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yesterday but could not get to work on the picture until [[strikethrough]] l [[/strikethrough]] afternoon when I worked steadily the rest of the day and have nearly finished it. Spent the evening at Marys and when I came to my house it was raining gently and began to rain hard just as I reached here.

Wednesday March 26" 1890. The day came off so fine with a brisk N.W. wind and not cold that I decided to go out to Summit and see Whittredge whcih I did by the 1.30 train. I missed my way after I reached Summit and went astray at least a mile. I found him superintending the repairing his road. He looked remarkably well and not at all as thought he had been ill and he told me he weighs several pounds more than before his illness. It grew more windy and cooler in the afternoon but we took a short walk. They so urged me to stay to dinner that I did so although I intended to return at 5. We had a nice talk over the wood fire both before and after dinner and they seemed to enjoy my visit. I came away at 8.30 and reached my room at 10. I found here a note from Eastman with a letter of Daltons enclosed which I had sent him thinking it was Royal Reeds, saying he could make nothing out of it which I was not surprised. I have written him again and sent the letter.

Thursday 27." I received a very friendly and interesting letter from Mrs. Horace Fairbanks this morning, evidently greatly pleased that I offered to look over her picture and touch it up if she cared to send it to me. She also, in view of my alluding to the agreeable and satisfactory relations I had with Mr. Fairbanks sent me a memorial of him by his pastor and his associates. He must have been a man of great integrity and simplicity of character and was evidently not only respected but beloved by the people around where he lived. I have painted the greater part of the day on my water color of the "Swamp in Winter" and I think finished it. Yesterday Broadhead who makes the wooden panels in Ellenvile came in. When he saw my water color he spoke of it with admiration and much intelligent feeling. I was rather surprised as it is a subject which I would not have supposed would interest him. He was surprised to find it was a water color. Today Julia Dillon and her fiend Mrs. Tower of St. Louis called. She noticed my picture at once and seemed greatly pleased with it. They are the only ones who have seen it. Mary had two tickets for a concert at Chickering Hall sent her and as no one else cared to go Downing and I went and enjoyed it greatly. Mrs. Raymond nee Annie Louise Cary sang in a trio, the Mendelssohn Quartette sang delightfully, notably "Oft in the Stilly Night" a Miss Lucile Dupree played the violin very nicely and a M'lle Clementine De Vere also sang as I thought with the taste of a real artist.

Friday 28" The rain poured in torrents this morning and it has been stormy with thunder and lightning through the day. I have painted on Gertrudes portrait but am in despair about it. It does not look a bit like her and I can't make it look like her. I called on Annie Lee this evening at Nortons. Julia Dillon is there also.

Saturday 29 Went home by noon train. Cold and squally. Staid close by the fire Sara told me of poor old Jim Robisons death at the Alms House He was once a man of property and owned the water power and mule at High Falls but drink ruined him.

[[newspaper clipping]]
ROBISON - In this City, on Wednesday, March 26, 1890, James H. Robison, in his 79th year.
Funeral from Fair-Street Reformed Church, at 2 P.M. on Friday. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
not old Jim
[[/newspaper clipping]]

Sunday 30" Cold in the morning but grew warmer. I went down to Johns and invited him to dinner. Julia is in N.Y. Wile I was there the boy who brings up Johns letters came in and told us Major Cornell died this morning. The Freeman mentioned only a day or two ago that he was a little indisposed but John said it was rumored yesterday that he was seriously ill. John came up to dinner. I talked with him at his house about Nannie. He has little hopes that she will ever be better, and I said I thought he ought by no means to be discouraged. I asked him if he did not miss her greatly. He said he

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-24 14:05:41