CONCORD, June 29, 1858, 8 A. M.
MR. BLAKE,--Edward Hoar and I propose to start for the White Mountains
in a covered wagon, with one horse, on the morning of Thursday the 1st
of July, intending to explore the mountain-tops botanically, and camp
on them at least several times. Will you take a seat in the wagon with
us? Mr. Hoar prefers to hire the horse and wagon himself. Let us hear
by express, as soon as you can, whether you will join us here by the
earliest train on Thursday morning, or Wednesday night. Bring your map
of the mountains, and as much _provision_ for the road as you
can,--hard bread, sugar, tea, meat, etc.,--for we intend to live like
gipsies; also, a blanket and some thick clothes for the mountain-top.
* * * * *
July 1st. Last Monday evening Mr. Edward Hoar said that he thought of
going to the White Mountains. I remarked casually that I should like
to go well enough if I could afford it. Whereupon he declared that if
I would go with him, he would hire a horse and wagon, so that the ride
would cost me nothing, and we would explore the mountain-tops
_botanically_, camping on them many nights. The next morning I
suggested you and Brown's accompanying us in another wagon, and we
could all camp and cook, gipsy-like, along the way,--or, perhaps, if
the horse could draw us, you would like to bear half the expense of
the horse and wagon, and take a seat with us. He liked either
proposition, but said that if you would take a seat with us, he would
prefer to hire the horse and wagon himself. You could contribute
something else if you pleased. Supposing that Brown would be confined,
I wrote to you accordingly, by _express_ on Tuesday morning, _via_
Boston, stating that we should start to-day, suggesting provision,
thick clothes, etc., and asking for an answer; but I have not received
one. I have just heard that you _may_ be at Sterling, and now write to
say that we shall still be glad if you will join us at Senter Harbor,
where we expect to be next Monday morning. In any case, will you
please direct a letter to us there _at once_?