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Davis and her son came to see me about buying the lot next to Mrs Folants land. Several people have made inquiries of Girard of late about lots there and I hope when Mrs. Folants house is built others will be inclined to come there.

Tuesday July 12, 1887. I thought of going to N.Y. this morning but am glad I did not as it has been very still and warm. Jamie Andrews and I went after dinner in the little boat up to Glasco and back. It was pleasant but very warm. I walked down to the boat and feel no worse for it. A part of the time on the boat I felt badly. Mrs.  Capt. Anderson came up last evening and told me to tell Eastman Johnson that the Capt. would take Phils Santa Barbara property for $3000, his wife to make out the deed and he would send the cash as soon as he ascertained about the title. I had a note from Whittredge and one from Sawyer. I wrote Eastman and Wilmurt.

Wednesday 13. A pretty hot day with a breeze from S.W. Tom is getting in the hay early. Today is the Centennial celebration at Clinton and the President and his wife are there. I had a long letter from Weir last night and one from Downing wanting me to go with him to the Maine woods the last of Aug. I have written him today saying how glad I would be to do so but saw no hope of it. I have also written to Lucy.

Thursday 14" My 59" birthday. Is it possible that I am on the threshold of the sixties! I used to think this a remarkable period and yet I approach it with a feeling of comparative youth in my heart, despite the experiences and most significant of all my comparative helplessness feeling that it would take but little to stir my pulses with the thirst of early manhood. I think of the forests and the lakes with longing and would fly to them tomorrow sure that I could be contented there even with my lame side. It has been a fine breezy day, and I have been full of longings for the solitudes of the woods and lakes and still I have spent a good portion of it going carefully over my accounts and verifying them. I want them to be clear and full and easily understood. I have felt a little less dizzy today. I fancy and try to hope I am mending, trying to keep at bay troubling thoughts and all worries waiting for direction on the way I should go.

Friday 15." Mary and I went to N.Y. by the morning train in the Hudson Railroad and arrived there at 11 oclock. It was a very comfortable day and we were not too warm. I went directly to see Dr. Taylor. After questioning and examining me he assured me my malady was only temporary arising from a low condition of the nervous system and advised me to go away somewhere for diversion and to get my mind in a new channel. I spoke of the Maine Woods and he thought that would be just the thing. Assured me I would come back well. He said there was no indication of breaking doom in me. That he called me a whole, sound man, but that it was vital that I should get out of this condition I am in, which he said came from anxiety, and strongly urged me to go away as I suggested to the Maine Woods. I dont see how I can but I mean to try. I got my lunch after seeing him and walked down to and around the battery and then took the 9 Av. Elevated train up to the Powell. Had a pleasant sail up and arrived at 8:30 not greatly fatigued with my day. Mary did not return but expects to come up with Marion Monday. I had a letter from Mrs. Anderson.

Saturday 16" Very hot. Tom still at work at the hay. I worked on my accounts verifying them and have them all right now I think. A cool breeze in the evening.
[[left margin]] Smoked my last cigar [[/left margin]]

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