[Boston—Saturday, 13 January 1872]
Saturday. January 13. Andrew D. White of Cornell University & wife & child came to lunch. He is full of pleasant kindly things with regard to Goldwin Smith. Calls him half a saint. He is devoted it seems to the welfare of the poor around him, sits up all night sometimes with their sick children, never pets himself, does not seem to mind roughing it in the wilderness. All agree in feeling he must have had an experience of some kind in his own private life. He appears now never to think of his own future or his own plans except as it is connected with the good of others. Mr. White spoke of his interview with Dickens while at Utica. Dickens was deeply interested in the fact that the tenure of land was possible even to the poor, and life made easier and more respectable there in consequence. Ah! that is what keeps our people down so, they have no such chance he said sadly turning to Dolby. That touched the young President’s heart & has made him love Dickens.
