What a view must a
man have of this Universe, who thinks "_he_ can swallow it all,"
who is not doubly and trebly happy that he can keep it from
swallowing him! On the whole, I sometimes hope we have now done
with Fanatics and Agonistic Posture-makers in this poor world:
it will be an immense improvement on the Past; and the "New
Ideas," as Alcott calls them, will prosper greatly the better on
that account! The old gloomy Gothic Cathedrals were good; but
the great blue Dome that hangs over all is better than any
Cologne one.--On the whole, do not tell the good Alcott a word of
all this; but let him love me as he can, and live on vegetables
in peace; as I, living _partly_ on vegetables, will continue to
love him!
The best thing Alcott did while he staid among us was to
circulate some copies of your _Man the Reformer._* I did not get
a copy; I applied for one, so soon as I knew the right fountain;
but Alcott, I think, was already gone. And now mark,--for this I
think is a novelty, if you do not already know it: Certain
Radicals have reprinted your Essay in Lancashire, and it is
freely circulating there, and here, as a cheap pamphlet, with
excellent acceptance so far as I discern.
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