Page:Familiar letters of Henry David Thoreau.djvu/485

 JET. 44.] TO DANIEL RICKETSON. 459

SOPHIA THOREAU TO DANIEL RICKETSON (AT NEW

BEDFORD).

CONCORD, December 19, 1861.

MR. RICKETSON :

Dear Sir, Thank you for your friendly in terest in my dear brother. I wish that I could report more favorably in regard to his health. Soon after your visit to Concord, Henry com menced riding, and almost every day he intro duced me to some of his familiar haunts, far away in the thick woods, or by the ponds ; all very new and delightful to me. The air and exercise which he enjoyed during the fine autumn days were a benefit to him ; he seemed stronger, had a good appetite, and was able to attend somewhat to his writing; but since the cold weather has come, his cough has increased, and he is able to go out but seldom. Just now he is suffering from an attack of pleurisy, which confines him wholly to the house. His spirits do not fail him ; he continues in his usual serene mood, which is very pleasant for his friends as well as himself. I am hoping for a short winter and early spring, that the invalid may again be out of doors.

I am sorry to hear of your indisposition, and trust that you will be well again soon. It would give me pleasure to see some of your newspaper articles, since you possess a hopeful