_March 20._ C. amused himself and us by making two or three of my
children who were waiting for school read to him upside down, which
they did as readily as the right way.
Just a year to-night since Mr. Philbrick spent his first night in this
house. He has been telling us about it: a file of soldiers were drawn
up at the gate and refused him admittance till his credentials were
examined; now he is lord of the manor. I reminded the children
to-night that a year ago they did not know their letters; now they are
reading Hillard's Second Reader for the second time.
The feat of reading upside down might seem to suggest that
they were reading Hillard's Second Reader for the second
time chiefly by the aid of memory!
The next letter, written by Mr. Philbrick to a Northern
correspondent, was printed at the time on a broadside, for
distribution.