There are very few persons who do see much of nature.

February 22. 

Go to Worcester to lecture in a parlor.

H. D. Thoreau, Journal, February 22, 1859

See February 22, 1852 ("Went to Plymouth to lecture or preach all day.")

On January 1, 1859 Thoreau had written Blake, "My last essay, on which I am still engaged, is called Autumnal Tints. I do not know how readable (i.e., by me to others) it will be.” Letters to Blake 105.

On February 22 Thoreau delivered his Autumnal Tints lecture in Worcester in Blake's parlors located either at Lake School at one Warren block on Pearl Street, or in Blakes's house at 3 Bowdoin Street. While reading the section of the lecture dealing with Scarlet Oak leaves, Thoreau displayed a very "large & handsome one" on a white ground, which was said did him "great service with the audience." See Thoreau's Lectures after Walden. 293 

Afterwords HDT says he was criticized for assuming his audience had not seen so much of the autumnal tints as they had. "But after reading it I am more than ever convinced that they have not seen much of them, — that there are very few persons who do see much of nature."  February 26, 1859  Probably a reference to one of the themes of his lecture, "The scarlet oak must, in a sense, be in your eye when you go forth".  See note to November 4, 1858 ("You will see, if you are prepared to see it, — if you look for it")