I went to Phil. to see my children the Woods. There I staid 3 weeks -- and except when I felt sick I enjoyed my visit exceedingly much. It was only the second visit to Susan since she was married most 11 years. We went to two concerts -- Julien's & Sontags.
Took a delightful ride out to Laurel Hill Cem. etc. G.A.W. came to N York with me, and thought I should be comfortable the rest of the way to Prov., but the Commodore received injury from the contact with a brig. so we had a very trying time from 4 o'clock Frid. until 8 o'clock Sat. night from N York to P. I rested at Mary's two days then went out to see Roby and staid all night. I had a nice visit with her.
Thurs. Thanksgiving Day [1853]
Dr. Hall preached finely to us. I dined with E.J.C. -- no company. Sen. Dr. staid in Brookline. C.W.W., Dr. E.A. & Watty went to Bridgewater and had a good time with the Phipps. Dr. Charles went to see the Crystal Palace & to see Susan, but not when I went, his med. business prevented. M. Cushing and I made several visits & calls upon some of my old friends in Prov. and one new one, Mrs. Potter, whom I met in the boat. I left Mary's Frid. 25th Nov. 1853.
Sat. 26th
Put down the parlor carpets. Katy & Ann.
Sund.
Went to church all day & concert in the eve. Dr. & I called upon our cousin Wilds in the city. Saw G.A.W. He called out here sat. eve. He was on his way to NPort
Tues.
Mrs. Blake & I went to call upon Mrs. Pierce, saw Mrs. Hedge.
Wed.
I took them over to Cam.
Thurs. Dec 1st 1853
I ironed muslins etc. Done some mending pants
Frid 2d
I called upon Mrs. Hedge & Mrs. Fox. C.W.W. pd. & stopped the Commonwealth, & "County Journal." I paid the iceman 11$.
Sat.
Sent for a new stove in the office, worked hard all day to clean up the room. Watty helped etc.
The steamboat Commodore, taking Mary from New York across Long Island Sound to Stonington, Connecticut, collided with a brig and drifted to Red Hook in Brooklyn where it stayed overnight with the passengers aboard. Mary's return to Providence was thus delayed.
Louis-Phillipe Julien was a French conductor and composer whose orchestra was touring America. Mary would see him perform again in Boston in January (p24) Henriette Sontag was a German opera soprano who was also touring America.
The Wild cousins in Boston have not been identified.
Lucy Hedge and Feroline Fox were daughters of Lucy and Rev. John Pierce.
"County Journal" was most likely the Norfolk County Journal, published between 1849 and 1868. There does not appear to have been a publication called Commonwealth at this time.
