The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-07-07

center, Henry David Thcreau. the poet-natu-
nalist: right. Thoreau's birthplace near Concord,
a. reproduced from early drawing.
I theme. To Thoreau there was vastly
more music in the tinkling of hoe
against a stone in the stiffness Of the
early morning than in the Ginning OF
church bells. To him there was poetry
in the blowing Of fields and in the dig
ging of weeds.
At Walden Thoreau proved conclusive
ly his oft-advanced opinion that man
could live comfortably on less than so
a year, and, in addition. have two-thirds
Of his time to himself. The Furnishings
Of the hut were few and Of the simplest
design. There was no luxury there.
Thoreau was content with the luxury OF
ma ture to supply that which his simple
home lacked. He spent the time roam
ing through the woods, picking berries.
fishing, and writing. He never went on
a trip without carrying a music book
under his arm. This was used for the
purpose Of pressing choice plants which
he picked up in his ramblings. He took
with him his diary and pencil. his spy
glass for observing birds. and his mi
croscope for examining flowers. A big
jackknife and a bundle OF Irvine could
always be found in his pockets.
Thoreau was truly a naturalist, but he
was one of a strange type. He was
never seen with a gun or trap. He
took in their stead his journal. his spy
glass, and his microscope. He knew
Nature intimately. He had lived with
her so long that he could tell what flow
ers each day would give birth to. He
often boosted that II he should fall
asleep like Rip Van Wrinkle and slumber
for many years, when he awoke he could
tell within two days the day OF the year
by the flowers which were blooming
Thoreau hated to hear the sound Of his
own footsteps. So he, always walked on
the grass. The noise Of the gravel road
was highly distasteful to him.
II never found the companion" wrote
Thoreau once, that was 80 companion
able as solitude
Wrote stories in Open.
The poet naturalist could never write
when cooped up in his hut. 1t was nee.
essary for him to go into the open with
the fragrance of nature about him be-
fore his thoughts would gush forth in
all their beauty and freedom. Thoreau
was practically a vegetarian. His only
departures from the vegetarian theory
were made during long trips through the
woods. when he ate pork along with his
home-raised beans as seasoning.
The literary product of these years
on the shore OF the pond was Walden:
or. Life in the Woods The book is
highly subjective. 1t contains many
sensuous descriptions of the seasons. and
the scenery around Concord. Walden
and "A Week on the Concord and Mer-
rimac Rivers were the only two books
published by Thoreau during his life.
The latter Is in substance a series of
essays held together by beauteous de-
scriptfons Of nature. as seen on the trip
taken by Henry and his brother John.
After leaving Walden and returning to
Concord. Thoreau made a living by per-
forming odd Jobs for his neighbors. One
day he would be seen withdrawing. and
the next day he would be building a
fence. One week he would be gar
dening and the next he would be SUR
veying. He was an excellent mathema-
tIcian. and while youth became an ex-
pert surveyor. HIS ability in this line
was recognized by the people Of Con-
cord. and there was always work waiting
for him. The poet naturalist would
never restrict himself TO any one occu-
patton, or confine himself to indoor la
tCrs. His province was the open, and
to him any class of honest toll was COM
and honorable. He lectured
occasionally and wrote extensively for
magazines. 1t was after leaving Wal |
den that he began to write industriously. |
Made study of Animals.
He penetrated the woods of Maine as a |
means Of studying the moose and Indian |
st close range. He remained there for |
many months. becoming friendly with |
he redskins, and learning much of their |
life. As q result of this trip. the lit |
crazy world was given Maine Woods" |
which was not published until after the |
authors death.
In 1850 Thoreau, accompanied by his |
friend and constant companion. EIiery |
Charming. made a trip on foot to Can
ADA. The pedestrians were wont to term
the knights Of the UNI
brella and the Bundle" for the reason
that their entire baggage consisted OF
an umbrella and a small bundle of
clothing. The walking tour did not ap-
peal very strongly to Thoreau after a
lew days OF tramping.
1T is dirty work." he said. "A man
reeds pair Of overalls for it,"
The story OF the journey is told in "A
Yankee in Canada" which was published
Ifter the death of Thoreau.
The poet-naturalist was strongly op-
'osed TO the paying Of taxes to a govern
nent which to him seemed grossly I'M
ust, and as a result was placed in Jail
lie had repeatedly announced that he
would not pay the poll tax levied against
i'm. why" said he. should / pay a
ak to or recognize the authority of the
tate which buys and sells men. women.
nd children like cattle at the door of the
..
One afternoon he was Just about to
inter- a copbler's when the Sheriff seized
i'm and placed him under arrest.
stoutly refused to pay the tax
nd was consequently locked up in jail.
While behind the bars he was visited by