Thoreau writes in his journal:
C. [William Ellery Channing] says he saw a gull to-day.
P.M.—To Ball’s Hill along river. My companion tempts me to certain licenses of speech, i.e. to reckless and sweeping expressions which I am wont to regret that I have used . . .
The ice is all out of the river proper, and all spoiled even on Walden.