Page:Familiar letters of Henry David Thoreau.djvu/483

 2ET. 44.] TO DANIEL RICKETSON. 457

TO DANIEL RICKETSON (AT NEW BEDFORD).

CONCORD, October 14, 1861.

FKIEND RICKETSON, I think that, on the whole, my health is better than when you were here; but my faith in the doctors has not in creased. I thank you all for your invitation to come to New Bedford, but I suspect that it must still be warmer here than there; that, indeed, New Bedford is warmer than Concord only in the winter, and so I abide by Concord.

September was pleasanter and much better for me than August, and October has thus far been quite tolerable. Instead of riding on horse back, I ride in a wagon about every other day. My neighbor, Mr. E. R. Hoar, has two horses, and he, being away for the most part this fall, has generously offered me the use of one of them ; and, as I notice, the dog throws himself in, and does scouting duty.

I am glad to hear that you no longer chew, but eschew, sugar-plums. One of the worst effects of sickness is, that it may get one into the habit of taking a little something his bitters, or sweets, as if for his bodily good from time to time, when he does not need it. However, there is no danger of this if you do not dose even when you are sick.

I went with a Mr. Rodman, a young man of