"My dear Sir,—The managers of the Salem Lyceum, sometime ago, voted that you should be requested to deliver a lecture before that Institution during the approaching season. I know not whether Mr. Chever, the late corresponding secretary, communicated the vote to you; at all events, no answer has been received, and as Mr. Chever's successor in office, I am requested to repeat the invitation. Permit me to add my own earnest wishes that you will accept it; and also, laying aside my official dignity, to express my wife's desire and my own that you will be our guest, if you do come. In case of your compliance, the Managers desire to know at what time it will best suit you to deliver the lecture.
"Very truly yours,
"Nathl Hawthorne,
"Cor. Sec'y, Salem Lyceum.
"P.S. I live at No. 14 Mall Street, where I shall be very happy to see you. The stated fee for lectures is $20."
A month later, Hawthorne, who had received an affirmative answer from Thoreau, wrote to him from Boston (November 20, 1848), as follows:—
"My dear Thoreau,—I did not sooner write you, because there were preëngagements for the two or three first lectures, so that I could not arrange matters to have you come during the present month. But, as it happens, the expected lectures have failed us, and we now depend on you to come the very next Wednesday. I shall announce you in the paper of to-morrow, so you must come. I regret that I could not give you longer notice. We shall expect you on Wednesday at No. 14 Mall Street.
"Yours truly,
"Nathl Hawthorne.
"If it be utterly impossible for you to come, pray write me a line so that I may get it Wednesday evening. But by all means come.