Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors
Before the winter was over I
I
I
weathered some merry snow storms, and spent some cheerful winter evenings by my fire-side,
while
the snow whirled wildly
about my house
without
without,
without,
and even the hooting of the owl was hushed.
For many weeks I had scarcely a visitor and met no one in my walks but such as
came occasionally to cut wood and sled it to the village
Nature assisted me however to make
The elements abetted me, however, in making
The elements, however, abetted me. in making a path through the deepest snow in the
woods, for when I had once gone through the wind blew the oak leaves into my tracks,
where they
lodged and by absorbing the rays of the sun melted the snow, and so only made a dry
bed for my
feet, but in the night their dark line was my guide. For many weeks I had scarcely a visitor
and met no one in my walks but such as came occasionally to cut wood and sled it to
the
village
For many weeks I met no one in my walks but those who came occasionally to cut wood
and sled it
to the village. The elements, however, abetted me in making a path through the deepest
snow in the
woods, for when I had once gone through the wind blew the oak leaves into my tracks,
where they
lodged, and by absorbing the rays of the sun melted the snow, and so not only made
a my bed for my
feet, but in the night their dark line was my guide.
For many weeks I met no one in my walks but those who came occasionally to cut wood
and sled it
to the village. The elements, however, abetted me in making a path through the deepest
snow in the
woods, for when I had once gone through the wind blew the oak leaves into my tracks,
where they
lodged, and by absorbing the rays of the sun melted the snow, and so not only made
a my bed for my
feet, but in the night their dark line was my guide.
For human society I was
for the most part obliged to conjure up the spirits of
obliged to conjure up
obliged to conjure up
the former occupants of these woods. Within the memory of many of my townsmen the
woodland road
road
road
near which my house stands
resounded with the laugh and gossip of inhabitants, and the
woods which border it were notched and dotted here and there with their little gardens
and dwellings,
though it was then much
darker and more shut
more shut
more shut
in by the forest than now. In
many
some
some
places, within my
own
own
remembrance, the pines would scrape both sides of a chaise at once, and women and
children who
were compelled to go this way to Lincoln alone and on foot did it with
fear and trembling
fear,
fear,
and often ran a good part of the distance. Though mainly but a humble route to neighboring
villages, or for the woodman's team, it once amused the traveller
somewhat more
more
more
than now by its variety, and
perchance lingered
lingered
lingered
longer in his memory. Where now firm open fields stretch from the village to the
woods,
the road
it
once
then
it then
it then
ran through a maple swamp on a foundation of logs, the remnants of which, doubtless,
still
underlie the present dusty highway, from the
Stratton farm, now the Alms House, Farm
Stratton, now the Alms House, Farm,
Stratton, now the Alms House, Farm,
to Brister’s Hill.
East of my bean-field,
across the road,
across the road,
across the road,
across the road,
lived Cato Ingraham,
slave of Duncan Ingraham,
Esquire, gentleman of Concord
village, who built his slave a house, and gave him permission to live in Walden Woods;—
Cato, not Uticensis, but Concordiensis.
Cato, not Uticensis,
but Concordiensis.
Cato, not Uticensis,
but Concordiensis.
Cato, not Uticensis,
but Concordiensis.
Some say that he was a Guinea Negro. There are
those
those
a few
a few
who remember his little patch among the
walnuts, and the trees
walnuts, and the trees
walnuts,
walnuts,
which he let grow up till he should be old and need them; but a younger and whiter
speculator got
them at last.
He too, however, occupies an equally narrow house at present.
He, too, however, occupies an equally narrow house at present.
He, too, however, occupies an equally narrow house at present.
He, too, however, occupies an equally narrow house at present.
His
Cato’s
Cato’s
Cato’s
Cato’s
half-obliterated cellar hole still remains, though known to few, being concealed
from the
traveller by a fringe of pines. It is now filled with the smooth sumach (
Rhus
glabra
), and one of the earliest species of golden-rod
(Solidago stricta)
(Solidago stricta)
(Solidago stricta)
grows there luxuriantly.
And here
And here
Here,
Here,
by the very corner of my field, still nearer to town, Zilpha,
a colored woman, had her little house, where she spun linen for the townsfolk,
making the Walden Woods ring with her shrill singing, for she had a loud and notable
voice. At length, in
the war of 1812, her dwelling was set on fire by English soldiers,
prisoners on parole,
when she was away,
when she was away,
when she was away,
when she was away,
and her cat and dog and hens were all burned up together. She led a hard life, and
somewhat
witch-like
inhumane
inhumane.
inhumane.
inhumane.
One old frequenter of these woods remembers, that as he passed her house one noon
he heard her
muttering to herself over her gurgling pot,— "Ye are all bones, bones!"
I have seen bricks amid the oak copse there.
I have seen bricks amid the oak copse there.
I have seen bricks amid the oak copse there.
I have seen bricks amid the oak copse there.
And down
And down
Down
Down
the road, on the right hand, on Brister’s Hill, lived Brister Freeman,
"a handy
Negro," slave of Squire Cummings
once,—there where grow still the
apple-trees which Brister planted and tended; large old trees
but
now, but their fruit
now, but their fruit
now, but their fruit
still wild and ciderish to my taste. Not long since I read his epitaph
in the
old
old
old
old
Lincoln burying-ground,
a little on one side near the unmarked graves of the British
grenadiers who fell in the retreat from Concord
a little on one side, near the unmarked graves of the
some British grenadiers who fell in the retreat from Concord
a little on one side, near the unmarked graves of some British grenadiers who fell
in the retreat
from Concord,
a little on one side, near the unmarked graves of some British grenadiers who fell
in the retreat
from Concord,
—where he is styled "Sippio Brister,"—Scipio Africanus he had some title to be called,—
"a man of
color," as if he were discolored. It also told me,
when he died, but that seemed but
with staring emphasis, when he died, but that seemed
which was but
with staring emphasis, when he died; which was but
with staring emphasis, when he died; which was but
an indirect way of informing me that he ever lived.
And there was
too lived
And there too lived
With him dwelt
With him dwelt
With him dwelt
Fenda, his hospitable wife, who told fortunes, yet pleasantly,—large, round, and
black, blacker
than any of the children of night, such a dusky orb as never rose on Concord before
nor
nor
or
or
or
since.
And further
And further
Farther
Farther
down the hill,
upon the left
upon the left
on the left,
on the left,
on the old road in the woods, are marks of some homestead of the Stratton
family; whose orchard
once
once
once
once
covered all the slope of Brister’s Hill,
now
but was
but was
but was
but was
long since killed out by pitch-pines,
but sill furnishing from their old roots
excepting a few stumps, whose old roots furnish still
excepting a few stumps, whose old roots furnish still
excepting a few stumps, whose old roots furnish still
excepting a few stumps, whose old roots furnish still
the wild stocks of many a thrifty village tree.
And nearer
And nearer Nearer
Nearer
Nearer
yet to town, you come to Breed’s location,
on the other side of the way,
just on the edge of the wood;
just on the edge of the wood;
just on the edge of the wood;
But history must not yet tell the tragedies enacted there. Let time intervene in
some measure to assuage and lend an azure tint to them Ground famous for the pranks of a
demon not distinctly named in old mythology, but who has acted a prominent and
astounding part in the stage of our New England life, and deserves better than any
mythological
character to have his biography written one day; who first comes in the guise of a
friend or hired
man and then invariably robs & murders the whole family.—New England Rum. But history must not yet tell the tragedies enacted there. Let time intervene
in some measure to assuage and lend an azure tint to them turning them to myths
ground famous for the pranks of a demon not distinctly named in old mythology, but
who has acted a prominent and astounding part in the stage of our New England life, and
deserves, better than
as much as any mythological character, to have his biography written one day; who first
comes in the guise of a friend, or hired man, and then invariably robs & murders the
whole family,—New England Rum. But history must not yet tell the tragedies enacted
there; let time
intervene in some measure to assuage and lend an azure tint to them. —turning them to
myths
History does not begin to be poetic till she is justice
ground famous for the pranks of a demon not distinctly named in old mythology, who
has acted a
prominent and astounding part in our New England life, and deserves, as much as any
mythological
character, to have his biography written one day; who first comes in the guise of
a friend or hired
man, and then robs and murders the whole family,—New-England Rum. But history must
not yet tell the
tragedies enacted here; let time intervene in some measure to assuage and lend an
azure tint to
them.
ground famous for the pranks of a demon not distinctly named in old mythology, who
has acted a
prominent and astounding part in our New England life, and deserves, as much as any
mythological
character, to have his biography written one day; who first comes in the guise of
a friend or hired
man, and then robs and murders the whole family,—New-England Rum. But history must
not yet tell the
tragedies enacted here; let time intervene in some measure to assuage and lend an
azure tint to
them.
Here the most indistinct and dubious tradition says that once a tavern stood; the
well the same,
which tempered the traveller's beverage and refreshed his
steed & still the well-sweep makes a rider on the wall
steed.
steed.
steed.
Here
then
then
then
then
men saluted
once
once
one another
one another,
one another,
and heard and told the news, and went their ways again.
Breed’s hut was standing only a dozen years
ago just on the edge of the wood
ago,
ago,
though it had long been unoccupied. It was about the size of mine. It was set on
fire by
mischievous boys, one Election night,
if I
am not mistaken
do not mistake.
do not mistake.
I lived on the edge of the village
then,
then,
and had just lost myself over Davenant's Gondibert,
that winter that I labored
with a lethargy,—which, by the way, I never knew whether to regard as a family complaint,
having an
uncle
who goes to sleep shaving
himself, and is obliged to sprout potatoes in a cellar
on Sundays
Sundays,
Sundays,
in order to keep awake and keep the Sabbath, or as the consequence of my attempt
to read
Chalmers’ collection
of English poetry without skipping.
It fairly overcame my Nervii.
It fairly overcame my Nervii.
It fairly overcame my Nervii.
—well I
I
I
had just sunk my head on this when the bells
rang
rung
rung
fire, and in hot haste the engines rolled that way, led by a straggling troop of
men and boys,
and I among the foremost, for I had leaped the brook. We thought it was far south
over the woods,—we
who had run to fires before,—barn, shop, or dwelling-house, or all together. "It’s
Baker’s barn,"
cried one. "It is the Codman
place,"
affirmed another. And
now
then
then
fresh sparks went up above the wood, as if the roof fell in, and we all shouted "Concord
to the
rescue!" Wagons shot past with furious speed and crushing loads, bearing, perchance,
among the rest,
the agent of the Insurance Company,
who was bound to go however far; and
ever and anon the engine bell tinkled
in the rear
behind
behind,
behind,
more slow and sure, and rearmost of all, as it was afterward whispered, came they
who set the
fire and gave the alarm. Thus we kept on like true idealists, rejecting the evidence
of our senses,
until at a turn in the road we heard the crackling and actually
felt
the heat of the fire from over the wall, and realized, alas! that we were there. The
very nearness of
the fire
had
but
but
but
but
cooled our ardor. At first we thought to throw a frog-pond on to it; but concluded
to let it
burn, it was so far gone and so worthless. So we stood round our
tub
engine & jostled
engine, jostled
engine, jostled
engine, jostled
one another, expressed our sentiments through speaking trumpets, or in lower tone
referred to
the great conflagrations which the world has witnessed, including Bascom’s shop,
and, between ourselves, we thought
that, were we there in season with our "tub",
and a full frog-pond by, we could turn that
threatened last and universal one into another flood.
We finally retreated without doing any harmings & without the prospect of
a civil card or of hot chocolate,—returned to sleep & Gondibert
We finally retreated without
not doing any mischief,—without any prospect ever of a civil card or of
hot chocolate,—returned to sleep and "Gondibert"
We finally retreated without doing any mischief,—returned to sleep and Gondibert.
We finally retreated without doing any mischief,—returned to sleep and Gondibert.
But as for Gondibert, I would except that passage in the
preface about wit being the soul’s powder,—"but most of mankind are strangers to wit,
as
Indians are to powder."
But as for Gondibert, I would except that passage in the preface about wit
being the soul’s powder,—"but most of mankind are strangers to wit, as Indians are
to
powder."
But as for Gondibert, I would except that passage in the preface about wit being the
soul’s powder,—"but most of mankind are strangers to wit, as Indians are to powder."
But as for Gondibert, I would except that passage in the preface about wit being the
soul’s powder,—"but most of mankind are strangers to wit, as Indians are to powder."
It chanced that I walked
this way
this
that way
that way
that way
across the fields the following night, about the same hour, and hearing a low moaning
at this
spot, I
approached
approached
drew near
drew near
drew near
in the dark, and discovered the only survivor of the family that I know, the heir
of both its
virtues and its vices, who alone was interested in this
event
event
burning
burning,
burning,
lying on his stomach and looking over the cellar wall at the still smouldering cinders
beneath,
muttering to himself, as is his
wont
for he has a strange habit of talking aloud as it were to himself
after you are gone by
wont
for he has a strange habit of talking aloud as it were to himself
after you are gone by
wont.
wont.
He had been working far off in the river meadows all day, and had improved the first
moments
that he could call his own to visit the home of his fathers and his youth. He gazed
into the
small cellar
small cellar
cellar
cellar
from all sides and points of view by turns,
always lying down to it,
always lying down to it,
as if there was some treasure,
which he remembered,
which he remembered,
which he remembered,
concealed between the stones, where there was absolutely nothing but a heap of bricks
and
ashes.
The house being gone, he looked at what there was left.
The house being gone, he looked at what there was left.
The house being gone, he looked at what there was left.
He appeared to be
He appeared to be
was
He was
He was
soothed by the sympathy which my mere presence implied, and showed me, as well as
the darkness
permitted, where the well was covered
under the sod
up
up;
up;
up;
which, thank Heaven, could never be burned; and he groped long
upon
about
about
about
the wall to find the well-sweep which his father had cut and mounted, feeling for
the iron hook
or staple by which a burden had been fastened to the heavy
end,
to
from the chain that hung or staple by which a
burden had been fastened to the heavy end
or staple by which a burden had been fastened to the heavy end,
or staple by which a burden had been fastened to the heavy end,
or staple by which a burden had been fastened to the heavy end,
—all that he could now cling to,—to convince me that it was no common
"rider." I felt it, and still remark it almost daily in my walks, for by it hangs
the history of a
family. I have even though[t] to make a drawing of it for the Smithsonian
Institution for it had a peculiar curve, not to be paralleled by any that I know,
whether it was
so designed by the maker or got a twist in the September Gale. Breed was a barber
in Concord
village who kept his patrons awake by his wit. He had for neighbor a tailor who thought
himself
above him it is said, but was thus punished by Breed’s muse,
"Tailoring & barbering
done with speed
By John C. Newall & John C. Breed."
This is from my collection of
old Concord poetry which contains also some scraps from the works of Jim Davis the
fiddler, but
has nothing in it so long nor so dull as Gondibert—, however, I would except that
passage in the
preface to the latter about wit being the soul’s powder
family.
family.
And once
And once
Once
Once
more, on the left, where are seen the well and lilac bushes by the wall, in the now
open
field
lived Nutting
and
Le Grosse.
But to return toward Lincoln.
But to return toward Lincoln.
But to return toward Lincoln.
But further
Farther
Farther
in the woods than any of these, where the road approaches nearest to the pond, Wyman
the potter squatted, and furnished his towns-
-men with earthen ware, and left descendants to succeed him.
I was pleased when in mid-summer—
Neither were they rich in worldly goods who
but held the land by right of long possession & there oft
the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts
I was pleased when in mid-summer—
Neither were they rich in worldly goods who
but held the land by right of long possession & there oft
the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts
I was pleased when in mid-summer—
Neither were they rich in worldly goods who
but held the land by right of long possession & there oft
the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts
I was pleased when in mid-summer—
Neither were they rich in worldly goods who
but held the land by right of long possession & there oft
the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts
I was pleased when in mid-summer—
Neither were they rich in worldly goods who
but held the land by right of long possession & there oft
the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts
Neither were they
They were not
Neither were they rich in worldly goods but held
holding the land by possession
sufferance while they lived, and there often the sheriff came
in vain to collect the taxes and "attach a chip" for form’s sake, as I have read
in his accounts, there being nothing else that he could lay his hands upon
on
Neither were they rich in worldly goods, holding the land by sufferance while they
lived; and
there often the sheriff came in vain to collect the taxes, and "attached a chip," for form’s sake, as I
have read in his accounts, there being nothing else that he could lay his hands on.
Neither were they rich in worldly goods, holding the land by sufferance while they
lived; and
there often the sheriff came in vain to collect the taxes, and "attached a chip," for form’s sake, as I
have read in his accounts, there being nothing else that he could lay his hands on.
One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing,
One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing,
One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing,
One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing,
One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing,
One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing,
One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing,
One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing,
a man who was carrying a load of pottery to market stopped his horse against my field
and
inquired concerning Wyman
the younger.
the younger.
He
said that he
had
had
had
had
had
had
had
had
long ago bought a potter’s wheel of him, and wished to know what had become of him.
I had
heard read
read
read
read
read
read
read
read
of the potter’s clay
and
wheel in Scripture,
but
I thought that latterly such as we used had either
the pots we used were either such as had come down unbroken from those days—or that
they grew on trees like gourds somewhere and I was pleased to hear that so artful &
fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood
it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken
from
those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that
so fictile
an art was ever practised in my neighborhood.
it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken
from
those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that
so fictile
an art was ever practised in my neighborhood.
it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken
from
those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that
so fictile
an art was ever practised in my neighborhood.
it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken
from
those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that
so fictile
an art was ever practised in my neighborhood.
it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken
from
those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that
so fictile
an art was ever practised in my neighborhood.
it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken
from
those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that
so fictile
an art was ever practised in my neighborhood.
it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken
from
those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that
so fictile
an art was ever practised in my neighborhood.
The last inhabitant of these woods before me was
Hugh Coil an Irishman Hugh Quoil—(if I have
spelt his name with coil enough)
an Irishman, Hugh Quoil, (if I have spelt
his name with coil enough,)
an Irishman, Hugh Quoil, (if I have spelt
his name with coil enough,)
who occupied Wyman's tenement,— Col. Quoil, he was called. Rumor said that he had
been a
soldier at Waterloo. If he had lived I should have made him fight his battles over
again. His trade
here was that of a ditcher. Napoleon went to St. Helena; Quoil came to Walden Woods.
All I know of him
is tragic.
I have noticed that there is always something pathetic in the sedentary life
of men who have travelled. I remember him as
He was
He was
He was
a man of manners, like one who had seen the world, and was capable of more civil
speech than
you could well attend to. He wore a greatcoat in mid-summer,
being affected with the trembling delirium, and his
being affected with a strange
the trembling delirium His
being affected with the trembling delirium, and his
being affected with the trembling delirium, and his
face was the color of carmine. He died in the road at the foot of Brister’s Hill
shortly after
I came to the woods,
& "There he lay," as men who found him said,
looking taller than in life"
with the key of his house in his pocket
.
so that I have not remembered him as a neighbor.
so that I have not remembered him as a neighbor.
Before his house was pulled down, when his comrades avoided it as "an unlucky castle,"
I
visited it. There lay his old clothes curled up by
habit
use,
use,
as if they were himself, upon his raised plank bed.
His pipe lay broken on the hearth, instead of a bowl
broken at the fountain. The last could never have been the symbol of his death,
For he never visited the fountain, but he confessed to me
that though he had heard of Bristol’s spring he never saw it
for he never visited the fountain, but he confessed to me that though
he had heard of Brister’s Spring he had never seen it
for he confessed to me that, though he had heard of Brister’s Spring, he had never
seen
it;
for he confessed to me that, though he had heard of Brister’s Spring, he had never
seen
it;
and soiled cards, kings of diamonds spades and hearts, were scattered over the floor.
One black
chicken which the administrator could not catch, black as night and as silent, not
even croaking,
awaiting Reynard,
still went
to roost in the next apartment. In the rear there was the dim outline of a
garden, which had been planted but had never received its first hoeing,
owing to those terrible shaking fits,
owing to those terrible shaking fits,
owing to those terrible shaking fits,
though it was now harvest time.
though it was now harvest time.
though it was now harvest time.
though it was now harvest time.
though it was now harvest time.
though it was now harvest time.
though it was now harvest time.
now
all overgrown with weeds with burrs and cackles which stuck to
your clothes for all fruit—as if in the spring he had contemplated
a harvest of corn & beans—before that strange trembling of the limbs overtook him
now
all overgrown with weeds with burrs and cackles which stuck to
your clothes for all fruit—as if in the spring he had contemplated
a harvest of corn & beans—before that strange trembling of the limbs overtook him
now
all overgrown with weeds with burrs and cackles which stuck to
your clothes for all fruit—as if in the spring he had contemplated
a harvest of corn & beans—before that strange trembling of the limbs overtook him
overgrown with weeds, with burrs & cackles which
but was overgrown with Roman wormwood and beggar ticks, which last stuck to your
clothes for all fruit
but was overgrown with Roman wormwood and beggar ticks, which last stuck to
your
my clothes for all fruit
It was over-run with Roman wormwood and beggar-ticks, which last stuck to my clothes for all fruit.
It was over-run with Roman wormwood and beggar-ticks, which last stuck to my clothes for all fruit.
The skin of a
woodchuck which met once in his bean field perchance by the
Waterloo man with uplifted hoe—
woodchuck
woodchuck
woodchuck
woodchuck
woodchuck
woodchuck
was freshly stretched upon the back of the house,
a trophy of one of the last battles which he
fought
a trophy of his last Waterloo;
a trophy of his last Waterloo;
But no warm
nor
or mittens will
did he want more
longer
more
But no warm
nor
or mittens will
did he want more
longer
more
But no warm
nor
or mittens will
did he want more
longer
more
but no warm cap or mittens would he want more whichever place he were gone
to
but no warm cap or mittens would he want more.
but no warm cap or mittens would he want more.
but no warm cap or mittens would he want more.
Now only a dent in the earth marks the site of
most of these
these
these
these
these
these
these
these
dwellings, with buried
wall
cellar
cellar
cellar
cellar
cellar
cellar
cellar
cellar
stones, and strawberries, raspberries,
thimbleberries & sumachs
thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs
thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs
thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs
thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs
thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs
thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs
thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs
growing in the sunny sward there; some
pitchy pine
pitchy pine
pitchy pine
pitchy pine
pitchy pine
pitch-pine
pitch-pine
pitch-pine
or gnarled oak
in the chimney nook—and the sweet scented black birch
occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps,
occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps,
occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps,
occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps,
occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps,
occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps,
occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps,
waves where the door-stone was. Sometimes the well dent is visible, where once a
spring oozed; now
dry and tearless grass; or
it was it is
was
it was
it was
it was
it was
it was
it was
it was
covered deep,—not to be discovered till some late day,—with a flat stone under the
sod, when the
last of the race departed.
What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of
wells.—commensurate with the opening of wells of tears
What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of
wells.—commensurate with the opening of wells of tears
What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of
wells.—commensurate with the opening of wells of tears
What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of
wells.—commensurate with the opening of wells of tears
What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of wells! contemporaneous with
the
opening of wells of tears. These dents like deserted fox-burrows—old holes—are all that is
left where once was the stir and bustle of human life, and man’s destiny was being
consummated Wells must be among the oldest monuments of civilized and
semibarbarous man on the globe The white man still resorts
to springs which were stored up by the Indians. Little thinks of this
does the millionaire think of this when
he incloses them
one within a costly curb. One must forget himself & his age to remember how old may
be the most ancient well which men use today—coeval almost with this
the race. So from the first the poets have derived their
inspiration from a few old wells on the mountain of the muses. None digs
Few dig anew—but
though some drink deeper than their brothers
brethren. But I trust that in this new country many wells are
yet to be dug
What a sorrowful time
act must that be,—the covering up of wells! coincident with the opening of wells of
tears Wells must be among the oldest monuments of man on the globe. The white man hereabouts still resorts to springs which were stored up by the
Indians. Little does the millionaire
country squire think of this when he incloses one within a costly curb. One must
forget himself & his age to remember how old may be the most ancient well which men
use
today—coeval almost with the race. So from the first poets have derived their inspiration
from a
few old wells on the mountain of the muses. Few dig anew, though some drink deeper
than their
brethren.
What a sorrowful act must that be,—the covering up of wells! coincident with the opening
of wells
of tears.
What a sorrowful act must that be,—the covering up of wells! coincident with the opening
of wells
of tears.
These
cellar
cellar
cellar
cellar
cellar
cellar
cellar
dents, like deserted fox burrows, old holes, are all that is left where once
was
was
was
was
was
was
were
were
the stir and bustle of human
life, and man’s destiny was being consummated
life, and man’s destiny was being consummated
life, and man’s destiny was being consummated
life, and man’s destiny was being consummated
life, and man’s destiny was being consummated
life, and man’s destiny was being consummated
life,
life,
and "fate, free-will, foreknowledge absolute,"
in some
form and
form and
form and
form and
form and
form and
form and
dialect or other were
all in
by
by
by
by
by
by
by
by
turns discussed.
Cato and Brister—as tradition says—pulled wool
Yet all I can distinctly learn of their compeers is that "Cato and Brister
pulled wool"
But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister
pulled
wool;"
But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister
pulled
wool;"
But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister
pulled
wool;"
But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister
pulled
wool;"
But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister
pulled
wool;"
But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister
pulled
wool;"
But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister
pulled
wool;"
which is about as edifying as the history of more famous
schools of philosophy.
which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy.
which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy.
which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy.
which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy.
which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy.
which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy.
which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy.
Still grows the
vivacious lilac a generation after the door and lintel and the sill are gone, unfolding
its
early sweet-scented blossom in the
each
sweet-scented flowers each
sweet-scented flowers each
sweet-scented flowers each
sweet-scented flowers each
sweet-scented flowers each
sweet-scented flowers each
sweet-scented flowers each
spring, to be plucked by the musing traveller; planted and tended once by children's
hands, in
a front-yard plot
front-yard plots,
front-yard plots,
front-yard plots,
front-yard plots,
front-yard plots,
front-yard plots,
front-yard plots,
—now standing by wall-sides in retired pastures, and giving place to new-rising forests;—
the last
of that stirp, sole survivor of that family. Little did the dusky children think that
the
little
puny
puny
puny
puny
puny
puny
puny
slip with its two eyes only, which they stuck in the ground in the shadow of the
house and daily
watered, would root itself so, and outlive them and house itself in the rear that
shaded it, and grown
man’s garden and orchard, and tell their story
faintly
faintly
faintly
faintly
faintly
faintly
faintly
to the lone wanderer a half century after they
were dead
were dead
had grown up & died
had grown up and died,
had grown up and died,
had grown up and died,
had grown up and died,
had grown up and died,
had grown up and died,
—blossoming as fair,
and
and
and
and
and
and
smelling as sweet,
as in that first spring. I
mark its still tender, civil, cheerful, lilac colors.
But this small
village, germ of something more, why did it fail while Concord
grows apace
keeps its ground
keeps its ground?
keeps its ground?
keeps its ground?
keeps its ground?
keeps its ground?
keeps its ground?
keeps its ground?
Were there no natural advantages,—no water privileges,
forsooth?
Aye—only
Aye—only
Ay,
Ay,
Ay,
Ay,
Ay,
Ay,
the deep Walden Pond and cool Brister’s Spring,— privilege to drink long and healthy
draughts at
these, all unimproved by these men but to dilute their glass. They were universally
a thirsty race. Might
not the basket, stable-broom, mat-making, corn-parching, linen-spinning, and pottery
business have
thrived here, making the wilderness
to
bloom—and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their ancestors
blossom, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their ancestors
blossom, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their ancestors
blossom, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their ancestors
blossom like the rose, and a numerous posterity have inherited
the land of their ancestors
blossom like the rose, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their fathers?
blossom like the rose, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their fathers?
blossom like the rose, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their fathers?
The sterile soil would at least have been proof against a low-land degeneracy.
Alas how little does the memory of these human inhabitants
enhance by association the beauty of the landscape
Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of
the
landscape!
Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of
the
landscape!
Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of
the
landscape!
Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of
the
landscape!
Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of
the
landscape!
Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of
the
landscape!
Again, perhaps, Nature will try, with me for a first settler, and my house raised
two springs ago
two springs ago
last spring
last spring
last spring
last spring
last spring
last spring
to be the oldest in the hamlet.
But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had
has ever built on the spot which I occupied
occupy
But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had
has ever built on the spot which I occupied
occupy
But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had
has ever built on the spot which I occupied
occupy
But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had
has ever built on the spot which I occupied
occupy
But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had
has ever built on the spot which I occupied
occupy
I am not aware that any man has ever built on the spot which I occupy.
I am not aware that any man has ever built on the spot which I occupy.
I am not aware that any man has ever built on the spot which I occupy.
Deliver me from a city built on the site of a more ancient city,
whose materials are ruins, whose gardens
cemeteries.
whose materials are ruins, whose gardens
cemeteries.
whose materials are ruins, whose gardens
cemeteries.
whose materials are ruins, whose gardens
cemeteries.
whose materials are ruins, whose gardens
cemeteries.
whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries.
whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries.
whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries.
The soil is blanched and accursed there, and before that becomes necessary the earth
itself will
be destroyed.
And with such thoughts as these I
And with such thoughts
reminiscences as these I repeopled the woods
&
And with such thoughts
reminiscences as these I repeopled the woods
&
And with such thoughts
reminiscences as these I repeopled the woods
&
With such reminiscences as these I repeopled the woods and
With such reminiscences I repeopled the woods and
With such reminiscences I repeopled the woods and
With such reminiscences I repeopled the woods and
lulled myself asleep.
In the winter my visitors were few & far between
In the winter my visitors were few & far between
In the winter my visitors were few & far between
In the winter my visitors were few & far between
At this season I seldom had a visitor.
At this season I seldom had a visitor.
At this season I seldom had a visitor.
When the snow lay
deepest on the ground
deepest
deepest
deepest
deepest
deepest
deepest
no wanderer ventured near my house for a week or fortnight at a time, but there I
lived as snug as
a meadow mouse,
As
or as
or as
or as
or as
or as
or as
cattle and poultry
which are said to
which are said to
which are said to
which are said to
have survived for a long time
when buried
buried
buried
buried
buried
buried
buried
in drifts, even without food;
Even
Or even
or
or
or
or
or
or
like that early settler’s family in the town of Sutton,
in this state,
in this state,
in this state,
in this state,
whose cottage was completely covered
in
by
by
by
by
by
by
by
the great snow of 1717
when he was absent,
when he was absent,
when he was absent,
when he was absent,
when he was absent,
when he was absent,
when he was absent,
and an Indian found it only by the hole which the chimney’s breath made in the
snow
drift
drift,
drift,
drift,
drift,
drift,
drift,
& carried relief to his family
and so relieved the family.
and so relieved the family.
and so relieved the family.
But no friendly Indian concerned himself about me; nor needed he, for the master
of the house was
at home. The Great Snow!
How
How
How
How
How
How
cheerful it is to hear of!
cheerful it is to hear of!
cheerful it is to hear of!
cheerful it is to hear of!
cheerful it is to hear of!
cheerful it is to hear of!
cheerful it is to hear of!
When the farmers could not get to the woods and swamps with their teams, and were
obliged to cut
down the shade trees before their
houses to keep their fires agoing
houses,
houses,
houses,
houses,
houses,
houses,
and when the crust was harder
they cut
they cut
they cut
they cut
cut
cut
cut
off the trees in the swamps ten feet from the ground, as
the next summer it appeared
the next summer it appeared
the next summer it appeared
as the next summer
it appeared the next spring
it appeared the next spring.
it appeared the next spring.
it appeared the next spring.
In the deepest snows, the path
which I used
which I used
which I used
which I used
from the highway to my house, about half a mile long, might have been represented
by a meandering
dotted line, with wide intervals between the dots. For a week of even weather I took
exactly the same
number of steps, and of the same length, coming and going, stepping deliberately and
with the precision
of a pair of dividers
in my own deep tracks,—
a remarkable instance of routine
to such routine the winter reduces us
to such routine the winter reduces us,
to such routine the winter reduces us,
to such routine the winter reduces us,
—yet
often
often
often
often
they were filled with heaven’s own blue.
But
But
But
But
no weather interfered
fatally
fatally
fatally
fatally
with my walks, or rather my going abroad, for I frequently tramped eight or ten miles
through the
deepest snow to keep an appointment with a beech-tree, or a yellow-birch, or an old
acquaintance among
the pines; when the ice and snow causing their limbs to droop, and so sharpening their
tops, had changed
the pines into fir-trees; wading to the tops of the highest hills when the show was
nearly 2 or 3
nearly two
nearly two
nearly two
feet deep on a level, and shaking
down
down
down
another snow-storm on my head at every step; or sometimes
creeping
artly creeping partly floundering thither
creeping & floundering thither
creeping and floundering thither
creeping and floundering thither
creeping and floundering thither
on my hands and knees, when the hunters had gone into winter quarters.
Sometimes
One afternoon—in my walks
One afternoon
One afternoon
One afternoon
I amused myself by watching a barred owl (
)
Strix nebulosa
(Strix nebulosa)
(Strix nebulosa)
(Strix nebulosa)
sitting
perchance
sitting
sitting
sitting
on one of the lower dead limbs of a white-pine, close to the trunk, in broad daylight,
I standing
within a rod of
him , in the deep snow
him.
him.
him.
He could hear me when I moved and cronched the snow with my feet, but could not plainly
see
me there
me.
me.
me.
When I made most noise he would stretch out his neck, and erect his neck feathers,
and open his
eyes wide; but
his lids would soon fall
their lids soon fell
their lids soon fell
their lids soon fell
their lids soon fell
again, and he
would begin
began
began
began
began
to nod. I too felt a slumberous influence after watching him
there for half an hour, as he sat thus
half an hour, as he sat thus
half an hour, as he sat thus
half an hour, as he sat thus
with his eyes half open, like a cat, winged brother of the cat. There was only a
narrow slit left between
his
their
their
their
their
lids, by which be preserved a peninsular relation to me; thus, with half-shut eyes,
looking out
from the land of dreams, and endeavoring to realize me, vague object or mote that
interrupted his
visions. At length, on some louder noise or my nearer approach, he would grow uneasy
and sluggishly turn
about on his perch, as if impatient at having his dreams disturbed; and when he launched
himself off and
flapped through the pines, spreading his wings to unexpected breadth, I could not
hear the slightest
sound from them. Thus, guided amid the pine boughs rather by a delicate sense of their
neighborhood than
by sight, feeling his twilight way
as it were with his sensitive pinions
as it were with his sensitive pinions,
as it were with his sensitive pinions,
as it were with his sensitive pinions,
he found a new
perch among the pines
perch,
perch,
perch,
where he might in peace await the dawning of his day.
As I walked
over
over
over
over
the long causeway made for the railroad through the meadows, I encountered many a
blustering and
nipping wind,
for nowhere has it freer play;
for nowhere has it freer play;
for nowhere has it freer play;
for nowhere has it freer play;
and when the frost had smitten me on one cheek,
heathen as I
was, I
often turned
turned
turned
turned
to it the other also.
Nor was it much better by the carriage road from Brister’s Hill.
Nor was it much better by the carriage road from Brister’s Hill.
Nor was it much better by the carriage road from Brister’s Hill.
Nor was it much better by the carriage road from Brister’s Hill.
For I came to town still, like a friendly Indian, when the contents of the broad
open fields were
all piled up between the walls of the Walden road, and half an hour sufficed to obliterate
the tracks of
the last traveller. And when I
returned from town
returned from town
returned
returned
new drifts would have formed, through which I floundered, where the busy north-west
wind had been
depositing the powdery snow round a sharp angle in the road, and not a rabbit’s track,
nor even the fine
print, the small type, of a deer mouse was to be seen. Yet I
never
rarely
rarely
rarely
rarely
failed to find, even in mid-winter, some warm and springy swamp where the grass and
the
skunk-cabbage still put forth with perennial
vigor, & the robin & the lark awaited the return of summer
vigor
verdure, and the robin & the lark
a robin or a lark occasionally awaited the return of summer
spring
verdure, and some hardier bird occasionally awaited the return of spring.
verdure, and some hardier bird occasionally awaited the return of spring.
But sometimes notwithstanding the snow, sometimes when I
returned from a floundering
But sometimes, notwithstanding the snow, when I returned from a
floundering
my
Sometimes, notwithstanding the snow, when I returned from my
Sometimes, notwithstanding the snow, when I returned from my
walk at evening I crossed the deep tracks of a
leading from my door, and found his pile
of whittlings on the hearth, and my house filled with the odor of his pipe. Or on
a Sunday afternoon,
if I chanced to be at home,
if I chanced to be at home,
if I chanced to be at home,
if I chanced to be at home,
I heard the cronching of the snow made by the step of a long-headed farmer,
who from far through the woods sought my house, to
have a social "crack;"
the only one
one of the few of his fraternity
profession that I have chanced to know who habitually overlooked
his employment; who
are still men on their farms rather than farmers
instead
of assuming a professor’s gown had
he donned a frock and uttered his fatal
criticism with more freedom from beneath it as ready to extract his moral
of church or state as to haul a load of muck from the meadow
one of the few of his profession that I have chanced to know who are
still men on their farms. Instead of assuming a professor’s gown, he donned a frock,
and utters
his fatal criticism from beneath it
are "men on their farms;" not yet changed into compost, who donned a frock, instead
of a professor’s gown, but is as ready to extract the moral out of church or
state as to haul a load of muck from the meadow
manure from his barn-yard
one of the few of his vocation who are "men on their farms;" who donned a frock instead of a
professor’s gown, and is as ready to extract the moral out of church or state as to
haul a load of
manure from his barn-yard.
one of the few of his vocation who are "men on their farms;" who donned a frock instead of a
professor’s gown, and is as ready to extract the moral out of church or state as to
haul a load of
manure from his barn-yard.
We talked of rude and simple times, when men sat about large fires in cold
bracing weather, with clear heads; and when other dessert failed,
We talked of rude and simple times, when men sat about large fires in cold bracing
weather, with
clear heads; and when other dessert failed,
We talked of rude and simple times, when men sat about large fires in cold bracing
weather, with
clear heads; and when other dessert failed,
We talked of rude and simple times, when men sat about large fires in cold bracing
weather, with
clear heads; and when other dessert failed,
we tried our teeth on many a nut which wise squirrels
had
had
have
have
have
long since abandoned, for those which have the
hardest and thickest
hardest and thickest
thickest
thickest
shells are commonly empty.
The one
who came from farthest to my lodge, through deepest snows and most dismal tempests,
was a poet.
A farmer, a hunter, a soldier, a reporter, even a philosopher,
may be daunted; but nothing can deter a poet,
for he is actuated by pure love.
for he is actuated by pure love.
for he is actuated by pure love.
Who can predict his comings and goings? His business calls him out at all hours,
even when doctors
sleep. We made that small house ring with boisterous mirth and resound with the murmur
of much sober
talk,
We made
making
making
making
making
amends then to Walden vale for
that long silence
the long silences
the long silences.
the long silences.
the long silences.
Broadway was
then silent
still
still
still
still
and deserted in comparison. At suitable intervals there were regular salutes of laughter,
which
might have been referred indifferently to the last uttered or the forth-coming jest.
We made many a "bran
new"
theory of life over a thin dish of gruel, which combined the advantages of conviviality
with the
clear-headedness which philosophy requires.
I should not forget that during my last winter at the pond there was
another welcome visitor,
who at one time came
through the village, through snow and rain and darkness, till he saw my lamp through
the trees, and
shared with me some long winter evenings. One of the last of the philosophers,—
whom Connecticut gave him
Connecticut gave him
Connecticut gave him
Connecticut gave him
to the world,—he peddled first her wares, afterwards, as he declares, his brains.
with nothing to show for his pains, without special talents, he lives
These he peddles
These he peddles
These he peddles
These he peddles
still, prompting God and disgracing
man,
man,
man,
man,
bearing for fruit his brain only, like the nut its kernel. I think that he must be
the man of
the most faith of any alive.
He never wavers. His words and his attitude
His words and attitude
His words and attitude
His words and attitude
always suppose a better state of things than other men are acquainted with, and
it is one of his requirements that he
he
he
he
will be the last man to be disappointed as the ages
revolve, for he anticipates more than any. God will find it
It will be hard to astonish him
revolve.
revolve.
revolve.
He has no venture in the present. But though
comparatively
comparatively
comparatively
comparatively
disregarded now, when his day comes, laws unsuspected by most will take effect, and
the practical everywhere, masters
masters
masters
masters
of families and rulers will come to him for advice.—
"How blind that cannot see
serenity!"
A true friend of man; almost the only friend of human progress. An Old
humanity
mortality say rather immortality
Mortality, say
rather an Immortality,
Mortality, say
rather an Immortality,
Mortality, say
rather an Immortality,
with unwearied patience and faith making plain the image engraven in men’s bodies,
the God of
whom they are but defaced and
leaning & crumbling
leaning
leaning
leaning
monuments. With his hospitable intellect
embracing
embracing
he embraces
he embraces
he embraces
children, beggars, insane, and scholars, and entertains the thought of all,
adding to it commonly some breadth and elegance. adding to it perhaps some breadth & elegance
adding to it, perhaps
commonly, some breadth and elegance
adding to it commonly some breadth and elegance.
I think that he should keep a caravansary on the world’s highway, where
the thinkers
the thinkers
philosophers
philosophers
philosophers
of all nations might put up,
& on his sign might be written
& on his sign might be written
printed
and on his sign might
should be printed
and on his sign should be printed,
"Entertainment for man, but not for his beast.
Enter
all ye
all ye
ye
ye
that have leisure and a quiet mind, who earnestly
but without anxiety seek the right road." A thought floats as serenely and as much
at home in his mind as a duck pluming himself on a far inland lake
but without anxiety seek the right
higher road
seek the right road."
seek the right road."
r
Revision note: F1:
He is
He is
He is
He is
perhaps the sanest man and has
r
Revision note: F1: with
with
with
of
has
has
the fewest crotchets of any I
r
Revision note: F1: ever knew
ever knew
chance to know
chance to know;
chance to know;
the same yesterday
r
Revision note: F1: today & forever
today & forever
& tomorrow
and to-morrow.
and to-morrow.
r
Revision note: F1: With him it was easy to walk and talk & effectually to put
With him it was easy to walk
saunter & talk, & effectually
With him it was easy to saunter and talk
Of yore we had sauntered and talked, and effectually
Of yore we had sauntered and talked, and effectually
put the world behind us; for he was pledged to no institution in it,
r
Revision note: F1:
freeborn, ingenuus
.
freeborn, ingenuus.
freeborn, ingenuus.
Whichever way we
r
Revision note: F1: walked it seemed as if
walked
turned, it seemed that
turned, it seemed that
turned, it seemed that
the heavens and the earth had met together,
r
Revision note: F1: & righteousness & peace had kissed each other
& righteousness & peace had kissed each other
for he enhanced the beauty of the landscape
since he enhanced the beauty of the landscape.
since he enhanced the beauty of the landscape.
A blue-robed man, whose fittest roof is the overarching sky which reflects his serenity.
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Revision note: F1:
I do not see how he could die—how Nature could spare him
I do not see how he can ever die; how Nature can
Nature cannot spare him
I do not see how he can ever die; Nature cannot spare him.
Having each
some shingles of thought well dried, we sat and whittled them, trying our knives,
and admiring the
clear yellowish grain of the pumpkin pine.
We waded so gently and reverently, or
we pulled together so smoothly, that the fishes of thought were not seared from the
stream, nor feared
any angler on the bank, but came and went grandly, like the clouds
r
Revision note: F1: that float peacefully
that float peacefully
that
which float
which float
through the western sky, and the mother-o’-pearl flocks
r
Revision note: F1: that
that
that
which
sometimes form and dissolve there.
There we worked, revising mythology, rounding a fable here and there, and
building castles in the air for which earth offered no worthy foundation.
Great Thinker! Expecter!
Great Thinker
Seer! Expecter!
Great Looker! Great Expecter!
Great Looker! Great Expecter!
to converse with whom was a New England Night’s Entertainment.
Ah! such discourse we had, hermit
and philosopher, and the old settler
I have
spoken of,
—we three,—it expanded and racked my little house; I should not dare to say how
many pounds’ weight there was above the atmospheric pressure on every circular inch;
it opened its
seams so that they had to be
caulked & payed
calked
calked
calked
with much dulness thereafter to stop the consequent leak;— but I had enough of that
kind of
oakum already picked.
Others there were one or two who paid me angel visits, looking in upon me from time
to time, but no more for society had I there.
Others there were, one or two with whom I had "solid seasons," long to be remembered, at their houses in the village
& who paid me angel visits, looking in upon me from time to time, but no more for society
had I there.
There was one other with whom I had "solid seasons," long to be remembered, at his house in the village,
and who looked in upon me from time to time; but I had no more for society there.
There was one other with whom I had "solid seasons," long to be remembered, at his house in the village,
and who looked in upon me from time to time; but I had no more for society there.
There too as here and everywhere I sometimes expected that
visitor who never comes
There too as here and everywhere I sometimes expected the Visitor who
never comes
There too, as every where, I sometimes expected the Visitor who never comes.
There too, as every where, I sometimes expected the Visitor who never comes.
The Vishnu Purana
says, "The house-holder is to remain at eventide in his court-yard as long
as it takes to milk a cow, or longer if he pleases, to await the arrival of a guest."
I often performed
this duty of hospitality, waited long enough to milk a whole herd of cows, but did
not see the man
approaching from the town.
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