A TEXT FROM THOREAU 131 



setts weather is never to be spoken against 

 is to say too much; it is stretching the 

 doctrine of non-resistance to the point of 

 absurdity. As well forbid us to carry um- 

 brellas, or to put up lightning-rods. There 

 is plenty of weather that deserves to be 

 spoken against. 



Only let it be done, as I say, " man- 

 fashion ; " and having said our say, let us go 

 about our business again, making the best of 

 things as they are as Thoreau did. For, 

 having owned his disrelish for what the gods 

 provided, he quickly recovered himself, and 

 proceeded to finish his entry in a cheerier 

 strain. Matters are not so desperate with 

 him, after all. He has to force himself out of 

 doors, it is true, but once in the woods he 

 often finds himself "unexpectedly compen- 

 sated." " The thinnest yellow light of No- 

 vember is more warming and exhilarating 

 than any wine they tell of." He meets with 

 something that interests him, and immedi- 

 ately the day is as warm as July as if the 

 wind had shifted from northwest to south. 

 There is the secret, in November as in May 

 to be interested. Then there is no longer 



