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was there and on Sunday we had a walk up the Boulevard. Breyer came across from New Rochelle on foot with Will Radford and a young friend by the name of Mendelson and in the afternoon Dunning came home. We returned on Monday. Attended the Council Monday evening but no business of importance was transacted. I feel a sense of relief that my term of service on the Council is so near its close. A meeting of Irvings friends was held in Beards room this evening. Belmont showed and two or three others were there in addition to those who came before. Mr. Belmont very kindly offered to open his gallery for the benefit of the family and it was decided to get several of Irvings pictures to exhibit there. He also offered to subscribe $500 in money. A committee was appointed to carry out the plans. Col. Hawkins shared a letter he had just received from Sylva in which he said he had found Blondell the artist dead in his room. Hawkins said he would not be surprised if he had starved to death.

Friday May 11' 1877 Annual meeting of the Century on Wednesday. Went up to see Eastman Johnson on Tuesday but he refused to attend. I declined to serve longer on the council, but Hicks told me there were 8 votes for me in spite of that. No academicians were elected and only one associate, Dolph. The schools were again made free by resolution, the resolution giving academicians 8 feet on the line was rescinded. I did not remain to dinner and was on the whole pretty well satisfied with the days work, except that Perry was again elected on the Council. Am worrying over the backgrounds for the Booth pictures. They give me more trouble than the figures. Gertrude and I went out to try to find photographs for suggestions of backgrounds but to no purpose.

Saturday 12. Went to Tarrytown with Mr. Hoe. Spent the day on his grounds and had lunch at their house. We had a talk on Academy affairs.