New-York tribune., 1902-01-26
THE LAST HOURS OF EMERSON.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: A book called The Book Opened" and pur-
porting 10 be guide in religious matters, has just
come into my hands. 1t written by the Rev.
DR. Alfred Nevtn. and is from an Indianapolis pub
Usher. The work contains some strange state
ments that seem 70 me TO call for public rebuke
On page 10 these words: Emerson toward
the close OF his life crawied about the floor,
time praying and at another swearing This out
rageous cartcature OF the last hours OF Ralph
Waldo Emerson Is not only entirely without founda-
ton. but is IN direct conflict with the published and
accredited account Of the death OF the distn-
guished poet and essayist James Elliot Cabot
Emersons literary executor and biographer. thus
describes the death OF the Concord Sage:
To the last there was no deIirium; in general he
recognized every one and understood what was
make intelgible reply He took arectionate leave
OF MS family and the friends who came 10 see him
for the last time and desired 10 see all who came
To his wife he spoke tenderly OF their life together
10 meet again and part no more.
Mr.. Cabot him the day OF his death and
reports:
He knew me at once. greeted me with the taTnll-
but l could not catch the words.
It is very unlikely that Mr Cabot violated truth
and It is certain that he had every opportunity or
knowing what was true In the matter Of which he
wrote. There has been recently published book
called The Last Words OF Distinguished Men and
to the sitting Of testimony y VITA egard q TO the last
hours and words OF great and women Fred
eric Rowla Marvin. it's author. page 81 OF
the work already named. quotes Cabot's state
ment and accepts Is as IN every trustworthy
The picture of Ralph Waldo Emerson crawling
about the floor. praying and swearing. viii hardly
help orthodoxy" or inspire confidence in the
candor and literary ability OF DR.. Nevin
As II TO add insult to injury the belittling pct-
ure OF Emerson is placed side 1y side with the
ditional last words OF the iCfdel Newport. "Oh,
the insufferable pangs OF he'll and damnati tion"'
The simple truth Of the matter is that Emerson
died as he lived, simple. serene and good
His death was calm and quiet. At the last he
sustained by a strong religious
Dr. NeviE has this 20 say OF Mirabeau He died
calling out Give more audanum, that I may
not think Of eternity and what IS 20 come The
great orator. who was saint. did, II may
trust the best authorities, demand the very
more laudanum to quiet the intense pain that gave
him little rest by day or night but that the laud-
anun had any connection in his mind with
nifty CT with the thought OF the future IS purely
invention OF the very Ingenious author OF The
Book Opened of mendaCOus inventor
who preceded him. and from whom he copied with
out being at the trouble TO verify facts.
Or. Nevin'S picture OF the deathbed OF Thomas
Paine is picturesque from orthodox point OF
view but II is just what he has neglected to
say, that the last words and closing hours OF
Paine life are somewhat in dispute Losing In
Our COuutrymen, gives Cre side, while the Rev.
Q. 3. rockingham In a printed sermon on The
Assailants Of Christianity" gives the other. Both
sides are stated without comment in The Last
Words Of Distinguished Men and Women"
Albany, Jan. t. 1902. E 3. BURNSIDE.