Recollections of Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bellew discusses his knowledge of Emerson since their first meeting in 1855. Bellew talks about Emerson's life in New England and his friendships with other writers, especially Hawthorne and Thoreau (45-48).

Bellew also discusses Emerson's reactions to other works of literature and recalls the day Emerson "drew my attention to an unbound volume of poems he had just received from New York, over which he was in raptures. It was called 'Leaves of Grass,' by Walt Whitman. 'I have just written off post-haste to thank him,' he said, 'It is really a most wonderful production, and gives promise of the greatest things, and if, as he says, it is his first writing, seems almost incredible. He must have taken a long run to make such a jump at this'" (49). Bellew recalls that Emerson "read me some passages, raising his eyebrows here and there, remarking that it was hardly a book for the seminary or parlor table."

Bellew mentions that he took a leave of Emerson for two months, after which Emerson was "still enthusiastic over 'Leaves of Grass'" (49). It is during this visit that Bellew informed Emerson that Whitman had published his congratulatory letter in the "Tribune." This seems to have upset Emerson as it "was merely a private letter of congratulation. Had I intended it for publication, I would have enlarged the but very much -- enlarged the but" (49).