Dear Henry,—Very welcome in the parcel was your letter, very precious your thoughts and tidings. It is one of the best things connected with my coming hither that you could and would keep the homestead; that fireplace shines all the brighter, and has a certain permanent glimmer therefor. Thanks, ever more thanks for the kindness which I well discern to the youth of the house: to my darling little horseman of pewter, wooden, rocking, and what other breeds,—destined, I hope, to ride Pegasus yet, and, I hope, not destined to be thrown; to Edith, who long ago drew from you verses which I carefully preserve; and to Ellen, whom by speech, and now by letter, I find old enough to be companionable, and to choose and reward her own friends in her own fashions. She sends me a poem to-day, which I have read three times!
TO R. W. EMERSON (IN ENGLAND).
Concord, December 15, 1847.
Dear Friend,—You are not so far off but the affairs of this world still attract you. Perhaps it will be so when we are dead. Then look out. Joshua R. Holman, of Harvard, who says he lived a month with [Charles] Lane at Fruitlands, wishes to hire said Lane's farm for one or more years, and will pay $125 rent, taking out of the same a half, if necessary, for repairs,—as for a new bank-wall to the barn cellar, which he says is indispensable. Palmer is gone, Mrs. Palmer is going. This is all that is known or that is worth knowing. Yes or no? What to do?
Hugh's plot begins to thicken. He starts thus: eighty dollars on one side; Walden, field and house, on the other. How to bring these together so as to make a garden and a palace?
| $80 |  | ||
| 1st, let | $10 | go over to unite the two lots. | |
| $70 | |||
| $6 | for Wetherbee's rocks to found your palace on. |  | |
| $64 | —so far, indeed, we have already got. | ||
| $4 | to bring the rocks to the field. | ||
| $60 | |||
| Save | $20 | by all means, to measure the field, and you have left | |
| $40 | to complete the palace, build cellar, and dig well. Build thecellar yourself, and let well alone,—and now how does it stand? | ||
| $40 | to complete the palace somewhat like this. |  | |
For when one asks, "Why do you want twice as much room more?" the reply is, "Parlor, kitchen, and bedroom,—these make the palace."
"Well, Hugh, what will you do? Here are forty dollars to buy a new house, twelve feet by twenty-five, and add it to the old."
"Well, Mr. Thoreau, as I tell you, I know no more than a child about it. It shall be just as you say."
"Then build it yourself, get it roofed, and get in.