Henry David Thoreau - The Correspondence of Henry D. Thoreau, Volume 1: 1834-1848

The Writings of

Henry D. Thoreau

The Correspondence

Volume 1: 1834-1848

Textual Center

The Writings of Henry D. Thoreau

The University of California, Santa Barbara

The Correspondence of Henry D. Thoreau

VOLUME 1: 1834-1848

EDITED BY

ROBERT N. HUDSPETH

PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS

MMXIII

The editorial preparation of this volume was supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, an independent federal agency.

Copyright 2013 by Princeton University Press

Published by Princeton University Press, 41 William Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540

In the United Kingdom: Princeton University Press, 6 Oxford Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1TW

pup.princeton.edu

Jacket illustration: Collage by Frank Mahood. Thoreaus desk and pen from the collection of the Concord Museum, Concord, MA; photographs by David Bohl

All rights reserved

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Thoreau, Henry David, 1817-1862.

[Correspondence]

The correspondence of Henry D. Thoreau / edited by Robert N. Hudspeth.

volumes cm. (The writings of Henry D. Thoreau)

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN 978-0-691-15892-1 (v. 1)

1. Thoreau, Henry David, 1817-1862Correspondence. 2. Authors, American 19th centuryCorrespondence. 3. IntellectualsUnited StatesCorrespondence. 4. NaturalistsUnited StatesCorrespondence. I. Hudspeth, Robert N. II. Title.

PS3053.A3 2013 818.309dc23

[B] 2012043255

Printed on acid-free paper

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief, Elizabeth Hall Witherell
Executive Committee

William L. Howarth

Robert N. Hudspeth

Joseph J. Moldenhauer, Textual Editor

William Rossi

The Writings

Cape Cod, Joseph J. Moldenhauer (1988)

Early Essays and Miscellanies, Joseph J. Moldenhauer et al. (1975)

Excursions, Joseph J. Moldenhauer (2007)

The Maine Woods, Joseph J. Moldenhauer (1972)

Reform Papers, Wendell Glick (1973)

Translations, K. P. Van Anglen (1986)

Walden, J. Lyndon Shanley (1971)

A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, Carl F. Hovde et al. (1980)

Journal 1: 1837-1844, Elizabeth Hall Witherell et al. (1981)

Journal 2: 1842-1848, Robert Sattelmeyer (1984)

Journal 3: 1848-1851, Robert Sattelmeyer, Mark R. Patterson, and William Rossi (1990)

Journal 4: 1851-1852, Leonard N. Neufeldt and Nancy Craig Simmons (1992)

Journal 5: 1852-1853, Patrick F. OConnell (1997)

Journal 6: 1853, William Rossi and Heather Kirk Thomas (2000)

Journal 7: 1853-1854, Nancy Craig Simmons and Ron Thomas (2009)

Journal 8: 1854, Sandra Harbert Petrulionis (2002)

Correspondence 1:1834-1848, Robert N. Hudspeth (2013)

Contents

The Correspondence

1834-1848

To Oliver Sparhawk

1834

Mr Sparhawk
Sir

The occupants of Hollis 32 would like to have that room painted and whitewashed, also if possible to have a new hearth put in

yours respectfully
Thoreau & Richardson

Correspondent: Oliver Sparhawk (1805-1835), son of Samuel and Elizabeth McKinstry Sparhawk of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, attended Norwich Academy in Norwich, Vermont. He graduated from the school in 1823 and became a businessman in Conway, New Hampshire. Sparhawk later moved to Cambridge, where he kept books for Harvards treasurer before being appointed steward of the college in 1831, a position he held until his death in June 1835. Sparhawk married Sarah B. Coffin (1809?-1861), daughter of Charles and Dorcas Parker Coffin, in 1834.

T and James Richardson Jr. (1817-1863), one of Ts college friends who corresponded with him, were roommates in Harvards Hollis Hall during the 1834 academic year.

Copy-text: ALS (MaLiTIW, Walden Woods Project)

Published: Earliest Thoreau Letter Purchased, Notes from Walden Woods (Lincoln, Mass.: The Walden Woods Project, 2008): 5

Editors Notes

This letter is addressed Mr O Sparhawk.

PE supplies the year 1834 based on the fact that T and James Richardson Jr. roomed together only during that year.

From Augustus Goddard Peabody

May 30, 1836

Cambridge May 30. 1836.

Dear Thoreau,

After nine days of constant rain, we have some prospect of pleasant weather. I cannot describe my feelings of joy, rapture, and astonishment, but you may have some idea

I have somewhere seen an essay, to prove that a mans temper depends greatly on the weather; I will not however give the arguments brought forward to prove this important fact for two reasons. Firstly because it appears to me self evident; and secondly because I dont intend to write a theme, but a letter.

Strange that any person in his sober senses, should put two such sentences as the above in a letter, but howesomedever, whats done cant be helped.

Everything goes on here as regular as clock work, and it is as dull as one of Dr Wares sermons. (a very forcible comparison that, you must allow).

The Davy Club got into a little trouble the week before last, from the following momentous circumstance.

Hen. Williams

This worthy, boldly determined to march forth and disperse the rioters. Accordingly in the midst of a grand display of rockets, et cetera, he stept into the room, and having gazed round him in silent astonishment for the space of two minutes, and hearing various cries of,IntrusionThrow him overSaw his leg offPull his wool &c &c he made two or three dignified motions with his hand to gain attention, and then kindly advised us to retire to our respective rooms. Strange to say he found no one inclined to follow this good advice, and he accordingly thought fit to withdraw.

There is (as perhaps you know) a law against keeping powder in the college buildings.

The effect of Tutor Bowens intrusion was evident on the next Monday night, when Williams and Bigelow and owing to the tough reasoning of Bowen, who boldly asserted that powder was powder, they were each presented with a public admonition.

We had a miniature volcanoe at Websters

Imagine to yourself, all the windows and shutters of the above named lecture room closed, and then if possible stretch your fancy a little farther, and conceive the delightful scent produced by the burning of nearly a bushel of Sulphur, Phospuretted Hydrogen, and other still more pleasant ingredients.

As soon as the burning commenced there was a general rush to the door, and a crowd collected there, running out every half minute to get a breath of fresh air, and then coming in to see the volcanoe.

No noise nor nothing.

Bigelow and Dr Bacon It was much better than that made by Webster.

Jack WeiseIt was amusing to trace the connexion of his ideas, and on the whole he afforded greater entertainment than any other person there, it affected him however very strongly, and he did not get over it till he was led off the Delta and carried into Wheelers room; he was well enough however next day.

This letter containeth a strange mixture.

All possible allowance must be made for want of time, not being accustomed to letter writing &c &c.

Hope you are all well, at home.