[Campton—Thursday, 21 June 1866]
Thursday morning. The day being warm we were glad to rest after yesterday’s feast of light and air, of perfect out-of-door luxury. At ½ past three in the afternoon we bade farewell to Campton—not however without an hour or two by the river bank which was never more fresh and June-like. Lucy Larcom, Mr Willey and ourselves with our luggage on the large open wagon drove up to Thornton, across the bridge and down the river bank to Plymouth stopping twice, once at Sanborn’s where the gay company were beginning to arrive, to see if he had received a little paragraph Mr Fields had put in the “Transcript” to help his house along. He found only Mrs Sanborn at home but she expressed herself most grateful. Once more we stopped at the Knoll below the old school house to see the sunset. We have often seen this view but this last look was the most exquisite, indeed it seemed as if our imaginations could conceive of nothing more perfect, we could only wish for enlarged senses to drink in the fullness of it, which now seemed spilled upon the barren ground of unrecognizing existence.
Passed the night at Plymouth where we arrived about 9 o’clk. Mr Willey returned after his supper at the hotel where we all broke bread together according to the good fashion of the country. Mr Willey departed full of gratitude and good feeling.