point of chasing away the thieves that are stealing not only
the public gold, but the newly won rights of the slave, and
the new muzzles we had contrived to keep the planter from
sucking his blood.

Very welcome to me were the photographs,--your own, and Jane
Carlyle's. Hers, now seen here for the first time, was closely
scanned, and confirmed the better accounts that had come of her
improved health. Your earlier tidings of her had not been
encouraging. I recognized still erect the wise, friendly
presence first seen at Craigenputtock. Of your own--the hatted
head is good, but more can be read in the head leaning on the
hand, and the one in a cloak.

At the end of much writing, I have little to tell you of myself.
I am a bad subject for autobiography. As I adjourn letters, so I
adjourn my best tasks.... My wife joins me in very kind regards
to Mrs. Carlyle. Use your old magnanimity to me, and punish my
stony ingratitudes by new letters from time to time.

Ever affectionately and gratefully yours,
R.W. Emerson

CLXXIV. Emerson to Carlyle

Concord, 16 May, 1866

My Dear Carlyle,--I have just been shown a private letter from
Moncure Conway to one of his friends here, giving some tidings of
your sad return to an empty home. We had the first news last
week. And so it is. The stroke long threatened has fallen at
last, in the mildest form to its victim, and relieved to you by
long and repeated reprieves. I must think her fortunate also in
this gentle departure, as she had been in her serene and honored
career. We would not for ourselves count covetously the
descending steps after we have passed the top of the mount, or
grudge to spare some of the days of decay. And you will have the
peace of knowing her safe, and no longer a victim. I have found
myself recalling an old verse which one utters to the parting
soul,--

"For thou hast passed all chance of human life,
And not again to thee shall beauty die."

It is thirty-three years in July, I believe, since I first saw
her, and her conversation and faultless manners gave assurance of
a good and happy future. As I have not witnessed any decline, I
can hardly believe in any, and still recall vividly the youthful
wife, and her blithe account of her letters and homages from
Goethe, and the details she gave of her intended visit to Weimar,
and its disappointment. Her goodness to me and to my friends was
e