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greater than theirs； a light of the universal republic of letters； who
was willing and eager to stand or fall with the just cause； and that was
all in all to me。 His country was my country； and his kindred my
kindred； and nothing could have kept me from following after him。
His whole life taught the lesson that the world is well lost whenever the
world is wrong； but never； I think； did any life teach this so sweetly；
so winningly。 The wrong world itself might have been entreated by him to
be right； for he was one of the few reformers who have not in some
measure mixed their love of man with hate of men； his quarrel was with
error； and not with the persons who were in it。 He was so gently
steadfast in his opinions that no one ever thought of him as a fanatic；
though many who held his opinions were assailed as fanatics； and suffered
the shame if they did not win the palm of martyrdom。 In early life he
was a communist； and then when he came out of Brook Farm into the world
which he was so well fitted to adorn； and which would so gladly have kept
him all its own； he became an abolitionist in the very teeth of the world
which abhorred abolitionists。 He was a believer in the cause of women's
rights； which has no picturesqueness； and which chiefly appeals to the
sense of humor in the men who never dreamt of laughing at him。 The man
who was in the last degree amiable was to the last degree unyielding
where conscience was concerned； the soul which was so tender had no
weakness in it； his lenity was the divination of a finer justice。 His
honesty made all men trust him when they doubted his opinions； his good
sense made them doubt their own opinions； when they had as little
question of their own honesty。
I should not find it easy to speak of him as a man of letters only； for
humanity was above the humanities with him； and we all know how he turned
from the fairest career in literature to tread the thorny path of
politics because he believed that duty led the way； and that good
citizens were needed more than good romancers。 No doubt they are；
and yet it must always be a keen regret with the men of my generation who
witnessed with such rapture the early proofs of his talent； that he could
not have devoted it wholly to the beautiful； and let others look after
the true。 Now that I have said this I am half ashamed of it； for I know
well enough that what he did was best； but if my regret is mean； I will
let it remain； for it is faithful to the mood which many have been in
concerning him。
There can be no dispute； I am sure； as to the value of some of the
results he achieved in that other path。 He did indeed create anew for us
the type of good…citizenship； well…nigh effaced in a sordid and selfish
time； and of an honest politician and a pure…minded journalist。 He never
really forsook literature； and the world of actual interests and
experiences afforded him outlooks and perspectives； without which
aesthetic endeavor is self…limited and purblind。 He was a great man of
letters； he was a great orator； he was a great political journalist； he
was a great citizen； he was a great philanthropist。 But that last word
with its conventional application scarcely describes the brave and gentle
friend of men that he was。 He was one that helped others by all that he
did； and said； and was； and the circle of his use was as wide as his
fame。 There are other great men； plenty of them； common great men； whom
we know as names and powers； and whom we willingly let the ages have when
they die； for； living or dead； they are alike remote from us。 They have
never been with us where we live； but this great man was the neighbor；
the contemporary； and the friend of all who read him or heard him； and
even in the swift forgetting of this electrical age the stamp of his
personality will not be effaced from their minds or hearts。
VI。
Of those evenings at the Taylors' in New York； I can recall best the one
which was most significant for me； and even fatefully significant。
Mr。 and Mrs。 Fields were there； from Boston； and I renewed all the
pleasure of my earlier meetings with them。 At the end Fields said；
mockingly； 〃Don't despise Boston！〃 and I answered； as we shook hands；
〃Few are worthy to live in Boston。〃 It was New…Year's eve； and that
night it came on to snow so heavily that my horse…car could hardly plough
its way up to Forty…seventh Street through the drifts。 The next day； and
the next； I wrote at home； because it was so hard to get down…town。 The
third day I reached the office and found a letter on my desk from Fields；
asking how I should like to come to Boston and be his assistant on the
'Atlantic Monthly'。 I submitted the matter at once to my chief on the
'Nation'； and with his frank goodwill I talked it over with Mr。 Osgood；
of Ticknor & Fields； who was to see me further about it if I wished； when
he came to New York； and then I went to Boston to see Mr。 Fields
concerning details。 I was to sift all the manuscripts and correspond
with contributors； I was to do the literary proof…reading of the
magazine； and I was to write the four or five pages of book…notices；
which were then printed at the end of the periodical in finer type； and I
was to have forty dollars a week。 I said that I was getting that already
for less work； and then Mr。 Fields offered me ten dollars more。 Upon
these terms we closed； and on the 1st of March； which was my twenty…ninth
birthday； I went to Boston and began my work。 I had not decided to
accept the place without advising with Lowell； he counselled the step；
and gave me some shrewd and useful suggestions。 The whole affair was
conducted by Fields with his unfailing tact and kindness； but it could
not be kept from me that the qualification I had as practical printer for
the work was most valued； if not the most valued； and that as proof…
reader I was expected to make it avail on the side of economy。 Somewhere
in life's feast the course of humble…pie must always come in； and if I
did not wholly relish this； bit of it； I dare say it was good for me； and
I digested it perfectly。
End