Viewing page 569 of 607

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

539

Monday Jan 28" 1889. I have been very busy painting, running of errands, writing letters and arranging my things to pack. I have written a great many notes and received many and in fact there seems a thousand things to do at the last. This evening I called on the Churchs to see if he had settled on the day but he is going to see about the route tomorrow. I am invited to dine at Mr. H. G. de Forests with them tomorrow. Miss Blodgett was there when I called, a very pleasant lady but tremendously tall. I came to my room about 9 to do a lot of things while I would not be interrupted.

Tuesday 29" This would have been dear Gertrudes 55" birth day. I have been so busy that I have only thought of her at intervals. Have been packing and painting at intervals as well as preparing my canvases for Mexico. Marion and Miss Barker called about 5 oclock. Miss B, is a very pleasant agreeable girl and I enjoyed their visit and showed them all my pictures. I dined at Mr. DeForests with Mr & Mrs Church. Mr & Mrs de F. Julia and Henry. We had a very pleasant time as I always do there and I came to my studio in the Churchs carriage at 9.30. Church has made his arrangements to go on Thursday at 6 o'clock. I am to see him tomorrow at 5 to make the final arrangements. 

Wednesday 30" Very busy all day doing a thousand things and painting besides. My picture for the Paris Exposition came from Wm P. Eno and all are ready now. I am going to offer 4. Clouds, Sam Coykendalls picture "Reverie" - Joe Cornells A Kaatskill River" and Enos "Shadows of Autumn." I went around to see Church at 5. He has decided not to leave until Saturday. There has been delay in getting his letter of credit from Hartford which he did not send for in time. I am rather glad of it. He has secured the State room in the sleeping car so that we are to have the best there is. I had a nice letter from Sara and wrote her. Dined with Robt Wilkinson at the University Club. Bailey did not come until we were done dinner. Then we walked down to the Century where Bailey who had not dined had something in the way of supper They both knew Douglas Campbell and had a very good time. We did not leave until after 1 o'clock. 

Thursday 31" Mild and spring like. I walked up to 29" St to consult Dr Hunt about my eye which troubles me. No street cars are running on account of a strike. I painted a little and was not so hurried. In the evening went around to the Club a little while. It rained when I came to my room about 10. I met Eastman Johnson in 14" St. and stopped him a moment

[[newspaper clipping]]
Post Jan. 23
JOHN W. EHNINGER.
Twenty years ago few men were better known in literary and artistic circles in New York than "Jack" Ehninger, as he was familiarly called, who died suddenly at Saratoga yesterday. Since his marriage, some fifteen years ago, he has lived in Saratoga, visiting the city but rarely, and was not a familiar figure to the present generation. He was graduated at Columbia College, and took to art very early, and in 1847 went to Paris and studied under Couture, and was perhaps the most complete master of Couture's style of drawing to be found among his pupils. It was his work, done in Paris, and reproduced by the Art Union in this country, which first brought him into notice. He was one of the earliest members of the Century Club, and for twenty-five years one of the most prominent attendants at all its gatherings, and has been a member of the National Academy since 1860. His social charm was very great, and secured him everywhere a cordial welcome. He had, besides both wit and humor, a remarkable talent as a raconteur, a wonderful memory for good things, and great readiness in sending the ball back in the light encounters of dinner-table talk. He had seen much, observed much, remembered vividly, was a good linguist, and had a wide acquaintance with both English and French literature. In truth, a more entertaining companion, in city or country, one rarely meets with in our day. One could hardly, under any circumstances, have a dull hour in his society. The little entertainments he used to give in his studio in his bachelor days were marvels of Bohemian hospitality, his touch was so light, his welcome so cordial, and his cheerfulness so unfailing. As a painter, he cannot be said to have made a great mark, though some of his scenes of American life——such as "The Turkey Shoot," "The New England Farm Yard," and "The Yankee Peddler" are as good as anything ever done in this field, largely owing to the great excellence of his drawing. He is probably more widely known as an illustrator of books than in any other way, and as such his work was in many respects admirable. He returned only a month ago from a year's travel in Europe apparently in the best of health and spirits, and his sudden death at the early age of sixty-two will be a painful surprise to his friends, and puts out the light in a charming and hospitable home. 
[[/newspaper clipping]] 

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-22 18:21:41 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-23 15:23:20 .