who is not doubly and trebly happy that he can keep it from
swallowing him! On the whole, I sometimes hope we have now done
with Fanatics and Agonistic Posture-makers in this poor world:
it will be an immense improvement on the Past; and the "New
Ideas," as Alcott calls them, will prosper greatly the better on
that account! The old gloomy Gothic Cathedrals were good; but
the great blue Dome that hangs over all is better than any
Cologne one.--On the whole, do not tell the good Alcott a word of
all this; but let him love me as he can, and live on vegetables
in peace; as I, living _partly_ on vegetables, will continue to
love him!

The best thing Alcott did while he staid among us was to
circulate some copies of your _Man the Reformer._* I did not get
a copy; I applied for one, so soon as I knew the right fountain;
but Alcott, I think, was already gone. And now mark,--for this I
think is a novelty, if you do not already know it: Certain
Radicals have reprinted your Essay in Lancashire, and it is
freely circulating there, and here, as a cheap pamphlet, with
excellent acceptance so far as I discern. Various Newspaper
reviews of it have come athwart me: all favorable, but all too
shallow for sending to you. I myself consider it a _truly
excellent_ utterance; one of the best words you have ever
spoken. Speak many more such. And whosoever will distort them
into any "vegetable" or other crotchet,--let it be at his own
peril; for the word itself is _true;_ and will have to make
itself a _fact_ therefore; though not a distracted _abortive_
fact, I hope! _Words_ of that kind are not born into Facts in
the _seventh month;_ well if they see the light full-grown (they
and their adjuncts) in the _second century;_ for old Time is a