Thoreau writes in reply to Isaac Thomas Hecker’s letter of 15 August:
I improve the occasion of my mothers sending to acknowledge the receipt of your stirring letter. You have probably received mine by this time. I thank you for not anticipating any vulgar objections on my part—Far travel, very far travel, or travail, comes near to the worth of staying at home—Who knows whence his education is to come! Perhaps I may drag my anchor at length, or rather when the winds which blow over the deep fill of my sails, may stand away for distant ports—for now I seem to have a firm ground anchorage, though the harbor is low-shored enough, and the traffic with the natives inconsiderable—I may be away to Singapoor by the next tide.
I like well the ring of your last maxim—“It is only the fear of death makes us reason of impossibilities”—and but for fear death itself is an impossibility.
Believe me I can hardly let it end so. If you do not go soon let me hear from you again.
Yrs in great haste
Henry D. Thoreau
