[Manchester—Wednesday, 14 August 1867]
August 14th Today Lissie sailed from N.Y. for Europe. Whenever I turn in my walk and catch a glimpse of the sea I think of her ship going out over the waves.
The rain set in at noon and it pours far into the night with little cessation. An unprecedented season and strange contrast to those we have had for the last two or three or four years.
Mr Dolby arrived today from England, (Mr Dickens’ agent). A good healthy kindly natured man of whom Dickens seems really fond having followed him to the steamer in Liverpool from London to see that all things were comfortably arranged for him. He says Dickens has lamed one of his feet with too much walking of late. He is here to arrange for 100 nights for wh. he hears he may receive $200,000. The readings to begin the first of December and to be chiefly given in New York City.
Mr & Mrs William Dwight, whose son Wilder Dwight died in the army, came again to see Mr Fields. She has written a touching memoir wh. T. & F. though they cannot publish are to put their imprint upon. This they would not do now except for such a case. We heard today beside losing two sons in battle they have a third, the oldest living son, who is a debauched and utterly unprincipled fellow, and for whose debts alone at one period Mr Dwight paid $90,000.
I omitted to say above that Dickens’ description of J.T.F. was so accurate and true that Mr Dolby recognized him as soon as he put his eyes on shore.
Jamie’s life in town these August days is a strange contrast to my own. I was rambling silently all the morning & in the afternoon reading or rather hearing Mrs Bartol read the Old Curiosity Shop aloud. She is an old lady and she likes this so I sew away and try to like it too.
