Harvard Botany Libraries

91 — 1882 — — Dec. 25 — — Cambridge, Mass. — Clear, cold. Legal Christmas. Monday. I started to take a ride this A.M. with Harry Spelman. Temperature 6° + {degrees plus}. We got a mile & a half up the road when H's machine broke down and we returned. It was very cold. Distance 3 m. Called on Mr & Mrs. Waterston this A.M. We all took tea at Lucy's and had a grand distribution of presents in the evening. I got a good many nice things. M. gave me a rotatory measure for measuring distances on maps. Aunt Anna has given me a check to buy the best bicycle I can find. I received a calendar from L.H. Bailey and a photo of Madison after a snow storm. It shows the Capitol and Park. ————— — Dec. 27 — Cambridge, Mass. — Glorious day clear, 20° degrees} to 25° degrees}. Air still I took a fine ride this A.M. of 28 miles. Route Mt. Auburn, Watertown, West Newton Lower Falls, Wellesley Hills, Wellesley, So. Natick, Natick. Returning I went the same way, except that I went straight from Natick to Wellesley. My route to Natick was 14 1/2 m. The return was 13 1/2 m. That makes 553 3/4 since Sept. 17th. I have ridden every day the past week, and have been since 96 miles. ————— — Dec. 28 — Cambridge, Mass. — Went to Boston to-day on errands. Geo. & I went and inspected the new Victor & the new Columbia both fine machines. Called this evening on Mrs. N.L. Bretton & Mr. J.K. Small at Mrs. Livermore's Saw the former. Committee meeting at Mr. Thorndike's. —————

90 — 1882 — Dec. 24 — Cambridge, Mass. — Clear cold, windy, 0 temperature this A.M. Spent part of the day checking & distributing Rose's plants. Fine lot. This P.M. I took a 3 3/4 m. spin on the Victor to School St. via Belmont St. Temperature 7° {degrees} above. Rode elegant — 506 1/2 m. since Sept. 17. ————— — Dec. 25 — Cambridge, Mass. — Cloudy. 20° {degrees} to 25° {degrees}, but little wind. Christmas. Last evening, a merry opening at Mrs. Coolidge's. Friends are kind. Rebecca Steere sent me a carved photo. frame. Pattern, apple blossoms. Work exquisite. I was utterly taken aback as I thought she had given up the work. She was so thoughtful. Tom sent a very useful pair of scissors, & Rob, a little case of sticking plaster. How kind they all were. Mr. Coolidge gave me a beautiful scarf to wear under my over coat. Margie two books, Garner on the Speech of Monkeys & Wright's *Ice Age in America & so on. *Man and hnd the Glacial Record."

Time this A.M. Harry Spelman & I took a fine spin of 16 1/4 m. through Arlington, round the Mystic Pond to the West, to Winchester, W. Medford, Arlington, No. Ave, Linnaean St. home. At one time we had quite a snow squall. Wheeling in Dec. is not to be expected. 522 3/4 since Sept. 17.

Mr. Bebb sent me a calendar with a note I value anything so much from him. Mr. Churchill a neck tie with "J.R.C. coll." on the wrapper — E.L. Rand a photo of Pine woods. This P.M. we went to Mother's and opened the Chicago Box. Charlie sent me Wrights "Ice Age in No. Amer." R & M, "Ball's "Cause of the Ice Age" Ward's "The Oak", & Life of Farragut — Margie has had lots of pretty things. This evening Mrs. Brewster sent 2 tickets to the Messiah. I went in with Prof. Greenough. It was grand. —————

89 — 1882 — — Dec. 22 — — Cambridge, Mass. — Thursday. Christmas recess has begun! The boys gave me a dozen handsome silver forks shell pattern on the end. This P.M. with the temperature a little above 20° {degrees}, the roads quite smooth and hard, I took a spin on my Victor from 2.30 to 3.30. I went to the Lexington common, via Lexington Ave Concord Ave, Wellington St. Arlington, East Lexington. The wind blew in my face hard, almost all the way up. I came back fast. It was exhilerating. Distance 18 12/ m. I was 55 min. from the Lexington Common to the house. Mounted the rest of Rose's package this evening. I have sent off a few gifts to friends in the shape of books to L.H. Bailey C.R. Barnes, Dr. Kennedy, Tom & Rebecca Steere, a knife to Rob Steere, a book to Rollin Larrabee, and cards to various friends — ————— Dec. 23 — Cambridge, Mass. A glorious day, clear & cold, roads in elegant condition. Wind very high this A.M., it died nearly away in the P.M. This A.M. I rode 10 m. on the Victor, taking a very round-a-bout course, to Union Sq. Somerville Ave to Porter Beacon St. to Union Sq. Somerville Ave to Porter Charlestown back Prospect St to Cambridge St, Broadway, Oxford St Linnaean St, home. Called of Mr. W.J. Rolfe, Mrs. Boyd, & Dr. B.L. Robinson. This P.M. I took another 10 m. ride going to Tufts College, calling on Prof. C.E. Fay, then down Highland Sq. to Union Sq & home. Air very bracing. This makes 502 3/4 since Sept. 17. Have ridden this past week 5 times, covering 75 3/4 miles. Distributed some plants this evening. W.W. Eggelston Rutland, Vt. has sent me a gratuitous package of nice plants. He is a friend of Prof. Jesup, & C.G. Pringle —

88 — 1882 — — Dec. 17 — — Cambridge, Mass. — Bad weather for the past week. But very little snow. My cold is at least much better. Last night I mounted a number of Rose's plants, some 35 sheets. I am checking off a good many of my desiderata owing to Rose's package. This P.M. I rode my bicycle, first time Nov. 27. I went 6 3/4 m. to & round Fresh Pond, up Lexington Ave. It was awfully windy & soft. Still I did so enjoy riding again. ————— — Dec. 18. Cambridge, Mass. — Glorious day. Clear, bright sky, temperature about freezing. Glorious ride this A.M. on the Victor. Very bad frozen ruts to Front St. Still I reached Rob's on Falmouth St. in 26 min. Rode 3 times round the Fens, then to Chestnut Hill Reservoir on Beacon St. Road frozen, smooth & hard. Round the Reservoir back to the Albany crossing, back to the Reservoir then home by the Harvard Bridge. 24 miles. How I enjoyed it. J.A. Allen has called several times lately in regard to a List of Man. Plants to be issued by the Gray Herb. They leave a good deal of it to me. ————— 457 3/4 m. since Sept. 17. ————— — Dec. 21. Cambridge, Mass. — A very light fall of snow lately. Road frozen & hard & pretty smooth and clear. I got home this P.M. in time for a half hour spin in the Victor. Take the Watertown road & back. 6 1/2 m. in all. 464 1/4 since Sept. 17. Nearly finished mounting Rose's plants this evening. —————

87 — 1882 — — Nov. 27 — — Cambridge, Mass. — Mounted some plant this A.M. This P.M. James Greenough & I took a run on our bicycles for an hour and a half. We went to Arlington by Concord Ave, Wellington & Pleasant St. Then we went round Lower Mystic Road, taking the west side first. We had to go through a wood path and a large farm to reach the main road to W. Medford. We rode round some in W. Medford crossed the bridge, below the bridge that runs on the main road between W. Medford & Arlington, worked across to No. Ave., Lake St, Cross St, Wellington, Concord Ave, Well Lexington Ave, home. Distance a little over 13 miles. Distance since Sept. 17, 427 miles — I am unravelling a curious trouble about Hudsonia found at No. Conway. I have {Hudsonia} tomentosa from Miss Brown & Miss Mimms, from there. Now Mrs. Owen sends it to me from there where she got it this fall. The New Man. credits Miss Mimms with {Hudsonia} ericoides from that locality, but says nothing about {Hudsonia} tomentosa — It is probably a mistake, and should be {Hudsonia} tomentosa. I shall look it up when I go to the Gray Herb. next. ————— — Dec. 8 — Cambridge, Mass. — Bad weather severely since the 27 Nov. Snow. No wheeling. Packages of plants form J.A. Morton, J.N. Rose, J.B. [Brenton?]. Lost of nice plants — Dr. Robinson of the Gray Herb. spent the evening with me on Dec. 3rd Sat. On Dec. 22 I dined at the Union Club with Dr. Kennedy & 2 Classmates of his, Mr. Sprague Pres. of Senate, & Mr. Hodges, Mining engineer. Very nice time — Sent J.A. Morton, 44 sp. of Carex. He writes that it is the best set of Carices he ever received. Bad cold that past week. Mounted 35 sheets last evening the 7th. J.A. Allen called this evening in reference to some plants of H. Eggert.

86 — 1882 — — Nov. 25 — — Cambridge, Mass. — Cold, blustery day. I busied myself all day with Herbarium, putting Mr Faxon's plants in the box, arranging some Hepatics sent me in June by Underwood, doing up a package of plants for Underwood and some Monadnock Solidagos for Prof. Porter &c. ————— — Nov. 26 — Cambridge — An ideal day. Clear, calm, temperature just at the freezing point. This A.M. I took my champion ride of the season, leaving the house at 8.40 & returning 12.53 — I went to Arlington, W. Medford, Winchester, Woburn, Lexington, Waltham, Clematis Brook Station, Waverly, Belmont, Arlington and home by Wellington St. & Lexington Ave, as I went. Distance 30 miles. The roads were elegant most all the way. It was very wild from Woburn to Lexington, with rolling country, scattered farms, thick woods and running brooks. The road from Lexington to Waltham is simply perfect. I turned east on Beaver St. just before entering Waltham. Road from Winchester to Woburn, 2 m. not very good. I had no fatigue and how I enjoyed a hot lunch. This P.M. I rode 2 miles doing some errands at the Square. That makes 414 m. since Sept. 17 — We went to the theatricals by teh Cam. So. Dram. Club this evening. Enjoyed them. I mounted a few sheets this evening. —————

85 distance now since Sept 1y, 366 1/2 m. Met Mr. E. Faxon at the Gray Herb. aat 10 A.M. where we spent the morning with some of his Asters. Dr. Porter has been making great changes in the names of many of Mr. Faxon's New Hamp specimens. Mr. Faxon lunched with us and staid till 4 in my Herb. We put the Asters that Mr. Faxon has given me from time to time and what Dr. Porter has renamed into white covers stating what changes Dr. Porter proposes — Mr. Faxon says that he is quite well now, but must be careful of himself. He had a severe attack last summer of something resembling apoplexy. I saw the comet this evening with my field glass. Letters from Dr. Morong & Mrs. Owen. ————— — Nov. 24 — — Cambridge — Thanksgiving Day — Thursday — 20° {degrees} at breakfast time. Roads in elegant condition. After breakfast I mounted the Victor and rode to Boston over the Harvard Bridge and called on Rob & Ella Lord & Mr. & Mrs. [Waterston?]. Time from the house to Rob's, 25 min. I returned to the Port and the wheeled about through various streets, Harvard, Broadway, Cambridge, Kirkland, Beacon, Prescott &c &c, reaching home by 12 M. Distance 15 1/2 m. — 382 m. since Sept. 17. Uncle Robert gave me Dr. Watson's Botany in the Clarence King Survey. Lunched with Dr. & Mrs. Coolidge. Dined at Mother's. I wear corduroy knicker bockers, woolen stockings, and a cardigan in cold weather under my coat when I bicycle now. I also wear gloves. —————

111 — 1893 — — Apr. 26 — — Cambridge, Mass. — 20 m. Total 344 1/2 m. A glorious, cool clear day. Hurried home. Put on my suit and mounted my wheel at 3.30 P.M. I had a most delightful easy quiet ride till 5.45, going up the hills easily and never once dismounting till I reached home. I covered just 20 miles. I went up Brattle St, Belmont, School Arlington, East Lexington, Lexington, Lexington St. to Waltham, turning off before reaching the town, past Belmont St. & straight home. Signs of reviving nature are visible plainly read. The lawns are green, and by the running brooks vegetation is springing up fresh and green. I had no fatigue whatever from my ride. I rarely do when I take my own gait. In the evening I went wiht Mrs. Coolidge to Prof. J.P. Cooke's and hear him give a private lecture on his trip to Alaska, illustrated by superb lantern slides of views of the glacier [?] &c. There were also many views of Yellowstone Park and the canöns of the Yellowstone River. It was a most delightful entertainment, some 40 present. Supper was served afterward. — ————— — Apr. 27 — Cambridge, Mass. — Rain. Lunched at Mrs. Clark's on Beacon St. Bright time. No wheeling. Corrected my History exams. till 11 o'clock. — ————— — Apr. 28 — Cambridge, Mass. — 9 m. Total 353 1/2. Up town this P.M. Took a ride on my wheel between 4.45 & 5. Went to Pope Mfg. Co. Mr. Corey says my tires are just right as they are. Home same way. Met. Mrs. Willie Wesselhoeft on Marlb Commonwealth Ave. Saw Harvard Crew off Harvard Bridge. Little work on plants this evening.

112 — 1893 — — Apr. 29 — — Cambridge, Mass. — 16 1/2 m. Total 370 m. Fine cycling day, cloudy. This P.M. Sat. Frank Eustis, James Greenough & I went to Medford and round Spot Pond and straight home. We has a very nice time. We went through Ravine St. in the Fells. It must be a lovely spot in the summer. We climbed immeasurable hills. I went up them very easily. Hepatics are up. People were gathering them in the Fells. A warning drop of reain occasionally vell, but we reached home before the rain began. Our time was a little over 2 hours distance by Frank's cyclometer 16 1/2 m. A package of plants from McDonald came to-day. ————— — Apr. 30 — Cambridge, Mass. — 17 m Total 387 m. Sunday. Glorious day. Roads fine. Little breeze. Wrote letters this A.M. This P.M. rode wheel to Aunt Anna's straight. Saw her for a short time. Then rode to Chestnut Hill by Beacon St. At the rendevous by the Reservoir there were hundreds of wheels on the grass with their riders sitting and standing about. A policeman said there were at least 400. I never saw such a sight. The avenue was crowded with wheels & vehicles moving about. Then I went on to Mrs. Lords where I stayed a while. Then home through Watertown. Distance 16 1/2 m. I took a run to Concord Ave. on my return on an errand, 1/2 m. —————

114 — 1893 — — May 4 — — Cambridge, Mass. — 2 m. Total 389 m. Rain, Rain since May opened. It held up this P.M. and after dinner I ride a couple of miles up & down Brewster St and Riedesel Ave.

Mr. Seaton, Dr. Robinson's assistant at the Herbarium died Sunday P.M. last Apr. 30. It was very sudden. he was taken with Appendicitis, and the operation was performed. He could not really from it. He was a young man of great promise and I liked him very much — ————— — May 5 — Cambrdige, Mass. — Partly clearing to-day. No wheeling. I mounted this P.M. & evening 50 sheets, being from specimens from McDonald, J.N. Rose, A.B. Seymour &c. ————— — May 6 — Cambrdige, Mass. — 12 m. Total 401 m. Sat. Fine A.M. Light showers this P.M. rode 4 1/2 m. after lunch no farther than W. Somerville. 3/4 hr. before dinner I took a spin of 7 1/2 m. Watertown Road over the hill by Payson's, Washington St long coast, Grove St. home — Worked on my plants this PM — ————— — May 7 — Cambridge, Mass. 24 m. Total 425 m. A most glorious day, cool, cloudy with sun. This morning, Sunday, I rode by myself from 9 A.M. to 12.30 P.M. I enjoyed every inch of it. I went straight to Piety Corner and then N.W. to Lincoln, striking the Trapelo road, just as I neared Lincoln. I went as far as Sandy Pond. 12 m. Home same way. 24 m. in all no fatigue. Printed 50 copies of a school paper on my new machine "Express Duplicates. Success. L.H. Bailey appeared this evening. ——