[Boston—Saturday, 18 May 1867]
Here it is May 18th before I could take up the pen again—ten days of company, lectures, theaters, conversation—all interesting, all I suppose good, (I believe so since I cannot do otherwise) and much troublesome house-keeping from incompetent and quarrelsome servants. I shall try to weather the house-keeping gales now until the first of June and then shall use all the discrimination I possess in choosing the best I can find for another season.
This morning Mr Collyer, Mr Bartol, Mr Scudder, Mr Chaney and Mr Nast (political illustrator of Harper’s Weekly) breakfasted with us—last night we went to J.F. Clarke’s to meet Mr Collyer and a few others. Thursday night Lucy Larcom dined and Mr Bird of Albany breakfasted here. Wednesday night Mr Higginson and Una Hawthorne dined with us. Tuesday Louisa’s children were here in the afternoon & I expected Booth’s little girl but it rained and she could not come even in a carriage; he, poor fellow, feeling this child to be his all cannot bear to trust her out of his sight. Launt Thompson the sculptor called in the evening—manly & artist-like he talked of art and other sculptors with a kindly spirit.
Last Sunday evening Booth, Aldrich & his wife & sister, Dr Holmes & Amelia & Launt Thompson, Lissie & ourselves took tea here together. In the evening came Mr & Mrs Emerson. We did have a rare and delightful symposium. Booth talked little as usual and the next night went round to Aldrich’s & took himself off as he behaves in company!! Nevertheless he was glad to see Holmes, though every time Dr H. addressed him across the table he seemed to receive an electric shock.
