[Boston—Thursday, 28 November 1867]
Thursday 28th Thanksgiving Day. J. took Dickens to see the Aldrich’s house. He was very much amused by what he saw there and has written out a full account to his daughter Mrs Collins. He appears often troubled by the lack of energy his children show and has even allowed J. to see how deep his unhappiness is in having had so many children by a wife who was totally uncongenial. He appears to have the deepest sympathy for men who are unfitly married and has really taken an especial fancy I think to John Bigelow, our late minister to Paris who is here, because his wife is such an incubus.
I have made no record of our supper-party of Wed-Eve. We had Alfred to wait and a pretty supper and more important by far (tho’ the first a consequent of the last) a pretty company. There were Mr Dickens & Mr Dolby, Helen Bell & Mrs Silsbee, Mr & Mrs Bigelow, Mr Hillard & Louisa & Mr Beal. Mrs Bell sang a little before supper (“Douglas” for one) very gracefully with real feeling.
At nine o’clock oysters and fun began; finally Mr Dickens told several ghost stories, but none of them more interesting than a little bit of clairvoyance or what-you-will wh. he let drop concerning himself. He said a story was sent to him for “All the Year Round” wh. he liked and accepted; just after the matter had been put in type he received a letter from another person altogether from the one who had forwarded it in the first place saying that he and not the first man was the author and in prove of his position he supplied a date wh. was wanting in the first paper. Curiously enough Mr Dickens seeing the story hinged upon a date and the date being but a blank in the MSS. had supplied one, as it were by chance, and behold! it was the same date wh. the new man had sent.
We had a pleasant Thanksgiving at Louisa’s although Mr Dickens did not arrive. He wrote a little note saying he was overtaken by a sudden occur of sadness wh. must prevent him from leaving the fire side & solitude of his own room.
