Thoreau writes in his journal:
What are those small yellow birds, with two white bars on wings, about the oak at Hubbard’s Grove? Aralia racemosa berries just ripe, at tall helianthus by bass [?] beyond William Wheeler’s; not edible. Indian hemp out of bloom. Butterflies in road a day or two. The crackling flight of grasshoppers. The grass also is all alive with them, and they trouble me by getting into my shoes, which are loose, and obliging me to empty them . . .
Benjamin B. Wiley writes to Thoreau:
Dear Sir
Having read your “Week on the Concord” which you sent D W Vaughan a short time since, I enclose $1.27 for which will you please send me a copy of the same.
I have your “Walden” which I have read several times. If you can send me any writings of yours besides the above works I will esteem it a favor and will immediately remit you the amount due
I consider that the moderate price I pay for excellent writings does not remove my obligation to their author and I most gladly take this occasion to tender you my warmest thanks for the pleasure and improvement you have afforded me
Yours very truly
B. B. Wiley
