CONCORD, 12th February, 1859.
FRIEND RICKETSON,--I thank you for your kind letter. I sent you the
notice of my father's death as much because you knew him as because
you knew me. I can hardly realize that he is dead. He had been sick
about two years, and at last declined rather rapidly, though steadily.
Till within a week or ten days before he died he was hoping to see
another spring, but he then discovered that this was a vain
expectation, and, thinking that he was dying, he took his leave of us
several times within a week before his departure. Once or twice he
expressed a slight impatience at the delay. He was quite conscious to
the last, and his death was so easy that, though we had all been
sitting around the bed for an hour or more expecting that event (as we
had sat before), he was gone at last, almost before we were aware of
it.
I am glad to read what you say of his social nature. I think I may say
that he was wholly unpretending; and there was this peculiarity in his
aim, that though he had pecuniary difficulties to contend with the
greater part of his life, he always studied how to make a _good_
article, pencil or other (for he practiced various arts), and was
never satisfied with what he had produced. Nor was he ever disposed in
the least to put off a poor one for the sake of pecuniary gain,--as if
he labored for a higher end.
Though he was not very old, and was not a native of Concord, I think
that he was, on the whole, more identified with Concord street than
any man now alive, having come here when he was about twelve years
old, and set up for himself as a merchant here, at the age of
twenty-one, fifty years ago. As I sat in a circle the other evening
with my mother and sister, my mother's two sisters, and my father's
two sisters, it occurred to me that my father, though seventy-one,
belonged to the youngest four of the eight who recently composed our
family.
How swiftly at last, but unnoticed, a generation passes away! Three
years ago I was called with my father to be a witness to the signing
of our neighbor Mr. Frost's will. Mr. Samuel Hoar, who was there
writing it, also signed it. I was lately required to go to Cambridge
to testify to the genuineness of the will, being the only one of the
four who could be there, and now I am the only one alive.
My mother and sister thank you heartily for your sympathy. The latter,
in particular, agrees with you in thinking that it is communion with
still living and healthy nature alone which can restore to sane and
cheerful views. I thank you for your invitation to New Bedford, but I
feel somewhat confined here for the present.
I did not know but we should see you the day after Alger was here. It
is not too late for a winter walk in Concord. It does me good to hear
of spring birds, and singing ones too,--for spring seems far away from
Concord yet. I am going to Worcester to read a parlor lecture on the
22d, and shall see Blake and Brown. What if you were to meet me there,
or go with me from here? You would see them to good advantage.
Cholmondeley has been here again, after going as far south as
Virginia, and left for Canada about three weeks ago. He is a good
soul, and I am afraid I did not sufficiently recognize him.
Please remember me to Mrs. Ricketson, and to the rest of your family.
* * * * *
A long silence had passed on Thoreau's part before he wrote again to
Ricketson,--nearly two years, in fact,--and his friend complained of
it. He had followed the public utterances of Thoreau with entire
sympathy, although much in advance, in 1859-60, of public opinion
respecting John Brown and slavery, and he had sent him letters and
complimentary verses. Finally, he almost implored Thoreau to renew the
bond of friendship. This will explain the tenor of Thoreau's reply.