[Boston—Friday, 1 March 1872]
Friday March 1. Came L.W. Johnson, Mrs Leonowens, with her marvellous tales of Siam & her daughter to pass a few days—a party in the evening—when Mr. Dixie played and Misses Cary played and sang. It was a beautiful, successful occasion. The ladies all arrived without their luggage and I much admired their philosophic manner of considering the subject. They donned odd portions of raiment belonging to me and were as self possessed if not as satisfied as if the Queen of Sheba had made her gorgeous garments entirely their own.
Mrs Leonowens is a woman of about 40 years I should say, with a classic head and sweet manner of speaking not only like a lady but like a linguist as one who knows the value of words. She is acquainted with 7 oriental languages and seems well versed in Sanscrit and Persian literature. Her classic head and gathered brow, full, not wrinkled, her keen sweet eyes added to her decided gift for language would make her very attractive even without her unusual experiences which she relates fluently and finely. Above all, I presume, her tender sympathy is what wins us chiefly, for that is ever the finest crown for man or woman and with that they are kings and queens and sway the earth, and without that, whatever their gifts, they are but common mortals and we do not thrill in their presence.
Her rendering of oriental poetry, her sympathy with Buddhism, her kinship with the women of the East are altogether peculiar and make her a pioneer among women in this field. She made $362 by her public reading, which we arranged and $25 by her private reading.
They saw many people—indeed the visit was a perfect success. It was delightful to me as bringing Laura, the young beautiful Avis & her mother into a nearer and near friendship.
