Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Letters and Journals of Thomas Wentworth Higginson

[261] Eugenie says she never wishes to hear of the Regency, nor of the Empire, nor of the Emperor, but to be left alone with her boy.

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Yesterday I dined with the Reverend Doctor de Koven, an Episcopal minister who has come to live here. .. . There are two very odd old-mannish little boys, twelve and eight, very remarkably educated and full of facts. The little one is a demure little fairy . . . he sat by me on the sofa and we talked. He told me how many feet of hose the united engines of Newport had, etc.; then asked some questions about the war, and then looking up in the gentlest way said gravely, “Were you in the battle of Bunker Hill?” . . . I whispered it afterwards to the father and mother (very jolly people) to their immense delight, and the next day she got out of little Bertie that he really meant Bull Run!

Interrupted by Bigelow and Bret Harte, with whom I drove and dined. Liked him very much; not striking in appearance or manner, but quite unspoiled; less shy than Howells and perhaps less refined; but manly and pleasing.

Said he could not conceive of any editors making suggestions as to his style; it would cease to be his own.

I have dined out twice this week, but not under exciting circumstances; once with four Philadelphia gentlemen who talked about different vintages and