Thoreau writes in his journal:
The river at 8 P.M. is eight and three quarters inches above summer level. Just after the sun is set I observe the dewdrops on the pontederia leaves . . .
A Mr. Bradshaw, a taxidermist, carpenter, etc., etc., of Wayland, tells me that he finds the long-eared owl there in summer, and has set it up.
Thoreau also writes to Charles C. Morse:
Dear Sir—
I mail to your address today a copy of my “Week” as you request—
I am in the lecture field—but my subjects are not scientific—rather [Transcendentalist & aesthetic. I devote myself to the absorption of nature generally.] Such as “Walking or the Wild” “Autumnal tints” &c—[Even if the utterances were scientific, the treatment would hardly bear that sense]
less in a popular vein if you think that your audience will incline or erect[?] their ears to such themes as these. I shall be happy to read to them.
Yr respect[ful]ly
Hen. D. Thoreau
