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pictures. His wife did not seem quite so genial although I had a pleasant talk with her.  Mrs. Arthur Paston struck me as an interesting woman. There were several artists there whom I did not know. They held their reception in Chucks room and had the supper in Henrys studio. It was very pleasant to meet the artists and their wives and it reminded me of the early days here. I thought of dear Gertrude and how she would have enjoyed this occasion and how she would have graced it and what a charm she used to lend to all the social gatherings here.  Eastman and his wife came to my room for a while before going home.

Tuesday Dec. 21st 1880. The shortest day of the year coming in with a snow storm. I was ill in the night and slept but little and have felt poorly all day and greatly depressed. Have tried to paint but could not. It has snowed at intervals all day and is cold. May and I called up at Miss Hitchcocks this afternoon to see a picture by Henner of a Magdalen she bought in Paris this summer. It was very effective and fine in some ways but I dont think it is the kind of picture I care much for, still it may be  much greater than I think. I had a letter from Sara today and one from Mrs. Sawyer with many tender remembrances of dear Gertrude and speaking most feelingly of her devoted love for me. How I have thought of that unfailing love all day today and sighed and commented that it is gone from me. It has been a sad bitter day to me and I am in the depths of sorrow.

Wednesday 22. Miss Putnam and Mr. F.S. Church called and selected a number of my drawings and Autumn Studies to show at the Art Students League next month. I was quite surprised and rather pleased that they wanted them there.  Shortly after they went Mrs.& Miss Van Doren called. Miss Van Doren wanted a small late Autumn picture to give some friend for a Christmas present, but I had nothing just like what she wanted. She admired a sketch I made from our porch this summer and I told her I would be pleased if she would accept it, but she seemed embarassed and lothe to take it. Her mother told me a friend had written her to come and see my pictures with a view to her getting one. I showed them all to her and she said I would see her again. She said her daughter would call that her picture but she would not take it now and of course I did not press it and they went away without it. I thought it a needless delicacy of feeling.  Shortly after I went over to Marys and went down to the news-boys lodging house which Calvert planned in East Broadway with Julia, Emma Brace and Miss Warner to see the Christmas entertainment of the day scholars. It was very interesting and touching too. Calvert took us over the building which is admirably planned and adapted to its