![]() ![]() I was very agreeably disappointed in Mr Emerson. ![]() The truth is that we are all sons, grandsons, or nephews or great-nephews of those who go before us. Lay it down that had not Sir Thomas Browne lived, Emerson would not have mystified - I will answer, that had not Old Zack's father begot him, old Zack would never have been the hero of Palo Alto. Swear he is a humbug - then is he no common humbug. Be his stuff begged, borrowed, or stolen, or of his own domestic manufacture he is an uncommon man. Yet I think Emerson is more than a brilliant fellow. I do not oscillate in Emerson's rainbow, but prefer rather to hang myself in mine own halter than swing in any other man's swing.Letter to Evert Augustus Duyckinck (24 February 1849) published in The Letters of Herman Melville (1960) edited by Merrell R.But chancing to fall in with this glorious edition, I now exult in it, page after page. But until now, every copy that was come-atable to me, happened to be in a vile small print unendurable to my eyes which are tender as young sparrows. I am mad to think how minute a cause has prevented me hitherto from reading Shakspeare. And if another Messiah ever comes twill be in Shakesper's person. I fancy that this moment Shakspeare in heaven ranks with Gabriel, Raphael and Michael. Ah, he's full of sermons-on-the-mount, and gentle, aye, almost as Jesus. Dolt & ass that I am I have lived more than 29 years, & until a few days ago, never made close acquaintance with the divine William.And, indeed, who in this intolerant universe is, or can be? But the Declaration of Independence makes a difference. I hold it a verity, that even Shakspeare, was not a frank man to the uttermost. Any fish can swim near the surface, but it takes a great whale to go down stairs five miles or more & if he don't attain the bottom, why, all the lead in Galena can't fashion the plumet that will. 1.9 Battle Pieces: And Aspects of the War (1860).1.8 The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade (1857).1.7 Poor Man's Pudding and Rich Man's Crumbs (1854). ![]()
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