Concord, Mass. Thoreau writes in his journal:
Low fog-like veil on meadows.
On the large sassafras trees on the hill I see many of the handsome red club-shaped pedicels left, with their empty cups which have held fruit; and I see one or two elliptical but still green berries. Apparently the rest have ripened and fallen or been gathered by birds already . . .
P.M.—By boat to Grape Cliff.
These are the stages in the river fall: first, the two varieties of yellow lily pads begin to decay and blacken (long ago), second, the first fall rains come after dog-days and arise and cool the river, and winds wash the decaying sparganium, etc., etc., to the shores and clear the channel more or less; third, when the first harder frosts come (as this year the 21st and 22d inst.), the button-bushes, which before had attained only a dull mixed Yellow, are suddenly bitten, wither, and turn brown, all but the protected parts.
The first fall is so gradual as not to make much impression, but the last suddenly and conspicuously gives a fall aspect to the scenery of the river . . .
Plymouth, Mass. Marston Watson writes to Thoreau in reply to his letter of 19 September:
There is to be a meeting here on Oct 1st that we think will interfere with yours, and so if the Lord is willing and you have no objections we will expect you on the next Sunday 8th October.
I think Mr A. [A. Bronson Alcott] will stay till that time.
I have been lately adding to my garden, and now have all that joins me—so I am ready to have it surveyed by you; a pleasure I have long promised myself. So, if you are at leisure and inclined to the field I hope I may be so fortunate as to engage your services
Very truly yrs
B. M. Watson
They survey might be before Monday or after as you please, and I will meet you at the Depot any time you say.
