[Boston—Saturday, 7 November 1863]
Saturday. Theo Tilton, Alden, Lucy Larcom, Mr Scudder, who wrote a lovely poem in the “Atlantic” once called “After Wither” breakfasted with us. Tilton stays with Garrison. He has had of late an interview with the President Lincoln opened his heart and said among many things “tell your anti-slavery friends I shall come out all right.” T. told us some amusing things of the contrabands particularly of Rosa—who came consigned to him, the first who came to New York. He found her in his office one morning with her husband with a queer looking turban on her head, a sailor’s blue jacket and “her feet standing as it were in the two civilizations” one of them being thrust into a rude moccasin or slipper the other in a patent leather boot of the most fanciful description. He did what he could for Rosa and sent her to Boston. Three months after he came here to lecture and after the lecture who should come to speak to him dressed in the height of the fashion but Rosa. “May I have a word with you in private” she asked. Certainly was Mr Tilton’s reply. I hope you are in no trouble Rosa. She said she was much disturbed and wished his advice. To tell the truth there was soon to be a meeting at which the Governor was to preside in aid of the Contrabands and she had been invited to speak. “Did Mr Tilton think it would be proper for ladies to speak in public?”
Poor Mr T. sank down with laughter the thing was too irresistible—and Rosa spoke.
Went with Lucy Larcom to see Dore’s illustrations of Dante. They are sometimes too terrible to look upon. What a genius he possesses. The agonizing height and depth one finds in one little page—the terrors of Hades catch hold of your soul.
