Laura E. Richards, Maud Howe, Florence Howe Hall, Julia Ward Howe, 1819-1910, in two volumes, with portraits and other illustrations: volume 1

“Read 11th and 12th chapters of Mark in the Valley. At some moments one gets a clearer and nearer perception of the thought and personality of Christ than that which we commonly carry with us.” Early in October came the move “home to Boylston Place, leaving the Valley with great regret, but feeling more the importance of being with the children, as I draw nearer to them.”

Our mother had remained after the rest of us, to close the house. In Boston she had the great pleasure of welcoming to this country her nephew, Francis Marion Crawford, then a boy of twelve years. Born and bred in Rome, a beautiful and petted child, he was now to learn to be an American schoolboy. She took him herself to St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire; and for a year or two he spent most of his holidays with us, to the delight of us all. In this autumn of 1866 she undertook a new task, of which the first mention in the Journal reads: “I will here put the names of some writers of stories whom I may employ for the magazine.”

A list of writers follows: and the next day she writes: “I saw J. R. Gilmour and agreed with him to do editorial service for thirty dollars per week for three months.”

This magazine was the “Northern Lights.” The first number appeared in January, 1867. It contained two articles by Mrs. Howe: the “Salutation” and a thoughtful poem called “The two R's” (Rachel and Ristori). Later, we find her in the “Sittings of the Owl Club,” making game of the studies she loved.