[Manchester—Wednesday, 4 October 1876]
Wednesday. Another beautiful day and dear Celia here.
Last night we drove over and took tea at George Howe’s. There was a queer artificial little being there, who might have been Becky Sharpe. She is an American girl (rather an old one) who has lived eight years abroad and is now about to marry a French vicomte. Alice Howe was very friendly and gave me a pretty white shawl.
The moonlight was wonderfully beautiful as we went and came.
This morning we drove through the woods to the cranberry patch “wasting in wood-paths the voluptuous hours.”
Casaubon’s life is delightful.
At noon came J.F. Clarke, Mrs Cochrane & her daughter. The day continued beautiful. All the afternoon we sat on the piazza or rambled in the grounds. Mr. Clarke told us many interesting things. President Eliot though opposing the education of women was gradually admitting them to the college classes. How in the end Harvard also would be emancipated from prejudice. How the rose-seed vessels were like strawberries turned outside in;—and many good trifles to store away in memory. Celia was rich in illustration and gayeties as ever. The Cochranes very lovely—Mrs Darrah and Alice Towne came in the afternoon. Alice brought me $45.00 for the boys Evenings.
Soon they were all gone but Celia and we were tired and went to bed early.
