[PW] Seeking a story

[Andrew Derby]

Hi all
 
Doing a little story search for a collegue:
 
Story involves two early- to mid-nineteenth century thinkers. One may have been Emerson, but I don't think so.  One lived in the US, the other in the UK (Scotland, England[?]).  Briefly,the men were both widely known and respected fellows who got together for supper (over in the UK, I seem to recall,altho maybe here).  After  a nice meal, they sat by the fire for an hour or three.  The conversation was sparse.  Finally, when the guest noted the time and got up to go, both he and his host remarked on how delightful the evening had been: a good meal and delightful and inspirational dialogue. This even tho there had been very few words exchanged!

The point of this story is that people of very similar minds can share one another's company and say little to nothing; that sharing their presence is satisfying in itself. 

It's presumably a well known story. Anyone know of it?
 
Andrew Derby / Librarian 
Bothell Regional Library (KCLS) 
18215 98th Ave. NE 
Bothell, WA 98011 
425-486-7811