Ralph Waldo Emerson’s diary, 1855

Philip Randolph' was surprised to find me speaking to the politics of anti-slavery, in Phil- adelphia. I suppose, because he thought me a believer in general laws,…

They laughed us down. They treated the rule of right as puerile enthusiasm.

But two good nights in a fortnight : — one at Buffalo ; the second at Hamilton (Ontario), in finding myself in England, as it seemed, with English soft coal fire,…

Out upon scholars with their pale, sickly, etiolated indoor thoughts. Give me the out-of- door thoughts of sound men, — the thoughts, all fresh, blooming.

Wide the gulf between genius and talent. The men we know deal with their thoughts as jewel- lers with jewels which they sell but must not wear ; like carpenters…

Sent Chapter I of English Traits to Phillips, Sampson & Co.