[Boston—Tuesday, 21 November 1865]
Nov. 21. A wonderfully lovely lonely rainy day. The flood gates of heaven opened and the grey mists from ocean rolled up over us unceasingly. Nobody but the post boy came near me until Jamie came back at 5 o’clk. What a lively friend the post-boy often proves to be unwittingly and today he brought me such a letter from Mary Dodge that jewel woman and friend. One from poor Lissie Winthrop too, the mantle of death is again thrown over them—Julie Johnson now.
What a day for Maurice de Guérin. These are days one never forgets—clouded afternoons of April and November are connected in my mind with some of the dearest epochs of exaltation and happiness over beautiful books—and now de Guérin. This life of Maurice de Guérin has produced a strong impression upon my mind and I cannot help thinking that as we never walk without guidance, so these floating threads of light which stream across the current of our life have a deeper significance for us than we are often aware. They will lead us towards the Morning if we will only follow. What deep imaginative beauty in the “The Centaur.” It is as weird as Hawthorne but with a youthful “élan” about it which our genius Hawthorne seems never to have felt. The abounding life and joy of Nature overspreading her deep sad secrets, this is what we feel in Maurice de Guérin.
I feel as if I had known the brother and sister. The story of their lives makes a picture for reflection and memory, not to be lost or over-printed. The episode at “Le Val” and the vision of the home of Hippolyte de la Moronnies is unique in exquisiteness.
Jamie is talking of establishing another house in New York, large enough to represent Ticknor & Fields. I cannot bear to see him overworked yet what can be done. He finds himself at the helm of an enormous ship which will drive upon the rocks if he does not watch momently.
Mrs Andrew has been here two or three times to have talks about “The Club”. The first meeting is to be at her house. Three things have been proposed for the entertainment, one that Mr Carroll should read Mr Whittier’s new poem “Snow-Bound”, one that Dr Holmes should Read Forceythe Willson’s poem of The Old Corporal (?) the third that the Governor should tell us something of his war-experiences. She will come out bravely in the end with all these I am convinced.
