[This essay was put together after Emerson's death from a number of commencement and similar addresses he had made. It appears in The Complete Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, edited by Edward Emerson].
Freshly shucked oysters can be immersed in water and placed in shallow, air-tight containers in the freezer. Freezer temperatures should be below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Oysters can be frozen for up to three months.
4. Place the tray in the refrigerator, on the shelf that is closest to the freezer. Freezing the oysters will kill them, but it is important to keep them very cold. Do not place them under any raw meats that may leak onto the oysters. They can stay fresh in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days.