Diary of Annie Adams Fields

Friday. In the study during the morning; the wind veered slowly from west to south while a wing of cloud like a dove’s came up and overspread the sky. I dressed and went out; the wind had already gone east and it rained hard before we came home. Went to see Booth at night in “Hamlet.” He...

Saturday. Brilliantly beautiful day. Sat in my study for an hour—then was obliged to go out. How glad I was for the day was so fine ’twas a luxury to live and see the blue sky. Mr Bartol came in the evening to pass the night. We took tea together rather late. He told us of the marvellous...

Sunday. Heard Mr Bartol preach. The day was glorious and the church a holy place. It was lovely there. The Aldrichs came to church and to dine with us afterward. They had been evidently touched by the service as none of us could help being.

Monday. We hear there has been severe “hazing” at Cambridge. Perhaps Julian has been concerned and this is what has tormented poor Mrs Hawthorne of late. Went to Roxbury; two girls got into the cars in a torment of anxiety. They had just heard of an accident, from a runaway horse which had...

Thursday. We are having a long easterly storm. With short intermission on Monday (which the maids considered a special interposition I suppose in favor of washing) it has stormed—if a quiet rain can be called such with the winds blowing from the east—all the week Tuesday evening the air was...

Friday. As I sat in the small study overlooking the bay and peering occasionally out into the mist asking myself how the rain was coming and if the sun was ever to appear, I saw appear suddenly through the thick white vapor “as if risen up to meet the moon” a schooner noiseless as a phantom...

Saturday. Wind north west brisk and cool enough. Ran down town with errands—read a little Virgil and am more impressed than ever with the beauty of his lines, the rhythmic tread of his verse.

Sunday clear and cool. Heard a rather long but most Christian service performed by brother Bartol in which he had the questionable taste to speak of our happy season in Manchester—the harmony of the family etc. I am afraid this was too much gratulation of “our folk” unwittingly of course.

Monday. Cold, wind at the east; signs of rain.

Tuesday rainy, east wind, and mist, dressmaking, shopping & reading manuscripts. Have had button-holes made by a machine for the first time—good but somewhat expensive in actual outlay although a saving of time which of course saves life-wear and money at the same time.

Wednesday. Raining again. Warm. Quietly at home except a walk out afternoon—on the bridge met Miss Dana, it was very foggy; she said “Richard & his wife” were in the “Cuba” on the way from England.

Thursday. Lovely sunshine at length. Letter from Lissie saying she is coming home for a short visit. She sailed on the 19th & will be here now shortly. It is 8 years in November since she left home. Mother will be so shocked by this surprise that I scarcely know how to tell her. We will see what...

Friday a perfect day. J. said as we walked up the road in Lancaster, having left the cars, “there is magic in it” and I believe there was. All thought of “things” and “people” dropped away leaving only the divine rest of affection permanent as the blue above us and full of peace as...

Saturday Sep. 29 devoted to business for mother and housekeeping thoroughly tired at night. Jamie at the Club. Brilliant evening. Mr Dana had returned, Mr Sumner was present and a full table—the guests were beside the usual company, Mr Lefavre of England, Dr Storer of N.Y. Mr Putnam publisher...

Sunday fairly wearied out with my new role of housekeeper lately resumed, and householder & business woman, remained at home all the morning reading Montaigne having chanced upon those delightful essays respecting “Solitude,” “Riches” and a few others.

October 1st Monday fairly rested and ready for business again. Mother and Sarah arrived.

Tuesday. Perfect weather.

Friday. A week of waiting—looking almost every hour for the arrival of the Bremen steamer with our sister. Seeing few people but living as far as possible to help Mother and S. enjoy life. Have been to Wales’ greenhouse returning with exquisite fruit and flowers the “Fasciola” I had...

Saturday morning Lissie arrived. Joyous season! The drop of earth’s bitterness was not lacking. J. was ill in bed and suffering somewhat all day. Mr Longfellow came to inquire particularly. He had been looking for a wedding gift for Charles Sumner. I lived upon the stairs, performing staircase...

Sunday. J. better, warm beautiful weather. Sent mother and Sarah to church but remained to watch Lissie who had not yet awakened and J.

Wednesday—a kind of light has come to show me how it is better (yes perhaps happier) by far to live and make use of poetry such as some people can concentrate into poems, than to live only for such concentration. It is well the light has come, for I have a little family of 5 now and 4 below...

Friday. Saw two black swans in the public garden and tried to think them beautiful because they are rare—that is the way of the world, shall we never learn that the most beautiful things are the nearest?

Sunday Oct. 14. My good faithful Ann talks of going to California lured thither by her sister who has found a good husband and good wages in San Francisco. It will be a trial to lose her, for what good can equal that of a faithful servant. Yet I cannot urge her to stay if she prefers to go and...

Monday Oct 22d New girl in Ann’s place although the latter does not go away for a fortnight. She is green enough but seems ready and is I hope “good stuff” to work upon. Anyway I shall exercise all my power and ingenuity to mould her into shape.

Wednesday. Except for a slight rain night before last this glorious weather has remained; day after day seeming each more lovely than the last.