Concord, Mass. Thoreau writes in his journal:
The bluebird carries the sky on his back.
I am going over the hills in the rear of the windmill site and along Peter’s path . . .
One side of the village street, which runs east and west, appears a month in advance of the other. I go down the street on the wintry side; I return through summer . . .
The moon appears to be full to-night. About 8.30 P. M. I walked to the Clamshell Hill . . .
Thoreau also writes to Thomas Wentworth Higginson:
Henry D. Thoreau
New York, N.Y. Horace Greeley writes to Thoreau:
I wish you to write me an article on Ralph Waldo Emerson, his Works and Ways, extending to one hundred pages, or so, of letter sheet like this, to take the form of a review of his writings, but to give some idea of the Poet, the Genius, the Man,—with some idea of the New England scenery and home influence, which have combined to make him what he is. Let it be calm, searching, and impartial; nothing like adulation, but a just summing up of what he is and what he has done. I mean to get this into the “Westminster Review,” but if not acceptable there, I will publish it elsewhere. I will pay you fifty dollars for the article when delivered; in advance, if you desire it. Say the word, and I will send the money at once. It is perfectly convenient to do so. Your “Carlyle” article is my model, but you can give us Emerson better than you did Carlyle. I presume he would allow you to write extracts for this purpose from his lectures not yet published. I would delay the publication of the article to suit his publishing arrangements, should that be requested.
Yours,
Horace Greeley
Thoreau replies on 17 April.