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August 1854. Concord, Mass.

Thomas Cholmondeley, a young Englishman, comes to visit Emerson and states that he would like to spend a few weeks in Concord. Emerson recommends that he stay at the Thoreau’s, thereby initiating Cholmondeley’s warm friendship with Thoreau (The Atlantic, no. 72 (1893):741).

August 1855.

Putnam’s Monthly Magazine publishes Thoreau’s travel essay on Cape Cod, unsigned.

August 1858.

The Atlantic Monthly publishes the third of three installments of Thoreau’s “Chesuncook.”

August 1862.

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s eulogy of Thoreau is printed in the Atlantic Monthly (Atlantic Monthly, vol. 10, no. 58 (August 1862):239-49).

August or September 1855. Concord, Mass.

Thoreau drafts a letter to George William Curtis:

Mr Editor

  You say that you had no idea that the Cape Cod paper “was to be expanded into a book”. It has not been expanded. It is no longer than it was when I sent you the first pages. I told you its length though you had not inquired about it. You say there is enough on hand for 4 numbers of your magazine. I have sent some 208 pages in all & you have printed about 137 of them in three numbers. I write this merely in self defence & not it induce you to print it.

  Will you please send me the remainder of the MSS. by express.

Yrs.
Henry D. Thoreau

(MS, Henry David Thoreau collection. Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin)
Autumn 1848. Concord, Mass.

Thoreau makes a list of books he intends to read in order to prepare for a vocation in surveying:

  • Bion, Nicolas. The Construction and Principal Uses of Mathematical Instruments
  • Bonnycastle, J. An Introduction to Mensuration and Practical Geometry
  • “Description of the Improved Patent Portable Theodolite, invented by Mr. Schmalcalder. . .” in The Quarterly Journal of Science and the Arts, vol. 6 no. 11 (1819)
  • Emerson, William. The Nature and Properties of Curve Lines
  • Emerson, William. The Mathematical Principles of Geography
  • Ewing, Alexander. A Synopsis of Practical Mathematics
  • Flint, Abel. A System of Geometry and Trigonometry
  • Galbraith, William. Mathematical and Astronomical Tables for the Use of Students of Mathematics, Practical Astronomers, Surveyors, Engineers, and Navigators
  • Gibson, Robert. A Treatise of Practical Surveying. . . Adapted to the Use of American Surveyors
  • Gregory, David. A Treatise of Practical Geometry
  • Hammond, John. The Practical Surveyor
  • Hassler, Ferdinand Rudolph. Principal Documents Relating to the Survey of the Coast of the United States 
  • Hawney, William. The Compleat Measurer; or the Whole Art of Measuring
  • Leybourn, William. The Compleat Surveyor, Containing the Whole Art of Surveying of Land
  • Love, John. Geodaesia: or, the Art of Surveying and Measuring of Land, Made Easie 
  • Martin, Benjamin. The New Art of Surveying by the Goniometer
  • Robertson, John. A Treatise of Such Mathematical Instruments, as are Usually put into a Portable Case
  • Talbot, Benjamin. The New Art of Land Measuring; or, A Turnpike Road to Practical Surveying

On the reverse side Thoreau has listed some of his needs and errands, including buying a hat and shoes, fixing his compass, buying a journal and a surveyor.

(The Transcendentalists and Minerva, 2:374-376)
Before 10 April 1861.

Parker Pillsbury writes to Thoreau:

  A friend of mine away in New York, wishes very much a copy of each of your “Memoirs”—”In the Woods” and “On the Rivers.” . . . Can you & will you cause a copy of each to meet me at the Anti-Slavery Office . . .
(The Correspondence of Henry David Thoreau, 610)
Before 10 February 1856. Rochester, Mich.

Calvin Greene writes to Thoreau (The Correspondence of Henry David Thoreau, 407).

before 11 February 1859. Concord, Mass.

Thoreau writes to Henry G. Denny:

Henry G. Denny, Esq.

Dear Sir,

  Inclosed please find five dollars, for the object above described. I would gladly give more, but this exceeds my income from all sources together for the last four months.

Y’rs respectfully,
Henry D. Thoreau.

(The Correspondence of Henry David Thoreau, 545; MS, Henry David Thoreau Collection. Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin)
Before 11 March 1850. Lincoln, Mass.

Thoreau surveys a lot south of Walden Pond “known in 1746 as Samuel Heywoods ‘pasture’” for, and accompanied by, Ralph Waldo Emerson (A Catalog of Thoreau’s Surveys in the Concord Free Public Library, 7; Henry David Thoreau papers. Special Collections, Concord (Mass.) Free Public Library).  
 
See entry 18 April.

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