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bed again with his 30" (or thereabouts) boil. After breakfast I went up to the Grand Central Station to give my trunk check to Jackson and I walked all the way back down 6" Avenue. I stopped in at Ericks new store and bought 2 pairs of sheets and a pair of pillow covers for my bed. It is a fine store and like all others thronged with Xmas buyers. I came to my studio and put up my curtains and got things in order as far as I could and while I waited for my trunk read President Harrisons first message. The Times with its usual bitterness thinks it weak, the Tribune thinks it strong in its simplicity. I thought it a very practical and sensible document devoid of flourishes and thoroughly temperate and manly in tone- My trunk came about 2 and now I am all in order and ready to go to work only I have no ideas to work upon. Downing and I went around to Tony Pastors theatre and breathed villainous air and listened to vapid [[?inanity]] for the most part for two and a half hours.

Thursday Dec. 5" 1889. To the dentists this morning at 9 and spent an hour. Am to go again Saturday. Fortunately there is little to be done. I walked down [[strikethrough]] Broad [[/strikethrough]] Fifth Avenue and 23" St and stopped at Ericks new store on 6" Av. where I bought two pretty embroidered Handkerchiefs for Xmas presents for Mary and Maggie here at the Studio building. Have been at work all afternoon painting on my picture "Autumn sunshine and shadow and have improved it. A Miss James called and wanted me to speak to Booth about buying a bust of Forest she has. I excused myself as well as I could but as she seemed a lady I gave her my card to Bispham as Sec. of the Players. Wood came in with a constitution for a new Society in place of one A.M.A. Society It is a mere insurance scheme embracing every body and I confess I am not interested. I wrote to Sara. Calvert was at dinner. He looks very well but evidently is taking care of himself as he did not go out in the evening. I went around to the club about 9 O clock. It was pretty slow there and I saw none of my particular friends until late in the evening when Ward came in

Friday 6" A fine day with N.W. wind. Have been painting most of the day on my Autumn Sunshine & Shadow trying to improve it, which I think I have. My room is very quiet. No one troubles me. One has opportunities occasionally to realize how small a place one occupies in the world. Dined at Hiram Romeyns- there were present Mr. Dailey and Mr. S. Decatur Smith from Philad'a. Mr. Chambers the lawyer from the Century, Mr. Hotaling, a Mr. Stone, Mr Cox and one other name I have forgotten besides Charlie Romeyn. We had an elegant dinner beautifully and elaborately served and really had an enjoyable time as they were all bright and agreeable men. We remained there until nearly midnight. Romeyn sang two beautiful songs the music of one composed by Mr. Decatur Smith and the words by his son. Romeyns house is very richly furnished indicating that he must be a wealthy man. Mr. Hotaling did not allude to the fact that I had written him a note this summer to which he paid no attention. I think however he remembered it. I sat beside Mr. Dailey and Mr. Stone with each of whom I talked.

Saturday 7" To the dentists - a final visit. Stopped at Rocks and ordered a suit of clothes. Went in to Tiffanys and bought a bronze bell of Russian work for $8. for a Xmas present for Sara. Mr. Palmer went with me up to the bronze floor and also to the china department where I saw beautiful things. I also looked at some of their costly gems a diamond necklace for $16,000 an onyx and Diamond brooch for 9,600 &c &c. Have painted most of the day. My picture is improved but still strikes me as "light" and not fine in execution. Attended