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Doing New Year's simply, wisely: Thoreau may have celebrated much differently than we

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From: Charleston Daily Mail
Date: 20021231
Author:THE HARTFORD COURANT

It is safe to say that Henry David Thoreau would have problems with New Year's Eve as we know it today.

In fact, Thoreau, the influential 19th-century philosopher, would have problems with the whole year. He advocated a simple life; but things got out of hand.

But first, New Year's Eve.

Henry to the bartender: "I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man; wine is not so noble a liquor." (From "Walden: An Annotated Edition," Houghton Mifflin, 1995)

Bartender to Henry: "The tip cup is next to the napkins."

Henry to the party host: "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes." ...

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