Concord, Mass. Thoreau writes in his journal:
Not a sign of an artichoke flower yet below Moore’s! May they not be earlier elsewhere?
At brook, cohush and arum berries still fresh, and Viburnum acerifolium berries. Apparently Asplenium Thelypteroides, a large fern, its under side covered with linear fruit . . .
New Bedford, Mass. Daniel Ricketson writes to Thoreau:
Yours of the 23rd is received, and I notice what you say in regard to Mr. Alcott’s class; but I fear that I shall hardly prove able to undertake the business of obtaining one for him. It is entirely out of my line and very much averse to my taste, to solicit from any one. People are so ready to ride a “high horse,” as soon as you present anything to them that is left for their consideration or decision, that shrink at once from any such collision. Still should anything turn up whereby I may effect the object a third party, I shall be very glad so to do. In the mean time I am ready to listen to any suggestions Mr. Alcott may make to me in the premises.
I am sorry that I shall not have the pleasure of a visit from you this fall, but as you need companionship so much less than I do I suppose the pleasure would not be reciprocal were we to meet. I am becoming quite a historical sketcher, and have already commenced publishing a history of New Bedford, or rather of the old township of Dartmouth, which included Ned Bedford, also the township of Westport, Fairhaven, and the present Dartmouth.
Have you ever observed how many of the Indian names of rivers, lakes, &c, end in et? Assawampsett, Acushnet, Paceamanset, &c., &c. I am informed by a person who appeared to have some knowledge of Indian words that et signifies water—the Taunton river was called Nemasket for several miles from its outlet from the Middleborough Ponds —then Tetiquet or Tetiquid. Now I come to my object—did not your own Musketquid have the final syllable quet? If the fact can be established that et meant water, I should have no hesitation on making the alteration.
Please remember me most truly to your family, and to Mr. Emerson and his, when you next meet him.
Trusting that when the right time comes around we shall meet once more, I remain,
Yours faithfully,
D. Ricketson
