[Boston—Thursday, 31 December 1863]
Dec. 31st Emerson came in to see J.T.F. yesterday. He said he had a poem concerning his elder brother who was a rare man and whose memory richly deserved some tribute. He did not know if he could finish it but he would like to print that. He is writing an introduction to Sa[a]di.
Longfellow walked in from Cambridge. He is not feeling or looking well. He talks of what shall be done after he is gone and seems to be “setting his house in order.” We cannot bear to think of it. Yet the year ’63 has gone with its pleasures and pains and we are all nearer the great goal. How can we hope or wish to keep him here longer when his dearly beloved has passed before.