New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-09

WTltlng OF concord, ana especially OF us Nter-
airy celebrities. Mr.. G. w. Cooke says that the
unitarian people OF the town regarded Emer-
son. Thoreau and Alcott Missionaries and not
quite sound In their mental faculties:
Much OF gossip went about the village con-
corning them. and they were often the source Of
merriment In the parlOrs on the streets
Thoreau was frequently the subject of comment
his thrftless ways were condemned his want
Of profession declared highly reprehensible,
and his vagabond habits thought worthy Of the
severest condemnation. His life at Walden was
spoken Of as sort OF bOastful exploitation Of
himself and as not so very great feat. after all
since he was abundantly supplied with dough-
nuts and pies from the Concord kitchens When
he went by the first parish meeting house on q
Sunday. just people were passing out from
the church service. with a small pine tree on his
shoulder. such as his mother had asked him to
secure for her. his act became the topic OF the
eeverest gossip. He condemned as "a
heather. and the community spoke against him
Its disapproval.
II was Alcott however. who was the chief
object Of dsapproval on the part OF these Phil!s-
tines. BY them he regarded lazy
man. who did not provide for his family. and a
philosopher who had nothing TO say which could
be turned into money. He was the subject OF
much merriment; and his words and ways were
often spoken OF with severest condemnation. BY
this 1t may be seen that the philosophers did not
find life all sunshine in Concord or find every
one ready to give them an unbiased hearing.
Indeed IL may he said that the transcendenta
movement never gained a general approval in
the town: and the preaching from the parish
church was Of the practical sincere honest kind
which does not indulge in searChings of the in
finite. To Emerson the unitarian gospel he
heard there vas in so far wanting IN spiritual
nourishment that he ceased attending church
Yet each OF these men had his faithful follow
and disciples In the village those who hung
upon his lips and who found life in the teach
fngs he had to utter. Especially was this true
OF Emerson. who easily fell into the village ways
fulfilled loyalty his duties a citizen, attended
the town meetings with desire to share in ell
the tasks and burdens the town life imposed,
gave much OF interest to the schools and the
public library took a leading part in the village
lyceum. and spoke there his hundred lectures.
He was highly regarded by the villagers and
they felt that he was one Of themselves.
Mr.. Barrie IN the course OF an Introduction to
q collection OF stories written by the late Mrs.
Oliphant. shows a very becoming modesty and
taste IT wonder" he says If there is among
the younger Scottish novests OF to-day any
one so foolish az to believe that he has a right
70 o stool near this woman. any one who has
rage at his heart II ne found that for the mo-
ment his little efforts were being taken more
seriously than hers? should like to lead the
simple man by the car down the long procession
Of her books"
An interesting collection Of ahout one hundred
and nifty books and MSS. relating to Sir Thomas
More win soon be sold in London.
Mr.. Robert Burns Wilson's volume of verse.
the Shadows Of the Trees and Other Poems"
VIII be brought out by r. II. Russell in the
autumn. II IL to be illustrated by c. G. La
yarga