Page:Margaret Fuller by Howe, Julia Ward, Ed. (1883).djvu/16



I.

subject of the following sketchy Sarah Margaret Fuller, has already been most fortunate in her biographers. Cut off herself in the prime of life, she left behind her devoted friends who were still in their full vigour of thought and sentiment. Three of these, James Freeman Clarke, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and William Channing, set their hand, some thirty or more years ago, to the happy task of preserving for posterity their strong personal impressions of her character and influence. With these precious reminiscences were interwoven such extracts from her correspondence and diary as were deemed fittest to supply the outline of her own life and experience.

What, it may be asked, can such biographers have left for others to do? To surpass their work is not to be thought of. But, in the turning and perseverance of this planet present soon becomes past, and that which has been best said asks to be said again.