It was published in November, 1860,
and as the contributors' names were not given at that time, it was
ascribed to Emerson by the newspaper reviewers of that number. It
went into Poole's Index as by Emerson, and later. Professor Hill
[Some years ago I took it upon myself to let Professor Hill know
the real author of "Expression." He appeared grateful, though some
what chagrined, and said the error should be corrected in the next
edition. Mr. Burroughs smiled indulgently when he learned of my
zeal in the matter: "Emerson's back is broad; he could have afforded
to continue to shoulder my early blunders," he said. C. B.]
of Harvard, quoted a line from it in a footnote in his "Rhetoric,"
and credited it to Emerson. So I had deceived the very elect.
The essay had some merit, but it reeked with the Emersonian spirit
and manner. When I came to view it through the perspective of
print, I quickly saw that this kind of thing would not do for me.
I must get on ground of my own. I must get this Emersonian musk
out of my garments at all hazards. I concluded to bury my garments
in the earth, as it were, and see what my native soil would do
toward drawing it out. So I took to writing on all manner of rural
themes--sugar-making, cows, haying, stone walls.
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