the 1850s, they had been superseded "literary societies," which provided single young men with social alternatives to the tavern and the theater. Society members were always interested in developing self- reliance, largely as a way to increase their chances of success in the busi- ness world. Emerson's interest in the nature of correct conduct and indi- vidual achievement thus paralleled, on a more philosophical level, the interests of much of his audience.
Although Emerson lectured on...