Diary of Annie Adams Fields

Sunday last day of February—cold, glowing, beautiful.

Friday. March 5. Finished H. Greeley’s autobiography last night, a most interesting book because so full of what is to be American history, if we may not call it so now. His sketches of men are admirable. He says of Fenimore Cooper “a man of unquestioned talent,—almost genius,—he was...

Monday. March 8th The days fade and Time marches on triumphant. We count the weeks and soon must count the days when we leave home.

March 12th Heard a bird yesterday which I thought a blue bird; it was their day of arrival and the sun shone warm and clear as if to tempt them. Today the snow is falling again.

Saturday March 13. Mr. Emerson read in the afternoon. The subject was Wordsworth in chief, but the time was far too short to do justice to the notes he had made.

March 15. Snow-storm and not quite strong so did not venture out till evening when I heard two German plays, well done, for the benefit of Mr. Clarke’s Sunday School.

Thursday 18. I take a French lesson every morning.

Friday. Clarence King came to breakfast. Last night he spoke before the Thursday Club. I would like time to tell of him. He is but 28 years old now, for the last 7 years has been working for the government, exploring for the Pacific Railroad and for the last 2 years supporting a mother &...

Easter Sunday. March 28. Lovely spring-like weather—sweet Easter day. I lament that life and events have been too much for me of late and have forced me to omit much I should like to set down here.

Wednesday March 31st Mother’s and Sarah’s visit came to an end yesterday. They seem to have enjoy[ed] themselves. Very witty letter from Lowell inviting to dine on Roast Pig Fast Day.” Oh! times and seasons! How we do affront you.

April 1st Last night Kate Field gave her first lecture. She looked very pale and it was a great struggle & also a great success. As in the old days of Greece the beautiful Aspasia again exhorted the people. She pleaded her cause well and applause and approbation greeted her on every hand. Her...

April 4th It really seems strange to be by ourselves. No company and living quietly for a few days. Having no family of our own it is natural and proper for us to live much in the interests of others. Heaven keep us from the narrowness of living for ourselves. It is a bright clear cold Sunday...

Mr. Whittier came to breakfast Friday morning April 9th Jamie and he talked of the religious inheritances of our race, how impossible to shake off, save by a strong effort ideas instilled into us during early childhood. Whittier was pleased to hear the tribute paid by Mr. Emerson on Sunday to...

Tuesday April 13. Dr. Holmes & his wife & Mr. Whittier dined here. The talk was free, totally free from all feeling of constraint as it could not have been had another person been present. Whittier says he is afraid of strangers and Dr. Holmes is never more delightful than under just such...

Wednesday. Kate Field, her mother &c passed the evening with 8 guests. Jamie read a little paper of his on T. & D.

Saturday April 17. Weather wild at times but full of Spring—the night radiant with stars.

April 20–21. Warm as summer with dropping rain. Mr. Murray, pastor of Park St. church, young muscular Xtian—and Mr. Harris, young Oxon., came to breakfast. Curious to watch the two civilizations thus contrasted. Murray a man of considerable native power, Harris of real culture.

Monday night. New York. April 26. Wonderfully warm weather—cherry trees in blossom. Market gardens all along the way in fine feather. It was hard getting away but all is joyful now.

Tuesday. A day of perfect sunshine in New York. Mabel & I strolled about B[road]way in the morning. Saw the academy which had 3 or 4 fine pictures and several rooms full of poor ones, drove in the Park in the afternoon a marvel of summer time and all loveliness of nature and of art and wound up...

Wed. 28th Left Westminster Hotel in radiant weather, covered with flowers and good wishes. The day was like summer. We did not fairly steam off till 4 o’clock.

Saturday 8th Morning Reading Loudon.

Sunday. Reached Liverpool per steamer Russia five o’clock P.M.

Monday. Duke Street, 153. Miss Williams.

Tuesday. May 11th London. Have seen Mr. Dickens! At last we can rest. I must confess the excitement was rather strong for all of us. He has been to our hotel 4 times today, beside a long walk with Jamie along the banks of the Thames. This afternoon he sat a long time telling us about Henry...

Tuesday. May 18th It is just one week this morning since we awaked in London and in this beautiful as well as comfortable Hotel. C.D. says justly, the little drawingroom is like a small salon at the theatre. The whole account of our stay here is on account of him.