[_Journal_]

Boston, _November, 1856: Mrs. David Reed's_.--I find my little room up
in the attic very cosey and a house full of boarders very amusing to
study. Mrs. Reed very kind. Fly around and take C. his stories. Go
to see Mrs. L. about A. Don't want me. A blow, but I cheer up and
hunt for sewing. Go to hear Parker, and he does me good. Asks me to
come Sunday evenings to his house. I did go there, and met Phillips,
Garrison, Hedge, and other great men, and sit in my corner weekly,
staring and enjoying myself.

When I went Mr. Parker said, "God bless you, Louisa; come again"; and
the grasp of his hand gave me courage to face another anxious week.

_November 3d_.--Wrote all the morning. In the P. M. went to see the
Sumner reception as he comes home after the Brooks affair. I saw him
pass up Beacon Street, pale and feeble, but smiling and bowing. I
rushed to Hancock Street, and was in time to see him bring his proud
old mother to the window when the crowd gave three cheers for her. I
cheered, too, and was very much excited. Mr. Parker met him somewhere
before the ceremony began, and the above P. cheered like a boy; and
Sumner laughed and nodded as his friend pranced and shouted, bareheaded
and beaming.

My kind cousin, L. W., got tickets for a course of lectures on "Italian
Literature," and seeing my old cloak sent me a new one, with other
needful and pretty things such as girls love to have. I shall never
forget how kind she has always been to me.

_November 5th_.--Went with H. W. to see Manager Barry about the