The biographical sketch by Emerson which pre cedes the two papers by Thoreau, here printed, has this advantage over most biographies, that it helps one to understand the real man, and does not shut up the reader's interest in a knowledge of the mere circumstances of Thoreau's life. It is like a portrait which carries the eye straight to the character of the man portrayed, and does not arrest it at the dress or decorations. Indeed, Emerson was so impressed by the life and character of Thoreau that he forgot to mention the fact of his death. Thoreau died May 6, 1862. The only full narrative of his life is to be nfound in the volume Henry D. Thoreau, contributed 33 y his friend and fellow-townsman, F. B. Sanborn, to t}! E series of American Men of Letters.