[Boston—Monday, 25 February 1867]
Monday Feb 25. Curiously enough Mr Longfellow told J. that his first idea in writing the “Wayside Inn” was to do exactly what Whittier has done only to introduce Lowell and J. instead of B.T. but he found it would trammel him less to introduce persons who were not his personal friends.
The Saturday Club dinner was a very brilliant one; the invited guests were George William Curtis, “Petroleum V. Nasby” (a Mr Locke from Indiana a quiet gentleman who informed the company with regard to Governor Morton of Indiana whom he says is one of the most eminent men the country has produced, one of the most loyal, and disinterested and able. He is a tall handsome well formed man of 45 with a noble career probably yet before him.) and Dr Hayes. Dr Holmes was in great mood for talk but Lowell was critical and interrupted him frequently—“Now, James, let me talk and don’t interrupt me” he once said a little ruffled by the continual strictures on his conversation.
Dr Hayes has had a lovely visit at Whittiers but his household left a gloomy impression on his mind. His “housekeeper” being a very common kind of woman who nevertheless sits at table with him and makes his only everyday companion—alas! alas! when I remember what his sister was, and was to him!!
Today has been like so many of its fellows this winter—the first part in my chamber where I deny myself the pleasure of seeing visitors and the last part in the open air which today has been delightful, doing errands & shopping & visiting, then home to dinner refreshed & weary.
We are bound to be disappointed in poor Lissie’s work. She does not finish anything and indeed does so little anyway that six months work would never pay her even for the rent of a small studio—perhaps we may live to see her a long distance beyond this but I fear not. I tell her of the necessity for more vigorous action but the poor girl works steadily every morning and what more can she achieve. I fear too lest she should be overtaxed by these exertions, overtaxed mentally, yet I know her strongest desire is to do the best she is capable of and my desire is to help her forward to it. She is sure to accomplish something but I long for her emancipation from the drudgery of uncertain labor, for the time to come when she will strike off ideas as they come to her brain, in some rude form perhaps, but sufficiently clear to make them evident at once & to all. At present she is stumbling and feeling (as are we all more or less). She has not been able to send anything to the Wheelock fund although her name is advertised.
