I wrote rules; made out a regular system for
dividing my time; but my feelings vary so much that it is almost
impossible for me to be regular.'"
But let Harriet "take courage in her dark sorrows and melancholies,"
as Carlyle says: "Samuel Johnson too had hypochondrias; all great
souls are apt to have, and to be in thick darkness generally till the
eternal ways and the celestial guiding stars disclose themselves, and
the vague abyss of life knits itself up into firmaments for them."
At the same time (the winter of 1827), Catherine writes to Edward
concerning Harriet: "If she could come here (Hartford) it might be the
best thing for her, for she can talk freely to me. I can get her
books, and Catherine Cogswell, Georgiana May, and her friends here
could do more for her than any one in Boston, for they love her and
she loves them very much. Georgiana's difficulties are different from
Harriet's: she is speculating about doctrines, etc. Harriet will have
young society here all the time, which she cannot have at home, and I
think cheerful and amusing friends will do much for her. I can do
better in preparing her to teach drawing than any one else, for I best
know what is needed."
It was evidently necessary that something should be done to restore
Harriet to a more tranquil and healthful frame of mind; consequently
in the spring of 1827, accompanied by her friend Georgiana May, she
went to visit her grandmother Foote at Nut Plains, Guilford.
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