Travel Diaries and Journals

Wednesday December 17th Sewed as usual. Hannah Wilde called in the afternoon . In the evening we received a note from Mr J.C. Warner, stating, that the [in?] consequence of an engagement, he would be unable to attend singing school this evening. Of this we were very glad as the cold which was intense made us dread to go out. We rec'd an invitation from the Hudsons to spend the evening with them, but for [?] some reason declined. Read Kossuth's great speech of the eleventh, and wrote to Sarah Gonsalves? inviting her to spend the holidays with us. Father left us to-day for Montpelier, Vermont on business. He expects to be absent nearly a fortnight.

Thursday.. Still very cold. Went to the post-office and to Hamilton's in the morning. In the afternoon I called on Kate Hudson. George accompanied me home. In the evening Mother and I attended [Lycenum?]. Mr Saxe, the Green Mountain poet, delivered a very fine poem on New England.

Friday.. Bright but cold.. Sewed most of the day and evening. Sarah Olmsted, am old friend and schoolmate, whom I have not seen for more than two years, called in this afternoon. We had a rather lengthy and pleasant chat on things long since past, but not forgotten. How pleasant it is occasionally thus to meet, one, who still remembers, and loves to think of the little events, and pleasing remembrances of our school girl days. They were indeed pleasant, and I shall not soon forget them.

[text on left side of left margin: [?] [?] for the purpose of taking [music?] lessons. Her family lives in the country where she is unable to obtain a [music?] teacher.

[text on right side of left margin: [?] [?] [?] [?] the Rev Mr Porter [?] Mr Stephen [?] Branch. son of the late Judge Branch of Providence. She has been engaged to him only six weeks. He is reputed to be a gentleman of wealth & respectability The happy (?) couple set out immediately for Washington. They intend visiting Europe in May

Sunday. 28th Dec.. Rained hard all day. I did not go out. Father visited Henry Hudson at noon. Found him very low but perfectly sensible. At his request prayers were offered for him at church in the afternoon Father visited him again after church and found him in a very happy state of mind. He sent his love to us all. The thought of his danger affected me very much, though I could scarcely tell why I wept. We had a little meeting at home in the ev'ng and special prayers were offered for him. Mr Murphy Harriet, Carrie and I sang and talked together till about ten when we retired.

Monday.. The snow has all disappeared, carried completely away by the heavy rain of yesterday, and it is much warmer than it was last week; but the walking is anything but pleasant. Went out in the afternoon of an errand. Met Emma Briggs and after- wards H. Wilde both of whom gave me a compliment very different from each other. Mary Reeve and Miss [?] called in my absence but going out again I met them and had quite a pleasant walk with them [Mr? word is crossed out] George Hendson? passed us as we turned a corner He looked very sober and I could not help feeling sorry that I happened to be laughing just then. Called on Mrs Tucker, and on Sarah Olmsted. Attended prayer meeting at Mrs Stearns in the evening.