[Boston—Tuesday, 23 May 1865]
May 23. Began the grand musical festival.
It was Mr Hawthorne’s day. The anniversary of Hawthorne’s burial.
Una passed Sunday and part of Monday here. They were sad days enough for her.
Lucy Larcom came Tuesday.
The morning rehearsals for the festival have been purely delightful. Handel’s Israel in Egypt—Elijah—Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise and much of Beethoven have been performed.
Chorus of 600 voices. Orchestra 200 instruments assisted by the organ—our organ.
