[Lydia] Maria [Child] ALS to Anna Loring, October 13, 1844

to all other pleasures of sight or sound in the fair world.
For me, he has opened unknown depths in my soul, and
given me some intimation of the new sources of enjoyment
that may be opened to our regenerated senses in heaven.

A fantasia of Scotch music, which
he played last night, was the most charming and ex-
-pressive thing I ever heard. There was a whole nation's
history in it. The strong, stern spirit of Presbyterianism;
the loyalty that would follow a Stuart unto death; the
deep reverential feeling of a mountain race; regiments
marching through the Highlands to the sound of a
bag-pipes; the calm domestic love of a serious and
earnest people. Oh it was enchanting. My nerves were so
excited, that I came home and wept that the time
must come, sooner or later, when I could hear Ole Bul
no more.

Of course, you understood my praise of New York, at the
expense of Boston, to be mere banter? I wrote it merely to
provoke you into a vindication of Boston. I always abuse
Boston when I am with Boston people, and abuse New
York when I am with New York people. I do not know
how pretty the vase was which you intended I should
have; but the one I did have, seems to me as perfect as a
vase can be. As for our streets being redolent of

{written perpendicularly in the right margin}

I am glad you like my son so much; for he is very dear to me. My dear friend, Edmund
Benzon, will probably be in Boston soon, and I hope you will see him.

{end perpendicular writing}