Circle may be a better whole, without its complement. Perhaps his
"unsatiable demand for unity, the need to recognize one nature in
all variety of objects," would have been impaired, if something
should make it simpler for men to find the identity they at first
want in his substance. "Draw if thou canst the mystic line
severing rightly his from thine, which is human, which divine."
Whatever means one would use to personalize Emerson's natural
revelation, whether by a vision or a board walk, the vastness of
his aims and the dignity of his tolerance would doubtless cause
him to accept or at least try to accept, and use "magically as a
part of his fortune." He would modestly say, perhaps, "that the
world is enlarged for him, not by finding new objects, but by
more affinities, and potencies than those he already has." But,
indeed, is not enough manifestation already there? Is not the
asking that it be made more manifest forgetting that "we are not
strong by our power to penetrate, but by our relatedness?" Will
more signs create a greater sympathy? Is not our weak suggestion
needed only for those content with their own hopelessness?

Others may lead others to him, but he finds his problem in making
"gladness hope and fortitude flow from his page," rather than in
arranging that our hearts be there to receive it. The first is
his duty--the last ours!


2


A devotion to an end tends to undervalue the means. A power of
revelation may make one more concerned about his perceptions of