ed in this place!
Forgive me my ferocities; you do not quite know what I suffer in
these latitudes, or perhaps it would be even easier for you.
Peace for me, in a Mother of Dead Dogs like this, there is not,
was not, will not be,--till the battle itself end; which,
however, is a sure outlook, and daily growing a nearer one.

----------
* The letter is missing, but a fragment of the rough draft of it
exists, dated Concord, 2 October, 1848. Emerson had returned
home in July, and he begins: "'T is high time, no doubt, long
since, that you heard from me, and if there were good news in
America for you, you would be sure to hear. All goes at heavy
trot with us... I fell again quickly into my obscure habits, more
fit for me than the fine things I had seen. I made my best
endeavor to praise the rich country I had seen, and its
excellent, energetic, polished people. And it is very easy for
me to do so. England is the country of success, and success has
a great charm for me, more than for those I talk with at home.
But they were obstinate to know if the English were superior to
their possessions, and if the old religion warmed their hearts,
and lifted a little the mountain of wealth. So I enumerated the
list of brilliant persons I had seen, and the [break in MS.].
But the question returned. Did you find kings and priests? Did
you find sanctities and beauties that took away your memory, and
sent you home a changed man with new aims, and with a discontent
of your old pastures?"

Here the fragment ends. Emerson's answer to these questions may be
found in the chapter entitled "Results," in his _English Traits._
----------

Nay, there is another practical question,--but it is from the
female side of the house to the female side,--and in fact
concerns Indian meal, upon which Mrs. Emerson, or you, or the
Miller of Concord (if he have any tincture of philosophy) are now
to instruct us! The fact is, potatoes having vanished here, we
are again, with motives large and small, trying to learn the use
of Indian meal; and indeed do eat it daily to meat at dinner,
though hitherto with considerable despair. Question _first,_
therefore: Is there by nature a _bitter_ final taste, which
makes the throat smart, and disheartens much the apprentice in
Indian meal;--or is it accidental, and to be avoided? We surely
anticipate the latter answer; but do not yet see how. At first
we were taught the meal, all ground on your side of