with the principle of paying for services by time;[A] neither did I believe in the hope of excluding evil, for that was a growth of nature, and one condition of the development of good.”  We had valuable discussion on these points.

’All Monday morning in the woods again.  Afternoon, out with the drawing party; I felt the evils of want of conventional refinement, in the impudence with which one of the girls treated me.  She has since thought of it with regret, I notice; and, by every day’s observation of me, will see that she ought not to have done it.’

* * * * *

’In the evening, a husking in the barn.  Men, women, and children, all engaged.  It was a most picturesque scene, only not quite light enough to bring it out fully.  I staid and helped about half an hour, then took a long walk beneath the stars.’

* * * * *

’Wednesday.  I have been too much absorbed to-day by others, and it has made me almost sick.  Mrs. ——­ came to see me, and we had an excellent talk, which occupied nearly all the morning.  Then Mrs. ——­ wanted to see me, but after a few minutes I found I could not bear it, and lay down to rest.  Then ——­ came.  Poor man;—­his feelings and work are wearing on him.  He looks really ill now.  Then ——­ and I went to walk in the woods.  I was deeply interested in all she told me.  If I were to write down all she and four other married women have confided to me, these three days past, it would make a cento, on one subject, in five parts.  Certainly there should be some great design in my life; its attractions are so invariable.’

* * * * *

’In the evening, a conversation on Impulse.  The reason for choosing this subject is the great tendency here to advocate spontaneousness, at the expense of reflection.  It was a much better conversation than the one before.  None yawned, for none came, this time, from mere curiosity.  There were about thirty-five present, which is a large enough circle.  Many engaged in the talk.  I defended nature, as I always do;—­the spirit ascending through, not superseding, nature.  But in the scale of Sense, Intellect, Spirit, I advocated to-night the claims of Intellect, because those present were rather disposed to postpone them.  On the nature of Beauty we had good talk. ——­ spoke well.  She seemed in a much more reverent humor than the other night, and enjoyed the large plans of the universe which were unrolled. ——­, seated on the floor, with the light falling from behind on his long gold locks, made, with sweet, serene aspect, and composed tones, a good expose of his way of viewing things.’

* * * * *