A scandal in the life of Ellery Channing

Thoreau’s Journal contains a revelation regarding his frequent walking companion Ellery Channing (usually referred to as C.) that will shock cat lovers everywhere. As with his acid comments on Louis Agassiz, Thoreau feels that no commentary is required.

Jan. 22, 1854

When I was at C.’s the other evening, he punched his cat with the poker because she purred too loud for him.