I got your note of welcome night before last. Channing is not here, at least I have not seen nor heard of him, but depend on meeting him in New Bedford. I expect if the weather is favorable, to take the 4 :30 train from Boston tomorrow, Thursday, pm—for I hear of no noon train, and shall be glad to find your wagon at Tarkiln Hill, for I see it will be rather late for going across lots.

  Alcott was here last week, and will probably visit New Bedford withing a week or 2.

  I have seen all the spring signs you mention and a few more, even here. Nay I heard one frog peep nearly a week ago, methinks the very first one in all this region. I wish that there were a new more signs

  Spring in myself—however, I take it that there are as many within us as we think we hear without us. I am decent for steady pace but not yet for a race. I have a little cold at present, & you speak of rheumatism about the head & shoulders. Your frost is not quite out. I suppose that the earth itself has a little cold & rheumatism about these times, but all these things together produce a very fair general result. In a concert, you know, we must sing our parts feebly sometimes that we may not injure the general effect. I shouldn’t wonder if my two-year old invalidity has been a positively charming feature to some amateurs favorable located. Why not a blasted man, as well as a blasted tree, on your lawn? If you should happen not to see me by the train named, do not go again, but wait at home for me, or a note from

  Yrs
  Henry D Thoreau