All people are in a sort of joy-dom over the new French Republic, which has descended suddenly (or shall we say, ascended alas?) out of the Immensities upon us; showing once again that the righteous Gods do yet live and reign! It is long years since I have felt any such deep-seated pious satisfaction at a public event. Adieu: come soon; and warn us when.
Yours ever,
T.
Carlyle
CXXXIV. Emerson to Carlyle
2 Fenny St., Manchester, 2 March, Thursday [1848]
Dear Friend,—I hope to set forward today for London, and to arrive there some time tonight. I am to go first to Chapman’s house, where I shall lodge for a time. If it is too noisy, I shall move westward. But I hope you are to be at home tomorrow, for if I prosper, I shall come and beg a dinner with you,—is it not at five o’clock? I am sorry you have no better news to tell me of your health,—your own and your wife’s. Tell her I shall surely report you to Alcott, who will have his revenge. Thanks that you keep the door so wide open for me still. I shall always come in.
Ever yours,
R.W.E.
CXXXV. Emerson to Carlyle Monday, P.M., 19 June, 1848
Dear Carlyle,—Mrs. Crowe of Edinburgh, an excellent lady, known to you and to many good people, wishes me to go to you with her.
I tell her that I believe you relax the reins of labor as early as one hour after noon, and I propose one o’clock on Thursday for the invasion. If you are otherwise engaged, you must send me word. Otherwise, we shall come.
It was sad to hear no good news last evening from Jane Carlyle. I heartily hope the night brought sleep, and the morning better health to her.
Yours always,
R.W.
Emerson
CXXXVI. Carlyle to Emerson
Chelsea, 20 June, 1848
Dear Emerson,—We shall be very glad to become acquainted with Mrs. Crowe, of whom already by report we know many favorable things. Brown (of Portobello, Edinburgh) had given us intimation of her kind purposes towards Chelsea; and now on Thursday you (please the Pigs) shall see the adventure achieved. Two o’clock, not one, is the hour when labor ceases here,—if, alas, there be any “labor” so much as got begun; which latter is often enough the sad case. But at either hour we shall be ready for you.