V 



THOREAU'S WALDEN 

 A Survey of the Pond and its Surroundings 



He who would know Thoreau's Walden will do 

 well to bathe in it. His first plunge may well be 

 in Thoreau's story of the pond and his life on its 

 bank, and when he comes dripping from this and 

 puts on the garments of everyday life he still must 

 feel a little of the glow of the fire with which this 

 alchemist of the woods transmuted all things, 

 showing us how rough granite, hard iron and base 

 lead are gold. Thoreau lived on the borders of 

 the little clear pond but two years. He knew it 

 in the flesh for just his short life. But his spirit 

 had birth in something akin to its pure, pro- 

 found waters and dwells above them now for all 

 centuries. 



The next plunge should be in the waters them- 

 selves, and only thus shall you learn to the full 

 what a miracle the pond is. Here is a crater of 



