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Restored to the quiet of his study, he edited, with his friend
Mrs. Ella H. Bigelow, a volume of ‘American Sonnets’; in 1888, wrote his book ‘Travellers and Outlaws’; and on New Year's Day, 1889, the diary recorded: ‘Looking forward also to my volume of poems, the fulfilled dream of a life’; and soon adds: ‘Translated two Camoens sonnets and revised Ruckert's “ Cradle Song” and got them into volume.’
This was his first volume of verse and was called ‘An Afternoon Landscape.’
A little later, he writes:—
Jan. 29.
At printing office—last proofs.
I shall miss the fine and delicate pleasure of revising these verses—the flower of my life; a sort of witchhazel.
When a summons came from the
Governor in June, 1889, to appear at the
State House,
Colonel Higginson supposed that the interview would relate to the controversy on parochial schools, but instead he was offered the post of military historian.
This offer he at first declined, but being urged to consider it, he decided a few days later to accept.
November saw him fairly launched in this new literary enterprise, and he wrote to his sister:—
. . . I see that I must be very careful and as I now have Margaret in full force upon me ( “Papa, I am going to take good sound care of you,” ) I shall probably be protected.
She requires me to go to bed early. . . . I am quite free from extra engagements
