Julia Ward Howe, 1819-1910Richards, Laura Elizabeth Howe
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Julia Ward Howe, 1819-1910
Richards, Laura Elizabeth Howe
Authors, American -- 19th century -- Biography; Feminists -- United States -- Biography; Howe, Julia Ward, 1819-1910
"Read 11th and 12th chapters of Mark in the Valley. At some moments one
gets a clearer and nearer perception of the thought and personality of
Christ than that which we commonly carry with us."
Early in October came the move "home to Boylston Place, leaving the
Valley with great regret, but feeling more the importance of being with
the children, as I draw nearer to them."
Our mother had remained after the rest of us, to close the house. In
Boston she had the great pleasure of welcoming to this country her
nephew, Francis Marion Crawford, then a boy of twelve years. Born and
bred in Rome, a beautiful and petted child, he was now to learn to be an
American schoolboy. She took him herself to St. Paul's School in
Concord, New Hampshire; and for a year or two he spent most of his
holidays with us, to the delight of us all.
In this autumn of 1866 she undertook a new task, of which the first
mention in the Journal reads: "I will here put the names of some writers
of stories whom I may employ for the magazine."
A list of writers follows: and the next day she writes: "I saw J. R.
Gilmour and agreed with him to do editorial service for thirty dollars
per week for three months."
This magazine was the "Northern Lights." The first number appeared in
January, 1867. It contained two articles by Mrs. Howe: the "Salutation"
and a thoughtful poem called "The Two R's" (Rachel and Ristori). Later,
we find her in the "Sittings of the Owl Club," making game of the
studies she loved.
This owl went to Germany,
This owl stayed at home;
This owl read Kant and Fichte,
This owl read none.
This owl said "To-whit! I can't understand
the dogmatic categorical!"
The "Northern Lights" gleam fitfully in the Journal.
"_October 26._ To write Henry James for story, Charles T. Brooks for
sketches of travel. Saw and talked with Gilmour, who confuses my mind."
"_October 29._ Chev went with me to Ristori's _début_, which was in
Medea."
"_November 3._ All of these days have been busy and interrupted.
Maggi[63] has been reading Ristori's plays in my parlor every day this
week and my presence has been compulsory. I have kept on with Fichte
whose '_Sittenlehre_' I have nearly finished. Have copied one or two
poems, written various letters in behalf of the magazine, have seen
Ristori thrice on the stage and once in private."
[63] Count Alberto Maggi, an Italian _littérateur_.
"_November 10._ Finished copying and correcting my editorial for the
first number of my weekly. Finished also Fichte's '_Sittenlehre_' for
whose delightful reading I thank God, praying never to act quite
unworthily of its maxims."
"_November 11._ Called on Mrs. Charles Sumner, and saw both parties, who
were very cordial and seemed very happy."
"_November 15._ Crackers, .25, eggs, .43, rosewater for Frank Crawford,
.48. Very weary and overdone. The twelve apostles shall judge the
twelve tribes in that the Christian doctrine judges the Jews.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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