The death of Mr. Emerson has removed any objection which may have before existed to the printing of the following correspondence.  I have now caused this to be done, that each subscriber may have the satisfaction of possessing a copy of the touching and affectionate letters in which he expressed his delight in this, to him, most unexpected demonstration of personal regard and attachment, in the offer to restore for him his ruined home.

No enterprise of the kind was ever more fortunate and successful in its purpose and in its results.  The prompt and cordial response to the proposed subscription was most gratifying.  No contribution was solicited from any one.  The simple suggestion to a few friends of Mr. Emerson that an opportunity was now offered to be of service to him was all that was needed.  From the first day on which it was made, the day after the fire, letters began to come in, with cheques for large and small amounts, so that in less than three weeks I was enabled to send to Judge Hoar the sum named in his letter as received by him on the 13th of August, and presented by him to Mr. Emerson the next morning, at the Old Manse, with fitting words.

Other subscriptions were afterwards received, increasing the amount on my book to eleven thousand six hundred and twenty dollars.  A part of this was handed directly to the builder at Concord.  The balance was sent to Mr. Emerson October 7, and acknowledged by him in his letter of October 8, 1872.

All the friends of Mr. Emerson who knew of the plan which was proposed to rebuild his house, seemed to feel that it was a privilege to be allowed to express in this way the love and veneration with which he was regarded, and the deep debt of gratitude which they owed to him, and there is no doubt that a much larger amount would have been readily and gladly offered, if it had been required, for the object in view.

Those who have had the happiness to join in this friendly “conspiracy” may well take pleasure in the thought that what they have done has had the effect to lighten the load of care and anxiety which the calamity of the fire brought with it to Mr. Emerson, and thus perhaps to prolong for some precious years the serene and noble life that was so dear to all of us.

    My thanks are due to the friends who have made me the bearer of this
    message of good-will.

    LE BARON RUSSELL.

    BOSTON, May 8, 1882.

    BOSTON, August 13, 1872.

    DEAR MR. EMERSON: 

    It seems to have been the spontaneous desire of your friends, on
    hearing of the burning of your house, to be allowed the pleasure of
    rebuilding it.