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the river as we had before. We worked until noon very hard and got pretty warm. Just before dinner Downing received a letter from Edwina and he seemed troubled thereafter and did not eat his dinner. He showed me the letter which expressed her desire to break off the engagement between them and also his reply which he sent this evening. The whole thing has been so abrupt and so unexpected that I do not know what to think and can form no conclusions yet. Downing bears it quietly and philosophically and I hope will not be injuriously affected, but time can alone show that. Mary came by the day boat. We have talked the matter over but are both at a loss to account for this sudden determination. She is depressed and troubled but bears it as she bears all trials with patience and fortitude. We had heavy showers and tremendous thunder and lightning towards evening. A letter from Mrs. Sawyer in which she says she and Mr. Sawyer expect to come the last week in this month.

Wednesday July 18" 1883. The beautiful days continue. A rich, clear air and a light N. W. wind. A letter came from Booth merely repeating the substance of Edwinas. It was kind and considerate and asking me to write to him in N.Y. where he will be on Monday next. Downing bears his trial well and seems as rational and sensible as any one can be. We had a talk together this evening and he gave me his entire confidence. Mary and I have talked the matter over and concluded that we have done our duty. She and I walked up to the W. S. Station after dinner and saw the Phil. express come in with six cars and saw the people depart for the mountains. We walked down the track, through the tunnel and out a distance on the bridge returning through the cemetery. The morning glories I planted on Maurices grave are growing nicely and have begun to bloom. Wrote to Mrs. Sawyer sending her the W. S. trains from Newburgh.

Thursday 19. Today has been like yesterday only cooler so that this evening it was uncomfortably cool sitting out on the porch. I had a letter from Whittredge written Tuesday. He thought he would not be able to get away before next Monday. A postal card from Mrs. Sawyer saying she and Mr. Sawyer would come on Friday by the New England road to Newburgh and by W.S. road to Kingston. I spent a part of the forenoon in packing and arranging my painting materials for my trip. This afternoon Downing and I went out in Grant Van Deusens canoe as far as Port Ewen. He seemed very cheerful, but has been a little depressed this evening. I have written to Booth today but will not send the letter until Saturday.

Friday 20. The same delightful temperature as yesterday. I went over to the cemetery directly after breakfast and trained the morning glory vines on poor Maurices grave over some long flexible twigs I took with me and with which I made a sort

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