Roundabout to Boston (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)

In Short

This memoir traces a young man’s journey from a lonely diplomatic post in Venice to the vibrant literary circles of New York and Boston. As he navigates the professional disappointments of a writer attempting to find a "basis"—a steady salary—he encounters influential figures like John Lothrop Motley, James Russell Lowell, and George William Curtis. It is a quiet, reflective look at the machinery of 19th-century American letters, capturing the tension between the artistic impulse and the practical necessity of earning a living in a changing, war-weary nation.

The Story

The narrative begins in Venice, where the narrator serves as a United States consul during the American Civil War. Isolated from his peers and struggling to find success with his poetry, he turns to prose, documenting Venetian life for the Boston Advertiser. His time in Italy is defined by a deep, almost reverent hunger for contact with the American literary world. He finds this through rare interactions with fellow travelers, most notably the historian John Lothrop Motley, who serves as the American Minister in Vienna. Their relationship—marked by bureaucratic squabbles over diplomatic mail and the historian's worldly grace—provides the narrator with a glimpse of the professional life he craves.

Upon returning to the United States, the narrator discovers that his reputation has preceded him, yet his search for stable employment remains fraught with frustration. He arrives in a country still reeling from the war, where the publishing world is as indifferent as it is competitive. He bounces between freelance editorial work and short-lived promises of employment, battling what he calls the "fatal partner"—the administrative or financial obstacle that consistently thwarts his progress. He finds himself in New York, rubbing shoulders with the period’s bright stars, including Bayard Taylor and Edwin Booth, yet he remains unsettled, searching for a permanent professional anchor.

The arc of the story is the slow, deliberate climb toward literary legitimacy. His intellectual life is anchored by his devotion to James Russell Lowell, whose personal kindness and editorial encouragement serve as the narrator's North Star. Through these connections, he develops a refined sensibility regarding both the "beautiful" in literature and the "true" in civic life. The narrative reaches its resolution when the narrator receives an unexpected offer to serve as an assistant at the Atlantic Monthly. By accepting this position, he secures the "basis" he has sought for years. Moving to Boston on his twenty-ninth birthday, he finds his destiny finally aligned with the city that would define his career. The memoir ends not with a flourish of triumph, but with the quiet, dignified acceptance of his new responsibilities, acknowledging the "humble-pie" of practical labor that accompanies his ascent into the literary pantheon.

How It Unfolds

The Venetian apprenticeship Isolated in Italy, the narrator attempts to launch a literary career through poetry, only to be met with constant rejection. He eventually shifts his focus to prose, writing letters from Venice that lay the groundwork for his future reputation as an observer of foreign life.

Diplomatic encounters The arrival of historian John Lothrop Motley provides the narrator with a crucial link to his homeland. Their interactions, ranging from solving administrative problems to discussing literary politics, offer a masterclass in the intersection of national duty and individual intellect.

The struggle for a basis Returning to a post-war America, the narrator experiences the harsh reality of the freelance writer's life. He navigates a series of professional near-misses, repeatedly confronting the instability of the publishing industry before finally securing a steady position at the Nation.

The embrace of the Boston circle The narrator’s deepening friendship with James Russell Lowell serves as a bridge into the highest tiers of American letters. These intimate moments of conversation and shared wine define his aspirations, steering him toward a permanent role in the intellectual life of Boston.

The final arrival The narrative concludes with an offer from the Atlantic Monthly, marking the end of his itinerant search for work. He moves to Boston, accepting the trade-offs of editorial labor as the necessary price for his entry into the sphere of his heroes.

The People

The narrator is a man of intense, almost youthful, reverence for the writers he admires. He views himself as an outsider—a Westerner trying to prove his worth in the eyes of Eastern institutions—and his progression is marked by a transition from a hungry seeker to a confident professional.

John Lothrop Motley is the model of a gentleman-scholar, embodying both "worldly splendor" and a deep sense of patriotic duty. To the narrator, Motley represents the ideal diplomat, gracefully handling international complications while maintaining a commitment to the cause of the Union.

James Russell Lowell stands as the narrator's ultimate mentor. His role is that of a "hero" and "master," whose letters and conversation provide the emotional validation the narrator needs to persevere. Lowell’s influence is subtle but profound, guiding the narrator’s career and shaping his understanding of what it means to be a "man of letters."

George William Curtis is introduced as the exemplar of the "good citizen." The narrator is captivated by Curtis’s ability to balance aesthetic talent with a moral commitment to reform, particularly his stand against slavery. Curtis represents the potential for literature to serve the public good, a theme that resonates deeply with the narrator’s own search for purpose.

In Its Own Voice

"During the four years of my life in Venice the literary intention was present with me at all times and in all places."

The author reflects on his early, often frustrating years abroad, where he wrote constantly despite minimal recognition.

"He was altogether a figure of worldly splendor; and I had reason to know that he did not let the credit of our nation suffer at the most aristocratic court in Europe."

The narrator describes the dignified, impressive presence of the historian John Lothrop Motley while serving as an American minister.

"He held my hand, and looked into my eyes with the sunny kindness which never failed me, worthy or unworthy; and I went away to bed."

Following an all-night conversation with his mentor, James Russell Lowell, the narrator describes the profound sense of belonging he felt in his hero's presence.

What It's Really About

At its heart, this book is an exploration of the professional identity of the American writer in the 19th century. It asks how one reconciles the high aspirations of artistic life with the mundane necessity of a steady salary. The narrator is constantly caught between the desire to create art and the demand to function as a professional, whether as a diplomat, a journalist, or a proofreader. It is also an inquiry into the nature of mentorship and the weight of tradition. The narrator’s obsession with "literary Boston" serves as a proxy for his search for a national culture, reflecting on how, during a time of war and national fracturing, literature and its practitioners provided a sense of shared purpose and identity.

Why Read It Today

This book will appeal to anyone who enjoys the quiet, personal history of the literary world. It is not a fast-paced thriller; rather, it is a contemplative look at the slow, often tedious process of building a reputation in an era before mass media. Readers who appreciate the slow-burn development of a career, marked by small, significant milestones rather than explosive success, will find much to admire here.

The writing is warm and precise, though it reflects the formal, sometimes wordy style of the late 19th century. Modern readers should be prepared for the author’s tendency to dwell on the social status of his acquaintances and the occasional, outdated attitudes regarding history and political structures. However, these period-specific viewpoints serve as a window into the mind of an era that valued both "the beautiful" and "the true" with a sincerity that feels striking today. What stays with the reader is the portrait of the narrator’s genuine, unironic devotion to his craft and his mentors. It is a rare, honest look at the "humble-pie" of starting a professional life, capturing the vulnerability of youth and the enduring comfort of being accepted by those you have long admired from a distance.