Travel Diaries and Journals

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

Monday May 10th.. Very pleasant and warm. Called at the milliner's thrice in the course of the morning, In the afternoon my new hat was sent home. It is a gossamer straw, lined and trimmed with white, and pleases me much, as is generally the case with anything new and tasteful. Called on Mary Reeve also took a short walk walk with ^her Returned, read an hour, took an early tea, and at six started for the ferry, crossed over and found Natty waiting for me on the other side. Walked to the Tabernacle, which we reached at seven, Half-an hour later seats were difficult to be obtained; and the meeting commenced. Natty and I sat in the first seat of the gallery, facing the platform.

It was the Twenty-Fourth Anniversary of the American Leaman's Friends Society. The speeches were very fine the singing also was excellent. The meeting closed about half-past-ten. I was much fatigued and felt as though I could hardly reach home, but at twelve cozily nestled in bed and clasped in Carrie's arms all sense of weariness was ^soon lost in refreshing slumber.

[written sideways near gutter] E. Daniels? spent the evening at our house.

Tuesday.. Warm and pleasant. Mother and I attended the Anti-Slavery Anniversary at the Broadway Tabernacle in the afternoon It was very interesting, and I enjoyed it highly. Speeches were delivered by the Hon. E.D. Cenbre? Mr Pray? and a blind mulatto man, and Henry Ward Beecher. They were all different both in style and substances and I could

not decide which I thought best. The colored man of course was not so well educated as the other two, but his remarks were witty, touching and original and his misfortune increased the interest he excited. The place was crowded at least half- an-hour before the meeting commenced. It continued about three hours. On leaving we met a number of friends Starr and Annie and all the Scheuet? family were present Even Maggie was there two. She was rather pale but was as pretty and smiling as ever. Mr Branch dares not disturb her and we hope ere long she will be entirely free from him. Mr Marshall accompanied Mary Jane.

Mr Joseph and Samuel Wilde were on the boat in which we returned. Joseph walked up with Natty and I while Mr J -- walked directly in a line with us on the other side of the way, as regardless of appearances and of other folks' opinion as you please.

Reached home much fatigued. Spent the evening in reading, and finished "The Wide, Wide World".

It is a beautiful story, but I need not stop to commened it, its praises being duly sung by the papers all over the land. It did me good -- I closed it with a humbling sense of my own short-comings in the way of duty, and a heart-felt prayer that the impression might be abiding. Harriet attended Mrs Holbrook's funeral. The brides of [courn?] were present, dressed in deep mourning. Poor girls! But a few weeks ago when a large company were there assembled on a far different

[Sideways along gutter edge] occasion, in their hour of happiness, how little did they dream that in that hour would so soon take place the funeral [solemnities?] of her whose guidance and affectionate sympathy they now so greatly need!

Wednesday.. Rainy. Spent the day quietly and pleasantly at home. Had made an engagement with Mary and Josy? to attend the National Temperance Anniversary but none of us were able to go. Evening in writing and reading.

Thursday.. Damp. At home occupied with my usual duties. Mary Reeve made a long call in the afternoon, she will leave W-- on Saturday morning for a week's visit to Jamaica Evening in knitting a tidy and writing.

The coffee which we sent for nearly a week ago, and of which we are greatly in want, was to-day brought to us by one of teh men in the employ of Wilde & Co, Mr I-- who heretofore took the charge of delivering it with his own hands, having refused to brint it, and probably would have neglected it entirely, had not Nathaniel called on him this morning and pretty forcibly called it to his recollection What particular reason he has for his silly conduct I am quite ignorant, but our one or two coffeeless breakfasts were laughingly laid to my door. Even Father could not forbear to smile. I-- is evidently provoked at someting -- he [put?] me with a most ungracious frown last Sunday morning.

Friday.. Cool and cloudy. Delivered an errand in [First of?] in the afternoon and called on the Culberts, and on Mrs Tucker.

The latter has recently received some good news from Mrs Leager and her daughter, and says that I may daily expect a letter Dr Finlay, who by the way, accompanied me across the verry on Tuesday, spent the evening here much to Carrie's annoyance Joseph Dickinson also made a long call on her ladyship in the afternoon.

Wednesday May 19th Rather windy and chilly. Fires were again in demand. [Lewrd?] most of teh day. Our new carpet was brought home in the afternoon. It is very pretty.

Thursday.. Very pleasant. Cleaning was commenced againt to-day with fresh zeal. Was not very well, but assisted some. Was busy ironing muslins when Annie and her sister Margaret came to spend the day with us. I have not seen Maggie before since her marraige. She is thinner and paler than she used to be, but this seems only to heighten her beauty, and adds a touching sweetness to the ever gentle and winning expression on her countenance. She is indeed a lovely and beautiful girl, but how sad to think that to these qualities, generally considered so desirable, are owing the sorrows that so cruelly embitter her youthful days! -- Soon after their arrival sister Annie changed her dress and assisted us in making our new carpet. The day passed very pleasantly. Tass? came over with Father and Mr Murphy to tea. A short time before tea Harriet was seized with a violent headache and was obliged to retire. Mr Murphy made a short visit to her room before he left. Mary Jane Schunck?, Sarah Redfe?'s Mr Peter Mescroth?, and Mr Marshall called in the evening. -- Father conversed alone with Maggie sometimes It was quite late when we retired.

Thursday May 27th.. Rainy. Sewed about all day for myself and Harriet. Wrote in the evening. -- Cornelius cut his finger badly while at play

Friday.. Pleasant. Sewed most of the morning and afternoon Mother attended Mrs Smillie?'s funeral in N.Y. Made a long pleasant call on Mary Reeve before tea. It is some time since and have had a good long chat together and we fully enjoyed it. Mary gave me a book-mark -- a cross wreathed with flowers. The word Truth above it and Love below. A very appropriate keepsake! for truly love and truth are teh bonds that unite our souls. Sweet Mary, she is very dear to me! Mr Murphy took tea with us.

Saturday.. Pleasant. Quite busy in sewing [He?]. Copied some letters for Father. We expected sousin Thomas over to pass the Sabbath with us but were disappointed.

Sunday.. Very fine day.. Attended our church all day and S. [Singing] School in the afternoon. Father preached

A new superintendent was installed in the Sabbath School His name is Mr Reed a young theological student, and a man well [wited?] to us. A very fine young man indeed energetic, thorough, pious and pleasing. The children were all delighted with him, and readily promised that nothing should be wanting on their part to aid in prospering and filling up the school. They went away eager to bring in

Saturday April 3rd Pleasant but windy. Harriet Thompson called early in the afternoon. The remainder I spent with Cornelius. Poor little fellow & [and] the constraint of the sick room is becoming very tiresome to him but he is very patient. Father took tea in Brooklyn at cousin Rufus'. Carrie was very glad to see him [Dr?] is better, but is confined to his bed. Father reached home about half past ten. [Dr?] brought with him some very interesting letters from our relatives in [Dr?] ^ [insert] [Dr?] where a powerful revival is now in progress. Our cousins Arthur Graves Martha and Edwin Wood are hopefully converted. I read the letters aloud to Father before retiring. Sunday[Dr?] Pleasant. Attended our church all day[Dr?] Also S. [Sunday] School and Communion in the aftenoon. It was a pleasant day to me, yet sometimes I was very sad I read over those letters we received last evening and they affected me much. My heart indeed rejoiced when Henry H. [Hudson] joined us in celebrating the Lord's supper. He walked home with me in the afternoon and called for me to attend Monthly Concert at our church in the evening. He was very happy the struggle is over; he has conquered or rather Christ has conquered in him over the dark temptation that has beset him for weeks past. Doubtless ill health and bodily weakness have had much to do with it yet thanks be to him who giveth us this victory over the diseases of both body and soul. how weak my faith has been. Oh doubting heart! remember this [Dr?]. Henry came in after evening services and [Dr?] some [Dr?]. We talked soberly but pleasantly.

Wednesday April 7th Pleasant. Called on Mary Reeve in the afternoon. Returned with a bundle of magazines, containing, I suppose, some of what is called "the light literature of the day." I am not fond of such works generally but there are moods in which every one finds a well-told story acceptable and as Mary thought these were uncommonly good specimens in that line I concluded that I would at least take them home and give them the benefit of an examination however superficial. Ellen Dickinson called, also Mr [Mister] Shroeder to see Father. Mother dropped the large lamp this evening on the parlor floor, of course breaking the shade and chimney into an infinite number of pieces and almost ruining the carpet. Mother felt a little annoyed but Father changed the current of her reflections by suggesting the more serious consequences which would have followed had the lamp been filled with camphene instead of oil and so grateful were we that such was the case that our vexation was soon forgotten.

Thursday. Quite damp and in the afternoon it rained considerably. Harriet came over in the morning for the purpose of [Dr?] the wedding to-night. Mr. [Dr?] called very early to request Father to perform part of the ceremony. P.M. After an early tea we all dressed

Mr. Murphy arrived at seven, sent for a carriage and at eight we started. Over head all was pitchy darkness, under foot was mud and water sufficient to appall the heart of the stoutest pedestrian. The ride however was pleasant and so was the weding. The brides looked quite pretty in their brocade dresses and white veils The grooms also looked very well indeed. Then there was the smiling bridesmaids neither of them so pretty as Carrie, by the way the proud papa and mamma and hosts of congradulatingfriends ; with a good supper, brilliant lights, and a spirit of universal good humour made it bright within in spite of the gloom without. We staid about an hour. The ceremony was performed at seven o'clock. Father united Lydia and the elder Mr Ward, and Mr Beecher performed the same service for the other couple.

Friday. Pleasant. Mother spent the day in Brooklyn with Carrie Harriet also went over in the afternoon. Mary R. & Harriet Strong made a long call and then with Natty and I made an equally long one on the Hudsons. We had a very pleas-ant time. [Dr?]. Daniel came in before we left which made it pleasanter still. Spent the evening in reading.

Saturday. Pleasant, remarkably so. Sarah and Hannah Wilde called in the afternoon. I was also agreeably surprised to receive a call from Mrs Amelia Haight and Sarah Gonsalves Sarah is now staying in the city with Mrs Haight. Mary &

am a firm friend and would make a devoted wife. Also that I am open in my disposition, but am cautious and particular, am sufficiently lively . not quite so orderly as I should be, am anxious to please, and can suit myself to any society into which I am thrown, firm where I have once decided, very conscientious, but more benevolent than religious.

This was the substanceof it: how far it is true I leave it for time and my friends to decide.

George left about half-past-ten, promising to call in the morning Tuesday. Rose early. George H. called while we were at break-fast and made a very pleasant call. I spent the morning in assisting Mother. Hannah Hudson spent the afternoon book tea with us and remained all night. Mrs Beecher and Mary Reeve called. Sarah and I called on the Hudsons but they were again about. We thencalled on the Wilde's Mary R. came in also while we were there, and we accompanied her home, went in awhile, and after leaving we met Kate Hudson. Stopped to talk, and while thus employed Mr G.H. with his most intimate friend E.D. walked up and stopped also. We soon separated [Dr?] the young men went one way and we another. Kate took Sarah home with her but I was obliged to hasten to my own abode. I set the tea-table, and cleared it away, and thentook my seat in the rocking - chair in the back-parlor with little Hannah in my lap, while Sarah and Natty strolled off into the other room. In a few moments Mr Samuel W. was announced. He staid till eleven o'clock and his tongue went like a mill-[Dr?] every minute of the time. He however afforded Sarah and I considerable amusement which made some amends