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wine and smoked a cigar. I feel very forlorn and do not work with any aim or interest. I am in a very discouraged and unhappy state and think so much and so sadly of dear Gertrude that all the interests of this life seem distasteful and irksome to me.

Wednesday Feb. 23" 1881. A letter from Mary Gifford which interests me greatly in the relations of some of her recent expressions which seem to have relieved her from a state of sorrow and discouragement. Weir called on his way to Princeton to lecture. Miss Storrs came with a friend with a card from Mr. de Forest to see the picture he is to present to her father. Called on Mrs. Junius Henri Browne and his sister Mrs. Holden. Mr. Sartain the artist was there. I had never met him before. The weather is intensely cold again.

Thursday  24. Have tried to paint but with no success. I am not interested in my work. I need some new inspiration. Weir came in and lunched with me. The days are weary and sad to me. Calvert and I dined at Mrs. Putnams. Mr. & Mrs. Field and Clara were there.

Friday  25. Painted on my Vermont scene and I think finished it and also on a small Kaatskill brook I began a year ago. A Mr. Conkly called and wanted to get a picture to sell in Detroit. I told him he had better buy it which he said he would do if I would allow him to pay only a part down. He referred me to Ward of whom he was once a pupil. Julia Vaux called. Calvert and I called on Fred and Annie Norton.

Saturday 26. We had our reception from 2 to 6 today. There were crowds of pleasant people who seemed to enjoy it greatly, and I met many old friends. The day was fine and the affair is considered a great success. Calvert tole me this evening of the death of his mother of which he heard a few days ago. He was greatly attached to her. She was 85 or 86 years old. I went around to the Century a little while this evening and Sam Bispham with whom I talked of Booth and the recent announcement that he and Irving are to play together.

Sunday 27. Had my breakfast in my room and went home by the Wallkill Valley and the train leaving at 8:30. It was a most tedious journey and I did not get home until nearly 3 o'clock. Laura and her little girl are there and Mary Vaux, Cornelia Ellis, and Jamie Andrews. Cornelia is going home on Tuesday. It has been a warm day and the snow and ice are rapidly melting.

Monday 28. The last day of winter. Tom drove me over the river on the ice in the buck board to the noon train. They are still drawing heavy loads of coal across but it is warm and foggy and began to rain just as we reached