
the English public as the only American who
did not want to be President. A warm per-
sonal friendship was the result of this first
meeting. Their correspondence extended over
aperiod of nearly forty years, and is now given
to the world in a complete form. Charles
Eliot Norton, the friend of both Carlyle and
Emerson, has edited the book, which is pub
lished by James r. Osgood d Co., of Boston.
Mr., Norton has had these letters in his
hands for several months, and the
outcome is two of the most de-
lightful volumes OF our time. Emerson's
purity and honesty shine out, and Carlyle's
nobility of character is everywhere present.
There is but little dyspeptic cvnicism when
Carlyle writes to Emerson. The finest and
tenderest emotions OF humanity, the keenest
sympathy are there. AS the years rolled on
they learned to love each other more.
Emerson opened the correspondence, and
in his first letter, which is dated May IA, 1884,
he tells of the magnet which drew him to
Crfigenputtoch, and of the happy conSe-
quknce of his visit:
"a Wy " iOSdtt ~ nv " u II OuOhC
l went to see his person and, as he might say, his
environment AT Craigenputtoch. Yet it was to
fulh! my duty, finish my mission-not with much
see9 of gratifying HMM tho spirit of "If /
love you, what is that to you2" Well, it hap
pened to lie that | was delighted with my visit,
JUSTIFIED to myself in my respect, ana many "a
time upon the sea, in my hOmeward voyage, I
remembered with joy the favored condition of
my lonely philosopher, his happest wedlock, his
Fortunate temper, his steadfast simplicity. his all
means OF happiness.
Emerson not only busted himself in the
publishing of Carlyle's works in America,
but he entreated him time after time to come
here and lecture. Writing in 1885, on this
topic, he said:
sometimes turn over, but never vet with any
seriousness. What your friend SAYS of the people
being persuadable, so far rs having no 1.-THE con-
trOversy, etc, will go, | can most readily under
stand IT. Bur, apart from thai, should rather
fancy America mainly a new commercial Eng
land, with Il fuller pantry-little more or little
less. The same unquenchable, almost fright
fully unresting spirit of endeavor, directed (wOe
is mel to the making OF money, or moneys
worth-namely, food finer or finer, and gigantic
renOwn higher and higher; nay, must not your
eigmanity he a purse Gigmanity, some half shade
worse than a purse-and- pediSree One2 Or per-
haps IL is not a whit worse; only rougher, more
substantial; on the whole, better? l
The most touching and pathetic letter in
the series is the following one, dated March
%, 1912, written by Carlyle on hearing of the
death of Emerson's boy. Following is an
extract:
My Dear Friend This Is heavy news that you
send me; the heaviest outward bereavement
that can befall a man has overIaken you. Your
calm tone of deep, quiet sorrow, coming in on
the rear of poor, trivial worldly business, ali pune
tually dispatched and recorded, 100, as If the
Higher and Highest had not been busy will Won.
tells me a sad tale. What can we say in these
cases2 There is nothing to be said-nothing but
what the wild son OF Ishnael. and every think
ing heart from of old have learned to say, God
is great. He is terrible ard stern. but we know
also He is good. "Thoueh He STAY me. yet will I
trust in Him." Your bright little boy, chief of
your possessions here below, is rapt away from
you; hut of very truth he is with Goo, even rs
we that yet live are. and surely in the way that
was best for him and for you and for all of us.
Poor Lidiau Emerson, moor mother! To her [
have no word. such poignant. u~nspeakable
grief, / believe, visits no creature as that of a
mother bereft of her child. The poor sparrow
in the bush affects one with pity, mourning for
its young; how much more the human soul of
ones. friend. l cannot lid her be of comfort,
for there is as yet no comfort. May good In
fuences watch over her, bring her someesssuage-
lnent. AS the Hebrew David said, "wesshall go
to him; he VIII not return to u.s."
Emerson did not despair of welcoming
CARLYLE at Concord. Throughout his letters
the keynote is, Come and see u.s." 1t is a
pity that the Sage of Chelsea did not cross
the Atlantic. At one time he almost made
arrangements for his journey. But he put
it off and put it off until the scheme was no
longer practicable In 1854 Emerson offered
the following inducements:
America is growing furiously, town and State;
new Kansas, new Nebraska looming up In these
days, vicious politicians seeking q wretched des-
tiny for them already at Washington. The poll
tician shall be sodden, the States escape, please
God! The fight of slave and freeman drawing
nearer the question is sharply whether slavery
or whether freedom shall be abolished. Come
and see. " John Bull interests you at
home and is all your subject. Come and sec the
Contamination OF John. What you scorn all
thisi Well, then, come and see "A few good peO-
pie impossible to be seen on any other shore who
heartily and always greet you.
10 .s..N -.F ff seI 4tH.t. f-.
Perhaps.