harness him to their partial and transient scheme. He said, My reforms
include theirs: I must go my way; help people by my strength, not by my
weakness. But if a storm threatened, he felt bound to appear and show
his colors. Against the crying evils of his time he worked bravely in
his own way. He wrote to President Van Buren against the wrong done to
the Cherokees, dared speak against the idolized Webster, when he
deserted the cause of Freedom, constantly spoke of the iniquity of
slavery, aided with speech and money the Free State cause in Kansas,
was at Phillips's side at the antislavery meeting in 1861 broken up by
the Boston mob, urged emancipation during the war.

He enjoyed his Concord home and neighbors, served on the school
committee for years, did much for the Lyceum, and spoke on the town's
great occasions. He went to all town-meetings, oftener to listen and
admire than to speak, and always took pleasure and pride in the people.
In return he was respected and loved by them.

Emerson's house was destroyed by fire in 1872, and the incident exposure
and fatigue did him harm. His many friends insisted on rebuilding his
house and sending him abroad to get well. He went up the Nile, and
revisited England, finding old and new friends, and, on his return, was
welcomed and escorted home by the people of Concord. After this time he
was unable to write. His old age was quiet and happy among his family
and friends. He died in April, 1882.

EDWARD W. EMERSON.

January, 1899.

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