: Memories grave and gay by Hall Florence Howe - Hall Florence Howe 1845-1922

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FOREWORD

IT has been a pleasure for me to recall, at the kind request of the Messrs. Harper & Brothers, the memories of a lifetime, even though some sad thoughts have mingled with the happy ones. So many bright shapes have risen out of the past at my bidding that the difficulty of selection has been great. Beloved faces seem to look out at me and say, "Why did you leave me out?" The ghosts of noble deeds, the memories of stirring scenes sweep softly by me, murmuring: "Are we not worthy of mention?"

Indeed and indeed you are, bright spirits of the past and of the present also, but in my small mosaic all the precious stones would not fit.

For the rest, if the store of my childhood's early memories seems to be unduly large, it must be whispered that when, some twenty-five years ago, I began to record my reminiscences, a good fairy, my mother, helped me.

I

INTRODUCTORY

It was the Ward sisters' interest in his famous pupil, Laura Bridgman, the blind deaf-mute, which brought about the first meeting of my parents, Charles Sumner and the poet driving the young ladies to the Institution for the Blind. In the following winter, 1842-43, Doctor Howe and Julia Ward became engaged, their marriage taking place in April, 1843. Longfellow's beautiful letter of congratulation addressed to the "Chevalier" has been published elsewhere. I am glad to be able to give the one he wrote to our mother's "Brother Sam."

MY DEAR SAM,--I ought to have written you long ago on the great event of our brave Chevalier's conquering the Celestial City; but I have been away from home, and have moreover been hoping to see you here, and expecting to hear from you. The event did not surprise me; for the Chevalier is a mighty man of Love, and I noted that on the walls of the citadel first the white flag would be displayed, and anon the red, and then again the white. The citadel could not have surrendered to a braver, better or more humane Knight.

I write you a very short note this morning, because I am going down to hear Sumnerius lecture in the Law School, on Ambassadors, Consuls, Peace & War, and other matters of International Law.

Write me soon--as soon as you can; and say that you are coming to Cambridge erelong. Life is short. We meet not often; and I am most sincerely,

HENRY W. LONGFELLOW.

After a year and a half in Europe my parents returned to America. The European travel had been by post, in their own carriage. The tour had been expensive and economy was for a time necessary. My mother accordingly did some clerical work, thus earning the money for my baby-clothes.

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