13

First Impressions 1862
I have seen little but have had two
talks with both Mr. Pierce & Mr. French
and have heard from Mrs. Forbes
much of what has been going on, as
she sees it. Mr. Hooper also
enlightens me a little & Mr. Philbrick.
They all say that the cotton agents
have been a great trouble & promise
still to be - but Mr. French says
we have gained the victory there.

There seems to me to be a great want
of systems, and most incongruous
elements here the women of New York
are uneducated & coarse women in
their looks, but I should think some
of them at least are earnest - & hard
workers such as Mrs. Hale. Perhaps
they are better fitted for this work than
people of more refinement, for it
certainly takes great nerve to walk here
among the soldiers & negroes & not
be disgusted or shocked or pained
so much as to give it all up.