7.25 P.M. Though it had snowed all day (the snow going to slush) and was now chill, though not cold, W. sat at an open parlor window. When I entered he got up on his feet and struggled to pull his shawl up over the neck nearest the window. Laughed: "As the writer says, 'I wrap my mantle about me,' and sit down to pleasant thought!" I was in but for a glimpse. He reported "nothing momentously new with me."—"Letters coming every day, of course" but these "mostly for autographs." Dr. Bucke, however, "writing assiduously" still.
"The most important event in the world today perhaps—is Bismarck's resignation—now really given, taken—as before only rumored given, taken. I suppose his work is in fact, done. After all he had his part to play: he stood for unification, condensation, compactness, nationality—not provincialism. Roughly, no doubt, to a great extent—but powerfully, irresistibly. Finally, at the worst, a factor in our democracy—an abettor—a man believing in union, in his own way." I was sorry to have to rush off—for W. was in humor to go on in this line and I wished to hear. He was very affectionate—on my leaving took my hand—"Good-bye—bless you, boy!"