The Collected Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph Waldo Emerson

on>

       Ralph Waldo Emerson

      The Collected Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson

      The Conduct of Life, Self-Reliance, Spiritual Laws, Nature, Representative Men, English Traits…

      Published by

      Books

      - Advanced Digital Solutions & High-Quality eBook Formatting -

       [email protected]

      2018 OK Publishing

      ISBN 978-80-272-4776-9

      Table of Contents

       Introduction

       Ralph Waldo Emerson

       Books

       The Conduct of Life

       Essays – First Series

       Essays – Second Series

       Nature

       Representative Men

       English Traits

       Society and Solitude

       Letters and Social Aims

       Addresses and Lectures

       Other Essays

      Introduction

       Table of Contents

      Ralph Waldo Emerson

       Table of Contents

      Ralph Waldo Emerson, although he has written very little in this way, comes accredited to us by unmistakable manifestations of an original and poetical mind. He is the author of a volume of profound Essays, recently republished in England, under the editorship of Mr. Carlyle, who discovered in him a spiritual faculty congenial to his own. Mr. Emerson was formerly a Unitarian minister, but he embraced the Quaker interpretation of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, and threw up his church. He is now the editor of a quarterly magazine in Boston. The same thoughtful spirit which pervades his prose writings is visible in his poetry, bathed in the “purple light” of a rich fancy. Unfortunately, he has written too little to ensure him a great reputation; but what he has written is quaint and peculiar, and native to his own genius. From a little poem addressed “To the Humble Bee,” which, without being in the slightest degree an imitation, constantly reminds us of the gorgeous beauty of “l’Allegro,” we extract two or three passages.

      Fine humble-bee! fine humble-bee!

       Where thou art is clime for me,

       Let them sail for Porto Rique,

       Far-off heats through seas to seek—

       I will follow thee alone,

       Thou animated torrid-zone!

      * * * * *

      When the south-wind, in May days,

       With a net of shining haze,

       Silvers the horizon wall,

       And with softness touching all,

       Tints the human countenance

       With a color of romance,

       And infusing subtle heats

       Turns the sod to violets—

       Thou in sunny solitudes,

       Rover of the underwoods,

       The green silence dust displace

       With thy mellow breezy bass.

      * * * * *

      Aught unsavory or unclean

       Hath my insect never seen,

       But violets, and bilberry bells,

       Maple sap, and daffodels,

       Clover, catchfly, adders-tongue,

       And brier-roses dwelt among.

       All besides was unknown waste, All was picture as he past.

      This is not merely beautiful, though “beauty is its OWN excuse for being.” There is pleasant wisdom hived in the bag of the “yellow-breeched philosopher,” who sees only what is fair and sips only what is sweet. Mr. Emerson evidently cares little about any reputation to be gained by writing verses; his intellect seeks other vents, where it is untrammelled by forms and conditions. But he cannot help his inspiration. He is a poet in his prose.

      Books

       Table of Contents

      The Conduct of Life

       Table of Contents

       I. Fate

       II. Power

       III. Wealth

       IV. Culture

       V. Behavior

       VI. Worship

       VII. Considerations by the Way

       VIII. Beauty

       IX. Illusions

      I.

       Fate

       Table