Diary of Annie Adams Fields

Monday. Housekeeping, arranging, cook engaged.

Nov. 2. Buying goods and setting in order. Porter passed the evening. Went next day to his studio.

Nov. 3. Dear Jamie left me to go to Williamstown where he speaks at the college 3 successive nights. Arranged flowers to greet dear Mrs Putnam & Georgie who reach home tonight from Europe.

Nov. 4. Arranged dress for Mr. Wild’s picture of Leonardo da Vinci for the benefit of the Children’s Hospital. Saw Mr. Appleton—told me an old lady upon the continent fell dead in love with him. She had a wooden-leg—have I indeed come to this I said. So I whipped her over the head with...

Nov. 5. Miss Tolman dying of consumption from overwork at the Kindergarten school sent to see me. Went at once then to Centennial Rooms where I find much to be looked after. Thence buying goods again for house. Called to see Mrs Putnam, arranged dress for tableaux.

Nov. 6. Mr. Gerry called. Miss Phelps & Mrs Lodge lunched. Dear “J” returned.

Sunday. Celia came to breakfast—went with her to hear Mr. Weiss. Met Mrs. S. Siddons coming in to call here. She sat half an hour and we pleasantly compared notes about travelling and reading.

Monday Evening Feb. 21. Went as chaperone to Miss Lucy Derby my neighbor and her friend Miss Ida Cushman of Philadelphia to see Sotheran in David Garrick. His part and that of the young lady with whom he played, Miss Linda Dietz, were beautifully played. He’s as a man of great talent, perhaps...

Tuesday 22. We remained quietly at home save a visit to Chardon Street, mother & Anna Dresel—who is still ill.

Wednesday 23. Went to Hunts Studio in the evening. Mr. & Mrs Bangs, his brother and nephew, a little boy were there when we arrived. He said they were just “fixing up” for the company. A noble portrait of Mrs J.H. Towne was on the easel. Hunt was capering about in his liveliest way. Every...

24—Bitter cold day. The great Centennial Ball.

Wednesday March 1—Sat to Miss Greene for my portrait nearly all day.

Thursday March 2. The ground is covered with snow and the weather more wintry than anything we have had. My days are still crowded. I think if women could be dressed by telegraph all would go well with us, but it does require, even if one does not go to balls, a great deal of outlook to keep...

Sunday March 5. Have been weak and ill for a day or two, although I went to Sunday School this afternoon. I read two or three lines from Crabbe describing Mrs Fry of whom I had been speaking. Luly Dresel smiled—Why do you smile Luly I said—“I don’t know, but I think it is because it is...

March 9th We are quietly at home together. Last night we called on the old man Dana. He is proud and pleased at the appointment of his son as minister to England. He says he can well remember at the time of the Anthony Burns trial passing a number of colored people in the street and hearing one...

Saturday March 11. Enjoyed several interesting visits and in the evening stopped an hour at Mrs Lodge’s. She lent me Amperè published letters now just edited. I looked them over after my return and decided not to read them. I find enough of the Amperès in Sainte Beuve and although these...

Sunday March 12. The weather is like spring, cloudy, and soft ducks are afloat in the river. It is surely a most unexampled season.

March 17: Evacuation Day! The Women’s Centennial Committee got up a fine meeting in the Old South Church. It was full of feeling. Samuel Eliot presided, Mr. Quincy showed the Gorget worn by Washington, Mr. Charles Francis Adams received the first public recognition of his candidate-ship for...

March 21st A wild storm of snow and rain. I go today to Chardon St but I fear the poor women will either be kept away altogether or will make themselves ill by going out.

Wednesday March 22. Jamie left for Hartford in the morning, where he is to lecture. He was invited by Mark Twain to stay at his house, whither he gladly wended his way.

Thursday. Passed the early morning at home writing letters and arranging charity list. At one o’clock went to Mr. Appletons, stopping to see Mrs Lodge whose mother is ill and Willy (who has been very poorly) by the way.

April 5. Last night a fearful snow-storm broke down the telegraph everywhere and has done a world of harm. We have not heard all yet. Jamie leaves the morning for Hartford going round by the way of Providence to lecture. A postal card signed “Mark” from Mr. Clemmens shows he is expected. The...

Thursday. Miss E.S. Phelps dropped in after breakfast. Brought a sketch she had just made in Phila. of the cottage (now about to be destroyed) where Evangeline found Gabriel. She has also written some delightful verses on this theme which she read to us. We then sent picture & poem to Longfellow.

Sunday April 16. A wonderful season. The grass is quite green and summer is in the air. Jamie lectured yesterday on Choate before the law-students of the Boston University. They rallied round him delightedly. It was a grand tribute to the lecturer I thought when the young men were examining the...

Thursday was Fast Day and we went to Manchester. We found our house perfectly sound and dry. There was hardly any perceptible dust, in short I should not have thought it quite possible to shut up a house & find it again in such perfect condition.