[Manchester—Friday, 24 August 1866]
Friday morning. Mr Collyer left us this morning. We miss his large kindliness. Perfect day. Drove to Gloucester with Miss Greene and Lissie. We saw the red maples on the edge of the wood shining with exquisite brilliancy. I was reminded that Mr Collyer saw them yesterday when walking with Mr Bartol, the latter wished to approach them—“no said R.C. lest they should vanish,—it is dangerous to approach what is so beautiful.”
This was one of the days when the world looked new born. Every leaf shone with dark lustre and the blue was cloudless. Mr & Mrs Sawyer at whose house we stopped to acknowledge many overtures of hospitality gave us a delicious sail to Eastern point. We did not return till dinner.
August 24. Friday afternoon. The weather has such a tendency towards rain that even the wonderful clearness of this morning could not last through the day. Mr Bartol pushed us about in his boat up and down the creek until sunset. The wind blew cold from the east but soft grey clouds overspread the sky. Thick clouds at night.
Sat to Miss Greene for portrait while Jamie went to walk—wondrous moonrise.
