CONCORD, August 15, 1861.
FRIEND RICKETSON,--When your last letter was written I was away in the
far Northwest, in search of health. My cold turned to bronchitis,
which made me a close prisoner almost up to the moment of my starting
on that journey, early in May. As I had an incessant cough, my doctor
told me that I must "clear out,"--to the West Indies, or
elsewhere,--so I selected Minnesota. I returned a few weeks ago, after
a good deal of steady traveling, considerably, yet not essentially,
better; my cough still continuing. If I don't mend very quickly, I
shall be obliged to go to another climate again very soon.
My ordinary pursuits, both indoors and out, have been for the most
part omitted, or seriously interrupted,--walking, boating, scribbling,
etc. Indeed, I have been sick so long that I have almost forgotten
what it is to be well; and yet I feel that it is in all respects only
my envelope. Channing and Emerson are as well as usual; but Alcott, I
am sorry to say, has for some time been more or less confined by a
lameness, perhaps of a neuralgic character, occasioned by carrying too
great a weight on his back while gardening.
On returning home, I found various letters awaiting me; among others,
one from Cholmondeley, and one from yourself.
Of course I am sufficiently surprised to hear of your conversion;[105]
yet I scarcely know what to say about it, unless that, judging by
your account, it appears to me a change which concerns yourself
peculiarly, and will not make you more valuable to mankind. However,
perhaps I must see you before I can judge.
Remembering your numerous invitations, I write this short note now,
chiefly to say that, if you are to be at home, and it will be quite
agreeable to you, I will pay you a visit next week, and take such
rides or sauntering walks with you as an invalid may.
* * * * *
The visit was made, and we owe to it the preservation of the latest
portraiture of Thoreau, who, at his friend's urgency, sat to a
photographer in New Bedford; and thus we have the full-bearded
likeness of August, 1861; from which, also, and from personal
recollection, Mr. Walton Ricketson made the fine profile medallion
reproduced in photogravure for this volume.