Page:The first and last journeys of Thoreau - lately discovered among his unpublished journals and manuscripts.djvu/15



PREFATORY NOTE

TO THOREAU

Henry D. Thoreau has attained to such an exalted position in the ranks of American authors that it seems quite needless for us to extol his virtues at this time. It may be remarked, however, that although Thoreau's genius has long been recognized abroad, and a secure place has by popular acclaim been accorded to him among the immortals in literature, there has been a tendency in some foreign quarters to place him foremost amongst American writers. In a letter, dated July 20, 1905, written from London, Doctor Garnett says: [vii]