8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THOREAU. 



what I have done once.&quot; He resumed his endless 

 walks and miscellaneous studies, making every day 

 some new acquaintance with Nature, though as yet 

 never speaking of zoology or botany, since, though 

 very studious of natural facts, he was incurious of 

 technical and textual science. 



At this time, a strong, healthy youth, fresh from 

 college, whilst all his companions were choosing their 

 profession, or eager to begin some lucrative employ 

 ment, it was inevitable that his thoughts should be 

 exercised on the same question, and it required rare 

 decision to refuse all the accustomed paths, and keep 

 his solitary freedom at the cost of disappointing the 

 natural expectations of his family and friends : all 

 the more difficult that he had a perfect probity, was 

 exact in securing his own independence,*and in hold 

 ing every man to the like duty. But Thoreau never 

 faltered. He was a born protestant. He declined 

 to give up his large ambition of knowledge and action 

 for any narrow craft or profession, aiming at a much 

 more comprehensive calling, the art of living well. 

 If he slighted and defined the opinions of others, 

 it was only that he was more intent to reconcile 

 his practice with his own belief. Never idle or self- 

 indulgent, he preferred, when he wanted money, earn 

 ing it by some piece of manual labor agreeable to him, 

 as building a boat or a fence, planting, grafting, sur 

 veying, or other short work, to any long engagements. 

 With his hardy habits and few wants, his skill in 

 wood-craft, and his powerful arithmetic, he was very 

 competent to live in any part of the world. It would 

 cost him less time to supply his wants than another. 

 He was therefore secure of his leisure. 



A natural skill for mensuration, growing out of his 



