December 16 Thursday – Sam lectured (“Savages”) at Rumford Institute, Waltham, Mass. [MTL 3: 415]. See Oct. 8.

Sam finished his Dec. 15 to Livy: “I did not write you to-day—my cold has reduced me to a spiritless state. I wouldn’t be writing you now, only I love you so, Livy, that I can’t help it. I have to commune with you, even if it be in simply a few sentences scratched with a vile, blunt pencil. I was afraid something was the matter, but I am content, now that I have heard from my darling” [MTL 3: 427]