George Ticknor, Life, letters and journals of George Ticknor
George Hillard, Ed.

Paris, Thursday Morning, June 18, 1857.

Dear William,—I thank you, I thank you, I thank you a thousand times for your thoughtful kindness in sending me your letter about my darling child, and getting Dr. Storer's note for me. The news was dreadfully unexpected, and it needed all the affection of our friends to soften it to us. . . . . Your tender words were most welcome to us, and your kindness to dear Lizzie what we shall never forget. You and Susan have been friends indeed, as you always are; God bless you for it.

The two Annas and H. G. embark from Havre in the Arago on the 30th. It is the earliest chance. . . . . I must go to England instantly after I have seen them off, to finish my business there,—of which there is more than I now like to undertake, and more than I have courage to do. But it is the finale, and a good deal depends upon it, and I shall do it. I refer to the Library. . . .

But I have no time to write more, nor could I write upon any other subject than the one that fills this poor note, for I have nothing else in my thoughts, though I am busy with things and people all day long. Your letter came evening before last (Tuesday). I have read it a dozen times, and thanked you for it many more times than I have read it. Farewell. . . . .

Yours always,

Geo. Ticknor.

When the party first reached Paris the Duc de Broglie was still in town, and also Madame de Stael, whom Mr. Ticknor had never seen, but who received him warmly, and in whom he took a great interest, as the widow of Auguste de Stael,¹ with whom he had been so intimate during his first youthful visit in France. These friends, with their delightful coterie,—Doudan, Villemain, Madame de Ste. Aulaire, M. and Mad. d'haussonville, and others of the Duc de Broglie's family,—renewed the old associations, and there were pleasant dinners in the Faubourg St. Germain,