"_February 12._ At ten in the morning came a committee of Cretan officers of the late insurrection, presenting a letter through Mr. Rainieri, himself a Cretan, expressing the gratitude of the Cretans to dear Papa for his efforts in their behalf.... Mr. Rainieri made a suitable address in French--to which I replied in the same tongue. Coffee and cordial were served. The occasion was of great interest.... In the afternoon spoke at Mrs. Felton's of the Advancement of Women as promoted by association. An American dinner of perhaps forty, nearly all women, Greek, but understanding English. A good occasion. To party at Madame Schliemann's." "_February 15._ Miserable with a cold. A confused day in which nothing seemed to go right. Kept losing sight of papers and other things. Felt as if God could not have made so bad a day--my day after all; I made it." "_February 18._ To ball at the Palace. King took Maud out in the German." "_February 21._ The day for eating the roast lamb with the Cretan chiefs. Went down to the Piræus warmly wrapped up.... Occasion most interesting. Much speech-making and toasting. I mentioned Felton." "_February 22._ Dreadful day of departure. Packed steadily but with constant interruptions. The Cretans called upon me to present their photographs and take leave. Tried a poem, failed. Had black coffee--tried another--succeeded...." "_February 23._ Sir Henry Layard, late English minister to the Porte, is on board. Talked Greek at dinner--beautiful evening--night as rough as it could well be. Little sleep for any of us. Glad to see that Lord Hartington has spoken in favor of the Greeks, censuring the English Government." "_February 26...._ Sir Henry Layard and I _tête-à-tête_ on deck, looking at the prospect--he coveting it, no doubt, for his rapacious country, I coveting it for liberty and true civilization." The spring was spent in Italy. In May they came to London. "_May 29._ Met Mr. William Speare.... He told me of his son's death, and of that of William Lloyd Garrison. Gallant old man, unique and enviable in reputation and character. Who, oh! who can take his place? 'Show us the Father.'" The last weeks of the London visit were again too full for any adequate account of them to find its way into her letters or journals. She visited London once more in later years, but this was her last long stay. She never forgot the friends she made there, and it was one of the many day-dreams she enjoyed that she should return for another London season. Sometimes after reading the account of the gay doings chronicled in the London "World," which Edmund Yates sent her as long as he lived, she would cry out, "O! for a whiff of London!" or, "My dear, we must have another London season before I die!" CHAPTER III NEWPORT 1879-1882; _aet._ 60-63 A THOUGHT FOR WASHING DAY The clothes-line is a Rosary Of household help and care; Each little saint the Mother loves Is represented there.