He has a preeminently practical, even an
utilitarian mind."
It is significant, and is indeed the hidden seed or root out of
which comes the explanation of much, if not the main part, of his
life and writings, that Emerson comes of a long line of clergymen;
that the blood in his veins has been teaching, and preaching, and
thinking, and growing austere, these many generations. One wonders
that it is still so bounding and strong, so red with iron and quick
with oxygen. But in him seems to be illustrated one of those rare
cases in the genealogy of families where the best is carried
forward each time, and steadily recruited and intensified. It does
not seem possible for any man to become just what Emerson is from
the stump, though perhaps great men have been the fruit of one
generation; but there is a quality in him, an aroma of fine
manners, a propriety, a chivalry in the blood, that dates back, and
has been refined and transmitted many times. Power is born with a
man, and is always first hand, but culture, genius, noble
instincts, gentle manners, or the easy capacity for these things,
may be, and to a greater or a lesser extent are, the contribution
of the past. Emerson's culture is radical and ante-natal, and never
fails him. The virtues of all those New England ministers and all
those tomes of sermons are in this casket. One fears sometimes that
he has been too much clarified, or that there is not enough savage
grace or original viciousness and grit in him to save him.
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