[New York City—Sunday, 7 January 1866]
Sunday. Jamie ill and weather fearfully cold thermometer below zero. Went together however at night to visit Mr & Mrs Bryant at the Godwin’s—a visit not to be forgotten. Sat round the tea table. Mr Bryant appeared full of vigor and when he spoke of growing old it seemed as if he felt it rather through his wife who is somewhat old[er] than of himself. She is a pattern of womanly and wifely excellence. I thought Mrs Godwin more like her father than Miss Julia—a woman of character and sweetness but overwhelmed by ill health.
After tea there we went to a small party at the Taylors where Howells was and where I got the idea he would like to come to Cambridge and started the subject.
