THOREAU Henry David (1817-1862). Autograph MANUSCRIT (fragment); 1 and a quarter pages in-4; in English. Rare fragment evoking a youthful memory, the first manifestation of independence. The manuscript, first draft, in brown ink, has erasures and corrections, and a few notes added in pencil. He wonders about spirits that a little money or fame could divert from their present occupations. He sees advertisements for active young people, as if activity were the whole of a young man's capital. Yet he was astonished when a man boldly proposed to him, a mature man, to embark on some enterprise, as if he had nothing to do, his life having hitherto been a complete failure. What a dubious compliment! As if he had been met in the middle of the ocean, struggling against the wind, lost and going nowhere, and had been offered a ride! No! He is not unemployed at this stage of the journey. In fact, when he was a child walking around his home port, he saw an advertisement for skilled sailors - and as soon as he came of age, he went on board. The community has no bribes to tempt a wise man... " I see advertisements for active young men, as if activity were the whole of a young man's capital. Yet I have been surprised when a man has with confidence proposed to me, a grown man, to embark on 'some enterprise' of his, as if I had absolutely nothing to domy life having been a complete failure hitherto. What a doubtful compliment this is to pay me! As if he had met me half way across the ocean beating up against the wind----but bound nowhere-& proposed to me to go along with him! If I did, what do you think thc underwriters would say? No! no! I am not without employment at this timc of life at this stage of the voyage. To tell the truth I saw an advertisement for able-bodied seamen when I was a boy sauntering in my native port-and as soon as I came of age I embarked. The community has not bribe that will tempt a wise man."