e one of those to
whom all is permitted, and who carry the laws in their hand.
Continue to be good to your old friends. 'T is no matter whether
they write to you or not. If not, they save your time. When
_Friedrich_ is once despatched to gods and men, there was once
some talk that you should come to America! You shall have an
ovation such, and on such sincerity, as none have had.

Ever affectionately yours,
R.W. Emerson

I do not know Mr. Wight, but he sends his open letter, which I
fear is already old, for me to write in: and I will not keep it,
lest it lose another steamer.

CLXVI. Carlyle to Emerson

Chelsea, London, 30 April, 1860

Dear Emerson,--It is a special favor of Heaven to me that I hear
of you again by this accident; and am made to answer a word _de
Profundis._ It is constantly among the fairest of the few hopes
that remain for me on the other side of this Stygian Abyss of a
_Friedrich_ (should I ever get through it alive) that I _shall
then_ begin writing to you again, who knows if not see you in the
body before quite taking wing! For I feel always, what I have
some times written, that there is (in a sense) but one completely
human voice to me in the world; and that you are it, and have
been,--thanks to you, whether you speak or not! Let me say also,
while I am at it, that the few words you sent me about those
first Two volumes are present with me in the far more frightful
darknesses of these last Two; and indeed are often almost my one
encouragement. That is a fact, and not exaggerated, though you
think it is. I read some criticisms of my wretched Book, and
hundreds of others I in the gross refused to read; they were in
praise, they were in blame; but not one of them looked into the
eyes of the object, and in genuine human fashion responded to its
human strivings, and recognized it,--completely right, though
with generous exaggeration! That was well done, I can tell you:
a human voice, far out in the waste deeps, among the inarticulate
sea-krakens and obscene monsters, loud-roaring, inexpressibly
ugly, dooming you as if to eternal solitude by way of wages,--
"hath exceeding much refreshment in it," as my friend Oliver used
to say.

Having not one spare moment at present, I will answer to _you_
only the whole contents of that letter; you in your charity will
convey to Mr. Wight what portion belongs to him. Wight, if you
have a chance of him,