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Early August found her in Northampton, reporting for the “Tribune” the Convention of the American Academy of Science.
The Doctor and Julia joined her, and she had “very busy days,” attending the sessions and writing her reports.
“Read over several times my crabbed essay on the ‘Two Necessities,’ which I determine to read in the evening.
I have with me also the essay on ‘Limitations,’ far more amusing and popular.
But for a scientific occasion, I will choose a treatise which aims at least at a scientific treatment of a great question.
This essay asserts the distinctness of the Ideal Order and its legitimate supremacy in human processes of thought.
I make a great effort to get its points thoroughly in my mind.
Go late to the Barnards'. The scientifics arrive very late, Agassiz gets there at 9.
I begin to read soon after.
The ladies of our party are all there.
I feel a certain enthusiasm in my work and subject, but do not communicate it to the audience, which seemed fatigued and cold; all at least but Pierce, Agassiz, and Davis.
Had I done well or ill to read it? . . . Some soul may have carried away a seed-grain of thought.”
“August 11.... To Mount Holyoke in the afternoon.
The ascent was frightful, the view sublime.
In the evening went to read to the insane people at the asylum; had not ‘Later Lyrics,’ but ‘Passion Flowers.’
Read from this and recited from the other.
Had great pleasure in doing this, albeit under difficulties.
Finished second ‘Tribune’ letter and sent it.”
Back at the Valley, she plunges once more into
Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston and New York. 1916.
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