[Boston—Tuesday, 29 October 1867]
October 29. A grand easterly rain—for a wonder. I have had no walk today but have finished the Life of Josiah Quincy instead, more than a compensation. It is a book every patriot must delight to read.
It is almost a week since I have written here. Friday we had a small dinner party (ten). Saturday made calls in Cambridge all day while J. went to an interesting meeting of the Club, a remarkably full one. Young Mr Hamilton, nephew of the Marquis of Abercorn and Mr Clarke Davis of Philadelphia took tea with us afterward. Sunday & Monday Mr Davis dined with us. J. wishing to pay him all the attention in his power for his wife’s sake.
I have heard many brilliant things this week. Mr Parton has been in Boston, a man whose tone is high whose thought is strong and pure but the font of fortune has been upon his neck and he impresses everybody as a sad man. Mrs N.P. Willis, who has known him during many years holds him in high respect for he has been unhappy in his married estate and as she said to me, many men in his position would have slipped the noose and gone away but as she told him once, a tie which is binding on a woman and a disgrace for her to break is binding also on the man and should be as disgraceful for him to break, so he appears to consider the question & like an honest man stands by his colors worthless though they may have proved, his oath being the same.
