[Boston—Sunday, 25 May 1873]
Sunday May 25. a warm day, full summer heat. Went to hear Phillips Brooks preach at the Technological hall where he has been ever since the great fire. I felt the lack of seeming earnestness—a great powerful correctness such as George MacDonald possesses indeed he has not, but his work is very different; to preach every Sunday must be very very difficult.
Passed Sunday evening as usual at Louisa’s where Jamie lights up the dead and sundry wastes of life and thought with his own unforced gayety and with suggestions to and for the children. The baby, Willy, wishing a little more candy than was his portion induced J. to stay in the dining-room with him before supper that his indiscretion in this particular might pass unobserved. It was such a queer evident subterfuge in so small a child that J. wondered at it and let the baby have his way. He is not yet three years old.
Sunday P.M. Tom. Appleton called—we hope with his help the statue of Sam. Adams has been secured to Miss Whitney. Also Henry James and his daughter.
