Exploring New Bedford area.

October 3

Somewhat rainy. 

Walked along shore of Acushnet looking for shells. R. pointed out to me the edible mushroom, which he says he loves raw even. It is common. 

The shore was all alive with fiddler crabs, carrying their fiddles on one side, and their holes, nearly an inch over, were very common and earth heaped up.

Sailed back up the river in Arthur’s whale-boat with three sails. Her side drank water through a crack. He gave three dollars for her and spent ten more in repairs. Twenty feet long, and worth originally per haps $75. If I had stayed longer we should probably have gone to Cuttyhunk in this. 

P. M. — Rode to see some old houses in Fairhaven.

Visited the studio in Fairhaven of a young marine painter, built over the water, the dashing and gurgling of it coming up through a grating in the floor. He was out, but we found there painting Van Best, a well—known Dutch painter of marine pieces whom he has attracted to him. He talked and looked particularly Dutchman-like.

H. D. Thoreau Journal, October 3, 1855

A young marine painter.... This was the studio of William Bradford, later recognized as one of the world's most accomplished marine painters. Dutch artist Albert Van Beest, Bradford's mentor, was at that time more well known than his soon-to-be famous student. ~ source: Mapping Thoreau Country.