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WALDEN. 
been referred indifferently to the last uttered or the 
forth-coming jest. We made many a “bran new ” theory 
of life over a thin dish of gruel, which combined the 
advantages of conviviality with the clear-headedness 
which philosophy requires. 
I should not forget that during my last winter at the 
pond there was another welcome visitor, who at one 
time came through the village, through snow and rain 
and darkness, till he saw my lamp through the trees, 
and shared w T ith me some long winter evenings. One 
of the last of the philosophers,—Connecticut gave him to 
the world, — he peddled first her wares, afterwards, as he 
declares, his brains. These he peddles still, prompting 
God and disgracing man, bearing for fruit his brain only, 
like the nut its kernel. I think that he must be the 
man of the most faith of any alive. His words and 
attitude always suppose a better state of things than 
other men are acquainted with, and he will be the last 
man to be disappointed as the ages revolve. He has no 
venture in the present. But though comparatively dis¬ 
regarded now, when his day comes, laws unsuspected by 
most will take effect, and masters of families and rulers 
will come to him for advice.— 
“ How blind that cannot see serenity ! ” 
A true friend of man ; almost the only friend of hu¬ 
man progress. An Old Mortality, say rather an Immor¬ 
tality, with unwearied patience and faith making plain 
the image engraven in men’s bodies, the God of whom 
they are but defaced and leaning monuments. With 
his hospitable intellect he embraces children, beggars, 
insane, and scholars, and entertains the thought of all, 
adding to it commonly some breadth and elegance. I 
