ave I offended.'

V.

THE DIAL.

* * * * *

Several talks among the Transcendentalists, during the autumn of 1839,
turned upon the propriety of establishing an organ for the expression
of freer views than the conservative journals were ready to welcome.
The result was the publication of the "Dial," the first number of
which appeared early in the summer of 1840, under the editorship of
Margaret, aided by R.W. Emerson and George Ripley. How moderate were
her own hopes, in regard to this enterprise, is clearly enough shown
by passages from her correspondence.

'_Jamaica Plain, 22d March, 1840._ * * * I have a great deal
written, but, as I read it over, scarce a word seems pertinent
to the place or time. When I meet people, it is easy to
adapt myself to them; but when I write, it is into another
world,--not a better one, perhaps, but one with very
dissimilar habits of thought to this wherein I am
domesticated. How much those of us, who have been formed by
the European mind, have to unlearn, and lay aside, if we would
act here! I would fain do something worthily that belonged to
the country where I was born, but most times I fear it may not
be.

'What others can do,--whether all that has been said is the
mere restlessness of discontent, or there are thoughts really
struggling for utterance,--will be tested now. A perfectly
free organ is to be offered for the expression of individual
thought and character. There are no party measures to be
carried, no particular standard to be set up. A fair, calm
tone, a recognition of universal principles, will, I hope,
pervade the essays in every form. I trust there will be a
spirit neither of dogmatism nor of compromise, and that
this journal will aim, not at leading public opinion, but at
stimulating each man to judge for himself, and to think more
deeply and more nobly, by letting him see how some minds are
kept alive by a wise self-trust. We must not be sanguine as
to the amount of talent which will be brought to bear on this
publication. All concerned are rather indifferent, and there
is no great promise for the present. We cannot show high
culture, and I doubt about vigorous thought. But we shall
manifest free action as far as it goes, and a high aim.
It were much if a periodical could be kept open, not to
accomp