_T.W. Higginson to Mrs. Moulton_ CAMBRIDGE, May 3, 1887. DEAR FRIEND: I gladly join with others in this mid-ocean post-bag. I hope you will take your instalments of friendship in as many successive days. Few American women,--perhaps none,--have succeeded in establishing such a pleasant intermedian position before English and American literature as have you, and as the ocean does not limit your circle of friends, it seems very proper that we on this side should stretch our hands to you across it. As one of your oldest and best friends, I wish you not only "many happy returns," but one, at least, in the autumn. Ever cordially, T.W. HIGGINSON. On the other side of the Atlantic Philip Bourke Marston and his friend William Sharp greeted her return to London in three sonnets. _Philip Bourke Marston to Mrs. Moulton_ UNDESCRIED.--TO L.C.M. When from her world, new world, she sailed away, Right out into the sea-winds and the sea, Did no foreshadowing of good to be Surprise my heart? That memorable day Did I as usual rise, think, do, and say As on a day of no import to me? Did hope awake no least low melody? Send forth no spell my wandering steps to stay? Oh, could our souls catch music of the things From some lone height of being undescried, Then had I heard the song the sea-wind sings The waves; and through the strain of storm and tide,-- As soft as sleep and pure as lovely springs,-- Her voice wherein all sweetnesses abide. _William Sharp to Mrs. Moulton_ ANTICIPATED FRIENDSHIP Friend of my friend! as yet to me unknown, Shall we twain meeting meet and care no more? Already thou hast left thy native shore, And to thine ears the laughter and the moan Of the strange sea by night and day unknown, Its thunder and its music and its roar; A few days hence the journey will be o'er, And I shall know if hopes have likewise flown. As one hears by the fire a father tell His eager child some tales of fairy land, Where no grief is and no funereal bell, But thronging joys and many a happy band; So do I hope fulfillment will be well, And not scant grace, with cold, indifferent hand. AFTER MEETING