Mrs. Quincy's long illness had made me often think of late that the close of her beautiful life was near at hand; and yet the sad tidings struck my heart like a knell. Closely interwoven with the memories of my college life is the kindly and elegant hospitality of your house. With every year since those early days that hospitality has been again and again renewed; confidence and regard have been extended to me; and amidst the coldness or alienation of others I have found Mrs. Quincy a constant friend. Grateful to her memory, and deeply sympathizing with you and your family, I cannot forbear offering the tribute of my grief.1 To George Sumner, September 2:—
I rejoice in your confidence in the French Republic; and yet I must say it seems a government which deserves very little sympathy. I have been shocked by the press gag and the retrenchment of suffrage. It is a kingless monarchy, with the selfishness and expenditures of a monarchy, and not of a republic. Still, I know that the future is secure, and all things tend to our desires, even through disappointments. . . . When will this accursed passport system be abolished?To Longfellow, from Fishkill on the Hudson, September 15:
my dear Henry,—I have passed several happy days here with an ancient classmate, Sargent,2 who lives with great elegance at a beautiful seat on the banks of the Hudson. All here have read and admired “Evangeline.” Before coming here I saw Jenny Lind at her lodgings. She is not handsome, but is earnest and persuasive in manner. Her sympathies are with everything that promotes the good of men. She does not regard Miss Bremer as a woman of “genius.” I had a prolonged discussion with her on this point. She admitted that she was a “well-instructed woman,” —of fine feelings of heart, but not a genius. In the course of conversation she said, “We Swedes are a sensible people,” meaning “sensitive.” Her English is not accurate. She spoke on education; on the condition of the people in Europe, for whom she expresses the greatest interest; on the duties of kings. “What right,” she said, “have kings to live merely for carriages, horses, and palaces?” Her appearance on the stage was very fine. Her pose, movement, and expression were beautiful. My place was in the front gallery, directly opposite the singer.To R. H. Dana, Jr., November 1:—
What can have turned you to those old fields?3 I send you the volume containing the article on Replevin.4 Looking at this and my other labors in that volume, I am reminded how completely my mind has flowed into other
