House-Warming
n
Note: The original chapter title
“Fire” appears at the top of the otherwise blank verso of the leaf containing
House-Warming 4, indicating that House-Warming 1, 3, and 4 were originally part of
the preceding chapter. The title “House-Warming” appears in pencil in the margin
of the leaf containing House-Warming 1. (R. Clapper)
IN October I went a-graping to the river meadows, and loaded myself with
clusters
commonly more
more
more
more
precious for their beauty and fragrance than for food. There, too, I admired,
though I did not gather, the cranberries, small waxen gems, pendants of the meadow
grass, pearly and red, which the farmer
bushel and the dollar; a fairy fruit which he plucks with an ugly
rake, leaving the smooth meadow in a snarl heedlessly
measuring them by the bushel & the dollar only
plucks with an ugly rake, leaving the smooth meadow in a snarl, heedlessly
measuring them by the bushel and the dollar only,
plucks with an ugly rake, leaving the smooth meadow in a snarl, heedlessly
measuring them by the bushel and the dollar only,
plucks with an ugly rake, leaving the smooth meadow in a snarl, heedlessly
measuring them by the bushel and the dollar only,
and sells the spoils of the meads to Boston and New York; destined to be
jammed
, to satisfy the tastes of lovers of Nature there.
So butchers rake the tongues of bison out of the prairie grass, regardless of the
torn and drooping plant. The barberry’s brilliant fruit was likewise food for my eyes
merely;
merely;
merely;
merely;
but I collected a small store of wild apples
which the proprietor and the traveller
travellers had overlooked, for coddling
for coddling, which
the proprietor and travellers had overlooked.
for coddling, which
the proprietor and travellers had overlooked.
for coddling, which
the proprietor and travellers had overlooked.
When chestnuts
were
ripe I laid up half a bushel
of these for my winter
store
use
for winter.
for winter.
for winter.
It was very
pleasant and exciting
exciting
exciting
exciting
at that season to roam the then boundless chestnut woods
of Lincoln,
of Lincoln,
of Lincoln,
of Lincoln,
— they now sleep
their long sleep
their long sleep
their long sleep
their long sleep
under the railroad,—
with a bag on my shoulder, and a stick to open burrs
with in my hand, for I did not always wait for the frost,
with a bag on my shoulder, and a stick to open burrs with in my hand, for I
did not always wait for the frost,
with a bag on my shoulder, and a stick to open burrs with in my hand, for I
did not always wait for the frost,
with a bag on my shoulder, and a stick to open burrs with in my hand, for I
did not always wait for the frost,
amid the rustling of leaves and the loud reproofs of the red-squirrels and the
jays, whose half-consumed nuts I sometimes stole, for the burrs which they had
selected were sure to contain sound
nuts
ones
ones.
ones.
ones.
Sometimes in unexplored and pathless depths meeting some adventurous boy
even from other towns, from Lincoln, Weston, or Wayland, as wild as myself,
with his bag on his shoulder and his stick to open burrs with. Perhaps two
or three had clubbed together and shaken a large tree and shared the spoil.
Sometimes
Occasionally I climbed & shook the trees
Occasionally I climbed and shook the trees.
Occasionally I climbed and shook the trees.
Occasionally I climbed and shook the trees.
They grew also behind my house, and one large tree which almost overshadowed
it,
was when in flower was
was, when in flower,
was, when in flower,
was, when in flower,
a bouquet which scented the whole neighborhood, but the squirrels and the jays
got most of its fruit; the last coming in flocks early in the morning and picking
the
nuts out of the burrs before they fell, I relinquished these trees to them and
visited the more distant woods composed wholly of
chestnut trees
chestnut.
chestnut.
chestnut.
With a little more industry I might have collected a large quantity for
winter use, and they would have been
These nuts as far as they went were
These nuts, as far as they went, were
These nuts, as far as they went, were
These nuts, as far as they went, were
a good substitute for bread. Many
other
other
other
other
substitutes might, perhaps, be found. Digging one day
to find worms for bait
for fish worms, I found
discovered the ground-nut on its string.
This with corn was the bread
This was the potatoe
for fish-worms, I discovered the ground-nut (Apios
tuberosa) on its string, the potato
for fish-worms, I discovered the ground-nut (Apios
tuberosa) on its string, the potato
for fish-worms, I discovered the ground-nut (Apios
tuberosa) on its string, the potato
of the aborigines, a sort of fabulous fruit, which I had begun to doubt if I
had ever dug and eaten in childhood, as I had told,
and had not dreamed it. I had
often since seen its crimpled red velvety blossom
running over
supported by
supported by
supported by
supported by
the stems of other plants without knowing it to be the same.
The white man’s swine and cultivation have
Cultivation has
Cultivation has
Cultivation has
Cultivation has
well nigh exterminated it.
It had a sweetish taste much like that of a frost-bitten potatoe, & I
have found it better boiled than roasted
It has a sweetish taste, much like that of a frostbitten potato, and I found
it better boiled than roasted.
It has a sweetish taste, much like that of a frostbitten potato, and I found
it better boiled than roasted.
It has a sweetish taste, much like that of a frostbitten potato, and I found
it better boiled than roasted.
This
root
tuber
tuber
tuber
tuber
seemed like a faint promise of Nature
to feed men simply and worthily
to rear her own children & feed them simply
here
to rear her own children and feed them simply here
to rear her own children and feed them simply here
to rear her own children and feed them simply here
at some future period. In these days of fatted cattle and waving grainfields
this humble
tuber
root which was once the totem or armorial bearings of
an Indian tribe is quite forgotten, and the ground-nut is known
only as a
or known only by its
root, which was once the totem
of an Indian tribe, is
quite forgotten, or known only by its
root, which was once the totem
of an Indian tribe, is
quite forgotten, or known only by its
root, which was once the totem
of an Indian tribe, is
quite forgotten, or known only by its
flowering vine; but let wild Nature reign here once more, and the tender and
luxurious English grains
would
will perchance
will probably
will probably
will probably
disappear before a myriad
of
of
of
foes, and without the care of man the crow
might
may
may
may
may
carry back even the last seed of corn to the great cornfield of the Indian’s
God in the south-west, whence he
is said to have
is said to have
is said to have
brought it;
but the
now almost exterminated ground-nut
would
will
will perhaps
will perhaps
will perhaps
revive and flourish in spite of frosts and wildness,
and prove itself native and aboriginal
indigenous
prove itself indigenous,
prove itself indigenous,
prove itself indigenous,
and resume its ancient importance and dignity as the diet of the hunter tribe.
Some Indian Ceres or Minerva
must have been the inventor and bestower of
the fruit
it
it;
it;
it;
and when the reign of poetry commences here, its
form
leaves & string of nuts will perhaps be adapted into
perchance be represented on
leaves and string of nuts may be represented on
leaves and string of nuts may be represented on
leaves and string of nuts may be represented on
our works of art.
Already, by the first of September, I
see
see
see
had seen
had seen
had seen
two or three small maples turned scarlet across the pond, beneath where the
white stems of three
birches diverge
aspens diverge
aspens diverge
diverged
aspens diverged,
aspens diverged,
at the point of a promontory, next the water. Ah, many a tale
their color
tells
tells
tells
told &
told! And
told! And
gradually from week to week the character of each tree
comes
comes
comes
came
came
came
out, and it
admires
admires
admires
admired
admired
admired
itself reflected in the smooth mirror of the lake.
& each
Each
Each
Each
Each
morning the manager of this gallery
hangs
substitutes
substitutes
substitutes
substituted
substituted
substituted
some new picture, distinguished by more brilliant
or else more
or else more
or else more
or
or
harmonious coloring, for the old upon the
walls. This is the only gallery to which I have a season
ticket
walls.
walls.
walls.
walls.
The wasps came by thousands to my lodge in October, as to winter quarters,
and settled on my windows within and on the walls
over my head
over my head
over-head,
over-head,
sometimes deterring visitors from entering. Each morning, when they were
numbed with cold, I swept some of them out, but I did not trouble myself much to get
rid of them; I even felt complimented by their regarding my house as a desirable
shelter. They never molested me seriously, though they bedded with me; and they
gradually disappeared, into what crevices I do not know, avoiding winter
and unspeakable cold.
Like the wasps, before I finally went into winter quarters in November, I used
to resort to the northeast side of Walden, which the sun, reflected from the
pitch-pine woods and the stony shore, made the fire-side of the pond; it is so much
pleasanter and wholesomer to be warmed by the sun while you can be, than by an
artificial fire. I thus warmed myself by the still glowing embers which the summer,
like a departed hunter, had left.
When I came to build my chimney
I studied masonry.
I studied masonry.
I studied masonry.
I studied masonry.
I studied masonry.
I studied masonry.
I studied masonry.
My bricks
were old ones and had
which were old ones and had
being second-hand ones required
being second-hand ones required
being second-hand ones required
being second-hand ones required
being second-hand ones required
being second-hand ones required
to be cleaned with a trowel, so that I learned more than
is usual
is usual
is usual
is usual
is usual
is usual
is usual
usual
of the
manufacture of
art of making
art of making
art of making
art of making
art of making
art of making
qualities of
qualities of
qualities of
bricks and trowels. The mortar on them was fifty years old, and was said to
be still growing harder;
but that is one of those sayings which men love to repeat
whether it is
they are true or not. Such sayings themselves grow harder and
adhere more firmly with age, and it would take many blows of a trowel to
clean an old wiseacre of them. Nevertheless
Many of the villages of Mesopotamia are said to be
built of 2 hand bricks of a very good
quality obtained from the ruins of Babylon—& the cement on them is
older still. However that may be
but that
this is one of those sayings which men love to repeat whether
they are true or not. Such sayings themselves grow harder and adhere more
firmly with age, and it would take many blows of a trowel to clean an old
wiseacre of them. Many of the villages of Mesopotamia are said to
be built of second-hand bricks of a very good quality, obtained
from the ruins of Babylon, and the cement on them is older and probably
harder still. However that may be
but this is one of those sayings which men love to repeat whether they
are true or not. Such sayings themselves grow harder and adhere more firmly
with age, and it would take many blows with a trowel to clean an old
wiseacre of them. Many of the villages of Mesopotamia are built of second-hand
bricks of a very good quality, obtained from the ruins of Babylon, and the
cement on them is older and probably harder still. However that may
be,
I was struck by the peculiar
hardness and toughness
hardness and toughness
toughness
toughness
toughness
toughness
toughness
toughness
of the steel which bore so many violent blows without being worn out.
I picked out such bricks as were already trimmed for
fireplace bricks
I picked out such bricks as were already trimmed for
fireplace bricks
I picked out such bricks as were already trimmed for
fireplace bricks
I picked out such bricks as were already trimmed for
fireplace bricks
I picked out such bricks as were already trimmed for
fireplace bricks
As my bricks had been in a chimney before though I did not read the name of Nebuchadnezzar on
them, I picked out as many fire-place bricks as I could find
As my bricks had been in a chimney before, though I did not read the name
of Nebuchadnezzar on
them, I picked out as many fire-place bricks as I could find,
As my bricks had been in a chimney before, though I did not read the name
of Nebuchadnezzar on
them, I picked out as many fire-place bricks as I could find,
to save work and waste, and I filled the spaces between the bricks about
the fire-place with stones from the pond
shore, instead of the usual rubbish
shore, instead of the usual rubbish
shore, instead of the usual rubbish
shore, instead of the usual rubbish
shore, instead of the usual rubbish
shore, instead of the usual rubbish
shore, instead of the usual rubbish
shore,
and also made my mortar with the white sand from the same place.
In building the chimney, I
In building the chimney, I
In building the chimney, I
In building the chimney, I
In building the chimney, I
I
I
lingered most about the fireplace, as the most vital part of the house.
Indeed, I worked so deliberately, that
the new
successive courses of brick were not so
high but they
the new
successive courses of brick were not so
high but they
the new
successive courses of brick were not so
high but they
the new
successive courses of brick were not so
high but they
the new
successive courses of brick were not so
high but they
successive courses of brick
though I commenced at the ground in the morning—a course of bricks
raised a few inches above the floor
though I commenced at the ground in the morning, a course of bricks raised
a few inches above the floor
served for my pillow
for one or two nights
for one or two nights
for one or two nights
for one or two nights
for one or two nights
for one or two nights
at night
at night;
yet I did not get a stiff neck
for it that I remember; my stiff neck is of older date.
I took a poet to board for a fortnight about those times, which caused
me to be put to it for room. He brought his own knife, though I had two,
and we used to scour them by thrusting them into the earth. He shared
with me the labors of cooking,
I took a poet to
board for a fortnight about those times, which caused me to be put to it for
room. He brought his own knife, though I had two, and we used to scour them
by thrusting them into the earth. He shared with me the labors of
cooking.
I was pleased to see my work rising so square and solid by degrees, and
reflected, that, if it proceeded slowly, it was calculated to endure a long time.
The chimney is to some extent an independent structure, standing on the ground and
rising through the house to the heavens;
and even
and even
and even
and even
and even
even
even
after the house is burned it still stands sometimes, and its importance and
independence are apparent.
This is to be remembered was toward the end of
summer.
But to return to November
This is to be remembered was toward the end of
summer.
But to return to November
This is to be remembered was toward the end of
summer.
But to return to November
This is to be remembered was toward the end of
summer.
But to return to November
This is to be remembered was toward the end of
summer.
But to return to November
This was toward the end of summer. It was now November.
This was toward the end of summer. It was now November.
The north wind had
already
now
already
already
begun to cool the pond, though it took many weeks of steady blowing to
accomplish it, it is so deep. When I began to have a fire at evening, before I
plastered my house, the chimney carried smoke particularly well, because of the
numerous chinks between the boards. Yet I passed some cheerful evenings in that
cool and airy apartment, surrounded by the rough brown boards full of knots, and
rafters with the bark on high overhead. My house never pleased my eye so much
after it was plastered, though I was obliged to confess that it was more
comfortable.
I think that
Should not every apartment in which man dwells should
perchance
be
Should not every apartment in which man dwells be
Should not every apartment in which man dwells be
lofty enough to create some obscurity over-head,
where , at least,
where
where
flickering shadows may play at evening about the rafters? These forms
are
far more
more
more
agreeable to the fancy and imagination than fresco paintings
or other the most expensive
furniture. I now first began to inhabit my house, I may say, when I began to use
it for warmth as well as shelter.
I had got a couple of old fire-dogs to keep the wood
from the hearth, and it did me good to see the soot form on the back of
the chimney which I had built, and I poked the fire with more right and
more satisfaction than usual.
I had got a couple of old fire-dogs to keep the wood from the hearth, and it did me good
to see the soot form on the back of the chimney which I had built, and I
poked the fire with more right and more satisfaction than usual.
I had got a couple of old fire-dogs to keep the wood from the hearth, and it did me good
to see the soot form on the back of the chimney which I had built, and I
poked the fire with more right and more satisfaction than usual.
It
My house
My dwelling
My dwelling
was small, and I could hardly entertain an echo in it; but it seemed larger
for being a single apartment and remote from neighbors. All the attractions of a
house were concentrated in one room; it was kitchen, chamber, parlor, and
keeping-room;
& whatever satisfaction parent and child, master and
and whatever satisfaction parent or child, master or
and whatever satisfaction parent or child, master or
servant, derive from living in a house, I enjoyed it all.
Cato says, the master of a family (
patremfamilias
) must have in his rustic villa “cellam oleariam, vinariam,
dolia multa, uti lubeat caritatem expectare, et rei, et virtuti, et gloriæ
erit,”
that is, “an oil
and wine cellar, many casks, so that it may be pleasant to expect hard times; it
will be for his advantage, and virtue, and glory.” I had in my cellar a
firkin
of potatoes,
about two quarts of peas with the weevil in them, and on my shelf a little rice, a
jug of molasses, and
a peck each of rye & Indian meal
of rye and Indian meal a peck each.
I sometimes dream of a
larger and more populous house,
standing in a golden age but not a gilded one
standing in a golden age,
standing in a golden age,
of enduring materials, and without ginger-bread
work, which shall still
consist of only one room, a
large
vast
vast,
vast,
rude, substantial, primitive hall, without ceiling or plastering, with
bare rafters and purlins
supporting a sort of lower heaven over
your
one’s
one’s
one’s
one’s
head,—
useful to keep off rain and snow;
useful to keep off rain and snow;
useful to keep off rain and snow;
useful to keep off rain and snow;
where the king and queen posts
stand out to receive your homage, when you have
already done
done
done
done
reverence to the prostrate Saturn
of an older dynasty
by
on stepping over the sill at your entrance
at the entrance
on stepping over the sill;
on stepping over the sill;
on stepping over the sill;
a cavernous house, wherein you must reach up a torch upon a pole to see the
roof; where some may live in the
fire-place and
fire-place,
fire-place,
fire-place,
some in the recess of a window, and some on settles, some at one end of the
hall, some at
the other
another
another,
another,
another,
and some aloft on rafters with the spiders, if they choose; a house which
you have got into when you have opened the outside door, and the ceremony is over;
where the weary traveller may wash, and eat, and converse, and sleep, without
further journey; such a shelter as you would be glad to reach in a tempestuous
night, containing all the essentials of a house, and
nothing more,— nothing
nothing
nothing
nothing
for house-keeping; where you can see all the treasures of the house at one
view, and every thing hangs upon its peg that a man should use; at once
kitchen and pantry, and parlor and chamber
kitchen, pantry, parlor, chamber,
kitchen, pantry, parlor, chamber,
kitchen, pantry, parlor, chamber,
store-house, and garret; where you can see
such a necessary
so necessary a
so necessary a
so necessary a
thing as a barrel or a ladder, so convenient a thing as a cupboard, and
hear the pot
boil instead of a tinkling
piano
boil,
boil,
boil,
and pay your respects to the fire that cooks your dinner and the oven that
bakes your
bread bread, I say, not biscuit
bread,
bread,
bread,
and the necessary furniture and utensils are the chief ornaments; where the
washing is not put out, nor the fire, nor the mistress, and
where perhaps
perhaps
perhaps
perhaps
you are sometimes
invited
requested
requested
requested
requested
to move from off the trap-door, when the cook would descend into the
cellar, and so learn whether the ground is solid or hollow beneath you
without
stamping. A house whose inside is as open and manifest as a bird’s nest,
and
not such a one as you may go through
you cannot go
you cannot go
you cannot go
in at the front door
and out at the back
and never see one
without seeing some
without seeing some
of its inhabitants; where to be a guest is to be presented with the freedom
of the house, and not to be carefully excluded from seven eighths of it, shut up
in a particular cell, and told to make yourself at home there,—
in solitary confinement.
in solitary confinement.
in solitary confinement.
Nowadays the host does not admit you to
his
hearth, but has got the mason to build one for yourself somewhere in his alley,
and hospitality is the art of
keeping
your guest
you
you
you
at the greatest distance.
There is as much secrecy about the cooking as if he
meant had a design to poison you. For my own
part
There is as much secrecy about the cooking as if he had a design to poison
you.
There is as much secrecy about the cooking as if he had a design to poison
you.
I am aware that I have been on many a man’s premises, and might have been
legally ordered off, but I am not aware that I have been in many men’s houses. I
might visit in my old clothes a king and queen who lived simply in such a house as
I have described,
but I trust that I shall never be found backing out of a modern palace
in a court dress
if I were going by their door, but backing out of a modern palace will
be
the most
all that I shall desire to learn if I
ever got into one
ever I am caught in one
if I were going their way; but backing out of a modern palace will
be all that I shall desire to learn, if ever I am caught in one.
if I were going their way; but backing out of a modern palace will
be all that I shall desire to learn, if ever I am caught in one.
It would seem as if the very language of our parlors would lose all its
nerve and force
nerve
nerve
and degenerate into
palaver
wholly, our lives
pass at such remoteness from its symbols, and its metaphors and tropes are
necessarily so far fetched, through slides and dumb-waiters, as it were; in other
words, the parlor is so far from the kitchen and workshop.
The dinner even is only the parable of a dinner,
commonly.
The dinner even is only the parable of a dinner, commonly.
The dinner even is only the parable of a dinner, commonly.
As if only the savage dwelt near enough to Nature and Truth to borrow a trope
from them. How can the scholar, who dwells away in the North West Territory
or the Isle of Man,
tell what is parliamentary in the
kitchen?
However, only one or two of my guests were ever bold enough to stay and eat a
hasty-pudding
with me; but
when they saw that crisis approaching they
hastily withdrew
beat a hasty departure
retreat rather
beat a hasty retreat rather,
beat a hasty retreat rather,
as if it would shake the house to its foundations.
Nevertheless it stood through a great many hasty
puddings without injury
Nevertheless, it stood through a great many hasty-puddings.
Nevertheless, it stood through a great many hasty-puddings.
r
Revision note: F1:
I did not plaster till it was freezing weather.
I did not plaster
till it was freezing weather.
I did not plaster
till it was freezing weather.
Some whiter and cleaner sand for plastering I brought
over
Some whiter and cleaner sand for plastering I brought
over
Some whiter and cleaner sand for plastering I brought
over
Some whiter and cleaner sand for plastering I brought
over
Some whiter and cleaner sand for plastering I brought
over
I brought over some whiter and cleaner sand for
plastering
I brought over some whiter and cleaner sand for this purpose
I brought over some whiter and cleaner sand for this purpose
from the opposite shore
of the pond
of the pond
of the pond
in a boat,
several cartloads at once together with my spade
and barrow, and I was very glad to avail myself of this sort of conveyance—a
highway that never needs to be mended—and over which you pass with the
heaviest loads without a jar or a scar
several cart loads at once together with my spade and barrow, and I was
very glad to avail myself of this sort of conveyance—a highway that never
needs to be mended—and over which you pass with the heaviest loads
without a jar or a scar
a sort of conveyance which particularly pleased my fancy
a sort of conveyance which would have tempted me to go much farther if
necessary.
a sort of conveyance which would have tempted me to go much farther if
necessary.
a sort of conveyance which would have tempted me to go much farther if
necessary.
a sort of conveyance which would have tempted me to go much farther if
necessary.
a sort of conveyance which would have tempted me to go much farther if
necessary.
a sort of conveyance which would have tempted me to go much farther if
necessary.
My house had in the mean while been shingled down to the ground on
every side.
My house had in the mean while been shingled down to the ground on every
side.
My house had in the mean while been shingled down to the ground on every
side.
In lathing I was pleased to be able to send home each nail with a single
blow of the hammer, and
in plastering it was my ambition to transfer the
plastering
plaster
it was my ambition to transfer the plaster
it was my ambition to transfer the plaster
from the board to the wall neatly and rapidly. I
remember hearing that
remember
remembered the story of
remembered the story of
remembered the story of
a conceited fellow, who,
dressed in
in
in
fine clothes, was wont to lounge about the village
once,
once,
once,
giving advice to workmen. Venturing one day to substitute deeds for
words,
he
he
he
turned up his cuffs,
seized
took
seized
seized
a plasterer’s board, and having loaded his trowel without mishap, with a
complacent look toward the lathing overhead, made a bold gesture thitherward; and
straightway, to his complete discomfiture, received the whole contents in his
ruffled bosom. I admired anew the economy and convenience of plastering, which so
effectually shuts out the cold and takes a handsome finish, and I learned the
various casualties to which the plasterer is liable. I
saw
was surprised to see
was surprised to see
was surprised to see
how thirsty the bricks were which drank up all the moisture in my
plastering
plaster before I could smooth
had smoothed
plaster before I had smoothed
plaster before I had smoothed
it, and how many pailfuls of water it takes to christen a new hearth. I had
the previous winter made a small quantity of lime by burning the shells of the
Unio
fluviatilis
,
which our river affords, for the sake of the experiment;
so that I knew where my materials came
from—indeed
from.
from.
I might have got good limestone
within a mile or two and burned it myself, if I had cared
to do so.
But to return to the pond—It commonly begins
The pond had in the meanwhile begun to freeze `in
the shadiest & shallowest coves, where it skims
skimmed over
But to return to the pond—It commonly begins
The pond had in the meanwhile begun to freeze `in
the shadiest & shallowest coves, where it skims
skimmed over
But to return to the pond—It commonly begins
The pond had in the meanwhile begun to freeze `in
the shadiest & shallowest coves, where it skims
skimmed over
But to return to the pond—It commonly begins
The pond had in the meanwhile begun to freeze `in
the shadiest & shallowest coves, where it skims
skimmed over
But to return to the pond—It commonly begins
The pond had in the meanwhile begun to freeze `in
the shadiest & shallowest coves, where it skims
skimmed over
But to return to the pond—It commonly begins
The pond had in the meanwhile begun to freeze `in
the shadiest & shallowest coves, where it skims
skimmed over
The pond had in the mean while skimmed over in the shadiest and shallowest
coves,
The pond had in the mean while skimmed over in the shadiest and shallowest
coves,
some days or even weeks before the general freezing. The first
ice that forms
ice that forms
ice that forms
ice that forms
ice that forms
ice that forms
ice
ice
is especially interesting and perfect, being hard, dark, and transparent, and
affords the best opportunity that ever offers for
studying
examining the bottom of the pond when
where
studying
examining the bottom of the pond when
where
studying
examining the bottom of the pond when
where
studying
examining the bottom of the pond when
where
studying
examining the bottom of the pond when
where
studying
examining the bottom of the pond when
where
examining the bottom where
examining the bottom where
it is shallow; for you can
lie down
lie down
lie down
lie down
lie down
lie down
lie
lie
at your length on ice only an inch thick, like a
water bug
skater insect
water bug
skater insect
water bug
skater insect
water bug
skater insect
water bug
skater insect
water bug
skater insect
skater insect
skater insect
on the surface of the water, and study
it
it
it
it
it
it
the bottom
the bottom
at your leisure, only two or three inches distant, like a picture behind a
glass, and the water is necessarily always smooth
For wrecks you can see the sandy bottom strewn with the cases if cadiz
worms made of minute grains of white quartz which forms the sand, and the
bottom is seen to be much creased or furrowed where some creature has
travelled about and doubled on its tracks—perhaps the caddis worm
there. The sandy bottom is seen to be much
creased or furrowed where some creature has travelled about and doubled on
its tracks, and for wrecks it is strewn with the cases of cadis worms made
of minute grains of white quartz. Perhaps these have creased it
For wrecks you can see the sandy bottom strewn with the cases if cadiz
worms made of minute grains of white quartz which forms the sand, and the
bottom is seen to be much creased or furrowed where some creature has
travelled about and doubled on its tracks—perhaps the caddis worm
there. The sandy bottom is seen to be much
creased or furrowed where some creature has travelled about and doubled on
its tracks, and for wrecks it is strewn with the cases of cadis worms made
of minute grains of white quartz. Perhaps these have creased it
For wrecks you can see the sandy bottom strewn with the cases if cadiz
worms made of minute grains of white quartz which forms the sand, and the
bottom is seen to be much creased or furrowed where some creature has
travelled about and doubled on its tracks—perhaps the caddis worm
there. The sandy bottom is seen to be much
creased or furrowed where some creature has travelled about and doubled on
its tracks, and for wrecks it is strewn with the cases of cadis worms made
of minute grains of white quartz. Perhaps these have creased it
For wrecks you can see the sandy bottom strewn with the cases if cadiz
worms made of minute grains of white quartz which forms the sand, and the
bottom is seen to be much creased or furrowed where some creature has
travelled about and doubled on its tracks—perhaps the caddis worm
there. The sandy bottom is seen to be much
creased or furrowed where some creature has travelled about and doubled on
its tracks, and for wrecks it is strewn with the cases of cadis worms made
of minute grains of white quartz. Perhaps these have creased it
For wrecks you can see the sandy bottom strewn with the cases if cadiz
worms made of minute grains of white quartz which forms the sand, and the
bottom is seen to be much creased or furrowed where some creature has
travelled about and doubled on its tracks—perhaps the caddis worm
there. The sandy bottom is seen to be much
creased or furrowed where some creature has travelled about and doubled on
its tracks, and for wrecks it is strewn with the cases of cadis worms made
of minute grains of white quartz. Perhaps these have creased it
For wrecks you can see the sandy bottom strewn with the cases if cadiz
worms made of minute grains of white quartz which forms the sand, and the
bottom is seen to be much creased or furrowed where some creature has
travelled about and doubled on its tracks—perhaps the caddis worm
there. The sandy bottom is seen to be much
creased or furrowed where some creature has travelled about and doubled on
its tracks, and for wrecks it is strewn with the cases of cadis worms made
of minute grains of white quartz. Perhaps these have creased it
then. There are many furrows in the sand where some creature has travelled
about and doubled on its tracks; and, for wrecks, it is strewn with the cases
of cadis worms made of minute grains of white quartz. Perhaps these have
creased it,
then. There are many furrows in the sand where some creature has travelled
about and doubled on its tracks; and, for wrecks, it is strewn with the cases
of cadis worms made of minute grains of white quartz. Perhaps these have
creased it,
for you find some of their cases in the furrows, though they are deep and
broad for them to make.
However
But
However
But
However
But
However
But
However
But
However
But
But
But
the ice itself is the object of
chief
most interest but
though
chief
most interest but
though
chief
most interest but
though
chief
most interest but
though
chief
most interest but
though
chief
most interest but
though
most interest, though
most interest, though
you must improve the earliest opportunity to study it. If you examine it
closely
the morning after it freezes,
the morning after it freezes,
the morning after it freezes,
the morning after it freezes,
the morning after it freezes,
the morning after it freezes,
the morning after it freezes,
the morning after it freezes,
you find that the greater part of the bubbles, which
had
had
had
had
had
had
had
at first
at first
appeared to be within
its substance
its substance
its substance
its substance
its substance
its substance
its substance
it
it,
are against its under surface, and that more are continually
rising up
rising up
rising up
rising up
rising up
rising up
rising up
rising
from the bottom; while the ice is as yet comparatively solid and dark, that
is, you see the
color of the water
color of the water
color of the water
color of the water
color of the water
color of the water
water
water
through it. These bubbles are from an eightieth to an eighth of an inch in
diameter, very
beautiful & clear in which you
can
see your face reflected through the thin ice
beautiful & clear in which you
can
see your face reflected through the thin ice
beautiful & clear in which you
can
see your face reflected through the thin ice
beautiful & clear in which you
can
see your face reflected through the thin ice
beautiful & clear in which you
can
see your face reflected through the thin ice
beautiful & clear in which you
can
see your face reflected through the thin ice
beautiful & clear & beautiful, in
which
and you see your face reflected in them through the
ice
clear and beautiful, and you see your face reflected in them through the
ice.
There may be thirty or forty of them to a square inch. There are also
already
already
already
already
already
already
already
already
within the ice narrow oblong perpendicular bubbles
or
sharp cones half an inch long more or less
or
sharp cones half an inch long more or less
or
sharp cones half an inch long more or less
or
sharp cones half an inch long more or less
or
sharp cones half an inch long more or less
or
sharp cones half an inch long more or less
that are
about half an inch long, more or less
sharp cones
about half an inch long, sharp cones
with the apex upward; or oftener, if the ice is quite fresh, minute spherical
bubbles one directly above another, like a string of beads. But these within the ice
are not so numerous
or
or
or
or
or
or
nor
nor
obvious as those beneath. I
used sometimes to
used sometimes to
used sometimes to
used sometimes to
used sometimes to
used sometimes to
used sometimes to
sometimes used to
cast on stones to try the strength of the ice, and those which broke through
would carry
would carry
would carry
would carry
would carry
would carry
would carry
carried in
carried in
air with them, which formed very large and conspicuous white bubbles
beneath the ice
beneath the ice
beneath the ice
beneath the ice
beneath the ice
beneath the ice
beneath.
beneath.
One day when I came to the same place forty-eight hours afterward, I found
that those large bubbles were still
there and perfect
there and perfect
there and perfect
there and perfect
there and perfect
there and perfect
perfect,
perfect,
though an inch more of ice had
since formed
since formed
since formed
since formed
since formed
since formed
since formed
formed,
and I could see the seam distinctly
as I could see distinctly by the seam
on the edge of a cake
and I could see the seam distinctly
as I could see distinctly by the seam
on the edge of a cake
and I could see the seam distinctly
as I could see distinctly by the seam
on the edge of a cake
and I could see the seam distinctly
as I could see distinctly by the seam
on the edge of a cake
and I could see the seam distinctly
as I could see distinctly by the seam
on the edge of a cake
and I could see the seam distinctly
as I could see distinctly by the seam
on the edge of a cake
as I could see distinctly by the seam in the edge of the cake.
as I could see distinctly by the seam in the edge of the cake.
But as the last two days had been very warm, like an Indian summer, the ice
was not now transparent, showing the dark green color of the water, and the bottom,
but opaque and whitish or gray, and though twice as thick was hardly stronger than
before, for the air bubbles
under this heat had greatly expanded under
this heat
under this heat had greatly expanded under
this heat
under this heat had greatly expanded under
this heat
under this heat had greatly expanded under
this heat
under this heat had greatly expanded under
this heat
under this heat had greatly expanded under
this heat
had greatly expanded under this heat
had greatly expanded under this heat
and run together, and lost their regularity; they were no longer one directly
over another, but often like silvery coins poured from a bag, one overlapping
another, or in thin flakes,
as if occupying slight cleavages.
as if occupying slight cleavages.
Now the
Now the
Now the
Now the
Now the
Now the
The
The
beauty of the ice was gone, and it was too late to study the bottom. Being
curious to know what position my great bubbles occupied with regard to the new ice,
I
broke out a cake
of ice containing a middling sized one about 4 inches in
diameter & turned it bottom side upward on the ice
—for
of ice containing a middling sized one about 4 inches in
diameter & turned it bottom side upward on the ice
—for
of ice containing a middling sized one about 4 inches in
diameter & turned it bottom side upward on the ice
—for
of ice containing a middling sized one about 4 inches in
diameter & turned it bottom side upward on the ice
—for
of ice containing a middling sized one about 4 inches in
diameter & turned it bottom side upward on the ice
—for
of ice containing a middling sized one about 4 inches in
diameter & turned it bottom side upward on the ice
—for
containing a middling sized one, and turned it bottom upward.
containing a middling sized one, and turned it bottom upward.
The new ice had formed around and under the bubble, so that it was included
between the two ices. It was wholly in the lower ice,
but close against the upper,
but close against the upper,
but close against the upper,
but close against the upper,
but close against the upper,
but close against the upper,
but close against the upper,
but close against the upper,
and was
flat
flattish,
flat
flattish,
flat
flattish,
flat
flattish,
flat
flattish,
flat
flattish,
flattish,
flattish,
or perhaps slightly lenticular, with a rounded edge, a quarter of an inch deep
by four inches in diameter;
But
But
But
But
But
But
and
and
I was surprised to find that directly under the bubble the ice was melted with
great regularity in the form of a saucer reversed, to the height of five eighths of
an inch in the middle, leaving a thin partition there between the water and the
bubble, hardly an eighth of an inch thick; and in many
instances
laces
instances
laces
instances
laces
instances
laces
instances
laces
instances
laces
places
places
the small bubbles in this
partition
partition
had burst out downward, and probably there was no ice at all under the largest
bubbles,
which were a foot in diameter,
which were a foot in diameter,
which were a foot in diameter,
which were a foot in diameter,
which were a foot in diameter,
which were a foot in diameter,
which were a foot in diameter.
which were a foot in diameter.
I
inferred therefore
inferred therefore
inferred therefore
inferred therefore
inferred therefore
inferred therefore
inferred
inferred
that the infinite number of minute bubbles which I had first seen against the
under surface of the ice were now frozen in
like the others
like the others
like the others
like the others
like the others
like the others
likewise,
likewise,
and that each, in its
degree like these large ones
degree like these large ones
degree like these large ones
degree like these large ones
degree like these large ones
degree like these large ones
degree,
degree,
had operated like a burning glass
on the ice beneath to melt and rot it. These are the little
air-guns which contribute to make the ice crack and whoop.
At length the winter set in in good earnest, just as I had finished
plastering, and the wind began to howl around the house as if it had not had
permission to do so till then. Night after night the geese came lumbering in the
dark with a clangor and a whistling of wings, even after the ground was covered
with snow, some to alight in Walden, and some flying low over the woods toward
Fair Haven,
r
Revision note: E1: to hear the tread of a flock of geese on the dry leaves in
the woods—where they come up to feed—and the clank
faint honk
I used frequently
Several times when returning from the village at ten or eleven
o’clock at night, to hear
I heard the tread of a flock of geese or
perhaps
ducks on the dry leaves in the woods
near a pond hole behind my dwelling, where they had come
to feed by a pond hole, and the faint honk or quack
r
Revision note: E1: to hear the tread of a flock of geese on the dry leaves in
the woods—where they come up to feed—and the clank
faint honk
I used frequently
Several times when returning from the village at ten or eleven
o’clock at night, to hear
I heard the tread of a flock of geese or
perhaps
ducks on the dry leaves in the woods
near a pond hole behind my dwelling, where they had come
to feed by a pond hole, and the faint honk or quack
r
Revision note: E1: to hear the tread of a flock of geese on the dry leaves in
the woods—where they come up to feed—and the clank
faint honk
I used frequently
Several times when returning from the village at ten or eleven
o’clock at night, to hear
I heard the tread of a flock of geese or
perhaps
ducks on the dry leaves in the woods
near a pond hole behind my dwelling, where they had come
to feed by a pond hole, and the faint honk or quack
r
Revision note: E1: to hear the tread of a flock of geese on the dry leaves in
the woods—where they come up to feed—and the clank
faint honk
I used frequently
Several times when returning from the village at ten or eleven
o’clock at night, to hear
I heard the tread of a flock of geese or
perhaps
ducks on the dry leaves in the woods
near a pond hole behind my dwelling, where they had come
to feed by a pond hole, and the faint honk or quack
r
Revision note: E1: to hear the tread of a flock of geese on the dry leaves in
the woods—where they come up to feed—and the clank
faint honk
I used frequently
Several times when returning from the village at ten or eleven
o’clock at night, to hear
I heard the tread of a flock of geese or
perhaps
ducks on the dry leaves in the woods
near a pond hole behind my dwelling, where they had come
to feed by a pond hole, and the faint honk or quack
bound for Mexico. Several times, when returning from the village at ten or
eleven o’clock at night, I heard the tread of a flock of geese, or else
ducks, on the dry leaves in the woods by a pond-hole behind my dwelling,
where they had come up to feed, and the faint honk or quack
bound for Mexico. Several times, when returning from the village at ten or
eleven o’clock at night, I heard the tread of a flock of geese, or else
ducks, on the dry leaves in the woods by a pond-hole behind my dwelling,
where they had come up to feed, and the faint honk or quack
bound for Mexico. Several times, when returning from the village at ten or
eleven o’clock at night, I heard the tread of a flock of geese, or else
ducks, on the dry leaves in the woods by a pond-hole behind my dwelling,
where they had come up to feed, and the faint honk or quack
of their leader as they hurried off. In 1845 Walden froze
entirely
entirely
entirely
entirely
entirely
entirely
entirely
entirely
over for the first time on the night of the 22d of December,
r
Revision note: E1:
in ’46 the next year on the 16 of Dec; in ’49, the 29
or 30 of Dec; Flint’s and
other shallower ponds & the river having
been frozen for a fortnight
10 days or more
the next year on the 16
of December, Flint’s and other shallower ponds and the river having been
frozen in each case for ten days or more
r
Revision note: E1:
in ’46 the next year on the 16 of Dec; in ’49, the 29
or 30 of Dec; Flint’s and
other shallower ponds & the river having
been frozen for a fortnight
10 days or more
the next year on the 16
of December, Flint’s and other shallower ponds and the river having been
frozen in each case for ten days or more
r
Revision note: E1:
in ’46 the next year on the 16 of Dec; in ’49, the 29
or 30 of Dec; Flint’s and
other shallower ponds & the river having
been frozen for a fortnight
10 days or more
the next year on the 16
of December, Flint’s and other shallower ponds and the river having been
frozen in each case for ten days or more
r
Revision note: E1:
in ’46 the next year on the 16 of Dec; in ’49, the 29
or 30 of Dec; Flint’s and
other shallower ponds & the river having
been frozen for a fortnight
10 days or more
the next year on the 16
of December, Flint’s and other shallower ponds and the river having been
frozen in each case for ten days or more
r
Revision note: E1:
in ’46 the next year on the 16 of Dec; in ’49, the 29
or 30 of Dec; Flint’s and
other shallower ponds & the river having
been frozen for a fortnight
10 days or more
the next year on the 16
of December, Flint’s and other shallower ponds and the river having been
frozen in each case for ten days or more
Flint’s and other shallower ponds and the river having been frozen ten
days or more; in ’46, the 16th; in ’49, about the 31st; and in ’50, about
the 27th of December; in ’52, the 5th of January; in ’53, the 31st of
December.
Flint’s and other shallower ponds and the river having been frozen ten
days or more; in ’46, the 16th; in ’49, about the 31st; and in ’50, about
the 27th of December; in ’52, the 5th of January; in ’53, the 31st of
December.
Flint’s and other shallower ponds and the river having been frozen ten
days or more; in ’46, the 16th; in ’49, about the 31st; and in ’50, about
the 27th of December; in ’52, the 5th of January; in ’53, the 31st of
December.
The snow had already covered the ground since the 25th of November, and
surrounded me suddenly with the scenery of winter. I withdrew yet farther into my
shell, and
kept
endeavored to keep
kept
endeavored to keep
kept
endeavored to keep
kept
endeavored to keep
kept
endeavored to keep
endeavored to keep
endeavored to keep
endeavored to keep
a bright fire both within my house and within my breast. My employment out
of doors now was to collect the dead wood in the forest,
r
Revision note: E1: bringing it on my shoulders to my shed, or
& sometimes trailing a dead pine tree
under each arm “minuti blaterones quercuum, culi, et curbi,” as the old
forest law terms “wind-falls,” “dotterels, and scrags, &c”
“minuti blaterones quercuum, culi, et curbi,” as the old
forest law terms “wind falls,” dotterels, scrags, &c.,” bringing it in my hands or on my shoulders, to my
shed, and
or sometimes trailing a dead pine tree under
each arm to my shed
r
Revision note: E1: bringing it on my shoulders to my shed, or
& sometimes trailing a dead pine tree
under each arm “minuti blaterones quercuum, culi, et curbi,” as the old
forest law terms “wind-falls,” “dotterels, and scrags, &c”
“minuti blaterones quercuum, culi, et curbi,” as the old
forest law terms “wind falls,” dotterels, scrags, &c.,” bringing it in my hands or on my shoulders, to my
shed, and
or sometimes trailing a dead pine tree under
each arm to my shed
r
Revision note: E1: bringing it on my shoulders to my shed, or
& sometimes trailing a dead pine tree
under each arm “minuti blaterones quercuum, culi, et curbi,” as the old
forest law terms “wind-falls,” “dotterels, and scrags, &c”
“minuti blaterones quercuum, culi, et curbi,” as the old
forest law terms “wind falls,” dotterels, scrags, &c.,” bringing it in my hands or on my shoulders, to my
shed, and
or sometimes trailing a dead pine tree under
each arm to my shed
r
Revision note: E1: bringing it on my shoulders to my shed, or
& sometimes trailing a dead pine tree
under each arm “minuti blaterones quercuum, culi, et curbi,” as the old
forest law terms “wind-falls,” “dotterels, and scrags, &c”
“minuti blaterones quercuum, culi, et curbi,” as the old
forest law terms “wind falls,” dotterels, scrags, &c.,” bringing it in my hands or on my shoulders, to my
shed, and
or sometimes trailing a dead pine tree under
each arm to my shed
r
Revision note: E1: bringing it on my shoulders to my shed, or
& sometimes trailing a dead pine tree
under each arm “minuti blaterones quercuum, culi, et curbi,” as the old
forest law terms “wind-falls,” “dotterels, and scrags, &c”
“minuti blaterones quercuum, culi, et curbi,” as the old
forest law terms “wind falls,” dotterels, scrags, &c.,” bringing it in my hands or on my shoulders, to my
shed, and
or sometimes trailing a dead pine tree under
each arm to my shed
bringing it in my hands or on my shoulders, or sometimes trailing a dead
pine tree under each arm to my shed.
bringing it in my hands or on my shoulders, or sometimes trailing a dead
pine tree under each arm to my shed.
bringing it in my hands or on my shoulders, or sometimes trailing a dead
pine tree under each arm to my shed.
r
Revision note: E1:
An old forest fence which had seen its best days was
a great haul for me. I sacrificed it to Vulcan, for it was past serving
the god Terminus. An old forest fence which had seen its best days
was a great haul for me. I sacrificed it to Jove
Vulcan for it had served the god of
boundaries long enough
was past serving the god Terminus
r
Revision note: E1:
An old forest fence which had seen its best days was
a great haul for me. I sacrificed it to Vulcan, for it was past serving
the god Terminus. An old forest fence which had seen its best days
was a great haul for me. I sacrificed it to Jove
Vulcan for it had served the god of
boundaries long enough
was past serving the god Terminus
r
Revision note: E1:
An old forest fence which had seen its best days was
a great haul for me. I sacrificed it to Vulcan, for it was past serving
the god Terminus. An old forest fence which had seen its best days
was a great haul for me. I sacrificed it to Jove
Vulcan for it had served the god of
boundaries long enough
was past serving the god Terminus
r
Revision note: E1:
An old forest fence which had seen its best days was
a great haul for me. I sacrificed it to Vulcan, for it was past serving
the god Terminus. An old forest fence which had seen its best days
was a great haul for me. I sacrificed it to Jove
Vulcan for it had served the god of
boundaries long enough
was past serving the god Terminus
r
Revision note: E1:
An old forest fence which had seen its best days was
a great haul for me. I sacrificed it to Vulcan, for it was past serving
the god Terminus. An old forest fence which had seen its best days
was a great haul for me. I sacrificed it to Jove
Vulcan for it had served the god of
boundaries long enough
was past serving the god Terminus
An old forest fence which had seen its best days was a great haul for me.
I sacrificed it to Vulcan, for it was past serving the god Terminus.
An old forest fence which had seen its best days was a great haul for me.
I sacrificed it to Vulcan, for it was past serving the god Terminus.
An old forest fence which had seen its best days was a great haul for me.
I sacrificed it to Vulcan, for it was past serving the god Terminus.
r
Revision note: E1:
How much more interesting an event is that man’s supper who has just
been forth in the snow to hunt or perchance to steal the fuel to cook it
with! His bread & meat are sweet
How much more interesting an event is that man’s supper who
has just been forth in the snow to hunt, or perchance to
nay you might say steel, the fuel to cook it
with! His bread & meat are sweet
r
Revision note: E1:
How much more interesting an event is that man’s supper who has just
been forth in the snow to hunt or perchance to steal the fuel to cook it
with! His bread & meat are sweet
How much more interesting an event is that man’s supper who
has just been forth in the snow to hunt, or perchance to
nay you might say steel, the fuel to cook it
with! His bread & meat are sweet
r
Revision note: E1:
How much more interesting an event is that man’s supper who has just
been forth in the snow to hunt or perchance to steal the fuel to cook it
with! His bread & meat are sweet
How much more interesting an event is that man’s supper who
has just been forth in the snow to hunt, or perchance to
nay you might say steel, the fuel to cook it
with! His bread & meat are sweet
r
Revision note: E1:
How much more interesting an event is that man’s supper who has just
been forth in the snow to hunt or perchance to steal the fuel to cook it
with! His bread & meat are sweet
How much more interesting an event is that man’s supper who
has just been forth in the snow to hunt, or perchance to
nay you might say steel, the fuel to cook it
with! His bread & meat are sweet
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How much more interesting an event is that man’s supper who has just
been forth in the snow to hunt or perchance to steal the fuel to cook it
with! His bread & meat are sweet
How much more interesting an event is that man’s supper who
has just been forth in the snow to hunt, or perchance to
nay you might say steel, the fuel to cook it
with! His bread & meat are sweet
How much more interesting an event is that man’s supper who has just been
forth in the snow to hunt, nay, you might say, steal, the fuel to cook it with! His
bread and meat are sweet.
How much more interesting an event is that man’s supper who has just been
forth in the snow to hunt, nay, you might say, steal, the fuel to cook it with! His
bread and meat are sweet.
How much more interesting an event is that man’s supper who has just been
forth in the snow to hunt, nay, you might say, steal, the fuel to cook it with! His
bread and meat are sweet.
There are enough fagots and waste wood of all kinds in the forests of
every American town
most of our towns
every American town
most of our towns
every American town
most of our towns
every American town
most of our towns
every American town
most of our towns
most of our towns
most of our towns
most of our towns
to support many fires, but which at present warm none, and,
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perhaps
perhaps
some think
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perhaps
perhaps
some think
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perhaps
perhaps
some think
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perhaps
perhaps
some think
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perhaps
perhaps
some think
some think,
some think,
some think,
hinder the growth of the young wood. There was also the drift-wood of the
pond. In the course of the summer I
had
had
had
had
had
had
had
had
discovered a raft of pitch-pine
trees
logs with the bark on, & pinned
together which was made
trees
logs with the bark on, & pinned
together which was made
trees
logs with the bark on, & pinned
together which was made
trees
logs with the bark on, & pinned
together which was made
trees
logs with the bark on, & pinned
together which was made
logs with bark on, pinned together
logs with bark on, pinned together
logs with bark on, pinned together
by the Irish when the railroad was built. This I hauled up partly
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on to
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on to
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on to
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on to
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on to
on
on
on
the shore. After soaking two years and then lying
dry
high
dry
high
dry
high
dry
high
dry
high
high
high
high
six months it was perfectly sound, though waterlogged past drying. I amused
myself one winter day with sliding this
piecemeal
piecemeal
piecemeal
piecemeal
piecemeal
piecemeal
piecemeal
piecemeal
across the pond, nearly half a mile,
while I skated
while I skated
while I skated
while I skated
while I skated
skating
skating
skating
behind with one end of a log fifteen feet long on my shoulder, and the
other on the ice; or I tied several logs together with a birch withe, and then,
with a longer birch or
alder pole
alder pole
alder pole
alder pole
alder pole
alder
alder
alder
which had a hook at the
very end
very end
very end
very end
very end
end,
end,
end,
dragged them
over the smooth ice, skating before
across
over the smooth ice, skating before
across
over the smooth ice, skating before
across
over the smooth ice, skating before
across
over the smooth ice, skating before
across
across.
across.
across.
Though completely waterlogged and almost as heavy as lead I was
surprised to find that it not only burned long but made a very hot fire;
nay I thought it burned better for the soaking
Though completely waterlogged and almost as heavy as lead I was
surprised to find that it not only burned long but made a very hot fire;
nay I thought it burned better for the soaking
Though completely waterlogged and almost as heavy as lead I was
surprised to find that it not only burned long but made a very hot fire;
nay I thought it burned better for the soaking
Though completely waterlogged and almost as heavy as lead I was
surprised to find that it not only burned long but made a very hot fire;
nay I thought it burned better for the soaking
Though completely waterlogged and almost as heavy as lead I was
surprised to find that it not only burned long but made a very hot fire;
nay I thought it burned better for the soaking
Though completely waterlogged and almost as heavy as lead, they not only
burned long, but made a very hot fire; nay, I thought that they burned
better for the soaking, as if the pitch, being confined by the water, burned
longer as in a lamp.
Though completely waterlogged and almost as heavy as lead, they not only
burned long, but made a very hot fire; nay, I thought that they burned
better for the soaking, as if the pitch, being confined by the water, burned
longer as in a lamp.
Though completely waterlogged and almost as heavy as lead, they not only
burned long, but made a very hot fire; nay, I thought that they burned
better for the soaking, as if the pitch, being confined by the water, burned
longer as in a lamp.
Gilpin,
speaking
in his account
in his account
in his account
in his account
of the forest borderers of England,
says that “the encroachments of trespassers, and the
houses and fences thus raised on the borders of the forest,” were “considered as
great nuisances by the old forest law, and were severely punished under the name
of
purprestures
, as tending
ad
terrorem
ferarum
—
ad
nocumentum
forestæ
,
&c
.,”
to frighten the game & damage the forest
to the frightening of the game and the detriment of the forest.
to the frightening of the game and the detriment of the forest.
to the frightening of the game and the detriment of the forest.
But I was interested in the preservation of the venison and the vert
more than the
wood choppers or hunters or wood
choppers
even
&
hunters or woodchoppers, and
hunters or woodchoppers, and
hunters or woodchoppers, and
as much as though I had been the Lord
himself; and if any part was burned, though I burned it
myself by accident,
I
grieved with a grief that lasted longer and was more inconsolable than that of the
proprietors; nay, I grieved when it was cut down by the proprietors
themselves.
I would that our farmers when they
come to cut down a wood
forest
cut down a forest
felt some of that awe which the old Romans did when they came to thin, or
let in the light to, a consecrated grove (
lucum
conlucare
),
that is, would
realize
believe
believe
that it is sacred to some god. The Roman made an expiatory offering, and
prayed, Whatever god or goddess thou art to whom this grove is sacred,
I pray thee be
be
propitious to me, my family, and children, &c.
I am struck by the value that
It is remarkable what a value
It is remarkable what a value
It is remarkable what a value
is still put upon wood even in this age and in this new country, a value more
constant
permanent & universal
permanent and universal
permanent and universal
permanent and universal
than that of gold. After all our discoveries and inventions no man will go by
a pile of wood. It is as precious to us as it was to our Saxon and Norman ancestors.
If they made their bows of it, we make our gun-stocks of it.
F. A. Michaux writing more than 30 yrs ago says that the price of
wood for fuel in N. York & Philadelphia “nearly equals & sometimes
exceeds that of the best wood in Paris, though this immense capital annually
requires more than 300,000 cords, and is surrounded to the distance of 300
miles by cultivated plains.” The Parisian, like his ancestor the savage
Celt, still prizes a bundle of faggots, though he must go further for
them.
Michaux, more than
thirty years ago, says that the price of wood for fuel in New York and
Philadelphia “nearly equals, and sometimes exceeds, that of the best wood in
Paris, though this immense capital annually requires more than three hundred
thousand cords, and is surrounded to the distance of three hundred miles by
cultivated plains.”
Michaux, more than
thirty years ago, says that the price of wood for fuel in New York and
Philadelphia “nearly equals, and sometimes exceeds, that of the best wood in
Paris, though this immense capital annually requires more than three hundred
thousand cords, and is surrounded to the distance of three hundred miles by
cultivated plains.”
Michaux, more than
thirty years ago, says that the price of wood for fuel in New York and
Philadelphia “nearly equals, and sometimes exceeds, that of the best wood in
Paris, though this immense capital annually requires more than three hundred
thousand cords, and is surrounded to the distance of three hundred miles by
cultivated plains.”
In this town the price of
a cord of wood
wood
wood
wood
rises almost steadily, and the only question is, how much higher it is to be
this year than it was the last. Mechanics and tradesmen who come
themselves
in person
in person
in person
in person
to the forest on no other errand, are sure to attend the wood auction, and
even pay a high price for the privilege of gleaning after the
wood-cutter
wood-chopper.
wood-chopper.
wood-chopper.
It is now many years that men have resorted to the forest for fuel
as well as for
and
and
and
and
the materials of the arts; the New Englander
as well as
and
and
and
the New Hollander,
the Parisian and the Celt,
the Parisian and the Celt,
the Parisian and the Celt,
the Parisian and the Celt,
the farmer and Robinhood, Goody Blake and Harry Gill,
in most parts of the world the
prince and the peasant, the scholar and the savage, equally require still a few
sticks from the forest to warm them and cook their food. Neither could I
dispense with
do without
do without
do without
do without
them.
Every man looks at his wood-pile with a kind of affection. I loved to have
mine before my window, and the more chips the better to remind me of my
pleasing
pleasing
pleasing
pleasing
work. I had an old axe which nobody claimed, with which by spells in winter
days, on the sunny side of the house, I played about the stumps which I had got out
of my bean-field. As my driver prophesied when I was ploughing, they warmed me twice,
once while I was splitting them, and again when they were on the fire, so that no
fuel could give out more
heat and better serve a rich poor man like myself
heat.
heat.
heat.
As for the axe, I was advised to get the village blacksmith to “jump”
it; but I jumped him, and,
putting a hickory helve from the woods into it, made it do.
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If it was dull, it was at least hung true.
If it was dull, it was at least hung true.
If it was dull, it was at least hung true.
If it was dull, it was at least hung true.
A few pieces of fat pine
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Revision note: G1: I treasured as a Californian his pile of rocks
I treasured as a Californian his pile of rocks
were a great treasure
were a great treasure.
It is interesting to remember how much of this food for fire is still
concealed in the bowels of the earth.
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I have spent many an hour getting out the fat pine roots. I often
went prospecting to
over some hill side where a pitch pine wood had formerly stood
& spent many an hour getting out the fat pine roots
I often went
In previous years I had often gone “prospecting” over some bare
hill-side, where a pitch-pine wood had formerly stood, and spent many
an hour getting
got out the fat pine roots
In previous years I had often gone “prospecting” over some bare hill-side,
where a pitch-pine wood had formerly stood, and got out the fat pine
roots.
They are almost indestructible. Stumps thirty or forty years old, at least,
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rise above the surface, still
will still be
will still be
sound at the core, though the sapwood has all become vegetable mould, as
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a ring level with the earth four or five inches
distant from the heart indicate
appears by the scales of the thick bark forming a ring level with
the earth 4 or 5 inches distant from the heart prove
appears by the scales of the thick bark forming a ring level with the
earth four or five inches distant from the heart.
With axe and shovel you explore this mine, and follow the marrowy store,
yellow as beef tallow, or as if you had struck on a vein of gold, deep into the
earth.
But commonly
But commonly
But commonly
I kindled my fire with the dry leaves of the forest, which I had stored up
in my shed before the snow came. Green hickory finely split makes the
woodchopper's kindlings, when he has a camp in the woods.
Once in a while I got sticks of this. The old Dutch
settlers used to say of this wood that when it was dry it kept fire &
sparkled like matches, and their wives preferred its coals to turf
because they lasted longer & were not buried in ashes
Once in a while I got sticks of this. The old Dutch
settlers used to say of this wood that when it was dry it kept fire &
sparkled like matches, and their wives preferred its coals to turf
because they lasted longer & were not buried in ashes
Once in a while I got a little of this. The old Dutch
settlers on the Hudson used to say of this wood that when dry it kept
fire and sparkled like matches, & their wives preferred its coals to
turf because they lasted longer and were not buried in ashes
Once in a while I got a little of this.
When the villagers were lighting their fires beyond the horizon, I too gave
notice to
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their other
the various wild inhabitants of Walden woods
the various wild inhabitants of Walden woods
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their other
the various wild inhabitants of Walden woods
the various wild inhabitants of Walden woods
the various wild inhabitants of Walden woods
vale
the various wild inhabitants of Walden vale,
by a smoky streamer from my chimney, that I was awake.—
Light-winged Smoke, Icarian bird,
Melting thy pinions in thy upward flight,
Lark without song, and messenger of dawn,
Circling above the hamlets as thy nest;
Or else, departing dream, and shadowy form
Of midnight vision, gathering up thy skirts;
By night star-veiling, and by day
Darkening the light and blotting out the sun;
Go thou my incense upward from this hearth,
And ask the gods to pardon this clear flame.
Hard green wood just cut,
though I used but little of that,
though I used but little of that,
though I used but little of that,
though I used but little of that,
answered my purpose better than any other. I sometimes left a good fire when I
went to take a walk in a winter afternoon; and when I returned, three or four hours
afterward, it would be still alive and
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glowing
blazing
blazing
glowing
glowing.
glowing.
glowing.
My house was not empty though I was gone. It was as if I had left a cheerful
housekeeper behind. It was I and Fire that lived there; and commonly my housekeeper
proved trustworthy. One day, however, as I was
chopping outside
splitting wood
splitting wood,
splitting wood,
splitting wood,
I thought that I would just look in at the window and see if
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my
the
the house
the house
the house
was not on fire; it was the only time I remember to have been particularly
anxious on this
account
score
score;
score;
score;
so I looked and saw that a spark had caught my bed, and I went in and
extinguished it when it had burned a place
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about as big as my hand. It was a mere coincidence
as big as my hand. It was a mere coincidence
as big as my hand.
as big as my hand.
as big as my hand.
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However
But
But
But
my house occupied so
warm
sunny
sunny
sunny
sunny
and sheltered a position, and its roof was so low, that
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it was warm enough without a fire
I could afford to let the fire go out
I could afford to let the fire go out
I could afford to let the fire go out
I could afford to let the fire go out
in the middle of almost any winter day.
The moles nested in my cellar, nibbling every third potato,
and making a snug bed even
there of
some
some
some
hair left after plastering and of brown paper;
Even
Even
for even
the wildest animals love comfort and warmth as well as man, and they
survive the winter only because they are so careful to secure them.
Some of my friends spoke as if I was coming to the woods on purpose to
freeze myself. Some of my friends thought that I was coming to the
woods on purpose to freeze myself
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Some of my friends spoke as if I was coming to the woods on purpose to
freeze myself. Some of my friends thought that I was coming to the
woods on purpose to freeze myself
Some of my friends thought that
spoke as if I was coming to the woods on purpose to freeze
myself
Some of my friends spoke as if I was coming to the woods on purpose to
freeze myself.
The animal merely
makes him
makes
a bed, which he warms with his body in a sheltered
place. He does not make a house
place
but man, having discovered fire, boxes up some air in a spacious apartment,
and warms that, instead of robbing himself,
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divests himself of cumbersome bedclothes, makes that his bed,
in which he can move about
divested of more cumbersome clothes
—maintaining a congenial climate,
& maintain a kind of summer in the midst of winter, and by
means of windows even admitting
admit the light
& perhaps with a lamp lengthening out the day
& with a lamp lengthen out the day
makes that his bed, in which he can move about divested of
more cumbersome
cumbrous clothes, and maintain a kind of summer in the
midst of winter, and by means of windows even admit the light, and with a
lamp lengthen out the day
makes that his bed, in which he can move about divested of more cumbrous
clothing, maintain a kind of summer in the midst of winter, and by means of
windows even admit the light, and with a lamp lengthen out the day.
Thus he goes a step or two beyond instinct, and
secures
saves
saves
a little time for the fine arts.
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Revision note: G1: Though, when I had been exposed
to the blast for a long time to the
searching winter air my hands & feet became numb—my ears and
face stiffened, &
Sometimes, when I went forth for my afternoon walk after a
fresh fall of dry snow, a cold driving wind from the north would have
followed hard upon it, and the surface of the snow was regularly imbricated
or blown with great wave-like
shallow drifts twenty feet wide, with an abrupt edge on the
south. From the Cliff Hills it
which from the hills appeared like a great scaly white armor
drawn over the earth. Under the waves of this snowy ocean, railroad &
highway, meadow and river and pond, pastures and cultivated fields, and
almost all traces of man’s occupancy of the globe, were concealed, and I
felt as if I were the last man. Though, when I had been exposed to the
blast for
rudest blasts a long time my hands and feet became numb, my
ears & face stiffened, and
Though, when I had been exposed to the rudest blasts a long time,
my whole body began to grow torpid, when I reached the genial atmosphere of
my house I soon recovered my faculties and prolonged my life. But the most
luxuriously housed has
nothing
little
little
to boast of in this respect, nor need we trouble ourselves to speculate how
the human race may be at last destroyed. It would be easy to cut their
threads
any time with a
little sharper blast from the north. We go on dating from Cold Fridays
and Great Snows;
but a little colder Friday, or
greater snow, would put a period to man's existence on the globe.
The
last
next
next
next
next
winter I used a small cooking-stove for economy, since I did not own the
forest; but it did not keep fire so well as the open fire-place.
Cooking was then for the most part no longer a
poetic but a merely chemic process
Cooking was then, for the most part, no longer a poetic, but merely a
chemic process.
Cooking was then, for the most part, no longer a poetic, but merely a
chemic process.
Cooking was then, for the most part, no longer a poetic, but merely a
chemic process.
It will
be soon
soon be
soon be
soon be
forgotten, in these days of stoves, that we used to roast potatoes in the
ashes, after the Indian
fashion of cooking
fashion.
fashion.
fashion.
The stove
It
The stove
The stove
The stove
The stove
not only took up
room also
room
room
room
and scented the house, but it concealed the fire, and I felt as if I had
lost a companion. You can always see a face in the fire. The laborer, looking
into
the fire
it
it
it
at evening, purifies his thoughts of the dross and earthiness which they
have accumulated during the day. But I could no longer sit and look into the fire,
and the pertinent words of a poet recurred to me with new
n
Note: The first lines of the poem were interlined and
canceled (R. Clapper)
force.—
Let me walk forth into the brilliant sun,
And with congenial rays be shone upon;
When I am sad or though bewitched would be,
Let me glide forth in moonlight’s mystery,
But never while I live this changeful life,
This past and future with all wonders rife
force.—
force.—
force.—
“Never, bright flame, may be denied to me
Thy dear, life imaging, close sympathy.
What but my hopes shot upward e’er so bright?
What but my fortunes sunk so low in night?
Why art thou banished from our hearth and hall,
Thou who art welcomed and beloved by all?
Was thy existence then too fanciful
For our life’s common light, who are so dull?
Did thy bright gleam mysterious converse hold
With our congenial souls? secrets too bold?
Well, we are safe and strong, for now we sit
Beside a hearth where no dim shadows flit,
Where nothing cheers nor saddens, but a fire
Warms feet and hands—nor does to more aspire;
By whose compact utilitarian heap
The present may sit down and go to sleep,
Nor fear the ghosts who from the dim past walked,
And with us by the unequal light of the old wood fire talked.”
MRS. HOOPER
MRS. HOOPER
MRS. HOOPER
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