CONCORD, August 14, 1844.
FRIEND HECKER,--I am glad to hear your voice from that populous city,
and the more so for the tenor of its discourse. I have but just
returned from a pedestrian excursion somewhat similar to that you
propose, _parvis componere magna_, to the Catskill Mountains, over the
principal mountains of this State, subsisting mainly on bread and
berries, and slumbering on the mountain-tops. As usually happens, I
now feel a slight sense of dissipation. Still, I am strongly tempted
by your proposal, and experience a decided schism between my outward
and inward tendencies. Your method of traveling, especially,--to live
along the road, citizens of the world, without haste or petty
plans,--I have often proposed this to my dreams, and still do. But the
fact is, I cannot so decidedly postpone exploring the _Farther
Indies_, which are to be reached, you know, by other routes and other
methods of travel. I mean that I constantly return from every external
enterprise with disgust, to fresh faith in a kind of Brahminical,
Artesian, Inner Temple life. All my experience, as yours probably,
proves only this reality. Channing wonders how I can resist your
invitation, I, a single man--unfettered--and so do I. Why, there are
Roncesvalles, the Cape de Finisterre, and the Three Kings of Cologne;
Rome, Athens, and the rest, to be visited in serene, untemporal hours,
and all history to revive in one's memory, as he went by the way, with
splendors too bright for this world,--I know how it is. But is not
here, too, Roncesvalles with greater lustre? Unfortunately, it may
prove dull and desultory weather enough here, but better trivial days
with faith than the fairest ones lighted by sunshine alone. Perchance,
my _Wanderjahr_ has not arrived, but you cannot wait for that. I hope
you will find a companion who will enter as heartily into your schemes
as I should have done.
I remember you, as it were, with the whole Catholic Church at your
skirts. And the other day, for a moment, I think I understood your
relation to that body; but the thought was gone again in a twinkling,
as when a dry leaf falls from its stem over our heads, but is
instantly lost in the rustling mass at our feet.
I am really sorry that the Genius will not let me go with you, but I
trust that it will conduct to other adventures, and so, if nothing
prevents, we will compare notes at last.
* * * * *
When this invitation reached Concord, Thoreau was absent on a tour
with Channing to the Berkshire Mountains and the Catskills,--Channing
coming up the Hudson from New York (where he then lived, aiding Horace
Greeley in the _Tribune_ office), and meeting his friend at the foot
of the Hoosac Mountain. On its summit Thoreau had spent the night,
sleeping under a board near the observatory tower built by the
Williams College students, as related by him in the _Week_. They then
crossed the Hudson and journeyed on to the Catskills, returning
together to Concord.[107] Meantime Hecker had got impatient, and wrote
again, to which Thoreau replied, August 17, thus briefly:--