Thoreau writes to George Augustus Thatcher:
I am going as far as Portland to lecture before their Lyceum on the 3d Wednesday in March.-By the way they pay me $25.00. Now I am not sure but I may have leisure then to go on to Bangor and so up river. I have a great desire to go up to Chesuncook before the ice breaks up-but I should not care if I had to return down the banks and so saw the logs running; and I write you chiefly to ask how late it will probably do to go up the river-or when on the whole would be the best time for me to start? Will the 3d week in March answer? . . .
Boston, Mass. Ticknor & Co. writes to Thoreau:
Henry D. Thoreau Esq
In reply to your fav. of 10th inst. we beg to say that we will publish for your acc “A Week on the Concord River.”
The following general Estimate based upon vol. ⅓ larger than [Ralph Waldo] Emerson’s Essays first series (as suggested by you) we present for your consideration—
Say—1000 Cops. 448 pages like Emerson’s Essays 1st series printed on good paper @ $4.00 pr ream will cost in sheets $381.21. The binding in our style fine cloth.
12¢ pr Copy—of for the Edn 120.00
$501.24
In the above Estimate we have included for alterations and extractions say $15.00—It may be more or less—This will depend on yourself. The book can be condensed & of course cost less. Our Estimate is in accordance with sample copy. As you would not perhaps, care to bind more than ½ the Edn at once,—you would need to send $450.—to print 1000 cops. & bind ½ of the same.
Your very truly,
W. D. Ticknor & Co.
Nothing came of this proposal to publish The Week.
