_The Romance of Philanthropy Causes the First Meeting of Dr. Samuel
Gridley Howe and Julia Ward.—Letter of Congratulation from the Poet
Longfellow.—The “Chevalier.”—The Wedding-tour in Europe.—The Eldest
Daughter, Julia Romana, Is Born in Rome.—Why She Was “Mary” and I
Was “Martha.”_
THOSE stern censors, Time and Space, forbid my giving an account of the
early lives of my parents, Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe and Mrs. Julia Ward
Howe, since these have been already described in their respective
biographies and in my mother’s _Reminiscences_. Suffice it to say here
that at the time of his marriage my father was already known on both
sides of the Atlantic on account of his services in the Greek
Revolution, as well as for his work for the blind. As “Surgeon-in-chief
of the Fleet,” soldier, and almoner of America’s bounty, had he aided
the Greeks in their long struggle with the barbarous Turks. The King of
Greece made him a Knight of St. George, a title which he himself never
used. But his intimate friends, fellow-members of the “Five of
Clubs”—Longfellow, Charles Sumner, Prof. Cornelius C. Felton and George
S. Hilliard—called him “Chevalier,” which my mother abbreviated to
“Chev.”
It was the Ward sisters’ interest in his famous pupil, Laura Bridgman,
the blind deaf-mute, which brought about the first meeting of my
parents, Charles Sumner and the poet driving the young ladies to the
Institution for the Blind. In the following winter, 1842–43, Doctor Howe
and Julia Ward became engaged, their marriage taking place in April,
1843. Longfellow’s beautiful letter of congratulation addressed to the
“Chevalier” has been published elsewhere. I am glad to be able to give
the one he wrote to our mother’s “Brother Sam.”
CAMBRIDGE, _March 6, 1843_.
MY DEAR SAM,—I ought to have written you long ago on the great
event of our brave Chevalier’s conquering the Celestial City;
but I have been away from home, and have moreover been hoping to
see you here, and expecting to hear from you. The event did not
surprise me; for the Chevalier is a mighty man of Love, and I
noted that on the walls of the citadel (Julia’s cheeks) first
the white flag would be displayed, and anon the red, and then
again the white. The citadel could not have surrendered to a
braver, better or more humane Knight.
Seriously, my dear Sam, and most sincerely do I rejoice in this
event. Julia could not have chosen _more_ wisely—nor the Doctor
_so_ wisely; and I think you may safely look forward to a serene
and happy life for your sister. And so God speed them upon
Life’s journey: “To the one be contenting enjoyments of his
auspicious desires; to the other, a happy attendance of her
chosen muses.”
I write you a very short note this morning, because I am going
down to hear Sumnerius lecture in the Law School, on
Ambassadors, Consuls, Peace & War, and other matters of
International Law.
Write me soon—as soon as you can; and say that you are coming to
Cambridge erelong. Life is short. We meet not often; and I am
most sincerely,