The Correspondence of Thomas Carlyle and Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1834-1872, Vol II. CV. Carlyle to Emerson
by Thomas Carlyle
Chelsea, 3 January, 1846
Dear Emerson,--I received your Letter* by the last Packet three
or four days ago: this is the last day of answering, the monthly
Packet sails towards you again from Liverpool tomorrow morning;
and I am in great pressure with many writings, elsewhither and
thither: therefore I must be very brief. I have just written to
Mr. Hart of Philadelphia; his Draft (as I judge clearly by the
Banker's speech and silence) is accepted, all right; and in
fact, means money at this time: for which I have written to
thank him heartily. Do you very heartily thank Mr. Furness for
me;--Furness and various friends, as Transatlantic matters now
are, must accept a silent gratitude from me. The speech of men
and American hero-worshipers is grown such a babblement: in very
truth, silence is the thing that chiefly has meaning,--there
or here....
* Missing
To my very great astonishment, the Book Cromwell proves popular
here; and there is to be another edition very soon. Edition
with improvements--for some fifty or so of new (not all
insignificant) Letters have turned up, and I must try to do
something rational with them;--with which painful operation I am
again busy. It will make the two volumes about equal perhaps,
--which will be one benefit! If any American possibility lie in
this, I will take better care of it.--Alas, I have not got one
word with you yet! Tell me of your Lectures;--of all things.
Ever yours,
T. Carlyle
We returned from Hampshire exactly a week ago; never passed
six so totally idle weeks in our lives.--Better in health a
little? Perhaps.
