Bronson Alcott writes in his journal:
Thoreau came in while I was reading Thirwall’s [Connop Thirlwall] account of Pythagoras* and of his aims, philosophy, and endeavours, and we discussed a little the possibility of reaching the people by means of a similar character in our day.
(The Journals of Bronson Alcott, 200)
* In his A History of Greece.
