Walden: House-Warming

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Walden: House-Warming

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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)
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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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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)
1
House-Warming 1 written: E
E: House-Warming 1 is apparently a partial fair copy of material contained on a missing leaf in A. In October I went a-graping … pearly and red, which the farmer appears in pencil in the margin.

(Ronald 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.
2
House-Warming 2 written: D rewritten: E, F
D & E: House-Warming 2, which is interlined in D, follows Ponds 16.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
3
House-Warming 3 written: E rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of only The wasps came by thousands … sometimes deterring visitors from.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
4
House-Warming 4 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
5a
House-Warming 5a written: A rewritten: B, F, G
A & B: House-Warming 5 and House-Warming 10 form part of the material in Economy. House-Warming 5a follows a missing leaf in A and precedes House-Warming 10a and Economy 69. The order in B is House-Warming 5a, House-Warming 10a, House-Warming 5b, Economy 69. The mortar on them was … to save work and waste, and does not appear in the manuscript in A or in the original copying of B but is interlined in pencil in B.
F: House-Warming 5 and House-Warming 10 have been removed from Economy but still appear in the following order—5a, 10a, 5b, 10b.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 5b
House-Warming 5b written: B rewritten: F, G
B & F: House-Warming 5b, which is interlined in pencil in B, follows House-Warming 10a.
G: A fair copy was made of only I lingered most about the fireplace … through the house to the heavens.
B: House-Warming 5b appears as follows: The fire-place is the most vital part, the very nucleur and heart, of the house. The chimney stands as the grove of pines to the sky and rises through the house and the sky above. When the house is burned down its importance and significance appear. It conducts our thoughts to heaven.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
6a
House-Warming 6a written: F rewritten: G
G: A fair copy was made of only –room and whatever satisfaction parent … I enjoyed it all.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 6b
House-Warming 6b written: G rewritten: G
G: A fair copy was made of House-Warming 6b on a partial leaf.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
7a
House-Warming 7a written: F
F: House-Warming 7a is apparently a fair copy of material on a missing leaf in E.

(Ronald Clapper)
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, 7b
House-Warming 7b written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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 7c
House-Warming 7c written: F
F: House-Warming 7c is apparently a fair copy of material on a missing leaf in E.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
8
House-Warming 8 written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
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?
9
House-Warming 9 written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
10a
House-Warming 10a written: A rewritten: B, F, F
A, B, & F: House-Warming 10a follows House-Warming 5a. The passage was canceled in F and inserted in its present order in pencil in the margin.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 10b
House-Warming 10b written: F
F: House-Warming 10b follows House-Warming 5b; present order interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
11
House-Warming 11 written: A rewritten: E, G
G: A fair copy was made of only broad for them to make … from a bag, one overlapping another.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
12a
House-Warming 12a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
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, 12b
House-Warming 12b written: A rewritten: E
E: The original leaf, which begins to hear the tread of a flock of geese …, apparently follows a missing leaf. A fair copy was made of only bound for Mexico. Several times … though waterlogged past drying.

(Ronald Clapper)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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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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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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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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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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
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, r
Revision note: E1: perhaps
perhaps some think
r
Revision note: E1: perhaps
perhaps some think
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Revision note: E1: perhaps
perhaps some think
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Revision note: E1: perhaps
perhaps some think
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Revision note: E1: 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 r
Revision note: E1: on to
on to
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Revision note: E1: on to
on to
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Revision note: E1: on to
on to
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Revision note: E1: on to
on to
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Revision note: E1: on to
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.
13a
House-Warming 13a written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 13b
House-Warming 13b written: G
G: House-Warming 13b is inserted on a partial leaf.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
14
House-Warming 14 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
15
House-Warming 15 written: E rewritten: E, G
E & G: A fair copy was made of only village blacksmith to “jump” … at least hung true.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. r
Revision note: E1:
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.
16a
House-Warming 16a written: G rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
A few pieces of fat pine r
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. r
Revision note: G1: 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, r
Revision note: G1: rise above the surface, still
rise above the surface, still will still be
will still be
sound at the core, though the sapwood has all become vegetable mould, as r
Revision note: G1: the scales of the thick bark forming rings 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. 16b
House-Warming 16b written: E rewritten: E, G
G: A fair copy was made of only But commonly I kindled my fire … Lark without song, and messenger of dawn.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 r
Revision note: E1: their other the various wild inhabitants of Walden woods
the various wild inhabitants of Walden woods
r
Revision note: E1: 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.
17
House-Warming 17 written: E rewritten: E
E: and commonly my mo housekeeper proved … had burned a place as big as my hand is interlined in the original version.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 r
Revision note: E1: 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 r
Revision note: E1: my house
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 r
Revision note: E1: 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.
r
Revision note: E1: However
However
But But But
my house occupied so warm sunny sunny sunny sunny and sheltered a position, and its roof was so low, that r
Revision note: E1: it was warm enough without a fire
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.
18a
House-Warming 18a written: F rewritten: G, G
F & G: House-Warming 18a follows Winter Animals 12. It was recopied in G following House-Warming 6b and then shifted to its present position when House-Warming 6b was recopied.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 r
Revision note: G1: 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.
18b
House-Warming 18b written: G rewritten: G
G: A fair copy was made of only but man, having discovered fire … man’s existence on the globe.
G: But the most luxuriously housed … man’s existence on the globe does not appear in the original version.

(Ronald Clapper)
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, r
Revision note: G1: 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. r
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.
19a
House-Warming 19a written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 19b
House-Warming 19b written: E
E: House-Warming 19b follows House-Warming 19c.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 19c
House-Warming 19c written: E
E: House-Warming 19c follows House-Warming 19a and precedes House-Warming 19b.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.—
 
When I am glad or gay,
 
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
XVersion
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)
1
House-Warming 1 written: E
E: House-Warming 1 is apparently a partial fair copy of material contained on a missing leaf in A. In October I went a-graping … pearly and red, which the farmer appears in pencil in the margin.

(Ronald 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.
2
House-Warming 2 written: D rewritten: E, F
D & E: House-Warming 2, which is interlined in D, follows Ponds 16.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
3
House-Warming 3 written: E rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of only The wasps came by thousands … sometimes deterring visitors from.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
4
House-Warming 4 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
5a
House-Warming 5a written: A rewritten: B, F, G
A & B: House-Warming 5 and House-Warming 10 form part of the material in Economy. House-Warming 5a follows a missing leaf in A and precedes House-Warming 10a and Economy 69. The order in B is House-Warming 5a, House-Warming 10a, House-Warming 5b, Economy 69. The mortar on them was … to save work and waste, and does not appear in the manuscript in A or in the original copying of B but is interlined in pencil in B.
F: House-Warming 5 and House-Warming 10 have been removed from Economy but still appear in the following order—5a, 10a, 5b, 10b.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 5b
House-Warming 5b written: B rewritten: F, G
B & F: House-Warming 5b, which is interlined in pencil in B, follows House-Warming 10a.
G: A fair copy was made of only I lingered most about the fireplace … through the house to the heavens.
B: House-Warming 5b appears as follows: The fire-place is the most vital part, the very nucleur and heart, of the house. The chimney stands as the grove of pines to the sky and rises through the house and the sky above. When the house is burned down its importance and significance appear. It conducts our thoughts to heaven.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
6a
House-Warming 6a written: F rewritten: G
G: A fair copy was made of only –room and whatever satisfaction parent … I enjoyed it all.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 6b
House-Warming 6b written: G rewritten: G
G: A fair copy was made of House-Warming 6b on a partial leaf.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
7a
House-Warming 7a written: F
F: House-Warming 7a is apparently a fair copy of material on a missing leaf in E.

(Ronald Clapper)
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, 7b
House-Warming 7b written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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 7c
House-Warming 7c written: F
F: House-Warming 7c is apparently a fair copy of material on a missing leaf in E.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
8
House-Warming 8 written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
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?
9
House-Warming 9 written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
10a
House-Warming 10a written: A rewritten: B, F, F
A, B, & F: House-Warming 10a follows House-Warming 5a. The passage was canceled in F and inserted in its present order in pencil in the margin.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 10b
House-Warming 10b written: F
F: House-Warming 10b follows House-Warming 5b; present order interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
11
House-Warming 11 written: A rewritten: E, G
G: A fair copy was made of only broad for them to make … from a bag, one overlapping another.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
12a
House-Warming 12a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
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, 12b
House-Warming 12b written: A rewritten: E
E: The original leaf, which begins to hear the tread of a flock of geese …, apparently follows a missing leaf. A fair copy was made of only bound for Mexico. Several times … though waterlogged past drying.

(Ronald Clapper)
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
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
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, r
Revision note: E1: perhaps
perhaps some think
r
Revision note: E1: perhaps
perhaps some think
r
Revision note: E1: perhaps
perhaps some think
r
Revision note: E1: perhaps
perhaps some think
r
Revision note: E1: 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 r
Revision note: E1: on to
on to
r
Revision note: E1: on to
on to
r
Revision note: E1: on to
on to
r
Revision note: E1: on to
on to
r
Revision note: E1: on to
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.
13a
House-Warming 13a written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 13b
House-Warming 13b written: G
G: House-Warming 13b is inserted on a partial leaf.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
14
House-Warming 14 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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.
15
House-Warming 15 written: E rewritten: E, G
E & G: A fair copy was made of only village blacksmith to “jump” … at least hung true.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. r
Revision note: E1:
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.
16a
House-Warming 16a written: G rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
A few pieces of fat pine r
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. r
Revision note: G1: 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, r
Revision note: G1: rise above the surface, still
rise above the surface, still will still be
will still be
sound at the core, though the sapwood has all become vegetable mould, as r
Revision note: G1: the scales of the thick bark forming rings 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. 16b
House-Warming 16b written: E rewritten: E, G
G: A fair copy was made of only But commonly I kindled my fire … Lark without song, and messenger of dawn.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 r
Revision note: E1: their other the various wild inhabitants of Walden woods
the various wild inhabitants of Walden woods
r
Revision note: E1: 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.
17
House-Warming 17 written: E rewritten: E
E: and commonly my mo housekeeper proved … had burned a place as big as my hand is interlined in the original version.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 r
Revision note: E1: 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 r
Revision note: E1: my house
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 r
Revision note: E1: 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.
r
Revision note: E1: However
However
But But But
my house occupied so warm sunny sunny sunny sunny and sheltered a position, and its roof was so low, that r
Revision note: E1: it was warm enough without a fire
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.
18a
House-Warming 18a written: F rewritten: G, G
F & G: House-Warming 18a follows Winter Animals 12. It was recopied in G following House-Warming 6b and then shifted to its present position when House-Warming 6b was recopied.

(Ronald Clapper)
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 r
Revision note: G1: 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.
18b
House-Warming 18b written: G rewritten: G
G: A fair copy was made of only but man, having discovered fire … man’s existence on the globe.
G: But the most luxuriously housed … man’s existence on the globe does not appear in the original version.

(Ronald Clapper)
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, r
Revision note: G1: 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. r
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.
19a
House-Warming 19a written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 19b
House-Warming 19b written: E
E: House-Warming 19b follows House-Warming 19c.

(Ronald Clapper)
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. 19c
House-Warming 19c written: E
E: House-Warming 19c follows House-Warming 19a and precedes House-Warming 19b.

(Ronald Clapper)
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.—
 
When I am glad or gay,
 
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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