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Tuesday May 10" 1881. Kept awake nearly all night by cats in the hall. Sara returned from Boston giving encouraging accounts of Maurice and his reception and impressions of the place. Very hot weather. Walked down the Bowery and went to see Paul Gifford about Bates' picture. Painted a little impression of the spring from our hill. L[[?]] came in looking pretty red and banged up. Lawrence Hutton called. Dined at Eastmans with Thompson. Capt. Phil was there just came from California. I was delighted to see him and we gave each other a good hug. We had a very pleasant time and staid until 11 oclock. Mary went to Rondout with Sara.

Wednesday 11. Very hot weather. Put on my summer under clothing. Annual meeting of the Academy. Robbins, Ward and I on the dinner committee. Old officers all elected except Bristol who declined to serve longer in the Council. Guy put in his place. I was returned upon the Council only on a third ballot because I stated that I would like to retire having been there six or seven years. The only Academician elected was F. A. Bridgman a man who lives out of the country and in no way identifies himself with the art interests of the country. I did not vote for him for that reason, nor do I accord him the position which the general public does. He is to me only a clever painter and not an original man. Five associates were elected, Bolton Jones, [[Howenden?]], Dilman, Thos. Moran and [[blank]]. The dinner was served by Pinard and was far the most elegant and satisfactory one we ever had. Weir staid with me. I had a note from Maurice yesterday, homesick but serious and enclosing a letter for the Herald. A note from Miss Nesmith proposing to bring some friends to my studio but I had to write her I should be at the Academy 

Thursday 12. Began another portrait of dear Gertrude from an enlarged photograph which Wood had taken but I find it very difficult to do much from it. I wrote a letter to Maurice. Miss Nesmith called with her Cousin Mrs. Nesmith a young widow. She was very pretty and piquant. I would like to paint her as she was very picturesque. They staid about an hour and I enjoyed their call very much. In the evening I went up to Stedmans to carry up a piece of Venetian glass which was broken last spring. They were all at home and I had a pleasant call. Stedman is very prosperous and loves to have his friends see his prosperity. Talks about his wine cellar and the demands he has on his charity &c which is all very pardonable in as good and liberal a fellow as he is

Friday 13. Painted on Gertrudes picture but do not at all satisfy myself. I saw the notice of Mr. Andrew Boardmans death in the