Travel Diaries and Journals

Thursday. Pleasant but cold. Mrs Otis and Miss Stanley called in the evening Sarah and I attended Lyceum with Mrs? Miss? Carrie went as usual with Hugh. Friday. Cloudy. The ground was covered with snow. In the afternoon Sarah, Caroline, and I attended Dr Benton's lecture on Psycheology. We became very much interested. Mary Reeve called in our absence, and came around to [the?] lecture to see us. After the lecture Sarah, Mary, and I called on Hannah W. Mrs Hallock, and Kate Hudson. In the evening, Natty, Sarah and I attended Dr Benton's lecture. It was very amusing and exciting. We did [not?] reach home till about eleven. Found Mr Murphy sick. Saturday. Snowy. In the afternoon, Harriet, Carrie, Sarah and I attended Dr Benton's lecture. Annie Culbert called, but not finding us at home came round to Central Hall and staid a short with us. Sarah and I went into Grand st after lecture and did a little shopping. Sunday. Snowed a little in the morning. Sarah and I attended the Babtist [sic] church, and heard a very good sermon from Mr Rhees the minister. Attended our church in the afternoon. Evening at home. Monday. Pleasant. Was not very well. In the evening Sarah, Caroline, Natty and I went round to Mary R's. Joseph, Hannah, and her friend Emma Horing? were there and this evening [passed?] very pleasantly indeed. We returned about eleven.

[continued in left side margin:] The Cuthberts, Ellen Dickinson and Mary Willet called. P.M.

Saturday.. Weather the same. Busy as usual in sewing and domestic duties. Preparations for Harriet's approaching marriage fills up our time pretty well and till then we shall have little or no leisure. I am afraid that I steal a few moments too many for my books and [fear?] but when they are in [night?] it seems almost impossible to resist the temptation. However as soon as I have disposed of what books I have just now in hand, I shall try to deny myself those dear privileges for a few weeks, [reocessing?] only the pleasure of writing my nightly record which must be attended to at all events. It must sometimes be brief but a line is better than nothing at all, and perhaps it will be better for me not to fill up so many pages with my poor scribblings.

Mary Willet made a long call on Carrie in the afternoon. Mr Murphy took tea with us.

Sunday. Pleasant. Attended our church all day and S. [singing] School in the afternoon. Father's preached text in the morning was "Choose ye, this day, whom ye will serve." and in the afternoon "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" I was much interested in them both.

Spent the evening at home in reading. Harriet read aloud To Mr Murphy and Caroline. Harriet was not well enough to-day to go out. Old Dr Beecher preached at Central Hall to-night but a shower coming up about the time to go prevented any attendance, Natty weak.

[written sideways along gutter edge] Mrs. Holbrook died this morning at four o'clock, falling peacefully asleep in the arms of the Saviour in whom she trusted

Saturday. Very Rainy. Occupied with my usual duties. Mr Murphy took tea with us. Read and wrote in the evening.

Sunday. Pleasant. In the morning Natty and I attended divine service at Central Hall. Rev Henry Ward Beecher preached from His principal topic was selfishness, and the impossibility of a selfish person obtaining true happiness. It is the first time I have ever heard him preach and was highly pleased, the house was crowded with eager and attentive listeners In the afternoon attended S. [Singing] School and preaching of our church. Father preached from Galatians 1:15-16. Mr Joseph I-- walked home with me. Evening in reading

Monday. Pleasant. Thunder storms in the afternoon. Wrote to Kate Hudson in the evening. Retired early.

Tuesday. Pleasant. Mother and Harriet went to N.Y. to buy new parlor carpets and to make calls -- were gone nearly all day. In the morning Carrie made an unusual effort and called on the Culberts. They persuaded her to stay to dinner and kept her till the middle of the afternoon I felt quite anxious about her before [she?] returned. Millie and I were left alone together most all day. Poor little Millie! time hangs heavy on his hands! Went out of an errand before tea. Mr Murphy spent the evening here.