NEW ENGLAND BOG AND MEADOW 

 "In severe winters the quails venture out of the woods, and join tlie poultry of the farmers yard. ... It is remark- 

 able that this bird, which thus half domesticates itself, should not be found wholly domesticated before this. (Feb. 7) 

 I am glad to find that our New England life has a genuine human core to it; that inside, after all, there is so little 

 pretense and brag. ... The middle-aged son . . . helps his old mother about her work when the field does not require 

 him (Dec 26) If there are any who think that I am vainglorious, that I set myself up above others, and crow 



over their low estate, let me sav that I could tell a pitiful story ... if my spirits held out to do it. I could encourage 

 them with a sufficient list of failures. ... I think worse of myself than they can possibly think of me, being better ac- 

 quainted with the man." (Feb. 70)— Thoreau 



4/ 



