[New Britain—Friday, 9 February 1872]
Friday Feby 9. New Britain Conn. whither I came with J. who lectured here last evening. It is a flourishing manufacturing town, the home of Elihu Burritt whom Jamie has gone to see while I sit by the stove nursing a cold in my head—one that came suddenly on in the cars yesterday, just as it did the last time I ventured to come to New York. I had said the day previous that I had had no colds this winter nor do I mean this shall be severe.
Jamie found Mr. Burritt a thin sparkling old gentleman upwards of seventy years but active and stalwart and thoroughly alive. He is always engaged in philosophical studies. Fifteen years in England with his nieces has given him a true love for that country. Cobden & Bright have been and are his intimate friends. English Ivy is growing plentifully over one side of their sitting-room.
Last night when we arrived J. went out for a walk. He saw a fine church & stopping an old man asked if that was a unitarian church. Is that the same as a Methodist inquired he. Afterward asking another the reply was “No indeed. I guess you wouldn’t find a church of that kind supported here.” Jamie feared from such answers that he was to brave an uncongenial audience but it was not so. He enjoyed it and they evidently enjoyed him. They invited him on the spot to come again.
Friday noon came on to New York arriving at the Fifth Avenue Hotel before dark. Found Room 66 allotted to us of which I made a note as it is especially comfortable. Heat of sun and rooms excessive, cons[e]quent cold.
Bret Harte, President White (Cornell), Mrs S.G. Howe, were all with us this morning. J. has been about all day, is bitterly tired tonight, finds he must nevertheless go to the Century Club. Fears return of hoarseness.
During Whittier’s last visit he told us much of his early life which we had never heard before. How he was sent for from the wilds of Haverhill, his name suggested I think he said by Prentice, to edit a weekly paper in Hartford. Salary $400 per annum, he thought it a fortune. Was expected to do political work of which he then knew nothing but he seldom got into trouble because he kept perfectly still, let others talk and did not show his ignorance. Went to Philadelphia after that where he stayed two years and lost his health. The excitement about anti-slavery matters was at its height. He described to us very vividly the night when his office was burned there. He borrowed the coat and hat of a friend by way of disguise and stayed where he could see his drawers broken open and all the papers delivered to the flames. When he heard the mob say where’s the editor, I wish we could find him, he thought it was time to get out of the way. His whole description was most vivid and full of interest, especially his description of Mrs Chapman, her heroism, and her attempt to address the Philadelphia mob. The influence of her beauty and womanliness was very great. She always swayed every assembly in which she bore a part but she never attempted to speak again. The excitement proved too much for her. She was taken away from the city by her friends.
