Page:The first and last journeys of Thoreau - lately discovered among his unpublished journals and manuscripts 2.djvu/133

 or seriously interrupted, walking, boating, scribbling, etc. Indeed, I have been sick so long that I have almost forgotten what it is to be well; and yet I feel that it is in all respects only my envelope. Remembering your numerous invitations, I write this short note now chiefly to say that, if you are to be at home, and it will be quite agreeable to you, I will pay you a visit next week, and take such rides and sauntering walks with you as an invalid may.

In the above-named volume are found the following passages out of Mr. Ricketson’s Journal, which are appropriate here:

&quot;August 19. My friend Thoreau came by the afternoon train from Boston. Spent the evening conversing,—Thoreau giving an interesting and graphic account of his late visit to the Mississippi, St. Anthony's Falls, etc. He was gone two months. My impression is that his case is a very critical one as to recovery; he has a bad cough, and is emaciated; his spirits, however, appear as good as usual, and his appetite good. I fear that he will gradually decline. He is