June 1856
Worcester, Massachusetts

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        Sometime before 21 May 1856, H. G. O. Blake wrote to Thoreau asking him to visit Worcester, apparently to give a parlor lecture, for Thoreau wrote in his response:

        I have not for a long time been putting such thoughts together as I should like to read to the company you speak of. I have enough of that sort to say, or even read, but not time now to arrange it. Something I have prepared might prove for their entertainment or refreshment perchance, but I would not like to have a hat carried round for it. I have just been reading some papers to see if they would do for your company; but though I thought pretty well of them as long as I read them to myself, when I got an auditor to try them on, I felt that they would not answer. How could I let you drum up a company to hear them?—In fine, what I have is either too scattered or loosely arranged, or too light, or else is too scientific and matter of fact (I run a good deal into that of late) for so hungry a company.
        I am still a learner, not a teacher, feeding somewhat omnivorously browsing both stalk & leaves—but I shall perhaps be enabled to speak with the more precision & authority by & by—if philosophy & sentiment are not buried under a multitude of details.
        I do not refuse, but accept your invitation—only changing the time—I consider myself invited to Worcester once for all—& many thanks to the inviter. (C, pp. 423-24)

Thoreau visited Blake in Worcester on 13-19 June 1856 (J, 8:377-82) and may have lectured at that time; we have discovered nothing, however, to indicate that he may have changed his mind about not having a text suitable enough to read to Blake and other friends in Worcester.