LIFE

OF

HENRY DAVID THOREAU

60496

BY

HENRY S. SALT

LONDON

WALTER SCOTT, LIMITED

PATERNOSTER SQUARE

1896

(All rights reserved)

PREFATORY NOTE.

A FEW words of preface are needed to explain the relation of this Life of Thoreau to the original edition issued by Messrs. Bentley in 1890. In that volume, which was published in England only, and at a time when Thoreau's writings, with the exception of Walden, were comparatively little known, there were included a number of quotations from the Letters, Diaries, Excursions, etc., then inaccessible to the mass of English readers. In the new form of the book, abridged to meet the requirements of a popular series, most of these passages have been omitted; but, on the other hand, I have been able to make some important corrections and additions,-thanks to the courtesy of Mr. F. B. Sanborn and other American friends, who have supplied me, during the past five years, with a large amount of information. I am especially indebted to Dr. S. A. Jones, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Mr. A. W. Hosmer, of Concord, from both of whom I have received most friendly aid and encouragement. By his invaluable Bibliography, and other labours full of sympathy and insight, Dr. Jones has earned the gratitude of all Thoreau-students; and to him, as a slight acknowledgment of personal obligation, I take the liberty of inscribing this book.