views that Emerson's resemblance to Swedenborg is apparent, in his caring for Nature only as a symbol and revelation of spiritual realities." This truly seminal book met with but a small sale,-only 500 copies being disposed of in twelve years! The first edition of it is now one of the rarest books in America. An account of the work is given by George Willis Cooke in his recent work, "Ralph Waldo Emerson: His Life, Writings, and Philosophy," to which the reader is referred. An oration, entitled "Man Thinking," delivered before the Phi-Beta-Kappa Society, Cambridge, in 1837, and an address to the Senior Divinity Class, Cambridge, 1838, also won him wide notice for their originality, boldness, and power. They exercised an immense influence on the youthful mind of New England. It was of this address that a friend of Emerson's said:" Henceforth the young men of New England will have a fifth Gospel in their New Testaments." He delivered “Literary Ethics," an oration, in 1838.

In 1840 he started "The Dial,” a magazine devoted to the discussion of mooted questions in philosophy, literature, and history. At one period of its existence Margaret Fuller and George Ripley were connected with its management. Through this organ Emerson, Ripley, Theodore Parker, Henry D. Thoreau (the most unique of American literary personalities), J. S. Dwight, W. H. Channing, Miss Fuller, C. P. Cranch, J. F. Clarke, T. H. Hedge, J. R. Lowell, Miss Peabody, A. B. Alcott, Ellery Channing, Edward, and Charles Chauncey Emerson, C. Lane, C. A. Dana, J. C. Cabot, and others,—all of them persons of high and varied culture, gave utterance to their thoughts. The magazine existed for four years-1841-4. four volumes is now an almost unattainable rarity. Even odd numbers of it fetch a high price. An originally subscribed-for and complete copy exists in the library of one of Mr. Emerson's English friends, in which the authorship of each article is indicated in his own hand

A complete set of the

writing. In "The Dial" were published "Man the Reformer,” "English Reformers," "The Young American," "Lectures on the Times" (including "The Conservative,” and “The Transcendentalist"), "The Senses and The Soul," "Thoughts on Modern Literature," "Thoughts on Art," "The Tragic," "The Comic," "Prayers," "Letter to the Readers of 'The Dial"" (on Railroads, Air-Roads, Communities, Culture, The Position of Young Men, Bettina von Arnim, and Theodore Mandt's Account of Holderlin's "Hyperion"). Under the heading "Ethnical Scriptures" were given from time to time extracts from the most notable Oriental books of religion and morals. The first number of "The Dial" had a very characteristic address to its readers from his pen. The purpose of the magazine was-the most various expression of the best, the most cultivated, and the freest thought of the time,—and was addressed to those only who were able to find entertainment" in such literature. There were no facts for popularity. Each number was a symposium of the most accomplished minds in the country. It is the memorial of an intellectual impulse which the national life of America has never lost. Emerson himself, in the preface to the first American edition of Carlyle's collected essays, says: "Many readers will here find pages which, in the scattered anonymous sheets of 'The Dial,' spoke to their youthful mind with an emphasis that hindered them from sleep." Many of his finest poems made their first appearance in this periodical. "The Method of Nature" was published in 1841. The first series of Emerson's "Essays," to which Mr. Carlyle contributed a preface, was published in 1841. In this volume are contained some of his most original and ablest papers-" Self-Reliance," "Compensation," "Spiritual Laws," "Love," "Friendship," "The Over-Soul," and "Intellect." In the same year he delivered an address at Concord, on the anniversary of the emancipation of the negroes in the West Indies. A second series of "Essays" appeared in 1844, also with a few prefatory words by Carlyle.

This series contained nine papers-"The Poet," "Experience," "Character," "Manners," "Gifts," "Nature," "Politics," "Nominalist and Realist," and "New England Reformers" (a lecture). In December, 1847, he wrote the "Editor's Address" in the first number of the "Massachusetts Quarterly Review."

The publication of his two volumes of Essays, having stamped Emerson as a thinker of indisputable originality and power, his fame rapidly increased in this country, and many of his admirers became desirous that he should visit England, and deliver courses of lectures, as he had done in the great towns of his own land. He had now gained the ear of England, and many of the finest minds of both hemispheres had acknowledged his genius and power. For some time he hesitated, doubting whether his name would bring together any numerous company of hearers. Several letters passed on the subject. At length his hesitancy was overcome, and permission granted by him to announce his visit and his intention to read lectures to institutions, or to any gathering of friendly individuals who sympathised with his studies. Applications immediately flowed in from every part of the kingdom, and in many cases it was found impossible to comply with the wishes of the requisitionists, from a fear of enforcing too much labour on the lecturer. Had every offer that was made been accepted, his engagements would have extended over a much longer period than he was prepared to remain in England. At last he arrived at Liverpool on 22nd October, 1847. Carlyle was greatly delighted with the prospect of again seeing his friendly visitor-" the lonely, wayfaring man," as he described him-of 1833. A letter from Emerson, announcing the probable time of his sailing, had, by negligence at a country post-office, failed to be delivered to Carlyle in due course, and only turned up near the time of Emerson's expected arrival, thus depriving the former of the opportunity of responding with hospitable messages and invitations. This led to great trouble of mind in Carlyle, fearing, as he did, that it might subject him to the

appearance of a want of hospitality-a possibility abhorrent to his feelings. His trouble was ended, however, by an arrangement being made to have his reply delivered to Emerson the instant he landed in England, which, it is needless to say, was faithfully carried out. His minute instructions and almost solemn injunctions in regard to this matter were delightfully characteristic of his high regard for Emerson. The reader will find them in a later page.

For some months he took up his residence in Manchester, from which, as from a centre, he issued forth to lecture in various towns in the midland and northern counties of England. His first course was delivered to the members of the Manchester Athenæum, the subject being "Representative Men, including Plato, Swedenborg, Montaigne, Shakespeare, and Goethe." His next course was given in the Manchester Mechanics' Institution, the subjects being 'Eloquence," "Domestic Life," "Reading," "The Superlative in Manners and Literature," and "The Humanity of Science." The titles of these lectures are given to show the wide range of his subjects. They excited great interest, and attracted crowded audiences. While in Manchester he delivered a remarkable speech at a soirée, held under the auspices of the Manchester Athenæum, Sir A. Alison being in the chair. Richard Cobden and other notabilities were present. His text was the indomitable "pluck" and steadfastness and grandeur of England, amid all her difficulties and trials. At that time English commerce and industry were in a very depressed condition. This speech, although comparatively brief, was carefully prepared for the occasion, and the importance he attached to it may be gathered from the fact that he printed it, in extenso, in his "English Traits," published nine years after. He also visited Edinburgh in February, 1848, where he lectured, and met many of its celebrities, including Robert Chambers, with whose geniality and kindly humour, and charming family circle, he was delighted. While there, he was the guest of Dr.

Samuel Brown. He spent two days at Ambleside with Miss Martineau and paid another visit to Wordsworth-his first having been paid fifteen years before. A few records of his stay in London, and remarks on some of the people he met there, will be found in his " English Traits," one of the most brilliant and striking books ever written about England and its characteristics. In perusing this volume the reader will be charmed by its vigour, vivacity, and acuteness. It is remarkable for its subtle discrimination, and clear insight into national character. In hanging over its pages, one experiences much the same feelings as if one were transplanted from a dead-level country to hilly pastures and wooded ridges, where the turf is elastic, and the air sharp, keen, and bracing.

His lectures in London were attended by the élite of the social and literary world of the metropolis. Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle, the Duchess of Sutherland, Lady Byron and her daughter Ada (Lady Lovelace), the Duke of Argyll, Dr. John Carlyle, William and Mary Howitt, Douglas Jerrold, Mr. John Forster, Thackeray, and many other distinguished persons were among his hearers. The writer of this notice can speak for the breathless attention of his audience, and the evident all-absorbing interest with which his discourses were listened to. The course consisted of six lectures, on "The Minds and Manners of the Nineteenth Century," "Power and Laws of Thought," "Relation of Intellect to Natural Science," "Tendencies and Duties of Men of Thought," "Politics and Socialism," "Poetry and Eloquence," and "Natural Aristocracy." It was a remarkable course. Only one or two of these lectures have been printed. Not a few of his aristocratic audience must have winced under some of his keen reproofs and reminders of duty. He uttered his convictions with a daring independence, and gave his judgments with a decisiveness of tone and earnest solemnity of manner which might have put kings in fear. He made his audience feel as if he had got them well in