Though shattered and trampled down to an immense degree, I do not
think any bones are broken yet,--though age truly is here, and
you may engage your berth in the steamer whenever you like. In a
few months I expect to be sensibly improved; but my poor Wife
suffers sadly the last two winters; and I am much distressed by
that item of our affairs. Adieu, dear Emerson: I have lost many
things; let me not lose you till I must in some way!

Yours ever,
T. Carlyle

P.S. If you read the Newspapers (which I carefully abstain from
doing) they will babble to you about Dickens's "Separation from
Wife," &c., &c.; fact of Separation I believe is true; but all
the rest is mere lies and nonsense. No crime or misdemeanor
specifiable on either side; _unhappy_ together, these good many
years past, and they at length end it.--Sulzer said, "Men are by
nature _good._" "Ach, mein lieber Sulzer, Er kennt nicht diese
verdammte Race," ejaculated Fritz, at hearing such an axiom.




CLXIII.* Carlyle to Emerson

Chelsea, London, 9 April, 1859

Dear Emerson,--Long months ago there was sent off for you a copy
of _Friedrich_ of Prussia, two big red volumes (for which Chapman
the Publisher had found some "safe, swift" vehicle); and _now_ I