hing you do not wish they should. But I was heartily
glad to read somewhere that your book was nearly finished in the
manuscript, for I could wish you to sit and taste your fame, if
that were not contrary to law of Olympus. My joints ache to
think of your rugged labor. Now that you have conquered to
yourself such a huge kingdom among men, can you not give yourself
breath, and chat a little, an Emeritus in the eternal university,
and write a gossiping letter to an old American friend or so?
Alas, I own that I have no right to say this last,--I who
write never.

--------
* As long before as 1843 Emerson wrote in his Diary: "Carlyle in
his new book" (_Past and Present_), "as everywhere, is a
continuer of the great line of scholars in the world, of Horace,
Varro, Pliny, Erasmus, Scaliger, Milton, and well sustains their
office in ample credit and honor."
---------

Here we read no books. The war is our sole and doleful
instructor. All our bright young men go into it, to be misused
and sacrificed hitherto by incapable leaders. One lesson they
all learn,--to hate slavery, _teterrima causa._ But the issue
does not yet appear. We must get ourselves morally right.
Nobody can help us. 'T is of no account what England or France
may do. Unless backed by our profligate parties, their action
would be nugatory, and, if so backed, the worst. But even the
war is better than the degrading and descending politics that
preceded it for decades of years, and our legislation has made
great strides, and if we can stave off that fury of trade which
rushes to peace at the cost of replacing the South in the _status
ante bellum,_ we can, with something more of courage, leave the
problem to another score of years,--free labor to fight with the
Beast, and see if bales and barrels and baskets cannot find out
that they pass more commodiously and surely to their ports
through free hands, than through barbarians.

I grieved that the good Clough, the generous, susceptible
scholar, should die. I read over his _Bothie_ again, full of the
wine of youth at Oxford. I delight in Matthew Arnold's fine
criticism in two little books. Give affectionate remembrances
from me to Jane Carlyle, whom ---'s happiness and accurate
reporting restored to me in brightest image.

Always faithfully yours,
R.W. Emerson

CLXX. Carlyle to Emerson

Chelsea, 8 March, 1864

Dear Emerson,--This will be delivered to you by the Hon.