who was then living in Concord. "Of
Thoreau?" replied Mr. Emerson, his face lighting up with a smile of
enthusiasm. "Oh, yes, we could not do without him. When Carlyle
comes to America, I expect to introduce Thoreau to him as the man
of Concord," and I was greatly surprised at these words. They set
an estimate on Thoreau which seemed to be extravagant.... Not long
after I happened to meet Thoreau in Mr. Emerson's study at
Concord--the first time we had come together after leaving college.
I was quite startled by the transformation that had taken place in
him. His short figure and general cast of countenance were, of
course, unchanged; but in his manners, in the tones of his voice,
in his modes of expression, even in the hesitations and pauses of
his speech, he had become the counterpart of Mr. Emerson. Thoreau's
college voice bore no resemblance to Mr. Emerson's, and was so
familiar to my ear that I could have readily identified him by it
in the dark. I was so much struck by the change that I took the
opportunity, as they sat near together talking, of listening with
closed eyes, and I was unable to determine with certainty which was
speaking. I do not know to what subtle influences to ascribe it,
but after conversing with Mr. Emerson for even a brief time, I
always found myself able and inclined to adopt his voice and manner
of speaking.

* * * * *

Thoreau had tried schoolteaching, but he had to give up his position
because he would not exercise the birch and ferule. "If the scholars
once find out the teacher is not goin' to sting 'em up when they need
it, that is an end to the skule," said one of the directors, and he spat
violently at a fly, ten feet away. The others agreeing with him, Thoreau
was asked to resign.

William Emerson, a brother of Ralph Waldo's, a prosperous New York
merchant, had lured Ralph Waldo's hired man away from him and taken him
down to Staten Island, New York. Here Thoreau acted as private tutor,
and imparted the mysteries of woodcraft to boys who cared more for
marbles.

Staten Island was about two hundred miles too far from Concord to suit
Thoreau.

His loneliness in New York City made Concord and the pine-trees of
Walden woods seem paradise enow. There is no heart desolation equal to
that which can come to one in a throng.

Margaret Fuller was now i