of the Books
would be superfluous: nay, in truth, many or most of them are
not without intrinsic value, one or two are even excellent as
Books; and all of them, it may perhaps be said, have a kind of
_symbolic_ or _biographic_ value; and testify (a thing not
useless) _on what slender commissariat stores_ considerable
campaigns, twelve years long or so, may be carried on in this
world. Perhaps you already knew of me, what the _Cromwell_ and
_Friedrich_ collection might itself intimate, that much _buying_
of Books was never a habit of mine,--far the reverse, even to
this day!

Well, my Friend, you will have a meeting with Norton so soon as
handy; and let me know what is next to be done. And that, in
your official capacity, is all I have to say to you at present.

Unofficially there were much,--much that is mournful, but perhaps
also something that is good and blessed, and though the saddest,
also the highest, the lovingest and best; as beseems Time's
sunset, now coming nigh. At present I will say only that, in
bodily health, I am not to be called Ill, for a man who will be
seventy-four next month; nor, on the spiritual side, has
anything been laid upon me that is quite beyond my strength.
More miserable I have often been; though as solitary, soft of
heart, and sad, of course never.

Publisher Chapman, when I question him whether you for certain
_get_ your Monthly Volume of what they call "The Library
Edition," assures me that "it is beyond doubt":--I confess I
should still like to be _better_ assured. If all is _right,_ you
should, by the time this Letter arrives, be receiving or have
received your thirteenth Volume, last of the _Miscellanies._
Adieu, my Friend.

Ever truly yours,
T. Carlyle

CLXXVII. Carlyle to Emerson

Chelsea, 4 January, 1870

Dear Emerson,--A month ago or more I wrote, by the same post, to
you and to Norton about those Books for Harvard College; and in
late days have been expecting your joint answer. From Norton
yesternight I receive what is here copied for your perusal; it
has come round by Florence as you see, and given me real pleasure
and instruction. From you, who are possibly also away from home,
I have yet nothing; but expect now soon to have a few words.
There did arrive, one evening lately, your two pretty _volumes_
of _Collected Works,_ a pleasant salutation from you--which set
me upon reading again what I thought I knew well before:--but the
L