[Boston—Monday, 19 February 1866]

Monday 19. First morning of quiet at home for a long time. Have written today & yesterday 4 letters and am endeavoring to orient my spirit again. A white fog wraps me and the world is peaceful and at times the rain, the forerunner of spring comes down in floods.

How far away the old studious thoughtful days appear yet I know I am happier to live, doing what I can for others. Le Brun’s motto for women is ever near my heart “Inspirez et n’ecrivez pas” but “to inspire” one must take seasons of meditation and repose from the world and must live listening to the eternal harmonics while the tempests of earth howl and sweep around our heads.

Of late sketches of people have been entirely omitted in this fragmentary little book. They have succeeded each other too swiftly, not too swiftly for me to love & remember much but the writing appears impossible.


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