New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-15
MISTAKEN ABOUT EMERSON.
WRITER'S STATEMENTS ABOUT THE
CONCORD PHILOSOPHER


CONCORD PHILOSOPHER.
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: copy Of an article upon Ralph Waldo
Emerson. clipped from The Journal OF Edu-
cation" periodical published in Boston and
Chicago. October II. has been sent to me-
Mr. Emerson said Of sketch Of him by
a pretty well-knOwn writer, who attempted to
give the detail OF his life and family. that he
should think the article had been written by
some cook who had listened at the keyhole
That production, however. at least good
natured. But for this recent one It is hard to
find terms adequate to describe It's ignorance
and absLrdity. The writer says:
From 1921 TO 1882 were the shlftless years OF
Emerson's life. lie drifted and out Of his
element in thought and action. Lafayette Wis
tied the country in 1894 and all the land was
ablaze with enthusiasm. but Emerson was UNI
moved by II. Adams Clay and Jackson made
heroic efforts to become President OF the United
States but he did not care. Webster made the
great speeches OF his life In those years. but
they affected him not. Thomas Jefferson and
John Adams died on the Fourth Of July. but he
mourned not.
The writer goes on TO say that few writer's
have known little OF nature as he. He never
wandered into field or forest never pluckeo
flower or twg, never worshipped at the shrine
Of anything in nature. The only interest he
cages at good interest on scores of farms He
farmed by proxy. and took his interest regard
less OF drouth or insect pests. And so on.
Emerson is almost as we'll known to he coun-
trymen az Washington and It would be as
true to say that Washington was unpatriotic.
was a coward took no interest In the old war
with France and undutiful son and a
selfish. graaping creditor whose soul was IN MS
money bags as to say what this writer has SAID
Of Emerson.
II this journal is to retain the respect OF any
decent people the article will be dlsavowed ana
It's ISLANDERS contradcted. Emerson was, l think
as learned a naturalist as we had In Massachu-
sets IN his time. He took his daily ramoles IN
the extensive woods about Concord. most OF
them alone. though rarely some special favorite
was admitted to his companionshp, as, for In
stance, James Russell Lowell in one walk TO
the Cliffs which he describes. He knew the
names. habits and haunts OF all our birds. and
was familiar with all ou- plants not only as
an observer Of their growth. but with great
scientific precision. I think he was much
hotter naturalist so far as scientific knowledge
IS concerned. than Thoreau. As was his Fashion
with all his varied knowledge, he used what he
needed for the purposes OF his poetry or his
philosophy and made no further display.
To say that Webster's speeches affected him
not is specially absurd They were on terms or
very cordial friendship. Mr. Webster was a
guest al his house on one occasion, which re-
member very distinctly. In my boyhood. Mr..
Webster had great regard for him. 1 remem-
Der that In my childhood Mr.. Webster lent
Emerson his autobiography IN his own hand
writing which in turn Mr. Emerson lent TO
nv sister. who brought It and read II aloud to
nv fathers household Emerson's brother
"a 10, ,rt Webstny
ceedinsly fond Of him. predicted great success
for him. and said when he was consulted as TO
where Charles should settle. that u mace no
difference: u he went TO the hackwoods OF Maine
the clients would throng after him.
Certainly the writer never read the noble
massage about Webster In Emerson's Phi Beta
poem OF 1894
one porralt,-tact or fsncy-we re. may dra AM,
a form which Nature cast In ne heroic nouio
OF them who rescued liberty OF o!d'
He when the rising storm OF party roareo
brought his great forehead TO the council ooarai
There while hotheads perpexed with iear 'h'
Calm as the morn the manly patriot sate
Seemed. when at last his clarion accents orohs'
40 II the conscience OF the country spoke
Not on IT, base Monadnoc surer $1,000, .
Tban he 10 common sense and common GOOD
He surely never read the terrible Indictment
or rather the terrible Judgment. which Emerson
rendered after the Seventh Of March speech
The writer says that Lafayette's visit inspired
M enthusiasm In Emerson Has he forgotteh
tho exquisite verse in the hymn entitled bos-
tom?
q bounteous seas that never FAM
O day remembered yet;
q happy port that spied the sail
Which waited Lafayette
r1in