The Pond in Winter
I have awaked in the morning
Once, after a still winter night, I awoke in the morning
After a still winter night I awoke
After a still winter night I awoke
with the impression that some question had been put to me,
and
which I had been endeavoring in vain
to answer it
which I had been endeavoring in vain to answer
which I had been endeavoring in vain to answer
in my sleep, as what—how—when—where? But there was dawning Nature, in whom all
creatures live, looking in at my broad windows with serene and satisfied face, and
no
question on
her
lips. I awoke to an answered question,
to Nature and daylight. The snow lying deep on the earth dotted with young pines,
and
the very slope of the hill on which my house is placed,
seeming
seemed
seemed
seemed
to say, Forward! Nature puts no question and answers none
which we mortals ask.
which we mortals ask.
which we mortals ask.
She has long ago taken her resolution. "O Prince, our eyes contemplate with
admiration and transmit to the soul the wonderful and varied spectacle of this
universe. The night veils without doubt a part of this glorious creation; but day
comes to reveal to us this great work, which extends from earth even into the plains
of the ether."
Then to my morning work. First I take an axe and
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Revision note: F1: bucket
bucket
ail
pail
pail
and go in search of water, if that be not a dream. After a cold and snowy
night it needed a divining rod to find it.
Every winter the liquid and trembling surface of the pond, which was so
sensitive to every
breath that was breathed in it
breath,
and reflected every light and shadow, becomes solid to the depth of a foot
or a foot and a half,
that it would
as to
that it will
that it will
support the heaviest teams, and perchance the snow covers it to an equal
depth, and it is not to be distinguished from any level field.
Thus like the marmots in the surrounding hills, it too
closes its eyelids & becomes partially dormant for 3 months
and
or more
Like the marmots in the surrounding hills, it closes its eye-lids and becomes
dormant for three months or more.
Standing on the snow-covered plain, as if in a pasture amid the hills, I
cut my way first through a foot of snow, and then a foot of ice, and open a window
under my feet, where, kneeling to drink, I look down into the quiet parlor of the
fishes, pervaded by a softened light as through a window of ground glass, with its
bright sanded floor the same as in summer; there a perennial waveless serenity
reigns as in the amber twilight sky, corresponding to the cool and even
temperament of
the
its
the
the
inhabitants. Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.
Early in the morning, while all things are crisp with
frost,
come men
come men
come men
come men
come men
come men come
men come
men come
with fishing reels and slender
lunch—men of unquestionable faith
lunch—men of unquestionable faith
lunch—men of unquestionable faith
lunch—men of unquestionable faith
lunch—men of unquestionable faith
lunch, men of unquestionable faith
lunch,
lunch,
and let down their fine lines through the snowy field to take pickerel and
perch;
Who pursue their trade with as much self-respect as any
mechanic or farmer does his—wisely taught by their instinct to follow other
fashions and trust other authorities than their townsmen. Wild men who
frequent the river meadows and solitary ponds in the horizon—connecting
links between towns—who in the goings & comings stitch towns together in
parts where they would be ripped and with the hunter race prevent wild
animals from multiplying.—Who
Who pursue their trade with as much self-respect as any
mechanic or farmer does his—wisely taught by their instinct to follow other
fashions and trust other authorities than their townsmen. Wild men who
frequent the river meadows and solitary ponds in the horizon—connecting
links between towns—who in the goings & comings stitch towns together in
parts where they would be ripped and with the hunter race prevent wild
animals from multiplying.—Who
Who pursue their trade with as much self-respect as any
mechanic or farmer does his—wisely taught by their instinct to follow other
fashions and trust other authorities than their townsmen. Wild men who
frequent the river meadows and solitary ponds in the horizon—connecting
links between towns—who in the goings & comings stitch towns together in
parts where they would be ripped and with the hunter race prevent wild
animals from multiplying.—Who
Who pursue their trade with as much self-respect as any
mechanic or farmer does his—wisely taught by their instinct to follow other
fashions and trust other authorities than their townsmen. Wild men who
frequent the river meadows and solitary ponds in the horizon—connecting
links between towns—who in the goings & comings stitch towns together in
parts where they would be ripped and with the hunter race prevent wild
animals from multiplying.—Who
Who pursue their trade with as much self-respect as any
mechanic or farmer does his—wisely taught by their instinct to follow other
fashions and trust other authorities than their townsmen. Wild men who
frequent the river meadows and solitary ponds in the horizon—connecting
links between towns—who in the goings & comings stitch towns together in
parts where they would be ripped and with the hunter race prevent wild
animals from multiplying.—Who
wisely taught by their instinct some
of them to follow other fashions, and trust other authorities than
their townsmen,—I do not speak of the fishermen of a day,— wild
men who by their goings & comings stitch towns together in parts where
else they would else be
ripped, and with the hunter race prevent wild animals from
multiplying. Who
They
wild men, who instinctively follow other fashions and trust other
authorities than their townsmen, and by their goings and comings stitch
towns together in parts where else they would be ripped. They
wild men, who instinctively follow other fashions and trust other
authorities than their townsmen, and by their goings and comings stitch
towns together in parts where else they would be ripped. They
sit and eat their luncheon in stout fear-naughts
on the dry oak leaves on the
shore of the pond
shore of the pond
shore of the pond
shore of the pond
shore of the pond
shore of the pond
shore,
shore,
as wise in natural lore as the citizen is in
artificial. Their unconscious yet intimate knowledge of
natural history would make a professed naturalist envious.
artificial. Their unconscious yet intimate knowledge of
natural history would make a professed naturalist envious.
artificial. Their unconscious yet intimate knowledge of
natural history would make a professed naturalist envious.
artificial. Their unconscious yet intimate knowledge of
natural history would make a professed naturalist envious.
artificial. Their unconscious yet intimate knowledge of
natural history would make a professed naturalist envious.
artificial. Their unconscious yet intimate knowledge of
natural history would make a professed naturalist envious.
artificial.
artificial.
They never consulted with books, and know and can tell much less than they
have done. The things which
these men
they
they
they
practise are said not yet to be known. Here is one fishing for pickerel
with grown perch for bait. You look into his pail with wonder as into a summer
pond, as if he kept summer locked up at home, or knew where she had retreated.
How, pray, did he get these in mid-winter? O, he got worms out of rotten logs
since the ground froze, and so he caught them. His life itself passes deeper in
Nature than the studies of the naturalist penetrate; himself a subject for the
naturalist. The latter raises the moss and bark gently with his knife in search of
insects; the former lays open logs to their core with his axe, and moss and bark
fly far and wide. He gets his living by barking trees. Such a man has
a
some
some
some
right to fish, and I love to see Nature carried out in him. The
pickerel
perch
perch
perch
swallows the grub-worm, the pickerel swallows the perch, and the fisherman
swallows the pickerel; and so all the
chinks and crannies
chinks
chinks
in the scale of being are filled.
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Revision note: F1: Sometimes in my
a stroll round the pond I was
am amused to observe the very
Sometimes in a stroll
Frequently when in such weather I strolled round
the pond I am
was amused to observe the very
When I strolled around the pond in misty weather I was sometimes amused by
the
When I strolled around the pond in misty weather I was sometimes amused by
the
primitive mode which
some yet
some
some
ruder fisherman
r
Revision note: F1:
had
has
has
had
had
had
adopted.
r
Revision note: F1: Over his holes cut 4 or 5 rods apart & an equal distance
apart half way round the pond
from the shore he places an alder branch
F2: : Over his
the narrow holes, cut
in the ice four or five rods apart, and an equal
distance from the shore, he places
would have placed perhaps an alder branch
Over the narrow holes in the ice, four or five rods apart, and
an equal distance from the shore he would perhaps have placed an alder branch
He would perhaps have placed an alder branch Over the narrow holes
in the ice,
which are
which were four or 5 rods apart, and an equal
distance from the shore, he would perhaps have placed an alder
branch
He would perhaps have placed alder branches over the narrow holes in the ice,
which were four or five rods apart and an equal distance from the shore,
and having
passed
fastened
fastened
fastened
the end of the line to a
r
Revision note: F1: stick about two feet long
F2: stick about two feet long
stick two feet long
stick two feet long
stick
to prevent its being pulled through,
r
Revision note: F1: he passes
he passes
have passed
have passed
have passed
the slack line over a twig of the alder, a foot or more above the ice, and
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Revision note: F1: ties
ties
tied
tied
tied
a dry oak leaf to it, which, being pulled down,
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Revision note: F1: will
will
would
would
would
show when he
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Revision note: F1: has
has
had
had
had
a bite. These
r
Revision note: F1: alder twigs sometimes dot the surface
F2: alder twigs sometimes dot the surface
would loom through the mist at regular intervals
as I walked
alder twigs loomed through the mist at regular intervals as I
walked
alder twigs
alders loomed through the mist at regular
intervals as 1
you walked
alders loomed through the mist at regular intervals as you walked
half way round the pond.
Ah, the pickerel of Walden!
when I see them lying on the ice, or in the well which the
fisherman cuts in the ice, making a little hole to admit the
water golden and emerald
water,
water,
I am always surprised by their rare beauty, as if they were fabulous
fishes—fresh water dolphins dauphins eldest sons of
Walden
fishes,
fishes,
they are so foreign to the streets, even to the woods, foreign as Arabia to
our Concord life. They possess a
quite
quite
dazzling and transcendent beauty which separates them
far
by a wide interval
by a wide interval
by a wide interval
from the cadaverous cod and
haddock at least two days old
haddock
haddock
whose fame is trumpeted in our streets.
handsome artlovers & gems —they
They
They
are not green like the pines, nor gray like the stones, nor blue like
the sky
the sky;
the sky;
but they have, to my
eye
eyes,
eyes,
if possible, yet rarer colors, like
flowers and
flowers and
flowers and
precious stones, as if they were the pearls,
of this great shell—some solid opied &
animalized
the animalized
the animalized
nuclei
or crystals of the Walden water. They, of
course, are
composed of Walden wholly
Walden all over & all through
Walden all over and all through;
Walden all over and all through;
are
themselves small
themselves small
themselves small
Waldens in the animal kingdom,
Waldenses perhaps dolphins—dauphins eldest sons of Walden, for whose
behalf this whole world is but a dauphin edition to study
Waldenses.
Waldenses.
It is surprising that
these fishes
fish
they
they
are caught here,—that in this deep and capacious spring, far beneath the
rattling teams and chaises and tinkling sleighs that travel the Walden road, this
great gold and emerald fish swims. I never chanced to see its kind in any market;
it
would be the cynosure of all eyes there.
Easily,
Easily,
Easily,
with a few convulsive quirks, they give up their
diluted
watery
watery
watery
ghosts, like a mortal translated before his time to the
subtile
thin
thin
thin
air of heaven.
As I was desirous
of recovering
to recover
to recover
to recover
to recover
to recover
to recover
to recover
the long lost bottom of Walden Pond,
Before the ice broke up, I surveyed it carefully, before the ice broke up
I surveyed it carefully, before the ice broke up,
I surveyed it carefully, before the ice broke up,
I surveyed it carefully, before the ice broke up,
I surveyed it carefully, before the ice broke up,
I surveyed it carefully, before the ice broke up,
I surveyed it carefully, before the ice broke up,
I surveyed it carefully, before the ice broke up,
last winter
early in 1846
early in ’46,
early in ’46,
early in ’46,
early in ’46,
early in ’46,
early in ’46,
early in ’46,
with compass and chain and sounding
line, and found it to contain a little over 51½ acres, and to
be 102 feet deep in the middle
line.
line.
line.
line.
line.
line.
line.
There have been many stories told about the bottom, or rather no bottom,
of this pond, which certainly had no foundation for themselves. It is remarkable
how long men will believe in the bottomlessness of a pond without taking the
trouble to sound
it. So is it with many imposing theories in whose dark
waters concealing the muddy bottom, we see our own faces
reflected—whose shallowness could easily be proved with the sounding line
of reason
it.
it.
I have visited two such Bottomless Ponds
in one walk in
Sudbury—Not to speak of the theories which I heard advanced
this neighborhood
this neighborhood.
this neighborhood.
Many have believed that Walden reached quite through to the other side of
the globe.
Some who have lain flat on the ice
for a long time, looking down through the illusive medium, perchance with watery
eyes into the bargain,
and
and
and
driven to hasty conclusions by the fear of catching cold in their breasts,
have seen vast holes "into which a load of hay might be driven," if there were
anybody to drive
it,
it,
it,
the undoubted source of the Styx
and
entrance to the Infernal Regions from these
parts. Most men do not see much more in a pond than a certain
"natural" who lived
lives in the skirts of the village, who
accosted one of my visitors with—"You have been down to the pond. It looked
pooty watery didn’t it?"
parts.
parts.
Others have gone down from the village with a "fifty-six"
and a wagon
load of inch rope, but yet have failed to find any bottom; for while the
"fifty-six" was resting by the way, they were paying out the rope in the vain
attempt to fathom their truly
measureless
measurable capacity of marvellousness. But
immeasurable capacity for marvellousness. But
immeasurable capacity for marvellousness. But
I can assure my readers that Walden
has a reasonably tight bottom at a not
unreasonable, though
at an
at an
unusual,
depth, notwithstanding a little bilge water in the hold, and
probably a good deal of that has spattered in, or run in over the edge
depth.
depth.
depth.
I fathomed it easily with a cod-line and a stone weighing
about
about
about
about
a pound and a half, and could tell
exactly
accurately
accurately
accurately
when the stone left the bottom, by having to pull so much harder before the
water got underneath to
assist
help
help
help
help
me. The greatest depth was exactly one hundred and two feet;
to which may be added the five feet
which it has risen since, making one hundred and seven. This is a remarkable depth
for so small an area; yet not an inch of it can be spared by the imagination. What
if all ponds were shallow? Would it not react on the minds of men? I am thankful
that this pond was made deep and pure for a symbol. While men believe in the
infinite some ponds will be thought
to be
to be
to be
bottomless.
A factory owner,
hearing what depth I had found, thought
that it could not be true, for,
as he was acquainted
as he was acquainted
as he was acquainted
as he was acquainted
as he was acquainted
judging from his acquaintance
judging from his acquaintance
judging from his acquaintance
with dams, sand would not lie at so steep an angle. But the deepest ponds
are not so deep in proportion to their
length & breadth as men
area as most
area as most
area as most
area as most
area as most
area as most
area as most
suppose, and, if
drained off
drained off
drained off
drained off
drained off
drained,
drained,
drained,
would not leave very remarkable valleys. They are not
shaped like a cup. This
like cups between the hills; for this one,
like cups between the hills; for this one,
like cups between the hills; for this one,
like cups between the hills; for this one,
like cups between the hills; for this one,
like cups between the hills; for this one,
like cups between the hills; for this one,
which is so
remarkably
remarkably
remarkably
remarkably
remarkably
unusually
unusually
unusually
unusually
deep for its area, appears in a
profile section of its bottom which I made
profile section of its bottom which I made
profile section of its bottom which I made
profile section of its bottom which I made
vertical section through its center, showing a profile
of the bottom & surface,
vertical section through its centre
vertical section through its centre
vertical section through its centre
not deeper than a shallow plate.
Most ponds,
being emptied
emptied,
emptied,
emptied,
emptied,
would leave a meadow no more hollow than we frequently see.
William
William
William
William
Gilpin, who is so admirable
a describer of
in all that relates to
in all that relates to
in all that relates to
in all that relates to
in all that relates to
landscapes, and usually so correct, standing at the head of Loch Fyne, in
Scotland, which he describes as "a bay of salt water, sixty or seventy fathoms
deep, four miles in breadth," and about fifty miles long, surrounded by mountains,
observes, "If we could have seen it immediately after the diluvian crash, or
whatever convulsion of Nature occasioned it, before the waters gushed in, what a
horrid chasm must it have appeared!
So high as heaved the tumid hills, so low
Down sunk a hollow bottom, broad, and deep,
Capacious bed of waters—."
But if,
using the shortest diameter of Loch Fyne,
using the shortest diameter of Loch Fyne,
using the shortest diameter of Loch Fyne,
using the shortest diameter of Loch Fyne,
using the shortest diameter of Loch Fyne,
we apply these proportions to Walden, which, as we have seen, appears
already in a
transverse
vertical
vertical
vertical
vertical
vertical
section only like a shallow plate, it will appear four times as shallow. So
much for the
horrors of the chasm of Loch Fyne
when emptied. No doubt many a smiling valley with its
extended
stretching
stretching
stretching
stretching
stretching
cornfields occupies exactly such a "horrid chasm," from which the waters
have receded, though it requires the insight
and the far sight
and the far sight
and the far sight
and the far sight
and the far sight
of the geologist to convince the unsuspecting inhabitants of
the fact. I presume that I have seen many a village situated
in the midst of a plain levelled by water where
the fact. I presume that I have seen many a village situated
in the midst of a plain levelled by water where
this fact. I presume that
I have seen
there is many a village situated in the midst of a plain levelled
by water where Often
this fact. Often
this fact. Often
an inquisitive eye
might still
might still
might still
may
may
may
detect the shores of a primitive lake in the low horizon hills, and no
subsequent elevation of the plain
was
was
was
on which he stands have been
has been
has been
necessary to conceal their
history
ancient use
history
history.
history.
history.
history.
But they who work on the highway know that it is easiest
But
it is easiest as they who work on the highways know
But it is easiest, as they who work on the highways know,
But it is easiest, as they who work on the highways know,
But it is easiest, as they who work on the highways know,
But it is easiest, as they who work on the highways know,
to find the hollows by the puddles after a shower. The
fact
truth
fact
truth
truth
amount of it
amount of it
amount of it
is, the imagination, give it the least license, dives deeper and soars
higher than Nature goes.
So, probably, the depth of the ocean will be found to be very
inconsiderable compared with its breadth. So, probably, the depth
of the ocean will be found to be very inconsiderable in
comparison
compared with its breadth or the diameter of the globe
So, probably, the depth of the ocean will be found to be very
inconsiderable compared with its breadth.
So, probably, the depth of the ocean will be found to be very
inconsiderable compared with its breadth.
As I sounded through the ice I could determine the shape of the bottom with
greater accuracy than is possible in
surveying
surveying
surveying
surveying
surveying
surveying
surveying
harbors which do not freeze over, and I was
astonished
astonished
astonished
astonished
astonished
surprised
surprised
surprised
surprised
at its general regularity. In the
middle
deepest part it was more level than
middle
deepest part it was more level than
middle
deepest part it was more level than
middle
deepest part it was more level than
deepest part it is more level than
deepest part it is
there are several acres more level than almost
deepest part there are several acres more level than almost
deepest part there are several acres more level than almost
any field which is exposed to the sun
and wind and the
wind and
wind and
wind and
wind and
wind and
wind and
wind and
plough. In one instance, on a line arbitrarily chosen,
it
it
it
it
it
it
the depth
the depth
did not vary more than one foot in thirty rods; and generally, near the
middle, I could calculate the variation for each one hundred feet in any direction
beforehand within
a few
a few
a few
a few
a few
three or four
three or four
three or four
inches. Some are accustomed to speak of deep and dangerous holes
in running streams and ponds—but these are contrary to the law
of nature, the tendency of water to level all inequalities unless there are
rocks in the way. Indeed
in running streams and ponds—but these are contrary to the law
of nature, the tendency of water to level all inequalities unless there are
rocks in the way. Indeed
in running streams and ponds—but these are contrary to the law
of nature, the tendency of water to level all inequalities unless there are
rocks in the way. Indeed
in running streams and ponds—but these are contrary to the law
of nature, the tendency of water to level all inequalities unless there are
rocks in the way. Indeed
in running streams even in quiet sandy ponds like
this, but these would generally speaking be contrary to the laws of
nature, the effect of water under those circumstances being to level all
inequalities. Indeed
even in quiet sandy ponds like this, but these would,
generally speaking, be contrary to the laws of nature, the effect of
water under these circumstances being
is to level all inequalities. Indeed
even in quiet sandy ponds like this, but the effect of water under these
circumstances is to level all inequalities.
even in quiet sandy ponds like this, but the effect of water under these
circumstances is to level all inequalities.
The regularity of the bottom and its conformity to the shores and the range of
the neighboring hills
was
was
was
was
was
was
were
were
so perfect that a distant promontory betrayed itself
by
in
in
in
in
in
in
in
the soundings
even in the middle
even in the middle
even in the middle
even in the middle
even in the middle
quite across the pond
quite across the pond,
quite across the pond,
quite across the pond,
and its direction
was
could be
could be
could be
could be
could be
could be
could be
determined by observing the opposite shore. Cape becomes bar, and plain shoal,
and valley and gorge deep water and channel.
When I had mapped the pond by the scale of ten rods to an inch, and put down
the soundings, more than a hundred in all,
I observed this singular coincidence pointing to a general law
I observed this singular
remarkable coincidence pointing to a general law
I observed this remarkable coincidence.
I observed this remarkable coincidence.
Having noticed that the number indicating the greatest depth was
near
apparently in
apparently in
apparently in
apparently in
the centre of the map, I laid a
ruler
rule
rule
rule
rule
on the map lengthwise, and then breadthwise, and found, to my surprise, that
the line of greatest length intersected the line of greatest breadth
exactly
at the point of greatest depth,
with mathematical accuracy for aught I could see
notwithstanding that the middle was so nearly level & though the
outline of the pond quite irregular
far from regular
notwithstanding that the middle was
is so nearly level, and though the outline of the pond
far from regular
notwithstanding that the middle is so nearly level, the outline of the pond
far from regular,
notwithstanding that the middle is so nearly level, the outline of the pond
far from regular,
and the extreme length and breadth were got by measuring into the coves; and I
said to myself, Who knows but this hint would conduct to the deepest part of the
ocean as well as of a
pond or
pond or
pond or
puddle?
This too should be the law for mountains, allowing, perhaps, for
the greater prevalence of disturbing forces, for we may regard a pond as in
many respects a hill reversed, and
This too should be the law for mountains, allowing, perhaps, for the
greater prevalence of disturbing forces, for we may so regard a pond as, in
many respects a hill reversed, &
Is not this the rule also for the height of mountains
also, regarded as the opposite of valleys?
Is not this the rule also for the height of mountains, regarded as the
opposite of valleys?
Is not this the rule also for the height of mountains, regarded as the
opposite of valleys?
We know that a hill is not highest at its narrowest
point
art
part.
part.
part.
Of five coves,
three, or all which had
been sounded, were observed to have a bar quite across their mouths and deeper
water within, so that the bay
not only tended to be an expansion of water within the land
superficially but also a basin
horizontally but also vertically & to form a
basin or independent pond
r
Revision note: F1: not only tended to be an expansion of water within the land
horizontally, but also vertically & to form a basin or independent pond
not only tended to be an expansion of water within the land
not only horizontally, but also vertically, &
to form a basin or independent pond
tended to be an expansion of water within the land not only horizontally
but vertically, and to form a basin or independent pond,
tended to be an expansion of water within the land not only horizontally
but vertically, and to form a basin or independent pond,
the direction of the two capes showing the course of the
bar. This rule too is universal. I believe that
bar. This rule too is universal. I believe that
bar.
bar.
Every harbor
on the seacoast
also
on the sea-coast, also,
on the sea-coast, also,
has its bar at its entrance. In proportion as the mouth of the cove was
wider compared with its length, the water over the bar was deeper compared with
that in the basin. Given, then, the length and breadth of the cove, and the
r
Revision note: F1:
height and character and height
height and character
character
character
of the surrounding shore, and
r
Revision note: F1:
we have
I have found that I had
I found that I had
you have
you have
you have
almost elements enough to make out a formula for all cases.
r
Revision note: F1: Wishing
Wishing
In order
In order
In order
to see how nearly I could guess, with this experience, at the deepest point
in a
pond, by observing the outlines of its surface and the character of its
shores alone, I made a plan of White Pond, which contains about
forty
r
Revision note: F1: forty
forty
forty-one
forty-one
forty-one
acres, and, like this, has no island in it, nor any visible inlet or
outlet; and as the line of greatest breadth fell very near the line of least
breadth,
I marked a point still further
where two opposite capes approached each other
& 2 opposite bays receded I ventured to mark a
point a short distance
where two opposite capes approached each other and two opposite bays
receded, I ventured to mark a point a short distance
where two opposite capes approached each other and two opposite bays
receded, I ventured to mark a point a short distance
where two opposite capes approached each other and two opposite bays
receded, I ventured to mark a point a short distance
from the latter
r
Revision note: F1:
line,
line,
line,
but still on the line of greatest length, as the deepest.
On sounding
the deepest point
r
Revision note: F1: The deepest point
The deepest point
art
The deepest part
The deepest part
was found to be within one hundred feet of
this
the one indicated yet proves that I had made the right kind of
correction
this
but still farther in the direction which I had
chosen and
there the depth was only one foot greater
deeper than the former, namely 60 feet.
Even from the deepest parts of Walden I drew up on my sounding stone
a bright green weed which was very agreeable to behold in
midwinter
r
Revision note: F1: this, but still further in the direction which I
had chosen, and it was
was only one foot deeper than the
former, namely 60 feet
this, still farther in the direction to which I
had chosen
inclined, & was only one foot deeper, namely, 60 feet
this, still farther in the direction to which I had inclined, and was only
one foot deeper, namely, sixty feet.
this, still farther in the direction to which I had inclined, and was only
one foot deeper, namely, sixty feet.
r
Revision note: F1:
Of course, a stream running through, or an island in the pond, would
make the problem much more complicated.
Of course, a stream running through, or an island in the pond, would make
the problem much more complicated.
Of course, a stream running through, or an island in the pond, would make
the problem much more complicated.
Of course if
If
If
we knew all the laws of Nature, we should need only one fact, or the
description of one actual phenomenon, to infer all the particular results at that
point.
r
Revision note: F1: As it is we know only a few laws, though important ones
F2: As it is we know only a few laws, though important ones
As it is
Now we know only a few laws, though important ones,
Now we know only a few laws,
Now we know only a few laws,
and our result is vitiated, not,
of course,
of course,
by any confusion or irregularity in Nature, but by our ignorance of essential
elements in the calculation.
r
Revision note: F1: We are wont to confine our notions of law and harmony to
those instances only which
F2: We are wont to confine our notions of law and harmony to
those instances only which
We are wont to confine our notions of law and harmony are
commonly confined to those instances only which
Our notions of law and harmony are commonly confined to those instances
which
Our notions of law and harmony are commonly confined to those instances
which
we detect; but the harmony which results from a
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Revision note: F1: still
F2: still
still
far
far
far
greater number of seemingly conflicting, but really
r
Revision note: F1: harmonious
F2: harmonious
harmonious
concurring
concurring,
concurring,
laws, which we have not detected, is still more wonderful. The particular laws
are as our points of view, as, to the traveller, a mountain outline varies with every
step, and it has an infinite number of profiles, though absolutely but one form. Even
r
Revision note: F1: though cleft in twain or bored through, it cannot be
F2: though cleft in twain or bored through, it cannot be
though
when cleft in twain or bored through, it cannot
be
is not
when cleft or bored through it is not
when cleft or bored through it is not
comprehended in its entireness.
But as there is no exclusively physical nor exclusively moral
law— so this is as true in ethics as in physics—that is it is the
rule though not the exception. It not only guides
Such a rule would not only guide us
to
toward the heart in man & sun
in the system & the heart in man
But what I have observed of the pond is no less true
in morals. Such a rule would
of the two diameters not only guide
guides us toward the sun in the system, &
toward the heart in man
What I have observed of the pond is no less true in
morals
ethics. Such a rule of the two diameters not only guides us
toward the sun in the system and the heart in man
What I have observed of the pond is no less true in ethics. It is the law
of average. Such a rule of the two diameters not only guides us toward the
sun in the system and the heart in man,
but draw lines through the length and breadth of the aggregate of a man’s
particular daily behaviors and waves of life into his coves and inlets, and where
they intersect will be the height or depth of his character.
and perhaps we only need
and Perhaps we only need
Perhaps we need only
to know how
a man’s shores
his shores
his shores
trend and his adjacent country or circumstances, to
infer thus
infer thus
infer
his depth and concealed
bottom. All this experience our daily intercourse supplies,
and our instinct is continually applying the rule
bottom. This experience our daily intercourse supplies,
and our instinct is continually applying the rule
bottom.
Are we
Is he
If he is
surrounded by mountainous circumstances, an Achillean shore,
to whose peaks we look up,
whose peaks over-shadow and which are reflected in
our bosoms
his bosom
whose peaks overshadow and are reflected in his bosom,
they suggest a corresponding depth in
him
us
him.
But a low and smooth shore proves
him
us
him
shallow on that side.
So
In our bodies
In our bodies,
a bold projecting brow falls off to and indicates a corresponding depth of
thought.
So too
Also
Also
there is a bar across the entrance of our every cove, or particular
inclination; each is our harbor for a season, in which we are detained and
partially land-locked. These inclinations are not whimsical
commonly
usually
commonly
usually
usually,
but their form,
and size
and size
size,
and direction are determined by the promontories of the shore, the ancient
axes of elevation.
When this bar is gradually increased by storms,
or tides, or by sediment deposited by currents, so that it
rises to the surface
or tides, or by sediment deposited by currents, so that it rises to the
surface, or the same result is produced by the subsidence of the
waters
tides, or currents, or there is a subsidence of the waters, so that it
reaches to the surface
tides, or currents, or there is a subsidence of the waters, so that it
reaches to the surface,
that which was at first but an inclination in the shore in which a thought
was harbored becomes an individual lake, cut off from the
dividual ocean,—as from the entral polypus
ocean,
ocean,
wherein the thought secures its own conditions, changes,
perchance
perchance
perhaps
perhaps,
from salt to fresh, becomes a sweet sea, dead sea, or a marsh. At the
advent of each individual into this life, may we not
presume
presume
suppose
suppose
that such a bar has risen to the surface
somewhere, and the dry land appeared
somewhere, and the dry land appeared
somewhere?
It is true, we are such
poor & timid
poor
poor
navigators that our thoughts, for the most part, stand off and on upon a
harborless coast, are conversant only with the bights of the bays of poesy, or
steer for the public ports of entry, and go into the dry docks of science, where
they merely refit for this world, and no natural currents concur to individualize
them.
As for the inlet or outlet of
the pond
Walden
Walden,
Walden,
Walden,
I have not discovered any but rain and snow and evaporation, though
I have no doubt that
perhaps
perhaps,
perhaps,
perhaps,
with a thermometer and
sounding line
sounding line
sounding
a line
a line,
this can be done
such places may be found. Where
such places may be found, for where
such places may be found, for where
such places may be found, for where
the water flows into the pond it will probably be coldest in summer and
warmest in
winter , and it can easily be obtained from different parts
of the bottom
winter.
winter.
winter.
When the ice-men were at work here in ’46-7,
the cakes sent to the shore were one day rejected by those who were
stacking them up there, not being thick enough to lie side by side with the
rest; and
the cakes sent to the shore were one day rejected by those who were stacking
them up there, not being thick enough to lie side by side with the rest;
and
they
they
they
the cutters thus
the cutters thus
discovered that the ice over a small space was two or three inches thinner
than elsewhere, which made them think that there was an inlet there. They also showed
me
in another place
in another place
in another place
in another place
what they thought was a "leach-hole," through which the pond leaked out under
a hill into a neighboring meadow, pushing me out on a cake of ice to see it. It was
a
small
hole or cavity at the bottom
hole or cavity at the bottom
hole or cavity
cavity
under ten feet of water; but I think
that
that
I can warrant the pond not to need soldering till they
can find
can find
can find
find
a worse leak than that.
If such a leach hole should be found there one has suggested
that
One has suggested, that if such a "leach hole" should be found,
One has suggested, that if such a "leach hole" should be found,
One has suggested, that if such a "leach hole" should be found,
its connection with the meadow, if any existed, might be proved by conveying
some colored powder or sawdust to the
bottom of the pond
mouth of the hole
mouth of the hole,
mouth of the hole,
mouth of the hole,
and then putting a strainer over the spring in the meadow, which would catch
some of the
powder
articles
particles
particles
particles
carried through by the current.
While surveying I observed that
While I was surveying,
While I was surveying,
While I was surveying,
the ice, which was
more than a foot
sixteen inches
sixteen inches
sixteen inches
thick, undulated under a slight wind like
waves
water.
water.
water.
It is well known that a level cannot be used on ice. At one rod from the shore
its greatest fluctuation, when observed by means of a level on land directed toward
a
graduated staff on the ice, was three quarters of an inch, though the ice appeared
firmly attached to the shore. It was probably greater in the middle. t
Nicer instruments might perhaps
Who knows but if our instruments were nice enough we
might
Who knows but if our instruments were delicate enough we might
Who knows but if our instruments were delicate enough we might
Who knows but if our instruments were delicate enough we might
detect an undulation in the crust of the earth?
When two legs of
the instrument rested
were
my level were
my level were
my level were
on the shore and the third on the ice, and the sights were directed over the
latter, a rise or fall of the ice of an
almost
almost
almost
almost
infinitesimal amount made a difference of several feet on a tree across the
pond, and this suggested how I could easily calculate
the slightest conceivable motion there and what would be absolute
rest to most tests
pond.
pond.
pond.
When I began to cut holes for sounding, there were three or four inches of
water on the ice under a deep snow which had sunk it thus
far though the ice
it was 15 inches thick
far;
far;
far;
but the water began immediately to run into these holes, and continued to run
for two days in deep streams, which wore away the ice on every side, and contributed
essentially,
if not mainly,
if not mainly,
if not mainly,
if not mainly,
to dry the surface of the pond; for, as the water ran in, it raised and
floated the ice. This was
a little
somewhat
somewhat
somewhat
somewhat
like cutting a hole in the bottom of
your ship
your
a ship
a ship
a ship
to let the water out. When such holes
freeze over
freeze,
freeze,
freeze,
and a rain succeeds, and finally a new freezing forms a fresh smooth
surface
ice
ice
ice
ice
over all, it is beautifully mottled internally by dark figures, shaped
somewhat like a spider's web,
what you may call ice rosettes, produced by
what you may call ice rosettes, produced by
what you may call ice rosettes, produced by
the channels worn by the water flowing from all sides to a
center. This is a very common phenomenon
which one of my neighbors calls "rosettes"
center. This is a very common phenomenon which one of my
neighbors calls "rosettes"
centre.
centre.
Sometimes,
also,
also,
also,
when the ice was covered with shallow puddles, I saw a double shadow of
myself, one standing on the head of the other, one on the ice, the other on the
bank
trees or hill side
trees or hill-side.
trees or hill-side.
trees or hill-side.
Here too in winter days—while
While
While
While
While
While
While
While
yet it is cold January, and snow and ice are thick
and solid,
and solid,
and solid,
and solid,
and solid,
and solid,
and solid,
comes the prudent landlord
comes the prudent landlord
comes the prudent landlord
comes the prudent landlord
comes the prudent landlord
comes the prudent landlord comes
the prudent landlord comes
the prudent landlord comes
from the village to get ice to cool his summer drink; impressively, even
pathetically wise, to foresee the
thirst and heat
thirst and heat
thirst and heat
thirst and heat
thirst and heat and thirst
heat and thirst
heat and thirst
heat and thirst
of July
now
now
now
now
now
now
now
in January,—
wearing a thick coat and mittens!
wearing a thick coat and mittens!
wearing a thick coat and mittens!
wearing a thick coat and mittens!
wearing a thick coat and mittens!
wearing a thick coat and mittens!
wearing a thick coat and mittens!
when so many things are not provided for.
Perchance
Perchance
It may be that
It may be that
It may be that
he lays up no treasures in this world which will cool his summer drink in
the next.
He cuts and saws the solid pond,
unroofs the house of fishes, and carts off their very element and air, held fast
with
with
with
with
with
with
by
by
by
chains and stakes like corded wood,
r
Revision note: A1: all through
all through
r
Revision note: A1: all through
all through
r
Revision note: A1: all through
all through
r
Revision note: A1: all through
all through
r
Revision note: A1: all through
all through
all through
through
through
the favoring winter air, to wintry cellars, to underlie the summer there.
It looks
r
Revision note: A1: blue as amethyst or
blue as amethyst or
like
like
like
like
like
like
like
like
solidified azure,
r
Revision note: A1: afar off as
afar off as
as, far off,
as, far off,
as, far off,
as, far off,
as, far off,
as, far off,
as, far off,
it is drawn through the streets.
They are a merry race, these ice cutters are a merry
race
These ice-cutters are a merry race,
These ice-cutters are a merry race,
These ice-cutters are a merry race,
These ice-cutters are a merry race,
These ice-cutters are a merry race,
These ice-cutters are a merry race,
These ice-cutters are a merry race,
full of jest and sport, and when I went among them they were wont to invite
me to saw pit-fashion with them, I standing underneath.
This winter, as you all know,
In the winter of 46 & 7
In the winter of ’46-7
In the winter of ’46-7
In the winter of ’46-7
In the winter of ’46-7
In the winter of ’46-7
In the winter of ’46-7
In the winter of ’46-7
there came a hundred men of Hyperborean extraction
swoop down on to our pond one morning,
with a shriek from the engine—with
with
with
with
with
with
with
with
many car-loads of ungainly-looking farming tools, sleds, ploughs,
drill-barrows, turf-knives, spades, saws, rakes, and each
man
man
man
man
man
man
man
man
was armed with a double-pointed pike-staff, such as
is
are
is
is
is
is
is
is
is
not described in the New-England Farmer or the Cultivator.
At first I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
did not know whether they had come to sow a crop of winter rye,
or some other kind of grain recently introduced from Iceland. As I saw no manure,
I judged that they meant to skim the land,
as I had done— thinking the soil was deep and
had lain fallow long enough —as I had done with my field the year
before
as I had done, thinking the soil was deep and had lain fallow long
enough,
as I had done, thinking the soil was deep and had lain fallow long
enough,
as I had done, thinking the soil was deep and had lain fallow long
enough,
as I had done, thinking the soil was deep and had lain fallow long
enough,
as I had done, thinking the soil was deep and had lain fallow long
enough,
as I had done, thinking the soil was deep and had lain fallow long
enough,
as I had done, thinking the soil was deep and had lain fallow long
enough,
They said that a
gentleman farmer
a Mr Tudor
gentleman farmer,
gentleman farmer,
gentleman farmer,
gentleman farmer,
gentleman farmer,
gentleman farmer,
gentleman farmer,
who was behind the scenes, wanted to double
his money, which, as I understood, amounted to half a million already; but in
order to cover each one of his dollars with another, he took off the only coat,
and
ay
ay,
ay,
ay,
ay,
ay,
ay,
ay,
the skin itself, of Walden Pond in the midst of a hard winter. They went to
work at once, ploughing, harrowing, rolling, furrowing, in admirable order, as if
they were bent on making this a model farm; but when I was looking sharp to see
what kind of seed they dropped into the furrow, a gang of fellows by my side
suddenly began to book up the virgin mould itself, with a peculiar jerk, clean
down to the sand, or rather
the water,—for it was a very springy soil,—indeed all the
terra firma
there was, and haul it away on sleds, and
then I guessed that they must be cutting peat in a bog. So they
went & came & went
came and went
came and went
came and went
every day, with a peculiar shriek
of the whistle to and from some part of the northern
of the whistle
from the locomotive from & to some part of the
northern
from the locomotive, from and to some point of the
from the locomotive, from and to some point of the
polar regions, as it seemed to me, like a flock of arctic snow-birds. But
sometimes Squaw Walden had her revenge, and a hired man, walking behind his team,
slipped through a crack in the ground down toward Tartarus,
and he who was so brave before suddenly became but the ninth part of a man,
and almost
and almost
almost
almost
gave up his animal heat, and was glad to take refuge in my house, and
acknowledge
acknowledged
acknowledged
acknowledged
that there was some virtue in a stove; or sometimes the frozen soil took a
piece of steel out of a ploughshare, or a plough got set in the furrow and had to
be cut
out again
out again
out.
out.
n
Note: The Pond in Winter 18a follows a missing leaf (#211). (R. Clapper)
n
Note: The Pond in Winter 18a appears as follows: in the almanac—his shanty. They
told me that in a good day they told me they could get out a
thousand tons which was the yield of about one acre & contained 10000
tons
finally
(R. Clapper)
n
Note: The Pond in Winter 18a is
followed by Economy 106b. (R. Clapper)
But to speak without jesting
literally
But to speak without jesting
literally
But to speak without jesting
literally
But to speak without jesting
literally
But to speak without jesting
literally
But to speak literally
To speak literally,
To speak literally,
a hundred Irishmen, with Yankee overseers, came from Cambridge
every day to get out
Walden ice and stack it up on the shore in the open air. When
it was covered with snow a dozen men were incessantly engaged scraping this
off over an area of several acres with various kinds of scrapers drawn by
horses. Two followed with a horse & a slight cutter, one carefully
leading the horse while the other guided the cutter within a few inches of a
rope drawn straight across the ice for 10 or a dozen rods. Such a groove was
made on two sides of a parallelogram. Then with various kinds of gage
cutters, that is cutters connected by a frame with parallel smooth or
toothless plates at a proper distance on one or both sides,
running in the last made groove the whole area was finally grooved in
squares 22 inches on a side, yet not so weakened but that horses could work
on it. I was told that the best ice cutters or plows cost over a hundred
dollars, and cut 4 inches at a bout but it was hard work for a horse. Other
men were employed with whipsaws cutting this area into long strips the width
of a cake; half a dozen poling the strips along a narrow canal to the
loading place—near which one stood with a spade-like chisel to cut off the
"cakes," which consisted of two squares & therefore measured 22 by 44
inches. These cakes were to be finally divided by the shallow groove at the
loading aboard ship, so that one man might handle them. At the end of the
canal were a dozen or 15 men half on each side incessantly hauling the cakes
up a narrow iron framework or railway, sunk at one end on wood and resting
on a sled at the other, with pike staffs which had a double point, one bent
for hauling, the other straight for pushing. Each sled held 14 or 15 cakes
which weighed about 2 tons and were drawn by one horse over the ice to the
shore, where they
& these being sledded to the shore
Walden ice and stack it up on the shore in the open air. When
it was covered with snow a dozen men were incessantly engaged scraping this
off over an area of several acres with various kinds of scrapers drawn by
horses. Two followed with a horse & a slight cutter, one carefully
leading the horse while the other guided the cutter within a few inches of a
rope drawn straight across the ice for 10 or a dozen rods. Such a groove was
made on two sides of a parallelogram. Then with various kinds of gage
cutters, that is cutters connected by a frame with parallel smooth or
toothless plates at a proper distance on one or both sides,
running in the last made groove the whole area was finally grooved in
squares 22 inches on a side, yet not so weakened but that horses could work
on it. I was told that the best ice cutters or plows cost over a hundred
dollars, and cut 4 inches at a bout but it was hard work for a horse. Other
men were employed with whipsaws cutting this area into long strips the width
of a cake; half a dozen poling the strips along a narrow canal to the
loading place—near which one stood with a spade-like chisel to cut off the
"cakes," which consisted of two squares & therefore measured 22 by 44
inches. These cakes were to be finally divided by the shallow groove at the
loading aboard ship, so that one man might handle them. At the end of the
canal were a dozen or 15 men half on each side incessantly hauling the cakes
up a narrow iron framework or railway, sunk at one end on wood and resting
on a sled at the other, with pike staffs which had a double point, one bent
for hauling, the other straight for pushing. Each sled held 14 or 15 cakes
which weighed about 2 tons and were drawn by one horse over the ice to the
shore, where they
& these being sledded to the shore
Walden ice and stack it up on the shore in the open air. When
it was covered with snow a dozen men were incessantly engaged scraping this
off over an area of several acres with various kinds of scrapers drawn by
horses. Two followed with a horse & a slight cutter, one carefully
leading the horse while the other guided the cutter within a few inches of a
rope drawn straight across the ice for 10 or a dozen rods. Such a groove was
made on two sides of a parallelogram. Then with various kinds of gage
cutters, that is cutters connected by a frame with parallel smooth or
toothless plates at a proper distance on one or both sides,
running in the last made groove the whole area was finally grooved in
squares 22 inches on a side, yet not so weakened but that horses could work
on it. I was told that the best ice cutters or plows cost over a hundred
dollars, and cut 4 inches at a bout but it was hard work for a horse. Other
men were employed with whipsaws cutting this area into long strips the width
of a cake; half a dozen poling the strips along a narrow canal to the
loading place—near which one stood with a spade-like chisel to cut off the
"cakes," which consisted of two squares & therefore measured 22 by 44
inches. These cakes were to be finally divided by the shallow groove at the
loading aboard ship, so that one man might handle them. At the end of the
canal were a dozen or 15 men half on each side incessantly hauling the cakes
up a narrow iron framework or railway, sunk at one end on wood and resting
on a sled at the other, with pike staffs which had a double point, one bent
for hauling, the other straight for pushing. Each sled held 14 or 15 cakes
which weighed about 2 tons and were drawn by one horse over the ice to the
shore, where they
& these being sledded to the shore
Walden ice and stack it up on the shore in the open air. When
it was covered with snow a dozen men were incessantly engaged scraping this
off over an area of several acres with various kinds of scrapers drawn by
horses. Two followed with a horse & a slight cutter, one carefully
leading the horse while the other guided the cutter within a few inches of a
rope drawn straight across the ice for 10 or a dozen rods. Such a groove was
made on two sides of a parallelogram. Then with various kinds of gage
cutters, that is cutters connected by a frame with parallel smooth or
toothless plates at a proper distance on one or both sides,
running in the last made groove the whole area was finally grooved in
squares 22 inches on a side, yet not so weakened but that horses could work
on it. I was told that the best ice cutters or plows cost over a hundred
dollars, and cut 4 inches at a bout but it was hard work for a horse. Other
men were employed with whipsaws cutting this area into long strips the width
of a cake; half a dozen poling the strips along a narrow canal to the
loading place—near which one stood with a spade-like chisel to cut off the
"cakes," which consisted of two squares & therefore measured 22 by 44
inches. These cakes were to be finally divided by the shallow groove at the
loading aboard ship, so that one man might handle them. At the end of the
canal were a dozen or 15 men half on each side incessantly hauling the cakes
up a narrow iron framework or railway, sunk at one end on wood and resting
on a sled at the other, with pike staffs which had a double point, one bent
for hauling, the other straight for pushing. Each sled held 14 or 15 cakes
which weighed about 2 tons and were drawn by one horse over the ice to the
shore, where they
& these being sledded to the shore
Walden ice and stack it up on the shore in the open air. When
it was covered with snow a dozen men were incessantly engaged scraping this
off over an area of several acres with various kinds of scrapers drawn by
horses. Two followed with a horse & a slight cutter, one carefully
leading the horse while the other guided the cutter within a few inches of a
rope drawn straight across the ice for 10 or a dozen rods. Such a groove was
made on two sides of a parallelogram. Then with various kinds of gage
cutters, that is cutters connected by a frame with parallel smooth or
toothless plates at a proper distance on one or both sides,
running in the last made groove the whole area was finally grooved in
squares 22 inches on a side, yet not so weakened but that horses could work
on it. I was told that the best ice cutters or plows cost over a hundred
dollars, and cut 4 inches at a bout but it was hard work for a horse. Other
men were employed with whipsaws cutting this area into long strips the width
of a cake; half a dozen poling the strips along a narrow canal to the
loading place—near which one stood with a spade-like chisel to cut off the
"cakes," which consisted of two squares & therefore measured 22 by 44
inches. These cakes were to be finally divided by the shallow groove at the
loading aboard ship, so that one man might handle them. At the end of the
canal were a dozen or 15 men half on each side incessantly hauling the cakes
up a narrow iron framework or railway, sunk at one end on wood and resting
on a sled at the other, with pike staffs which had a double point, one bent
for hauling, the other straight for pushing. Each sled held 14 or 15 cakes
which weighed about 2 tons and were drawn by one horse over the ice to the
shore, where they
& these being sledded to the shore
Walden
the ice. They stack
divided it into cakes by methods too well known to require
description, & these being sledded to the
shore
the ice. They divided it into cakes by methods too well known to require
description, and these, being sledded to the shore,
the ice. They divided it into cakes by methods too well known to require
description, and these, being sledded to the shore,
were rapidly hauled off on to an ice platform, and raised by grappling
irons and block and tackle, worked by horses, on to
the
a
the
a
the
a
the
a
the
a
a
a
a
stack, as surely as so many barrels of flour, and there placed evenly side
by side,
&
or upon one another
&
or upon one another
&
or upon one another
&
or upon one another
&
or upon one another
&
or upon one another
& row upon row
and row upon row,
and row upon row,
as if they formed the solid base of an obelisk designed to pierce the
clouds. There were 60 men employed at the stack, about
30 above & 30 below—about 20 in loading & sledding, & 10 in
scraping, grooving, sawing & poling
clouds. There were 60 men employed at the stack, about
30 above & 30 below—about 20 in loading & sledding, & 10 in
scraping, grooving, sawing & poling
clouds. There were 60 men employed at the stack, about
30 above & 30 below—about 20 in loading & sledding, & 10 in
scraping, grooving, sawing & poling
clouds. There were 60 men employed at the stack, about
30 above & 30 below—about 20 in loading & sledding, & 10 in
scraping, grooving, sawing & poling
clouds. There were 60 men employed at the stack, about
30 above & 30 below—about 20 in loading & sledding, & 10 in
scraping, grooving, sawing & poling
clouds.
clouds.
clouds.
They told me that in a good day they could get out a thousand tons, which
was the yield of about one acre.
Deep ruts and "cradle-holes"
were worn in the ice,
by the passage of the sleds over the same track, as on terra
firma
as on terra firma by the passage of the sleds over the same
track, &
as on terra firma, by the passage of the
sleds over the same track, and
as on terra firma, by the passage of the
sleds over the same track, and
the horses invariably ate their oats out of cakes of ice hollowed out like
buckets.
They stacked up the cakes
thus in the open air
thus in the open air
thus in the open air
thus in the open air
in a pile thirty-five feet high on one side and six or seven rods square,
putting
meadow hay
hay
hay
hay
between the outside layers to
keep out
exclude
exclude
exclude
the air; for when the wind, ,
finds a passage through it though never so cold finds a
passage through
though never so cold, finds a passage through,
though never so cold, finds a passage through,
though never so cold, finds a passage through,
it will wear large cavities, leaving slight supports or studs only here and
there, and finally topple it down. At first it looked like a vast blue fort or
Valhalla;
but when they began to tuck the coarse meadow hay
into the crevices,
which soon
& this became covered with icicles & rime
& icicles
and this became covered with rime and icicles,
and this became covered with rime and icicles,
and this became covered with rime and icicles,
it looked like a venerable moss-grown and hoary ruin, built of azure-tinted
marble, the abode of Winter, that old man we see in the almanac,—
his shanty,
as if he had a design to estivate with us
as if he had a design to estivate with us
as if he had a design to estivate with us
as if he had a design to estivate with us
. They calculated that not twenty-five per cent. of this would reach its
destination, and that two or three per cent would be wasted in the
cars, but they use all the pieces in packing aboard
ship. However, the
a still
cars. However, a still
cars. However, a still
cars. However, a still
greater part of this heap had a different destiny from what was intended;
for, either
because
because
because
because
the ice was found not to keep so well as was expected, containing more air
than usual, or
else the freitage charged by the RR company was too high so that
for some other reason
for some other reason,
for some other reason,
for some other reason,
it never got to market.
This heap which was
This heap which was
This heap which was
This heap which was
The objection that it did not keep so well moreover that the freitage charged by the RR company
was too high would have been more reasonable. This heap which
was
thus
This heap,
This heap,
This heap,
made in the winter of ’46-7
was
and estimated to contain ten thousand tons, was finally
and estimated to contain ten thousand tons, was finally
and estimated to contain ten thousand tons, was finally
and estimated to contain ten thousand tons, was finally
and estimated to contain ten thousand tons, was finally
and estimated to contain ten thousand tons, was finally
and estimated to contain ten thousand tons, was finally
covered with hay and boards; and though it was unroofed the following July,
and
remained exposed to the sun, and a great part of it was
carried off
a part of it carried off, the rest remaining exposed to the sun,
a part of it carried off, the rest remaining exposed to the sun,
a part of it carried off, the rest remaining exposed to the sun,
a part of it carried off, the rest remaining exposed to the sun,
a part of it carried off, the rest remaining exposed to the sun,
a part of it carried off, the rest remaining exposed to the sun,
a part of it carried off, the rest remaining exposed to the sun,
it stood over that summer and the next winter, and was not quite melted
till September 1848.
The ice was put to many novel uses—The horses ate their oats
out of cakes of ice hollowed out like a bucket. The workmen did not
touch the ice at all but managed it with spike poles. Those who peddle it
in the summer use an instrument to grapple it with since fatal effects
are found to follow the long continued habit of handling it
Thus the pond recovered the greater part.
Thus the pond recovered the greater part.
Thus the pond recovered the greater part.
Thus the pond recovered the greater part.
Thus the pond recovered the greater part.
Thus the pond recovered the greater part.
Thus the pond recovered the greater part.
Though the Walden water is green near at hand the
ice is
Though the Walden water is green the ice is
Like the water the Walden ice seen near at hand has a green tint but at
a distance
Like the water, the Walden ice, seen near at hand, has a green tint, but
at a distance
Like the water, the Walden ice, seen near at hand, has a green tint, but
at a distance
is beautifully blue, and you can easily tell it from the white ice of the
river,
or the greenish ice of some other ponds
or the merely greenish ice of some
other ponds
or the merely greenish ice of some ponds,
or the merely greenish ice of some ponds,
a quarter of a mile off.
Sometimes one of those great cakes slips from the ice-man's sled into the
village street, and lies there for a week like a great emerald, an object of
interest to all passers. I have noticed that a portion of Walden which in the
state of water was green will often, when frozen, appear from the same point of
view blue. So the hollows about this pond will, sometimes, in the winter, be
filled with a greenish water somewhat like its own, but the next day will have
frozen blue. Perhaps the blue color of water and ice is due to the light and air
they contain, and the most transparent is the bluest.
Ice is
a curious
a curious
a curious
a curious
a curious
a curious
an interesting
an interesting
an interesting
subject for
our contemplation
contemplation.
contemplation.
contemplation.
contemplation.
contemplation.
contemplation.
contemplation.
They have some in the houses at Fresh Pond in Cambridge
They told me that they had some in the ice-houses at Fresh Pond
They told me that they had some in the ice-houses at Fresh Pond
They told me that they had some in the ice-houses at Fresh Pond
They told me that they had some in the ice-houses at Fresh Pond
They told me that they had some in the ice-houses at Fresh Pond
They told me that they had some in the ice-houses at Fresh Pond
They told me that they had some in the ice-houses at Fresh Pond
five years old
and
which was as good as ever
which was as good as ever.
which was as good as ever.
Why is it that a bucket of water soon becomes
putrified
putrified
putrified
putrified
putrified
putrified
putrid,
putrid,
but frozen
it remains
it remains
it remains
it remains
it remains
remains
remains
remains
sweet forever?
One suggests that this is
One suggests that this is
One suggests that this is
One suggests that this is
Is this
Is this
It is commonly said that this is
It is commonly said that this is
It is commonly said that this is
the difference between the affections and the intellect.
Thus from my window For sixteen days I saw
from my window
Thus for sixteen days I saw from my window
Thus for sixteen days I saw from my window
Thus for sixteen days I saw from my window
Thus for sixteen days I saw from my window
Thus for sixteen days I saw from my window
Thus for sixteen days I saw from my window
Thus for sixteen days I saw from my window
a hundred men at work like busy husbandmen, with teams and horses and
apparently all the implements of farming, such a picture as we see on the first page
of the almanac;
and
when
as often as I looked out I thought
was reminded
as often as I looked out I was reminded
as often as I looked out I was reminded
as often as I looked out I was reminded
as often as I looked out I was reminded
as often as I looked out I was reminded
as often as I looked out I was reminded
as often as I looked out I was reminded
of the fable of the lark and the reapers,
or the parable of the sower,
and
such like things
such like things
such like things
such like things
such like things
the like
the like;
the like;
the like;
and now they are all gone, and in
16
30
thirty
thirty
thirty
thirty
thirty
thirty
thirty
days more,
perchance
perchance
perchance
perchance
perchance
perchance
probably,
probably,
I shall look from the same window on the pure
sky-blue
sea-green
sea-green
sea-green
sea-green
sea-green
sea-green
sea-green
Walden water there, reflecting the clouds and the trees, and sending up its
evaporations in solitude, and no traces will appear that a man has ever stood there.
Or I shall hear a solitary loon laugh as he dives and
plumes himself there.—Perchance
Or I shall see perchance a solitary
lonely fisher in his boat—like a floating
leaf—pursuing the contemplative man’s recreation, and beholding his form
reflected in the waves there where lately a
hundred men securely labored —or I shall hear a solitary loon laugh as he
dives and plumes himself there.
Perhaps I shall hear a solitary loon laugh as he dives and plumes himself, or
shall see a lonely fisher in his boat, like a floating leaf, beholding his form
reflected in the waves, where lately a hundred men securely labored.
Perhaps I shall hear a solitary loon laugh as he dives and plumes himself, or
shall see a lonely fisher in his boat, like a floating leaf, beholding his form
reflected in the waves, where lately a hundred men securely labored.
Perhaps I shall hear a solitary loon laugh as he dives and plumes himself, or
shall see a lonely fisher in his boat, like a floating leaf, beholding his form
reflected in the waves, where lately a hundred men securely labored.
Perhaps I shall hear a solitary loon laugh as he dives and plumes himself, or
shall see a lonely fisher in his boat, like a floating leaf, beholding his form
reflected in the waves, where lately a hundred men securely labored.
Perhaps I shall hear a solitary loon laugh as he dives and plumes himself, or
shall see a lonely fisher in his boat, like a floating leaf, beholding his form
reflected in the waves, where lately a hundred men securely labored.
Perhaps I shall hear a solitary loon laugh as he dives and plumes himself, or
shall see a lonely fisher in his boat, like a floating leaf, beholding his form
reflected in the waves, where lately a hundred men securely labored.
Perhaps I shall hear a solitary loon laugh as he dives and plumes himself, or
shall see a lonely fisher in his boat, like a floating leaf, beholding his form
reflected in the waves, where lately a hundred men securely labored.
Thus it appears that the sweltering inhabitants of Charleston and
New Orleans & Havanna
Jamaica
New Orleans,
New Orleans,
New Orleans,
New Orleans,
New Orleans,
New Orleans,
New Orleans,
of Madras and Bombay and Calcutta, drink at my well.
In the
morning I bathe my intellect in the stupendous and cosmogonal philosophy of the
Bhagvat Geeta,
since whose composition years
of the gods have elapsed,
and in comparison with which
this
our
our
our
our
our
our
our
our
modern world and its literature seem puny and trivial; and I doubt if
these things are
that philosophy is not to be referred to
another
a previous state of existence than this of
ours —so remote are that religion &
is its sublimity from our age &
that philosophy is not to be referred to a previous state of existence, so
remote is its sublimity from our
that philosophy is not to be referred to a previous state of existence, so
remote is its sublimity from our
that philosophy is not to be referred to a previous state of existence, so
remote is its sublimity from our
that philosophy is not to be referred to a previous state of existence, so
remote is its sublimity from our
that philosophy is not to be referred to a previous state of existence, so
remote is its sublimity from our
that philosophy is not to be referred to a previous state of existence, so
remote is its sublimity from our
that philosophy is not to be referred to a previous state of existence, so
remote is its sublimity from our
conceptions. I lay down the book and go to my well for water, and lo! there I
meet the servant of the Brahmin, priest of Brahma and Vishnu and Indra, who still
sit
sits
sits
sits
sits
sits
sits
sits
sits
in his temple on the Ganges reading the Vedas,
the descendant of the religious devotee who once dwelt at the roots of
trees
or dwells at the root of a tree
or dwells at the root of a tree
or dwells at the root of a tree
or dwells at the root of a tree
or dwells at the root of a tree
or dwells at the root of a tree
or dwells at the root of a tree
or dwells at the root of a tree
with his crust and water jug. I meet his servant come to draw water for his
master, and our buckets
as it were
as it were
as it were
as it were
as it were
as it were
as it were
as it were
grate together in the same well. The pure Walden water is mingled with the
sacred water of the Ganges. With favoring winds it is wafted past the site of the
fabulous islands of Atlantis
and the
islands of the Hesperides. It
Hesperides,
Hesperides,
Hesperides,
Hesperides,
Hesperides,
Hesperides,
Hesperides,
makes the periplus of Hanno,
and, floating by Ternate and Tidore
and the mouth
of the Persian Gulf, melts in the tropic gales of the Indian seas, and is landed in
ports of which Alexander
heard only
only heard
only heard
only heard
only heard
only heard
only heard
only heard
the names.
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