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[] Established in 1879, the Concord School of Philosophy has been described as “the last flowering of the Transcendentalist movement.” The major figures involved in the school were Bronson Alcott, Franklin Benjamin Sanborn, and William Torrey Harris. The school convened each summer between 1879 and 1887, and then one last time in 1888 for a memorial service for Alcott, who had died the previous March. After Emerson’s death in April 1882, lecturers for that summer were invited to memorialize him by writing under one of two categories that were broad enough to accommodate various interpretations of his life and significance: “immortality” and “Emerson.” On 22 July, Sanborn gave an “Introductory Address ,” and Julia Ward Howe—writer, composer of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic ,” and biographer of Margaret Fuller—and Ednah Dow Cheney—abolitionist and woman suffragist—were joined by Cyrus A. Bartol, speaking on “The Nature of Knowledge—Emerson’s Way”; Joel Benton, speaking on “Emerson as a Poet”; Harris, speaking on “Dialectic Unity in Emerson’s Prose Writings ”; and Alexander Wilder, who, while speaking on “Emerson as a Philosopher ,” named him the “Plato of America.” Additionally, Alcott read “Ion: A Monody” in remembrance of Emerson and John Albee delivered a “Reminiscence and Eulogy.” In his brief introduction to the lectures, Raymond L. Bridgman describes the setting for “The Emerson Commemoration”: For the special exercises of the school . . . the town hall of Concord was opened. Forenoon and afternoon sessions were held, and a large audience was present, . . . including many of Emerson’s townsmen and many persons from abroad. Evergreen decorations upon the walls and platform, the national colors behind the desk, and constant reminders of Emerson, made the outward appearance symbolize the inner feeling toward the departed. A portrait of Emerson as an old man hung in front of the desk. One representing him in middle life was on the wall behind the speakers, and upon an evergreen-covered table was [Daniel Chester] French’s bust representing him in advanced years. Julia Ward Howe and Ednah Dow Cheney From Concord Lectures on Philosophy . . . at the Concord School of Philosophy in  emerson in his own time [] “Reminiscences” Julia Ward Howe I first remember Emerson as the author of “Nature.” When I first saw the little book, which had no external attractions, I thought nothing of it; I said to myself,“Here is some American pretender.Have we not the great thinkers in England and can we rival them in America?” I next heard of Emerson apart from his book. I heard him spoken of as a heretic, a man nobody could understand . I thought him an irreligious man. At a later day I was introduced to him by a Boston friend, but shrank from the acquaintance. I next saw him in a waiting-place where all of us were shivering with the cold. In the company was a child two years old,whom he put on his shoulders and presented to me, saying in his original way, “This is a young traveller.” The steamer we were to take was belated and we had most of our journey by day. Mr. Emerson sought me out. I was charmed by his manner, but still I thought that he was only a more charming personification of Satan in the world than I had before seen. He asked me if I knew Margaret Fuller. I told him I thought her an ugly person. He then dwelt upon her mind and conversation. I was still impressed by what he said and the sweetness of his manner of saying it. I next heard him deliver one of his lectures, and the voice and words brought their own explanation. I then understood how a man’s previous reputation may fail to explain him to the public. He was universally laughed at then in high society, and it is not pleasant to remember that ridicule now. I was pleased to hear him called Christ-like by Dr. Bartol. He had a look of power that did not show itself in the garb of power. Who can give us that look of inward meaning again? Even in his serenity, what a charm! He had genuine honesty of speech. Had he been St. Peter, so just was he that he would have administered exact justice at the gate of heaven,and if he had not liked the company he had admitted there, he would have escaped to a heaven of his own. Mr.Emerson has given us sunshine...

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