[London—Tuesday, 28 June 1859]

Tuesday. One of our sunniest days! (it poured hard). Dickens came in the morning. Such kindliness as shines through that man’s clay. We dine with him next week. Went down to Mr Edward Jesse’s to pass the afternoon and evening in his little bower. Such a home! And such a man and woman as live in it is not often given to the eyes of any to see in this world. He is 81 years old, uses no glasses to read and writes still as beautifully as ever for periodicals &c. The dear old lady amuses herself with her flowers which grow all over the house and garden. Up stairs down stairs and in every part. Ferns are her specialty. I shall hope to send her some from America. The affection of the two for each other is one of the sweetest features of the whole. She makes his waistcoats & her own bonnets much to his delight and amusement. She showed me the little table in his dressing room where he reads the bible every morning & evening. Talked much about Rogers, indeed he is a kindred spirit. They gave us a photograph of their cottage, into the roll the old lady slipped also a photograph of herself & Mr Jesse. She said (when the woman wanted to arrange the dinner table in the little library and the gentleman would not come out) “Master’s so fond of his books.”


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