Though you have not shown your face here, I trust that you did not interpret my last note to my disadvantage. I remember that, among other things, I wished to break it to you that, owing to engagements, I should not be able to show you so much attention as I could wish, or as you had shown to me.—How we did scour over the country! I hope your horse will live as long as one which I hear just died in the south of France at the age of 40. Yet I had no doubt you would get quite enough of me. Do yot give up so easily—the old house is still empty & Hosmer is easy to treat with.

  Channing was here about 10 days ago. I told him of my visit to you, and that he too must go and see you & your country. This may have suggested his writing to you.

  That island lodge, especially for some weeks in a summer, and new exploration in your vicinity are certainly very alluring; but such are my engagements to myself that I dare not promise to wend your way—but will for the present only heartily thank you for your kind & generous offer. When my vacation comes, then look out.

  My legs have grown considerably stronger, and that is all that ails me.

  But I wish now above all to inform you—though I suppose you will not be particularly interested—that Cholmondeley has gone to the Crimea “a complete soldier,” with a design when he returns, if he ever returns, to buy a cottage in the south of England and tempt me over,—but that, before going, he busied himself in buying, & had caused to me forwarded to me by Chapman, a royal gift, in the shape of 21 district works (one in 9 vols-44 vols in all) almost exclusively relating to ancient Hindoo literature, and scarcely one of them to be bought in America. I am familiar with many of them & know how to prize them.

  I send you information of this as I might of the birth of a child.

  Please remember me to all your family—

  Yrs truly
  Henry D. Thoreau