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

“February 15.... A day of great pleasure, profit and fatigue ... Griggs's lecture.... The address on ‘Erasmus and Luther’ was very inspiring. Griggs is in the full tide of youthful inspiration and gives himself to his audience without stint. He did not quite do justice to the wonderful emancipation of thought which Protestantism has brought to the world, but his illustration of the two characters was masterly. I said afterwards to Fanny Ames: ‘He will burn himself out.’ She thinks that he is wisely conservative of his physical strength. I said, ‘He bleeds at every pore.’ I used to say this of myself with regard to ordinary social life. Went to the Club, where was made to preside. Todd and Todkinee¹ both spoke excellently. Then to Symphony Concert to hear Kreisler and the ‘Pastoral Symphony.’ ”

“February 16.... The Philosophy meeting and Griggs's lecture revived in me the remembrance of my philosophic studies and attempts of thirty-five years ago, and I determined to endeavor to revise them and to publish them in some shape. Have thought a good deal this morning of this cream of genius in which the fervent heat of youth fuses conviction and imagination and gives the world its great masters and masterpieces. It cannot outlast the length of human life of which it is the poetry. Age follows it with slow philosophy, but can only strengthen the outposts which youth has gained with daring flight. Both are divinely ordained and most blessed. Of the dear Christ the world had only this transcendent efflorescence. I said ”