[Manchester—Friday, 30 August 1867]
Friday morning rose resplendent. Jamie was up very early for town. I expect him here with Longfellow at 12.
I went out in the mean-time, gathered and arranged flowers and set the house in order to welcome our beloved poet. At 12 they came—first “Jacky” with a wagon of provisions which were sent carefully in to Miss Crowell, then the two came slowly after. We soon went out to walk about the village in the noon sunshine—up and down the old street, to the bottom of Capt. Leach’s garden, to the Post-office, to the top of the hill where the poplar stands and down the lane to see John Gilbert’s apple orchard. How thoroughly we enjoyed it! Longfellow saw his little girls (who are at the Danas and whom he came to fetch) Edith & Annie, were Martha and Mary. He added that he agreed with one of the old English divines who said “Happy is that household wherein Martha still reproves Mary.”
After our walk we returned to dine and after dinner we went to the Danas for the children. Then came the leave taking at the cars and the pleasant excitement of departure, then we took a turn in the glorious sunset in Essex woods & back to tea at the D’s.
Jupiter had risen and the beach was bathed in glory. We walked there till dark.
