Page:Winter - from the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau.djvu/299

Rh ideas, seemed somewhat meagre in comparison. Yet it would be how much more glorious if talent were added to genius, if there were a just arrangement and development of the thoughts, if each step were not a leap, but he ran a space to take a yet higher leap. Most of the spectators sat in front of the performer, but here was one who, by accident, sat all the while on one side, and his report was peculiar and startling.

Jan. 30, 1852. Channing's lecture was full of wise, acute, and witty observations, yet most of the audience did not know but it was mere incoherent and reckless verbiage and nonsense. I lose my respect for people who do not know what is good and true. I know full well that readers and hearers, with the fewest exceptions, ask me for my second best.

Jan. 29, 1854. A very cold morning. Mercury 18° below zero.—Varro says arista, the beard of grain, is so called because it dries first (quod arescit prima), the grain, granum, is a gerendo, for the object of planting is that this may be borne. &quot;But the spica or ear which the rustics call speca, as they have received it from their forefathers, seems to be named from spe (hope), eam enim quod sperant fore, because they hope that this will be hereafter.&quot;

Jan. 29, 1856. It is observable that not only the moose and the wolf disappear before