
Instead of coming by boat, I came by the midnight train on Friday, & got here
about 7 on Saturday morning. Since then I have been to Concord & discussed the
New Poetry. The meeting took place after all in Dr. Emerson's house, instead of his
father's. Old Mrs. Emerson (who is 85 years old, they tell me,) & Ellen
Emerson, formed part of the audience which though
small was perhaps as remarkable as any I am ever likely to have. The discussion
after my paper, in which Sanborn took a main part, was full of interest, & there
was a general agreement with my position, & that part based on Leaves of Grass
in especial. Mrs. Talcott Williams gave me on Thursday
evening two pictures of your house, inside & out, one shewing you seated by the window; & on Sanborn's suggestion I took these to shew to the people at the lecture, who were quite delighted with the glimpse of
you thus given.
I stayed until this morning with the Sanborns, & found them endlessly kind. They
were anxious to hear all about you. Sanborn himself may come to see you soon, when
passing through Philadelphia. Yesterday morning he drove me round by Lincoln & other
pleasant rustic places. It was so fine that I wish you could have been with us. In
the afternoon Dr. Emerson drove me to Walden Pond again; & in the evening I met
Channing (who as you know is morbidly shy.) & had a quiet talk at Sanborn's snug
fireside, with its blazing logs to make good cheer.