[Boston—Saturday, 12 September 1863]
Sep. 12. Charles Sumner has just delivered his superb oration upon our foreign relations and now while his fame is on every body’s lips death looks in upon his brother. J.T.F. passed last evening at George Sumner’s bedside. He does not speak of his death, makes plans for life rather and clings desperately to what he knows here. In the afternoon of yesterday we went to find Longfellow but he had just left home for a second visit that day to George Sumner. How much knowledge will sink almost unused with him. He could not speak aloud last night yet asked Mr F. “to look about down town to find an easy carriage in which he might ride.”
This fine autumn weather revives the poetic mind. Emerson, Whittier, Lowell, Longfellow have each been busily at work.
This morning Dempster breakfasted with us. The piano was too unstrung for him to sing, but he brought us late news from the Tennysons, Halls and other English friends. Alas! I do not gather much loyal feeling towards America in his talk from any of them. He will come soon again and sing a world of good things to us.
Mr Dempster called upon Mrs Dickens as well as upon Dickens when in London. He found the former living alone and very sad. She desired to talk freely of her severe lot. He thinks they both suffer deeply because of their mistake. Her love for him is quite evident to all.
