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. Lyulph Stanley, an excellent, intelligent young gentleman whom I have known ever since his infancy,—­his father and mother being among my very oldest friends in London; “Lord and Lady Stanley of Alderley” (not of Knowesley, but a cadet branch of it), whom perhaps you did not meet while here.

My young Friend is coming to look with his own eyes at your huge and hugely travailing Country;—­and I think will agree with you, better than he does with me, in regard to that latest phenomenon.  At all events, he regards “Emerson” as intelligent Englishmen all do; and you will please me much by giving him your friendliest reception and furtherance,—­which I can certify that he deserves for his own sake, not counting mine at all.

Probably he may deliver you the Vol.  IV. of Frederic; he will tell you our news (part of which, what regards my poor Wife, is very bad, though God be thanked not yet the worst);—­and, in some six months, he may bring me back some human tidings from Concord, a place which always inhabits my memory,—­though it is so dumb latterly!

Yours ever,
       T. Carlyle

CLXXI.  Emerson to Carlyle

Concord, 26 September, 1864