Page:Familiar letters of Henry David Thoreau.djvu/343

 JET. 38.] TO DANIEL RICKETSON. 319

lating society ; and exceedingly witty withal. She says they called her old when she was young, and she has never grown any older. I wish you could see her.

My books 1 did not arrive till November 30th, the cargo of the Asia having been complete when they reached Liverpool. I have arranged them in a case which I made in the mean while, partly of river boards. I have not dipped far into the new ones yet. One is splendidly bound and il luminated. They are in English, French, Latin, Greek, and Sanscrit. I have not made out the significance of this godsend yet.

Farewell, and bright dreams to you !

TO DANIEL RICKETSON (AT NEW BEDFORD).

CONCORD, December 25, 1855.

FRIEND RICKETSON, 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 atten tion 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

1 The books on India, Egypt, etc., sent by Cholmondeley. See p. 321. They are now divided between the Concord Public Library and the libraries of Alcott, Blake, Emerson, Sanborn, etc.