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Thursday, November 26, 1891

Thursday, November 26, 1891

Did not get to W.'s today. Weather rainy, stormy. Letter from Wallace, quite of length, but without detail of reception, which must have been hot: Anderton, nr. Chorley Lancashire, England 17. Nov 1891 My dear Friends, Your letters of the 4th inst. with letters returned from Jersey City enclosed just to hand. Thanks to you both. I had planned to have some leisure at my command to write you a fairly long letter by this mail. But, alas!, business interposes unescapable laws, & I am shut up to a few hurried minutes. Since I arrived here I have stayed quietly at home till yesterday, Fred Wild & his little boy coming out to see me on Sunday. But last night (Monday) I had tea at Johnston's & later took a car to Ferguson's where the College met to welcome me. I must leave it to Johnston to tell you all that passed. But he cannot tell you—nor can I—how glad I was to meet my old friends, dearer now than ever, by an English hearth—not philosophers, nor literary men, nor refined, nor clever—but warm loyalhearted friends & true men. Glad indeed was I to see them again. The inevitable songs were sung—chaff, raillery, fun & warm kindness, good will & affection—& deeper feelings still of gratitude to the kind Heavens, & responding affection to the good friends in America who gave me—& the College through me—so noble a welcome & such constant & unwearied service & hospitable kindness. We came away at 11.30—took railway train at 11.35 to Bolton, where I spent the night at Johnston's—sitting up with him till after 1, both loathe to separate. I read the College some of my notes which were of course deeply interesting to them. I got a little cold in the gale last Thursday & have felt tired since I came home. Otherwise I am well & expect to become acclimatized & settled down with returning vigour very soon. All well here. Weather gloomy with occasional showers but fairly good for an English November. Do not measure my appreciation of & gratitude for all your kindness by my cold, undemonstrative passiveness—"the cold silent manner of me without charm"—but believe that I treasure in my heart, undying memories of it all, & that I send you both love & blessing. All the time I was in Camden I felt it all too deeply—beyond my capacity to adequately realize, much less express—but as I gradually settle down once more in my old place & work—it wil gradually take its due place & proportion & perspective in my mind. Then I trust the chief good to me—an ever present memory, encouragement, stimulus, joy & hope. Love to our dear old hero for ever! Love to you & to your wife (more more than I can say). Love to the friends one and all. Joy to you—growing & advancing life to you, body, heart & mind—& the divine blessing on you & all your affairs. J. W. Wallace P. S. I had to go back to Bolton tonight on business after writing the foregoing. Business done I called on Deardens, Greenhalghs, & Dixons & handed over the presents I brought. They were all delighted with what I brought & are indebted (as I am myself) to Mrs. Traubel for her kind & tasteful aid & cooperation. It would have done her good to see the delight of Dixon's children & their affectionate response. Mrs. Greenhalgh seemed very much pleased with her glass dish—Mrs. Dixon with her purse. Mrs. Jones, too, was unaffectedly pleased with the aprons I brought. In each case I think we scored a complete success & I have to thank Mrs. Traubel anew for all her kindness. I came home by the last train & scribble this hastily. It grieves me that I cannot now write to Walt more than the briefest line. I have to leave home early on business & shall probably be away 2 weeks, coming home only at week ends. Love to you both J. W. Wallace 
 
Miss Porter promptly accepts essay. That seems to have a significance. Anyway, we will let it go out upon the waters, to return or not, as it may.

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