than half the book. If
you can give Chapman any counsel, or save me from any nonsense by
enjoining on him careful correction, you shall.

I looked eagerly for a letter from you by the last steamer, to
give me exact tidings of Sterling. None came; but I received a
short note from Sterling himself, which intimated that he had but
a few more days to live. It is gloomy news. I beg you will
write me everything you can relate of him, by the next mail. If
you can learn from his friends whether the packet of his
Manuscripts and printed papers, returned by Russell and sent by
me through Harnden's Express to Ventnor, arrived safely, it would
be a satisfaction.

Yours affectionately,
R.W. Emerson

XCIV. Carlyle to Emerson

Chelsea, 29 September, 1844

Dear Emerson,--There should a Letter have come for you by that
Steamer; for I wrote one duly, and posted it in good time
myself: I will hope therefore it was but some delay of some
subaltern official, such as I am told occasionally chances, and
that you got the Letter after all in a day or two. It would give
you notice, more or less, up to its date, of all the points you
had inquired about there is now little to be added; except
concerning the main point, That the catastrophe has arrived there
as we foresaw, and all is ended.

John Sterling died at his house in Ventnor on the night of
Wednesday, 18th September, about eleven o'clock; unexpectedly at
last, and to appearance without pain. His Sister-in-law, Mrs.
Maurice; had gone down to him from this place about a week
before; other friends were waiting as it were in view of him;
but he wished generally to be alone, to continue to the last
setting his house and his heart more and more in order for the
Great Journey. For about a fortnight back he had ceased to have
himself formally dressed; had sat only in his dressing-gown, but
I believe was still daily wheeled into his Library, and sat very
calmly sorting and working there. He sent me two Notes, and
various messages, and gifts of little keepsakes to my Wife and
myself: the Notes were brief, stern and loving; altogether
noble; never to be forgotten in this world. His Brother
Anthony, who had been in the Isle of Wight within call for
several weeks, had now come up to Town again; but, after about a
week, decided that he would run down again, and look. He arrived
on the Wednesday night, about nine o'clock; found no visible
change;