[New York—Sunday, 14 May 1876]
Sunday. We were very tired and remained resting quietly at the hotel until the evening when we went to Bayard Taylor’s. He read us the ode he has written for the Fourth of July in Philadelphia. It is a fine thing without a touch of what can surprise us into higher levels. At least so it struck me at the first hearing but it is very solemn and lofty.
He showed us a fine bust of the young Goethe and Schiller’s sword, also an original Lorenzo di Credi. They were affectionate and interesting. Their only daughter was not quite well. They are naturally a little anxious.
