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.