[Paris—Friday, 25 November 1859]

Friday 25th Morning visit from our dear excellent friend Mr Greene. He had just returned from Havre. He talked much of the happy time in the life of men when they discov[er]ed the nothingness of fame and how differently this discovery affects different persons. He told a most striking anecdote of a visit he made to an old relative in Ipswich Mass. She had been discanting much on the glory of her ancestors and her great-grandfather in particular. She told how he came to Europe early in life and returned with a wonderful coat in which he walked about Ipswich and delighted the worshiping eyes of the country bumpkins “indeed” said the old lady brightening up “I have that fine coat now” “Have you” said Mr Greene “I should like to see it.” Whereat, the old lady produced from the exhaustless garret treasures with huge pride and circumstance—a livery.

Stopped at Mr Cranch’s to call as we walked on the Champs Elysées. His pictures are some of them delightful. The day was wonderfully warm and fine.


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