Passing through New York, where I saw Dr. Dickson and his family and heard Henry Ward Beecher preach, I reached my winter's home on October 3, reported myself at college, met everywhere a kind welcome, and settled down for winter work. The clever demonstrator again afforded me his valuable aid in anatomy, and the friendliness of the class continued. Sometimes, whilst sitting by the Doctor during some delicate demonstration of the brain, the students who were crowding round, standing on chairs, leaning on one another's shoulders, kept most respectfully from me, drawing back instantly when by accident they touched my head or shoulder.[1]
October 26.—The class held a meeting to-day to request
a holiday on election day; and a political division was
called for by the assembled students. I went over to the
'Free Soil' side, and was received with repeated cheering.
I asked Dr. Le Ford, reproachfully, if he was going to
vote for the slave-holder, Taylor; whereupon he gave me
his reasons for political action, and grew quite eloquent
in his self-defence.
November 12.—Howy made his appearance to-day, just as I settled down to perpetrate an essay for the family Christmas Annual. How good it is to see a brother! He looked very well, and we had a merry time together. I stayed away from afternoon lectures to be with him. He is a capital companion and greatly improved. I did more laughing than I've done for months. His visit did me real good, for I have been so lonely. Heaven bless the dear boy in his future!
Sunday, 19th.—Alone all day in my room, yet anything but lonely. Bright visions of usefulness have been
- ↑ See Appendix I.
