CHAPTER VIII. 

 MARRIAGE AND FIRST VISIT TO ENGLAND. 



1861-1862. Age, 4.0-4.1. 



MR. YOUMANS was married in 1861 to Mrs. William 

 L. Lee, the widow of a distinguished jurist, and a lady 

 of culture, refinement, and much critical literary ability. 

 That a wife of such nice perceptions and intellectual 

 gifts should earnestly sympathize with the literary and 

 scientific work of her husband was to be expected. As 

 his amanuensis, and as an assistant and companion in the 

 occupations, correspondence, and travel, by means of 

 which he was brought into intimate relations with the 

 leading thinkers of England and America, she rendered 

 him valuable aid which he highly appreciated. 



Accompanied by his wife, in the year following 

 their marriage he made his first visit to England and 

 to the Continent of Europe, sailing from New York 

 in the Great Eastern, July 26, 1862. There were a 

 good many secessionists on board, and the voyage was 

 enlivened by a characteristic incident : 



One evening there was a ball, and the saloon was deco- 

 rated with English and American flags. Secesh wouldn't 

 dance under the Stars and Stripes, and went raging out of 

 the room. Captain made a very good speech ; said that 

 this was a neutral vessel, and so long as he was in com- 

 mand the American flag should remain. But Secesh was 



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