I think that, on the whole, my health is better than when you were here; & my faith in the doctors has not increased.

  I thank you all for your invitation to come to New Bedford, but I suspect that it must still be warmer here than there, that, indeed, new Bedford is warmer than Concord only in the winter, & so I abide by Concord.

  September was pleasanter & much better for me than August, and October thus far has been quite tolerable. Instead of riding on horseback, I take a ride in a wagon about every other day. My neighbor, Mr [E. R.] Hoar, has two horses, & he being away for the most part this fall has generously offered me the use of one of them, and, as I notice, the dog throws himself in, and does scouting duty.

 I am glad to hear that you no longer chew, but eschew, sugar plums. One of the worst effects of sickness even is that it may get one into the habit of taking a little something, his bitters or sweets, as if for his bodily good, from time to time, when he does not need it. However, there is no danger of this if you do not dose even when you are sick.

  I met with a Mr Rodman, a young man of your town, here the other day—or week, looking at farms for sale, and rumor says that he is inclined to buy a particular one.

  C[hanning] says that he received his book, but has not got any of yours.

  It is easy to talk, but hard to write.

  From the worst of all correspondents

Henry D. Thoreau