Christmas was always a season of much activity at No. 28 Rutland Square. The tokens which Mrs. Moulton sent to friends kept her and Katy busy long in arranging and sending; and in turn came gifts from far and near. With her generous and friendly spirit she was fully in sympathy with the spirit of the time. Among her Christmas gifts on this year, was one from Louise Imogen Guiney, with these charming and delicately humorous verses: TO LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON WITH A THERMOMETER AT CHRISTMAS. Behold, good Hermes! (once a god With errand-winglets crowned and shod), Your silvern, sensitive, slim rod, Still potent, still surviving; Chill mimic of the chilly sky, Crouched, chin on knee, morose and sly, Where, in my luthern window's eye, The Christmas snows are driving. But if beside her heart you were, And over you the smile of her, Oh, never might the north-wind stir, Or gleaming frost benumb her! For you, of old, love warmth and light, And in the calendar's despite, This moment leaping to your height, I know you'd swear 'tis summer! On January 1, 1901, Mrs. Moulton records in her diary: "Wrote a sonnet, the first in nearly or quite two years, beginning, 'Once more the New Year mocks me with its scorn.'" When the poem was published, "New Year" had been changed to "morning." The summer of this year found her again in London. Her health was seriously affected, and at times she was a great sufferer; but when she was able to go about among her friends she was as full of spirit as ever. Indeed, the diary gives a surprising list of festivities which she attended. "Went to Lady Wynford's charming luncheon." "Went to Edward Clifford's to see pictures, and had the loveliest evening." "Went to Archdeacon Wilberforce's, Mrs. Meynell's, and Mrs. Clifford's, and dined at Annie Lane's." "Lunch at Sir Richard Burton's at Hampstead Heath. Lady Burton, who can never sit up, because of spinal trouble, was charming." "Some one--a lady who left no name--brought me charming roses. A good many guests--Lady Wynford, Mrs. Sutherland Orr, Canon Bell, and George Moore among them." "Went to Lord Iddesleigh's. He gave me his first book, 'Belinda Fitzwarren.'" To this summer belongs the following letter, which is interesting not only in itself, but also as illustrating how the old questions of religion followed Mrs. Moulton through life: _Dr. E. Winchester Donald to Mrs. Moulton_ "JULY 9, 1901.