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a certain clique of artists ridicule the whole scheme and would like to see us fail. Apparently they are not capable of imagining that we are doing this for the general good. I came home for the summer by the 3:30 train.

Sunday May 20" 1883. Downing and I walked over the bridge again then down along Hussey Hill to an old ruined house where we went over to the railroad and down to the curve below the woods. It was a grey day until just as we returned when the sun came out. We came home by the ferry. Mr. Blansett preached in Music Hall and sent word to me but I dont want to mix in this thing and really have little interest in it while I have sympathy with him. I was too tired to go over if I had been inclined.

Monday May 21. Grey and promising rain. I painted a sketch of the little apple tree in front of the house with its blossoms but I did not succeed very well. I feel very despondent and melancholy. I think so much here of my dear Gertrude and miss her constantly. Sometimes I think it would be better for me if I never had to come here. I saw by the Tribune that Professor Avery died in Clinton a few days ago. My father went to school to him. Seeing it made me think of Clinton, of my life there and my being there with dear Gertrude and a deep sense of sadness seems to overshadow me. [[clipping]] PROFESSOR CHARLES AVERY. UTICA, N.Y. May 20.-Charles Avery, Professor of Chemistry in Hamilton College from 1834 to 1869, died in Clinton to-day, age eighty-seven. [[/clipping]] I made another little sketch this afternoon out of my window. The color was pretty and delicate but I always come so far short of nature that I feel depressed with my work. I want to be doing something serious and am unhappy that I am not but I must strive against this feeling for I can never expect to do all I want to. A letter came from Booth from Paris May 4." He does not write with much enthusiasm and it seems an effort. I am anxious to know how he will regard Downings going away and am prepared for great disappointment on his part. There is no telling the effect it will have. He certainly has cause for great anxiety.   

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