[Boston—Saturday, 15 September 1866]
Saturday. Brilliantly beautiful day. Sat in my study for an hour—then was obliged to go out. How glad I was for the day was so fine ’twas a luxury to live and see the blue sky. Mr Bartol came in the evening to pass the night. We took tea together rather late. He told us of the marvellous temperament of some men which enables them to come up to the height of great affliction with sublime heroism. He met Amos Lawrence one day on the Common soon after the death of a grown daughter I think his only daughter. Mr Bartol proffered him some poor words of sympathy. Mr Lawrence thanked him and then said in the course of conversation “These great afflictions add a zest to our lives.”
“Tis true,” said Mr Bartol afterward “but I fear I could not meet them in that spirit.”
