New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-10-31
NEW PUBLICATIONS
TuOREAU'S EXCURSIONS.

EXCURSIONS ByHESRr ID. THoREAu. Rno PIP 3le
Tcinor Fields
Several ofMr. Thoreau's characteristic papers
| in the atlantic Monthly, together with bio
graphical sketch of the author by Mr. X. W. Emer-
son, are contained in this singulary interesting vol
ume. Mr.. Thoreau was no less remarkable in his
personal character than in his writings New-En-
gland, which is said 10 be prolific in unique speci
mems Of human nature, never gave birth 10 more
extraordinary parsonage. lie was wholly and c1-
cusiycy himself, living apart from the world, stand
ing alone in proud, If not defiant, isolation, and,
with perhaps single exception, indebted TO none oil
his kind, for influence or sympathy. He respected
no traditions, adopted no customs, owned no AL
thori,y cherished 10 faith, beyond the law OF bis
own mind. Society had no attractions for hsiniro-
ycrtod nature; in his view, silence was emincn'ly
better than speech; human beings were superfuous,
II not offensive, in his lonely path; While he made
friends Of every native Of the woods and streams,
knew every bird, every fish, every beast, every IN
sect. by name; and found with them strange
compaaonshp in their solitary hnun's. He was
a born protestant, says Mr. Emerson. " He declined
70 give up his large ambition Of knowledge and
action for any narrow craft o.. profession, aiming Ut
a much more comprehensive calling the art OF Nv
ing well. II be sighted and dcfcd tho opinions Of
others /, was only that he was more intent to rec
onoile his practice with his own belief Never idle
or selflndulgcn', he preferred, when 10 wanted
money, earning 1t by some piece Of manual labor
agreeable 10 him, as building boat or u fence
r.antng, grating surveying. or other shoF, ~oik'
10 any long orgaccmclis. With Bis hardy habits
and few uan,s his skill In uood-ofai, and his pow
eriul arithyciic, be was very competent 10 Eve IN
any par, OF the world. II would cost him les time
TO supply his wants than another. He was there
fore secure Of his leisure. He was bred 10 no pro-
fcsson; be never married. he lived alone; he never
went 10 church, lie never voted; be refused 10 pay
tax 20 the State; he ate fesh he drank 10 wine,
he never knew the use Of tobacco; and, though a
naturalist, he used neither trap nor gun lie chose
wisely no doubt, for himself TO be the bachelor Of
thought and Nature. lie had no talent for wealth,
and know how TO DC poor without The least hint OF
saualor or ineegance Perhaps be fell into bis way
of living wihou, forccasting much, but approved
IL with later wisdom. u ain often reminded, be
wrote In his Journal that, II had bestowed on ne
the wealth Of Crusus, my aims must be siill tie
same, and my means essentially the same lie
had no temptations 10 fight sgainst-no appetiics,
10 passions, no taste for elegant trifcs. snc
house, dress the manners and talk OF highly cult
waited people, were all thrown away on him: lie
much preferred good Indian, and considered these
rcfnements as inpcdiments 10 eonyersa,ion, wish
! ing 10 nee, his companion on the simplest terms.
lie declined invitations 10 dinneT-partes, because
there each in every one way, and be could not
meet the individuals TO any purpose They make
their PRIDE he said, in making their dinner cost
much; ! make my pride in making my dinner cost
little When asked ut table what dish he pre-
ferrcd, he answered, 'The nearest. lie did not
like the taste Of wine, and never had vice in his
life. lie said-'I have faint recollection Of pleas
ure derived from smoking dried hly-seins, before
was man. had commonly supply Of these. j
have never smoked anything more no1ious "
A suggestive anecdote is related of his indopend-
ent ways at an early period Of life:
| He was graduated at Harvard College In 1857 but
without any literary distinction An iconoclnst In
literature he seldom thanked colleges or their services
10 them was important After leaving the University
lie Joined his brother In teaching private school, which
be soon renounced. His father was manufacturer OF
lead pencils and Henry applied himself 10 this craft.
believing lao could make better pencil than was then
in use Aftor completing his experiments. he exhibited
bis work 10 chemists and artists In Boston, and having
obtained their ccrtcnses TO Its excellence and TO is
quality with the best London mnnufacture he returned
home contented His friends congratulated him that he
had now opened his way 70 fortune But he replied That
| no should never make another pencil why should
II would not do again what have done once" lie
resumed his endless walks and miscellaneous strdies
making every day acquaintance with Nature
though yet leaking OF zoology botany since
though very studious II natural facts he was Injurious
Of technical and teXtI-I science.
No love or admiration. which he sometimes called
forth In young persons addicted to hero worship
could seduce him from his self-absorpuon. lilo TO-
garded men and women Us beings TO DO criticised,
not to be sympathizcd with. "He understood the
matter in hand at glance, ard the limitations
and poverty Of those he talked with 80 that nothing
seemed concealed from such terrible eyes. have
repeatedly known young men of sensibility con-
yerted In moment 10 the belief that this was the
man they were in search Of, the man Of men, who
could tell them all they should do. His own deal
ing with them was never afectionate, but superior,
notwithstanding their petty ways-yey slowly
concedng, or not conceding at all, the promise OF
his society at their houses or even at his own.
| Would 10 not walk with themf lie did Do