[Manchester—Thursday, 10 September 1874]
September 10th. Warm and beautiful, the warmest day indeed of the whole summer. Left Mrs Dame’s as we suppose forever. Everything was in the ripest and fullest beauty, but we were made glad and thankful by the knowledge that Thunder Bolt Hill is ours and we are soon to have a permanent summer home. Came to Boston to find heat and close air. With Katherine’s help I emptied our large trunks before our early lunch-dinner at half past one o’clock.
Early in the afternoon Mr. Dresel came to ask me to drive down town with his wife to choose carpets which I did with pleasure.
The night was hot with clouds of mosquitoes. It was a restless night for the whole household. We arose soon after five to find the sweltering heat still continuing—packed, breakfasted and were off for Plymouth N.H. in the 8 o’clock train. We have not felt such heat since the day or two in North Conway in June. Then also we had mosquitoes but there have been none at Manchester to trouble us.
The afternoon in Plymouth was beautiful beyond description and perfectly cool. The quiet river kept on its soft rippling way—the cloud shadows passed over the meadows where hay makers were at work—finally the long level rays of the setting sun threw a golden light over everything and the birds nestled themselves away in the full soft foliage of the maples and the elms. Jamie read me Mr. Tyndall’s address at Belfast.
All the morning long in the train we talked with Rev. Mr. Wright an orthodox clergyman of Boston—a pure-souled, lovely spirited man—full of thought and energy and love. We were glad to have met him. He talked of F.D. Maurice and said we should read 4 lectures of his on The Religions of all Nations.
