real-imaginary locality of "Concord," where a kindly-speaking
voice lives incarnated, there is much to learn.

That you will take to yourself a wife is the cheerfulest tidings
you could send us. It is in no wise meet for man to be alone;
and indeed the beneficent Heavens, in creating Eve, did
mercifully guard against that. May it prove blessed, this new
arrangement! I delight to prophesy for you peaceful days in it;
peaceful, not idle; filled rather with that best activity which
is the stillest. To the future, or perhaps at this hour actual
Mrs. Emerson, will you offer true wishes from two British
Friends; who have not seen her with their eyes, but whose
thoughts need not be strangers to the Home she will make for you.
Nay, you add the most chivalrous summons: which who knows but
one day we may actually stir ourselves to obey! It may hover for
the present among the gentlest of our day-dreams; mild-lustrous;
an impossible possibility. May all go well with you, my worthy
Countryman, Kinsman, and brother Man!

This so astonishing reception of Teufelsdrockh in your
New England circle seems to me not only astonishing, but
questionable; not, however, to be quarreled with. I may say:
If the New. England cup is dangerously sweet, there are here in
Old England whole antiseptic floods of good _hop_-decoction;
therein let it mingle; work wholesomely towards what clear
benefit it can. Your young ones too, as all exaggeration is
transient, and exaggerated love almost itself a blessing, will
get through it without damage. As for Fraser, however, the idea
of a new Edition is frightful to him; or rather ludicrous,
unimaginable. Of him no man has inquired for a _Sartor:_