HENRY THOREAU
Mrs. Pratt said that he used to come much to their house. He was sociable and kind, and always seemed at home. They liked his ways, like their own, and believed in them; no pretence, no show; let guests and friends come at any time, and take them as they find them.
“Henry lived in a lofty way. I loved to hear him talk, but I did not like his books so well, though I often read them and took what I liked. They do not do him justice. I liked to see Thoreau rather in his life. Yes, he was religious; he was more like the ministers than others; that is, like what they would wish and try to be. I loved him, but . . . always felt a little in awe of him.
“He loved to talk, like all his family, but not to gossip: he kept the talk on a high plane. He was cheerful and pleasant.”
Just before Thoreau built his Walden house the Fitchburg Railroad was being
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