356 FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS. [1857,

I am surveying, instead of lecturing, at pres ent. Let me have a skimming from your " pan of unwrinkled cream."

TO DANIEL RICKETSON (AT NEW BEDFORD).

CONCORD, April 1, 1857.

DEAR RICKETSON, I got your note of wel come night before last. I expect, if the weather is favorable, to take the 4.30 train from Boston to-morrow, Thursday, P. M., for I hear of no noon train, and shall be glad to find your wagon at Tarkiln Hill, for I see it will be rather late for going across lots.

I have seen all the spring signs you mention, and a few more, even here. Nay, I heard one frog peep nearly a week ago, methinks the very first one in all this region. I wish that there were a few more signs of spring in myself ; however, I take it that there are as many within us as we think we hear without us. I am decent for a steady pace, but not yet for a race. I have a little cold at present, and you speak of rheu matism about the head and shoulders. Your frost is not quite out. I suppose that the earth itself has a little cold and rheumatism about these times ; but all these things together pro duce a very fair general result. In a concert, you know, we must sing our parts feebly some

times, that we may not injure the general effect.