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Sunday Dec 26. 1880. Staid at home all day. The weather is milder and the wind blew hard from the North, but it is so restful to sit in the pleasant rooms and look out on the winter landscape. I love the winter at home in the country and it gives me a restful and peaceful feeling. I wrote to Mrs. Sawyer and to Booth from whom I found a letter on my arrival home.

Monday 27. Came down to N.Y. by noon train. Mr. Blauvelt sat beside me as far as Pokeepsie. He always seems to be impressed with a sense of my importance and is always most kind and friendly. Mrs. Gifford was in the car and we sat together from Pokeepsie and talked of Sanford and Gertrude. I ventured to ask her how she feels about the future state since she told me she believed she would be with Sanford there. I said you have been married twice. She answered that Sanford had completely obliterated Mr. Canfield her first husband and she only spoke of him respectfully and not with any deep love. I always feel badly on leaving home. It seems like coming away from dear Gertrude for I feel to be nearer her there than anywhere else. The drawing class met at Marys and I spent the evening there. There is a wrangle in the Park board as to whether Vaux or Olmstead should be appointed superintendent.

Tuesday 28. The weather has come off very cold. I went up to Adam Youngs and ordered a pair of shoes and went to the bank. Staigg and Ernest Longfellow called to ask me to send a picture to the Boston Art Club. Have painted on a winter picture most of the day. Eastman called while I was out. I went up to see him after dinner and he told me the art committee of the Union League had voted to appropriate $750 for a picture of mine. I told him they might have my picture with the figure for that although I ask $800 for it. Dr. Chapin died on Sunday night. The last time I saw him was when he preached dear Gertudes funeral sermon. I always hoped I would have an opportunity to tell him how much he comforted me but I never had and now it is too late. It began to snow as I came from Eastmans and had all the appearances of a heavy fall of snow.

Monday 29. Have not felt at all well today and have done but little. Addressed about a hundred cards to my lady friends which I am going to send on New Years day. It has snowed all day, a mild storm and cold. Went up to Eastman Johnsons to dine. The trains on the elevated road were so full I had to wait for several hours. Ernest Longfellow, Staigg 

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