CLXXXII. Carlyle to Emerson
5 Cheyne Row, Chelsea, 24 March, 1870
My Dear Emerson,—The day before yesterday, I heard incidentally of an unfortunate Mail Steamer, bound for America, which had lost its screw or some essential part of it; and so had, instead of carrying its Letters forward to America, been drifting about like a helpless log on the shores of Ireland till some three days ago, when its Letters and Passengers were taken out, and actually forwarded, thither. By industrious calculation, it appears probable to us here that my Letter to you may have been tumbling about in that helpless Steamer, instead of getting to Concord; where, if so, said Letter cannot now arrive till the lingering of it have created some astonishment there.
I hastily write this, however, to say that a Letter was duly forwarded a few days after yours [of January 23] arrived,— enclosing the Harvard Catalogue, with all necessary et ceteras; indorsing all your proposals; and signifying that the matter should be authentically completed the instant I should hear from you again. I may add now that the thing is essentially completed,—all signed and put on paper, or all but a word or two, which, for form's sake, waits the actual arrival of your Letter.
I have never yet received your Book;* and, if it linger only a few days more, mean to provide myself with a copy such as the Sampson and Low people have on sale everywhere.
I had from Norton, the other day, a very kind and friendly Letter.
This is all of essential that I had to say. I write in utmost haste. But am always, dear Emerson,
Yours sincerely,
T. Carlyle
———— * "Society and Solitude." ————
CLXXXIII. Carlyle to Emerson