the roles played by apples in legend and history, the distinctive qualities of seed, flavor, and aroma. The lecture closed with a panegyric to "The Saunterer's Apple," which not even a saunterer can eat in the house, since it requires "the November air for sauce."
In 1849, the Thoreau family made their last removal, from the "Texas House" to the "Yellow House" on Main Street; this had been enlarged from a cottage by Henry and his father. Another loss had come to the family circle in the death of Helen, from consumption, in 1849. The advancing years brought illness and dependence to his father, and Henry refused an invitation for a lecture and another for a visit, writing "my father is very sick and has been for a long time, so that there is the more need of me at home." He never wavered as faithful son or brother. He aided in the family business, and varied his studies with mechanical work, to meet the needs of the household. In a volume of his journal in original form, kindly shown me by the present executor of these precious books, Prof. E. Harlow Russell, among some loose sheets, are old letters whose reverse sides contain some of his nature-notes. Here are business letters from New York houses placing orders and acknowledging receipt of plumbago from Henry Thoreau.
