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Monday Feb. 27/60
A.M. 9 O'Clock 45 Min - While engaged in my room, a few minutes ago ^[[15]] I heard footsteps which instantly conveyed to me the thought: perhaps they are Mr Grinnell's - A rap? - I opened the door - & indeed there he was before me.  Can it be possible that so poor a Creature as I can be worthy the consideration of [[underlined]] so worthy a man as he? [[/underlined]]  Here he had sought me out away up in the 4th story of "French's Hotel" - because what?  He believes there are survivors of the Franklin Expedition.  He told me his heart - proposed to do all he could in his power to assist in this matter both pecuniously, by advice & personal attention.  Invited me to dine with him at 6 O'Clk.  Going down into the office found there a letter from Mr G. wh he had placed there [[remainder of sentence obscured]]
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Eve  
Spent the day from 10 1/2 o'Clk A.M. to 5 P.M. at the Library Rooms of the Geographical Society - Extracted the cream of a large pile of the British "Arctic Blue Books", numbering 7 or 10.  At 6 o'clock according to invitation, visited Mr. Grinnell's to dine - & talk over "Arctic Matters".  The "Preserved Roast Beef" given me for trial by Lewis & Bros. was partaken of & discussed - all pronounced it excellent.  The majority thought if that was a specimen of the good things to be taken to the "North" they would like to be set down as volunteers to the New Expedition.
Mr. G. sent an invitation to Dr. [[space]] Francis, a venerable gentleman whose name ^[[is known wherever extraordinary skill & a long life of good deeds could make it known]].  Conversing with him found that he had seen & conversed with [[space]] MacKenzie the discovery of the great river named after him - had met Sir John Franklin & dined with him - Dr. Richardson & other celebrated Arctic men.
Dr Francis seemed much interested with the subject of ^[[my]] mission - Expressed decided opinions corresponding with my own.
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Tuesday Feb 28/60
Today I approached a person who was in charge of a street stand for the sale refreshments & asked him bluntly: 'Are you Esquimaux?'  His answer was "I China"!  So ^[[like]] was his general appearance to an Esquimaux.