[Boston—Sunday, 14 October 1866]
Sunday Oct. 14. My good faithful Ann talks of going to California lured thither by her sister who has found a good husband and good wages in San Francisco. It will be a trial to lose her, for what good can equal that of a faithful servant. Yet I cannot urge her to stay if she prefers to go and after 10 years of kindly service (as it doubtless must be in any house, to do the same things over and over day after day) I cannot wonder that change looks pleasantly and seduces her away. I cannot expect to replace her though I shall try hard if she really goes.
The Rev. C.T. Brooks has returned from his first visit to Europe. One of our best German scholars, he had never seen Germany. This had been a desire of his life and last year his people in Newport made it possible for him to go, hoping to restore his uncertain health to some degree of soundness. He went, but could not enter Germany because of the war! He! and all the thousands of Americans who have overrun Germany! It should seem he was destined to remain outside. He saw Carlyle however and the Grimms and found Mr Conway in fine feather in London. Carlyle likes him well.
I heard a pretty conundrum. What are the best reasons for studying the book of Nature, ans. Spring and Autumn—Spring because she opens the leaves and Autumn because he turns them.
Mr Howells dropped in to lunch on Saturday. He has just returned from a visit to his home in Ashtabula Ohio. The excitement over the late elections in that state was intense. They feared the loss of several congressmen, but only one was dropped after all. He talked enthousiastically with Lissie about their mutual Italian friends Dall’Ongaro, Giusti, Prati and the rest.
