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of music, who had much to do with the early productions of Beethoven's Symphonies in Boston, collecting money in aid of the undertaking.
President Eliot made a good speech for Berea; others followed.... When my name was called, I had already a good thought to express.”
“February 18. To N. E.W. C., where Colonel Higginson and I spoke of Longfellow; I from long and intimate acquaintance, he from a literary point of view.
He said, I thought rightly, that we are too near him to be able to judge his merits as a poet; time must test them.”
“February 27.... In evening went with the Jewett sisters to the celebration of Longfellow's Centennial.
I had copied my verses written for the first Authors' Reading in re Longfellow, rather hoping that I might be invited to read them.
This did not happen.
I had had no reason to suppose that it would, not having been thereunto invited.
Had a seat on the platform among the poet's friends, myself one of the oldest of them.
It seemed as if I could hardly hold my tongue, which, however, I did. I remembered that God has given me many opportunities of speaking my thoughts.
If He withheld this one I am bound to suppose it was for the best.
I sat on the platform, where Sarah Jewett and I were the only women in the charmed circle.”
“Item. The audience rose and greeted me as I ascended to the platform at Sanders Theatre.”
She could not bear to be “left out” ; indeed, she rarely was. In this one respect she was, perhaps, the “spoiled child” that she sometimes called herself.
Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston and New York. 1916.
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