Thoreau writes in his journal:
I find no fringed gentian. Perhaps the autumnal tints are as bright and interesting now as they will be. Now is the time to behold the maple swamps, one mass of red and yellow, all on fire, as it were . . .
I sit on Poplar Hill. It is a warm Indian-summerish afternoon. The sun comes out of clouds, and lights up and warms the whole scene. It is perfect autumn. I see a hundred smokes arising through the yellow elmtops in the village, where the villagers are preparing for tea. It is the mellowing year. The sunshine harmonizes with the, imbrowned and fierv foliage . . .