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79 [[stamp]] 40 [[/stamp]]

out and liberate us. Came down on the 12.44 train reaching here at 4.30. Went to the Council meeting. Has snowed all day. Gifford dined with me. Wrote Gertrude a short note and sent her a check to pay Vaux's tax. 

Wednesday Feb. 15. 1876. Calvert occupied his room for the first time last night. He dined with me and after dinner we went up to the Grand Opera House to see Lucille Western in East Lynne. I have heard of her for years but never happened to see her. Her acting was a curious combination of native power and bad style but in spite of the bad play and her glaring faults she moved me most purposefully and that is my test of acting for I am always fortified against the emotional drama and have no natural sympathy with it. May came down today to get Calverts room in order. She and Calvert dined with me and Gifford also and we had a very pleasant time. I received a very nice letter yesterday from Laurence Barrett the actor to whom I applied for advice as to where to get certain articles of costume for Gertrude in Esther. He expressed the utmost friendship and begged me to use him as I could to forward my wishes. Received an invitation from Mrs. Taylor to dine with them tomorrow as Bayard is to be home having been about lecturing for five weeks. The Bierstadts reception comes off tomorrow evening but I dont believe Mrs. Taylor intends to go as she told me she had called on Mrs. B early in the season and she has not been near her. 

Thursday 17. Dined at Bayard Taylors. He has just returned from a five weeks lecturing tour in the West. Met Mr. and Mrs. Bacon of Milwaukee and a Mr. Grant. Mrs. Bacon was in my studio a few days ago with Mrs. Henshaw. Came home after ten o'clock and stopped in at Bierstadts reception, most of the guests having gone. This afternoon painted a little winter picture near Kingston (size 12 x 20) with sunset sky It promises well.

Sunday 20. Went to the Century last night. Saw Taylor. Judge Morrell, Huntington, Gray and others. Governor Tilden and Secretary Bigelow were there. Came home at 11 o'clk. Today went to hear Mr. Frothingham preach. Had a capital sermon but too long. Just before I got there Joe Tomkins happened to be passing and we went in together. After church went up to Eastmans. They insisted on my staying to dinner. Sent a messenger down to tell Mrs. Winter I would not be home to dinner. After dinner we went 

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