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clerk sent up word that he wanted to shut up the house for the night.  His habits were very bad the winter we were in Rome and I understood that he was involved in all sorts of financial difficulties.  I know while we were there that Mr Jessup of Philadelphia helped him to some money under promise of a reformation.  When I heard he was so ill with pneumonia in New York I made up my mind he would die for my experience proved to me that one needs all the force of a good constitution and a temperate mode of life to recover from a severe attack of this disease.  The impression that I got of Read that winter was that he was a man of considerable pretense, and vanity accompanied by a kind amiable heart.  He was fond of showing the extent of his apartments as he did once to Gifford from the piazza, adding "There's nothing lovely about that is there?"  Some very ordinary caned furniture in his studio he showed with great pride adding "There's a history attached to each piece"  He gave large entertainments when I knew he could ill afford them and his poor little wife betrayed her anxiety about him constantly in spite of herself.  I am glad to know his wife was with him during his illness.  His remains were taken to Germantown near Philadelphia for interment today, and Mr. Child and Bayard Taylor are to assist.  Poor man! he is another example of a career cut short by imprudence. I have no doubt had he been a temperate man he would still be living.

Miss Penfield a very pretty girl, a friend of Miss Lamore took tea here last evening.  She is soon to be married to a young clergyman and they are to go to Chicago or near there.  I do not know when I have met so bright and pretty a woman.  I finished painting the fence today.  Gertrude had a letter from Oscar Sawyer last evening written on the cars on his way from Salt Lake City.  He saw Lucy and Andrews in Salt Lake and is coming up here this week to tell us about them. Derning returned this evening.

Thursday 16. I received a letter from Brighton last night dated Apl. 30 the evening of varnishing day at the Royal Academy. One of my pictures the November was in, on the line