[Boston—Monday, 17 September 1866]
Monday. We hear there has been severe “hazing” at Cambridge. Perhaps Julian has been concerned and this is what has tormented poor Mrs Hawthorne of late. Went to Roxbury; two girls got into the cars in a torment of anxiety. They had just heard of an accident, from a runaway horse which had happened to a sister. The blood was rushing so violently to the cheeks of the youngest that white blotches were made upon the skin. They had not heard the particulars of the matter. They were expecting her home to dinner when a man drove up with the sad news. Returned with two Yankees also greatly excited but only by business. They looked like spent hares, and out-did the best of actors by their excessive Yankee.
Jamie received the most extraordinary epistle today which he has ever received of its kind. From a woman named Helen Webster. She made him a call on the Saturday previous introducing herself as the daughter of Dr George Croly of England, a man well known as poet in London a few years ago. The letter was so long that although clearly written it required upwards of half an hour to read it aloud. She gave her personal history unblushingly, and if one half is true, she has had as wide a run in the best society of Europe and thinks as much of it as any one woman who ever lived. She estimates her talents at a high figure.
While reading, our feelings oscillated strangely between wonder and pity. That a woman should be left to do such things!!
