We stood appalled before the mass of material, growing higher and higher with every mail, and the thought of all the reading involved made us feel as if our lifework lay before us.

Six weeks of steady labor all day, and often until midnight, made no visible decrease in the pile of documents.
However, before the end of the month we had our arrangements all made with publishers and engravers, and six chapters in print.

When we began to correct proof we felt as if something was accomplished.

Thus we worked through the winter and far into the spring, with no change except the Washington Convention and an occasional evening meeting in New York city.

We had frequent visits from friends whom we were glad to see.
Hither came Edward M.Davis, Sarah Pugh, Adeline Thompson, Frederick Cabot of Boston, Dr.William F.Channing, and sweet little Clara Spence, who recited for us some of the most beautiful selections in her repertoire.
In addition we had numberless letters from friends and foes, some praising and some condemning our proposed undertaking, and, though much alone, we were kept in touch with the outside world.