Walden: The Ponds

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Walden: The Ponds

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  • Black = Unchanged text through the Princeton Ed.
  • Gray = introduced in some versions as a change, assumed to be same as the base
  • Red = supplied text (interpolated, not in manuscripts)
  • Green = interlined in ink.
  • Olive = interlined in pencil.
  • Strikethrough = cancelled text.

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  • Princeton_Ed: Princeton Ed. of Walden
  • Version_A: Walden, Version A (1847)
  • Version_B: Walden, Version B (1849)
  • Version_C: Walden, Version C (1849)
  • Version_D: Walden, Version D (1852)
  • Version_E: Walden, Version E (late 1852 - 1853)
  • Version_F: Walden, Version F (1853-1854)
  • Version_G: Walden, Version G (1854)

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Published by Walden: Fluid Text is published by Digital Thoreau at The State University of New York College at Geneseo..

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The Ponds n
Note: The title "Ponds" is written in pencil in E, in ink in F, at the top of the leaf containing Ponds 1a. (R. Clapper)
1a
Ponds 1a written: A rewritten: E, F

(Ronald Clapper)
SOMETIMES, having had a surfeit of human society and gossip, and worn out all my village friends, I rambled still farther westward than I habitually dwell, "to fresh woods and pastures new"—into yet more unfrequented parts of the town—to solitary swamps and meadows, and pine woods & oak-thickets and rocky pastures "to fresh woods and pastures new"—into yet more unfrequented parts of the town—to solitary swamps and meadows, and pine woods & oak-thickets and rocky pastures "to fresh woods and pastures new"—into yet more unfrequented parts of the town—to solitary swamps and meadows, and pine woods & oak-thickets and rocky pastures "to fresh woods and pastures new"—into yet more unfrequented parts of the town—to solitary swamps and meadows, and pine woods & oak-thickets and rocky pastures into yet more unfrequented parts of the town, "to fresh woods and pastures new" and solitary swamps and meadows into yet more unfrequented parts of the town, "to fresh woods and pastures new" and solitary swamps and meadows into yet more unfrequented parts of the town, "to fresh woods and pastures new" and solitary swamps and meadows into yet more unfrequented parts of the town, "to fresh woods and pastures new," or, while the sun was setting, I made I made I made I made I made I made I made made my supper of huckleberries and blueberries on Fair Haven Hill, and laid up a store for several days. 1b
Ponds 1b written: E rewritten: F
E: The fruits do not yield their true flavor … tasted huckleberries who never plucked them is interlined.

(Ronald Clapper)
The fruits do not yield their true flavor to the mere purchaser mere purchaser mere purchaser purchaser of them, nor do they nor do they nor do they nor to him who raises them for the market. There is but one way to obtain them, yet how them it yet how them it yet how it, yet few take that way. If you would know the flavor of huckleberries, ask the cow-boy or the huckleberry bird partridge. huckleberry bird partridge. huckleberry bird partridge. partridge. It is a vulgar error to suppose that you have tasted huckleberries who never picked plucked them where they grew from the bushes plucked them from the bushes where they grew plucked them from the bushes where they grew plucked them. What are huckleberries on the market? He that would know their flavor must taste them on the hill. As the huckleberry bird. A huckleberry What are huckleberries on the market? He that would know their flavor must taste them on the hill. As the huckleberry bird. A huckleberry What are huckleberries on the market? He that would know their flavor must taste them on the hill. As the huckleberry bird. A huckleberry A huckleberry never reaches Boston; they have not been known there since they disappeared from Beacon Hill last they grew on her three hills they disappeared from Beacon Hill last they grew on her three hills they disappeared from Beacon Hill last they grew on her three hills they grew on her three hills. The ambrosial part of the fruit, that which feeds the genius. for every good fruit has its ambrosial part that which makes the taste immortal to a degree & essential part of the fruit & essential part of the fruit and essential part of the fruit is lost with the bloom which is rubbed off in the market cart, and they become mere provender. As long as Eternal Justice reigns not one innocent huckleberry can ever be transported thither from the country’s hills As long as Eternal Justice reigns not one innocent huckleberry can ever be transported thither from the country’s hills As long as Eternal Justice reigns not one innocent huckleberry can ever be transported thither from the country’s hills As long as Eternal Justice reigns, not one innocent huckleberry can be transported thither from the country’s hills.
2a
Ponds 2a written: A rewritten: E, F

(Ronald Clapper)
Sometimes Or else Sometimes Or else Sometimes Or else Sometimes Or else Occasionally, that is when there was occasion for fish Sometimes Sometimes Occasionally Sometimes Occasionally Occasionally, after my hoeing was done for the day, I joined some impatient companion who had been fishing since morning on the pond, since morning on the pond, since morning on the pond, since morning on the pond, since morning on the pond, since morning on the pond since morning since morning on the pond since morning on the pond since morning, as silent and motionless as a duck or a floating leaf, who who who who who who and who and and, after practising various kinds of philosophy, had concluded commonly, by the time I arrived, that he belonged to the ancient sect of Cœnobites. 2b
Ponds 2b written: E rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of only There was an older man . . . to look upon my house as a building.

(Ronald Clapper)
There was one older man, a capital an excellent a capital an excellent a capital an excellent an excellent fisher and skilled in all kinds of woodcraft, who was pleased to look upon my house as a building erected for the convenience of fishermen; and I was equally pleased when he sat in my doorway to arrange his reels lines reels lines reels lines lines. He left his boat in my charge, and we frequently Once in a while we He left his boat in my charge, and we frequently Once in a while we He left his boat in my charge, and we frequently Once in a while we Once in a while we sat together on the pond, he at one end of the boat, and I at the other; but not many words passed between us, for he was somewhat deaf and the harmony of our intercourse was uninterrupted in his later years was somewhat deaf and the harmony of our intercourse was uninterrupted in his later years was somewhat deaf and the harmony of our intercourse was uninterrupted in his later years had grown deaf in his later years, but he occasionally hummed a psalm, which harmonized well enough with my philosophy. Our intercourse was one of unbroken harmony & far more pleasing to remember than if it had been disturbed by the harshness of speech. Our intercourse was one of unbroken harmony & far more pleasing to remember than if it had been disturbed by the harshness of speech. Our intercourse was one of unbroken harmony & far more pleasing to remember than if it had been disturbed by the harshness of speech. Our intercourse was thus altogether one of unbroken harmony, far more pleasing to remember than if it had been carried on by speech. When, as was commonly the case, I had none to talk commune talk commune talk commune commune with, I used to raise the echoes by striking with a paddle on the side of my boat, filling the surrounding woods with circling and dilating sound, stirring them up as the keeper of a menagerie his lions & tigers lions & tigers lions & tigers wild beasts, until I elicited or obtained until I elicited or obtained until I elicited or obtained until I elicited a growl from every wooded vale and hill-side.
3a
Ponds 3a written: A rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Or sometimes at an early hour in the evening In warm evenings Or sometimes at an early hour in the evening In warm evenings Or sometimes at an early hour in the evening In warm evenings Or sometimes at an early hour in the evening In warm evenings Or sometimes at an early hour in the evening In warm evenings Or sometimes at an early hour in the evening In warm evenings Or sometimes at an early hour in the evening In warm evenings In warm evenings I frequently sat in my boat on the pond my boat on the pond my boat on the pond my boat on the pond my boat my boat my boat the boat playing the flute, and saw the perch, which I seem to have charmed, hovering around me, and the moon travelling over the ribbed bottom, strewn strewn strewn strewn which was strewn which was strewn which was strewn which was strewed with the wrecks of the forest. 3b
Ponds 3b written: E
E: Ponds 3a follows Ponds 4.

(Ronald Clapper)
Formerly I had come to this pond adventurously, from time to time, in dark summer nights, with a companion, and, building building building making a fire close to the water’s edge, which we thought attracted the fish angled for fishes we caught fish angled for fishes we caught fish angled for fishes we caught fishes, we caught pouts with a bunch of worms strung on a thread; and when we had done, far in the night, we threw we threw we threw threw the burning brands high into the air like skyrockets, which, coming down into the pond, were quenched with a loud sizzlingnoise sizzlingnoise sizzlingnoise hissing, and we would find found ourselves suddenly in the dark total darkness through which would find found ourselves suddenly in the dark total darkness through which would find found ourselves suddenly in the dark total darkness through which were suddenly groping in total darkness. Through this, whistling a tune, we took our way to the haunts of men again. But now I had made my home by the shore.
4
Ponds 4 written: A rewritten: E
A: Ponds 4 is followed by Higher Laws 1b.
E: Ponds 4 is followed by Ponds 3b.

(Ronald Clapper)
Occasionally, Sometimes Occasionally, Sometimes Occasionally, Sometimes Occasionally, Sometimes Occasionally, Sometimes Occasionally, Sometimes Occasionally, Sometimes Sometimes, after staying in a village parlor till the family had all retired, I have returned to the woods, carrying perchance a bag of rye or Indian meal from the store upon my shoulders and carrying perchance a bag of rye or Indian meal from the store upon my shoulders and carrying perchance a bag of rye or Indian meal from the store upon my shoulders and carrying perchance a bag of rye or Indian meal from the store upon my shoulders and and partly with a view to the next day’s meal and partly with a view to the next day’s meal and partly with a view to the next day’s meal and, partly with a view to the next day’s dinner, spent the hours of midnight fishing in a boat on the pond in a boat on the pond in a boat on the pond in a boat on the pond from a boat on the pond from a boat on the pond from a boat on the pond from a boat by moonlight, serenaded by owls and the barking of foxes, the barking of foxes, the barking of foxes, the barking of foxes, the barking of foxes, the barking of foxes, the barking of foxes, foxes, and hearing, from time to time, the note of the woodcock or the booming of snipes a mile off circling over river meadows, or the croak of a bittern note of the woodcock or the booming of snipes a mile off circling over river meadows, or the croak of a bittern note of the woodcock or the booming of snipes a mile off circling over river meadows, or the croak of a bittern note of the woodcock or the booming of snipes a mile off circling over river meadows, or the croak of a bittern note of the woodcock or the booming of snipes a mile off circling over river meadows, or the croak of a bittern some unknown bird note of the woodcock or the booming of snipes a mile off circling over river meadows, or the croak of a bittern some unknown bird note of the woodcock or the booming of snipes a mile off circling over river meadows, or the croak of a bittern some unknown bird creaking note of some unknown bird close at hand. These private hours private hours private hours private hours private hours experiences private hours experiences private hours experiences experiences were very memorable and valuable to me,—anchored in forty feet of water, and twenty or thirty rods from the shore, surrounded sometimes by thousands of small perch and shiners, dimpling the surface with their tails in the moonlight, and communicating by a long flaxen line with mysterious vespertinal vespertinal vespertinal vespertinal vespertinal vespertinal vespertinal nocturnal fishes which had their dwelling forty feet below, or sometimes dragging sixty feet of line about the pond as I drifted in the gentle night air, air, air, air, air, wind breeze air, wind breeze air, wind breeze breeze, now and then feeling a slight vibration along it, indicative of some life prowling about its extremity, of dull uncertain blundering purpose there, and slow to make up its mind. At length you slowly raise, pulling hand over hand, some horned pout squeaking and squirming to the upper air. It was very queer, in dark in dark in dark in dark in dark especially darker in dark especially darker in dark especially darker especially in dark nights, when your thoughts had wandered to vast and cosmogonal themes in other spheres, to feel the this faint the this faint the this faint the this faint the this faint the this faint the this faint this faint jerk, which came to interrupt your dreams and link you to Nature again. It seemed as if I might next cast my line upward into the air, as well as downward into this element which was hardly hardly hardly hardly hardly hardly hardly scarcely more dense. Thus I caught two fishes as it were with one hook, or rather a fish and a bird Thus I caught two fishes as it were with one hook, or rather a fish and a bird Thus I caught two fishes as it were with one hook, or rather a fish and a bird Thus I caught two fishes as it were with one hook.
5a
Ponds 5a written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
The scenery of Walden is on a very humble very humble very humble humble scale, and, though very beautiful, does not approach to grandeur, nor can it much concern one who has not long frequented it or lived by its shore; yet this pond is so remarkable for its depth and purity as to merit a particular description. It is a clear and deep green well, half a mile long and about a mile and about a mile and about a mile and a mile and three quarters in circumference, containing and contains and contains and contains and contains about sixty-one and a half acres; 5b
Ponds 5b written: A rewritten: D, E, F
A: midst of pine and oak … clouds and evaporation follows a missing leaf (#137) and precedes Ponds 8b.

(Ronald Clapper)
a perennial spring in the midst of pine and oak and oak and oak woods, without any visible inlet or outlet but but but but but but but except by the clouds and by evaporations and by evaporations and by evaporations or by evaporation or by evaporation or by and evaporation or by and evaporation and evaporation. 5c
Ponds 5c written: D rewritten: E, F
D: This is that portion, also, where in the spring … appeared but muddy in comparison and It is well known that a large plate of glass … studies for a Michael Angelo do not appear in the manuscript. Some have referred this … before the leaves are expanded is interlined.
D, & E: All our Concord waters have two colors … it partakes of the color of both does not appear in the manuscript in D or in the original copying of E but is interlined in pencil in E.

(Ronald Clapper)
The surrounding hills are from 50 to a hundred and in one place perhaps 200 feet high generally from 50 to 75 feet high though in one place they rise to the height of about 150 feet & for the most part they [are] covered with wood The surrounding hills are generally from fifty to seventy-five feet high, though in one place they rise to the height of about one hundred and fifty feet, and for the most part they are rise abruptly from the water & are from 40 to 80 feet high, though on the southeast & east they attain the height of about one hundred & fifty feet respectively within a quarter &⅓ of a mile. They are for the most part covered with wood The surrounding hills rise abruptly from the water to the height of from 40 to 80 feet, though on the southeast & east they attain the height of to about 100 & 150 feet respectively within ¼ and ⅓ of a mile. They are for the most part covered with wood exclusively woodland The surrounding hills rise abruptly from the water to the height of from 40 to 80 feet, though on the southeast & east they attain the height of to about 100 & 150 feet respectively within ¼ and ⅓ of a mile. They are for the most part covered with wood exclusively woodland The surrounding hills rise abruptly from the water to the height of forty to eighty feet, though on the south-east and east they attain to about one hundred and one hundred and fifty feet respectively, within a quarter and a third of a mile. They are exclusively woodland. In their colors all waters follow the sky, i.e. it depends on the light. In fair clear weather all waters that I know appear blue at a little distance, especially if agitated—but they are also a peculiar color which is most apparent in calm weather or when you look closely into their depths. True to its nature between earth & air Walden is both green & blue—let clear serene weather come to illustrate its depths & it is green like the grass, sometimes even when viewed from the hill tops—let the air descend on it and toss up its surface in waves and it is blue like the sky. All In their colors all waters follow the sky, i.e. it depends on the light. In fair clear weather all waters that I know appear blue at a little distance, especially if agitated—but they are also a peculiar color which is most apparent in calm weather or when you look closely into their depths. True to its nature between earth & air Walden is both green & blue—let clear serene weather come to illustrate its depths & it is green like the grass, sometimes even when viewed from the hill tops—let the air descend on it and toss up its surface in waves and it is blue like the sky. All In their colors all waters follow the sky, i.e. it depends on the light. In fair clear weather all waters that I know appear blue at a little distance, especially if agitated—but they are also a peculiar color which is most apparent in calm weather or when you look closely into their depths. True to its nature between earth & air Walden is both green & blue—let clear serene weather come to illustrate its depths & it is green like the grass, sometimes even when viewed from the hill tops—let the air descend on it and toss up its surface in waves and it is blue like the sky. All In their colors all waters follow the sky, i.e. it depends on the light. In fair clear weather all waters that I know appear blue at a little distance, especially if agitated—but they are also a peculiar color which is most apparent in calm weather or when you look closely into their depths. True to its nature between earth & air Walden is both green & blue—let clear serene weather come to illustrate its depths & it is green like the grass, sometimes even when viewed from the hill tops—let the air descend on it and toss up its surface in waves and it is blue like the sky. All All our Concord waters have one color one color one color two colors at least, one when one color two colors at least, one when two colors at least, one when viewed at a distance, and another, more proper to themselves viewed near> close proper to themselves viewed near> close proper to themselves viewed near> close proper to themselves viewed near> close proper, close at hand. The first commonly depends on the light The first commonly depends on the light The first depends more on the light & follows the sky The first depends more on the light & follows the sky The first depends more on the light, and follows the sky. In clear weather, all our Concord waters they all our Concord waters they in summer they in summer they in summer, they appear blue at a little distance, especially if agitated, and at a great distance all appear alike. In stormy weather they are sometimes of a dark slate-color, perhaps In stormy weather they are sometimes of a dark slate-color, perhaps In stormy weather they are sometimes of a dark slate color. The sea, however, is said to be blue one day and green another without any perceptible change in the weather weather weather atmosphere weather atmosphere atmosphere. Also I have seen our river when the landscape being covered with snow, both water & ice were almost as green as grass. Also I have seen our river when the landscape being covered with snow, both water & ice were almost as green as grass. I have seen our river, when, the landscape being covered with snow, both water and ice were almost as green as grass. Some consider blue "to be the color of pure water, whether liquid or solid." Forbes A writer on glaciers considers Some consider blue to be the color of pure water, whether liquid or solid Some consider blue "to be the color of pure water, whether liquid or solid." Forbes A writer on glaciers considers Some consider blue to be the color of pure water, whether liquid or solid Some consider blue "to be the color of pure water, whether liquid or solid." But, looking directly down into them the former them the former the former our waters the former our waters our waters from a boat, they are seen to be of very different colors. Walden is thus both blue and green at different times thus both blue and green at different times thus both blue and green at different times blue at one time and green at another thus both blue and green at different times blue at one time and green at another blue at one time and green at another, even from the same point of view. Lying between the earth and the heavens, it partakes of the color of both. Viewed from a hill top it reflects the color of the sky, is blue in the depths & green in the shallows, or rather close to the shore, for there are no other shallows; but a vivid green near the shore but from a boat when the surface is calm it is seen to be of a uniform dark green Close But near at hand, it is of a yellowish tint next to the shore, where you can see the sand, its waters have a yellowish tint, next then a light green, gradually deepening to a uniform dark green in the body of the pond. Viewed from a hill top it reflects the color of the sky, is blue in the depths, but in some lights even from a hill top a vivid green next the shore , but from a boat, when the surface is calm it is seen to be of a uniform dark green Viewed from a hill top it reflects the color of the sky, but viewed near at hand, it is of a yellowish tint next to the shore, where you can see the sand, then a light green gradually deepening which gradually deepens to a uniform dark green in the body of the pond. In some lights, viewed even from a hill top, it is of a vivid green next the shore Viewed from a hill top it reflects the color of the sky, but viewed near at hand, it is of a yellowish tint next to the shore, where you can see the sand, then a light green gradually deepening which gradually deepens to a uniform dark green in the body of the pond. In some lights, viewed even from a hill top, it is of a vivid green next the shore Viewed from a hill-top it reflects the color of the sky, but near at hand it is of a yellowish tint next the shore where you can see the sand, then a light green, which gradually deepens to a uniform dark green in the body of the pond. In some lights, viewed even from a hill-top, it is of a vivid green next the shore. Some have referred the more obvious greenness next the shores the more obvious greenness next the shores this as seen from the hills the more obvious greenness next the shores this as seen from the hills the more obvious greenness next the shores this as seen from the hills this to the reflection of the verdure; but it is equally green there against the railroad sand-bank, and in the spring, before the leaves are expanded, and it may be simply the result of the prevailing blue mixed with the yellow of the sand. As if it were the simple simply the result of the prevailing blue being mixed with the sand —which combination produces green and it may be simply the result of the prevailing blue mixed with the yellow of the sand. As if it were the simple simply the result of the prevailing blue being mixed with the sand —which combination produces green and it may be simply the result of the prevailing blue mixed with the yellow of the sand. Such is the color of its iris. Such is the color of its iris. Such is the color of its iris. Such is the color of its iris. Such is the color of its iris. This is that portion, also which where also which where also which where also which where also, where in the spring, the ice the ice the ice the ice the ice being warmed by the heat of the sun reflected from the bottom, and also transmitted through the earth, melts first and forms a narrow canal about the still frozen middle. middle. middle. middle. middle. Like any water, any water, any water, the rest of our waters any water, the rest of our waters the rest of our waters, when much agitated, apparently apparently apparently apparently in clear weather, so that the surface of the waves may reflect the sky at the right angle, or because there is more light mixed with it, it appears at a little distance of a darker blue than the sky itself; & At such a time & At such a time and at such a time, being on its surface, & and at such a time, being on its surface, & and at such a time, being on its surface, and looking with divided vision, so as to see the reflection, I have discerned a most glorious but matchless and most glorious but matchless and most glorious but matchless and most glorious but matchless and matchless and indescribable light blue, as on watered-silk or a sword-blade such as watered or changeable silks and sword-blades are made to imitate, may suggest as on watered-silk or a sword-blade such as watered or changeable silks and sword-blades are made to imitate, may suggest as on watered-silk or a sword-blade such as watered or changeable silks and sword-blades are made to imitate, may suggest as on watered-silk or a sword-blade such as watered or changeable silks and sword-blades are made to imitate, may suggest such as watered or changeable silks and sword blades suggest, more cerulean than the sky itself, alternating with the original dark green on the opposite sides of the waves, which last appeared but muddy in comparison. It is of a It But without describing it particularly Walden is of a It is of a It is of a It is a vitreous greenish blue, as I remember it, like those patches of the winter sky seen through cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud vistas in the west before sundown. Yet a single glass of its water held up to the light is almost as colorless almost as colorless almost as colorless almost as colorless as colorless as an equal quantity of air. It is well known that a large plate of glass will have a green tint, owing, as the makers say, to its "body," but a small piece of the same will be colorless. How large a body of Walden water would be required to reflect a green tint I have never proved. So it is well known a large plate of glass will have a green tint, owing to its body, but a small piece of the same will be colorless. How large a body of Walden water would be required to reflect a green tint I have never proved do not know It is well known that a large plate of glass will have a green tint, owing, as the makers say, to its "body," but a small piece of the same will be colorless. How large a body of Walden water would be required to reflect a green tint I have never proved. So it is well known a large plate of glass will have a green tint, owing to its body, but a small piece of the same will be colorless. How large a body of Walden water would be required to reflect a green tint I have never proved do not know So It is well known likewise that a large plate of glass will have a green tint, owing, as the makers say, to its body, but a small piece of the same will be colorless. How large a body of Walden water would be required to reflect a green tint I have never proved So It is well known likewise that a large plate of glass will have a green tint, owing, as the makers say, to its body, but a small piece of the same will be colorless. How large a body of Walden water would be required to reflect a green tint I have never proved It is well known that a large plate of glass will have a green tint, owing, as the makers say, to its "body," but a small piece of the same will be colorless. How large a body of Walden water would be required to reflect a green tint I have never proved. The water of the the the our the our our river is black or a very dark brown to one looking directly directly directly down on it, and, like that of most ponds, imparts to the body of one bathing in it the bather one bathing in it the bather the bather one bathing in it the bather one bathing in it one bathing in it a yellowish tinge; but this water is of such crystalline purity that the body of the bather appears of an alabaster or chalky alabaster or chalky alabaster or chalky alabaster or chalky alabaster whiteness, equally equally equally still more equally still more still more unnatural, which, as the limbs are magnified and distorted withal, produces a monstrous and ogre-like monstrous and ogre-like monstrous and ogre-like monstrous and ogre-like monstrous effect, making fit studies for the genius of for the genius of for a for a for a Michael Angelo.
6a
Ponds 6a written: A rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
It The water is so pure and clear transparent that the bottom can easily be seen in at the depth of 25 or 30 feet of water It The water is so pure and clear transparent that the bottom can easily be seen in at the depth of 25 or 30 feet of water It The water is so pure and clear transparent that the bottom can easily be seen in at the depth of 25 or 30 feet of water It The water is so pure and clear transparent that the bottom can easily be seen in at the depth of 25 or 30 feet of water The water is so transparent that the bottom can easily be seen discerned at the depth of twenty-five or thirty feet The water is so transparent that the bottom can easily be seen discerned at the depth of twenty-five or thirty feet The water is so transparent that the bottom can easily be seen discerned at the depth of twenty-five or thirty feet The water is so transparent that the bottom can easily be discerned at the depth of twenty-five or thirty feet. Paddling over it you may see several feet beneath the surface large the schools of perch perhaps only an inch long yet easily distinguished by their transverse bars & you think they must be ascetic fish that get their find a subsistence there Paddling over it you may see several feet beneath the surface large the schools of perch perhaps only an inch long yet easily distinguished by their transverse bars & you think they must be ascetic fish that get their find a subsistence there Paddling over it you may see several feet beneath the surface large the schools of perch perhaps only an inch long yet easily distinguished by their transverse bars & you think they must be ascetic fish that get their find a subsistence there Paddling over it you may see several feet beneath the surface large the schools of perch perhaps only an inch long yet easily distinguished by their transverse bars & you think they must be ascetic fish that get their find a subsistence there Paddling over it you may see several many feet beneath the surface the schools of perch & shiners, perhaps only an inch long, yet the former easily easy to be distinguished by their transverse bars, and you think that they must be ascetic fish that find a subsistence there Paddling over it you may see several many feet beneath the surface the schools of perch & shiners, perhaps only an inch long, yet the former easily easy to be distinguished by their transverse bars, and you think that they must be ascetic fish that find a subsistence there Paddling over it you may see several many feet beneath the surface the schools of perch & shiners, perhaps only an inch long, yet the former easily easy to be distinguished by their transverse bars, and you think that they must be ascetic fish that find a subsistence there Paddling over it, you may see many feet beneath the surface the schools of perch and shiners, perhaps only an inch long, yet the former easily distinguished by their transverse bars, and you think that they must be ascetic fish that find a subsistence there. Once, in the winter, many years ago, when I had been cutting holes through the ice in order to catch pickerel, as I stepped ashore I heaved my axe the axe—it was my father’s axe— my axe heaved my axe the axe—it was my father’s axe— my axe heaved my axe the axe—it was my father’s axe— my axe heaved my axe the axe—it was my father’s axe— my axe heaved my axe the axe—it was my father’s axe— my axe heaved my axe heaved my axe tossed my axe back on to the ice, but, as if some evil genius had directed it, it it, it it, it it, it it, it it, it it, it it, it slid four or five rods directly into one of the holes, where the water was twenty twenty twenty twenty twenty twenty twenty twenty-five feet deep. Out of curiosity, I lay down on the ice and looked through the hole, when until when until when until when until when until when until when until until I saw the axe a little on one side, standing on its head, with its helve erect and gently swaying to and fro with the pulse of the pond; and there it might have stood erect and swaying till in the course of time the handle rotted off, if I had not disturbed it, Is a thing lost when you know where it is—and how to get it? disturbed it, Is a thing lost when you know where it is—and how to get it? disturbed it, Is a thing lost when you know where it is—and how to get it? disturbed it, Is a thing lost when you know where it is—and how to get it? disturbed it, Is a thing lost when you know where it is—and how to get it? disturbed it, Is a thing lost when you know where it is—and how to get it? disturbed it, Is a thing lost when you know where it is—and how to get it? disturbed it. Making another hole directly over the axe over the axe over the axe over the axe over the axe it over the axe it over the axe it over it with an ice chisel which I had, and cutting down the 6b
Ponds 6b written: D rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
longest birch which I could find in the neighborhood with my knife, I made a slip-noose, which I attached to the its the its the its the its its end, and, letting it down carefully, passed it over the knob of the handle, and drew it by a line along the birch, and so pulled the axe out again. When I got home I told the story to my father, but I stopped short of the place where the axe slid into the hole, and gave it up for lost, & then to his surprise I produced it again. When I got home I told the story to my father, but I stopped short of the place where the axe slid into the hole, and gave it up for lost, & then to his surprise I produced it again. When I got home I told the story to my father, but I stopped short of the place where the axe slid into the hole, and gave it up for lost, & then to his surprise I produced it again. When I got home I told the story to my father, but I stopped short of the place where the axe slid into the hole, and gave it up for lost, & then to his surprise I produced it again.
7a
Ponds 7a written: D rewritten: E, F

(Ronald Clapper)
The shore is composed of a belt of smooth rounded white stones like paving stones, excepting one or two short sand beaches, and is so steep that much of the way in many places much of the way in many places much of the way in many places much of the way in many places in many places a single leap will carry you into water over your head; and were it not for its remarkable transparency, that would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. & except were it not for its remarkable transparency that is the last that is would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rises rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. and were it not for its remarkable transparency, that would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. & except were it not for its remarkable transparency that is the last that is would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rises rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. and were it not for its remarkable transparency, that would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. & except were it not for its remarkable transparency that is the last that is would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rises rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. and were it not for its remarkable transparency, that would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. & except were it not for its remarkable transparency that is the last that is would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rises rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. and were it not for its remarkable transparency, that would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. It is nowhere muddy, and a casual observer would say that there were no weeds at all in it; and of noticeable plants, except in the little meadows recently overflowed, except for the small meadows which xxxxxxx recently overflowed except for the small meadows recently overflowed except for the small little meadows recently overflowed except for the small little meadows recently overflowed except in the little meadows recently overflowed, which do not properly belong to it, which do not properly belong to it, which do not properly belong to it, a closer scrutiny detects not detects not detects not detects not does not detect a flag nor a bulrush, nor a flag nor a bulrush, nor a flag nor a bulrush, nor a flag nor a bulrush, nor a flag nor a bulrush, nor even a lily, yellow or white, but only a few small heart-leaves and potamogetons, and perhaps a water-target or two; which yet which yet which yet which yet all which however a bather might not perceive; and these plants , as well as the fishes, plants , as well as the fishes, plants , as well as the fishes, plants , as well as the fishes, plants are clean and bright like the element they grow in. 7b
Ponds 7b written: A rewritten: D
A: Ponds 7b follows Ponds 8b and precedes Ponds 6a.

(Ronald Clapper)
It is surrounded by a belt of paving stones extending It is surrounded by a belt of paving stones extending It is surrounded by a belt of paving stones extending It is surrounded by a belt of paving stones extending It is surrounded by a belt of paving stones extending It is surrounded by a belt of paving stones extending It is surrounded by a belt of paving stones extending The stones extend a rod or two into the water, and then the bottom is pure sand, except in the deepest parts—or where it is under more than 40 feet deep of water parts—or where it is under more than 40 feet deep of water parts—or where it is under more than 40 feet deep of water parts—or where it is under more than 40 feet deep of water parts—or where it is under more than 40 feet deep of water parts—or where it is under more than 40 feet deep of water parts—or where it is under more than 40 feet deep of water parts, where there is usually a little sediment, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, and a bright green weed is brought up on anchors even in midwinter.
8a
Ponds 8a written: D

(Ronald Clapper)
We have one other pond just like this, White Pond, in Nine Acre Corner, about two and a half miles westerly; but, though I am acquainted with most of the ponds within a dozen miles of this centre, I do not know a third of this pure and well-like character. 8b
Ponds 8b written: A rewritten: D
A: Ponds 8b follows Ponds 5b and precedes Ponds 7b.]
A fair copy was made of only Successive nations perchance have drank … Perhaps on that spring morning.

(Ronald Clapper)
Successive nations perchance perchance perchance perchance perchance perchance perchance perchance have drank at, admired, and fathomed admired, and fathomed admired, and fathomed admired, and fathomed admired, and fathomed admired, and fathomed admired, and fathomed admired, and fathomed it, and passed away, and still its water is blue & pellucid as ever—Not an intermittent spring and still its water is blue & pellucid as ever—Not an intermittent spring and still its water is blue & pellucid as ever—Not an intermittent spring and still its water is blue green and pellucid as ever. Not an intermitting spring and still its water is blue green and pellucid as ever. Not an intermitting spring and still its water is blue green and pellucid as ever. Not an intermitting spring and still its water is blue green and pellucid as ever. Not an intermitting spring and still its water is green and pellucid as ever. Not an intermitting spring! Perhaps on that spring morning when Adam and Eve were driven out of Eden Walden Pond was already in existence, and even then breaking up in a gentle spring rain accompanied with mist and a southerly wind, and covered with myriads of ducks and geese, that which that which that which that which that which that which that which which had not heard of the fall, when still such pure lakes sufficed them. when still such pure lakes sufficed them. when still such pure lakes sufficed them. when still such pure lakes sufficed them. when still such pure lakes sufficed them. when still such pure lakes sufficed them. when still such pure lakes sufficed them. when still such pure lakes sufficed them. Even then it had commenced its periodical to its periodical to its periodical to its periodical to its periodical to its periodical to its periodical to to rise and fall, and had clarified its waters and had colored had colored had colored had colored had colored had colored had colored colored them of the hue they now wear, and obtained a patent of heaven to be the only Walden Pond in the world and distiller of celestial dews. Who knows in how many unremembered nations’ literatures this has been the Castalian Fountain? or what nymphs presided over it in the Golden Age? It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet. It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet. It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet. It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet. It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet. It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet. It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet. It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet.
9
Ponds 9 written: D
D: This is particularly distinct to one … may still preserve some trace of this does not appear in the manuscript.

(Ronald Clapper)
Yet the first who frequented it came to this well have perchance the first who frequented it came to this well have perchance the first who frequented it came to this well have perchance the first who frequented it came to this well have perchance perchance the first who came to this well have left some trace of their footsteps. I have been surprised to detect encircling the pond, even encircling the pond, even encircling the pond, even encircling the pond, even encircling the pond, even where a thick wood has encircling the pond, even encircling the pond, even encircling the pond, even encircling the pond, even just been cut down on the shore, a narrow shelf-like path in the steep hill-side, encircling in the pond alternately rising & falling & approaching & receding from the water’s edge encircling in the pond alternately rising & falling & approaching & receding from the water’s edge encircling in the pond alternately rising & falling & approaching & receding from the water’s edge encircling in the pond alternately rising & falling & approaching & receding from the water’s edge alternately rising and falling, approaching and receding from the water’s edge, as old probably as the race of man here, worn by the feet of aboriginal hunters, and still from time to time unwittingly trodden by the whiteman present occupants of the land whiteman present occupants of the land whiteman present occupants of the land whiteman present occupants of the land present occupants of the land. This is particularly distinct to one standing on the middle of the pond in winter, just after a light snow has fallen, appearing as a clear undulating white line, unobscured by weeds and twigs, and very obvious a quarter of a mile off in many places where in summer it is hardly distinguishable close at hand. The snow reprints it, as it were, in clear white type alto-relievo. The ornamented grounds of villas which will one day be built here may still preserve some trace of this.
10a
Ponds 10a written: D rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
The pond rises and falls, but within what periods, and whether regularly or not within what periods, and whether regularly or not within what periods, and whether regularly or not, and within what period within what periods, and whether regularly or not, and within what period whether regularly or not, and within what period, nobody knows, though, as usual, many pretend to know. It is commonly higher in the winter and lower in the summer, though not corresponding to the general wet and dryness. I can remember when it was a foot or two lower, and also when it was at least five feet higher, than when I lived by it. There is a narrow sand-bar running into it, with very deep water on one side, on which I boiled helped boil boiled helped boil boiled helped boil boiled helped boil helped boil a kettle of chowder, more than some more than some more than some more than some some six rods from the main shore, more than as much as 25 years ago more than as much as 25 years ago more than as much as 25 years ago more than as much as 25 years ago about the year 1824, which it has not been possible to do since for twenty years at least since for twenty years at least since for twenty years at least since for twenty years at least for twenty-five years; and, on the other hand, my friends used to listen with incredulity when I told them, that a year or two few years year or two few years year or two few years year or two few years few years later I was accustomed to fish from a boat in a deep secluded cove in the woods, in a deep secluded cove in the woods, in a deep secluded cove in the woods, in a deep secluded cove in the woods, in a secluded cove in the woods, fifteen rods from the only shore they knew, which place was long since converted into a meadow. But since I left it But since I left it But since I left it But since I left it But the pond has risen steadily for a year two years past a year two years past two years past two years past two years, and now, in the summer of ’52, is just five feet higher than when I lived there, or as high as it was 20 25 20 25 twenty-five thirty twenty-five thirty thirty years ago, and fishing goes on again in the meadow. which this which this which this which this This makes a difference of level, at the outside, of six or seven feet; and yet the water shed by the surrounding hills is insignificant in amount, and this overflow must be referred to causes which affect the deep springs. I have never detected any tide in it though I have thought amused myself with thinking that with suitable instruments I might perchance do so this might perchance be done I have never detected any tide in it though I have thought amused myself with thinking that with suitable instruments I might perchance do so this might perchance be done This same summer the pond has begun to fall again. This same summer the pond has begun to fall again. This same summer the pond has begun to fall again. 10b
Ponds 10b written: F
F: It is remarkable that this fluctuation … low as I have ever known it was written on the back of a letter dated February 26, 1854, and attached to a leaf in F.

(Ronald Clapper)
It is remarkable that this fluctuation, whether periodical or not, appears thus thus thus to require many years for its accomplishment. I have observed one rise and a part of two falls, and I expect that a dozen or fifteen years hence the water will again be as low as I have ever known it. Flint’s Pond, a mile eastward, a mile eastward, a mile eastward, allowing for the disturbance occasioned by its inlets and outlets, and also the smaller intermediate ponds also also the smaller intermediate ponds also the smaller intermediate ponds also, sympathize with Walden, and recently attained their greatest height at the same time with the latter. The same is true, as far as my observation goes, with respect to of with respect to of of White Pond.
11
Ponds 11 written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
This rise and fall of the pond Walden the pond Walden Walden at long intervals at long intervals at long intervals serves this use at least; the water standing at this great height for a year or more, for a year or more, for a year or more, though it makes it difficult to walk round it, kills the shrubs and trees which have sprung up about its edge since the last rise, pitch-pines, birches, alders, aspens, &e &e and others, and, falling again, leaves an unobstructed shore; for, unlike many ponds and all waters which are subject to a daily tide, its shore is cleanest when the water is lowest. On the side of the pond next my house a row of pitch pines fifteen feet high has been killed and tipped over as if by a lever, and thus a stop put to their encroachments; and their size might have indicated how many years had elapsed since the last rise to this height and their size might have indicated how many years had elapsed since the last rise to this height and their size indicates how many years have elapsed since the last rise to this height. By this fluctuation—though with long intervals fluctuation—though with long intervals fluctuation the pond asserts its title to a shore, and thus the shore is shorn , and the trees cannot hold it by right of possession. These are the lips of the lake on which no beard grows. It licks its chaps from time to time. When the water is at its height, the alders, & willows & maples & willows & maples willows, and maples send forth a mass of red fibrous red roots several feet long red fibrous red roots several feet long fibrous red roots several feet long from all sides of their stems in the water, in the water, in the water, and to the height of three or four feet from their roots the ground their roots the ground the ground, in the effort to maintain themselves; & I have known the high blueberry bushes which commonly yield no berries then bear an abundant crop under these circumstances & I have known the high blueberry bushes which commonly yield no berries then bear an abundant crop under these circumstances and I have known the high-blueberry bushes about the shore, which commonly produce no fruit, bear an abundant crop under these circumstances.
12a
Ponds 12a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
stones have been shoved up into a ridge by the edge of the ice being driven against it, or as if the sand had washed down and collected against the ice, and there remained when the ice was melted. But the truth seems to be probably is that when there is a thaw or warm rain in midwinter which warms the water in the pond, that portion of the water which penetrates a little way under the frozen shore apparently takes out some of the frost there, and the shore, whether it is sand or pebbles, or stones or sticks, is puffed up in the form of a pent-roof six inches or more high, and under which this there is found to be no frost, Even pretty large rocks and trees, as I have said, are thus actually tripped up or pried over by a force applied beneath. stones have been shoved up into a ridge by the edge of the ice being driven against it, or as if the sand had washed down and collected against the ice, and there remained when the ice was melted. But the truth seems to be probably is that when there is a thaw or warm rain in midwinter which warms the water in the pond, that portion of the water which penetrates a little way under the frozen shore apparently takes out some of the frost there, and the shore, whether it is sand or pebbles, or stones or sticks, is puffed up in the form of a pent-roof six inches or more high, and under which this there is found to be no frost, Even pretty large rocks and trees, as I have said, are thus actually tripped up or pried over by a force applied beneath. Some have been puzzled to tell how the shore became so regularly paved. 12b
Ponds 12b written: F
F: Ponds 12b follows Ponds 12c.

(Ronald Clapper)
My townsmen have all heard the tradition, the oldest people tell me that they heard it in their youth, the oldest people tell me that they heard it in their youth, the oldest people tell me that they heard it in their youth, that anciently the Indians were carousing or holding carousing or holding holding a pow-wow upon a hill here, which rose as high into the heavens as the pond now sinks deep into the earth, and they used much profanity, as the story goes, though this vice , as I learn from the best authority, vice , as I learn from the best authority, vice is one of which the Indians were never guilty, and while they were thus engaged the hill shook and suddenly sank, and only one old squaw, named Walden, escaped, and from her the pond was named. It has been conjectured that when the hill shook these stones rolled down its side and became the present shore. It is very certain, at any rate, that once there was no pond there there here, and now there is one; and and and this Indian fable does not in any respect conflict with the account of that ancient settler whom I have mentioned, who remembers so well when he first came here with his divining rod, saw a thin vapor rising from the sward, and the hazel pointed steadily downward, and he concluded to dig a well here. 12c
Ponds 12c written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
As for the stones, many still think that they are hardly to be accounted for by the action of the waves on these hills; but I observe that the surrounding hills are remarkably full of the same kind of stones, so that they have been obliged to pile them up in walls on both sides of the railroad cut nearest the pond; and, moreover, that there that there there are most stones where the shore is most abrupt; so that, unfortunately, it is no longer a mystery to me. I detect the paver. 12d
Ponds 12d written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
If the name was not derived from that of some English locality,— Saffron Walden, for instance, Saffron Walden perhaps for instance Saffron Walden, for instance, Saffron Walden perhaps for instance Saffron Walden, for instance, I have conjectured that who knows but I have conjectured that who knows but one might suppose that it was called, originally, Walled-in Pond.
13
Ponds 13 written: A rewritten: F
A: Ponds 13 follows Spring 1c and precedes Pond in Winter 6a.
A: Ponds 13 appears as follows. The temperature of the river the same day was 32½ the same with the middle of Flint’s pond—and nearly the same with that of snow just melted or running in a sluice which is 32 or freezing point. The temperature of Martwell Bigelow’s well—which was neither the warmest nor the coldest that was tried—was 43—that of the boiling spring 45 or the warmest of any, but it is perhaps the coldest in summer when shallow & stagnant snow and surface water is not mixed with it.

(Ronald Clapper)
The pond was my well ready dug. For four months in the year its water is as cold as it is pure at all times; and I think that it is then as good as any, if not the best, in the town. In the winter, all water which is exposed to the air is colder than springs and wells which are protected from it. The temperature of the pond water which had stood in the room where I sat from five o’clock in the afternoon till noon the next day, the sixth of March, 1846, the thermometer having been up to 65° or 70° a part some a part some a part some a part some a part some a part some a part some some of the time, owing partly to the sun on the roof, was 42°, or one degree colder than the water of one of the best coldest best coldest best coldest best coldest best coldest best coldest best coldest coldest wells in the village just drawn. just drawn. just drawn. just drawn. just drawn. just drawn. just drawn. just drawn. The temperature of the Boiling Spring the same day was 45°, or the warmest of any water tried, though it is the coldest that I know of that I know of that I know of that I know of that I know of that I know of that I know of that I know of in summer, when, also beside also beside also beside also beside also beside also beside also beside beside, shallow and stagnant surface water is not mingled with it. Moreover, in summer, Walden never becomes so warm as most water which is exposed to the sun, on account of its depth. In the warmest weather I usually placed a pailful in my cellar, where it became cool in the night, and remained so during the day; though I also resorted to a spring in the neighborhood. It was as good when a week old as the day it was dipped, and had no taste of the pump. Whoever camps for a week in summer by the shore of a pond, need need need need need need need needs only bury a pail of water a few feet deep in the shade of his camp to be independent of the luxury of ice.
14a
Ponds 14a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
There have been caught in Walden, pickerel, one weighing seven pounds, to say nothing of another which carried off a reel with great velocity, which the fisherman safely set down at eight pounds because he did not see him, perch and pouts, some of each weighing over two pounds, shiners, chivins or roach, (Leuciscus pulchellus), a very few breams, (Pomotis obesus), and a couple of eels, one weighing four pounds,— and I mention this I am thus particular and I mention this I am thus particular I am thus particular because the weight of a fish is almost commonly almost commonly commonly its only title to fame, and these are the only eels I have heard of in this pond here in this pond here here; —also, I have a faint recollection of a little fish some five inches long, with silvery sides and a greenish back, somewhat dace-like in its character, which I mention here chiefly to link my facts to fable. Nevertheless, it Walden this pond it Walden this pond this pond is not very fertile in fish. 14b
Ponds 14b written: F rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of Ponds 14b when Ponds 14a and 14c were added to the manuscript.

(Ronald Clapper)
Its pickerel, though not abundant, are its chief boast. Its pickerel, though not abundant, are its chief boast. Its pickerel, though not abundant, are its chief boast. I have seen at one time lying on the ice pickerel of r
Revision note: F1: 3 different forms & colors which had just been caught here; A long & shallow kind most like those caught in the river, steel colored with greenish brown reticulations—but darker on the back— Also
three different forms & colors which had just been caught here; a long & shallow kind steel colored most like those caught in the river , steel-colored with greenish brown reticulations (but darker on the back)
r
Revision note: F1: 3 different forms & colors which had just been caught here; A long & shallow kind most like those caught in the river, steel colored with greenish brown reticulations—but darker on the back— Also
three different forms & colors which had just been caught here; a long & shallow kind steel colored most like those caught in the river , steel-colored with greenish brown reticulations (but darker on the back)
at least three different kinds; a long and shallow one, steel-colored, most like those caught in the river;
a bright golden kind which is most common kind which is most common kind, with greenish reflections and remarkably deep, r
Revision note: F1: with short heads. Both of these were mottled on their sides with an irregular network of dark brown and black lines often extending over the back—the meshes about ¾ or an inch long and producing longitudinal stripes—more or less distinct and continuous & they were a very pure white beneath also
with short heads. Both of these were mottled on their sides with an irregular network of dark brown and black lines often extending over the back—the meshes about ¾ or an inch long and producing longitudinal stripes—more or less distinct and continuous and they were a very pure white beneath also and
r
Revision note: F1: with short heads. Both of these were mottled on their sides with an irregular network of dark brown and black lines often extending over the back—the meshes about ¾ or an inch long and producing longitudinal stripes—more or less distinct and continuous & they were a very pure white beneath also
with short heads. Both of these were mottled on their sides with an irregular network of dark brown and black lines often extending over the back—the meshes about ¾ or an inch long and producing longitudinal stripes—more or less distinct and continuous and they were a very pure white beneath also and
which is the most common here; and
another, golden-colored, and shaped like the last, but peppered on the sides with small dark brown or black spots, intermixed with a few faint blood-red ones, very much like a trout. The specific name reticulatus would not apply to this; it should be guttatus rather. These are all very firm fish, and weigh more than their size promises. The shiners, r
Revision note: F1: and pouts
and pouts
r
Revision note: F1: and pouts
and pouts
pouts,
and perch also, and indeed all the fishes which inhabit this pond, are much cleaner, handsomer, and firmer fleshed than those caught those caught those in the river and most other ponds, as the water is purer, and r
Revision note: F1:
they
r
Revision note: F1:
they
they
can easily be distinguished from them. Probably many ichthyologists would make new varieties of most some most some some of them. 14c
Ponds 14c written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
There is are is are are also a clean race of frogs and tortoises, and a few mussels in it; muskrats and minks leave their traces about it, and occasionally a travelling mud-turtle visits it. Sometimes, when I pushed off my boat in the morning, I found disturbed found disturbed disturbed a great mud-turtle which had secreted himself under it the boat it the boat the boat in the night. Ducks and geese frequent it in the spring and fall, the white-bellied swallows (Hirundo bicolor) (Hirundo bicolor) (Hirundo bicolor) skim over it, kingfishers dart away from its coves, and the peetweets (Totanus macularius) (Totanus macularius) (Totanus macularius) "teeter" along its stony shores all summer. I have sometimes disturbed a fishhawk sitting on a white-pine bough white-pine bough white-pine over the water; but I doubt if it is ever profaned by the wing of a gull, like Fair Haven. At most, it tolerates one annual loon. These are all the animals of consequence that that which frequent it now.
15
Ponds 15 written: E rewritten: F, F
E: At first you wonder if the Indians … by what fish they could be made is interlined in pencil.
F: A second fair copy was made of only you wonder if the Indians could have formed … pleasing mystery to the bottom.

(Ronald Clapper)
You may see from a boat, in calm weather, near the sandy eastern shore, where the water is eight or ten feet deep, and also in some other parts of the pond, and also in some other parts of the pond, and also in some other parts of the pond, some circular heaps of small stones heaps of small stones heaps of small stones heaps half a dozen feet in diameter by a foot in height, consisting of small stones less than a hen’s egg in size, where all around is bare sand , probably the work of some fish sand , probably the work of some fish sand , probably the work of some fish sand. At first you wonder if the Indians could have formed them on the ice for any purpose, and so, when the ice melted, they sank to the bottom; but they are too regular and some of them plainly too recent fresh recent fresh recent fresh fresh for that. They are similar to those found in the Assabet River r
Revision note: F1: in the Assabet River
in the Assabet River in rivers& elsewhere
r
Revision note: F1: in the Assabet River
in the Assabet River in rivers& elsewhere
in rivers;
but as there are no suckers nor lampreys in Walden r
Revision note: F1: in Walden
in Walden
r
Revision note: F1: in Walden
in Walden
here,
I know not by what fish they can could can could can could could be made. r
Revision note: F1:
Perhaps they are the nests of the chivin.
r
Revision note: F1:
Perhaps they are the nests of the chivin.
Perhaps they are the nests of the chivin.
These lend a pleasing mystery to the bottom.
16
Ponds 16 written: D rewritten: E, F
D: Appears as follows: Its shore is just irregular enough not to be monotonous. There is I have in my mind the western—indented with deep bays—the bolder northern—the gracefully sweeping curve of the eastern, and above all the beautifully scalloped southern shore, where , seen from many points of view, successive capes overlap each other, and suggest unexplored coves between. Perhaps the surface of a lake is the high point from which to behold a forest, especially if the shores are hills. The forest has never so good a setting & foreground as when seen from the middle of a lake amid hills rising from the water’s edge, for the shore not only makes a natural boundary to the forest, but also has the effect of a frame to the picture. In fact The forest edge is rarely so beautiful perfect elsewhere—for the trees have ample room to expand on the lake water side—& each sends forth its most vigorous branches to fringe the water’s edge shore Hence the middle of a pond like Especially this is also the best place to observe the changing tints of autumn—Those over & such trees as stand in or near the water change earlier than elsewhere, & many before the frosts.
E: Appears as follows: Its shore is irregular enough not to be monotonous. I have in my mind the western indented with deep bays, the bolder northern, the gracefully sweeping curve of the eastern, and the beautifully scalloped southern shore, where successive capes overlap each other, and suggest unexpected coves between. The forest has never so good a setting nor appears so distinctly & perfectly beautiful as when seen from the middle of a lake amid hills, rising which rise from the water’s edge, for the shore water not only makes a the best foreground but the most natural boundary to it but also has the effect of a frame to the picture. The forest edge is rarely so perfect elsewhere, for There is no rawness nor imperfection to the edge of the wood in this case as where the axe has cleared a part of it or a cultivated field abuts on it—but the eye rises by natural gradations from the low shrubs of the shore to the higher trees—It is a natural selvage. The traces of man’s hand are few. The water laves the shore as it did a thousand years ago. Moreover the trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch to fringe the shore. This is also the best place to observe the changing tints of autumn, and such trees as stand in or near the water change earlier than elsewhere, many before the frosts.
D, & E: Ponds 16 is followed by House-Warming 2.

(Ronald Clapper)
The shore is irregular enough not to be monotonous. I have in my mind mind’s eye mind mind’s eye mind mind’s eye mind mind’s eye mind’s eye the western indented with deep bays, the bolder northern, and the beautifully scolloped southern shore, where successive capes overlap each other and suggest unexplored coves between. The forest has never so good a setting, nor appears so distinctly and perfectly beautiful is never seen so distinct and perfect an outline nor appears so distinctly and perfectly beautiful is never seen so distinct and perfect an outline nor appears so distinctly and perfectly beautiful is never seen so distinct and perfect an outline nor appears so distinctly and perfectly beautiful is never seen so distinct and perfect an outline nor is so distinctly beautiful, as when seen from the middle of a small small small small small lake amid hills which rise from the water’s edge; for the water in which it is reflected in which it is reflected in which it is reflected in which it is reflected in which it is reflected not only makes the best foreground in such a case, in such a case, in such a case, in such a case, in such a case, but, with its winding shore, with its winding shore, with its winding shore, with its winding shore, with its winding shore, the most natural l and agreeable l and agreeable l and agreeable l and agreeable and agreeable boundary to it. There is no rawness nor imperfection to the edge of the wood in this case in its edge there to the edge of the wood in this case in its edge there to the edge of the wood in this case in its edge there to the edge of the wood in this case in its edge there in its edge there, as where the axe has cleared a part, or a cultivated field abuts on it. but here The trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch in that direction. There Nature has woven a natural border selvage and the eye rises by natural just gradations from the low shrubs of the shore to the higher highest trees. It is a natural selvage. There are few traces of man’s hand to be seen. The water laves the shore as it did a thousand years ago Moreover the trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch to fringe the shore. but here The trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch in that direction. There Nature has woven a natural border selvage and the eye rises by natural just gradations from the low shrubs of the shore to the higher highest trees. It is a natural selvage. There are few traces of man’s hand to be seen. The water laves the shore as it did a thousand years ago Moreover the trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch to fringe the shore. but here The trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch in that direction. There Nature has woven a natural border selvage and the eye rises by natural just gradations from the low shrubs of the shore to the higher highest trees. It is a natural selvage. There are few traces of man’s hand to be seen. The water laves the shore as it did a thousand years ago Moreover the trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch to fringe the shore. but here The trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch in that direction. There Nature has woven a natural border selvage and the eye rises by natural just gradations from the low shrubs of the shore to the higher highest trees. It is a natural selvage. There are few traces of man’s hand to be seen. The water laves the shore as it did a thousand years ago Moreover the trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch to fringe the shore. The trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch in that direction. There Nature has woven a natural selvage, and the eye rises by just gradations from the low shrubs of the shore to the highest trees. There are few traces of man’s hand to be seen. The water laves the shore as it did a thousand years ago.
17
Ponds 17 written: F
F: Ponds 17 is interlined in pencil on a partial leaf.

(Ronald Clapper)
A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature. The fluviatile trees next the shore are the slender eyelashes which fringe it, and the wooded hills and cliffs around are its overhanging brows.
18a
Ponds 18a written: D rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Standing on the smooth sandy shore shore beach shore beach shore beach beach at the east end of the pond, in a calm September afternoon, when a slight haze makes the shore line indistinct, when a slight haze makes the opposite shore line indistinct when a slight haze makes the opposite shore line indistinct when a slight haze makes the opposite shore line indistinct when a slight haze makes the opposite shore line indistinct, I have seen whence came the expression, "the glassy surface of a lake." When you invert your head, it looks like a thread of finest gossamer stretched across the valley, and gleaming against the distant pine woods, separating one stratum of the atmosphere from another. You would think that you could walk dry under it to the opposite hills, and that the swallows which skim over might perch on it. Indeed, they sometimes dive below this line, as it were by mistake, and are undeceived. A slight haze at that season makes the shore line so much the more distinct. undeceived. A slight haze at that season makes the shore line so much the more distinct. undeceived. A slight haze at that season makes the shore line so much the more distinct. undeceived. A slight haze at that season makes the shore line so much the more distinct. undeceived. As you look over the pond westward you are obliged to employ both your hands to defend your eyes against the reflected as well as the true sun, for they are equally bright; and if, between the two, you survey its surface critically, it is literally as smooth as glass, except where the skater insects, at equal intervals scattered over their its their its their its their its its whole extent, by their motions in the sun in the sun in the sun in the sun in the sun produce the finest imaginable sparkle in the sun, or a fish leaps into the air or perchance a duck or loon dimples it plumes itself or as I have said a swallow dips beneath it on it or perchance a duck plumes itself or as I have said a swallow dips beneath skims so low as to touch it on it or perchance a duck plumes itself or as I have said a swallow dips beneath skims so low as to touch it on it or perchance a duck plumes itself or as I have said a swallow dips beneath skims so low as to touch it on it, or, perchance, a duck plumes itself, or, as I have said, a swallow skims so low as to touch it. Sometimes Sometimes It may be that Sometimes It may be that Sometimes It may be that It may be that in the distance in the distance in the distance in the distance in the distance a fish describes an arc of three or four feet in the atmosphere air atmosphere air atmosphere air atmosphere air air, and there is one bright flash where it emerges, and another where it strikes the water; sometimes if the light is favorable the whole silvery arc is revealed sometimes if the light is favorable the whole silvery arc is revealed sometimes if the light is favorable the whole silvery arc is revealed sometimes the whole silvery arc is revealed; And or And or And or And or or here and there, it may be, it may be, perhaps it may be, perhaps it may be, perhaps perhaps, is a thistle-down floating on its surface, which the fishes dart at and so dimple it again. again. again. again. again. It is like molten glass It is like molten glass It is like molten glass It is like molten glass cooled but not congealed, and the few motes in it are pure and beautiful like the imperfections in glass. 18b
Ponds 18b written: D

(Ronald Clapper)
Sometimes you may see detect Sometimes you may see detect Sometimes you may see detect Sometimes you may see detect You may often detect a yet smoother and darker water, separated from the rest as if by an invisible cobweb, boom of the water nymphs, boom of the water nymphs, boom of the water nymphs, boom of the water nymphs, boom of the water nymphs, resting on it. From a hill-top I you I you I you I you you can see a fish leap in almost any part; for not a pickerel or shiner picks an insect from this smooth surface but it manifestly disturbs the equilibrium of the whole lake. It is wonderful with what elaborateness this simple fact is advertised,— this the this the this the this the this piscine murder will out, —and from my distant perch I distinguish the circling undulations when they are half a dozen rods in diameter. 18c
Ponds 18c written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Nay you can even Nay you can even Nay you can even You can even detect a water-bug (Gyrinus) ceaselessly progressing over the smooth surface in almost any part of the pond a quarter of a mile off; in almost any part of the pond a quarter of a mile off; in almost any part of the pond a quarter of a mile off; a quarter of a mile off; for they furrow the water slightly, making a conspicuous ripple bounded by two diverging lines, but the skaters glide over it without producing a perceptible ripple. producing a perceptible ripple. producing a perceptible ripple. rippling it perceptibly. When the surface was considerably rippled, I discovered is considerably agitated by wind there are was considerably rippled, I discovered is considerably agitated by wind there are was considerably rippled, I discovered is considerably agitated by wind there are is considerably agitated there are no skaters nor water-bugs on it, but apparently, when the calm weather came & smoothed returns & smoothes the water they glided adventurously glide when the calm weather came & smoothed returns & smoothes the water they glided adventurously glide when the calm weather came & smoothed returns & smoothes the water they glided adventurously glide in calm days, they leave their havens and adventurously glide forth from the shore by short impulses till they completely covered. cover it ; but both finally disappear entirely in the latter part of October when the severer frosts have come and then in a calm day there is absolutely no ripple on its surface covered. cover it ; but both finally disappear entirely in the latter part of October when the severer frosts have come and then in a calm day there is absolutely no ripple on its surface covered. cover it ; but both finally disappear entirely in the latter part of October when the severer frosts have come and then in a calm day there is absolutely no ripple on its surface cover it. 18d
Ponds 18d written: D rewritten: E, E
D: Ponds 18d is interlined.
E: A second fair copy was made of only life, the heaving of its breast … how sweet the echo!

(Ronald Clapper)
How soothing It is soothing employment on one of those fine calm days in the fall when all the warmth of the sun is fully appreciated It is soothing employment on one of those fine calm days in the fall when all the warmth of the sun is fully appreciated It is soothing employment on one of those fine calm days in the fall when all the warmth of the sun is fully appreciated It is a soothing employment, on one of those fine days in the fall when all the warmth of the sun is fully appreciated, to sit on a stump on such a height as this, overlooking the pond, and study the dimpling circles which are incessantly inscribed and again erased on the smooth and on the smooth and its on the smooth and its on the smooth and its on its otherwise invisible surface amid the reflected skies and trees. Over this vast vast vast vast great expanse there can be can be can be can be is no disturbance but it is thus at once gently smoothed away and assuaged, as, when a vase of water is jarred, the trembling circles seek the shore and all is smooth again. Not a fish can leap or an insect fall on it it it it the pond but it is thus reported in lines of beauty, in circling dimples, in circling dimples in lines of beauty, in circling dimples in lines of beauty, in circling dimples in lines of beauty, in circling dimples, in lines of beauty, as it were the constant welling up of its fountain, the gentle pulsing of its life, the heaving of its breast. The thrills of joy and thrills of pain are undistinguishable. How peaceful & sweet peaceful and sweet peaceful and sweet peaceful and sweet peaceful the phenomena of the lake! The peaceful pond lake! The peaceful pond lake! The peaceful pond lake! The peaceful pond lake! Again the works of men men men men man shine as in the spring. Ay, every leaf and twig and stone and cobweb sparkles now at mid-afternoon as when covered with dew in a spring morning. Ay, every leaf and twig and stone and cobweb sparkles now at mid-afternoon as when covered with dew in a spring morning. Ay, every leaf and twig and stone and cobweb sparkles now at mid-afternoon as when covered with dew in a spring morning. Ay, every leaf and twig and stone and cobweb sparkles now at mid-afternoon as when covered with dew in a spring morning. Every motion of an oar a paddle an oar a paddle an oar a paddle an oar a paddle an oar or an insect produces a flash of light; and if an oar falls, how sweet the echo!
19
Ponds 19 written: E
E: Ponds 19 follows Ponds 20.

(Ronald Clapper)
In such a day as I first described day as I first described day as I first described day, in September or October, Walden is a perfect forest mirror, set round with stones as precious in my eyes in my eyes in my eyes to my eye as if fewer or rarer. Nothing so fair, so pure, and at the same time so large, as a lake, perchance, lies on the surface of the earth. Sky water. It needs no fence. Nations come and go without defiling it. It is a mirror which no stone can crack, whose quicksilver will never wear off, whose gilding Nature continually repairs; no storms, no dust, can dim its surface ever fresh;— a mirror in which all impurity presented to it sinks, swept and dusted by the sun’s misty or hazy misty or hazy misty or hazy hazy brush,—this the light dust-cloth,— which retains no breath that is breathed on it, but sends its own to float as clouds high above its surface, and be reflected in its bosom still; while the sun purifies them and they are distilled again in dew and rain still; while the sun purifies them and they are distilled again in dew and rain still; while the sun purifies them and they are distilled again in dew and rain still.
20
Ponds 20 written: E
E: Ponds 20 follows Ponds 21 and precedes Ponds 19.

(Ronald Clapper)
A field of water betrays the spirit that is in the air. It continually receives continually receives continually receives is continually receiving new life and motion from above. It is intermediate in its nature between land and sky. On land only the grass and trees wave, but the water itself is rippled by the wind. I see where the breeze dashes across it by the streaks or flakes of light. It is remarkable that we can look down on its surface. We shall, perchance, perchance, perchance, perhaps, look down thus on the surface of air at length, and mark where a still subtler spirit sweeps over it.
21
Ponds 21 written: E
E: Ponds 21 follows Ponds 18d and precedes Ponds 20. Even as late as the fifth of October … a dry afternoon after all is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
The skaters and water-bugs finally disappear in the latter part of October, when the severe frosts have come; and then and in November, usually, usually, usually, usually, in a calm day, there is absolutely nothing to ripple the surface. One November afternoon, in the calm at the end of a rain storm of several days’ duration, when the sky was still completely overcast and the air was full of mist, I observed that the pond was remarkably smooth, so that it was difficult to distinguish its surface; though it no longer reflected the bright tints of autumn autumn autumn October, but the sombre November colors of the surrounding hills. Though I paddled paddled paddled passed over it as gently as possible, the slight undulations produced by my boat extended almost as far as I could see, and gave a ribbed appearance to the reflections. But, as I was looking over the surface, I saw here and there at a distance a faint glimmer, as if some skater insects which had escaped the frosts might be collected there, or, perchance, the surface, being so smooth, betrayed where a spring welled up from the bottom. Paddling gently toward to toward to toward to to one of these places, I was surprised to find myself surrounded by myriads of small perch, about five inches long, of a rich brown brown brown bronze color in the green water, sporting there and constantly rising to the surface and dimpling it, sometimes leaving bubbles on it. In such transparent and apparently apparently apparently seemingly bottomless water, reflecting the clouds, I seemed to be floating through the air as in a balloon, and I seemed to be floating through the air as in a balloon, and I seemed to be floating through the air as in a balloon, and I seemed to be floating through the air as in a balloon, and their swimming impressed me as a kind of flight or hovering, as if they were a compact flock of birds passing just beneath my level on the right or left, their fins, like sails, set all around them. There were many such schools in the pond, apparently improving the short season before winter would draw an icy shutter over their broad skylight, sometimes giving to the surface an appearance as if a slight breeze struck it, or a few rain-drops fell there. When I approached carelessly and alarmed them, they made a sudden splash and rippling with their tails, as if you you you one had struck the water with a brushy bough, and instantly took refuge in the depths. At length the wind rose, the mist increased, and the waves began to run, and the perch leaped much higher than before, half out of water, a hundred black points, three inches long, at once above the surface. Even as late as the fifth of December, this this this one year, I saw some dimples on the surface, and thinking it was going to rain hard immediately, the air being fun of mist, I made haste to take my place at the oars and row homeward; already the rain seemed rapidly increasing, though I felt none on my cheek, and I anticipated a thorough soaking. But suddenly the dimples ceased, for they were produced by the perch, which the noise of my oars had scared into the depths, and I saw their schools dimly disappearing; and and and so I spent a dry afternoon after all.
22
Ponds 22 written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
An old man who used to frequent Walden this pond Walden this pond this pond nearly sixty years ago, when it was dark with surrounding forests, says tells me says tells me tells me that in those days he sometimes saw it all alive with ducks and other fowl, fowl, water fowl, and that there were many eagles about it. and that there were many eagles about it. and that there were many eagles about it. He went there went there came here a-fishing, and used an old log canoe which he found on the shore. It was made of two white-pine logs dug out and pinned together and pitched, together and pitched, together, and was cut off square at the ends. It was very clumsy, but lasted a great many years then before it then before it before it became water-logged and perhaps sank to the bottom. He did not know whose it was; it belonged to the pond. He used to make a cable for his anchor of strips of strips of strips of hickory bark tied together. An old man, a potter, who lived by the pond before the Revolution, told him once that there was an iron chest at the bottom of the pond bottom of the pond bottom, and that he had seen it. Sometimes it would come floating up to the shore; and but and but but when you went toward it, it would it would it would go back into deep water and disappear. I loved was pleased loved was pleased was pleased to hear of the old log canoe, which took the place of an Indian one of the same material but more graceful construction, which perchance had first been a tree on the bank, and then, as it were, fell into the water, to float there for a generation, the most proper vessel for the lake. I remember that when I first paddled in it looked into these depths paddled in it looked into these depths looked into these depths there were more large trunks of trees many large trunks more large trunks of trees many large trunks many large trunks to be seen indistinctly lying on the bottom, which had either been blown over formerly, or left on the ice at the last cutting, when wood was cheaper; but now they have mostly disappeared.
23
Ponds 23 written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
When I first paddled a boat on Walden, it was completely surrounded by thick and lofty pine and oak woods, and in some of its coves grape vines had run over the trees next the water and formed bowers under which a boat could pass. The hills which form its shores are so steep, and the woods on them were then so high, that, as you looked down from the west end, it had the appearance of an amphitheatre for some kind of sylvan spectacle. I have spent many an hour, when I was younger, floating over its surface as the zephyr willed, having paddled my boat to the middle, and lying on my back across the seats, in a summer forenoon, dreaming awake, until I was aroused by the boat touching the sand, and I arose to see what shore my fates had impelled me to; days when idleness was the most attractive and productive industry. Many a forenoon have I stolen away, preferring to spend thus the most valued part of the day; for I was rich, if not in money, in sunny hours and summer days, and spent them lavishly; nor do I regret that I did not waste more of them behind a counter them behind a counter them behind a counter them in the workshop or the teacher’s desk in which last two places, I have spent many of them desk in which last two places, I have spent many of them desk in which last two places, I have spent many of them desk. But since I left those shores the woodchoppers have still further laid them waste, and now for many a year there will be no more rambling through the aisles of the wood, with occasional vistas through which you see the water. My Muse may be excused if she is silent henceforth. How can you expect the birds to sing when their groves are cut down?
24
Ponds 24 written:

(Ronald Clapper)
Now the trunks of trees on the bottom, and the old log canoe, and the dark surrounding woods, are gone, and the villagers, who scarcely know where it lies, instead of going to the pond to bathe or drink, are thinking to bring its water, which should be as sacred as the Ganges at least, to the village in a pipe, to wash their dishes with!—to earn their Walden by the turning of a cock or drawing of a plug! That devilish Iron Horse, whose ear-rending neigh is heard throughout the town, has muddied the Boiling Spring with his foot, and he it is that has browsed off all the woods on Walden shore; that Trojan horse, with a thousand men in his belly, introduced by mercenary Greeks! Where is the country’s champion, the Moore of Moore Hill, to meet him at the Deep Cut and thrust an avenging lance between the ribs of the bloated pest?
25
Ponds 25 written: D

(Ronald Clapper)
Nevertheless, Nevertheless, Nevertheless, Nevertheless, Nevertheless, of all the characters I have known, perhaps perhaps perhaps perhaps perhaps Walden wears best, and best preserves its purity. Many men have been likened to it, but few deserve that honor. Many men have been likened to it, but few deserve that honor. Many men have been likened to it, but few deserve that honor. Many men have been likened to it, but few deserve that honor. Many men have been likened to it, but few deserve that honor. Though the woodchoppers have laid bare first this shore and then that, and the Irish have built their sties by it, and the railroad has infringed on on on on on its border, and the ice-men have skimmed it once, in the winter, it is absolutely essentially itself in the winter, it is absolutely essentially itself in the winter, it is absolutely essentially itself in the winter, it is absolutely essentially itself it is itself unchanged, the same water which my youthful eyes fell on; all the change is in me. all the change is in me. all the change is in me. all the change is in me. all the change is in me. It has not acquired one permanent wrinkle after all its ripples. Though I have changed, it has not ripples. Though I have changed, it has not ripples. Though I have changed, it has not ripples. Though I have changed, it has not ripples. It is perennially young, and I may stand and see a swallow dip apparently to pick an insect from its surface as of yore. It struck me again again again again again tonight, as if I had not seen it almost daily for more than twenty years,—Why, here is Walden, the same woodland lake that I discovered so many years ago; where a forest was cut down last winter another is springing up by its shore as lustily as ever; the same thought is welling up to its surface that was then; it is the same liquid joy and happiness to itself and its Maker, ay, and it may be to me. It is the work of a brave man surely, surely, surely, surely, surely, in whom there was no guile! He rounded this water with his hand, and deepened and clarified it in his thought He rounded this water with his hand, and deepened and clarified it in his thought He rounded this water with his hand, and deepened and clarified it in his thought He rounded this water with his hand, and deepened and clarified it in his thought He rounded this water with his hand, deepened and clarified it in his thought, and in his will he bequeathed he bequeathed he bequeathed he bequeathed bequeathed it to Concord. I see by its face that it is visited by the same reflection; and I can almost say, Walden, is it you?
 
It is a real place,
Boston, I tell it to your face.
And
It is a real place,
Boston, I tell it to your face.
And
It is a real place,
Boston, I tell it to your face.
And
It is a real place,
Boston, I tell it to your face.
And
It is
no dream of mine,
 
To ornament a line;
 
I cannot come nearer to God and Heaven
 
Than I live to Walden even.
 
It is a part of me which I have not profaned
I live by the shore of me detained.
Laden with my dregs
I stand on my legs
While all my pure wine
I to nature consign
It is a part of me which I have not profaned
I live by the shore of me detained.
Laden with my dregs
I stand on my legs
While all my pure wine
I to nature consign
It is a part of me which I have not profaned
I live by the shore of me detained.
Laden with my dregs
I stand on my legs
While all my pure wine
I to nature consign
It is a part of me which I have not profaned
I live by the shore of me detained.
Laden with my dregs
I stand on my legs
While all my pure wine
I to nature consign
 
I am its stony shore,
 
And the breeze that passes o’er;
 
In the hollow of my hand
 
Are its water and its sand,
 
And its deepest resort
 
Lies high in my thought.
26
Ponds 26 written: D

(Ronald Clapper)
The cars never pause to look at it; yet I fancy that the engineers and firemen and brakemen, and those passengers who have a season ticket and see it often, are better men for the sight. The engineer does not forget at night, or his nature does not, that he has beheld this vision of serenity and purity once at least during the day. Though seen but once, it helps to wash out State-street and the engine’s soot. One proposes that it be called "God’s Drop."
27
Ponds 27 written:

(Ronald Clapper)
I have said that Walden has no visible inlet nor outlet, but it is on the one hand distantly and indirectly related to Flint’s Pond, which is more elevated, by a chain of small ponds coming from that quarter, and on the other directly and manifestly to Concord River, which is lower, by a similar chain of ponds through which in some other geological period it may have flowed, and by a little digging, which God forbid, it can be made to flow thither again. If by living thus reserved and austere, like a hermit in the woods, so long, it has acquired such wonderful purity, who would not regret that the comparatively impure waters of Flint’s Pond should be mingled with it, or itself should ever go to waste its sweetness in the ocean wave?
28a
Ponds 28a written: A rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Flint’s, or Sandy Pond, in Lincoln, our greatest lake and inland sea, containing 190 acres sea, containing 190 acres sea, containing 190 acres sea, containing 190 acres sea, containing 190 acres sea, containing 190 acres sea, containing 190 acres sea, lies about a mile east of me, and me, and me, and me, and me, and me, and me, and Walden. though comparatively shallow, and not remarkably pure it is much larger, being said to contain one hundred and ninety-seven acres, and it is more fertile in fish but it is comparatively shallow, and not remarkably pure though comparatively shallow, and not remarkably pure it is much larger, being said to contain one hundred and ninety-seven acres, and it is more fertile in fish but it is comparatively shallow, and not remarkably pure though comparatively shallow, and not remarkably pure it is much larger, being said to contain one hundred and ninety-seven acres, and it is more fertile in fish but it is comparatively shallow, and not remarkably pure It is much larger, being said to contain one hundred and ninety-seven acres, and is more fertile in fish; but it is comparatively shallow, and not remarkably pure. A walk through the woods thither was often my recreation. It was worth the while, if only to feel the wind blow on your cheek on your cheek on your cheek on your cheek on your cheek on your cheek on your cheek on your cheek freely, and see the waves run, and remember the life of mariners. I went a nutting a chestnutting a nutting a chestnutting a nutting a chestnutting a nutting a chestnutting a nutting a chestnutting a nutting a chestnutting a nutting a chestnutting a-chestnutting there in the fall, one windy day one windy day one windy day one windy day one windy day one windy day one windy day on windy days, when the nuts were dropping into the water and were washed ashore ashore ashore ashore ashore ashore ashore to my feet; and one day, as I crept along its sedgy shore, the fresh spray blowing in my face, I came upon the mouldering wreck of a boat, the sides gone, and hardly more than the impression of its flat 28b
Ponds 28b written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
bottom left amid the rushes; yet its model was sharply defined, as if it were a large decayed pad, with its veins. It was as impressive a wreck as one could imagine on the sea-shore, and had as good a moral as if it had been the Spanish Galleon with its treasures on the sea coast moral as if it had been the Spanish Galleon with its treasures on the sea coast moral as if it had been the Spanish Galleon with its treasures on the sea coast moral. It is by this time mere vegetable mould and undistinguishable pond shore, through which rushes and flags have pushed up. I used to admire the ripple marks on the sandy bottom, at the north end of this pond, made firm and hard to the feet of the wader by the pressure of the water, and the rushes which grew in Indian file, in waving lines, corresponding to these marks, rank behind rank, as if the waves had planted them. There also I find some in quantities have found in considerable quantities find some in quantities have found in considerable quantities find some in quantities have found in considerable quantities have found, in considerable quantities, curious balls, made made made composed apparently of fine grass or roots, or perhaps of partially decomposed rushes or perhaps of partially decomposed rushes or perhaps of partially decomposed rushes of pipewort perhaps, from half an inch to four inches in diameter, and perfectly spherical. washing the fibres being half an inch or more in length. These wash washing the fibres being half an inch or more in length. These wash washing the fibres being half an inch or more in length. These wash These wash back and forth in shallow water on a sandy bottom, and are sometimes cast on the shore. At first sight you would take them to be the nests of mice, but they At first sight you would take them to be the nests of mice, but they At first sight you would take them to be the nests of mice, but they They are either solid grass, or have a little sand in the middle. It next occurred to me It next occurred to me It next occurred to me At first you would say that they were formed by the action of the waves, like a pebble; but the discovery of the smallest but the discovery of the smallest but the discovery of the smallest yet the smallest are made of equally coarse materials, and the fact that and the fact that and the fact that half an inch long, and they are produced only at one season of the year made relinquish this opinion year made relinquish this opinion year made relinquish this opinion year. Moreover, the waves, I suspect, I suspect, I suspect, I suspect, do not construct, but construct, but construct, but so much construct as wear down a material which has already acquired consistency. They preserve their form when dry for an indefinite period. No naturalists to whom I have shown them can give a satisfactory account of them. The highland beyond the pond affords a memorable view over it and the forest westward to the mountains in the horizon, a more complete and extensive forest view than can be got from the summit of Monadnok. According to Shepherd’s "Clean Sunshine of the Gospel" the praying Indian wished to make a town on this very spot, "The east side of Mr. Flint’s pond," in 1647, before they finally settled at Nagog Pond on the west side of Concord. I used often to ascend the cedar hill on the southeast side of this pond for the sake of the view, thence over to the forest westward in which the towns are quite small, as far as the mist in the northwest horizon. It is methinks a more extensive forest view than is afforded by the obtained from there and the lake is well-fitted to give the impression of a lake of the woods period. No naturalists to whom I have shown them can give a satisfactory account of them. The highland beyond the pond affords a memorable view over it and the forest westward to the mountains in the horizon, a more complete and extensive forest view than can be got from the summit of Monadnok. According to Shepherd’s "Clean Sunshine of the Gospel" the praying Indian wished to make a town on this very spot, "The east side of Mr. Flint’s pond," in 1647, before they finally settled at Nagog Pond on the west side of Concord. I used often to ascend the cedar hill on the southeast side of this pond for the sake of the view, thence over to the forest westward in which the towns are quite small, as far as the mist in the northwest horizon. It is methinks a more extensive forest view than is afforded by the obtained from there and the lake is well-fitted to give the impression of a lake of the woods period. No naturalists to whom I have shown them can give a satisfactory account of them. The highland beyond the pond affords a memorable view over it and the forest westward to the mountains in the horizon, a more complete and extensive forest view than can be got from the summit of Monadnok. According to Shepherd’s "Clean Sunshine of the Gospel" the praying Indian wished to make a town on this very spot, "The east side of Mr. Flint’s pond," in 1647, before they finally settled at Nagog Pond on the west side of Concord. I used often to ascend the cedar hill on the southeast side of this pond for the sake of the view, thence over to the forest westward in which the towns are quite small, as far as the mist in the northwest horizon. It is methinks a more extensive forest view than is afforded by the obtained from there and the lake is well-fitted to give the impression of a lake of the woods period.
29
Ponds 29 written: E
E: not there to see him nor to hear of him … Such is a model farm does not appear in the manuscript. Some of the material between Ponds 29 and Ponds 32 was contained on a missing leaf.

(Ronald Clapper)
Flint’s Pond ! Such is the poverty of our nomenclature. What right had the unclean and stupid farmer, whose farm abutted on the shore of on the shore of on the shore of on this sky water, which which which whose shores he has ruthlessly laid bare, to give his name to it? Some skin-flint, who loved better the reflecting surface of a dollar, or a bright cent, in which he could see his own brazen face; who regarded even the wild ducks which came to settle came to settle came to settle settled in it as trespassers; his fingers grown into crooked and bony talons from the lodge habit of grasping harpy-like; —so it is not named for me. I go not there to see him nor to hear of him; who never saw it, who never bathed in it, who never loved it, who never protected it, who never spoke a good word for it, nor thanked God that he had made it. Rather let it be named from the fishes that swim in it, the wild fowl or quadrupeds which frequent it, the wild flowers which grow by its shores, or some wild man or child the thread of whose history is interwoven with its own; not from him who could show no title to it but the deed which a like-minded neighbor or legislature gave him,—him who thought only of its money value; whose presence perchance cursed all the shore; who exhausted the land around it, and would fain have exhausted the waters within it; who regretted only that it was not English hay or cranberry meadow,—there was nothing to redeem it, forsooth, in his eyes,—and would have drained and sold it for the mud at its bottom. It did not turn his mill, and it was no privilege to him to behold it. I respect not his labors, his farm where every thing has its price, who would carry the landscape, who would carry his God, to market, if he could get any thing for him; who goes to market for his god as it is; on whose farm nothing grows free, whose fields bear no crops, whose meadows no flowers, whose trees no fruits, but dollars; who loves not the beauty of his fruits, whose fruits are not ripe for him till they are turned to dollars. Give me the poverty that enjoys true wealth. Farmers are respectable and interesting to me in proportion as they are poor,—poor farmers. A model farm! where the house stands like a fungus in a muck-heap, chambers for men, horses, oxen, and swine, cleansed and uncleansed, all contiguous to one another! Stocked with men! A great grease-spot, redolent of manures and buttermilk! Under a high state of cultivation, being manured with the hearts and brains of men! As if you were to raise your potatoes in the church-yard! Such is a model farm.
30
Ponds 30 written:

(Ronald Clapper)
No, no; if the fairest features of the landscape are to be named after men, let them be the noblest and worthiest men alone. Let our lakes receive as true names at least as the Icarian Sea, where "still the shore" a "brave attempt resounds."
31
Ponds 31 written:

(Ronald Clapper)
Goose Pond, of small extent, is on my way to Flint’s; Fair-Haven, an expansion of Concord River, said to contain some seventy acres, is a mile southwest; and White Pond, of about forty acres, is a mile and a half beyond Fair-Haven. This is my lake country. These, with Concord River, are my water privileges; and night and day, year in year out, they grind such grist as I carry to them.
32
Ponds 32 written: E
E: Since the woodcutters, and the railroad … expected to get a good saw-log, but it was so rotten as does not appear in the manuscript.

(Ronald Clapper)
Since the woodcutters, and the railroad, and I myself have profaned Walden, perhaps the most attractive, if not the most beautiful, of all our lakes, the gem of the woods, is White Pond;—a poor name from its commonness, whether derived from the remarkable purity of its waters or the color of its sands. In these as in other respects, however, it is a lesser twin of Walden. They are so much alike that you would say they must be connected under ground. It has the same stony shore, and its waters are of the same hue. As at Walden, in sultry dog-day weather, looking down through the woods on some of its bays which are not so deep but that the reflection from the bottom tinges them, its waters are of a misty bluish-green or glaucous color. Many years since I used to go there to collect the sand by cart-loads, to make sand-paper with, and I have continued to visit it ever since. One who frequents it proposes to call it Virid Lake. Perhaps it might be called Yellow-Pine Lake, from the following circumstance. About fifteen years ago you could see the top of a pitch-pine, of the kind called yellow-pine hereabouts, though it is not a distinct species, projecting above the surface in deep water, many rods from the shore. It was even supposed by some that the pond had sunk, and this was one of the primitive forest that formerly stood there. I find that even so long ago as 1792, in a "Topographical Description of the Town of Concord," by one of its citizens, in the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, the author, after speaking of Walden and White Ponds, adds, "In the middle of the latter may be seen, when the water is very low, a tree which appears as if it grew in the place where it now stands, although the roots are fifty feet below the surface of the water; the top of this tree is broken off, and at that place measures fourteen inches in diameter." In the spring of ’49 I talked with the man who lives nearest the pond in Sudbury, who told me that it was he who got out this tree ten or fifteen years before. As near as he could remember, it stood twelve or fifteen rods from the shore, where the water was thirty or forty feet deep. It was in the winter, and he had been getting out ice in the forenoon, and had resolved that in the afternoon, with the aid of his neighbors, he would take out the old yellow-pine. He sawed a channel in the ice toward the shore, and hauled it over and along and out on to the ice with oxen; but, before he had gone far in his work, he was surprised to find that it was wrong end upward, with the stumps of the branches pointing down, and the small end firmly fastened in the sandy bottom. It was about a foot in diameter at the big end, and he had expected to get a good saw-log, but it was so rotten as to be fit only for fuel, if for that. He had some of it in his shed then , but unfortunately I did not think it worth the while to look at it, though I should have done my part more faithfully if I had then , but unfortunately I did not think it worth the while to look at it, though I should have done my part more faithfully if I had then , but unfortunately I did not think it worth the while to look at it, though I should have done my part more faithfully if I had then. There were marks of an axe and of woodpeckers on the but. He thought that it might have been a dead tree on the shore, which which which but was finally blown over into the pond, and after the top had become waterlogged, while the but-end was still dry and light, had drifted out and sunk wrong end up. His old father of 80, still alive old father of 80, still alive old father of 80, still alive father, eighty years old, could not remember when it was not there. As every lake has its hill or mountain presiding over it, nearer or further off, so from this among our Concord Lakes, Nobscot Hill appears to best advantage As every lake has its hill or mountain presiding over it, nearer or further off, so from this among our Concord Lakes, Nobscot Hill appears to best advantage As every lake has its hill or mountain presiding over it, nearer or further off, so from this among our Concord Lakes, Nobscot Hill appears to best advantage Several pretty large logs may still be seen lying on the bottom, where, owing to the undulation of the surface, they look like huge water snakes in motion.
33
Ponds 33 written: E
E: Ponds 33 is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
This pond has rarely been profaned by a boat, for there is little in it to tempt a fisherman. Instead of the white lily, which requires mud, or the common sweet flag, the blue flag ( Iris versicolor ) grows thinly in the pure water of this pond water of this pond water of this pond water, rising from the stony bottom all around the shore, where it is visited by humming birds in June, and the color of both its of both its of both its both of its bluish blades and its flowers is in singular harmony flowers is in singular harmony flowers is in singular harmony flowers, and especially their reflections in the water reflections in the water reflections in the water reflections, are in singular harmony with the greenish greenish greenish glaucous water.
34
Ponds 34 written: D rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Great crystals on the surface of the earth—this & Walden—! How much fairer than the xxxxxxxxx stone found hereabouts White Pond & Walden are great crystals on the surface of the earth, Lakes of Light Great crystals on the surface of the earth—this & Walden—! How much fairer than the xxxxxxxxx stone found hereabouts White Pond & Walden are great crystals on the surface of the earth, Lakes of Light Great crystals on the surface of the earth—this & Walden—! How much fairer than the xxxxxxxxx stone found hereabouts White Pond & Walden are great crystals on the surface of the earth, Lakes of Light Great crystals on the surface of the earth—this & Walden—! How much fairer than the xxxxxxxxx stone found hereabouts White Pond & Walden are great crystals on the surface of the earth, Lakes of Light White Pond and Walden are great crystals on the surface of the earth, Lakes of Light. If they were permanently congealed, and small enough to be clutched, they would, perchance, be carried off by slaves, like precious stones, like precious stones, like precious stones, like precious stones, like precious stones, to adorn the heads of emperors; but being liquid, and ample, and securely ours secured to us & our heirs successors forever securely ours secured to us & our heirs successors forever securely ours secured to us & our heirs successors forever securely ours secured to us & our heirs successors forever secured to us and our successors forever, we disregard them, and run after the diamond of Kohinoor. They are too pure to have a market value; and run after the diamond of Kohinoor. They are too pure to have a market value; and run after the diamond of Kohinoor. They are too pure to have a market value; and run after the diamond of Kohinoor. They are too pure to have a market value; and run after the diamond of Kohinoor. They are too pure to have a market value; they contain no muck. How much more beautiful than our lives, are they— how much more transparent than our characters—are they are they— how much more transparent than our characters—are they are they— how much more transparent than our characters—are they are they— how much more transparent than our characters—are they how much more transparent than our characters, are they! We never learned meanness of them. How much more beautiful than the pools before our doors in which our fairer than the pool before the farmer’s door in which his more beautiful than the pools before our doors in which our fairer than the pool before the farmer’s door in which his more beautiful than the pools before our doors in which our fairer than the pool before the farmer’s door in which his more beautiful than the pools before our doors in which our fairer than the pool before the farmer’s door in which his fairer than the pool before the farmer’s door, in which his ducks swim! Hither the clean wild ducks come. but Undoubtedly, we should value them more if they were less pure—if they abounded in sediment come. but Undoubtedly, we should value them more if they were less pure—if they abounded in sediment come. but Undoubtedly, we should value them more if they were less pure—if they abounded in sediment come. but Undoubtedly, we should value them more if they were less pure—if they abounded in sediment come. Nature has no human inhabitant who appreciates her. The birds with their plumage and their notes are in harmony with the flowers & lakes flowers and lakes flowers and lakes flowers and lakes flowers, but what youth or maiden conspires with the wild luxuriant beauty of Nature? She flourishes most alone, far from the towns where they reside. Talk of heaven! ye disgrace earth.
XVersion
The Ponds n
Note: The title "Ponds" is written in pencil in E, in ink in F, at the top of the leaf containing Ponds 1a. (R. Clapper)
1a
Ponds 1a written: A rewritten: E, F

(Ronald Clapper)
SOMETIMES, having had a surfeit of human society and gossip, and worn out all my village friends, I rambled still farther westward than I habitually dwell, "to fresh woods and pastures new"—into yet more unfrequented parts of the town—to solitary swamps and meadows, and pine woods & oak-thickets and rocky pastures "to fresh woods and pastures new"—into yet more unfrequented parts of the town—to solitary swamps and meadows, and pine woods & oak-thickets and rocky pastures "to fresh woods and pastures new"—into yet more unfrequented parts of the town—to solitary swamps and meadows, and pine woods & oak-thickets and rocky pastures "to fresh woods and pastures new"—into yet more unfrequented parts of the town—to solitary swamps and meadows, and pine woods & oak-thickets and rocky pastures into yet more unfrequented parts of the town, "to fresh woods and pastures new" and solitary swamps and meadows into yet more unfrequented parts of the town, "to fresh woods and pastures new" and solitary swamps and meadows into yet more unfrequented parts of the town, "to fresh woods and pastures new" and solitary swamps and meadows into yet more unfrequented parts of the town, "to fresh woods and pastures new," or, while the sun was setting, I made I made I made I made I made I made I made made my supper of huckleberries and blueberries on Fair Haven Hill, and laid up a store for several days. 1b
Ponds 1b written: E rewritten: F
E: The fruits do not yield their true flavor … tasted huckleberries who never plucked them is interlined.

(Ronald Clapper)
The fruits do not yield their true flavor to the mere purchaser mere purchaser mere purchaser purchaser of them, nor do they nor do they nor do they nor to him who raises them for the market. There is but one way to obtain them, yet how them it yet how them it yet how it, yet few take that way. If you would know the flavor of huckleberries, ask the cow-boy or the huckleberry bird partridge. huckleberry bird partridge. huckleberry bird partridge. partridge. It is a vulgar error to suppose that you have tasted huckleberries who never picked plucked them where they grew from the bushes plucked them from the bushes where they grew plucked them from the bushes where they grew plucked them. What are huckleberries on the market? He that would know their flavor must taste them on the hill. As the huckleberry bird. A huckleberry What are huckleberries on the market? He that would know their flavor must taste them on the hill. As the huckleberry bird. A huckleberry What are huckleberries on the market? He that would know their flavor must taste them on the hill. As the huckleberry bird. A huckleberry A huckleberry never reaches Boston; they have not been known there since they disappeared from Beacon Hill last they grew on her three hills they disappeared from Beacon Hill last they grew on her three hills they disappeared from Beacon Hill last they grew on her three hills they grew on her three hills. The ambrosial part of the fruit, that which feeds the genius. for every good fruit has its ambrosial part that which makes the taste immortal to a degree & essential part of the fruit & essential part of the fruit and essential part of the fruit is lost with the bloom which is rubbed off in the market cart, and they become mere provender. As long as Eternal Justice reigns not one innocent huckleberry can ever be transported thither from the country’s hills As long as Eternal Justice reigns not one innocent huckleberry can ever be transported thither from the country’s hills As long as Eternal Justice reigns not one innocent huckleberry can ever be transported thither from the country’s hills As long as Eternal Justice reigns, not one innocent huckleberry can be transported thither from the country’s hills.
2a
Ponds 2a written: A rewritten: E, F

(Ronald Clapper)
Sometimes Or else Sometimes Or else Sometimes Or else Sometimes Or else Occasionally, that is when there was occasion for fish Sometimes Sometimes Occasionally Sometimes Occasionally Occasionally, after my hoeing was done for the day, I joined some impatient companion who had been fishing since morning on the pond, since morning on the pond, since morning on the pond, since morning on the pond, since morning on the pond, since morning on the pond since morning since morning on the pond since morning on the pond since morning, as silent and motionless as a duck or a floating leaf, who who who who who who and who and and, after practising various kinds of philosophy, had concluded commonly, by the time I arrived, that he belonged to the ancient sect of Cœnobites. 2b
Ponds 2b written: E rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of only There was an older man . . . to look upon my house as a building.

(Ronald Clapper)
There was one older man, a capital an excellent a capital an excellent a capital an excellent an excellent fisher and skilled in all kinds of woodcraft, who was pleased to look upon my house as a building erected for the convenience of fishermen; and I was equally pleased when he sat in my doorway to arrange his reels lines reels lines reels lines lines. He left his boat in my charge, and we frequently Once in a while we He left his boat in my charge, and we frequently Once in a while we He left his boat in my charge, and we frequently Once in a while we Once in a while we sat together on the pond, he at one end of the boat, and I at the other; but not many words passed between us, for he was somewhat deaf and the harmony of our intercourse was uninterrupted in his later years was somewhat deaf and the harmony of our intercourse was uninterrupted in his later years was somewhat deaf and the harmony of our intercourse was uninterrupted in his later years had grown deaf in his later years, but he occasionally hummed a psalm, which harmonized well enough with my philosophy. Our intercourse was one of unbroken harmony & far more pleasing to remember than if it had been disturbed by the harshness of speech. Our intercourse was one of unbroken harmony & far more pleasing to remember than if it had been disturbed by the harshness of speech. Our intercourse was one of unbroken harmony & far more pleasing to remember than if it had been disturbed by the harshness of speech. Our intercourse was thus altogether one of unbroken harmony, far more pleasing to remember than if it had been carried on by speech. When, as was commonly the case, I had none to talk commune talk commune talk commune commune with, I used to raise the echoes by striking with a paddle on the side of my boat, filling the surrounding woods with circling and dilating sound, stirring them up as the keeper of a menagerie his lions & tigers lions & tigers lions & tigers wild beasts, until I elicited or obtained until I elicited or obtained until I elicited or obtained until I elicited a growl from every wooded vale and hill-side.
3a
Ponds 3a written: A rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Or sometimes at an early hour in the evening In warm evenings Or sometimes at an early hour in the evening In warm evenings Or sometimes at an early hour in the evening In warm evenings Or sometimes at an early hour in the evening In warm evenings Or sometimes at an early hour in the evening In warm evenings Or sometimes at an early hour in the evening In warm evenings Or sometimes at an early hour in the evening In warm evenings In warm evenings I frequently sat in my boat on the pond my boat on the pond my boat on the pond my boat on the pond my boat my boat my boat the boat playing the flute, and saw the perch, which I seem to have charmed, hovering around me, and the moon travelling over the ribbed bottom, strewn strewn strewn strewn which was strewn which was strewn which was strewn which was strewed with the wrecks of the forest. 3b
Ponds 3b written: E
E: Ponds 3a follows Ponds 4.

(Ronald Clapper)
Formerly I had come to this pond adventurously, from time to time, in dark summer nights, with a companion, and, building building building making a fire close to the water’s edge, which we thought attracted the fish angled for fishes we caught fish angled for fishes we caught fish angled for fishes we caught fishes, we caught pouts with a bunch of worms strung on a thread; and when we had done, far in the night, we threw we threw we threw threw the burning brands high into the air like skyrockets, which, coming down into the pond, were quenched with a loud sizzlingnoise sizzlingnoise sizzlingnoise hissing, and we would find found ourselves suddenly in the dark total darkness through which would find found ourselves suddenly in the dark total darkness through which would find found ourselves suddenly in the dark total darkness through which were suddenly groping in total darkness. Through this, whistling a tune, we took our way to the haunts of men again. But now I had made my home by the shore.
4
Ponds 4 written: A rewritten: E
A: Ponds 4 is followed by Higher Laws 1b.
E: Ponds 4 is followed by Ponds 3b.

(Ronald Clapper)
Occasionally, Sometimes Occasionally, Sometimes Occasionally, Sometimes Occasionally, Sometimes Occasionally, Sometimes Occasionally, Sometimes Occasionally, Sometimes Sometimes, after staying in a village parlor till the family had all retired, I have returned to the woods, carrying perchance a bag of rye or Indian meal from the store upon my shoulders and carrying perchance a bag of rye or Indian meal from the store upon my shoulders and carrying perchance a bag of rye or Indian meal from the store upon my shoulders and carrying perchance a bag of rye or Indian meal from the store upon my shoulders and and partly with a view to the next day’s meal and partly with a view to the next day’s meal and partly with a view to the next day’s meal and, partly with a view to the next day’s dinner, spent the hours of midnight fishing in a boat on the pond in a boat on the pond in a boat on the pond in a boat on the pond from a boat on the pond from a boat on the pond from a boat on the pond from a boat by moonlight, serenaded by owls and the barking of foxes, the barking of foxes, the barking of foxes, the barking of foxes, the barking of foxes, the barking of foxes, the barking of foxes, foxes, and hearing, from time to time, the note of the woodcock or the booming of snipes a mile off circling over river meadows, or the croak of a bittern note of the woodcock or the booming of snipes a mile off circling over river meadows, or the croak of a bittern note of the woodcock or the booming of snipes a mile off circling over river meadows, or the croak of a bittern note of the woodcock or the booming of snipes a mile off circling over river meadows, or the croak of a bittern note of the woodcock or the booming of snipes a mile off circling over river meadows, or the croak of a bittern some unknown bird note of the woodcock or the booming of snipes a mile off circling over river meadows, or the croak of a bittern some unknown bird note of the woodcock or the booming of snipes a mile off circling over river meadows, or the croak of a bittern some unknown bird creaking note of some unknown bird close at hand. These private hours private hours private hours private hours private hours experiences private hours experiences private hours experiences experiences were very memorable and valuable to me,—anchored in forty feet of water, and twenty or thirty rods from the shore, surrounded sometimes by thousands of small perch and shiners, dimpling the surface with their tails in the moonlight, and communicating by a long flaxen line with mysterious vespertinal vespertinal vespertinal vespertinal vespertinal vespertinal vespertinal nocturnal fishes which had their dwelling forty feet below, or sometimes dragging sixty feet of line about the pond as I drifted in the gentle night air, air, air, air, air, wind breeze air, wind breeze air, wind breeze breeze, now and then feeling a slight vibration along it, indicative of some life prowling about its extremity, of dull uncertain blundering purpose there, and slow to make up its mind. At length you slowly raise, pulling hand over hand, some horned pout squeaking and squirming to the upper air. It was very queer, in dark in dark in dark in dark in dark especially darker in dark especially darker in dark especially darker especially in dark nights, when your thoughts had wandered to vast and cosmogonal themes in other spheres, to feel the this faint the this faint the this faint the this faint the this faint the this faint the this faint this faint jerk, which came to interrupt your dreams and link you to Nature again. It seemed as if I might next cast my line upward into the air, as well as downward into this element which was hardly hardly hardly hardly hardly hardly hardly scarcely more dense. Thus I caught two fishes as it were with one hook, or rather a fish and a bird Thus I caught two fishes as it were with one hook, or rather a fish and a bird Thus I caught two fishes as it were with one hook, or rather a fish and a bird Thus I caught two fishes as it were with one hook.
5a
Ponds 5a written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
The scenery of Walden is on a very humble very humble very humble humble scale, and, though very beautiful, does not approach to grandeur, nor can it much concern one who has not long frequented it or lived by its shore; yet this pond is so remarkable for its depth and purity as to merit a particular description. It is a clear and deep green well, half a mile long and about a mile and about a mile and about a mile and a mile and three quarters in circumference, containing and contains and contains and contains and contains about sixty-one and a half acres; 5b
Ponds 5b written: A rewritten: D, E, F
A: midst of pine and oak … clouds and evaporation follows a missing leaf (#137) and precedes Ponds 8b.

(Ronald Clapper)
a perennial spring in the midst of pine and oak and oak and oak woods, without any visible inlet or outlet but but but but but but but except by the clouds and by evaporations and by evaporations and by evaporations or by evaporation or by evaporation or by and evaporation or by and evaporation and evaporation. 5c
Ponds 5c written: D rewritten: E, F
D: This is that portion, also, where in the spring … appeared but muddy in comparison and It is well known that a large plate of glass … studies for a Michael Angelo do not appear in the manuscript. Some have referred this … before the leaves are expanded is interlined.
D, & E: All our Concord waters have two colors … it partakes of the color of both does not appear in the manuscript in D or in the original copying of E but is interlined in pencil in E.

(Ronald Clapper)
The surrounding hills are from 50 to a hundred and in one place perhaps 200 feet high generally from 50 to 75 feet high though in one place they rise to the height of about 150 feet & for the most part they [are] covered with wood The surrounding hills are generally from fifty to seventy-five feet high, though in one place they rise to the height of about one hundred and fifty feet, and for the most part they are rise abruptly from the water & are from 40 to 80 feet high, though on the southeast & east they attain the height of about one hundred & fifty feet respectively within a quarter &⅓ of a mile. They are for the most part covered with wood The surrounding hills rise abruptly from the water to the height of from 40 to 80 feet, though on the southeast & east they attain the height of to about 100 & 150 feet respectively within ¼ and ⅓ of a mile. They are for the most part covered with wood exclusively woodland The surrounding hills rise abruptly from the water to the height of from 40 to 80 feet, though on the southeast & east they attain the height of to about 100 & 150 feet respectively within ¼ and ⅓ of a mile. They are for the most part covered with wood exclusively woodland The surrounding hills rise abruptly from the water to the height of forty to eighty feet, though on the south-east and east they attain to about one hundred and one hundred and fifty feet respectively, within a quarter and a third of a mile. They are exclusively woodland. In their colors all waters follow the sky, i.e. it depends on the light. In fair clear weather all waters that I know appear blue at a little distance, especially if agitated—but they are also a peculiar color which is most apparent in calm weather or when you look closely into their depths. True to its nature between earth & air Walden is both green & blue—let clear serene weather come to illustrate its depths & it is green like the grass, sometimes even when viewed from the hill tops—let the air descend on it and toss up its surface in waves and it is blue like the sky. All In their colors all waters follow the sky, i.e. it depends on the light. In fair clear weather all waters that I know appear blue at a little distance, especially if agitated—but they are also a peculiar color which is most apparent in calm weather or when you look closely into their depths. True to its nature between earth & air Walden is both green & blue—let clear serene weather come to illustrate its depths & it is green like the grass, sometimes even when viewed from the hill tops—let the air descend on it and toss up its surface in waves and it is blue like the sky. All In their colors all waters follow the sky, i.e. it depends on the light. In fair clear weather all waters that I know appear blue at a little distance, especially if agitated—but they are also a peculiar color which is most apparent in calm weather or when you look closely into their depths. True to its nature between earth & air Walden is both green & blue—let clear serene weather come to illustrate its depths & it is green like the grass, sometimes even when viewed from the hill tops—let the air descend on it and toss up its surface in waves and it is blue like the sky. All In their colors all waters follow the sky, i.e. it depends on the light. In fair clear weather all waters that I know appear blue at a little distance, especially if agitated—but they are also a peculiar color which is most apparent in calm weather or when you look closely into their depths. True to its nature between earth & air Walden is both green & blue—let clear serene weather come to illustrate its depths & it is green like the grass, sometimes even when viewed from the hill tops—let the air descend on it and toss up its surface in waves and it is blue like the sky. All All our Concord waters have one color one color one color two colors at least, one when one color two colors at least, one when two colors at least, one when viewed at a distance, and another, more proper to themselves viewed near> close proper to themselves viewed near> close proper to themselves viewed near> close proper to themselves viewed near> close proper, close at hand. The first commonly depends on the light The first commonly depends on the light The first depends more on the light & follows the sky The first depends more on the light & follows the sky The first depends more on the light, and follows the sky. In clear weather, all our Concord waters they all our Concord waters they in summer they in summer they in summer, they appear blue at a little distance, especially if agitated, and at a great distance all appear alike. In stormy weather they are sometimes of a dark slate-color, perhaps In stormy weather they are sometimes of a dark slate-color, perhaps In stormy weather they are sometimes of a dark slate color. The sea, however, is said to be blue one day and green another without any perceptible change in the weather weather weather atmosphere weather atmosphere atmosphere. Also I have seen our river when the landscape being covered with snow, both water & ice were almost as green as grass. Also I have seen our river when the landscape being covered with snow, both water & ice were almost as green as grass. I have seen our river, when, the landscape being covered with snow, both water and ice were almost as green as grass. Some consider blue "to be the color of pure water, whether liquid or solid." Forbes A writer on glaciers considers Some consider blue to be the color of pure water, whether liquid or solid Some consider blue "to be the color of pure water, whether liquid or solid." Forbes A writer on glaciers considers Some consider blue to be the color of pure water, whether liquid or solid Some consider blue "to be the color of pure water, whether liquid or solid." But, looking directly down into them the former them the former the former our waters the former our waters our waters from a boat, they are seen to be of very different colors. Walden is thus both blue and green at different times thus both blue and green at different times thus both blue and green at different times blue at one time and green at another thus both blue and green at different times blue at one time and green at another blue at one time and green at another, even from the same point of view. Lying between the earth and the heavens, it partakes of the color of both. Viewed from a hill top it reflects the color of the sky, is blue in the depths & green in the shallows, or rather close to the shore, for there are no other shallows; but a vivid green near the shore but from a boat when the surface is calm it is seen to be of a uniform dark green Close But near at hand, it is of a yellowish tint next to the shore, where you can see the sand, its waters have a yellowish tint, next then a light green, gradually deepening to a uniform dark green in the body of the pond. Viewed from a hill top it reflects the color of the sky, is blue in the depths, but in some lights even from a hill top a vivid green next the shore , but from a boat, when the surface is calm it is seen to be of a uniform dark green Viewed from a hill top it reflects the color of the sky, but viewed near at hand, it is of a yellowish tint next to the shore, where you can see the sand, then a light green gradually deepening which gradually deepens to a uniform dark green in the body of the pond. In some lights, viewed even from a hill top, it is of a vivid green next the shore Viewed from a hill top it reflects the color of the sky, but viewed near at hand, it is of a yellowish tint next to the shore, where you can see the sand, then a light green gradually deepening which gradually deepens to a uniform dark green in the body of the pond. In some lights, viewed even from a hill top, it is of a vivid green next the shore Viewed from a hill-top it reflects the color of the sky, but near at hand it is of a yellowish tint next the shore where you can see the sand, then a light green, which gradually deepens to a uniform dark green in the body of the pond. In some lights, viewed even from a hill-top, it is of a vivid green next the shore. Some have referred the more obvious greenness next the shores the more obvious greenness next the shores this as seen from the hills the more obvious greenness next the shores this as seen from the hills the more obvious greenness next the shores this as seen from the hills this to the reflection of the verdure; but it is equally green there against the railroad sand-bank, and in the spring, before the leaves are expanded, and it may be simply the result of the prevailing blue mixed with the yellow of the sand. As if it were the simple simply the result of the prevailing blue being mixed with the sand —which combination produces green and it may be simply the result of the prevailing blue mixed with the yellow of the sand. As if it were the simple simply the result of the prevailing blue being mixed with the sand —which combination produces green and it may be simply the result of the prevailing blue mixed with the yellow of the sand. Such is the color of its iris. Such is the color of its iris. Such is the color of its iris. Such is the color of its iris. Such is the color of its iris. This is that portion, also which where also which where also which where also which where also, where in the spring, the ice the ice the ice the ice the ice being warmed by the heat of the sun reflected from the bottom, and also transmitted through the earth, melts first and forms a narrow canal about the still frozen middle. middle. middle. middle. middle. Like any water, any water, any water, the rest of our waters any water, the rest of our waters the rest of our waters, when much agitated, apparently apparently apparently apparently in clear weather, so that the surface of the waves may reflect the sky at the right angle, or because there is more light mixed with it, it appears at a little distance of a darker blue than the sky itself; & At such a time & At such a time and at such a time, being on its surface, & and at such a time, being on its surface, & and at such a time, being on its surface, and looking with divided vision, so as to see the reflection, I have discerned a most glorious but matchless and most glorious but matchless and most glorious but matchless and most glorious but matchless and matchless and indescribable light blue, as on watered-silk or a sword-blade such as watered or changeable silks and sword-blades are made to imitate, may suggest as on watered-silk or a sword-blade such as watered or changeable silks and sword-blades are made to imitate, may suggest as on watered-silk or a sword-blade such as watered or changeable silks and sword-blades are made to imitate, may suggest as on watered-silk or a sword-blade such as watered or changeable silks and sword-blades are made to imitate, may suggest such as watered or changeable silks and sword blades suggest, more cerulean than the sky itself, alternating with the original dark green on the opposite sides of the waves, which last appeared but muddy in comparison. It is of a It But without describing it particularly Walden is of a It is of a It is of a It is a vitreous greenish blue, as I remember it, like those patches of the winter sky seen through cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud vistas in the west before sundown. Yet a single glass of its water held up to the light is almost as colorless almost as colorless almost as colorless almost as colorless as colorless as an equal quantity of air. It is well known that a large plate of glass will have a green tint, owing, as the makers say, to its "body," but a small piece of the same will be colorless. How large a body of Walden water would be required to reflect a green tint I have never proved. So it is well known a large plate of glass will have a green tint, owing to its body, but a small piece of the same will be colorless. How large a body of Walden water would be required to reflect a green tint I have never proved do not know It is well known that a large plate of glass will have a green tint, owing, as the makers say, to its "body," but a small piece of the same will be colorless. How large a body of Walden water would be required to reflect a green tint I have never proved. So it is well known a large plate of glass will have a green tint, owing to its body, but a small piece of the same will be colorless. How large a body of Walden water would be required to reflect a green tint I have never proved do not know So It is well known likewise that a large plate of glass will have a green tint, owing, as the makers say, to its body, but a small piece of the same will be colorless. How large a body of Walden water would be required to reflect a green tint I have never proved So It is well known likewise that a large plate of glass will have a green tint, owing, as the makers say, to its body, but a small piece of the same will be colorless. How large a body of Walden water would be required to reflect a green tint I have never proved It is well known that a large plate of glass will have a green tint, owing, as the makers say, to its "body," but a small piece of the same will be colorless. How large a body of Walden water would be required to reflect a green tint I have never proved. The water of the the the our the our our river is black or a very dark brown to one looking directly directly directly down on it, and, like that of most ponds, imparts to the body of one bathing in it the bather one bathing in it the bather the bather one bathing in it the bather one bathing in it one bathing in it a yellowish tinge; but this water is of such crystalline purity that the body of the bather appears of an alabaster or chalky alabaster or chalky alabaster or chalky alabaster or chalky alabaster whiteness, equally equally equally still more equally still more still more unnatural, which, as the limbs are magnified and distorted withal, produces a monstrous and ogre-like monstrous and ogre-like monstrous and ogre-like monstrous and ogre-like monstrous effect, making fit studies for the genius of for the genius of for a for a for a Michael Angelo.
6a
Ponds 6a written: A rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
It The water is so pure and clear transparent that the bottom can easily be seen in at the depth of 25 or 30 feet of water It The water is so pure and clear transparent that the bottom can easily be seen in at the depth of 25 or 30 feet of water It The water is so pure and clear transparent that the bottom can easily be seen in at the depth of 25 or 30 feet of water It The water is so pure and clear transparent that the bottom can easily be seen in at the depth of 25 or 30 feet of water The water is so transparent that the bottom can easily be seen discerned at the depth of twenty-five or thirty feet The water is so transparent that the bottom can easily be seen discerned at the depth of twenty-five or thirty feet The water is so transparent that the bottom can easily be seen discerned at the depth of twenty-five or thirty feet The water is so transparent that the bottom can easily be discerned at the depth of twenty-five or thirty feet. Paddling over it you may see several feet beneath the surface large the schools of perch perhaps only an inch long yet easily distinguished by their transverse bars & you think they must be ascetic fish that get their find a subsistence there Paddling over it you may see several feet beneath the surface large the schools of perch perhaps only an inch long yet easily distinguished by their transverse bars & you think they must be ascetic fish that get their find a subsistence there Paddling over it you may see several feet beneath the surface large the schools of perch perhaps only an inch long yet easily distinguished by their transverse bars & you think they must be ascetic fish that get their find a subsistence there Paddling over it you may see several feet beneath the surface large the schools of perch perhaps only an inch long yet easily distinguished by their transverse bars & you think they must be ascetic fish that get their find a subsistence there Paddling over it you may see several many feet beneath the surface the schools of perch & shiners, perhaps only an inch long, yet the former easily easy to be distinguished by their transverse bars, and you think that they must be ascetic fish that find a subsistence there Paddling over it you may see several many feet beneath the surface the schools of perch & shiners, perhaps only an inch long, yet the former easily easy to be distinguished by their transverse bars, and you think that they must be ascetic fish that find a subsistence there Paddling over it you may see several many feet beneath the surface the schools of perch & shiners, perhaps only an inch long, yet the former easily easy to be distinguished by their transverse bars, and you think that they must be ascetic fish that find a subsistence there Paddling over it, you may see many feet beneath the surface the schools of perch and shiners, perhaps only an inch long, yet the former easily distinguished by their transverse bars, and you think that they must be ascetic fish that find a subsistence there. Once, in the winter, many years ago, when I had been cutting holes through the ice in order to catch pickerel, as I stepped ashore I heaved my axe the axe—it was my father’s axe— my axe heaved my axe the axe—it was my father’s axe— my axe heaved my axe the axe—it was my father’s axe— my axe heaved my axe the axe—it was my father’s axe— my axe heaved my axe the axe—it was my father’s axe— my axe heaved my axe heaved my axe tossed my axe back on to the ice, but, as if some evil genius had directed it, it it, it it, it it, it it, it it, it it, it it, it slid four or five rods directly into one of the holes, where the water was twenty twenty twenty twenty twenty twenty twenty twenty-five feet deep. Out of curiosity, I lay down on the ice and looked through the hole, when until when until when until when until when until when until when until until I saw the axe a little on one side, standing on its head, with its helve erect and gently swaying to and fro with the pulse of the pond; and there it might have stood erect and swaying till in the course of time the handle rotted off, if I had not disturbed it, Is a thing lost when you know where it is—and how to get it? disturbed it, Is a thing lost when you know where it is—and how to get it? disturbed it, Is a thing lost when you know where it is—and how to get it? disturbed it, Is a thing lost when you know where it is—and how to get it? disturbed it, Is a thing lost when you know where it is—and how to get it? disturbed it, Is a thing lost when you know where it is—and how to get it? disturbed it, Is a thing lost when you know where it is—and how to get it? disturbed it. Making another hole directly over the axe over the axe over the axe over the axe over the axe it over the axe it over the axe it over it with an ice chisel which I had, and cutting down the 6b
Ponds 6b written: D rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
longest birch which I could find in the neighborhood with my knife, I made a slip-noose, which I attached to the its the its the its the its its end, and, letting it down carefully, passed it over the knob of the handle, and drew it by a line along the birch, and so pulled the axe out again. When I got home I told the story to my father, but I stopped short of the place where the axe slid into the hole, and gave it up for lost, & then to his surprise I produced it again. When I got home I told the story to my father, but I stopped short of the place where the axe slid into the hole, and gave it up for lost, & then to his surprise I produced it again. When I got home I told the story to my father, but I stopped short of the place where the axe slid into the hole, and gave it up for lost, & then to his surprise I produced it again. When I got home I told the story to my father, but I stopped short of the place where the axe slid into the hole, and gave it up for lost, & then to his surprise I produced it again.
7a
Ponds 7a written: D rewritten: E, F

(Ronald Clapper)
The shore is composed of a belt of smooth rounded white stones like paving stones, excepting one or two short sand beaches, and is so steep that much of the way in many places much of the way in many places much of the way in many places much of the way in many places in many places a single leap will carry you into water over your head; and were it not for its remarkable transparency, that would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. & except were it not for its remarkable transparency that is the last that is would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rises rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. and were it not for its remarkable transparency, that would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. & except were it not for its remarkable transparency that is the last that is would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rises rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. and were it not for its remarkable transparency, that would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. & except were it not for its remarkable transparency that is the last that is would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rises rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. and were it not for its remarkable transparency, that would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. & except were it not for its remarkable transparency that is the last that is would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rises rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. and were it not for its remarkable transparency, that would be the last to be seen of its bottom till it rose on the opposite side. Some think it is bottomless. It is nowhere muddy, and a casual observer would say that there were no weeds at all in it; and of noticeable plants, except in the little meadows recently overflowed, except for the small meadows which xxxxxxx recently overflowed except for the small meadows recently overflowed except for the small little meadows recently overflowed except for the small little meadows recently overflowed except in the little meadows recently overflowed, which do not properly belong to it, which do not properly belong to it, which do not properly belong to it, a closer scrutiny detects not detects not detects not detects not does not detect a flag nor a bulrush, nor a flag nor a bulrush, nor a flag nor a bulrush, nor a flag nor a bulrush, nor a flag nor a bulrush, nor even a lily, yellow or white, but only a few small heart-leaves and potamogetons, and perhaps a water-target or two; which yet which yet which yet which yet all which however a bather might not perceive; and these plants , as well as the fishes, plants , as well as the fishes, plants , as well as the fishes, plants , as well as the fishes, plants are clean and bright like the element they grow in. 7b
Ponds 7b written: A rewritten: D
A: Ponds 7b follows Ponds 8b and precedes Ponds 6a.

(Ronald Clapper)
It is surrounded by a belt of paving stones extending It is surrounded by a belt of paving stones extending It is surrounded by a belt of paving stones extending It is surrounded by a belt of paving stones extending It is surrounded by a belt of paving stones extending It is surrounded by a belt of paving stones extending It is surrounded by a belt of paving stones extending The stones extend a rod or two into the water, and then the bottom is pure sand, except in the deepest parts—or where it is under more than 40 feet deep of water parts—or where it is under more than 40 feet deep of water parts—or where it is under more than 40 feet deep of water parts—or where it is under more than 40 feet deep of water parts—or where it is under more than 40 feet deep of water parts—or where it is under more than 40 feet deep of water parts—or where it is under more than 40 feet deep of water parts, where there is usually a little sediment, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, probably from the decay of the leaves which have been wafted on to it so many successive falls, and a bright green weed is brought up on anchors even in midwinter.
8a
Ponds 8a written: D

(Ronald Clapper)
We have one other pond just like this, White Pond, in Nine Acre Corner, about two and a half miles westerly; but, though I am acquainted with most of the ponds within a dozen miles of this centre, I do not know a third of this pure and well-like character. 8b
Ponds 8b written: A rewritten: D
A: Ponds 8b follows Ponds 5b and precedes Ponds 7b.]
A fair copy was made of only Successive nations perchance have drank … Perhaps on that spring morning.

(Ronald Clapper)
Successive nations perchance perchance perchance perchance perchance perchance perchance perchance have drank at, admired, and fathomed admired, and fathomed admired, and fathomed admired, and fathomed admired, and fathomed admired, and fathomed admired, and fathomed admired, and fathomed it, and passed away, and still its water is blue & pellucid as ever—Not an intermittent spring and still its water is blue & pellucid as ever—Not an intermittent spring and still its water is blue & pellucid as ever—Not an intermittent spring and still its water is blue green and pellucid as ever. Not an intermitting spring and still its water is blue green and pellucid as ever. Not an intermitting spring and still its water is blue green and pellucid as ever. Not an intermitting spring and still its water is blue green and pellucid as ever. Not an intermitting spring and still its water is green and pellucid as ever. Not an intermitting spring! Perhaps on that spring morning when Adam and Eve were driven out of Eden Walden Pond was already in existence, and even then breaking up in a gentle spring rain accompanied with mist and a southerly wind, and covered with myriads of ducks and geese, that which that which that which that which that which that which that which which had not heard of the fall, when still such pure lakes sufficed them. when still such pure lakes sufficed them. when still such pure lakes sufficed them. when still such pure lakes sufficed them. when still such pure lakes sufficed them. when still such pure lakes sufficed them. when still such pure lakes sufficed them. when still such pure lakes sufficed them. Even then it had commenced its periodical to its periodical to its periodical to its periodical to its periodical to its periodical to its periodical to to rise and fall, and had clarified its waters and had colored had colored had colored had colored had colored had colored had colored colored them of the hue they now wear, and obtained a patent of heaven to be the only Walden Pond in the world and distiller of celestial dews. Who knows in how many unremembered nations’ literatures this has been the Castalian Fountain? or what nymphs presided over it in the Golden Age? It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet. It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet. It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet. It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet. It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet. It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet. It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet. It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet.
9
Ponds 9 written: D
D: This is particularly distinct to one … may still preserve some trace of this does not appear in the manuscript.

(Ronald Clapper)
Yet the first who frequented it came to this well have perchance the first who frequented it came to this well have perchance the first who frequented it came to this well have perchance the first who frequented it came to this well have perchance perchance the first who came to this well have left some trace of their footsteps. I have been surprised to detect encircling the pond, even encircling the pond, even encircling the pond, even encircling the pond, even encircling the pond, even where a thick wood has encircling the pond, even encircling the pond, even encircling the pond, even encircling the pond, even just been cut down on the shore, a narrow shelf-like path in the steep hill-side, encircling in the pond alternately rising & falling & approaching & receding from the water’s edge encircling in the pond alternately rising & falling & approaching & receding from the water’s edge encircling in the pond alternately rising & falling & approaching & receding from the water’s edge encircling in the pond alternately rising & falling & approaching & receding from the water’s edge alternately rising and falling, approaching and receding from the water’s edge, as old probably as the race of man here, worn by the feet of aboriginal hunters, and still from time to time unwittingly trodden by the whiteman present occupants of the land whiteman present occupants of the land whiteman present occupants of the land whiteman present occupants of the land present occupants of the land. This is particularly distinct to one standing on the middle of the pond in winter, just after a light snow has fallen, appearing as a clear undulating white line, unobscured by weeds and twigs, and very obvious a quarter of a mile off in many places where in summer it is hardly distinguishable close at hand. The snow reprints it, as it were, in clear white type alto-relievo. The ornamented grounds of villas which will one day be built here may still preserve some trace of this.
10a
Ponds 10a written: D rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
The pond rises and falls, but within what periods, and whether regularly or not within what periods, and whether regularly or not within what periods, and whether regularly or not, and within what period within what periods, and whether regularly or not, and within what period whether regularly or not, and within what period, nobody knows, though, as usual, many pretend to know. It is commonly higher in the winter and lower in the summer, though not corresponding to the general wet and dryness. I can remember when it was a foot or two lower, and also when it was at least five feet higher, than when I lived by it. There is a narrow sand-bar running into it, with very deep water on one side, on which I boiled helped boil boiled helped boil boiled helped boil boiled helped boil helped boil a kettle of chowder, more than some more than some more than some more than some some six rods from the main shore, more than as much as 25 years ago more than as much as 25 years ago more than as much as 25 years ago more than as much as 25 years ago about the year 1824, which it has not been possible to do since for twenty years at least since for twenty years at least since for twenty years at least since for twenty years at least for twenty-five years; and, on the other hand, my friends used to listen with incredulity when I told them, that a year or two few years year or two few years year or two few years year or two few years few years later I was accustomed to fish from a boat in a deep secluded cove in the woods, in a deep secluded cove in the woods, in a deep secluded cove in the woods, in a deep secluded cove in the woods, in a secluded cove in the woods, fifteen rods from the only shore they knew, which place was long since converted into a meadow. But since I left it But since I left it But since I left it But since I left it But the pond has risen steadily for a year two years past a year two years past two years past two years past two years, and now, in the summer of ’52, is just five feet higher than when I lived there, or as high as it was 20 25 20 25 twenty-five thirty twenty-five thirty thirty years ago, and fishing goes on again in the meadow. which this which this which this which this This makes a difference of level, at the outside, of six or seven feet; and yet the water shed by the surrounding hills is insignificant in amount, and this overflow must be referred to causes which affect the deep springs. I have never detected any tide in it though I have thought amused myself with thinking that with suitable instruments I might perchance do so this might perchance be done I have never detected any tide in it though I have thought amused myself with thinking that with suitable instruments I might perchance do so this might perchance be done This same summer the pond has begun to fall again. This same summer the pond has begun to fall again. This same summer the pond has begun to fall again. 10b
Ponds 10b written: F
F: It is remarkable that this fluctuation … low as I have ever known it was written on the back of a letter dated February 26, 1854, and attached to a leaf in F.

(Ronald Clapper)
It is remarkable that this fluctuation, whether periodical or not, appears thus thus thus to require many years for its accomplishment. I have observed one rise and a part of two falls, and I expect that a dozen or fifteen years hence the water will again be as low as I have ever known it. Flint’s Pond, a mile eastward, a mile eastward, a mile eastward, allowing for the disturbance occasioned by its inlets and outlets, and also the smaller intermediate ponds also also the smaller intermediate ponds also the smaller intermediate ponds also, sympathize with Walden, and recently attained their greatest height at the same time with the latter. The same is true, as far as my observation goes, with respect to of with respect to of of White Pond.
11
Ponds 11 written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
This rise and fall of the pond Walden the pond Walden Walden at long intervals at long intervals at long intervals serves this use at least; the water standing at this great height for a year or more, for a year or more, for a year or more, though it makes it difficult to walk round it, kills the shrubs and trees which have sprung up about its edge since the last rise, pitch-pines, birches, alders, aspens, &e &e and others, and, falling again, leaves an unobstructed shore; for, unlike many ponds and all waters which are subject to a daily tide, its shore is cleanest when the water is lowest. On the side of the pond next my house a row of pitch pines fifteen feet high has been killed and tipped over as if by a lever, and thus a stop put to their encroachments; and their size might have indicated how many years had elapsed since the last rise to this height and their size might have indicated how many years had elapsed since the last rise to this height and their size indicates how many years have elapsed since the last rise to this height. By this fluctuation—though with long intervals fluctuation—though with long intervals fluctuation the pond asserts its title to a shore, and thus the shore is shorn , and the trees cannot hold it by right of possession. These are the lips of the lake on which no beard grows. It licks its chaps from time to time. When the water is at its height, the alders, & willows & maples & willows & maples willows, and maples send forth a mass of red fibrous red roots several feet long red fibrous red roots several feet long fibrous red roots several feet long from all sides of their stems in the water, in the water, in the water, and to the height of three or four feet from their roots the ground their roots the ground the ground, in the effort to maintain themselves; & I have known the high blueberry bushes which commonly yield no berries then bear an abundant crop under these circumstances & I have known the high blueberry bushes which commonly yield no berries then bear an abundant crop under these circumstances and I have known the high-blueberry bushes about the shore, which commonly produce no fruit, bear an abundant crop under these circumstances.
12a
Ponds 12a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
stones have been shoved up into a ridge by the edge of the ice being driven against it, or as if the sand had washed down and collected against the ice, and there remained when the ice was melted. But the truth seems to be probably is that when there is a thaw or warm rain in midwinter which warms the water in the pond, that portion of the water which penetrates a little way under the frozen shore apparently takes out some of the frost there, and the shore, whether it is sand or pebbles, or stones or sticks, is puffed up in the form of a pent-roof six inches or more high, and under which this there is found to be no frost, Even pretty large rocks and trees, as I have said, are thus actually tripped up or pried over by a force applied beneath. stones have been shoved up into a ridge by the edge of the ice being driven against it, or as if the sand had washed down and collected against the ice, and there remained when the ice was melted. But the truth seems to be probably is that when there is a thaw or warm rain in midwinter which warms the water in the pond, that portion of the water which penetrates a little way under the frozen shore apparently takes out some of the frost there, and the shore, whether it is sand or pebbles, or stones or sticks, is puffed up in the form of a pent-roof six inches or more high, and under which this there is found to be no frost, Even pretty large rocks and trees, as I have said, are thus actually tripped up or pried over by a force applied beneath. Some have been puzzled to tell how the shore became so regularly paved. 12b
Ponds 12b written: F
F: Ponds 12b follows Ponds 12c.

(Ronald Clapper)
My townsmen have all heard the tradition, the oldest people tell me that they heard it in their youth, the oldest people tell me that they heard it in their youth, the oldest people tell me that they heard it in their youth, that anciently the Indians were carousing or holding carousing or holding holding a pow-wow upon a hill here, which rose as high into the heavens as the pond now sinks deep into the earth, and they used much profanity, as the story goes, though this vice , as I learn from the best authority, vice , as I learn from the best authority, vice is one of which the Indians were never guilty, and while they were thus engaged the hill shook and suddenly sank, and only one old squaw, named Walden, escaped, and from her the pond was named. It has been conjectured that when the hill shook these stones rolled down its side and became the present shore. It is very certain, at any rate, that once there was no pond there there here, and now there is one; and and and this Indian fable does not in any respect conflict with the account of that ancient settler whom I have mentioned, who remembers so well when he first came here with his divining rod, saw a thin vapor rising from the sward, and the hazel pointed steadily downward, and he concluded to dig a well here. 12c
Ponds 12c written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
As for the stones, many still think that they are hardly to be accounted for by the action of the waves on these hills; but I observe that the surrounding hills are remarkably full of the same kind of stones, so that they have been obliged to pile them up in walls on both sides of the railroad cut nearest the pond; and, moreover, that there that there there are most stones where the shore is most abrupt; so that, unfortunately, it is no longer a mystery to me. I detect the paver. 12d
Ponds 12d written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
If the name was not derived from that of some English locality,— Saffron Walden, for instance, Saffron Walden perhaps for instance Saffron Walden, for instance, Saffron Walden perhaps for instance Saffron Walden, for instance, I have conjectured that who knows but I have conjectured that who knows but one might suppose that it was called, originally, Walled-in Pond.
13
Ponds 13 written: A rewritten: F
A: Ponds 13 follows Spring 1c and precedes Pond in Winter 6a.
A: Ponds 13 appears as follows. The temperature of the river the same day was 32½ the same with the middle of Flint’s pond—and nearly the same with that of snow just melted or running in a sluice which is 32 or freezing point. The temperature of Martwell Bigelow’s well—which was neither the warmest nor the coldest that was tried—was 43—that of the boiling spring 45 or the warmest of any, but it is perhaps the coldest in summer when shallow & stagnant snow and surface water is not mixed with it.

(Ronald Clapper)
The pond was my well ready dug. For four months in the year its water is as cold as it is pure at all times; and I think that it is then as good as any, if not the best, in the town. In the winter, all water which is exposed to the air is colder than springs and wells which are protected from it. The temperature of the pond water which had stood in the room where I sat from five o’clock in the afternoon till noon the next day, the sixth of March, 1846, the thermometer having been up to 65° or 70° a part some a part some a part some a part some a part some a part some a part some some of the time, owing partly to the sun on the roof, was 42°, or one degree colder than the water of one of the best coldest best coldest best coldest best coldest best coldest best coldest best coldest coldest wells in the village just drawn. just drawn. just drawn. just drawn. just drawn. just drawn. just drawn. just drawn. The temperature of the Boiling Spring the same day was 45°, or the warmest of any water tried, though it is the coldest that I know of that I know of that I know of that I know of that I know of that I know of that I know of that I know of in summer, when, also beside also beside also beside also beside also beside also beside also beside beside, shallow and stagnant surface water is not mingled with it. Moreover, in summer, Walden never becomes so warm as most water which is exposed to the sun, on account of its depth. In the warmest weather I usually placed a pailful in my cellar, where it became cool in the night, and remained so during the day; though I also resorted to a spring in the neighborhood. It was as good when a week old as the day it was dipped, and had no taste of the pump. Whoever camps for a week in summer by the shore of a pond, need need need need need need need needs only bury a pail of water a few feet deep in the shade of his camp to be independent of the luxury of ice.
14a
Ponds 14a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
There have been caught in Walden, pickerel, one weighing seven pounds, to say nothing of another which carried off a reel with great velocity, which the fisherman safely set down at eight pounds because he did not see him, perch and pouts, some of each weighing over two pounds, shiners, chivins or roach, (Leuciscus pulchellus), a very few breams, (Pomotis obesus), and a couple of eels, one weighing four pounds,— and I mention this I am thus particular and I mention this I am thus particular I am thus particular because the weight of a fish is almost commonly almost commonly commonly its only title to fame, and these are the only eels I have heard of in this pond here in this pond here here; —also, I have a faint recollection of a little fish some five inches long, with silvery sides and a greenish back, somewhat dace-like in its character, which I mention here chiefly to link my facts to fable. Nevertheless, it Walden this pond it Walden this pond this pond is not very fertile in fish. 14b
Ponds 14b written: F rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of Ponds 14b when Ponds 14a and 14c were added to the manuscript.

(Ronald Clapper)
Its pickerel, though not abundant, are its chief boast. Its pickerel, though not abundant, are its chief boast. Its pickerel, though not abundant, are its chief boast. I have seen at one time lying on the ice pickerel of r
Revision note: F1: 3 different forms & colors which had just been caught here; A long & shallow kind most like those caught in the river, steel colored with greenish brown reticulations—but darker on the back— Also
three different forms & colors which had just been caught here; a long & shallow kind steel colored most like those caught in the river , steel-colored with greenish brown reticulations (but darker on the back)
r
Revision note: F1: 3 different forms & colors which had just been caught here; A long & shallow kind most like those caught in the river, steel colored with greenish brown reticulations—but darker on the back— Also
three different forms & colors which had just been caught here; a long & shallow kind steel colored most like those caught in the river , steel-colored with greenish brown reticulations (but darker on the back)
at least three different kinds; a long and shallow one, steel-colored, most like those caught in the river;
a bright golden kind which is most common kind which is most common kind, with greenish reflections and remarkably deep, r
Revision note: F1: with short heads. Both of these were mottled on their sides with an irregular network of dark brown and black lines often extending over the back—the meshes about ¾ or an inch long and producing longitudinal stripes—more or less distinct and continuous & they were a very pure white beneath also
with short heads. Both of these were mottled on their sides with an irregular network of dark brown and black lines often extending over the back—the meshes about ¾ or an inch long and producing longitudinal stripes—more or less distinct and continuous and they were a very pure white beneath also and
r
Revision note: F1: with short heads. Both of these were mottled on their sides with an irregular network of dark brown and black lines often extending over the back—the meshes about ¾ or an inch long and producing longitudinal stripes—more or less distinct and continuous & they were a very pure white beneath also
with short heads. Both of these were mottled on their sides with an irregular network of dark brown and black lines often extending over the back—the meshes about ¾ or an inch long and producing longitudinal stripes—more or less distinct and continuous and they were a very pure white beneath also and
which is the most common here; and
another, golden-colored, and shaped like the last, but peppered on the sides with small dark brown or black spots, intermixed with a few faint blood-red ones, very much like a trout. The specific name reticulatus would not apply to this; it should be guttatus rather. These are all very firm fish, and weigh more than their size promises. The shiners, r
Revision note: F1: and pouts
and pouts
r
Revision note: F1: and pouts
and pouts
pouts,
and perch also, and indeed all the fishes which inhabit this pond, are much cleaner, handsomer, and firmer fleshed than those caught those caught those in the river and most other ponds, as the water is purer, and r
Revision note: F1:
they
r
Revision note: F1:
they
they
can easily be distinguished from them. Probably many ichthyologists would make new varieties of most some most some some of them. 14c
Ponds 14c written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
There is are is are are also a clean race of frogs and tortoises, and a few mussels in it; muskrats and minks leave their traces about it, and occasionally a travelling mud-turtle visits it. Sometimes, when I pushed off my boat in the morning, I found disturbed found disturbed disturbed a great mud-turtle which had secreted himself under it the boat it the boat the boat in the night. Ducks and geese frequent it in the spring and fall, the white-bellied swallows (Hirundo bicolor) (Hirundo bicolor) (Hirundo bicolor) skim over it, kingfishers dart away from its coves, and the peetweets (Totanus macularius) (Totanus macularius) (Totanus macularius) "teeter" along its stony shores all summer. I have sometimes disturbed a fishhawk sitting on a white-pine bough white-pine bough white-pine over the water; but I doubt if it is ever profaned by the wing of a gull, like Fair Haven. At most, it tolerates one annual loon. These are all the animals of consequence that that which frequent it now.
15
Ponds 15 written: E rewritten: F, F
E: At first you wonder if the Indians … by what fish they could be made is interlined in pencil.
F: A second fair copy was made of only you wonder if the Indians could have formed … pleasing mystery to the bottom.

(Ronald Clapper)
You may see from a boat, in calm weather, near the sandy eastern shore, where the water is eight or ten feet deep, and also in some other parts of the pond, and also in some other parts of the pond, and also in some other parts of the pond, some circular heaps of small stones heaps of small stones heaps of small stones heaps half a dozen feet in diameter by a foot in height, consisting of small stones less than a hen’s egg in size, where all around is bare sand , probably the work of some fish sand , probably the work of some fish sand , probably the work of some fish sand. At first you wonder if the Indians could have formed them on the ice for any purpose, and so, when the ice melted, they sank to the bottom; but they are too regular and some of them plainly too recent fresh recent fresh recent fresh fresh for that. They are similar to those found in the Assabet River r
Revision note: F1: in the Assabet River
in the Assabet River in rivers& elsewhere
r
Revision note: F1: in the Assabet River
in the Assabet River in rivers& elsewhere
in rivers;
but as there are no suckers nor lampreys in Walden r
Revision note: F1: in Walden
in Walden
r
Revision note: F1: in Walden
in Walden
here,
I know not by what fish they can could can could can could could be made. r
Revision note: F1:
Perhaps they are the nests of the chivin.
r
Revision note: F1:
Perhaps they are the nests of the chivin.
Perhaps they are the nests of the chivin.
These lend a pleasing mystery to the bottom.
16
Ponds 16 written: D rewritten: E, F
D: Appears as follows: Its shore is just irregular enough not to be monotonous. There is I have in my mind the western—indented with deep bays—the bolder northern—the gracefully sweeping curve of the eastern, and above all the beautifully scalloped southern shore, where , seen from many points of view, successive capes overlap each other, and suggest unexplored coves between. Perhaps the surface of a lake is the high point from which to behold a forest, especially if the shores are hills. The forest has never so good a setting & foreground as when seen from the middle of a lake amid hills rising from the water’s edge, for the shore not only makes a natural boundary to the forest, but also has the effect of a frame to the picture. In fact The forest edge is rarely so beautiful perfect elsewhere—for the trees have ample room to expand on the lake water side—& each sends forth its most vigorous branches to fringe the water’s edge shore Hence the middle of a pond like Especially this is also the best place to observe the changing tints of autumn—Those over & such trees as stand in or near the water change earlier than elsewhere, & many before the frosts.
E: Appears as follows: Its shore is irregular enough not to be monotonous. I have in my mind the western indented with deep bays, the bolder northern, the gracefully sweeping curve of the eastern, and the beautifully scalloped southern shore, where successive capes overlap each other, and suggest unexpected coves between. The forest has never so good a setting nor appears so distinctly & perfectly beautiful as when seen from the middle of a lake amid hills, rising which rise from the water’s edge, for the shore water not only makes a the best foreground but the most natural boundary to it but also has the effect of a frame to the picture. The forest edge is rarely so perfect elsewhere, for There is no rawness nor imperfection to the edge of the wood in this case as where the axe has cleared a part of it or a cultivated field abuts on it—but the eye rises by natural gradations from the low shrubs of the shore to the higher trees—It is a natural selvage. The traces of man’s hand are few. The water laves the shore as it did a thousand years ago. Moreover the trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch to fringe the shore. This is also the best place to observe the changing tints of autumn, and such trees as stand in or near the water change earlier than elsewhere, many before the frosts.
D, & E: Ponds 16 is followed by House-Warming 2.

(Ronald Clapper)
The shore is irregular enough not to be monotonous. I have in my mind mind’s eye mind mind’s eye mind mind’s eye mind mind’s eye mind’s eye the western indented with deep bays, the bolder northern, and the beautifully scolloped southern shore, where successive capes overlap each other and suggest unexplored coves between. The forest has never so good a setting, nor appears so distinctly and perfectly beautiful is never seen so distinct and perfect an outline nor appears so distinctly and perfectly beautiful is never seen so distinct and perfect an outline nor appears so distinctly and perfectly beautiful is never seen so distinct and perfect an outline nor appears so distinctly and perfectly beautiful is never seen so distinct and perfect an outline nor is so distinctly beautiful, as when seen from the middle of a small small small small small lake amid hills which rise from the water’s edge; for the water in which it is reflected in which it is reflected in which it is reflected in which it is reflected in which it is reflected not only makes the best foreground in such a case, in such a case, in such a case, in such a case, in such a case, but, with its winding shore, with its winding shore, with its winding shore, with its winding shore, with its winding shore, the most natural l and agreeable l and agreeable l and agreeable l and agreeable and agreeable boundary to it. There is no rawness nor imperfection to the edge of the wood in this case in its edge there to the edge of the wood in this case in its edge there to the edge of the wood in this case in its edge there to the edge of the wood in this case in its edge there in its edge there, as where the axe has cleared a part, or a cultivated field abuts on it. but here The trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch in that direction. There Nature has woven a natural border selvage and the eye rises by natural just gradations from the low shrubs of the shore to the higher highest trees. It is a natural selvage. There are few traces of man’s hand to be seen. The water laves the shore as it did a thousand years ago Moreover the trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch to fringe the shore. but here The trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch in that direction. There Nature has woven a natural border selvage and the eye rises by natural just gradations from the low shrubs of the shore to the higher highest trees. It is a natural selvage. There are few traces of man’s hand to be seen. The water laves the shore as it did a thousand years ago Moreover the trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch to fringe the shore. but here The trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch in that direction. There Nature has woven a natural border selvage and the eye rises by natural just gradations from the low shrubs of the shore to the higher highest trees. It is a natural selvage. There are few traces of man’s hand to be seen. The water laves the shore as it did a thousand years ago Moreover the trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch to fringe the shore. but here The trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch in that direction. There Nature has woven a natural border selvage and the eye rises by natural just gradations from the low shrubs of the shore to the higher highest trees. It is a natural selvage. There are few traces of man’s hand to be seen. The water laves the shore as it did a thousand years ago Moreover the trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch to fringe the shore. The trees have ample room to expand on the water side, and each sends forth its most vigorous branch in that direction. There Nature has woven a natural selvage, and the eye rises by just gradations from the low shrubs of the shore to the highest trees. There are few traces of man’s hand to be seen. The water laves the shore as it did a thousand years ago.
17
Ponds 17 written: F
F: Ponds 17 is interlined in pencil on a partial leaf.

(Ronald Clapper)
A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature. The fluviatile trees next the shore are the slender eyelashes which fringe it, and the wooded hills and cliffs around are its overhanging brows.
18a
Ponds 18a written: D rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Standing on the smooth sandy shore shore beach shore beach shore beach beach at the east end of the pond, in a calm September afternoon, when a slight haze makes the shore line indistinct, when a slight haze makes the opposite shore line indistinct when a slight haze makes the opposite shore line indistinct when a slight haze makes the opposite shore line indistinct when a slight haze makes the opposite shore line indistinct, I have seen whence came the expression, "the glassy surface of a lake." When you invert your head, it looks like a thread of finest gossamer stretched across the valley, and gleaming against the distant pine woods, separating one stratum of the atmosphere from another. You would think that you could walk dry under it to the opposite hills, and that the swallows which skim over might perch on it. Indeed, they sometimes dive below this line, as it were by mistake, and are undeceived. A slight haze at that season makes the shore line so much the more distinct. undeceived. A slight haze at that season makes the shore line so much the more distinct. undeceived. A slight haze at that season makes the shore line so much the more distinct. undeceived. A slight haze at that season makes the shore line so much the more distinct. undeceived. As you look over the pond westward you are obliged to employ both your hands to defend your eyes against the reflected as well as the true sun, for they are equally bright; and if, between the two, you survey its surface critically, it is literally as smooth as glass, except where the skater insects, at equal intervals scattered over their its their its their its their its its whole extent, by their motions in the sun in the sun in the sun in the sun in the sun produce the finest imaginable sparkle in the sun, or a fish leaps into the air or perchance a duck or loon dimples it plumes itself or as I have said a swallow dips beneath it on it or perchance a duck plumes itself or as I have said a swallow dips beneath skims so low as to touch it on it or perchance a duck plumes itself or as I have said a swallow dips beneath skims so low as to touch it on it or perchance a duck plumes itself or as I have said a swallow dips beneath skims so low as to touch it on it, or, perchance, a duck plumes itself, or, as I have said, a swallow skims so low as to touch it. Sometimes Sometimes It may be that Sometimes It may be that Sometimes It may be that It may be that in the distance in the distance in the distance in the distance in the distance a fish describes an arc of three or four feet in the atmosphere air atmosphere air atmosphere air atmosphere air air, and there is one bright flash where it emerges, and another where it strikes the water; sometimes if the light is favorable the whole silvery arc is revealed sometimes if the light is favorable the whole silvery arc is revealed sometimes if the light is favorable the whole silvery arc is revealed sometimes the whole silvery arc is revealed; And or And or And or And or or here and there, it may be, it may be, perhaps it may be, perhaps it may be, perhaps perhaps, is a thistle-down floating on its surface, which the fishes dart at and so dimple it again. again. again. again. again. It is like molten glass It is like molten glass It is like molten glass It is like molten glass cooled but not congealed, and the few motes in it are pure and beautiful like the imperfections in glass. 18b
Ponds 18b written: D

(Ronald Clapper)
Sometimes you may see detect Sometimes you may see detect Sometimes you may see detect Sometimes you may see detect You may often detect a yet smoother and darker water, separated from the rest as if by an invisible cobweb, boom of the water nymphs, boom of the water nymphs, boom of the water nymphs, boom of the water nymphs, boom of the water nymphs, resting on it. From a hill-top I you I you I you I you you can see a fish leap in almost any part; for not a pickerel or shiner picks an insect from this smooth surface but it manifestly disturbs the equilibrium of the whole lake. It is wonderful with what elaborateness this simple fact is advertised,— this the this the this the this the this piscine murder will out, —and from my distant perch I distinguish the circling undulations when they are half a dozen rods in diameter. 18c
Ponds 18c written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Nay you can even Nay you can even Nay you can even You can even detect a water-bug (Gyrinus) ceaselessly progressing over the smooth surface in almost any part of the pond a quarter of a mile off; in almost any part of the pond a quarter of a mile off; in almost any part of the pond a quarter of a mile off; a quarter of a mile off; for they furrow the water slightly, making a conspicuous ripple bounded by two diverging lines, but the skaters glide over it without producing a perceptible ripple. producing a perceptible ripple. producing a perceptible ripple. rippling it perceptibly. When the surface was considerably rippled, I discovered is considerably agitated by wind there are was considerably rippled, I discovered is considerably agitated by wind there are was considerably rippled, I discovered is considerably agitated by wind there are is considerably agitated there are no skaters nor water-bugs on it, but apparently, when the calm weather came & smoothed returns & smoothes the water they glided adventurously glide when the calm weather came & smoothed returns & smoothes the water they glided adventurously glide when the calm weather came & smoothed returns & smoothes the water they glided adventurously glide in calm days, they leave their havens and adventurously glide forth from the shore by short impulses till they completely covered. cover it ; but both finally disappear entirely in the latter part of October when the severer frosts have come and then in a calm day there is absolutely no ripple on its surface covered. cover it ; but both finally disappear entirely in the latter part of October when the severer frosts have come and then in a calm day there is absolutely no ripple on its surface covered. cover it ; but both finally disappear entirely in the latter part of October when the severer frosts have come and then in a calm day there is absolutely no ripple on its surface cover it. 18d
Ponds 18d written: D rewritten: E, E
D: Ponds 18d is interlined.
E: A second fair copy was made of only life, the heaving of its breast … how sweet the echo!

(Ronald Clapper)
How soothing It is soothing employment on one of those fine calm days in the fall when all the warmth of the sun is fully appreciated It is soothing employment on one of those fine calm days in the fall when all the warmth of the sun is fully appreciated It is soothing employment on one of those fine calm days in the fall when all the warmth of the sun is fully appreciated It is a soothing employment, on one of those fine days in the fall when all the warmth of the sun is fully appreciated, to sit on a stump on such a height as this, overlooking the pond, and study the dimpling circles which are incessantly inscribed and again erased on the smooth and on the smooth and its on the smooth and its on the smooth and its on its otherwise invisible surface amid the reflected skies and trees. Over this vast vast vast vast great expanse there can be can be can be can be is no disturbance but it is thus at once gently smoothed away and assuaged, as, when a vase of water is jarred, the trembling circles seek the shore and all is smooth again. Not a fish can leap or an insect fall on it it it it the pond but it is thus reported in lines of beauty, in circling dimples, in circling dimples in lines of beauty, in circling dimples in lines of beauty, in circling dimples in lines of beauty, in circling dimples, in lines of beauty, as it were the constant welling up of its fountain, the gentle pulsing of its life, the heaving of its breast. The thrills of joy and thrills of pain are undistinguishable. How peaceful & sweet peaceful and sweet peaceful and sweet peaceful and sweet peaceful the phenomena of the lake! The peaceful pond lake! The peaceful pond lake! The peaceful pond lake! The peaceful pond lake! Again the works of men men men men man shine as in the spring. Ay, every leaf and twig and stone and cobweb sparkles now at mid-afternoon as when covered with dew in a spring morning. Ay, every leaf and twig and stone and cobweb sparkles now at mid-afternoon as when covered with dew in a spring morning. Ay, every leaf and twig and stone and cobweb sparkles now at mid-afternoon as when covered with dew in a spring morning. Ay, every leaf and twig and stone and cobweb sparkles now at mid-afternoon as when covered with dew in a spring morning. Every motion of an oar a paddle an oar a paddle an oar a paddle an oar a paddle an oar or an insect produces a flash of light; and if an oar falls, how sweet the echo!
19
Ponds 19 written: E
E: Ponds 19 follows Ponds 20.

(Ronald Clapper)
In such a day as I first described day as I first described day as I first described day, in September or October, Walden is a perfect forest mirror, set round with stones as precious in my eyes in my eyes in my eyes to my eye as if fewer or rarer. Nothing so fair, so pure, and at the same time so large, as a lake, perchance, lies on the surface of the earth. Sky water. It needs no fence. Nations come and go without defiling it. It is a mirror which no stone can crack, whose quicksilver will never wear off, whose gilding Nature continually repairs; no storms, no dust, can dim its surface ever fresh;— a mirror in which all impurity presented to it sinks, swept and dusted by the sun’s misty or hazy misty or hazy misty or hazy hazy brush,—this the light dust-cloth,— which retains no breath that is breathed on it, but sends its own to float as clouds high above its surface, and be reflected in its bosom still; while the sun purifies them and they are distilled again in dew and rain still; while the sun purifies them and they are distilled again in dew and rain still; while the sun purifies them and they are distilled again in dew and rain still.
20
Ponds 20 written: E
E: Ponds 20 follows Ponds 21 and precedes Ponds 19.

(Ronald Clapper)
A field of water betrays the spirit that is in the air. It continually receives continually receives continually receives is continually receiving new life and motion from above. It is intermediate in its nature between land and sky. On land only the grass and trees wave, but the water itself is rippled by the wind. I see where the breeze dashes across it by the streaks or flakes of light. It is remarkable that we can look down on its surface. We shall, perchance, perchance, perchance, perhaps, look down thus on the surface of air at length, and mark where a still subtler spirit sweeps over it.
21
Ponds 21 written: E
E: Ponds 21 follows Ponds 18d and precedes Ponds 20. Even as late as the fifth of October … a dry afternoon after all is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
The skaters and water-bugs finally disappear in the latter part of October, when the severe frosts have come; and then and in November, usually, usually, usually, usually, in a calm day, there is absolutely nothing to ripple the surface. One November afternoon, in the calm at the end of a rain storm of several days’ duration, when the sky was still completely overcast and the air was full of mist, I observed that the pond was remarkably smooth, so that it was difficult to distinguish its surface; though it no longer reflected the bright tints of autumn autumn autumn October, but the sombre November colors of the surrounding hills. Though I paddled paddled paddled passed over it as gently as possible, the slight undulations produced by my boat extended almost as far as I could see, and gave a ribbed appearance to the reflections. But, as I was looking over the surface, I saw here and there at a distance a faint glimmer, as if some skater insects which had escaped the frosts might be collected there, or, perchance, the surface, being so smooth, betrayed where a spring welled up from the bottom. Paddling gently toward to toward to toward to to one of these places, I was surprised to find myself surrounded by myriads of small perch, about five inches long, of a rich brown brown brown bronze color in the green water, sporting there and constantly rising to the surface and dimpling it, sometimes leaving bubbles on it. In such transparent and apparently apparently apparently seemingly bottomless water, reflecting the clouds, I seemed to be floating through the air as in a balloon, and I seemed to be floating through the air as in a balloon, and I seemed to be floating through the air as in a balloon, and I seemed to be floating through the air as in a balloon, and their swimming impressed me as a kind of flight or hovering, as if they were a compact flock of birds passing just beneath my level on the right or left, their fins, like sails, set all around them. There were many such schools in the pond, apparently improving the short season before winter would draw an icy shutter over their broad skylight, sometimes giving to the surface an appearance as if a slight breeze struck it, or a few rain-drops fell there. When I approached carelessly and alarmed them, they made a sudden splash and rippling with their tails, as if you you you one had struck the water with a brushy bough, and instantly took refuge in the depths. At length the wind rose, the mist increased, and the waves began to run, and the perch leaped much higher than before, half out of water, a hundred black points, three inches long, at once above the surface. Even as late as the fifth of December, this this this one year, I saw some dimples on the surface, and thinking it was going to rain hard immediately, the air being fun of mist, I made haste to take my place at the oars and row homeward; already the rain seemed rapidly increasing, though I felt none on my cheek, and I anticipated a thorough soaking. But suddenly the dimples ceased, for they were produced by the perch, which the noise of my oars had scared into the depths, and I saw their schools dimly disappearing; and and and so I spent a dry afternoon after all.
22
Ponds 22 written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
An old man who used to frequent Walden this pond Walden this pond this pond nearly sixty years ago, when it was dark with surrounding forests, says tells me says tells me tells me that in those days he sometimes saw it all alive with ducks and other fowl, fowl, water fowl, and that there were many eagles about it. and that there were many eagles about it. and that there were many eagles about it. He went there went there came here a-fishing, and used an old log canoe which he found on the shore. It was made of two white-pine logs dug out and pinned together and pitched, together and pitched, together, and was cut off square at the ends. It was very clumsy, but lasted a great many years then before it then before it before it became water-logged and perhaps sank to the bottom. He did not know whose it was; it belonged to the pond. He used to make a cable for his anchor of strips of strips of strips of hickory bark tied together. An old man, a potter, who lived by the pond before the Revolution, told him once that there was an iron chest at the bottom of the pond bottom of the pond bottom, and that he had seen it. Sometimes it would come floating up to the shore; and but and but but when you went toward it, it would it would it would go back into deep water and disappear. I loved was pleased loved was pleased was pleased to hear of the old log canoe, which took the place of an Indian one of the same material but more graceful construction, which perchance had first been a tree on the bank, and then, as it were, fell into the water, to float there for a generation, the most proper vessel for the lake. I remember that when I first paddled in it looked into these depths paddled in it looked into these depths looked into these depths there were more large trunks of trees many large trunks more large trunks of trees many large trunks many large trunks to be seen indistinctly lying on the bottom, which had either been blown over formerly, or left on the ice at the last cutting, when wood was cheaper; but now they have mostly disappeared.
23
Ponds 23 written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
When I first paddled a boat on Walden, it was completely surrounded by thick and lofty pine and oak woods, and in some of its coves grape vines had run over the trees next the water and formed bowers under which a boat could pass. The hills which form its shores are so steep, and the woods on them were then so high, that, as you looked down from the west end, it had the appearance of an amphitheatre for some kind of sylvan spectacle. I have spent many an hour, when I was younger, floating over its surface as the zephyr willed, having paddled my boat to the middle, and lying on my back across the seats, in a summer forenoon, dreaming awake, until I was aroused by the boat touching the sand, and I arose to see what shore my fates had impelled me to; days when idleness was the most attractive and productive industry. Many a forenoon have I stolen away, preferring to spend thus the most valued part of the day; for I was rich, if not in money, in sunny hours and summer days, and spent them lavishly; nor do I regret that I did not waste more of them behind a counter them behind a counter them behind a counter them in the workshop or the teacher’s desk in which last two places, I have spent many of them desk in which last two places, I have spent many of them desk in which last two places, I have spent many of them desk. But since I left those shores the woodchoppers have still further laid them waste, and now for many a year there will be no more rambling through the aisles of the wood, with occasional vistas through which you see the water. My Muse may be excused if she is silent henceforth. How can you expect the birds to sing when their groves are cut down?
24
Ponds 24 written:

(Ronald Clapper)
Now the trunks of trees on the bottom, and the old log canoe, and the dark surrounding woods, are gone, and the villagers, who scarcely know where it lies, instead of going to the pond to bathe or drink, are thinking to bring its water, which should be as sacred as the Ganges at least, to the village in a pipe, to wash their dishes with!—to earn their Walden by the turning of a cock or drawing of a plug! That devilish Iron Horse, whose ear-rending neigh is heard throughout the town, has muddied the Boiling Spring with his foot, and he it is that has browsed off all the woods on Walden shore; that Trojan horse, with a thousand men in his belly, introduced by mercenary Greeks! Where is the country’s champion, the Moore of Moore Hill, to meet him at the Deep Cut and thrust an avenging lance between the ribs of the bloated pest?
25
Ponds 25 written: D

(Ronald Clapper)
Nevertheless, Nevertheless, Nevertheless, Nevertheless, Nevertheless, of all the characters I have known, perhaps perhaps perhaps perhaps perhaps Walden wears best, and best preserves its purity. Many men have been likened to it, but few deserve that honor. Many men have been likened to it, but few deserve that honor. Many men have been likened to it, but few deserve that honor. Many men have been likened to it, but few deserve that honor. Many men have been likened to it, but few deserve that honor. Though the woodchoppers have laid bare first this shore and then that, and the Irish have built their sties by it, and the railroad has infringed on on on on on its border, and the ice-men have skimmed it once, in the winter, it is absolutely essentially itself in the winter, it is absolutely essentially itself in the winter, it is absolutely essentially itself in the winter, it is absolutely essentially itself it is itself unchanged, the same water which my youthful eyes fell on; all the change is in me. all the change is in me. all the change is in me. all the change is in me. all the change is in me. It has not acquired one permanent wrinkle after all its ripples. Though I have changed, it has not ripples. Though I have changed, it has not ripples. Though I have changed, it has not ripples. Though I have changed, it has not ripples. It is perennially young, and I may stand and see a swallow dip apparently to pick an insect from its surface as of yore. It struck me again again again again again tonight, as if I had not seen it almost daily for more than twenty years,—Why, here is Walden, the same woodland lake that I discovered so many years ago; where a forest was cut down last winter another is springing up by its shore as lustily as ever; the same thought is welling up to its surface that was then; it is the same liquid joy and happiness to itself and its Maker, ay, and it may be to me. It is the work of a brave man surely, surely, surely, surely, surely, in whom there was no guile! He rounded this water with his hand, and deepened and clarified it in his thought He rounded this water with his hand, and deepened and clarified it in his thought He rounded this water with his hand, and deepened and clarified it in his thought He rounded this water with his hand, and deepened and clarified it in his thought He rounded this water with his hand, deepened and clarified it in his thought, and in his will he bequeathed he bequeathed he bequeathed he bequeathed bequeathed it to Concord. I see by its face that it is visited by the same reflection; and I can almost say, Walden, is it you?
 
It is a real place,
Boston, I tell it to your face.
And
It is a real place,
Boston, I tell it to your face.
And
It is a real place,
Boston, I tell it to your face.
And
It is a real place,
Boston, I tell it to your face.
And
It is
no dream of mine,
 
To ornament a line;
 
I cannot come nearer to God and Heaven
 
Than I live to Walden even.
 
It is a part of me which I have not profaned
I live by the shore of me detained.
Laden with my dregs
I stand on my legs
While all my pure wine
I to nature consign
It is a part of me which I have not profaned
I live by the shore of me detained.
Laden with my dregs
I stand on my legs
While all my pure wine
I to nature consign
It is a part of me which I have not profaned
I live by the shore of me detained.
Laden with my dregs
I stand on my legs
While all my pure wine
I to nature consign
It is a part of me which I have not profaned
I live by the shore of me detained.
Laden with my dregs
I stand on my legs
While all my pure wine
I to nature consign
 
I am its stony shore,
 
And the breeze that passes o’er;
 
In the hollow of my hand
 
Are its water and its sand,
 
And its deepest resort
 
Lies high in my thought.
26
Ponds 26 written: D

(Ronald Clapper)
The cars never pause to look at it; yet I fancy that the engineers and firemen and brakemen, and those passengers who have a season ticket and see it often, are better men for the sight. The engineer does not forget at night, or his nature does not, that he has beheld this vision of serenity and purity once at least during the day. Though seen but once, it helps to wash out State-street and the engine’s soot. One proposes that it be called "God’s Drop."
27
Ponds 27 written:

(Ronald Clapper)
I have said that Walden has no visible inlet nor outlet, but it is on the one hand distantly and indirectly related to Flint’s Pond, which is more elevated, by a chain of small ponds coming from that quarter, and on the other directly and manifestly to Concord River, which is lower, by a similar chain of ponds through which in some other geological period it may have flowed, and by a little digging, which God forbid, it can be made to flow thither again. If by living thus reserved and austere, like a hermit in the woods, so long, it has acquired such wonderful purity, who would not regret that the comparatively impure waters of Flint’s Pond should be mingled with it, or itself should ever go to waste its sweetness in the ocean wave?
28a
Ponds 28a written: A rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Flint’s, or Sandy Pond, in Lincoln, our greatest lake and inland sea, containing 190 acres sea, containing 190 acres sea, containing 190 acres sea, containing 190 acres sea, containing 190 acres sea, containing 190 acres sea, containing 190 acres sea, lies about a mile east of me, and me, and me, and me, and me, and me, and me, and Walden. though comparatively shallow, and not remarkably pure it is much larger, being said to contain one hundred and ninety-seven acres, and it is more fertile in fish but it is comparatively shallow, and not remarkably pure though comparatively shallow, and not remarkably pure it is much larger, being said to contain one hundred and ninety-seven acres, and it is more fertile in fish but it is comparatively shallow, and not remarkably pure though comparatively shallow, and not remarkably pure it is much larger, being said to contain one hundred and ninety-seven acres, and it is more fertile in fish but it is comparatively shallow, and not remarkably pure It is much larger, being said to contain one hundred and ninety-seven acres, and is more fertile in fish; but it is comparatively shallow, and not remarkably pure. A walk through the woods thither was often my recreation. It was worth the while, if only to feel the wind blow on your cheek on your cheek on your cheek on your cheek on your cheek on your cheek on your cheek on your cheek freely, and see the waves run, and remember the life of mariners. I went a nutting a chestnutting a nutting a chestnutting a nutting a chestnutting a nutting a chestnutting a nutting a chestnutting a nutting a chestnutting a nutting a chestnutting a-chestnutting there in the fall, one windy day one windy day one windy day one windy day one windy day one windy day one windy day on windy days, when the nuts were dropping into the water and were washed ashore ashore ashore ashore ashore ashore ashore to my feet; and one day, as I crept along its sedgy shore, the fresh spray blowing in my face, I came upon the mouldering wreck of a boat, the sides gone, and hardly more than the impression of its flat 28b
Ponds 28b written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
bottom left amid the rushes; yet its model was sharply defined, as if it were a large decayed pad, with its veins. It was as impressive a wreck as one could imagine on the sea-shore, and had as good a moral as if it had been the Spanish Galleon with its treasures on the sea coast moral as if it had been the Spanish Galleon with its treasures on the sea coast moral as if it had been the Spanish Galleon with its treasures on the sea coast moral. It is by this time mere vegetable mould and undistinguishable pond shore, through which rushes and flags have pushed up. I used to admire the ripple marks on the sandy bottom, at the north end of this pond, made firm and hard to the feet of the wader by the pressure of the water, and the rushes which grew in Indian file, in waving lines, corresponding to these marks, rank behind rank, as if the waves had planted them. There also I find some in quantities have found in considerable quantities find some in quantities have found in considerable quantities find some in quantities have found in considerable quantities have found, in considerable quantities, curious balls, made made made composed apparently of fine grass or roots, or perhaps of partially decomposed rushes or perhaps of partially decomposed rushes or perhaps of partially decomposed rushes of pipewort perhaps, from half an inch to four inches in diameter, and perfectly spherical. washing the fibres being half an inch or more in length. These wash washing the fibres being half an inch or more in length. These wash washing the fibres being half an inch or more in length. These wash These wash back and forth in shallow water on a sandy bottom, and are sometimes cast on the shore. At first sight you would take them to be the nests of mice, but they At first sight you would take them to be the nests of mice, but they At first sight you would take them to be the nests of mice, but they They are either solid grass, or have a little sand in the middle. It next occurred to me It next occurred to me It next occurred to me At first you would say that they were formed by the action of the waves, like a pebble; but the discovery of the smallest but the discovery of the smallest but the discovery of the smallest yet the smallest are made of equally coarse materials, and the fact that and the fact that and the fact that half an inch long, and they are produced only at one season of the year made relinquish this opinion year made relinquish this opinion year made relinquish this opinion year. Moreover, the waves, I suspect, I suspect, I suspect, I suspect, do not construct, but construct, but construct, but so much construct as wear down a material which has already acquired consistency. They preserve their form when dry for an indefinite period. No naturalists to whom I have shown them can give a satisfactory account of them. The highland beyond the pond affords a memorable view over it and the forest westward to the mountains in the horizon, a more complete and extensive forest view than can be got from the summit of Monadnok. According to Shepherd’s "Clean Sunshine of the Gospel" the praying Indian wished to make a town on this very spot, "The east side of Mr. Flint’s pond," in 1647, before they finally settled at Nagog Pond on the west side of Concord. I used often to ascend the cedar hill on the southeast side of this pond for the sake of the view, thence over to the forest westward in which the towns are quite small, as far as the mist in the northwest horizon. It is methinks a more extensive forest view than is afforded by the obtained from there and the lake is well-fitted to give the impression of a lake of the woods period. No naturalists to whom I have shown them can give a satisfactory account of them. The highland beyond the pond affords a memorable view over it and the forest westward to the mountains in the horizon, a more complete and extensive forest view than can be got from the summit of Monadnok. According to Shepherd’s "Clean Sunshine of the Gospel" the praying Indian wished to make a town on this very spot, "The east side of Mr. Flint’s pond," in 1647, before they finally settled at Nagog Pond on the west side of Concord. I used often to ascend the cedar hill on the southeast side of this pond for the sake of the view, thence over to the forest westward in which the towns are quite small, as far as the mist in the northwest horizon. It is methinks a more extensive forest view than is afforded by the obtained from there and the lake is well-fitted to give the impression of a lake of the woods period. No naturalists to whom I have shown them can give a satisfactory account of them. The highland beyond the pond affords a memorable view over it and the forest westward to the mountains in the horizon, a more complete and extensive forest view than can be got from the summit of Monadnok. According to Shepherd’s "Clean Sunshine of the Gospel" the praying Indian wished to make a town on this very spot, "The east side of Mr. Flint’s pond," in 1647, before they finally settled at Nagog Pond on the west side of Concord. I used often to ascend the cedar hill on the southeast side of this pond for the sake of the view, thence over to the forest westward in which the towns are quite small, as far as the mist in the northwest horizon. It is methinks a more extensive forest view than is afforded by the obtained from there and the lake is well-fitted to give the impression of a lake of the woods period.
29
Ponds 29 written: E
E: not there to see him nor to hear of him … Such is a model farm does not appear in the manuscript. Some of the material between Ponds 29 and Ponds 32 was contained on a missing leaf.

(Ronald Clapper)
Flint’s Pond ! Such is the poverty of our nomenclature. What right had the unclean and stupid farmer, whose farm abutted on the shore of on the shore of on the shore of on this sky water, which which which whose shores he has ruthlessly laid bare, to give his name to it? Some skin-flint, who loved better the reflecting surface of a dollar, or a bright cent, in which he could see his own brazen face; who regarded even the wild ducks which came to settle came to settle came to settle settled in it as trespassers; his fingers grown into crooked and bony talons from the lodge habit of grasping harpy-like; —so it is not named for me. I go not there to see him nor to hear of him; who never saw it, who never bathed in it, who never loved it, who never protected it, who never spoke a good word for it, nor thanked God that he had made it. Rather let it be named from the fishes that swim in it, the wild fowl or quadrupeds which frequent it, the wild flowers which grow by its shores, or some wild man or child the thread of whose history is interwoven with its own; not from him who could show no title to it but the deed which a like-minded neighbor or legislature gave him,—him who thought only of its money value; whose presence perchance cursed all the shore; who exhausted the land around it, and would fain have exhausted the waters within it; who regretted only that it was not English hay or cranberry meadow,—there was nothing to redeem it, forsooth, in his eyes,—and would have drained and sold it for the mud at its bottom. It did not turn his mill, and it was no privilege to him to behold it. I respect not his labors, his farm where every thing has its price, who would carry the landscape, who would carry his God, to market, if he could get any thing for him; who goes to market for his god as it is; on whose farm nothing grows free, whose fields bear no crops, whose meadows no flowers, whose trees no fruits, but dollars; who loves not the beauty of his fruits, whose fruits are not ripe for him till they are turned to dollars. Give me the poverty that enjoys true wealth. Farmers are respectable and interesting to me in proportion as they are poor,—poor farmers. A model farm! where the house stands like a fungus in a muck-heap, chambers for men, horses, oxen, and swine, cleansed and uncleansed, all contiguous to one another! Stocked with men! A great grease-spot, redolent of manures and buttermilk! Under a high state of cultivation, being manured with the hearts and brains of men! As if you were to raise your potatoes in the church-yard! Such is a model farm.
30
Ponds 30 written:

(Ronald Clapper)
No, no; if the fairest features of the landscape are to be named after men, let them be the noblest and worthiest men alone. Let our lakes receive as true names at least as the Icarian Sea, where "still the shore" a "brave attempt resounds."
31
Ponds 31 written:

(Ronald Clapper)
Goose Pond, of small extent, is on my way to Flint’s; Fair-Haven, an expansion of Concord River, said to contain some seventy acres, is a mile southwest; and White Pond, of about forty acres, is a mile and a half beyond Fair-Haven. This is my lake country. These, with Concord River, are my water privileges; and night and day, year in year out, they grind such grist as I carry to them.
32
Ponds 32 written: E
E: Since the woodcutters, and the railroad … expected to get a good saw-log, but it was so rotten as does not appear in the manuscript.

(Ronald Clapper)
Since the woodcutters, and the railroad, and I myself have profaned Walden, perhaps the most attractive, if not the most beautiful, of all our lakes, the gem of the woods, is White Pond;—a poor name from its commonness, whether derived from the remarkable purity of its waters or the color of its sands. In these as in other respects, however, it is a lesser twin of Walden. They are so much alike that you would say they must be connected under ground. It has the same stony shore, and its waters are of the same hue. As at Walden, in sultry dog-day weather, looking down through the woods on some of its bays which are not so deep but that the reflection from the bottom tinges them, its waters are of a misty bluish-green or glaucous color. Many years since I used to go there to collect the sand by cart-loads, to make sand-paper with, and I have continued to visit it ever since. One who frequents it proposes to call it Virid Lake. Perhaps it might be called Yellow-Pine Lake, from the following circumstance. About fifteen years ago you could see the top of a pitch-pine, of the kind called yellow-pine hereabouts, though it is not a distinct species, projecting above the surface in deep water, many rods from the shore. It was even supposed by some that the pond had sunk, and this was one of the primitive forest that formerly stood there. I find that even so long ago as 1792, in a "Topographical Description of the Town of Concord," by one of its citizens, in the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, the author, after speaking of Walden and White Ponds, adds, "In the middle of the latter may be seen, when the water is very low, a tree which appears as if it grew in the place where it now stands, although the roots are fifty feet below the surface of the water; the top of this tree is broken off, and at that place measures fourteen inches in diameter." In the spring of ’49 I talked with the man who lives nearest the pond in Sudbury, who told me that it was he who got out this tree ten or fifteen years before. As near as he could remember, it stood twelve or fifteen rods from the shore, where the water was thirty or forty feet deep. It was in the winter, and he had been getting out ice in the forenoon, and had resolved that in the afternoon, with the aid of his neighbors, he would take out the old yellow-pine. He sawed a channel in the ice toward the shore, and hauled it over and along and out on to the ice with oxen; but, before he had gone far in his work, he was surprised to find that it was wrong end upward, with the stumps of the branches pointing down, and the small end firmly fastened in the sandy bottom. It was about a foot in diameter at the big end, and he had expected to get a good saw-log, but it was so rotten as to be fit only for fuel, if for that. He had some of it in his shed then , but unfortunately I did not think it worth the while to look at it, though I should have done my part more faithfully if I had then , but unfortunately I did not think it worth the while to look at it, though I should have done my part more faithfully if I had then , but unfortunately I did not think it worth the while to look at it, though I should have done my part more faithfully if I had then. There were marks of an axe and of woodpeckers on the but. He thought that it might have been a dead tree on the shore, which which which but was finally blown over into the pond, and after the top had become waterlogged, while the but-end was still dry and light, had drifted out and sunk wrong end up. His old father of 80, still alive old father of 80, still alive old father of 80, still alive father, eighty years old, could not remember when it was not there. As every lake has its hill or mountain presiding over it, nearer or further off, so from this among our Concord Lakes, Nobscot Hill appears to best advantage As every lake has its hill or mountain presiding over it, nearer or further off, so from this among our Concord Lakes, Nobscot Hill appears to best advantage As every lake has its hill or mountain presiding over it, nearer or further off, so from this among our Concord Lakes, Nobscot Hill appears to best advantage Several pretty large logs may still be seen lying on the bottom, where, owing to the undulation of the surface, they look like huge water snakes in motion.
33
Ponds 33 written: E
E: Ponds 33 is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
This pond has rarely been profaned by a boat, for there is little in it to tempt a fisherman. Instead of the white lily, which requires mud, or the common sweet flag, the blue flag ( Iris versicolor ) grows thinly in the pure water of this pond water of this pond water of this pond water, rising from the stony bottom all around the shore, where it is visited by humming birds in June, and the color of both its of both its of both its both of its bluish blades and its flowers is in singular harmony flowers is in singular harmony flowers is in singular harmony flowers, and especially their reflections in the water reflections in the water reflections in the water reflections, are in singular harmony with the greenish greenish greenish glaucous water.
34
Ponds 34 written: D rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Great crystals on the surface of the earth—this & Walden—! How much fairer than the xxxxxxxxx stone found hereabouts White Pond & Walden are great crystals on the surface of the earth, Lakes of Light Great crystals on the surface of the earth—this & Walden—! How much fairer than the xxxxxxxxx stone found hereabouts White Pond & Walden are great crystals on the surface of the earth, Lakes of Light Great crystals on the surface of the earth—this & Walden—! How much fairer than the xxxxxxxxx stone found hereabouts White Pond & Walden are great crystals on the surface of the earth, Lakes of Light Great crystals on the surface of the earth—this & Walden—! How much fairer than the xxxxxxxxx stone found hereabouts White Pond & Walden are great crystals on the surface of the earth, Lakes of Light White Pond and Walden are great crystals on the surface of the earth, Lakes of Light. If they were permanently congealed, and small enough to be clutched, they would, perchance, be carried off by slaves, like precious stones, like precious stones, like precious stones, like precious stones, like precious stones, to adorn the heads of emperors; but being liquid, and ample, and securely ours secured to us & our heirs successors forever securely ours secured to us & our heirs successors forever securely ours secured to us & our heirs successors forever securely ours secured to us & our heirs successors forever secured to us and our successors forever, we disregard them, and run after the diamond of Kohinoor. They are too pure to have a market value; and run after the diamond of Kohinoor. They are too pure to have a market value; and run after the diamond of Kohinoor. They are too pure to have a market value; and run after the diamond of Kohinoor. They are too pure to have a market value; and run after the diamond of Kohinoor. They are too pure to have a market value; they contain no muck. How much more beautiful than our lives, are they— how much more transparent than our characters—are they are they— how much more transparent than our characters—are they are they— how much more transparent than our characters—are they are they— how much more transparent than our characters—are they how much more transparent than our characters, are they! We never learned meanness of them. How much more beautiful than the pools before our doors in which our fairer than the pool before the farmer’s door in which his more beautiful than the pools before our doors in which our fairer than the pool before the farmer’s door in which his more beautiful than the pools before our doors in which our fairer than the pool before the farmer’s door in which his more beautiful than the pools before our doors in which our fairer than the pool before the farmer’s door in which his fairer than the pool before the farmer’s door, in which his ducks swim! Hither the clean wild ducks come. but Undoubtedly, we should value them more if they were less pure—if they abounded in sediment come. but Undoubtedly, we should value them more if they were less pure—if they abounded in sediment come. but Undoubtedly, we should value them more if they were less pure—if they abounded in sediment come. but Undoubtedly, we should value them more if they were less pure—if they abounded in sediment come. Nature has no human inhabitant who appreciates her. The birds with their plumage and their notes are in harmony with the flowers & lakes flowers and lakes flowers and lakes flowers and lakes flowers, but what youth or maiden conspires with the wild luxuriant beauty of Nature? She flourishes most alone, far from the towns where they reside. Talk of heaven! ye disgrace earth.

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