and visionary must be forgotten, so as to get a glimpse of the Alcott
who was the intimate friend of Emerson--a genius, a philosopher, an
optimist, in spite of failure and in spite of opposition. Therefore it
seems best to give some extracts from his own writings first that will
reveal the tenor of his mind and the largeness of his heart and
intellect, in order that the poems of the daughter may be more fully
understood. The following extracts are from his book entitled "Tablets."

"If one's life is not worshipful," he writes, "no one cares for his
professions.... We recognize goodness wherever we find it. 'Tis the
same helpful influence beautifying the meanest as the greatest
service by its manners, as if it did it not."

* * * * *

"Enthusiasm is existence; earnestness, life's exceeding great
reward....

"Our dispositions are the atmosphere we breathe, and we carry our
climate and world in ourselves. Good humor, gay spirits, are the
liberators, ... the sure cure for spleen and melancholy ... and he
who smiles is never beyond redemption."

* * * * *

"The liberal mind is of no sect; it shows to sects their departure
from the ideal standard, and thus maintains pure religion in the
world. But there are those whose minds, like the pupil of the eye,
contract as the light increases. 'Tis a poor egotism that sees only
its own image reflected in its vision.... 'Only as thou beest it,
thou seest it!'"

* * * * *

"One cannot be well read unless well seasoned in thought and
experience. Life makes the man. And he must have lived in all his
gifts and become acclimated herein to profit by his readings.
Living at the breadth of Shakespeare, the depth of Plato, the
height of Christ gives the mastery, ... or if not that, a worthy
discipleship."

And here is a quotation that reveals his great and beautiful love of
Nature:

"Nature is the good Baptist, plunging us in her Jordan streams to
be purified of our stains and fulfil all righteousness. And
wheresoever our lodge, there is but the thin casement between us
and immensity.... Nature without, Mind within, inviting us forth
into the solacing air, the blue ether, if we will but shake our
sloth and cares aside and step forth into her great conte