Thoreau lectures on “What Shall It Profit” at the New Bedford Lyceum (Studies in the American Renaissance 1996, 264).
New Bedford, Mass. The New Bedford Daily Mercury and New Bedford Evening Standard advertise Thoreau’s lecture.
Thoreau writes in his journal:
At Ricketson’s.
I do not remember to have ever seen such a day as this in Concord. There is no snow here (though there has been excellent sleighing it Concord since the 5th), but it is very muddy, the frost coming out of the ground as in spring with us. I went to walk in the woods with R. It was wonderfully warm and pleasant, and the cockerels crowed Just as in a spring day at home. I felt the winter breaking up in Me, and if I had been at home I should have tried to write poetry. They told me that this was not a rare day there . . .
Daniel Ricketson writes in his journal:
A fine mild spring-like day. Walked through the woods to Tarkiln Hill and through Acushnet to Friend’s Meeting House with Henry D. Thoreau, author of Walden. Rode this P.M. with H. D. T. round White’s factory. Louisa and the children, except Walton, attended the Lyceum this evening. Lecture by Mr. Thoreau. Subject, “Getting a Living.” I remained at home, not feeling well enough to attend.
(Daniel Ricketson and His Friends, 281)
Charles W. Morgan writes in his journal:
A most perfect day, but quite too mild for the season . . . evening to the Lyceum where we had a lecture from the eccentric Henry J. Thoreau—The Hermit author very caustic against the usual avocations & employments of the world and a definition of what is true labour & true wages—audience very large & quiet—but I think he puzzled them a little.
(MS, Coll. 27, Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.).
