Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/388

Rh wealthy men are ready to aid in this institution by every means in their power, from the interest they take in the future prospects of young women. I was present during a lesson given in the school, and rejoiced heartily in the prospects which these schools open for thousands of young women, and for the beautifying of life in general I think of Sweden and Swedish girls, Swedish drawing-schools, Swedish art and manufactures, and grow enthusiastic, with many thoughts for the future.

It is now so cold, cheerless, and rainy in Boston as I have not seen it during the summer. Ever since the eclipse of the sun, it has been as cloudy and cold as with us in October. This American climate leaps continually from one extreme to another. I am as cold as in winter. In other respects I am more vigorous than I have ever been since I left home, and I need be so, to do all which I have still to do. Thus, for instance, I have been to-day in action, and engaged in conversation from seven this morning till half-past eleven at night, at five different places, some in and some out of Boston, with different persons, with whom I have had to enter into interesting conversations on theology, art, politics, &c. with gentlemen quite at home on all these subjects; but this has amused rather than wearied me. Among my more intimate acquaintance in Boston during the last winter, I have again met with an interesting lady, a Miss Parsons, of weak physical constitution, but of an unusually beautiful soul; that is to say, she is clairvoyant without sleeping, and can give the contents of a letter, or the character and state of the writer, merely by holding the letter closed in her hands, or pressing it upon her forehead. I would not believe in this species of clairvoyance at first; but have been obliged to believe in it after I had placed a letter from you in Swedish in her hand, without her having beforehand any knowledge of who had written the letter, or anything about you. Besides which, her character is