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[7] d [Epistolary Comments on Fuller in 1836, 1843, and 1850] Lidian Jackson Emerson Lidian Jackson Emerson (1802–1892), a native of Plymouth, Massachusetts, became Ralph Waldo Emerson’s second wife in 1835. Beginning in 1836, Fuller often visited and stayed with them at their house in Concord, sometimes incurring Lidian’s jealousy because of Waldo’s obvious desire to spend more time in conversation with her than with Lidian during these trips. Even so, Lidian attended Fuller’s Conversations. Fuller thought highly of Lidian from the first, and she commented to a friend on hearing of the Emerson’s engagement, “I have heard much of Miss Jackson and should think her every -way calculated to make Mr Emerson happy even on his own principle that it is not the quantity but the quality of happiness that is to be taken into consideration” (6 March 1835, Letters, 1:225). Lidian was far more religious (in a traditional, formal sense) than her husband, something that Fuller recognized , calling her “the sainted Lidian” and commenting to Waldo that “the thought of her holiness is very fragrant to me” (11 April 1837, 1 March 1838, Letters, 1:269, 328). Lidian Jackson Emerson to Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, late July 1836 . . . Miss Fuller is with us now—and you will be glad to hear that we find real satisfaction—Miss F., Mr E[merson]. and myself—in our intercourse with each other. We like her—she likes us—I speak in this way—because you know we came together almost strangers—all to one another and the result of the experiment—as Miss F. herself said in her letter to you on the subject of a nearer acquaintance with us—was doubtful—the tendencies of all three being strong and decided—and possibly not such as could harmonize. She will be with us if not called away by her mother’s ill health a week or more longer. I ought not to speak as if I had myself had much doubt that I should enjoy Miss F’s society. I had heard from the best authority that she was sound at heart—and I could imagine no peculiarities of fuller in her own time [8] intellect or character, that could revolt me or repel my regard—if that was true of her. . . . Lidian Jackson Emerson to Ralph Waldo Emerson, 30 January 1843 The next day Margaret F made me a long call and I had a very good time with her—but I almost fear I did what you will not like to hear in letting her read not only your last, (last written) letter . . . . But I knew it would interest Margaret so much. Both letters appeared to give her the deepest pleasure. She has such a tenderness—such a reverence for you—that I love very much to speak of you with her. It affects me as music does—when music affects me at all. . . . Lidian Jackson Emerson to Mary Moody Emerson, 11 August 1850 . . . I feel personally bereaved in the loss of Margaret Fuller. She did me the honour and it was truly an honour to care for me somewhat. I had hoped to see much of her in the years to come. But I am very glad for her. How should I be other than glad now that first shock and dread has passed? How happy to be taken with Husband and child—to know no pang of separation to be, after a short struggle with the waters, “alive forever more.” The difficulties of life, the conflict with bodily infirmities—with poverty—and perplexities of various kinds; —the prose of life and the decays of age all escaped. . . . The Selected Letters of Lidian Jackson Emerson, ed. Delores Bird Carpenter (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1987), 49, 120, 173. ...

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