From Belgium the way led to London; thence, after a brief and delightful visit to the Bracebridges at Atherstone, to Liverpool, where the China awaited her passengers. The voyage was long and stormy, thirteen days: the Journal speaks chiefly of its discomforts; but on the second Sunday we read: "X. preached a horrible sermon--stood up and mocked at philosophy in good English and bad Christianity. He failed alike of satire and of sense, and talked like a small Pharisee of two thousand years ago. 'Not much like the Sermon on the Mount,' quoth I; not theology enough to stand examination at Andover. Bluejackets in a row, unedified, as were most of us." On October 25 the travellers landed in Boston, thankful to be again on firm land, and to see the family unit once more complete. "The dear children came on board to greet us--all well, and very happy at our return." Thus ends the story, seven months of wonder and of delight. At her Club, soon after, she gave the following epitome of the trip, singing the doggerel lines to an improvised tune which matched them in absurdity:-- Oh! who were the people you saw, Mrs. Howe, When you went where the Cretans were making a row? Kalopathaki--Rodocanachi-- Paparipopoulos--Anagnostopoulos-- Nicolaïdes--Paraskevaïdes-- These were the people that saw Mrs. Howe When she went where the Cretans were making a row. Oh! what were the projects you made, Mrs. Howe, When you went where the Cretans were making a row? Emancipation--civilization--redintegration of a great nation, Paying no taxes, grinding no axes-- Flinging the Ministers over the banisters. These were the projects of good Mrs. Howe When she went where the Cretans were making a row. * * * * * Oh! give us a specimen, dear Mrs. Howe, Of the Greek that you learned and are mistress of now. Potichomania--Mesopotamia. Tatterdemalion--episcopalian-- Megalotherium--monster inferium-- Scoulevon--auctrion--infant phenomenon. Kyrie ticamete--what's your calamity? Pallas Athenae Aun, Favors no Fenian. Such is the language that learned Mrs. Howe, In the speech of the Gods she is mistress of now. CHAPTER XIII CONCERNING CLUBS 1867-1871; _aet._ 48-52 "Behold," he said, "Life's great impersonate, Nourished by labor! Thy gods are gone with old-time faith and fate; Here is thy Neighbor." J. W. H., "A New Sculptor." After such a rush of impression and emotion, the return to everyday life could not fail to bring about a corresponding drop in our mother's mental barometer. Vexations awaited her. The Boylston Place house had been let for a year, and--Green Peace being also let on a long lease--the reunited family took refuge for the winter in the "Doctor's Wing" of the Perkins Institution.