[Cambridge—Sunday, 10 July 1859]

Sunday July 10th In Cambridge. We passed the day quietly just as we both like best with the good Macmillans. I hardly ever knew a better family. The very union of two families each of 4 children under 8 years of age is at once a proof of self-government in the rulers. The two brothers were devoted to each other during their lives and after the death of the elder, Alexander with his wife and children went to live and take care of the widow. She is a sad yet cheerful woman, sad as regards this world, cheerful in her faith and gifted with large capacities so that she is able to relieve her sister who is in delicate health of care while the occupation is at the same time beneficial to her. She is a partner in the business and helps Macmillan in the choice of books. The ladies seemed to me rather less bigoted too than is usual with the High Church. In the morning we heard the prayers shamefully read without expression and without interest it seemed also in the parish church but in the evening we attended Trinity Chapel where Grey stood so often and heard some of Handel’s music beautifully rendered. Mr Whiteford a bachelor friend was visiting our hospitable host, very intelligent too and full of conversation we found him, he had lived much in Cambridge and could tell us all the historical points of interest there. We strolled about the lovely grounds in the setting sun-light while I reflected how the stirring spirit of the new world would animate and glorify these noble relics of the past.


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