Walden: Where I Lived, and What I Lived ...

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Walden: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For

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Where I Lived, and What I Lived For
1
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 1 written: D
No chapter title appears in the manuscript apart from the table of contents.
A: The leaves that follow “Economy” are numbered from 1 to 235 in the upper right hand corner of the recto of each odd-numbered leaf.
B & C: The combined leaves of B and C that follow “Economy” are numbered from 1 to 129 in the upper right hand corner of the recto of each odd-numbered leaf. Several unnumbered leaves were deleted before the pages were numbered. A few leaves from A were not recopied but inserted among the leaves of B-C and renumbered to fit the new sequence. A few leaves from the early stages of D were also numbered to fit this sequence.

(Ronald Clapper)
AT some seasons a certain season a certain season a certain season a certain season a certain season of our life we are accustomed to consider every spot as the possible site of a house. I have thus surveyed the country on every side within a dozen miles of where I live. In imagination In imagination In imagination In imagination In imagination I have bought all the farms in succession, for all were to be bought, and I knew their price. I walked round over over over over over each farmer’s premises, tasted his wild apples, discoursed on husbandry with him, with him, with him, with him, with him, took his farm at his price, at any price, mortgaging it to him in my mind; even put a higher price on it,—took every thing but a deed of it,—took his word for his deed, for I dearly love to talk,—cultivated it, and him too in some measure to some extent, to some extent, to some extent, to some extent, to some extent, I trust, and withdrew when I had enjoyed it long enough, leaving it to leaving leaving leaving leaving him to carry it on. This experience entitled me to be regarded as a sort of real-estate broker among by by by by by my friends. Wherever I sat, there I might live, and the landscape radiated from me accordingly—what is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat.—and the landscape radiated from me accordingly and the landscape radiated from me accordingly. What is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat. and the landscape radiated from me accordingly. What is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat. and the landscape radiated from me accordingly. What is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat. and the landscape radiated from me accordingly. What is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat. I discovered many a site for a house not likely to be soon improved, not likely soon to be soon improved not likely to be soon improved, not likely to be soon improved, not likely to be soon improved, not likely to be soon improved, which some might have thought too far from the village, but to my eyes the village seemed appeared was was was was was too far from it. Well, there I might live, I said; and there I did live, for an hour, a summer and a winter life; & I saw saw saw saw saw how I could let the years run off, buffet the winter through, and see the spring come in. The future inhabitants of these regions, this region this region, this region, this region, this region, wherever they may place their houses, may be sure that they have been anticipated. An afternoon sufficed to lay out the land in into into into into into orchard woodlot and pasture, and to decide what fine oaks or pines should be left to stand before the door, and whence each rotten blasted blasted blasted blasted blasted tree could be seen to the best advantage; and then I let it lie, fallow perchance, for a man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.
2
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 2 written: D

(Ronald Clapper)
My imagination carried me so far that I even had the refusal of several farms,—the refusal was all I wanted,—but I never got my fingers burned by actual possession. The nearest that I came to actual possession was when I bought the Hollowell farm Place, Place, Place, Place, Place, and had begun to sort my seeds, and collected materials with which to make a wheelbarrow to carry it on or off with; but before the owner gave me a deed of it, his wife—every man has such a wife—changed her mind and wished to keep it, and he offered me ten dollars to release him. Now, to tell speak speak speak speak speak the truth, I had not but but but but but ten cents in the world, and it surpassed my arithmetic to tell, if I was that man who had ten cents, or who had a farm, or who had who had a farm, or who had a farm, or who had a farm, or who had a farm, or ten dollars, or all together. However, I let him keep the ten dollars and the farm too, for I had carried it far enough; for I had carried it far enough; for I had carried it far enough; for I had carried it far enough; for I had carried it far enough; or rather, to be generous, I sold him the farm for just what I gave for it, and, a poor man, not a rich man, not a rich man, not a rich man, not a rich man, made him a present of ten dollars, and still had my ten cents, and seeds, and materials for a wheelbarrow left. I found thus that I had been a rich man without any damage to my poverty. But I retained the landscape, and I have since annually carried it off,—what it yielded,— carried off what it yielded carried off what it yielded carried off what it yielded carried off what it yielded without a wheelbarrow. With respect to landscapes I may say that landscapes, landscapes, landscapes, landscapes,
 
“I am monarch of all I survey ,
 
My right there is none to dispute.”
3
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 3 written: D rewritten: E
E: A fair copy was made of only he had got a few wild apples … left the farmer only the skimmed milk.

(Ronald Clapper)
I have frequently seen a poet withdraw, having enjoyed the most valuable part of a farm, while the crusty farmer supposed that he had got a few wild apples only. Why, the owner does not know it for many years when a poet has put his farm in rhyme, the most admirable kind of invisible fence has fairly impounded it milked it, the most admirable kind of invisible fence, has fairly impounded it, milked it, the most admirable kind of invisible fence, has fairly impounded it, milked it, the most admirable kind of invisible fence, has fairly impounded it, milked it, the most admirable kind of invisible fence, has fairly impounded it, milked it, skimmed it, and got all the cream, and left the farmer only the skimmed milk.
4
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 4 written: G

(Ronald Clapper)
The real attractions of the Hollowell farm, to me, were;1st were; its complete retirement, being about two miles from the village, half a mile from the nearest neighbor, and separated from the highway by a broad field; 2ndly its its bounding on the river, which the owner said protected it by its fogs from frosts in the spring,which the owner said by its fogs protected it by its fogs from frosts in the spring which the owner said protected it by its fogs from frosts in the spring, but his words suggested more than was meant other values than he suspected though that was nothing to me though that was nothing to me; 3rdly the the gray color and pleasing ruin ruinous state ruinous state of the house and barn, putting & the dilapidated & picturesque fences which put and the dilapidated fences, which put such an interval between me and the last occupant; 4thly the the hollow and lichen-covered apple trees, gnawed by rabbits, proving that there were rabbits there to gnaw them suggesting showing what neighbors I should have showing what kind of neighbors I should have; but 5thly & but above all, the recollection I had of it from my earliest voyages up the river, when the house was concealed behind a dense grove of red maples, which stood between it & the river which stood between it and the water through which I heard the house-dog bark. Though it afforded me no western prospect through which I heard the house-dog bark. I was in haste to buy it, before the proprietor finished getting out the some some rocks, cutting down the hollow apple trees, and grubbing up some young birches which had sprung up in the pasture, or, in short, had made any more of his improvements. To enjoy these advantages I was ready to carry it on; like Atlas to take the world on my shoulders (though by the way I never heard what compensation he received for it), like Atlas, to take the world on my shoulders,—I never heard what compensation he received for that, —and do all those things which I now see which had no other motive or excuse but that I might pay for it and be unmolested in my possession of it; though for for I knew all the while that it would yield the most abundant crop of the kind I wanted if I could only afford to let it alone. But it turned out as I have said.
5
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 5 written: D rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
All that I can could could could could could say, then, with respect to farming on a large scale, (I have always cultivated a garden,) (I have always cultivated a garden,) (I have always cultivated a garden,) (I have always cultivated a garden,) is was was, was, was, was, that I have had had had had had had had had had had had my seeds ready. Many think that seeds improve with age. I have no doubt that time discriminates between the good and the bad; and when at last I shall plant, I shall be less likely to be disappointed. But I would say to my fellows, to my fellows, to my fellows, to my fellows, to my fellows, once for all, As long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or the county jail.
6
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 6 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Old Cato, whose “De Re Rusticâ” is my “Cultivator,” whose “De Re Rusticâ” is my “Cultivator,” whose “De Re Rusticâ” is my “Cultivator,” whose “De Re Rusticâ” is my “Cultivator,” says, Praedium quom parare cogitabis, sic in animo habeto, uti ne cupide emas, neve opera tua parcas visere, et ne satis habeas semel circumire. Quoties ibis, toties magis placebit, quod bonum erit. This, of which the learned Oxford translator makes sheer nonsense, I take to mean & by the way the only translation I have seen makes sheer nonsense of the sentence passage, and the only translation I have seen makes sheer nonsense of the passage, and the only translation I have seen makes sheer nonsense of the passage, and the only translation I have seen makes sheer nonsense of the passage, “When you think of getting a farm, turn it thus in your mind, not to buy it buy buy buy greedily; nor spare your pains to look at it, and do not think it enough to go round it once. The oftener you go there the more it will please you, if it is good.” I think I shall not buy greedily, but go round and round it as long as I live, and be buried in it first, that it may please me the more at last.
7
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 7 written: D rewritten: F
D & F: As I have said … to wake my neighbors up does not appear in the manuscript in D or in the original copying of F but is interlined in pencil in F.

(Ronald Clapper)
The present was my next experiment The present was my next experiment The present was my next experiment in this direction of this kind, The present was my next experiment of this kind, The present was my next experiment of this kind, which I propose to describe more at length to which, however, I can only slightly refer this evening. which I propose to describe more at length, for convenience putting the experience of two years into one. which I propose to describe more at length, for convenience putting the experience of two years into one. which I propose to describe more at length, for convenience putting the experience of two years into one. which I propose to describe more at length, for convenience putting the experience of two years into one. As I have said, I do not propose to write an ode to dejection, but to crow brag crow brag crow brag brag brag as lustily as chanticleer in the morning, standing on his roost, if only to wake my neighbors up.
8a
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 8a written: A rewritten: D, F

(Ronald Clapper)
When I first When I first When I first It was on the morning of the 4 of July 1845 that I put a few articles of furniture some of which I had made myself into a hayrigging which I had hired, drove down to the woods, put my things in their places, & commenced house keeping. When I first It was on the morning of the 4 of July 1845 that I put a few articles of furniture some of which I had made myself into a hayrigging which I had hired, drove down to the woods, put my things in their places, & commenced house keeping. When I first When I first When first I When first I went to the pond to live, took up my abode in the woods, took up my abode in the woods, took up my abode in the woods, took up my abode in the woods, took up my abode in the woods, took up my abode in the woods, took up my abode in the woods, or that is that is, that is, which was by chance the 4 of July 1845, the anniversary of the declaration of our national independence began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence Day, or the fourth of July, 1845, began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence Day, or the fourth of July, 1845, began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence Day, or the fourth of July, 1845, began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence Day, or the fourth of July, 1845, my house being unfinished not being finished for winter and but was not finished for the winter, but was was not finished for the winter, but was was not finished for the winter, but was was not finished for the winter, but was was not finished for the winter, but was was not finished for the winter, but was was not finished for the winter, but was merely a defence against the rain, without plastering or chimney, uncluttered not cluttered with furniture, and or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder. uncluttered not cluttered with furniture, and or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder. uncluttered not cluttered with furniture, and or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder. uncluttered not cluttered with furniture, and or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder. uncluttered not cluttered with furniture, and or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder. with walls the walls being of rough weather-stained boards and with wide chinks which made it cool at night. the walls being of rough, weather-stained boards, with wide chinks, which made it cool at night. the walls being of rough, weather-stained boards, with wide chinks, which made it cool at night. 8b
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 8b written: A rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
The upright white hewn studs and freshly planed door and window frames casings casings casings casings casings casings casings gave the house it it it it it it it it a clean and airy look, especially in the morning, when its timbers seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if so that I imagined seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if so that I imagined seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if so that I imagined seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if so that I imagined seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if so that I imagined were saturated with the dewy air, and I even dew, so that I fancied that were saturated with dew, so that I fancied that were saturated with dew, so that I fancied that by noon some sweet gum would exude from them, and incense go up from the roof them. them. them. them. them. them. them. 8c
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 8c written: A rewritten: D, F
A, D, & F: The morning wind forever blows … outside of the earth every where does not appear in the manuscript.
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 8c appears as follows.] With its frame so slightly clad it seemed like a picture in outlines, a rudimental, airy and primitive hall, a crystallization around me, and reminded me of some mountain houses I had seen, which had this fresh auroral atmosphere about them smile not ye that have seen my abode. I had lodged in the house of a sawmiller on the Kanterskill mountains the previous summer, high up as the Pine Orchard, in the blue-berry and raspberry region, which had this auroral & ambrosial character. He was the miller of the Kanterskill Falls, & his family were clean & wholesome people like the house. The latter was not plastered but only lathed, and the inner doors were not hung. It was high-placed, airy, & perfumed; so high that only the winds that swept over the ridge of the Kanterskills bearing only the broken strains and warps and accompaniments of celestial parts of terrestrial music passed through it. —The very light & atmosphere in which the most enduring works of art are composed.—On the tops of mountains, as everywhere to hopeful souls, it is always morning.—A clean and pure temple of a house which one would enter as naturally and gratefully as he would go under a shade, which might fitly the shade of a tree, fit to adorn a mountain’s brow—and entertain a travelling god, and where a goddess might trail her garment.—Such it seemed to me all our houses should be.
D: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 8c appears as follows. It had altogether an auroral and ambrosial character in my eyes, as if the winds that passed through it were such only as sweep over the ridges of mountains—bearing the broken strains and warps or celestial parts only of terrestrial music—fit to entertain a travelling god, and where a goddess might trail her garment.

(Ronald Clapper)
To my imagination To my imagination To my imagination To my imagination To my imagination To my imagination To my imagination To my imagination it retained throughout the day more or less of this auroral and ambrosial auroral and ambrosial auroral and ambrosial auroral and ambrosial auroral and ambrosial auroral and ambrosial auroral auroral character, to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an ordinary house reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an ordinary house reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an ordinary house reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an ordinary house reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an ordinary house reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an ordinary house reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before. This was an airy and unplastered cabin, reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before. This was an airy and unplastered cabin, fit to entertain a travelling god, and where a goddess might trail her garments. The winds that that that that that that which which passed over my dwelling were such as sweep over the ridges of mountains, bearing the broken strains, or celestial parts only, of terrestrial music. The morning wind forever blows, the poem of creation is uninterrupted; but few are the ears that hear it. Olympus is but the outside of the earth every where.
9
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 9 written: A rewritten: F
A & F: The only house I had been … progress toward settling in the world does not appear in the manuscript.
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 9, which follows 8a, appears as follows. From our village houses to this lodge on the shore of a beautiful lake so fair a lake in the midst of a green the extensive forest, where hardly any traces of man were visible, was a transition at least as from a dungeon close prison to an open cage at least swung in a pleasant grove, where I could glimpse the light & the flowers through the bars, and odoriferous gales coursed through and through. It But my house It was so open and pervious to nature that it did not seem within doors where I sat, in unwholesome penetralia a close and unhealthful apartment a close apartment, but at most only behind a door in the rainiest weather. The fresh & pure air penetrated through a myriad chinks, and bathed myself in all things within as freely as it wandered amid the boughs and needles of the pines around, and I imbibed the influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid foliage. It was invigorating only to sit there and drink and be bathed in this uncontaminated current. The atmosphere of our houses has usually lost some of its life giving principle and it is necessary to our health and spirits frequently to go out, as we say, to take the air.

(Ronald Clapper)
The only house I had been the owner of before, if I except a boat, was a tent, which I used occasionally when making excursions in the summer, and this is still rolled up in my garret; but the boat, after passing from hand to hand, has gone down the stream of time. With this more substantial shelter about me, I had made some progress toward settling in the world. With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed the influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage. With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed the influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage. With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed the influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage. With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed the influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage. With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed the influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage. With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed the influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage. This frame, so slightly clad, was a sort of crystallization around me, and reacted on the builder. It was suggestive somewhat as a picture in outlines. This frame, so slightly clad, was a sort of crystallization around me, and reacted on the builder. It was suggestive somewhat as a picture in outlines. I did not need to go outdoors to take the air, for the benefit of my spirits, air, for the benefit of my spirits, air, for the benefit of my spirits, air, for the benefit of my spirits, air, for the benefit of my spirits, air, for the benefit of my spirits, air, air, for the atmosphere within had lost none of its life-giving principle freshness. life-giving principle freshness. life-giving principle freshness. life-giving principle freshness. life-giving principle freshness. life-giving principle freshness. freshness. freshness. It was not so much within doors as behind a door where I sat, even in the rainiest weather. The Harivansa says, “An abode without birds is like a meat without seasoning.” Such was not my abode, for I found myself suddenly neighbors neighbors neighbors neighbors neighbors neighbors neighbor neighbor to the birds; not by having imprisoned one in my house, one in my house, one in my house, one in my house, one in my house, one in my house, one, one, but having caged myself near them. I was not only nearer to the few some the few some the few some the few some the few some the few some some some of those which commonly frequent the garden and the orchard, but to those wilder and more thrilling songsters of the forest which never, or rarely, or rarely, or rarely, or rarely, or rarely, or rarely, or rarely, or rarely, serenade a villager,— the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others. the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others. the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others. the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others. the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others. the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others. the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others. the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others.
10
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 10 written: A rewritten: F
A: I was seated by the shore … my most distant horizon does not appear in the manuscript.

(Ronald Clapper)
I was seated by the shore of a beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord small pond, about a mile and a half south of the village of Concord and somewhat higher than it, small pond, about a mile and a half south of the village of Concord and somewhat higher than it, in the midst of an extensive wood between that town and Lincoln, and about two miles south of that our only field known to fame, Concord Battle Ground; but I was so low in the woods that the opposite shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was shore, half a mile off, like the rest shore, half a mile off, like the rest covered with wood, was my most distant horizon. When When When When When During the first week my thoughts were so leavened with expectation that the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was, and For the first week whenever For the first week, whenever For the first week, whenever I looked out on the face of the pond the pond the pond the pond the pond the pond the pond the pond it reminded me of a tarn which I had seen reminded me of a tarn which I had seen reminded me of a tarn which I had seen reminded me of a tarn which I had seen reminded me of a tarn which I had seen impressed me as if it were like a tarn impressed me like a tarn impressed me like a tarn high up on the side of a mountain, and the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was. The pond was like a mountain lake I had seen in the grey of the morning draped with mist which was suspended in low weather from the dead willows and bare firs that stood here and there in the water its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and, its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and, its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and, its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and, its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and, its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and, its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and, as the sun arose, I saw it throwing off its nightly clothing of mist, and here and there, by degrees, its soft ripples or its smooth reflecting surface was revealed, while while while while while while while while the mists, like ghosts, were stealthily withdrawing in every direction into the woods, as if from if it were at at at at at at at at the breaking up of some nocturnal conventicle. In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was Also the very dew seemed to hang upon the trees later into the day than usual, as on the sides of mountains. The very dew seemed to hang upon the trees later into the day than usual, as on the sides of mountains. The very dew seemed to hang upon the trees later into the day than usual, as on the sides of mountains.
11
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 11 written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
This small lake in the woods was perhaps most appreciated of most value lake was of most value lake was of most value as a neighbor in the intervals of a gentle rain storm such as occurs in in in August, when, both air and water being perfectly still, but the sky overcast, mid-afternoon had all the serenity of evening, and the wood-thrush sang around the pond, around, around, and was heard from over the water shore to shore shore to shore. shore to shore. A lake like this like this like this is never smoother than at such a time; and the clear portion of the air above it being so shallow shallow shallow and darkened by clouds, the water, which is full full full of light and reflections, becomes a lower heaven itself so much the more important. From a hill top near by, on my side where where where the wood had been recently cut off, there was a pleasing vista southward across the pond, through and over through through a wide indentation in the hills which form the shore there, where their opposite sides sloping toward each other suggested a stream flowing out in that direction through a wooded valley, but stream there was nonebut in imagination except in my imagination. none. none. That way I looked between and over the near green hills to some distant and larger higher hills higher ones higher ones in the horizon, tinged with blue. that was the kind of coin seen through this crack in my treasure-box which I saw over the rim of my world blue. blue. Indeed, by standing on tiptoe I could catch a glimpse of some of the peaks of the still bluer and more distant mountain ranges in the north-west, those true-blue coins from heaven’s own mint, those true-blue coins from heaven’s own mint, and also of some portion of the village. But in the other other other directions, even from this point, even from this point, even from this point, I could not see over or beyond the woods which surrounded me. It is important well well well to have some water in your neighborhood, to give buoyancy to and float the your the the earth. One value even of the smallest well is, that looking when you look into it you are reminded see that when you look into it you see that when you look into it you see that earth is not continent but insular. This is as important as that it keeps butter cool. When I looked across the pond from this peak toward the Sudbury meadows, which in time of flood I distinguish distinguished distinguished distinguished elevated perhaps by a mirage in their a seething hazy their seething their seething valley, like a coin in a basin, all the earth beyond the pond appeared like a thin crust insulated and floated even by this small sheet of intervening water, and I was reminded that this on which I dwelt was but dry land .
12
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 12 written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
But though Though Though the view from my door was still more still more still more contracted, nevertheless I imagined that I did not feel crowded or confined in the least. There was pasture enough for my fancy & imagination. I did not feel crowded or confined in the least. There was pasture enough for my imagination. I did not feel crowded or confined in the least. There was pasture enough for my imagination. The low shrub-oak plateau to which the opposite shore arose, stretched away boundless as the prairies, pampas, and plains toward the prairies of the west & the steppes toward the prairies of the West and the steppes toward the prairies of the West and the steppes of Tartary, affording ample room for all the roving families of men. “There are none happy in the world but beings who enjoy freely a vast horizon,” So said said said Damodara, when his herds required new and larger pastures.
13
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 13 written: A rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Both place and time had undergone a revolution and I dwelt seemed to dwell nearer to those parts of the globe & to those eras in history which had attracted me, and as I had no clock nor watch, but the sun & moon, I also lived in a more primitive and absolute time. Over the south shore of the pond, which was a low hill covered fringed with shrub oaks and scattered pines which seemed to rise to an illimitable tableland—I seemed to look toward the country of the some new race of some ideal race of Tartars, where tribes of men dwelt in tents were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras in history which had most attracted me. were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras in history which had most attracted me. were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras in history which had most attracted me. were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras in history which had most attracted me. were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras in history which had most attracted me. were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras in history which had most attracted me. were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras in history which had most attracted me. Where I lived was as far off as many a region viewed nightly by astronomers. We are apt wont wont wont wont wont wont wont to imagine rare and delectable places afar off whither astronomers look places places places places places places places in some remote and more celestial corner of the system, behind the constellation of Cassiopeia’s Chair, far from noise and disturbance. I imagined that my house actually had its site actually discovered that my house actually had its site discovered that my house actually had its site discovered that my house actually had its site discovered that my house actually had its site discovered that my house actually had its site discovered that my house actually had its site discovered that my house actually had its site in such a withdrawn, but forever new and unprofaned, part of the universe. If it were worth the while to settle in those parts of the system parts parts parts parts parts parts parts near to the Pleiades or the Hyades, to or Orion or Aldebaran or Altair, to Aldebaran or Altair, to Aldebaran or Altair, to Aldebaran or Altair, to Aldebaran or Altair, to Aldebaran or Altair, to Aldebaran or Altair, to Aldebaran or Altair, then I was really there, or at an equal remoteness from the life which I had left behind—as near to the immortal city behind, behind, behind, behind, behind, behind, behind, dwindled and twinkling with as fine a ray to my nearest neighbor, and only to be seen only to be seen only to be seen only to be seen only to be seen only to be seen to be seen only to be seen only in moonless nights by him. Such was that part of creation where I had squatted;
 
“There was a shepherd that did live,
 
And held his thoughts as high
 
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
 
Did hourly feed him by.”
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
 
“There was a shepherd that did live,
 
And held his thoughts as high
 
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
 
Did hourly feed him by.”
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
 
“There was a shepherd that did live,
 
And held his thoughts as high
 
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
 
Did hourly feed him by.”
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
 
“There was a shepherd that did live,
 
And held his thoughts as high
 
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
 
Did hourly feed him by.”
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
 
“There was a shepherd that did live,
 
And held his thoughts as high
 
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
 
Did hourly feed him by.”
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
 
“There was a shepherd that did live,
 
And held his thoughts as high
 
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
 
Did hourly feed him by.”
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
 
“There was a shepherd that did live,
 
And held his thoughts as high
 
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
 
Did hourly feed him by.”
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
14a
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 14a written: A rewritten: B, F
A & B: They say that characters ... can understand that does not appear in the manuscript in A or in the original copying of B but is interlined in pencil in B.
B: A fair copy was made of only I have been as sincere ... rest of the day and night.

(Ronald Clapper)
Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and purity with itself Nature herself. I may say innocence, with Nature herself. I may say innocence, with Nature herself. I may say innocence, with Nature herself. I may say innocence, with Nature herself. I may say innocence, with Nature herself. I may say innocence, with Nature herself. I may say innocence, with Nature herself. The morning is to every one the season of his ideal life. Then, if ever, we can realize the life of the Greeks—and we are all at some time good heathens enough to acknowledge and worship their Aurora. The morning brinks back the heroic ages. For I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. For Indeed I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. I got up early and bathed in the pond; that was a religious exercise, and one of the best things which which which which which which which I did. I have since read They say They say They say They say They say They say that characters were engraven on the bathing tub that characters were engraven on the bathing tub that characters were engraven on the bathing tub that characters were engraven on the bathing tub that characters were engraven on the bathing tub that characters were engraven on the bathing tub that characters were engraven on the bathing tub of the of of of of of of king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew, and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that. king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew, and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that. king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew, and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that. king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew, and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that. king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew, and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that. king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it again, and again, and forever again." I can understand that. king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it again, and again, and forever again." I can understand that. So far the day was well spent— The Morning brings back the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude, sitting with door and windows open at very early dawn when the stillness was audible, and the atmosphere contained the auroral perfume which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through the loaded and drowsy air toward elysian realms, my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what I had read of most ancient history and heroic ages. There was somewhat of that which I fancy the Greeks meant by ambrosial about in it—more than Sybilline or Delphic. It expressed the infinite and everlasting fertility of the қόбмоѕ
Regularized form: cosmos
or world. It was Θεοῖν
Regularized form: theíos
or divine. Only Homer could have named it
So far the day was well spent. Morning brings back or brings about the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude, sitting with door and windows open, at very early dawn, when the stillness was audible, and the atmosphere contained the auroral perfume which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what all that I had ever read of most ancient history and heroic ages or dreamed of heroism and the worthies of antiquity. There was somewhat of that to my ears something of what which I fancy the Greeks meant by ambrosial in it, more than Sybilline or Delphic. It was the song of the spheres that anthem the overflowing joy of the universe It expressed the infinite and everlasting fertility of the қόбмоѕ or world. It was Өετον or divine. Only Homer could have named it So far the day was well spent. Morning brings back or brings about the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude, sitting with door and windows open, at very early dawn, when the stillness was audible, and the atmosphere contained the auroral perfume which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what all that I had ever read of most ancient history and heroic ages or dreamed of heroism and the worthies of antiquity. There was somewhat of that to my ears something of what which I fancy the Greeks meant by ambrosial in it, more than Sybilline or Delphic. It was the song of the spheres that anthem the overflowing joy of the universe It expressed the infinite and everlasting fertility of the қόбмоѕ or world. It was Өετον or divine. Only Homer could have named it So far the day was well spent. Morning brings back or brings about the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude, sitting with door and windows open, at very early dawn, when the stillness was audible, and the atmosphere contained the auroral perfume which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what all that I had ever read of most ancient history and heroic ages or dreamed of heroism and the worthies of antiquity. There was somewhat of that to my ears something of what which I fancy the Greeks meant by ambrosial in it, more than Sybilline or Delphic. It was the song of the spheres that anthem the overflowing joy of the universe It expressed the infinite and everlasting fertility of the қόбмоѕ or world. It was Өετον or divine. Only Homer could have named it So far the day was well spent. Morning brings back or brings about the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude, sitting with door and windows open, at very early dawn, when the stillness was audible, and the atmosphere contained the auroral perfume which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what all that I had ever read of most ancient history and heroic ages or dreamed of heroism and the worthies of antiquity. There was somewhat of that to my ears something of what which I fancy the Greeks meant by ambrosial in it, more than Sybilline or Delphic. It was the song of the spheres that anthem the overflowing joy of the universe It expressed the infinite and everlasting fertility of the қόбмоѕ or world. It was Өετον or divine. Only Homer could have named it Morning brings back the heroic ages. I was as much affected sometimes by the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment at very early earliest dawn an Iliad & Odyssey in the air—singing its own wrath & wanderings, when I was sitting with door and windows open as usual, as I could be by any trumpet that ever sang of fame. There was something infinite & cosmical about it. It was a standing advertisement, till forbidden, of the everlasting vigor & fertility of the universe—& deserved to have Homer to sing of it world Morning brings back the heroic ages. I was as much affected by the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment at earliest dawn, when I was sitting with door and windows open, as I could be by any trumpet that ever sang of fame. It was Homer’s requiem; itself an Iliad and Odyssey in the air, singing its own wrath and wanderings. There was something cosmical about it; a standing advertisement, till forbidden, of the everlasting vigor and fertility of the world. Morning brings back the heroic ages. I was as much affected by the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment at earliest dawn, when I was sitting with door and windows open, as I could be by any trumpet that ever sang of fame. It was Homer’s requiem; itself an Iliad and Odyssey in the air, singing its own wrath and wanderings. There was something cosmical about it; a standing advertisement, till forbidden, of the everlasting vigor and fertility of the world.
The morning, which is the most memorable season of the day, is the awakening hour. Then there is least somnolence in us; and for an hour, at least, some part of us seems to awake seems appears to awake awakes awakes awakes awakes awakes awakes which slumbers all the rest of the day and night. 14b
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 14b written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Little is to be expected of that day, if it can be called a day, to which we are not awakened by our Genius, but by the mechanical nudgings of some servitor,or the peal of alarm bells servitor, servitor, are not awakened by our own newly-acquired force and newly-acquired force and newly-acquired force and aspirations from within, accompanied by the undulations of celestial music, instead of factory bells, instead of factory bells, instead of factory bells, and a fragrance filling the air—to a higher life than we fell asleep from; and thus the darkness bear its fruit, and prove itself to be good, no less than the light. That man who does not believe that each day contains an earlier, more sacred, and auroral hour than he has yet profaned, has despaired of life, and is pursuing a descending and darkening way. 14c
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 14c written: A rewritten: B

(Ronald Clapper)
After a partial sensation cessation cessation cessation cessation cessation cessation cessation cessation of his sensual sensuous sensuous sensuous sensuous sensuous sensuous sensuous sensuous life, the soul of man, or its organs rather, rather, rather, rather, rather, rather, rather, rather, are reinvigorated each day, and the his his his his his his his his Genius tries again what noble life it can make. All memorable events, I should say, I should say, I should say, I should say, I should say, I should say, I should say, I should say, transpire in morning time and in a morning atmosphere. The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” Greek poetry Poetry Poetry Poetry Poetry Poetry Poetry Poetry and art, and the fairest and most memorable of the actions of men, date from that such an hour—for all such an hour. All such an hour. All such an hour. All such an hour. All such an hour. All such an hour. All such an hour. All poets and heroes, like Memnon, are the children of Aurora, and emit their music in the morning. If we are wakeful enough the evening and the morning are but one. The birds sing at morning and at evening, and their notes do not suggest on which side the sun is rising. There is no vaunt and no weariness in them. And in the morning at sunrise. at sunrise. at sunrise. at sunrise. at sunrise. at sunrise. at sunrise. To him who has kept whose elastic & vigorous thought keeps whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps pace with the sun, it the day the day the day the day the day the day the day the day is a perpetual morning. It matters not what the clocks say or the attitudes and labors of men. Morning is when I am awake and there is a dawn in me. Moral reform and improvement are and improvement are is is is is is is the effort to throw off sleep & somnolency. How sleep. How Why sleep. Why sleep. Why sleep. Why sleep. Why sleep. Why sleep. Why is it that men give so poor an account of their day if they have not been slumbering? They are not such poor calculators. If they had not been overcome with drowsiness they would have performed something. The millions are awake enough for physical labor; but only one in a million is awake enough for effective intellectual exertion, only one in a hundred millions to a spiritual spiritual poetic poetic poetic poetic poetic poetic poetic or divine life. To be awake is to be alive. I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face?
15
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 15 written: A rewritten: B

(Ronald Clapper)
My thoughts, which in one sense are either the memory or the expectation of my actions are the causes which determine life and death My thoughts, which in one sense, are either the memory or the expectation of my actions are connected with the causes which determine life and death We must learn to reawaken and hold ourselves awake not by mechanical aids but by an infinite expectation of the dawn which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more sublime sublime glorious glorious glorious glorious glorious glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts. Every man is tasked to make his life, even in its details, worthy of the contemplation of his most elevated and critical hour. If we refused, or rather used up, or rather used up, or rather used up, or rather used up, or rather used up, or rather used up, such paltry information as we get, the oracles would distinctly inform us how this might be done.
16
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 16 written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 23 originally followed Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 16. Before he numbered the leaves, Thoreau canceled the first half of Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 23 (Time is but the stream … My instinct tells), which appeared on the verso of the leaf containing Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 16, added Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 17 on two new leaves (the first, #11), and recopied the first half of Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 23 on the verso of the second new leaf.

(Ronald Clapper)
I went down to the pond down to the pond to the woods to the woods to the woods to the woods to the woods to the woods to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not want want wish wish wish wish wish wish wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world, and throw it in the teeth of the gods and throw it in the teeth of Him that made it world; world; world; world; world; world; world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion. For all men it seems all most men it seems appears most men, it appears most men, it appears most men, it appears most men, it appears most men, it appears most men, it appears to me, are in a strange uncertainty about it, whether it is of the devil or of God, and have somewhat hastily concluded however true it may be concluded however true it may be concluded concluded concluded concluded concluded concluded that it is the chief end of man here to “glorify God and when there may be no enjoyment in it when there may be no enjoyment in it when if the truth were known they enjoy the devil a good deal more. I am not satisfied with such a lumping up and glossing over the objects of life enjoy him forever." enjoy him forever." enjoy him forever." enjoy him forever." enjoy him forever." enjoy him forever."
17
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 17 written: A

(Ronald Clapper)
Still we live meanly, like ants; though the fable tells us that we were long ago changed into men; like pygmies we fight with cranes; it is error upon error, and clout upon clout, and our best virtue has for its occasion a superfluous and evitable wretchedness. Our life is frittered away by detail. Its dish consists almost entirely of fixings and very little of the chicken’s meat detail. detail. detail. detail. detail. detail. detail. An honest man has hardly need to count more than his ten fingers, or in extreme cases he may add his ten toes, and lump the rest. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumbnail. Let our affairs be as 2 or 3, and not a hundred or a thousand let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail. let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail. let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail. let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail. let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail. let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail. let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail. In the midst of this chopping sea which we call civilization chopping sea of civilized life, chopping sea of civilized life, chopping sea of civilized life, chopping sea of civilized life, chopping sea of civilized life, chopping sea of civilized life, chopping sea of civilized life, such are the clouds and storms and quicksands and thousand-and-one items to be allowed for, that that that that that that that that a man has to live, if he would not founder and go to the bottom and not make his port at all, by dead reckoning, and he must be a great calculator indeed who succeeds. Simplify, simplify. Instead of three meals a day, if it be necessary eat but one; instead of a hundred dishes, five; and reduce other things in proportion. Our life is like a German Confederacy, made up of petty states, whose government is forever fluctuating and with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that even a German cannot tell you how it is bounded at any moment. The nation itself, with all its so called internal improvements, which, by the way, are all external and superficial, is just such an unwieldy and overgrown establishment, cluttered encumbered cluttered cluttered cluttered cluttered cluttered cluttered cluttered with furniture and tripped up by its own traps, ruined by luxury and heedless expense, by want of calculation and a worthy aim, and a worthy aim, and a worthy aim, and a worthy aim, and a worthy aim, and a worthy aim, and a worthy aim, and a worthy aim, as the million households in the land; and the only cure for it as for them is in a rigid economy, a stern and more than Spartan simplicity of life and grandeur elevation elevation elevation elevation elevation elevation elevation elevation of purpose. It lives too fast. Men think that it is essential that the Nation make lard oil have commerce have commerce, have commerce, have commerce, have commerce, have commerce, have commerce, have commerce, and export ice, and talk through a telegraph, and ride thirty miles an hour, without a doubt, they do or not whether they do or not; whether they do or not; whether they do or not; whether they do or not; whether they do or not; whether they do or not; whether they do or not; whether they do or not; but whether we should live like chimpanzees or baboons baboons baboons baboons baboons baboons baboons baboons or like men, is a little uncertain. If we do not get out sleepers, and forge rails, and devote days and nights to the work, but go to tinkering upon our lives to improve them , who will build railroads? And if railroads are not built, how shall we get to heaven in season? But if we stay at home and mind our business, who will want railroads? We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. Did you ever think what these those those those those those those those sleepers are that underlie the railroad? Each one is a man, an Irish-man, or a Yankee man. The rails are laid on them, and they are covered with sand, and the cars run smoothly over them. They are sound sleepers, I assure you. And every few years a new lot is laid down and run over; so that, if a few some some some some some some some some have the pleasure of riding on a rail, the rest others others others others others others others others have the misfortune to be ridden upon. And when they run over a man that is walking in his sleep, a supernumerary sleeper in the wrong position, and wake him up, and wake him up, and wake him up, and wake him up, and wake him up, and wake him up, and wake him up, and wake him up, they suddenly stop the cars, and make a hue and cry about it, as if this were an exception. I am glad to know that it takes a gang of men for every five miles to keep the sleepers down and level in their beds as it is, for this is a sign that they may sometime get up again.
18a
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 18a written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 18-22 follows Sounds 2c in the following order: 21b, 21a, 21c, 18a, 22a, 18b, 19a, 19c, 19b, and 22b.

(Ronald Clapper)
Why should we live with such hurry and waste of life? We are determined to starve be starved be starved be starved be starved be starved be starved be starved be starved before we are hungry. Men say that a stitch in time saves nine, and so they take a thousand stitches today to save nine tomorrow. 18b
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 18b written: A rewritten: B, E
E: A fair copy was made of only on his farm in the outskirts of Concord … rudiment of an eye himself.

(Ronald Clapper)
As for work , we haven’t any of any consequence. Men Men We We We We We We We have the Saint Vitus’ dance, and cannot possibly keep their heads or limbs still. Why, if their our heads still. Why, if our heads still. If our heads still. If our heads still. If our heads still. If our heads still. If our heads still. If I should only give a few pulls at the parish parish parish parish parish parish parish bell-rope, yonder, fiery-like yonder. fiery-like as for fire as for a fire, as for a fire, as for a fire, as for a fire, as for a fire, as for a fire, that is, without setting the bell, there is not hardly hardly hardly hardly hardly hardly hardly hardly a man on his farm in the outskirts of this town this town Concord Concord, Concord, Concord, Concord, Concord, Concord, notwithstanding that press of engagements which was his excuse so many times this morning, nor a boy, nor a woman, I might almost say, but will would would would would would would would forsake all and follow that sound, and not as we must all confess, if we are honest—to do a deed of charity or neighborliness, & save property from the flames—but and not, as we must all confess if we are honest, to do a deed of charity or not for the sake of not mainly from neighborliness and or to save property from the flames, but much more if we are honest and confess the truth not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much more not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much more not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much more not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much more not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much more not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much more to see it burn, since burn it must, and we, be it known, did not set it on fire, —or to see it put out, and have a hand in it, if that is done as handsomely; yes, even if it were the very meeting house over our heads very meeting house over our heads itself very meeting house over our heads itself very meeting house over our heads itself meeting house parish church itself parish church itself parish church itself parish church itself . Hardly a man takes a half hour’s nap after dinner, but when he wakes he holds up his head and asks, “What’s the news?” as if the rest of mankind had stood his sentinels. as if the rest of mankind had been stood his sentinels as if the rest of mankind had stood his sentinels. as if the rest of mankind had stood his sentinels. as if the rest of mankind had stood his sentinels. Some give directions to be waked every half hour, doubtless for no other purpose; and then, to pay for it, they tell what they have dreamed. After a night’s sleep the news is as indispensable as the breakfast. After a night’s sleep the news is as indispensable as the breakfast. After a night’s sleep the news is as indispensable as the breakfast. After a night’s sleep the news is as indispensable as the breakfast. Pray tell us anything new that has happened to any man in this world & he reads it over hot coffee & rolls, the latest news by telegraph that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito river Pray tell me anything new that has happened to any man in this world a man anywhere on this globe—And he reads it over hot his coffee and rolls, the latest intelligence by telegraph, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito river “Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and he reads it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito River “Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and he reads it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito River “Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and he reads it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito River “Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and he reads it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito River “Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and he reads it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito River “Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and he reads it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito River ; never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself. never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself. never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself. never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself. never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself. never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself. never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself.
19a
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19a written: A rewritten: B, B, E
A: If we read of one man … greedy after this gossip does not appear in the manuscript.
B: For my part … greedy after this gossip was written in pencil on a leaf that was added to the manuscript before a fair copy was made of all of Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19a.
E: A fair copy was made of only For my part, I could … or one vessel wrecked, or one steam-.

(Ronald Clapper)
I think that there are very few communications made through the Post Office r
Revision note: B1: For my part I could even dispense with the Post Office if it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately & critically I never received but one of two letters in my life that were worth the postage—much less the reading
For my part, I could dispense with the Post Office, if it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately and critically, I never received but one or two letters in my life that were worth the postage, much less the reading
r
Revision note: B1: For my part I could even dispense with the Post Office if it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately & critically I never received but one of two letters in my life that were worth the postage—much less the reading
For my part, I could dispense with the Post Office, if it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately and critically, I never received but one or two letters in my life that were worth the postage, much less the reading
r
Revision note: B1: For my part I could even dispense with the Post Office if it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately & critically I never received but one of two letters in my life that were worth the postage—much less the reading
For my part, I could dispense with the Post Office, if it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately and critically, I never received but one or two letters in my life that were worth the postage, much less the reading
For my part, I could easily do without the Post Office. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak critically I never received but one or two letters in my life I wrote this some years ago that were worth much more than the postage. The penny post is an institution through which you seriously offer a man that penny for his thoughts which is often safely offered in jest For my part, I could easily do without the post-office. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak critically, I never received more than one or two letters in my life—I wrote this some years ago—that were worth the postage. The penny-post is, commonly, an institution through which you seriously offer a man that penny for his thoughts which is so often safely offered in jest. For my part, I could easily do without the post-office. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak critically, I never received more than one or two letters in my life—I wrote this some years ago—that were worth the postage. The penny-post is, commonly, an institution through which you seriously offer a man that penny for his thoughts which is so often safely offered in jest. For my part, I could easily do without the post-office. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak critically, I never received more than one or two letters in my life—I wrote this some years ago—that were worth the postage. The penny-post is, commonly, an institution through which you seriously offer a man that penny for his thoughts which is so often safely offered in jest.
And & I may say without being extravagant that I am sure that I am sure that I am sure that I am sure that I am sure that I am sure that I never read any memorable news in a newspaper in my life. r
Revision note: B1: newspaper though I confess that in spirit in both of these cases like the rest of mankind I am but too ready to say that the smallest favors will be gratefully received.
newspaper—Though I confess that in spirit I am but too often ready to admit, like the rest of mankind that the smallest favors, in either of these forms, will be gratefully received.
newspaper. newspaper. newspaper. newspaper. newspaper. newspaper.
If we have read that of one man was have read that of one man was read of one man read of one man read of one man read of one man read of one man read of one man being robbed being robbed robbed, robbed, robbed, robbed, robbed, robbed, or murdered, or killed by accident, or one house burned, or one vessel wrecked, or one steamboat blown up, or one cow run over on the Western Railroad, or one mad dog killed, or one lot of grasshoppers in the winter,—we r
Revision note: B1: need never
need never
r
Revision note: B1: need never
need never
never need never need never need never need never need never need
read of another. One is enough. If you are acquainted with the principle, what do you care for a myriad instances and applications? To a philosopher all news , as it is called, as it is called, as it is called, as it is called, as it is called, as it is called, is gossip, and those those they they they they they they who edit and read it are old women over their r
Revision note: B1: tea. Uncle Sam is a man who presumes to tell you each day how many times he has stubbed his toes. No doubt such accidents do happen to a man, but let him wait at least till he stubs his nose before he disturbs bores his neighbors with the news
tea. Uncle Sam is a man who presumes to tell you each day how many times he has stubbed his toes. No doubt such accidents do happen to a man, but let him wait at least till he stubbs his nose before he troubles his neighbors with his affairs
r
Revision note: B1: tea. Uncle Sam is a man who presumes to tell you each day how many times he has stubbed his toes. No doubt such accidents do happen to a man, but let him wait at least till he stubs his nose before he disturbs bores his neighbors with the news
tea. Uncle Sam is a man who presumes to tell you each day how many times he has stubbed his toes. No doubt such accidents do happen to a man, but let him wait at least till he stubbs his nose before he troubles his neighbors with his affairs
tea tea tea tea tea tea
. Yet many not a few many not a few not a few not a few not a few not a few not a few not a few are greedy r
Revision note: B1: of such gossip as this.
of such gossip as this.
r
Revision note: B1: of such gossip as this.
of such gossip as this.
after this gossip. after this gossip. after this gossip. after this gossip. after this gossip. after this gossip.
There was such a rush, I as I as I as I as I as I as I as I hear, the other day at one of the offices to learn the foreign news by the last arrival, as broke several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment as broke that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken by the pressure, that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken by the pressure, that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken by the pressure, that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken by the pressure, that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken by the pressure, that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken by the pressure, —news which I seriously think a ready wit might write a twelvemonth or twelve years beforehand with sufficient accuracy. 19b
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19b written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19b follows 19c and precedes 22b.

(Ronald Clapper)
As for Spain, for instance, if you know how to throw in Don Carlos and the Infanta, and Don Pedro and Seville and Granada, from time to time in the right proportions,— they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers, they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers, they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers, they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers, they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers, they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers, —and serve up a bull-fight when other entertainments fail, it will be true to the letter, and give us as good an idea of the exact state or ruin of things in Spain as the most succinct and lucid reports under this head in the newspapers: and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was the revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations are of a merely pecuniary character. and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was the revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations are of a merely pecuniary character. and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was the revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations are of a merely pecuniary character. and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was the revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations are of a merely pecuniary character. and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was the revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations are of a merely pecuniary character. and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was the revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations are of a merely pecuniary character. 19c
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19c written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19c precedes 19b.

(Ronald Clapper)
If one may judge who rarely looks into the newspapers, I should say that nothing I should say that nothing nothing nothing nothing nothing nothing nothing new does ever happen in foreign parts, a French revolution not excepted. This was written before the last French Revolution broke out—but a Revolution in France might be expected any day—and may even almost as well be described before as after the events. & it would be no easier to tell how where it would end at one time than another after it was 5 years old than before it was born This was written before the last French Revolution broke out, but a revolution in France might be expected any day, and it would be as easy to tell where it would end before it was born began as after it was five years old a French revolution not excepted. a French revolution not excepted. a French revolution not excepted. a French revolution not excepted. a French revolution not excepted. a French revolution not excepted.
20a
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 20a written: A rewritten: B

(Ronald Clapper)
What news! how much more important to know what that is which was never old! “Kieou-pe-yu (great dignitary of the state of Wei) sent a man to Khoung-tseu to know his news. Khoung-tseu caused the messenger to be seated near him, and questioned him in these terms: What is your master doing? The messenger answered with respect: My master desires to diminish the number of his faults, but he cannot come to the end of them. [venir à bout] n
Note: The brackets in this passage are Thoreau’s. (R. Clapper)
come to the end of them. [venir à bout] n
Note: The brackets in this passage are Thoreau’s. (R. Clapper)
accomplish it. accomplish it. accomplish it. accomplish it. accomplish it. accomplish it.
The messenger being gone, the philosopher said said remarked: remarked: remarked: remarked: remarked: remarked: What a worthy messenger! What a worthy messenger!” 20b
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 20b written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 20b was inserted after Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 16.

(Ronald Clapper)
The preacher, instead of vexing the ears of drowsy farmers on their day of rest at the end of the week,—for Sunday always seemed to me like a always seemed to me like a the is the is the is the is the is the is the fit conclusion of an ill-spent week, and not the fresh and brave beginning of a new one,—with this one other draggle tail and postponed affair draggle-tail and postponed affair draggle-tail draggle-tail draggle-tail draggle-tail draggle-tail draggle-tail of a sermon, should teach them with a teach them with a shout with shout with shout with shout with shout with shout with shout with thundering voice,—“Pause! Avast! Why so seeming fast, Why so but Why so but but but but but but but deadly slow?”
21a
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 21a written: A rewritten: B

(Ronald Clapper)
Shams and delusions are esteemed for soundest truths, while reality is fabulous. We are not prepared for the truth fabulous. fabulous. fabulous. fabulous. fabulous. fabulous. fabulous. 21b
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 21b written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 21b follows Sounds 2c and precedes Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 21a.

(Ronald Clapper)
If men would steadily observe realities only, and not allow themselves to be deluded, life, to compare it with such things as we know, to compare it with such things as we know, to compare it with such things as we know, to compare it with such things as we know, to compare it with such things as we know, to compare it with such things as we know, to compare it with such things as we know, would be like a fairy tale and the Arabian Nights' Entertainments. If we respected only what was is is is is is is is is inevitable and had has has has has has has has has a right to be, music and poetry would resound along the streets. When we are calm & wise & unhurried calm and wise and unhurried, unhurried and wise, unhurried and wise, unhurried and wise, unhurried and wise, unhurried and wise, unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence,—that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality. This is always sublime and exhilarating This is always exhilarating and sublime. This is always exhilarating and sublime. This is always exhilarating and sublime. This is always exhilarating and sublime. This is always exhilarating and sublime. This is always exhilarating and sublime. By closing the eyes and slumbering, and consenting to be deceived by shows, men establish and confirm their daily life of routine and habit every where, which still is built on purely imaginary foundations. A more intimate a truer experience, a more practical wisdom teaches men that the trivial and commonplace are not real but apparent and superficial merely. The reality is sublime and exhilarating—if men would discriminate always and never be deluded by appearances, life would never be mean nor unworthy imaginary foundations. illusory foundations. illusory foundations. illusory foundations. illusory foundations. illusory foundations. illusory foundations. 21c
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 21c written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 21c follows 21a and precedes 18a. A leaf (#47) apparently was removed which contained present moment, and will never be more divine … at least could accomplish it. This part of Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 21c was copied on the verso of the leaf containing Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19.
A & B: I have read in a Hindoo book … it knows itself to be Brahme does not appear in the manuscript in A or in the original copying of B but is interlined in B.

(Ronald Clapper)
Children, who play life, discern its true law and relations more clearly than men, who fail to live it worthily, but who think that that that that that that that they are wiser by experience. All the gold all the silver we want is reality—This is sublime & inspiring. Appearance whether fair or foul is equally shallow and dangerous experience, experience, experience, experience, experience, experience, experience, that is, by failure. I have read in, an old book a Hindoo book, an old book a Hindoo book, a Hindoo book, a Hindoo book, a Hindoo book, a Hindoo book, a Hindoo book, a Hindoo book, that “there was a king’s son, who, being expelled in infancy from his native city, was brought up by a forester, and, growing up to maturity in that state, imagined himself to belong to the barbarous race with which he lived. One of his father’s ministers having discovered him, revealed to him what he was, and the misconception of his character was removed, and he knew himself to be a prince. So soul,” continues the Hindoo philosopher, continues the Hindoo philosopher, continues the Hindoo philosopher, continues the Hindoo philosopher, continues the Hindoo philosopher, continues the Hindoo philosopher, “from the circumstances in which it is placed, mistakes its own character, until the truth is revealed to it by some holy teacher, and then it knows itself to be Brahme .” I perceive that we inhabitants of Concord Concord New England New England New England New England New England New England New England live this mean life that we do because our vision does not penetrate the surface of things. We think that that is which appears to be. If a man should walk through the village the village this city this town this town this town this town this town this town and see only the reality, where, think you, would the "Mill-dam" your state street the "Mill-dam" your state street the “Mill-dam” the “Mill-dam” the “Mill-dam” the “Mill-dam” the “Mill-dam” the “Mill-dam” go to? If he should give us an account of the realities he beheld there, we should not recognize the place by by in in in in in in his description. Look at a meeting house church meeting house church meeting-house, meeting-house, meeting-house, meeting-house, meeting-house, meeting-house, or a court-house, or a jail, or a shop, or a dwelling-house, and say what this this that that that that that that that thing really is before a true gaze, and they would all go to pieces in your account of them. Men esteem truth remote, in the outskirts of the system, behind the farthest star, before Adam and after the last man. In eternity there is indeed something true and sublime. But all these times and places and occasions are now and here. and here. and here. and here. and here. and here. and here. and here. God himself culminates in the present moment, and will never be more divine in the lapse of all the ages. And we are enabled to apprehend at all what is sublime and noble only by the perpetual instilling and drenching of the reality which surrounds us. The universe constantly and obediently answers to our conceptions; whether we travel fast or slow, the track is laid for us. I think that the universe really needs no patching from us—and its Maker no condolence. Let us remember that God is well. us. us. us. us. us. us. us. Let us spend our lives in conceiving then. The work will always answer to our conception then. The work will always answer to our conception then. then. then. then. then. then. The poet or the artist never yet had so fair and noble a design but some of his posterity at least could accomplish it.
22a
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 22a written: A rewritten: B

(Ronald Clapper)
Let us spend one day at last day day day day day day day as deliberately as Nature, and not be thrown off the track by every nutshell and mosquito’s wing that falls on the rails. Let us rise early and fast, or break fast, gently and without perturbation. What if the milkman does not come in season to whitewash our coffee—let us murmur an inward prayer that we may be sustained under this trial, and forget him perturbation. What if the milkman does not come in season to whitewash our coffee—let us murmur an inward prayer that we may be sustained under this trial, and forget him perturbation; perturbation; perturbation; perturbation; perturbation; perturbation; let company come and let company go, let the bells ring and the children cry,—determined to make a day of it. Why should we knock under and go with the stream? Let us not be upset and overwhelmed in that terrible rapid and whirlpool called a dinner, situated in the meridian shallows. Weather this danger and you are safe, for the rest of the way is down hill. With unrelaxed nerves, with morning vigor, sail by it, looking another way, tied to the mast like Ulysses. If the engine whistles, let it whistle till it is hoarse for its pains. If the bell rings, why should we run? We will consider what kind of music it is they are they are they are they are they are they are they are they are like. Let us settle ourselves, and work and wedge our feet downward through the mud and slush of opinion, and prejudice, and tradition, and delusion, and appearance, that alluvion which covers the globe, through London and Paris, London and Paris, Paris and London, Paris and London, Paris and London, Paris and London, Paris and London, Paris and London, through New York and Boston and Concord Worcester Concord Worcester Concord, Concord, Concord, Concord, Concord, Concord, through church and state, through poetry and philosophy and religion, till we come to a hard bottom and rocks in place, which we can call reality , and say, This is, and no mistake; and then begin, having a point d'appui , below freshet and frost and fire, a place where you might found a wall or a state, or set a lamp-post safely, or perhaps a gauge, not a Nilometer, but a Realometer, that future ages might know how deep a freshet of shams and appearances had gathered from time to time. 22b
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 22b written: A rewritten: B
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 22b follows Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19b and precedes Sounds 4.

(Ronald Clapper)
If you stand right fronting and face to face to a fact, you will see the sun glimmer on both its surfaces, as if it were a cimeter, and feel its sweet edge dividing you through the heart and marrow, and so you will happily conclude your mortal career. Be it life or death, we crave only reality. If we are really dying, let us hear the rattle in our throats and feel cold in the extremities; if we are alive, let us go about our business. I am glad to remember as I sit by my door that I too am a remote descendant of a heroic race of men of whom there is tradition—in one sense a fellow wanderer and survivor of Ulysses, for instance. My life passes amid the pines of New England. The pitch pine grows before my door unlike any glyph glyphic symbol I have seen sculpted or painted. Where are the heroes whose exploits shall appear to posterity sculptured on monuments amid such natural forms as these—as we see heroes and demigods amid the lotuses and palms of the east. What new marks shall we add to make at the Red Pipestone Quarry? business. business. business. business. business. business. business. n
Note: B: this passage appears in Sounds 2c. (R. Clapper)
23
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 23 written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 23 originally followed Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 16. Before Thoreau numbered the leaves, he canceled Time is but the stream … My instinct tells, which appeared on the verso of the leaf containing Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 16, added 17 on two new leaves (the first, #11), and recopied Time is but the stream … My instinct tells on the verso of the second new leaf.

(Ronald Clapper)
Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. Its thin current glides slides slides slides slides slides slides slides away, but eternity remains. I would drink deeper; fish in the sky, whose bottom is pebbly with stars. r
Revision note: A1: The Intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and splits & rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not want to be more busy with my hands than is necessary—My head is my hands & my feet—I feel all my faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me obscurely that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout & fore paws—and with it I would mine & burrow my way through those hills. I cannot count one—I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born
I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born The Intellect is a cleaver; it discerns & splits, and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary—My head is my hands & my feet. I feel all my faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells
I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and splits and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills.
I think I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. that that that that that that that the richest vein is somewhere hereabouts; so by the divining rod and thin rising vapors I judge; and here I will begin to mine. When I was fairly established in my house I sang this song,
 
I seek the Present Time,
 
No other clime,
 
Life is to-day,
 
Not to sail another way,
 
To Paris or to Rome,
 
Or farther still from home.
 
That man, whoe’er he is,
 
Lives but a moral death,
 
Whose life is not coeval
 
With his breath.
 
My feet forever stand
 
On Concord fields,
 
And I must live the life
 
Which their soil yields.
 
What are deeds done
 
Away from home?
 
What the best essay
 
On the Ruins of Rome?
 
The love of the new,
 
The unfathomed blue,
 
The wind in the wood,
 
All fortune good,
 
The sun-lit tree,
 
The small chickadee,
 
The dusty highways,
 
What Scripture says,
 
This pleasant weather
 
And all signs together—
 
The river’s meander,
 
All things, in short,
 
Forbid me to wander
 
In deed or in thought,
 
In cold or in drouth,
 
Not seek the sunny South,
 
But make the whole tour
 
Of the sunny Present Hour.
 
For here if thou fail,
 
Where canst thou prevail,
 
If you love not
 
Your own land most,
 
You’ll find nothing lovely
 
Upon a distant coast.
 
If you love not
 
The latest sun-set,
 
What is there in pictures
 
Or old gems set?
 
If no man should travel
 
Till he had the means,
 
There’d be little travelling
 
For Kings or for Queens.
 
The means! What are they?
 
They are the wherewithal
 
Great expenses to pay;—
 
Life got, and some to spare,
 
Great works on hand,
 
And freedom from care.
 
Plenty of time well spent,
 
To use,—
 
Clothes paid for, and no rent
 
In your shoes;—
 
Something to eat,
 
And something to burn,
 
And, above all, no need to return;—
 
For they who come back,
 
Say have they not failed,
 
Wherever they’ve ridden
 
Or steamed it, or sailed?
 
All your grass hayed,—
 
All your debts paid,—
 
All your wills made?
 
Then you might as well have stayed,
 
For are you not dead,
 
Only not buried?
 
The way unto “Today,”
 
The railroad to “Here,”
 
They never’ll grade that way,
 
Nor shorten it, I fear,
 
There are plenty of depots
 
All the world o’er,
 
But not a single station
 
At a man’s door;
 
If we would get near
 
To the secret of things,
 
We shall not have to hear
 
When the engine bell rings.
mine. mine. mine. mine. mine. mine. mine.
XVersion
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For
1
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 1 written: D
No chapter title appears in the manuscript apart from the table of contents.
A: The leaves that follow “Economy” are numbered from 1 to 235 in the upper right hand corner of the recto of each odd-numbered leaf.
B & C: The combined leaves of B and C that follow “Economy” are numbered from 1 to 129 in the upper right hand corner of the recto of each odd-numbered leaf. Several unnumbered leaves were deleted before the pages were numbered. A few leaves from A were not recopied but inserted among the leaves of B-C and renumbered to fit the new sequence. A few leaves from the early stages of D were also numbered to fit this sequence.

(Ronald Clapper)
AT some seasons a certain season a certain season a certain season a certain season a certain season of our life we are accustomed to consider every spot as the possible site of a house. I have thus surveyed the country on every side within a dozen miles of where I live. In imagination In imagination In imagination In imagination In imagination I have bought all the farms in succession, for all were to be bought, and I knew their price. I walked round over over over over over each farmer’s premises, tasted his wild apples, discoursed on husbandry with him, with him, with him, with him, with him, took his farm at his price, at any price, mortgaging it to him in my mind; even put a higher price on it,—took every thing but a deed of it,—took his word for his deed, for I dearly love to talk,—cultivated it, and him too in some measure to some extent, to some extent, to some extent, to some extent, to some extent, I trust, and withdrew when I had enjoyed it long enough, leaving it to leaving leaving leaving leaving him to carry it on. This experience entitled me to be regarded as a sort of real-estate broker among by by by by by my friends. Wherever I sat, there I might live, and the landscape radiated from me accordingly—what is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat.—and the landscape radiated from me accordingly and the landscape radiated from me accordingly. What is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat. and the landscape radiated from me accordingly. What is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat. and the landscape radiated from me accordingly. What is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat. and the landscape radiated from me accordingly. What is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat. I discovered many a site for a house not likely to be soon improved, not likely soon to be soon improved not likely to be soon improved, not likely to be soon improved, not likely to be soon improved, not likely to be soon improved, which some might have thought too far from the village, but to my eyes the village seemed appeared was was was was was too far from it. Well, there I might live, I said; and there I did live, for an hour, a summer and a winter life; & I saw saw saw saw saw how I could let the years run off, buffet the winter through, and see the spring come in. The future inhabitants of these regions, this region this region, this region, this region, this region, wherever they may place their houses, may be sure that they have been anticipated. An afternoon sufficed to lay out the land in into into into into into orchard woodlot and pasture, and to decide what fine oaks or pines should be left to stand before the door, and whence each rotten blasted blasted blasted blasted blasted tree could be seen to the best advantage; and then I let it lie, fallow perchance, for a man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.
2
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 2 written: D

(Ronald Clapper)
My imagination carried me so far that I even had the refusal of several farms,—the refusal was all I wanted,—but I never got my fingers burned by actual possession. The nearest that I came to actual possession was when I bought the Hollowell farm Place, Place, Place, Place, Place, and had begun to sort my seeds, and collected materials with which to make a wheelbarrow to carry it on or off with; but before the owner gave me a deed of it, his wife—every man has such a wife—changed her mind and wished to keep it, and he offered me ten dollars to release him. Now, to tell speak speak speak speak speak the truth, I had not but but but but but ten cents in the world, and it surpassed my arithmetic to tell, if I was that man who had ten cents, or who had a farm, or who had who had a farm, or who had a farm, or who had a farm, or who had a farm, or ten dollars, or all together. However, I let him keep the ten dollars and the farm too, for I had carried it far enough; for I had carried it far enough; for I had carried it far enough; for I had carried it far enough; for I had carried it far enough; or rather, to be generous, I sold him the farm for just what I gave for it, and, a poor man, not a rich man, not a rich man, not a rich man, not a rich man, made him a present of ten dollars, and still had my ten cents, and seeds, and materials for a wheelbarrow left. I found thus that I had been a rich man without any damage to my poverty. But I retained the landscape, and I have since annually carried it off,—what it yielded,— carried off what it yielded carried off what it yielded carried off what it yielded carried off what it yielded without a wheelbarrow. With respect to landscapes I may say that landscapes, landscapes, landscapes, landscapes,
 
“I am monarch of all I survey ,
 
My right there is none to dispute.”
3
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 3 written: D rewritten: E
E: A fair copy was made of only he had got a few wild apples … left the farmer only the skimmed milk.

(Ronald Clapper)
I have frequently seen a poet withdraw, having enjoyed the most valuable part of a farm, while the crusty farmer supposed that he had got a few wild apples only. Why, the owner does not know it for many years when a poet has put his farm in rhyme, the most admirable kind of invisible fence has fairly impounded it milked it, the most admirable kind of invisible fence, has fairly impounded it, milked it, the most admirable kind of invisible fence, has fairly impounded it, milked it, the most admirable kind of invisible fence, has fairly impounded it, milked it, the most admirable kind of invisible fence, has fairly impounded it, milked it, skimmed it, and got all the cream, and left the farmer only the skimmed milk.
4
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 4 written: G

(Ronald Clapper)
The real attractions of the Hollowell farm, to me, were;1st were; its complete retirement, being about two miles from the village, half a mile from the nearest neighbor, and separated from the highway by a broad field; 2ndly its its bounding on the river, which the owner said protected it by its fogs from frosts in the spring,which the owner said by its fogs protected it by its fogs from frosts in the spring which the owner said protected it by its fogs from frosts in the spring, but his words suggested more than was meant other values than he suspected though that was nothing to me though that was nothing to me; 3rdly the the gray color and pleasing ruin ruinous state ruinous state of the house and barn, putting & the dilapidated & picturesque fences which put and the dilapidated fences, which put such an interval between me and the last occupant; 4thly the the hollow and lichen-covered apple trees, gnawed by rabbits, proving that there were rabbits there to gnaw them suggesting showing what neighbors I should have showing what kind of neighbors I should have; but 5thly & but above all, the recollection I had of it from my earliest voyages up the river, when the house was concealed behind a dense grove of red maples, which stood between it & the river which stood between it and the water through which I heard the house-dog bark. Though it afforded me no western prospect through which I heard the house-dog bark. I was in haste to buy it, before the proprietor finished getting out the some some rocks, cutting down the hollow apple trees, and grubbing up some young birches which had sprung up in the pasture, or, in short, had made any more of his improvements. To enjoy these advantages I was ready to carry it on; like Atlas to take the world on my shoulders (though by the way I never heard what compensation he received for it), like Atlas, to take the world on my shoulders,—I never heard what compensation he received for that, —and do all those things which I now see which had no other motive or excuse but that I might pay for it and be unmolested in my possession of it; though for for I knew all the while that it would yield the most abundant crop of the kind I wanted if I could only afford to let it alone. But it turned out as I have said.
5
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 5 written: D rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
All that I can could could could could could say, then, with respect to farming on a large scale, (I have always cultivated a garden,) (I have always cultivated a garden,) (I have always cultivated a garden,) (I have always cultivated a garden,) is was was, was, was, was, that I have had had had had had had had had had had had my seeds ready. Many think that seeds improve with age. I have no doubt that time discriminates between the good and the bad; and when at last I shall plant, I shall be less likely to be disappointed. But I would say to my fellows, to my fellows, to my fellows, to my fellows, to my fellows, once for all, As long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or the county jail.
6
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 6 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Old Cato, whose “De Re Rusticâ” is my “Cultivator,” whose “De Re Rusticâ” is my “Cultivator,” whose “De Re Rusticâ” is my “Cultivator,” whose “De Re Rusticâ” is my “Cultivator,” says, Praedium quom parare cogitabis, sic in animo habeto, uti ne cupide emas, neve opera tua parcas visere, et ne satis habeas semel circumire. Quoties ibis, toties magis placebit, quod bonum erit. This, of which the learned Oxford translator makes sheer nonsense, I take to mean & by the way the only translation I have seen makes sheer nonsense of the sentence passage, and the only translation I have seen makes sheer nonsense of the passage, and the only translation I have seen makes sheer nonsense of the passage, and the only translation I have seen makes sheer nonsense of the passage, “When you think of getting a farm, turn it thus in your mind, not to buy it buy buy buy greedily; nor spare your pains to look at it, and do not think it enough to go round it once. The oftener you go there the more it will please you, if it is good.” I think I shall not buy greedily, but go round and round it as long as I live, and be buried in it first, that it may please me the more at last.
7
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 7 written: D rewritten: F
D & F: As I have said … to wake my neighbors up does not appear in the manuscript in D or in the original copying of F but is interlined in pencil in F.

(Ronald Clapper)
The present was my next experiment The present was my next experiment The present was my next experiment in this direction of this kind, The present was my next experiment of this kind, The present was my next experiment of this kind, which I propose to describe more at length to which, however, I can only slightly refer this evening. which I propose to describe more at length, for convenience putting the experience of two years into one. which I propose to describe more at length, for convenience putting the experience of two years into one. which I propose to describe more at length, for convenience putting the experience of two years into one. which I propose to describe more at length, for convenience putting the experience of two years into one. As I have said, I do not propose to write an ode to dejection, but to crow brag crow brag crow brag brag brag as lustily as chanticleer in the morning, standing on his roost, if only to wake my neighbors up.
8a
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 8a written: A rewritten: D, F

(Ronald Clapper)
When I first When I first When I first It was on the morning of the 4 of July 1845 that I put a few articles of furniture some of which I had made myself into a hayrigging which I had hired, drove down to the woods, put my things in their places, & commenced house keeping. When I first It was on the morning of the 4 of July 1845 that I put a few articles of furniture some of which I had made myself into a hayrigging which I had hired, drove down to the woods, put my things in their places, & commenced house keeping. When I first When I first When first I When first I went to the pond to live, took up my abode in the woods, took up my abode in the woods, took up my abode in the woods, took up my abode in the woods, took up my abode in the woods, took up my abode in the woods, took up my abode in the woods, or that is that is, that is, which was by chance the 4 of July 1845, the anniversary of the declaration of our national independence began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence Day, or the fourth of July, 1845, began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence Day, or the fourth of July, 1845, began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence Day, or the fourth of July, 1845, began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence Day, or the fourth of July, 1845, my house being unfinished not being finished for winter and but was not finished for the winter, but was was not finished for the winter, but was was not finished for the winter, but was was not finished for the winter, but was was not finished for the winter, but was was not finished for the winter, but was was not finished for the winter, but was merely a defence against the rain, without plastering or chimney, uncluttered not cluttered with furniture, and or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder. uncluttered not cluttered with furniture, and or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder. uncluttered not cluttered with furniture, and or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder. uncluttered not cluttered with furniture, and or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder. uncluttered not cluttered with furniture, and or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder. with walls the walls being of rough weather-stained boards and with wide chinks which made it cool at night. the walls being of rough, weather-stained boards, with wide chinks, which made it cool at night. the walls being of rough, weather-stained boards, with wide chinks, which made it cool at night. 8b
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 8b written: A rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
The upright white hewn studs and freshly planed door and window frames casings casings casings casings casings casings casings gave the house it it it it it it it it a clean and airy look, especially in the morning, when its timbers seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if so that I imagined seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if so that I imagined seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if so that I imagined seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if so that I imagined seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if so that I imagined were saturated with the dewy air, and I even dew, so that I fancied that were saturated with dew, so that I fancied that were saturated with dew, so that I fancied that by noon some sweet gum would exude from them, and incense go up from the roof them. them. them. them. them. them. them. 8c
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 8c written: A rewritten: D, F
A, D, & F: The morning wind forever blows … outside of the earth every where does not appear in the manuscript.
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 8c appears as follows.] With its frame so slightly clad it seemed like a picture in outlines, a rudimental, airy and primitive hall, a crystallization around me, and reminded me of some mountain houses I had seen, which had this fresh auroral atmosphere about them smile not ye that have seen my abode. I had lodged in the house of a sawmiller on the Kanterskill mountains the previous summer, high up as the Pine Orchard, in the blue-berry and raspberry region, which had this auroral & ambrosial character. He was the miller of the Kanterskill Falls, & his family were clean & wholesome people like the house. The latter was not plastered but only lathed, and the inner doors were not hung. It was high-placed, airy, & perfumed; so high that only the winds that swept over the ridge of the Kanterskills bearing only the broken strains and warps and accompaniments of celestial parts of terrestrial music passed through it. —The very light & atmosphere in which the most enduring works of art are composed.—On the tops of mountains, as everywhere to hopeful souls, it is always morning.—A clean and pure temple of a house which one would enter as naturally and gratefully as he would go under a shade, which might fitly the shade of a tree, fit to adorn a mountain’s brow—and entertain a travelling god, and where a goddess might trail her garment.—Such it seemed to me all our houses should be.
D: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 8c appears as follows. It had altogether an auroral and ambrosial character in my eyes, as if the winds that passed through it were such only as sweep over the ridges of mountains—bearing the broken strains and warps or celestial parts only of terrestrial music—fit to entertain a travelling god, and where a goddess might trail her garment.

(Ronald Clapper)
To my imagination To my imagination To my imagination To my imagination To my imagination To my imagination To my imagination To my imagination it retained throughout the day more or less of this auroral and ambrosial auroral and ambrosial auroral and ambrosial auroral and ambrosial auroral and ambrosial auroral and ambrosial auroral auroral character, to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an ordinary house reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an ordinary house reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an ordinary house reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an ordinary house reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an ordinary house reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an ordinary house reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before. This was an airy and unplastered cabin, reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year before. This was an airy and unplastered cabin, fit to entertain a travelling god, and where a goddess might trail her garments. The winds that that that that that that which which passed over my dwelling were such as sweep over the ridges of mountains, bearing the broken strains, or celestial parts only, of terrestrial music. The morning wind forever blows, the poem of creation is uninterrupted; but few are the ears that hear it. Olympus is but the outside of the earth every where.
9
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 9 written: A rewritten: F
A & F: The only house I had been … progress toward settling in the world does not appear in the manuscript.
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 9, which follows 8a, appears as follows. From our village houses to this lodge on the shore of a beautiful lake so fair a lake in the midst of a green the extensive forest, where hardly any traces of man were visible, was a transition at least as from a dungeon close prison to an open cage at least swung in a pleasant grove, where I could glimpse the light & the flowers through the bars, and odoriferous gales coursed through and through. It But my house It was so open and pervious to nature that it did not seem within doors where I sat, in unwholesome penetralia a close and unhealthful apartment a close apartment, but at most only behind a door in the rainiest weather. The fresh & pure air penetrated through a myriad chinks, and bathed myself in all things within as freely as it wandered amid the boughs and needles of the pines around, and I imbibed the influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid foliage. It was invigorating only to sit there and drink and be bathed in this uncontaminated current. The atmosphere of our houses has usually lost some of its life giving principle and it is necessary to our health and spirits frequently to go out, as we say, to take the air.

(Ronald Clapper)
The only house I had been the owner of before, if I except a boat, was a tent, which I used occasionally when making excursions in the summer, and this is still rolled up in my garret; but the boat, after passing from hand to hand, has gone down the stream of time. With this more substantial shelter about me, I had made some progress toward settling in the world. With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed the influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage. With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed the influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage. With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed the influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage. With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed the influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage. With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed the influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage. With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed the influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage. This frame, so slightly clad, was a sort of crystallization around me, and reacted on the builder. It was suggestive somewhat as a picture in outlines. This frame, so slightly clad, was a sort of crystallization around me, and reacted on the builder. It was suggestive somewhat as a picture in outlines. I did not need to go outdoors to take the air, for the benefit of my spirits, air, for the benefit of my spirits, air, for the benefit of my spirits, air, for the benefit of my spirits, air, for the benefit of my spirits, air, for the benefit of my spirits, air, air, for the atmosphere within had lost none of its life-giving principle freshness. life-giving principle freshness. life-giving principle freshness. life-giving principle freshness. life-giving principle freshness. life-giving principle freshness. freshness. freshness. It was not so much within doors as behind a door where I sat, even in the rainiest weather. The Harivansa says, “An abode without birds is like a meat without seasoning.” Such was not my abode, for I found myself suddenly neighbors neighbors neighbors neighbors neighbors neighbors neighbor neighbor to the birds; not by having imprisoned one in my house, one in my house, one in my house, one in my house, one in my house, one in my house, one, one, but having caged myself near them. I was not only nearer to the few some the few some the few some the few some the few some the few some some some of those which commonly frequent the garden and the orchard, but to those wilder and more thrilling songsters of the forest which never, or rarely, or rarely, or rarely, or rarely, or rarely, or rarely, or rarely, or rarely, serenade a villager,— the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others. the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others. the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others. the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others. the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others. the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others. the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others. the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others.
10
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 10 written: A rewritten: F
A: I was seated by the shore … my most distant horizon does not appear in the manuscript.

(Ronald Clapper)
I was seated by the shore of a beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord small pond, about a mile and a half south of the village of Concord and somewhat higher than it, small pond, about a mile and a half south of the village of Concord and somewhat higher than it, in the midst of an extensive wood between that town and Lincoln, and about two miles south of that our only field known to fame, Concord Battle Ground; but I was so low in the woods that the opposite shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was shore, half a mile off, like the rest shore, half a mile off, like the rest covered with wood, was my most distant horizon. When When When When When During the first week my thoughts were so leavened with expectation that the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was, and For the first week whenever For the first week, whenever For the first week, whenever I looked out on the face of the pond the pond the pond the pond the pond the pond the pond the pond it reminded me of a tarn which I had seen reminded me of a tarn which I had seen reminded me of a tarn which I had seen reminded me of a tarn which I had seen reminded me of a tarn which I had seen impressed me as if it were like a tarn impressed me like a tarn impressed me like a tarn high up on the side of a mountain, and the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was. The pond was like a mountain lake I had seen in the grey of the morning draped with mist which was suspended in low weather from the dead willows and bare firs that stood here and there in the water its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and, its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and, its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and, its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and, its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and, its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and, its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and, as the sun arose, I saw it throwing off its nightly clothing of mist, and here and there, by degrees, its soft ripples or its smooth reflecting surface was revealed, while while while while while while while while the mists, like ghosts, were stealthily withdrawing in every direction into the woods, as if from if it were at at at at at at at at the breaking up of some nocturnal conventicle. In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was Also the very dew seemed to hang upon the trees later into the day than usual, as on the sides of mountains. The very dew seemed to hang upon the trees later into the day than usual, as on the sides of mountains. The very dew seemed to hang upon the trees later into the day than usual, as on the sides of mountains.
11
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 11 written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
This small lake in the woods was perhaps most appreciated of most value lake was of most value lake was of most value as a neighbor in the intervals of a gentle rain storm such as occurs in in in August, when, both air and water being perfectly still, but the sky overcast, mid-afternoon had all the serenity of evening, and the wood-thrush sang around the pond, around, around, and was heard from over the water shore to shore shore to shore. shore to shore. A lake like this like this like this is never smoother than at such a time; and the clear portion of the air above it being so shallow shallow shallow and darkened by clouds, the water, which is full full full of light and reflections, becomes a lower heaven itself so much the more important. From a hill top near by, on my side where where where the wood had been recently cut off, there was a pleasing vista southward across the pond, through and over through through a wide indentation in the hills which form the shore there, where their opposite sides sloping toward each other suggested a stream flowing out in that direction through a wooded valley, but stream there was nonebut in imagination except in my imagination. none. none. That way I looked between and over the near green hills to some distant and larger higher hills higher ones higher ones in the horizon, tinged with blue. that was the kind of coin seen through this crack in my treasure-box which I saw over the rim of my world blue. blue. Indeed, by standing on tiptoe I could catch a glimpse of some of the peaks of the still bluer and more distant mountain ranges in the north-west, those true-blue coins from heaven’s own mint, those true-blue coins from heaven’s own mint, and also of some portion of the village. But in the other other other directions, even from this point, even from this point, even from this point, I could not see over or beyond the woods which surrounded me. It is important well well well to have some water in your neighborhood, to give buoyancy to and float the your the the earth. One value even of the smallest well is, that looking when you look into it you are reminded see that when you look into it you see that when you look into it you see that earth is not continent but insular. This is as important as that it keeps butter cool. When I looked across the pond from this peak toward the Sudbury meadows, which in time of flood I distinguish distinguished distinguished distinguished elevated perhaps by a mirage in their a seething hazy their seething their seething valley, like a coin in a basin, all the earth beyond the pond appeared like a thin crust insulated and floated even by this small sheet of intervening water, and I was reminded that this on which I dwelt was but dry land .
12
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 12 written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
But though Though Though the view from my door was still more still more still more contracted, nevertheless I imagined that I did not feel crowded or confined in the least. There was pasture enough for my fancy & imagination. I did not feel crowded or confined in the least. There was pasture enough for my imagination. I did not feel crowded or confined in the least. There was pasture enough for my imagination. The low shrub-oak plateau to which the opposite shore arose, stretched away boundless as the prairies, pampas, and plains toward the prairies of the west & the steppes toward the prairies of the West and the steppes toward the prairies of the West and the steppes of Tartary, affording ample room for all the roving families of men. “There are none happy in the world but beings who enjoy freely a vast horizon,” So said said said Damodara, when his herds required new and larger pastures.
13
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 13 written: A rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Both place and time had undergone a revolution and I dwelt seemed to dwell nearer to those parts of the globe & to those eras in history which had attracted me, and as I had no clock nor watch, but the sun & moon, I also lived in a more primitive and absolute time. Over the south shore of the pond, which was a low hill covered fringed with shrub oaks and scattered pines which seemed to rise to an illimitable tableland—I seemed to look toward the country of the some new race of some ideal race of Tartars, where tribes of men dwelt in tents were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras in history which had most attracted me. were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras in history which had most attracted me. were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras in history which had most attracted me. were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras in history which had most attracted me. were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras in history which had most attracted me. were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras in history which had most attracted me. were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras in history which had most attracted me. Where I lived was as far off as many a region viewed nightly by astronomers. We are apt wont wont wont wont wont wont wont to imagine rare and delectable places afar off whither astronomers look places places places places places places places in some remote and more celestial corner of the system, behind the constellation of Cassiopeia’s Chair, far from noise and disturbance. I imagined that my house actually had its site actually discovered that my house actually had its site discovered that my house actually had its site discovered that my house actually had its site discovered that my house actually had its site discovered that my house actually had its site discovered that my house actually had its site discovered that my house actually had its site in such a withdrawn, but forever new and unprofaned, part of the universe. If it were worth the while to settle in those parts of the system parts parts parts parts parts parts parts near to the Pleiades or the Hyades, to or Orion or Aldebaran or Altair, to Aldebaran or Altair, to Aldebaran or Altair, to Aldebaran or Altair, to Aldebaran or Altair, to Aldebaran or Altair, to Aldebaran or Altair, to Aldebaran or Altair, then I was really there, or at an equal remoteness from the life which I had left behind—as near to the immortal city behind, behind, behind, behind, behind, behind, behind, dwindled and twinkling with as fine a ray to my nearest neighbor, and only to be seen only to be seen only to be seen only to be seen only to be seen only to be seen to be seen only to be seen only in moonless nights by him. Such was that part of creation where I had squatted;
 
“There was a shepherd that did live,
 
And held his thoughts as high
 
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
 
Did hourly feed him by.”
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
 
“There was a shepherd that did live,
 
And held his thoughts as high
 
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
 
Did hourly feed him by.”
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
 
“There was a shepherd that did live,
 
And held his thoughts as high
 
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
 
Did hourly feed him by.”
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
 
“There was a shepherd that did live,
 
And held his thoughts as high
 
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
 
Did hourly feed him by.”
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
 
“There was a shepherd that did live,
 
And held his thoughts as high
 
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
 
Did hourly feed him by.”
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
 
“There was a shepherd that did live,
 
And held his thoughts as high
 
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
 
Did hourly feed him by.”
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
 
“There was a shepherd that did live,
 
And held his thoughts as high
 
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
 
Did hourly feed him by.”
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
14a
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 14a written: A rewritten: B, F
A & B: They say that characters ... can understand that does not appear in the manuscript in A or in the original copying of B but is interlined in pencil in B.
B: A fair copy was made of only I have been as sincere ... rest of the day and night.

(Ronald Clapper)
Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and purity with itself Nature herself. I may say innocence, with Nature herself. I may say innocence, with Nature herself. I may say innocence, with Nature herself. I may say innocence, with Nature herself. I may say innocence, with Nature herself. I may say innocence, with Nature herself. I may say innocence, with Nature herself. The morning is to every one the season of his ideal life. Then, if ever, we can realize the life of the Greeks—and we are all at some time good heathens enough to acknowledge and worship their Aurora. The morning brinks back the heroic ages. For I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. For Indeed I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. I got up early and bathed in the pond; that was a religious exercise, and one of the best things which which which which which which which I did. I have since read They say They say They say They say They say They say that characters were engraven on the bathing tub that characters were engraven on the bathing tub that characters were engraven on the bathing tub that characters were engraven on the bathing tub that characters were engraven on the bathing tub that characters were engraven on the bathing tub that characters were engraven on the bathing tub of the of of of of of of king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew, and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that. king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew, and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that. king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew, and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that. king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew, and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that. king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew, and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that. king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it again, and again, and forever again." I can understand that. king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it again, and again, and forever again." I can understand that. So far the day was well spent— The Morning brings back the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude, sitting with door and windows open at very early dawn when the stillness was audible, and the atmosphere contained the auroral perfume which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through the loaded and drowsy air toward elysian realms, my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what I had read of most ancient history and heroic ages. There was somewhat of that which I fancy the Greeks meant by ambrosial about in it—more than Sybilline or Delphic. It expressed the infinite and everlasting fertility of the қόбмоѕ
Regularized form: cosmos
or world. It was Θεοῖν
Regularized form: theíos
or divine. Only Homer could have named it
So far the day was well spent. Morning brings back or brings about the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude, sitting with door and windows open, at very early dawn, when the stillness was audible, and the atmosphere contained the auroral perfume which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what all that I had ever read of most ancient history and heroic ages or dreamed of heroism and the worthies of antiquity. There was somewhat of that to my ears something of what which I fancy the Greeks meant by ambrosial in it, more than Sybilline or Delphic. It was the song of the spheres that anthem the overflowing joy of the universe It expressed the infinite and everlasting fertility of the қόбмоѕ or world. It was Өετον or divine. Only Homer could have named it So far the day was well spent. Morning brings back or brings about the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude, sitting with door and windows open, at very early dawn, when the stillness was audible, and the atmosphere contained the auroral perfume which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what all that I had ever read of most ancient history and heroic ages or dreamed of heroism and the worthies of antiquity. There was somewhat of that to my ears something of what which I fancy the Greeks meant by ambrosial in it, more than Sybilline or Delphic. It was the song of the spheres that anthem the overflowing joy of the universe It expressed the infinite and everlasting fertility of the қόбмоѕ or world. It was Өετον or divine. Only Homer could have named it So far the day was well spent. Morning brings back or brings about the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude, sitting with door and windows open, at very early dawn, when the stillness was audible, and the atmosphere contained the auroral perfume which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what all that I had ever read of most ancient history and heroic ages or dreamed of heroism and the worthies of antiquity. There was somewhat of that to my ears something of what which I fancy the Greeks meant by ambrosial in it, more than Sybilline or Delphic. It was the song of the spheres that anthem the overflowing joy of the universe It expressed the infinite and everlasting fertility of the қόбмоѕ or world. It was Өετον or divine. Only Homer could have named it So far the day was well spent. Morning brings back or brings about the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude, sitting with door and windows open, at very early dawn, when the stillness was audible, and the atmosphere contained the auroral perfume which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what all that I had ever read of most ancient history and heroic ages or dreamed of heroism and the worthies of antiquity. There was somewhat of that to my ears something of what which I fancy the Greeks meant by ambrosial in it, more than Sybilline or Delphic. It was the song of the spheres that anthem the overflowing joy of the universe It expressed the infinite and everlasting fertility of the қόбмоѕ or world. It was Өετον or divine. Only Homer could have named it Morning brings back the heroic ages. I was as much affected sometimes by the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment at very early earliest dawn an Iliad & Odyssey in the air—singing its own wrath & wanderings, when I was sitting with door and windows open as usual, as I could be by any trumpet that ever sang of fame. There was something infinite & cosmical about it. It was a standing advertisement, till forbidden, of the everlasting vigor & fertility of the universe—& deserved to have Homer to sing of it world Morning brings back the heroic ages. I was as much affected by the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment at earliest dawn, when I was sitting with door and windows open, as I could be by any trumpet that ever sang of fame. It was Homer’s requiem; itself an Iliad and Odyssey in the air, singing its own wrath and wanderings. There was something cosmical about it; a standing advertisement, till forbidden, of the everlasting vigor and fertility of the world. Morning brings back the heroic ages. I was as much affected by the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment at earliest dawn, when I was sitting with door and windows open, as I could be by any trumpet that ever sang of fame. It was Homer’s requiem; itself an Iliad and Odyssey in the air, singing its own wrath and wanderings. There was something cosmical about it; a standing advertisement, till forbidden, of the everlasting vigor and fertility of the world.
The morning, which is the most memorable season of the day, is the awakening hour. Then there is least somnolence in us; and for an hour, at least, some part of us seems to awake seems appears to awake awakes awakes awakes awakes awakes awakes which slumbers all the rest of the day and night. 14b
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 14b written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Little is to be expected of that day, if it can be called a day, to which we are not awakened by our Genius, but by the mechanical nudgings of some servitor,or the peal of alarm bells servitor, servitor, are not awakened by our own newly-acquired force and newly-acquired force and newly-acquired force and aspirations from within, accompanied by the undulations of celestial music, instead of factory bells, instead of factory bells, instead of factory bells, and a fragrance filling the air—to a higher life than we fell asleep from; and thus the darkness bear its fruit, and prove itself to be good, no less than the light. That man who does not believe that each day contains an earlier, more sacred, and auroral hour than he has yet profaned, has despaired of life, and is pursuing a descending and darkening way. 14c
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 14c written: A rewritten: B

(Ronald Clapper)
After a partial sensation cessation cessation cessation cessation cessation cessation cessation cessation of his sensual sensuous sensuous sensuous sensuous sensuous sensuous sensuous sensuous life, the soul of man, or its organs rather, rather, rather, rather, rather, rather, rather, rather, are reinvigorated each day, and the his his his his his his his his Genius tries again what noble life it can make. All memorable events, I should say, I should say, I should say, I should say, I should say, I should say, I should say, I should say, transpire in morning time and in a morning atmosphere. The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” Greek poetry Poetry Poetry Poetry Poetry Poetry Poetry Poetry and art, and the fairest and most memorable of the actions of men, date from that such an hour—for all such an hour. All such an hour. All such an hour. All such an hour. All such an hour. All such an hour. All such an hour. All poets and heroes, like Memnon, are the children of Aurora, and emit their music in the morning. If we are wakeful enough the evening and the morning are but one. The birds sing at morning and at evening, and their notes do not suggest on which side the sun is rising. There is no vaunt and no weariness in them. And in the morning at sunrise. at sunrise. at sunrise. at sunrise. at sunrise. at sunrise. at sunrise. To him who has kept whose elastic & vigorous thought keeps whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps pace with the sun, it the day the day the day the day the day the day the day the day is a perpetual morning. It matters not what the clocks say or the attitudes and labors of men. Morning is when I am awake and there is a dawn in me. Moral reform and improvement are and improvement are is is is is is is the effort to throw off sleep & somnolency. How sleep. How Why sleep. Why sleep. Why sleep. Why sleep. Why sleep. Why sleep. Why is it that men give so poor an account of their day if they have not been slumbering? They are not such poor calculators. If they had not been overcome with drowsiness they would have performed something. The millions are awake enough for physical labor; but only one in a million is awake enough for effective intellectual exertion, only one in a hundred millions to a spiritual spiritual poetic poetic poetic poetic poetic poetic poetic or divine life. To be awake is to be alive. I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face?
15
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 15 written: A rewritten: B

(Ronald Clapper)
My thoughts, which in one sense are either the memory or the expectation of my actions are the causes which determine life and death My thoughts, which in one sense, are either the memory or the expectation of my actions are connected with the causes which determine life and death We must learn to reawaken and hold ourselves awake not by mechanical aids but by an infinite expectation of the dawn which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more sublime sublime glorious glorious glorious glorious glorious glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts. Every man is tasked to make his life, even in its details, worthy of the contemplation of his most elevated and critical hour. If we refused, or rather used up, or rather used up, or rather used up, or rather used up, or rather used up, or rather used up, such paltry information as we get, the oracles would distinctly inform us how this might be done.
16
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 16 written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 23 originally followed Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 16. Before he numbered the leaves, Thoreau canceled the first half of Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 23 (Time is but the stream … My instinct tells), which appeared on the verso of the leaf containing Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 16, added Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 17 on two new leaves (the first, #11), and recopied the first half of Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 23 on the verso of the second new leaf.

(Ronald Clapper)
I went down to the pond down to the pond to the woods to the woods to the woods to the woods to the woods to the woods to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not want want wish wish wish wish wish wish wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world, and throw it in the teeth of the gods and throw it in the teeth of Him that made it world; world; world; world; world; world; world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion. For all men it seems all most men it seems appears most men, it appears most men, it appears most men, it appears most men, it appears most men, it appears most men, it appears to me, are in a strange uncertainty about it, whether it is of the devil or of God, and have somewhat hastily concluded however true it may be concluded however true it may be concluded concluded concluded concluded concluded concluded that it is the chief end of man here to “glorify God and when there may be no enjoyment in it when there may be no enjoyment in it when if the truth were known they enjoy the devil a good deal more. I am not satisfied with such a lumping up and glossing over the objects of life enjoy him forever." enjoy him forever." enjoy him forever." enjoy him forever." enjoy him forever." enjoy him forever."
17
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 17 written: A

(Ronald Clapper)
Still we live meanly, like ants; though the fable tells us that we were long ago changed into men; like pygmies we fight with cranes; it is error upon error, and clout upon clout, and our best virtue has for its occasion a superfluous and evitable wretchedness. Our life is frittered away by detail. Its dish consists almost entirely of fixings and very little of the chicken’s meat detail. detail. detail. detail. detail. detail. detail. An honest man has hardly need to count more than his ten fingers, or in extreme cases he may add his ten toes, and lump the rest. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumbnail. Let our affairs be as 2 or 3, and not a hundred or a thousand let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail. let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail. let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail. let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail. let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail. let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail. let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail. In the midst of this chopping sea which we call civilization chopping sea of civilized life, chopping sea of civilized life, chopping sea of civilized life, chopping sea of civilized life, chopping sea of civilized life, chopping sea of civilized life, chopping sea of civilized life, such are the clouds and storms and quicksands and thousand-and-one items to be allowed for, that that that that that that that that a man has to live, if he would not founder and go to the bottom and not make his port at all, by dead reckoning, and he must be a great calculator indeed who succeeds. Simplify, simplify. Instead of three meals a day, if it be necessary eat but one; instead of a hundred dishes, five; and reduce other things in proportion. Our life is like a German Confederacy, made up of petty states, whose government is forever fluctuating and with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that even a German cannot tell you how it is bounded at any moment. The nation itself, with all its so called internal improvements, which, by the way, are all external and superficial, is just such an unwieldy and overgrown establishment, cluttered encumbered cluttered cluttered cluttered cluttered cluttered cluttered cluttered with furniture and tripped up by its own traps, ruined by luxury and heedless expense, by want of calculation and a worthy aim, and a worthy aim, and a worthy aim, and a worthy aim, and a worthy aim, and a worthy aim, and a worthy aim, and a worthy aim, as the million households in the land; and the only cure for it as for them is in a rigid economy, a stern and more than Spartan simplicity of life and grandeur elevation elevation elevation elevation elevation elevation elevation elevation of purpose. It lives too fast. Men think that it is essential that the Nation make lard oil have commerce have commerce, have commerce, have commerce, have commerce, have commerce, have commerce, have commerce, and export ice, and talk through a telegraph, and ride thirty miles an hour, without a doubt, they do or not whether they do or not; whether they do or not; whether they do or not; whether they do or not; whether they do or not; whether they do or not; whether they do or not; whether they do or not; but whether we should live like chimpanzees or baboons baboons baboons baboons baboons baboons baboons baboons or like men, is a little uncertain. If we do not get out sleepers, and forge rails, and devote days and nights to the work, but go to tinkering upon our lives to improve them , who will build railroads? And if railroads are not built, how shall we get to heaven in season? But if we stay at home and mind our business, who will want railroads? We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. Did you ever think what these those those those those those those those sleepers are that underlie the railroad? Each one is a man, an Irish-man, or a Yankee man. The rails are laid on them, and they are covered with sand, and the cars run smoothly over them. They are sound sleepers, I assure you. And every few years a new lot is laid down and run over; so that, if a few some some some some some some some some have the pleasure of riding on a rail, the rest others others others others others others others others have the misfortune to be ridden upon. And when they run over a man that is walking in his sleep, a supernumerary sleeper in the wrong position, and wake him up, and wake him up, and wake him up, and wake him up, and wake him up, and wake him up, and wake him up, and wake him up, they suddenly stop the cars, and make a hue and cry about it, as if this were an exception. I am glad to know that it takes a gang of men for every five miles to keep the sleepers down and level in their beds as it is, for this is a sign that they may sometime get up again.
18a
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 18a written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 18-22 follows Sounds 2c in the following order: 21b, 21a, 21c, 18a, 22a, 18b, 19a, 19c, 19b, and 22b.

(Ronald Clapper)
Why should we live with such hurry and waste of life? We are determined to starve be starved be starved be starved be starved be starved be starved be starved be starved before we are hungry. Men say that a stitch in time saves nine, and so they take a thousand stitches today to save nine tomorrow. 18b
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 18b written: A rewritten: B, E
E: A fair copy was made of only on his farm in the outskirts of Concord … rudiment of an eye himself.

(Ronald Clapper)
As for work , we haven’t any of any consequence. Men Men We We We We We We We have the Saint Vitus’ dance, and cannot possibly keep their heads or limbs still. Why, if their our heads still. Why, if our heads still. If our heads still. If our heads still. If our heads still. If our heads still. If our heads still. If I should only give a few pulls at the parish parish parish parish parish parish parish bell-rope, yonder, fiery-like yonder. fiery-like as for fire as for a fire, as for a fire, as for a fire, as for a fire, as for a fire, as for a fire, that is, without setting the bell, there is not hardly hardly hardly hardly hardly hardly hardly hardly a man on his farm in the outskirts of this town this town Concord Concord, Concord, Concord, Concord, Concord, Concord, notwithstanding that press of engagements which was his excuse so many times this morning, nor a boy, nor a woman, I might almost say, but will would would would would would would would forsake all and follow that sound, and not as we must all confess, if we are honest—to do a deed of charity or neighborliness, & save property from the flames—but and not, as we must all confess if we are honest, to do a deed of charity or not for the sake of not mainly from neighborliness and or to save property from the flames, but much more if we are honest and confess the truth not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much more not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much more not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much more not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much more not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much more not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much more to see it burn, since burn it must, and we, be it known, did not set it on fire, —or to see it put out, and have a hand in it, if that is done as handsomely; yes, even if it were the very meeting house over our heads very meeting house over our heads itself very meeting house over our heads itself very meeting house over our heads itself meeting house parish church itself parish church itself parish church itself parish church itself . Hardly a man takes a half hour’s nap after dinner, but when he wakes he holds up his head and asks, “What’s the news?” as if the rest of mankind had stood his sentinels. as if the rest of mankind had been stood his sentinels as if the rest of mankind had stood his sentinels. as if the rest of mankind had stood his sentinels. as if the rest of mankind had stood his sentinels. Some give directions to be waked every half hour, doubtless for no other purpose; and then, to pay for it, they tell what they have dreamed. After a night’s sleep the news is as indispensable as the breakfast. After a night’s sleep the news is as indispensable as the breakfast. After a night’s sleep the news is as indispensable as the breakfast. After a night’s sleep the news is as indispensable as the breakfast. Pray tell us anything new that has happened to any man in this world & he reads it over hot coffee & rolls, the latest news by telegraph that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito river Pray tell me anything new that has happened to any man in this world a man anywhere on this globe—And he reads it over hot his coffee and rolls, the latest intelligence by telegraph, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito river “Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and he reads it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito River “Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and he reads it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito River “Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and he reads it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito River “Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and he reads it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito River “Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and he reads it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito River “Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and he reads it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito River ; never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself. never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself. never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself. never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself. never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself. never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself. never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself.
19a
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19a written: A rewritten: B, B, E
A: If we read of one man … greedy after this gossip does not appear in the manuscript.
B: For my part … greedy after this gossip was written in pencil on a leaf that was added to the manuscript before a fair copy was made of all of Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19a.
E: A fair copy was made of only For my part, I could … or one vessel wrecked, or one steam-.

(Ronald Clapper)
I think that there are very few communications made through the Post Office r
Revision note: B1: For my part I could even dispense with the Post Office if it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately & critically I never received but one of two letters in my life that were worth the postage—much less the reading
For my part, I could dispense with the Post Office, if it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately and critically, I never received but one or two letters in my life that were worth the postage, much less the reading
r
Revision note: B1: For my part I could even dispense with the Post Office if it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately & critically I never received but one of two letters in my life that were worth the postage—much less the reading
For my part, I could dispense with the Post Office, if it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately and critically, I never received but one or two letters in my life that were worth the postage, much less the reading
r
Revision note: B1: For my part I could even dispense with the Post Office if it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately & critically I never received but one of two letters in my life that were worth the postage—much less the reading
For my part, I could dispense with the Post Office, if it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately and critically, I never received but one or two letters in my life that were worth the postage, much less the reading
For my part, I could easily do without the Post Office. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak critically I never received but one or two letters in my life I wrote this some years ago that were worth much more than the postage. The penny post is an institution through which you seriously offer a man that penny for his thoughts which is often safely offered in jest For my part, I could easily do without the post-office. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak critically, I never received more than one or two letters in my life—I wrote this some years ago—that were worth the postage. The penny-post is, commonly, an institution through which you seriously offer a man that penny for his thoughts which is so often safely offered in jest. For my part, I could easily do without the post-office. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak critically, I never received more than one or two letters in my life—I wrote this some years ago—that were worth the postage. The penny-post is, commonly, an institution through which you seriously offer a man that penny for his thoughts which is so often safely offered in jest. For my part, I could easily do without the post-office. I think that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak critically, I never received more than one or two letters in my life—I wrote this some years ago—that were worth the postage. The penny-post is, commonly, an institution through which you seriously offer a man that penny for his thoughts which is so often safely offered in jest.
And & I may say without being extravagant that I am sure that I am sure that I am sure that I am sure that I am sure that I am sure that I never read any memorable news in a newspaper in my life. r
Revision note: B1: newspaper though I confess that in spirit in both of these cases like the rest of mankind I am but too ready to say that the smallest favors will be gratefully received.
newspaper—Though I confess that in spirit I am but too often ready to admit, like the rest of mankind that the smallest favors, in either of these forms, will be gratefully received.
newspaper. newspaper. newspaper. newspaper. newspaper. newspaper.
If we have read that of one man was have read that of one man was read of one man read of one man read of one man read of one man read of one man read of one man being robbed being robbed robbed, robbed, robbed, robbed, robbed, robbed, or murdered, or killed by accident, or one house burned, or one vessel wrecked, or one steamboat blown up, or one cow run over on the Western Railroad, or one mad dog killed, or one lot of grasshoppers in the winter,—we r
Revision note: B1: need never
need never
r
Revision note: B1: need never
need never
never need never need never need never need never need never need
read of another. One is enough. If you are acquainted with the principle, what do you care for a myriad instances and applications? To a philosopher all news , as it is called, as it is called, as it is called, as it is called, as it is called, as it is called, is gossip, and those those they they they they they they who edit and read it are old women over their r
Revision note: B1: tea. Uncle Sam is a man who presumes to tell you each day how many times he has stubbed his toes. No doubt such accidents do happen to a man, but let him wait at least till he stubs his nose before he disturbs bores his neighbors with the news
tea. Uncle Sam is a man who presumes to tell you each day how many times he has stubbed his toes. No doubt such accidents do happen to a man, but let him wait at least till he stubbs his nose before he troubles his neighbors with his affairs
r
Revision note: B1: tea. Uncle Sam is a man who presumes to tell you each day how many times he has stubbed his toes. No doubt such accidents do happen to a man, but let him wait at least till he stubs his nose before he disturbs bores his neighbors with the news
tea. Uncle Sam is a man who presumes to tell you each day how many times he has stubbed his toes. No doubt such accidents do happen to a man, but let him wait at least till he stubbs his nose before he troubles his neighbors with his affairs
tea tea tea tea tea tea
. Yet many not a few many not a few not a few not a few not a few not a few not a few not a few are greedy r
Revision note: B1: of such gossip as this.
of such gossip as this.
r
Revision note: B1: of such gossip as this.
of such gossip as this.
after this gossip. after this gossip. after this gossip. after this gossip. after this gossip. after this gossip.
There was such a rush, I as I as I as I as I as I as I as I hear, the other day at one of the offices to learn the foreign news by the last arrival, as broke several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment as broke that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken by the pressure, that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken by the pressure, that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken by the pressure, that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken by the pressure, that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken by the pressure, that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken by the pressure, —news which I seriously think a ready wit might write a twelvemonth or twelve years beforehand with sufficient accuracy. 19b
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19b written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19b follows 19c and precedes 22b.

(Ronald Clapper)
As for Spain, for instance, if you know how to throw in Don Carlos and the Infanta, and Don Pedro and Seville and Granada, from time to time in the right proportions,— they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers, they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers, they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers, they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers, they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers, they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers, —and serve up a bull-fight when other entertainments fail, it will be true to the letter, and give us as good an idea of the exact state or ruin of things in Spain as the most succinct and lucid reports under this head in the newspapers: and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was the revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations are of a merely pecuniary character. and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was the revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations are of a merely pecuniary character. and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was the revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations are of a merely pecuniary character. and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was the revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations are of a merely pecuniary character. and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was the revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations are of a merely pecuniary character. and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was the revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations are of a merely pecuniary character. 19c
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19c written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19c precedes 19b.

(Ronald Clapper)
If one may judge who rarely looks into the newspapers, I should say that nothing I should say that nothing nothing nothing nothing nothing nothing nothing new does ever happen in foreign parts, a French revolution not excepted. This was written before the last French Revolution broke out—but a Revolution in France might be expected any day—and may even almost as well be described before as after the events. & it would be no easier to tell how where it would end at one time than another after it was 5 years old than before it was born This was written before the last French Revolution broke out, but a revolution in France might be expected any day, and it would be as easy to tell where it would end before it was born began as after it was five years old a French revolution not excepted. a French revolution not excepted. a French revolution not excepted. a French revolution not excepted. a French revolution not excepted. a French revolution not excepted.
20a
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 20a written: A rewritten: B

(Ronald Clapper)
What news! how much more important to know what that is which was never old! “Kieou-pe-yu (great dignitary of the state of Wei) sent a man to Khoung-tseu to know his news. Khoung-tseu caused the messenger to be seated near him, and questioned him in these terms: What is your master doing? The messenger answered with respect: My master desires to diminish the number of his faults, but he cannot come to the end of them. [venir à bout] n
Note: The brackets in this passage are Thoreau’s. (R. Clapper)
come to the end of them. [venir à bout] n
Note: The brackets in this passage are Thoreau’s. (R. Clapper)
accomplish it. accomplish it. accomplish it. accomplish it. accomplish it. accomplish it.
The messenger being gone, the philosopher said said remarked: remarked: remarked: remarked: remarked: remarked: What a worthy messenger! What a worthy messenger!” 20b
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 20b written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 20b was inserted after Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 16.

(Ronald Clapper)
The preacher, instead of vexing the ears of drowsy farmers on their day of rest at the end of the week,—for Sunday always seemed to me like a always seemed to me like a the is the is the is the is the is the is the fit conclusion of an ill-spent week, and not the fresh and brave beginning of a new one,—with this one other draggle tail and postponed affair draggle-tail and postponed affair draggle-tail draggle-tail draggle-tail draggle-tail draggle-tail draggle-tail of a sermon, should teach them with a teach them with a shout with shout with shout with shout with shout with shout with shout with thundering voice,—“Pause! Avast! Why so seeming fast, Why so but Why so but but but but but but but deadly slow?”
21a
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 21a written: A rewritten: B

(Ronald Clapper)
Shams and delusions are esteemed for soundest truths, while reality is fabulous. We are not prepared for the truth fabulous. fabulous. fabulous. fabulous. fabulous. fabulous. fabulous. 21b
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 21b written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 21b follows Sounds 2c and precedes Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 21a.

(Ronald Clapper)
If men would steadily observe realities only, and not allow themselves to be deluded, life, to compare it with such things as we know, to compare it with such things as we know, to compare it with such things as we know, to compare it with such things as we know, to compare it with such things as we know, to compare it with such things as we know, to compare it with such things as we know, would be like a fairy tale and the Arabian Nights' Entertainments. If we respected only what was is is is is is is is is inevitable and had has has has has has has has has a right to be, music and poetry would resound along the streets. When we are calm & wise & unhurried calm and wise and unhurried, unhurried and wise, unhurried and wise, unhurried and wise, unhurried and wise, unhurried and wise, unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence,—that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality. This is always sublime and exhilarating This is always exhilarating and sublime. This is always exhilarating and sublime. This is always exhilarating and sublime. This is always exhilarating and sublime. This is always exhilarating and sublime. This is always exhilarating and sublime. By closing the eyes and slumbering, and consenting to be deceived by shows, men establish and confirm their daily life of routine and habit every where, which still is built on purely imaginary foundations. A more intimate a truer experience, a more practical wisdom teaches men that the trivial and commonplace are not real but apparent and superficial merely. The reality is sublime and exhilarating—if men would discriminate always and never be deluded by appearances, life would never be mean nor unworthy imaginary foundations. illusory foundations. illusory foundations. illusory foundations. illusory foundations. illusory foundations. illusory foundations. 21c
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 21c written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 21c follows 21a and precedes 18a. A leaf (#47) apparently was removed which contained present moment, and will never be more divine … at least could accomplish it. This part of Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 21c was copied on the verso of the leaf containing Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19.
A & B: I have read in a Hindoo book … it knows itself to be Brahme does not appear in the manuscript in A or in the original copying of B but is interlined in B.

(Ronald Clapper)
Children, who play life, discern its true law and relations more clearly than men, who fail to live it worthily, but who think that that that that that that that they are wiser by experience. All the gold all the silver we want is reality—This is sublime & inspiring. Appearance whether fair or foul is equally shallow and dangerous experience, experience, experience, experience, experience, experience, experience, that is, by failure. I have read in, an old book a Hindoo book, an old book a Hindoo book, a Hindoo book, a Hindoo book, a Hindoo book, a Hindoo book, a Hindoo book, a Hindoo book, that “there was a king’s son, who, being expelled in infancy from his native city, was brought up by a forester, and, growing up to maturity in that state, imagined himself to belong to the barbarous race with which he lived. One of his father’s ministers having discovered him, revealed to him what he was, and the misconception of his character was removed, and he knew himself to be a prince. So soul,” continues the Hindoo philosopher, continues the Hindoo philosopher, continues the Hindoo philosopher, continues the Hindoo philosopher, continues the Hindoo philosopher, continues the Hindoo philosopher, “from the circumstances in which it is placed, mistakes its own character, until the truth is revealed to it by some holy teacher, and then it knows itself to be Brahme .” I perceive that we inhabitants of Concord Concord New England New England New England New England New England New England New England live this mean life that we do because our vision does not penetrate the surface of things. We think that that is which appears to be. If a man should walk through the village the village this city this town this town this town this town this town this town and see only the reality, where, think you, would the "Mill-dam" your state street the "Mill-dam" your state street the “Mill-dam” the “Mill-dam” the “Mill-dam” the “Mill-dam” the “Mill-dam” the “Mill-dam” go to? If he should give us an account of the realities he beheld there, we should not recognize the place by by in in in in in in his description. Look at a meeting house church meeting house church meeting-house, meeting-house, meeting-house, meeting-house, meeting-house, meeting-house, or a court-house, or a jail, or a shop, or a dwelling-house, and say what this this that that that that that that that thing really is before a true gaze, and they would all go to pieces in your account of them. Men esteem truth remote, in the outskirts of the system, behind the farthest star, before Adam and after the last man. In eternity there is indeed something true and sublime. But all these times and places and occasions are now and here. and here. and here. and here. and here. and here. and here. and here. God himself culminates in the present moment, and will never be more divine in the lapse of all the ages. And we are enabled to apprehend at all what is sublime and noble only by the perpetual instilling and drenching of the reality which surrounds us. The universe constantly and obediently answers to our conceptions; whether we travel fast or slow, the track is laid for us. I think that the universe really needs no patching from us—and its Maker no condolence. Let us remember that God is well. us. us. us. us. us. us. us. Let us spend our lives in conceiving then. The work will always answer to our conception then. The work will always answer to our conception then. then. then. then. then. then. The poet or the artist never yet had so fair and noble a design but some of his posterity at least could accomplish it.
22a
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 22a written: A rewritten: B

(Ronald Clapper)
Let us spend one day at last day day day day day day day as deliberately as Nature, and not be thrown off the track by every nutshell and mosquito’s wing that falls on the rails. Let us rise early and fast, or break fast, gently and without perturbation. What if the milkman does not come in season to whitewash our coffee—let us murmur an inward prayer that we may be sustained under this trial, and forget him perturbation. What if the milkman does not come in season to whitewash our coffee—let us murmur an inward prayer that we may be sustained under this trial, and forget him perturbation; perturbation; perturbation; perturbation; perturbation; perturbation; let company come and let company go, let the bells ring and the children cry,—determined to make a day of it. Why should we knock under and go with the stream? Let us not be upset and overwhelmed in that terrible rapid and whirlpool called a dinner, situated in the meridian shallows. Weather this danger and you are safe, for the rest of the way is down hill. With unrelaxed nerves, with morning vigor, sail by it, looking another way, tied to the mast like Ulysses. If the engine whistles, let it whistle till it is hoarse for its pains. If the bell rings, why should we run? We will consider what kind of music it is they are they are they are they are they are they are they are they are like. Let us settle ourselves, and work and wedge our feet downward through the mud and slush of opinion, and prejudice, and tradition, and delusion, and appearance, that alluvion which covers the globe, through London and Paris, London and Paris, Paris and London, Paris and London, Paris and London, Paris and London, Paris and London, Paris and London, through New York and Boston and Concord Worcester Concord Worcester Concord, Concord, Concord, Concord, Concord, Concord, through church and state, through poetry and philosophy and religion, till we come to a hard bottom and rocks in place, which we can call reality , and say, This is, and no mistake; and then begin, having a point d'appui , below freshet and frost and fire, a place where you might found a wall or a state, or set a lamp-post safely, or perhaps a gauge, not a Nilometer, but a Realometer, that future ages might know how deep a freshet of shams and appearances had gathered from time to time. 22b
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 22b written: A rewritten: B
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 22b follows Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 19b and precedes Sounds 4.

(Ronald Clapper)
If you stand right fronting and face to face to a fact, you will see the sun glimmer on both its surfaces, as if it were a cimeter, and feel its sweet edge dividing you through the heart and marrow, and so you will happily conclude your mortal career. Be it life or death, we crave only reality. If we are really dying, let us hear the rattle in our throats and feel cold in the extremities; if we are alive, let us go about our business. I am glad to remember as I sit by my door that I too am a remote descendant of a heroic race of men of whom there is tradition—in one sense a fellow wanderer and survivor of Ulysses, for instance. My life passes amid the pines of New England. The pitch pine grows before my door unlike any glyph glyphic symbol I have seen sculpted or painted. Where are the heroes whose exploits shall appear to posterity sculptured on monuments amid such natural forms as these—as we see heroes and demigods amid the lotuses and palms of the east. What new marks shall we add to make at the Red Pipestone Quarry? business. business. business. business. business. business. business. n
Note: B: this passage appears in Sounds 2c. (R. Clapper)
23
Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 23 written: A rewritten: B
A: Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 23 originally followed Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 16. Before Thoreau numbered the leaves, he canceled Time is but the stream … My instinct tells, which appeared on the verso of the leaf containing Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 16, added 17 on two new leaves (the first, #11), and recopied Time is but the stream … My instinct tells on the verso of the second new leaf.

(Ronald Clapper)
Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. Its thin current glides slides slides slides slides slides slides slides away, but eternity remains. I would drink deeper; fish in the sky, whose bottom is pebbly with stars. r
Revision note: A1: The Intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and splits & rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not want to be more busy with my hands than is necessary—My head is my hands & my feet—I feel all my faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me obscurely that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout & fore paws—and with it I would mine & burrow my way through those hills. I cannot count one—I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born
I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born The Intellect is a cleaver; it discerns & splits, and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary—My head is my hands & my feet. I feel all my faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells
I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and splits and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills.
I think I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills. that that that that that that that the richest vein is somewhere hereabouts; so by the divining rod and thin rising vapors I judge; and here I will begin to mine. When I was fairly established in my house I sang this song,
 
I seek the Present Time,
 
No other clime,
 
Life is to-day,
 
Not to sail another way,
 
To Paris or to Rome,
 
Or farther still from home.
 
That man, whoe’er he is,
 
Lives but a moral death,
 
Whose life is not coeval
 
With his breath.
 
My feet forever stand
 
On Concord fields,
 
And I must live the life
 
Which their soil yields.
 
What are deeds done
 
Away from home?
 
What the best essay
 
On the Ruins of Rome?
 
The love of the new,
 
The unfathomed blue,
 
The wind in the wood,
 
All fortune good,
 
The sun-lit tree,
 
The small chickadee,
 
The dusty highways,
 
What Scripture says,
 
This pleasant weather
 
And all signs together—
 
The river’s meander,
 
All things, in short,
 
Forbid me to wander
 
In deed or in thought,
 
In cold or in drouth,
 
Not seek the sunny South,
 
But make the whole tour
 
Of the sunny Present Hour.
 
For here if thou fail,
 
Where canst thou prevail,
 
If you love not
 
Your own land most,
 
You’ll find nothing lovely
 
Upon a distant coast.
 
If you love not
 
The latest sun-set,
 
What is there in pictures
 
Or old gems set?
 
If no man should travel
 
Till he had the means,
 
There’d be little travelling
 
For Kings or for Queens.
 
The means! What are they?
 
They are the wherewithal
 
Great expenses to pay;—
 
Life got, and some to spare,
 
Great works on hand,
 
And freedom from care.
 
Plenty of time well spent,
 
To use,—
 
Clothes paid for, and no rent
 
In your shoes;—
 
Something to eat,
 
And something to burn,
 
And, above all, no need to return;—
 
For they who come back,
 
Say have they not failed,
 
Wherever they’ve ridden
 
Or steamed it, or sailed?
 
All your grass hayed,—
 
All your debts paid,—
 
All your wills made?
 
Then you might as well have stayed,
 
For are you not dead,
 
Only not buried?
 
The way unto “Today,”
 
The railroad to “Here,”
 
They never’ll grade that way,
 
Nor shorten it, I fear,
 
There are plenty of depots
 
All the world o’er,
 
But not a single station
 
At a man’s door;
 
If we would get near
 
To the secret of things,
 
We shall not have to hear
 
When the engine bell rings.
mine. mine. mine. mine. mine. mine. mine.

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