CONCORD, April 1, 1857.
DEAR RICKETSON,--I got your note of welcome night before last.
Channing is not here; at least I have not seen nor heard of him, but
depend on meeting him in New Bedford. I expect, if the weather is
favorable, to take the 4.30 train from Boston to-morrow, Thursday, P.
M., for I hear of no noon train, and shall be glad to find your wagon
at Tarkiln Hill, for I see it will be rather late for going across
lots.
Alcott was here last week, and will probably visit New Bedford within
a week or two.
I have seen all the spring signs you mention, and a few more, even
here. Nay, I heard one frog peep nearly a week ago,--methinks the very
first one in all this region. I wish that there were a few more signs
of spring in myself; however, I take it that there _are_ as many
within us as we think we hear _without_ us. I am decent for a steady
pace, but not yet for a race. I have a little cold at present, and you
speak of rheumatism about the head and shoulders. Your frost is not
quite out. I suppose that the earth itself has a little cold and
rheumatism about these times; but all these things together produce a
very fair general result. In a concert, you know, we must sing our
parts feebly sometimes, that we may not injure the general effect. I
should n't wonder if my two-year-old invalidity had been a positively
charming feature to some amateurs favorably located. Why not a blasted
man as well as a blasted tree, on your lawn?
If you should happen not to see me by the train named, do not go
again, but wait at home for me, or a note from
Yours,
HENRY D. THOREAU.
On that Thursday, April 2, Alcott wrote in his Diary, "Henry Thoreau
comes to tea, also Ellery Channing, and we talk till into the evening
late." This visit of Thoreau was his longest, lasting until April 15,
and it was during the fortnight that he sang "Tom Bowling" and danced
with vigor in the Brooklawn drawing-room, a scene which Alcott loved
to describe. Sophia Thoreau, writing in 1862, said: "I have so often
witnessed the like that I can easily imagine how it was, and I
remember that Henry gave me some account. I recollect he said that he
did not scruple to tread on Mr. Alcott's toes."