Nature
has only so much vital force, and must dilute it, if it is to be
multiplied into millions. "The beautiful is never plentiful."
On the whole, I say to myself, that our conditions in America are
not easier or less expensive than the European. For the poor
scholar everywhere must be compromise or alternation, and, after
many remorses, the consoling himself that there has been
pecuniary honesty, and that things might have been worse. But
no; we must think much better things than these. Let Lazarus
believe that Heaven does not corrupt into maggots, and that
heroes do not succumb.
Clough is here, and comes to spend a Sunday with me, now and
then. He begins to have pupils, and, if his courage holds out,
will have as many as he wants.... I have written hundreds of
pages about England and America, and may send them to you
in print. And now be good and write me once more, and I think
I will never cease to write again. And give my homage to
Jane Carlyle.
Ever yours,
R.W. Emerson
CLII. Carlyle to Emerson
Chelsea, 13 May, 1853
Dear Emerson,--The sight of your handwriting was a real blessing
to me, after so long an abstinence.
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