The Correspondence of Thomas Carlyle and Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1834-1872, Vol. I X. Emerson to Carlyle
by John Stuart Mill
Concord, Mass., 8 April, 1856
My Dear Friend,--I am concerned at not hearing from you. I have
written you two letters, one in October, one in November, I
believe, since I had any tidings of you.* Your last letter is
dated 27 June, 1835. I have counted all the chances of delay and
miscarriage, and still am anxious lest you are ill, or have
forgotten us. I have looked at the advertising sheet of the
booksellers, but it promised nothing of the History. I thought
I had made the happiest truce with sorrow in having the promise
of your coming,--I was to take possession of a new kingdom of
virtue and friendship. Let not the new wine mourn. Speak to me
out of the wide silence. Many friends inquire of me concerning
you, and you must write some word immediately on receipt of
this sheet.
* One in August by Mrs. Child, apparently not delivered, and one,
the preceding, in October.
With it goes an American reprint of the Sartor. Five hundred
copies only make the edition, at one dollar a copy. About one
hundred and fifty copies are subscribed for. How it will be
received I know not. I am not very sanguine, for I often hear
and read somewhat concerning its repulsive style. Certainly, I
tell them, it is very odd. Yet I read a chapter lately with
great pleasure. I send you also, with Dr. Channing's regards and
good wishes, a copy of his little work, lately published, on our
great local question of Slavery.
You must have written me since July. I have reckoned upon
your projected visit the ensuing summer or autumn, and have
conjectured the starlike influences of a new spiritual element.
Especially Lectures. My own experiments for one or two winters,
and the readiness with which you embrace the work, have led me to
think much and to expect much from this mode of addressing men.
In New England the Lyceum, as we call it, is already a great
institution. Beside the more elaborate courses of lectures in
the cities, every country town has its weekly evening meeting,
called a Lyceum, and every professional man in the place is
called upon, in the course of the winter, to entertain his
fellow-citizens with a discourse on whatever topic. The topics
are miscellaneous as heart can wish. But in Boston, Lowell,
Salem, courses are given by individuals. I see not why this is
not the most flexible of all organs of opinion, from its
popularity and from its newness permitting you to say what you
think, without any shackles of prescription. The pulpit in our
age certainly gives forth an obstructed and uncertain sound, and
the faith of those in it, if men of genius, may differ so much
from that of those under it, as to embarrass the conscience of
the speaker, because so much is attributed to him from the fact
of standing there. In the Lyceum nothing is presupposed. The
orator is only responsible for what his lips articulate. Then
what scope it allows! You may handle every member and relation
of humanity. What could Homer, Socrates, or St. Paul say that
cannot be said here? The audience is of all classes, and its
character will be determined always by the name of the lecturer.
Why may you not give the reins to your wit, your pathos, your
philosophy, and become that good despot which the virtuous
orator is?
Another thing. I am persuaded that, if a man speak well, he
shall find this a well-rewarded work in New England. I have
written this year ten lectures; I had written as many last year.
And for reading both these and those at places whither I was
invited, I have received this last winter about three hundred and
fifty dollars. Had I, in lieu of receiving a lecturer's fee,
myself advertised that I would deliver these in certain places,
these receipts would have been greatly increased. I insert all
this because my prayers for you in this country are quite of a
commercial spirit. If you lose no dollar by us, I shall joyfully
trust your genius and virtue for your satisfaction on all
other points.
I cannot remember that there are any other mouthpieces that are
specially vital at this time except Criticism and Parliamentary
Debate. I think this of ours would possess in the hands of a
great genius great advantages over both. But what avail any
commendations of the form, until I know that the man is alive and
well? If you love them that love you, write me straightway of
your welfare. My wife desires to add to mine her friendliest
greetings to Mrs. Carlyle and to yourself.
Yours affectionately,
R. Waldo Emerson
I ought to say that Le-Baron Russell, a worthy young man
who studies Engineering, did cause the republication of
Teufelsdrockh.* I trust you shall yet see a better American
review of it than the North American.
* This first edition of Sartor as an independent volume was
published by James Munroe and Company, Boston. Emerson, at Mr.
(now Dr.) Russell's request, wrote a Preface for the book. He
told Dr. Russell that his brother Charles was not pleased
with the Preface, thinking it "too commonplace, too much like
all prefaces."
