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Thoreau, Henry David, 1817-1862 to Daniel Ricketson

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01751.01 Author/Creator: Thoreau, Henry David, 1817-1862 Place Written: Concord, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: June 30, 1858 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope Height: 11 cm, Width: 25 cm Order a Copy

Thoreau writes to his good friend, a historian and poet, that he is about to take a trip to the White Mountains. He apologizes for not writing sooner. Muses on the nature of his friendships and refers to his "preaching" in the mode of Walden. " ... is it of any consequence to preach to an audience of men who can fail? - or who can be revived? ... If a man has speculated and failed, he will probably do these things again, in spite of you or me." Mentions his friendship with Channing [William Ellery] and states Channing visited and left a poem called "Near Home." Informs he went on an excursion with Blake, of Worcester, and mentions mutual acquaintances H. Scott and Watson.

Thoreau, Henry David, 1817-1862
Ricketson, Daniel, 1813-1898
Channing, William Ellery, 1780-1842
Scott, H., fl. 1858

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