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I am elated, elevated, intoxicated, positively drunk with
sentiment. I seem to have had a gorgeous dream-an opium-eaters
elysian somnolence-to have been treading enchanted ground, where
forms of beauty met the eye, & a heavenly harmony enrapt the soul.
Handel's sublime oratorio of the Messiah still lingers on my ear,
with its sweet melodious strains & its majestic choral symphonies.
Never shall I forget this night-the only regret I feel is that you
were not with me, (for the pleasure would have been doubled by
sharing it with you) and that I cannot telegraph or write you into
a proper appreciation of the supernatural power of this grand composition.
O, I feel as if I could be eloquent. It would out. Even
as I was walking home up Broadway, I threw up my hands, & gave
utterance to the " [OMITTED]" in presence of the silent
walls, which lifted their sombre forms toward the stars. That last
chorus-the Amen- when Jullien, the Jupiter Tonans of conductors,
rising to full height, as if filled with the lofty conception— threw
our his arms & as he brought his baton sweeping through the air,
the tremendous burst of praise from hundreds of human voices, seconded
by the powerful orchestra-this brought me down feet & hands,
and as I rose, I shouted bravo so enthusiastically, that I made
a lady just before me jump, as if struck. I really thought, while
sitting there, that if the song of the Lamb was so grand & overpowering,
when sung by a limited number of imperfect feeble human
voices, attended by material instruments of wood & brass, on earth,
what will be the inconceivable rapture of that anthem, when hymned
by a countless multitude of redeemed sinners, without discord &
accompanied by the angelic host of heavenly harpers, in the world
to come! May we make part of that chorus!! I could talk to you
long on this theme, but must defer it until I see you.
I left Washington this morning before day break-came to
Baltimore to breakfast & supposing that I had an hour to spare-was
leisurely discussing that meal, when, as I was in the midst
of two hard-boiled eggs-a voice came on the silent air, which told
me, "Eat no more". I was compelled to run with a half a hard egg,
sticking in my throat, leaving the other lone one, untouched upon
the table. I had a pleasant ride to Phil.a having the good fortune
to get an intelligent and sociable gentleman by me. When I arrived
in Phil.a at 1 o'clock, finding that dinner at the Girard would
not be ready before 2, at wh. time I was to start for N.Y. I concluded
cluded to get my hair dressed & to step round & see your Grandpa,
altho' I could not deliver your parcel, my trunk having gone forward
by express. I found both your g.d parents at home & glad to
see me, tho' your grandpa said he would as soon have expected to
see the University in Phil.a at this time as me. Your Grandma, tho
she complained like Mr. Williamson of being in dishabille, gave me
what I call an old fashioned hug-pressed me to stay-or take a
lunch-or break bread in some shape. She herself was invited to
dine out, & she was particular in informing me that it was at 5
o'clock-so she is in the fashion yet. She showed me her pretty
Christmas presents etc, called out her maid or cook to look at me,
introducing me as her son in law. The cook stared & curtsied as
to a specimen of giraffe. I saw little Miss Dunglison who said her
but could not let me off withal, Schele-like & scaly-like, indulging
in one of his gibes or jokes, whichever you please to think
it. Learning that I was going in the Camden Cars at 2 o'clock,
'Aha" said he, ` I see-that's the two dollar line'.[1] I could
not well resist their pressing invitation to spend a part or all
of a day with them, on my return. He said he sent Mrs. Broadus some
knife-trays & tea a short time since- & also a letter of Mr. Garlands
to your home folks, which it was intended I should see-but
your parents have not seen fit to allow me to do so. I had a pleasant
ride to the city-making on the way the acquaintance of a
young Southerner-Mr. Hayden, who has been educated partly in this
country & partly in France & Germany. A Virginian by birth, & acquainted
with many who have been students at the Univ., & very
intelligent himself & a Catholic withal. You may suppose I passed
an agreeable time. I am to call on him at the Metropol.n soon. We
got here after 7. I had my trunk taken to the Clarendon & went
myself directly to the concert-which had already commenced when I
entered- & here I am in the 6th or 5th story of the Clarendon,
sending to my dear beloved Mary the warmest love & heartiest
benisons from the inmost soul of her affec. husband.
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