370 ELIZABETH CARY AGASSIZ 
but it is hard. One feels the attitude as something un- 
natural, and after control comes the break-down. 
April 22. — The war with Spain, if not declared by 
word of mouth, is nevertheless known by the hoarse 
notes of the guns in preparation — an unholy war, 
for it is not justified by the circumstances. What will 
be the end no man can say. 
Nahant, May 21.— Emma called for me and we 
went together to the train for Lynn. It was a strange 
experience, we two together — all that were left of 
the old Nahant household. 
.June 1. — The papers say that our ships are bom- 
barding Santiago de Cuba. ‘War is Hell” is well 
said. 
July 5. — News of victory for us in Cuba — Cer- 
vera’s fleet destroyed. Santiago must be in our power, 
but, oh, the tragedy of it, the suffering! 
TO MISS GRACE NORTON 
Nahant, August 3, [1898] 
. .. OnE thing has surprised me in the things written 
or spoken about Sallie, and that is that people who, 
one would say, had hardly seen and known her 
familiarly enough to receive a distinct impression of 
her rare qualities have said the most discriminating 
things about her. . . . Her singing was the expression 
of what was so pure, so noble, so true to herself and to 
others in her own nature. Life goes on and I have a 
great deal to make me happy, but there is something 
beside — homesickness is the best name for it, per- 
haps — but we must not dwell on that side. 
