Page:The first and last journeys of Thoreau - lately discovered among his unpublished journals and manuscripts 2.djvu/136

 He signed himself &quot;the worst of all correspondents." Early in the winter his sister Sophia wrote to Mr. Ricketson a letter in which the nature of these drives was explained. She said:

&quot;Soon after your visit to Concord, Henry commenced riding, and almost every day he introduced 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 was a benefit to him; he seemed stronger, 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. 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. (April 7, 1862.) My dear brother has survived the winter, and we should be most thankful if he might linger to welcome the green grass and the flowers once more. Since the autumn he has been gradually failing, and is now