" A little while after her husband came
in, and as we were talking we were all stopped by a peculiar sound, as
if somebody had drawn a hand across all the strings at once. We
marveled, and I remembered the guitar at home.
What think you? Have you had any more manifestations, any truths from
the spirit world?
About the end of February the pleasant Florentine circle broke up, and
Mrs. Stowe and her party journeyed to Rome, where they remained until
the middle of April. We next find them in Naples, starting on a six
days' trip to Castellamare, Sorrento, Salerno, Paestum, and Amalfi;
then up Vesuvius, and to the Blue Grotto of Capri, and afterwards back
to Rome by diligence. Leaving Rome on May 9th, they traveled leisurely
towards Paris, which they reached on the 27th. From there Mrs. Stowe
wrote to her husband on May 28th:--
Since my last letter a great change has taken place in our plans, in
consequence of which our passage for America is engaged by the Europa,
which sails the 16th of June; so, if all goes well, we are due in
Boston four weeks from this date. I long for home, for my husband and
children, for my room, my yard and garden, for the beautiful trees of
Andover. We will make a very happy home, and our children will help
us.
Affectionately yours,
HATTY.
This extended and pleasant tour was ended with an equally pleasant
homeward voyage, for on the Europa were found Nathaniel Hawthorne and
James T.
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