[Front cover] Mrs John Bigelow. Mrs Moores Receipt for Cough
Syrup of 1 oz
“ “ Lemon 6 drams
Antivomial liquor & laurel
water of each one dram
Batleys Sedative water liquor 20 drops
Mix one teaspoonful to be taken occas-
ionally when the cough is troublesome [Blank] Paris- No 6 Papaye de la Madelaine [sic]- Dec 8th 1858-
Monday early a long visit from the Cooley’s-drove 6 miles
to Miss Demler’s school-saw her & Miss Henderson Thayer
& Loppen - took them each letters & kindles from home;
the evening Mr & Mrs Lansing spent with us-Yesterday
we took another bonne on trial; but kept Adele for a
few days serving- Nina Cooley & I had a merry morning
of it-shopping in the Palais Royale & Rue Rivoli. Went to
the Cirque Impériale to see Les Pilules du Diable
in the evening. A sort of R[ane]l performance only still more
magical-the dancers were more nude than I have
ever seen & only with a handsome form or decided
grace-the audience was intensely B[ouer]y- the parquette
full of countless workmen & women in their caps &
shop apparel- the odor of orange skins saluted
our olfactories incepantly [sic] & the style of things generally
was entirely democratic. To day I drove with the children
& left them at the Champs Elysées- stopped for Mrs Lansing
who introduced me at Mrs Burtons where I bought a new
beautiful shawl for $90 & a pretty little Chantilly veil for
$6- She furnished the laces for the trousseau of the Princess of
Wales; & is supposed to have admirable taste in such matters.
Mr Lacher has been in this evening & says my shawl
is decidedly a bargain.
I have found the centre not real. Thursday Dec 9th. This has not been a very eventful
day- had a carriage for [illegible] hours, looking at India
shawls with Mrs Lansing & Burton. Late in the
afternoon I took a long walk with Grace-it was
very crowded on the [illegible] but only once face I had
ever seen before- & that was the horrible long jawed
Burgh-whom I avoided. Grace said to day-
“Mama, I would rather have a sister & take care of
my sister’s baby, like Madame D’Angelis & not have a
husband for then [illegible] suppose I’d have to have three
children-you have three children, so I’d rather
just have a baby & not be married & have a sister.”
Friday 10th-Some calls, but we were out-doors for a couple
of hours & walked home-Tucker was here this
morning & after he left we took a carriage & made
two visits–people out. I am homesick-
Tuesday 12th- Yesterday bought black lace to trim
my [velvet] cloak- in the afternoon had quite a long
visit from [D]S Provost-at 8 o’clock (the 2nd time only
in my life) had a man to dress my hair-only
2 francs- at 9 1/2 drove to the Charity Ball- at the
grand opera house- the most beautifully
decorated place I had ever seen-quantities
of natural flowers on each side of the stair- way & ended everywhere that they could be crowded.
No one we knew but [Luches] Mr & Mrs [Loules]
Dickinson, Eyp[ee]s Brooks & Schwek- I was
amused with the great society of ugly faces &
[illegible] every description-I did not see one
handsome man or women- and only two or three
of them [illegible] with fine figures. [illegible]
pupils called in the morning- were were just going
out & I could not even offer to go up stairs with
them again lest they should accept. I was
always lazy about mounting steps; & now that
I have some e[xp]ense for it, [illegible] myself of it
upon all occasions. Servants here I have found
as ill trained as suit us- a lady is at home [if]
you are told; & then after sealing 4 great [illegible]
of [stoirs]; you find she has just gone out or
something of the kind. [Have] been to the
Madelaine [sic] this morning with Grace-Splended [sic]
church & singing- Here we [have] a man cham-
ber maid- makes the beds to [sic]- I think it is
disgusting- but what is one to do? I [have] just [illegible]
Poult to sleep - he does not seem quite well. Mrs
B enjoys going about her- [illegible]- of an
had upbeat and cheerful weather perhaps I should
feel differently-but really as yet I am ashamed of
the want of interest in feel in depth seeing- This afternoon drove with Mrs Paine to the Bois du Boulogne
Crowds walking & driving- from this dreary day it
was an enchanting spot; & I can imagine [illegible]
to [illegible] it in spring or summer. ducks & swans
swimming in the lake- little pleasure boats
filled with people-deer tamely feeding from
the hands of the pasers-by [sic]–the little [kind] will-
the ivy covered rocks-the Cascade- the grotto-
the [illegible] “natural bridge” in rock- the
petite theatres & restaurants scattered about-
the great society of [illegible] & peoples from
the little emperors & his [illegible] & body
guard- the carriages allowed to pass him
to the [illegible]- all made up an
effect very delightful-{illegible] for the [illegible],
Alboni was walking along-very stout but
very handsome-her husband now; an [illegible]
Count [Ropsi] I think; on horseback-[Nasir]
[illegible] ditto; & Grisi walking; followed by her
footman-the carriage ahead filled
with children- Of whom I hear she is very
[illegible]. Her husband-an English noble-
man is still living; she & Mario each have
a professional income of $20.000 a year, & she pays the deserted husband a certain portion.
Tuesday-14th. Rain yesterday & today- yesterday
drove about with the children two hours; then
took a long walk alone- I enjoy lounging
along; amusing myself with shop windows &
foot [papengers]- knowing nobody & nobody
knowing me-I should suppose the French to be
a most constipated nation; judging from
the great display of self acting injection pipes.
one sees in so many windows-In New York
we are shocked at corsets; bustle; but I have
never there seen more than one as two of the above
mentioned articles exhibited at one time.
Phalon & his daughter came early to invite us for
dinner Thursday-an uncalled for attention
that quite surprised me. In the evening we
went to the Vaudeville & saw “Le Roman d’un
jeune homme pauvre”; which has had a great
run here & interested me extremely. The scenery
on the stage is very superior to day thing we
have-the acting ditto. To day we drove to the
Louvre; came home as usual, well tired out.
Found Mrs Dudley Selden’s card & five others. A
letter from Annie; the first news from home
since we left- dated Nov 24th. All well. Thursday 16th. The Lansings called Tuesday evening & last
night we went with them to the Buffon Parisienne-
it seemed a little in the morning & all day was very
wet & dirty- I was out several hours alone- doing
of small errands-Mr L. I think a very common
sort of man, I can scarcely tolerate him from his
want of refinement.
Friday- The first sunshine I have seen in Paris-
Brooks & all the Huttons called yesterday when I
was out with nurse & children taking a im-
mense walk for their amusement. Dr Prevost
& [Buir] came in the afternoon while I was
with the hairdresser but I was ready & saw
them sometime before going to Phalo[w]s- We had
a superb dinner & met the Paines, Centres,
Clerelauds-Huntington, May, Left- artists-
Mr Richards & another of the house of [munroe] &
Cp. I have heard a good deal of this Mrs C-
& find I used to know her a little in New York-
A friend of Sue Lanes- very long necked large
mouthed, up headed young lady who wound up
a career of not [belleship] by marrying a
half millionaire & partner of her father’s.
He looks like Gen’ Morris only worse, the same course features & made up look with his profusion
of dyed bushy wool all over his face- The diamonds
& lace are all very nice, but the husband- oh
horrible!
Saturday-McRay, Prevost & his Mexican boys came before
noon-Mrs B to fit my dress also-called for Mrs DeLille
& went to Greenough’s studio- a very gentlemanly refined
person himself & surrounded by some beautiful
works of art- the walk home by way of the Champs
Elysees was pleasant- had a play with the children
hurried through dinner & drove to the [illegible]
had seats with the Dr. [illegible]
quite interesting; but like all French pieces filled
with lies & intrigue. You never find here at
a table de hote or cafe a salt spoon or butter
knife-in our country at the commonest
country taverns we have these comforts I may
call them- nor here have I seen a complete
toilette set in any furnished apartments- I
have not observed how it is in private houses;
but no [illegible] stand or soap dish; only a little
sort of doll basin in which you throw your
soap- & nothing into which you can empty
your basin unless you call for it & [illegible]
upon having it. & spent a half hour there very pleasantly. It was the loveliest moonlight[sic] night and the drive home was delightful. Today rainy. I took the children & nurse with me & shopped for two hours.Gloves were my most expensive purchase. And as usual walked a mile along the Boulevards entertaining myself with shop windows. Mr & Mrs Cleveland called just as I returned then came the hairdresser who arranged my head to my entire satisfaction & we went at 6 to dine at [illegible] only the family & Mrs [illegible words] The former married Miss [illegible], homeliest of created beings, excepting her brother. [illegible] is a fright himself; conceited & [illegible] generally. Bought a trunk as large as my old one, but not so well made for $5.60 Christmas trees for sale all around the [illegible] . [illegible words] like ours last year only very much smaller. I thought of the one I was so happy & busy decorating last winter & how long after the holidays I kept it, how green & beautiful it was until almost spring. How fresh & green is my remembrance of it still Christmas Day - Wednesday Mrs Tish came for
me & also invited the children to ride with us -
we took Grace & looked at India shawls.
Dined at Mrs [illegible] - & took Grace who
behaved very nicely - Thursday rode with
Mrs [illegible] . & yesterday again we were out four
hours together. Grace took a walk with her
children & the boys went with their father
& nurse - I had partly intended going with
Mrs [illegible] out to [illegible][illegible] in the evening;
She came for me but I was too tired - eyes
& legs - body & [illegible] - Ms had been in the only
crazy store & [illegible] along the [illegible] as is -
& I had bought a quantity of cheap trash
to fill the children's stockings - McDowell
called about six - we went out & dined
together - after we had seen the children
hang up their stockings & had a little play
with them - We went to the theatre Frank [illegible words] half of [illegible] - very stupid indeed; I felt faint & sick most of the time & [illegible] at myself for going. Walked home & bought more things for the children. Filled their stockings [illegible] before going to bed & very early this morning they were made happy enjoying the contents.
Plenty of cheap toys along the streets yesterday but candies & cakes all very high & not com-
parable to ours. No [illegible words] to eat less than [illegible words]; very delicious [illegible] but nothing for less money. Thursday night such a pleasant dream. I feel so grateful for it & it has made me happier than any thing else since I left home. That evening we drove out to [illegible]. Nobody there but a Mrs Crouch. Old maidish, scraggy; full of pretension & affectation of all sorts. a regular [illegible] this [illegible]. Mrs G is really very sweet & agreeable. Fearfully scraggy & tall like all Boston women.
Mr & Mrs & Miss [illegible] came Wednesday afternoon to see us; Miss D & Josey Henderson; in a great excitement regarding [illegible words] about her [illegible] circulated by [illegible words] & her spiritual adviser Mrs Lawson; she knew these rumors had reached us & wanted to contradict them. Sunday 26th enjoyed strolling in the Boulevards with nurse & children from breakfasttime till nearly 3 o'clock. When I came home to keep an appointment with Mr B_ but he did not get back until just in time to dress for Paine's dinner. We left [illegible] very happy with a new toy & took Grace & [illegible]. They had a little tree lighted for the occasion [illegible] a long [illegible] tedious dinner. He drank to absent friends & lost friends, far or near. He gave no names; but they were written in the hearts of each & were none the less remembered [illegible deletion] though unspoken.
Mr & Mrs B_ Mr & Mrs P & Mr & Mrs C_ each with their three children excepting Mrs B's youngest. Mrs P sent him some beautiful confectionary; & the others also had their pockets full. I played for them to dance & we came home at ten. Mrs B staid up very late as usual, I retired after reading again Mother's letter received that afternoon - my only Christmas gift. Today we breakfasted at a place where they make delicious breakfast cakes, these [illegible] to hear old Coquerel preach. I was particularly impressed by his oratory but understood but little of the language.The immense building was crowded in every part & the audience more absorbed in the exercises than I have ever seen before. Tis only two o'clock now. Mrs B has gone off elsewhere ; & I shall have a rainy dark afternoon to brighten for my little ones. I am so tired of this cheerless weather & long for a few consecutive days of sun shine, hot or cold. Yesterday morning was perfectly lovely, but it rained afternoon & evening. Mr Kage has called & I must stop writing.
Monday, 27th Left caller at 10 1/2 last night to me he is a bore he has a wretched cough for which I prepared him some medicine & hope it will be beneficial. There is a certain familiarity in his manner upon very slight acquaintance that is disagreeable to me always. Another delightful buckwheat breakfast. I went and returned alone, in the rain & without an umbrella, but with my old hat & cloak, did not mind it. Did not At 12 took a carriage & called with Mr B on Mrs Robert Walsh & her mother - a wonderful old lady over 90. She was sitting with her daughter when we entered the parlor & occupied knitting a garter. Mrs W I thought a truly elegant woman without ever having been a beauty. So agreeable & unpretending. They both remembered Mother parfectly & Mrs W said she loved her very dearly. She expressed great pleasure at seeing me &c. Made a parting call on the Cooley's & found Mrs & Miss Greenough with them, on a visit, I imagine. Mrs G- at one time was famed as a medium.She has fine black eyes & ought to be handsome, but a dark well-defined moustache & lowering brow lend a kind of negro expression to the face that repels me.
I sat with Mrs DeLille some time before coming home, while Mr B- went somewhere to dine & got home just as I did. I have just washed & put the children to bed. [illegible] sleeps with me for a few nights & is delighted. New Year's Eve at Chamberry Savoy,in [illegible]. At the Hotel de [illegible] Paris - up two flights of stone steps in a great large barn like room - two beds neatly curtained with white dimity - bare floor, excepting a tiny strip by the beds - the stiffest old fashioned hard bottomed chairs - no sort of rest to the weary to be found on their unyielding seats or backs - a large fire. Mrs & Miss B & [illegible] seated almost on the hearth at a table on which his [illegible] are struggling to aid our respective employments. The three darlings have just fallen to pleasant dreaming. At 8 Wednesday morning we left Paris for Lyons - which place we reached about 10 o'clock at night. We enjoyed the journey & found very comfortable accommodations at the Hotel Collett - had a letter from Mr Ludlow to the American Council Mr J White who with his wife (his sister Miss Pearce & niece Miss [illegible]) makes it his home. At breakfast next morning they commenced their attentions, which were painfully pressing. I may say during the time we stayed there. We took a carriage & [illegible] Mr W & Miss [illegible] & did the city as well as we could from 12 to 4 1/2 - visited one of the largest silk manufactories in which I was much interested - & old church; the museum of Egyptian antiquities - for which I don't care a pea - having none of [illegible words] or tastes - a gallery of paintings; somewhat in the style of our own Art Union = but in which we saw some very pretty things - one I should have liked very much - a beautiful face with mirthful black eyes & coral lips smiling - almost laughing - one candle burning on a table by her - wonderfully well painted I thought - the whole picture a little gem in its way that I quite coveted. At dinner we had to sit with the Whites - a great bore though they did give us very good champagne in the . In the evening we took a walk to buy some refreshments & some [illegible] & on our return again had to [illegible] to the [illegible] & say goodbye. The great [illegible] of [illegible] came in while we were there - very old & feeble looking in [illegible] military costume as is usual here - officers always wearing full uniforms - his breast covered with honors - which I have no [Blank]
