LXXXV. Emerson to Carlyle

Concord, 30 October, 1843

My Dear Friend,--I seize the occasion of having this morsel of
paper for twenty-five pounds sterling from the booksellers to
send you, (and which fail not to find enclosed, as clerks say,)
to inquire whether you still exist in Chelsea, London, and what
is the reason that my generous correspondent has become dumb for
weary months. I must go far back to resume my thread. I think
in April last I received your Manuscript, &c. of the Book, which
I forthwith proceeded to print, after some perplexing debate with
the booksellers, as I fully informed you in my letter of April or
beginning of May. Since that time I have had no line or word
from you. I must think that my letter did not reach you, or that
you have written what has never come to me. I assure myself that
no harm has befallen you, not only because you do not live in a
corner, and what chances in your dwelling will come at least
to my ears, but because I have read with great pleasure the
story of Dr. Francia,* which gave the best report of your health
and vivacity.

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* Carlyle's article on Dr. Francia in the _Foreign Quarterly
Review,_ No. 62. Reprinted in his _Miscellanies._
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I wrote you in April or May an account of the new state of things