Page:Thoreau - His Home, Friends and Books (1902).djvu/293



HE phrase, poet-naturalist, has been generally accepted as Thoreau's most pertinent epithet. This term, used by Channing as title for the life of his friend, has been commonly accredited to his invention. In "Walden," however, one may read Thoreau's own union of the two phrases,—possibly a suggestion to his biographer. In outlining his development as naturalist, Thoreau applies these progressive steps to the average youth in his relations with nature;—"He goes thither at first as a hunter and fisher, until at last, if he has the seeds of a better life in him, he distinguishes his proper objects as a poet or a naturalist it may be, and leaves the gun and fish-pole behind." Thus did Thoreau transform himself from the boy-hunter and angler into the student, poet, and philosopher of nature. His brother was a skilful and enthusiastic sportsman. The pupil's journal, before cited, suggests memories of many expeditions for game with "Mr. John." The two brothers often joined small parties for trapping and fishing, for Henry