nor Landor:  but surely if I can I will,—­that or a hundred times as much as that,—­when she returns.—­They tell me you are about collecting your Poems.  Well, though I do not approve of rhyme at all, yet it is impossible Emerson in rhyme or prose can put down any thought that was in his heart but I should wish to get into mine.  So let me have the Book as fast as may be.  And do others like it if you will take circumbendibuses for sound’s sake!  And excuse the Critic who seems to you so unmusical; and say, It is the nature of beast!  Adieu, dear Friend:  write to me, write to me.

Yours ever,
        T. Carlyle

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* Miss Fullers impressions of Carlyle, much to this effect, may
be found in the “Memoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli,” Boston,
1852, Vol.  II. pp. 184-190.
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CXVII.  Emerson to Carlyle

Concord, 31 January, 1847

My Dear Carlyle,—­Your letter came with a blessing last week.  I had already learned from Margaret Fuller, at Paris, that you had been very good and gentle to her;—­brilliant and prevailing, of course, but, I inferred, had actually restrained the volleys and modulated the thunder, out of true courtesy and goodness of nature, which was worthy of all praise in a spoiled conqueror at this time of day.  Especially, too, she expressed a true recognition and love of Jane Carlyle; and thus her visit proved a solid satisfaction; to me, also, who think that few people have so well earned their pleasures as she.

She wrote me a long letter; she has been very happy in England, and her time and strength fully employed.  Her description of you and your discourse (which I read with lively curiosity also) was the best I have had on that subject.

I tried hard to write you by the December steamer, to tell you how forward was my book of Poems; but a little affair makes me much writing.  I chanced to have three or four items of business to despatch, when the steamer was ready to go, and you escaped hearing of them.  I am the trustee of Charles Lane, who came out here with Alcott and bought land, which, though sold, is not paid for.

Somebody or somebodies in Liverpool and Manchester* have proposed once or twice, with more or less specification, that I should come to those cities to lecture.  And who knows but I may come one day?  Steam is strong, and Liverpool is near.  I should find my account in the strong inducement of a new audience to finish pieces which have lain waiting with little hope for months or years.

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* Mr. Alexander Ireland, who had made the acquaintance of Emerson
at Edinburgh, in 1833, was his Manchester correspondent.   His
memorial volume on Emerson contains an interesting record of
their relations.
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Ah then, if I dared, I should be well content to add some golden hours to my life in seeing you, now all full-grown and acknowledged amidst your own people,—­to hear and to speak is so little yet so much.  But life is dangerous and delicate.  I should like to see your solid England.  The map of Britain is good reading for me.  Then I have a very ignorant love of pictures, and a curiosity about the Greek statues and stumps in the British Museum.  So beware of me, for on that distant day when I get ready I shall come.