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.

Tuesday. Pleasant but bitter cold. Mrs Warner and Mary Reeve called in the afternoon. Sarah, Caroline and Natty spent the evening with the Dickinsons. I was not well enough to accompany them. Before they left Sarah and I spent some time together in singing. Wednesday. Jan. 14th, Excessively cold. We seem surrounded with ice, and cannot keep any water in our rooms. We spend much time in trying to get warm and to keep warm. In the afternoon Mrs Hallum a cousin of Mother's from the city made a long call, and set us to wondering how she could come so far on such a cold day, yet in the evening we all wrapped up warmly and marched off to singing school. We had a pleasant time and returned bringing quite a little company with us who staid [sic] some time. Mr Murphy was also here. Thursday. Weather the same. Mary Reeve and Mrs Wells called in the afternoon. I wrote in Sarah's album. Before tea I suddenly became very ill and was obliged to give up the idea of attending Lyceum. The Dickinsons called as usual, and all went but Harriet and I. H- was obliged to retire from the effects of a severe headache. I soon followed her example, but lay awake. [til?] the girls came laughing up to my room to relate their adventures of which they always seem to meet with an abundance, wherever they go. They also gave me a glowing account of the lectures which they thought very fine.

Friday Jan. 16th. Snowed some. Mr Wilde, Mr Stearns, George and Kate Hudson called in this afternoon. George carried off a ring of mine. [Hatty?Natty?] brought some letters to me from Joseph W_ written by Samuel. They were very good, but announced that by the advice of his friends he had concluded to give up study and return to his business. I was rather surprised, but concluded that Sam had a right to do as he pleased, and it will make no difference to me. He wrote rather despondingly, said he did not wish to give up studying, but that he did so by the advice of his uncle whom he has great confidence. Joseph W_ spent the evening with us. Saturday. Cloudy but not so cold. Soon after dinner Sarah and I called at Annie Culbert's. She was not home but we were pleasantly entertained by Elizabeth. After leaving there we went into Fourth st where we met Culbert and all stopped awhile at the Equestrian Institute. After that Sarah and I called on Mary [illegible?] and made an engagement to go with her to the Baptist Church tomorrow. We then set out for Kate's. Met George Hudson on the way and he went with us. Kate Hudson persuaded us much against any inclination to go up into Henry's room. Mr Murphy disapproved so much of our doing so before that I though it must be really improper. I found Henry sitting up in a chair, though still very feeble.

[written in the left margin parallel to main text:] Sarah received a letter from her mother requesting her to come home immediately as they have decided to move out west in April and there is much to do before.

He said something that made me feel almost sorry that I had objected to seeing him, and I concluded that as "circumstances alter cases", it is better to rely afar our own judgement sometimes, than to be entirely guided by the opinion of others, even of those older and more experienced than ourselves: for the wisest and the best often make mistakes, and as no one can feel exactly like another person, not be placed in exactly the same circumstances, we must learn to form our own judgement unassisted. This I feel more and more every day of my life, and the more so as it is natural for me to distrust myself, and look up to others for advice and support in any emergency. But I feel that I can never be all that I wish to be till I have conquered this failing, and can walk right and walk alone without leaning in those, who at best are, like me, struggling upward to the light, but too often stumbling in the darkness. Oh how often I wish that I was perfect! Then I could not err! When will the scales be taken from our eyes that we may see clearly, the right and true in every case. But I am wondering this brief dissertation was [scabby?scally?] called forth by a trifle, but it is what I am daily reminded of and while it was before me I thought that I would write it and perhaps in later years, when I hope to be very different from what I am now, it will be interesting and pleasant to look back to the thoughts and feelings of the present.

[written vertically in the left margin the following:] He said something to-night that I did not like, but I hope he spoke carelessly and [unmeaningly?] I wish he would not talk so for it a careless observer it makes him appear as though he cared nothing for the right when I know he does and that he is putting the worst [?] out. He made an engagement to accompany us to church to-morrow afternoon.

Sunday Jan 18th Snowed hard all day. Sarah and I felt disappointed very much as we of course were unable to keep either of our engagements. The day passed pleasantly at home, however, mostly in reading. Mr Murphy came over in the afternoon, and added much to the cheerful enjoyment of the evening. We sang and talked till near tea _ then retired. Monday. Bright. Fine sleighing. Sarah, Carrie and I practised vocal music. G. Hudson spent the afternoon very pleasantly with us. On account of the cold we all spent the evening at home. Tuesday. "The coldest day we have had for thirteen years", said the papers. It is the coldest day, that I can recollect. Sarah spent the day with her relatives in New York, [?]. She thinks of returning home to-morrow. _ I made a light silk apron. _ Sarah came back about dusk. About seven A?] Daniel & George Hudson called and accompanied [with?] us to the Culbert's. It was a freezing walk, but pleasant company, and the delightful evening we spent on arriving there, made ample amends. Annie took a great fancy to Sarah, and E.D. was [quite?] attentive to the same lady. Besides Elizabeth, [Marjorie?] and Annie, were their three brother Alexander, [Nat?] and Isaiah, who with ourselves and Dr and Mrs [Ach?] comprised the company. Mr Murphy and Nat were [ex?] but the difficulty in crossing the ferries prevented them

[written vertically in left margin, the following:] We came home about twelve. The river frozen so completely to-day that many walked from [?] to New York on the ice and back. Many of the ferry boats ever obliged to stop running. Mary R. spent most of the P.M. with me.

Wednesday.. Snowed most of the day. Annie Cruthers made a long [call?] in the morning. George Hudson came about nine A.Me. and staid [it?] one P.Me. Of course we had a very pleasant time. The young gentleman, however, broke a window while frolicking with Sarah. On account of the snow Sarah was obliged to give up the idea of going home to-day. Father also wrote to us that the Sound is filled with ice, and the boats are unable to [run?]. The Bay [States?] in performing her usual trip, last night, had to cut her way through the the ice for fifty miles.

Ice! ice!! ice!!! We are under a complete blockade from this rare, but truly formidable [besiege?] !

Out-of-doors every thing is compelled to wear his cold, hard, and glittering chains; and tight as we may bar our doors he is sure to find his way inside, [illegible?] - [illegible?] even there! And as if in wry sarcasm he will at night esconce himself in the tea-kettle, still on the stove in which the fire has just gone out. In one or two rooms, at the cost of a great deal of fuel, and by keeping close to the fire, we manage to keep from freezing. Of course a great deal of our time is taken up in trying to get warm, but to attain that seems almost impossible. At night we dread to leave the fire to go to bed, and in the morning we dread to arise. And then to think of the poor in this dreadful wea- ther - The poor who have no fire - no shelter - how sad! God pity the poor! is my daily prayer.

[written sideways across left gutter] sea with us. George Hudson called after tea / and we all / attended singing school. There was no singing school however. Mr. Warner did not come. and we sat round the fire all the evening laughing, talking, [illegible?] and in fact enjoying ourselves quite as mach as if the usual exercises had taken place Mr Donaldson and Mr Dias were there but [in decency?]. refrained from interfering though we did not share other feelings that is if they have any! They [schuo?] as have a good [opening?] of George's spirit and it is well [theraputic?].

being true to himself -- his better nature. This he constantly betrays, and this contrarity puzzles me, I cannot understand it. Why should any one wish to [offens?] worse than he is! Not that I know of anything really bad in George. He has a careless, easy, but spirited manner; such as we might suppose any one would acquire in a place like California -- is very polite, especially to ladies but to his tongue he gives the fullest license. He evidently likes to create a sensation, to be the laugh, the wonder and the talk; and he gains his object but somewhat at the expense of his reputation. It is most laughable to sit and listen to some of his preposterous stories, which he is safe in telling because he knows that nobody will believe them, at the same time they are told in [such, scratched out] an off-hand, witty way that [illegible] then from being merily absurd, and the interest is so well kept up that we do not tire of them

We were speaking of charity this afternoon, when he remarked that feeling he had so many faults of his own he always threw the look of charity over those of others in hopes they would do the same by him. I thought it a very good idea.

In the evening cousin Hugh called for Carrie, and Sarah and I went with Nat to Lyceum. George H & Alexander Culbert gave us seats with them and their ladies (sisters of course) It made it very pleasant for us all to sit together, we also returned together and all stopped in at our house for about half an hour.

[written sideways along gutter edge] [illegible?] never went to this city this evening with his cousin Mr. Ferandoin? and as a [illegible?[ consequences poor Joseph had to attend the lectures alone. He tried to make ammends for if by walking with me. He came in with the rest but remained some time after they left. He says that Sam was nearly frozen to death while riding last week and suffered much while reviving. He was saved by his uncle who was with him. As for himself he was wholly unconcious of his danger. [Trie?] it was discovered by his friends

Tuesday. Pleasant. Annie passed the day with us. She was evidently depressed though she tried at times to put on an appearance of cheerfulness, -- and indeed she has cause for sadness. To think of her sweet litter sister sacrifieced to such a villian as Mr Branch is enough to sadden any one.

Maggie has left him, and is concealed from him by her friends. He begged to see her but she has refused, and [told?] him in a note that she would not be his wife another hour. He seemed to be very much attached to her and intended to take her to Europe in two weeks; probably that for fear that any reports of his former life might reach her. A fortnight more and it would have been all too late, and she completely in his power, but she was saved in time. At the dinner table Annie told us how she felt when her brother came to her with an account of his true character, and of her immediate flight. It was quite affecting, and we all shed tears. Maggie always appeared to us very much like a child, and her decision and [energy?] which she now displays seems quite surprising. She has born his disappointment well thus far but is now quite ill.

Hannah W-- called in the afternoon. Mary Willet? took with us and spent the evening. Starr also joined us at [tea?] -time. Elisabeth Maggie? & Annie Coulbert? with Alexander Mr Hutchings and George Hudson and Kate? spent the eve with us very pleasantly. They left about twelve, o'clock.

Wednesday Jan 28th Pleasant. I sat alone with Annie in the parlor quite a long time in the morning talking about Maggie. Sarah and I also practiced our music lesson Annie left us quite early in the afternoon. Sarah wrote a letter to her mother, and I wrote to Ellen Leajer?. In the evening George Hudson called for us and accompanied us to singing-school. We stopped to snow-ball each other on the way. Mary Reeves? came in with Natty soon after. Mr I. A. Warner behaved very impolitely indeed, and closed the exercises very abruptly. I think I can divine the motive of his conduct. George Hudson stepped up and told him his mind pretty plainly. We had a pleasant time returning -- more snowballing. All stopped at our house awhile. George remained some time after the others had left.

[side] Mary Reeves? called. P.M.

Thursday .. Bright over-head. Sarah made up her mind today to visit her friends in New York and accordingly Carrie and I accompanied her over. Sarah stopped to bid Kate Hudson Good Bye. we found the walking very bad there was also much in the river but we crossed without difficulty. We called on Annie, left Sarah at her uncle's and returned. Reached house in time for tea. and attended Lyceum in the evening. Prof. Anderson lectured on the Celtic Race. It was very interesting but I was almost too tired to enjoy it.

any reasons, but he said he knew what they were. Mary Reeve called in the afternoon, and accompanied us to the Hudson's, as Sarah wished to see Kate once more Mary returned with us. Hannah Wilde called. About four o'clock Sarah started for New York. Mary & I accompanied her to the ferry. Sarah wished us to cross with her but we did like to as it was so late. She seemed to think me very unkind, and would have left me without a kiss, had I not asked for one. She was either hurt or offended -- I had not time to consider which, as the boat was starting and she was obliged to leave us in haste. How unpleasant to part so. but I could not help it as a moment's reflection must have convinced her. Mary and I called on Mrs Mailler. -- Harriet Thorp?- -orn? and Mr Murphy spent the evening with us. Wednesday.. Very warm, the walking of course was nothing but mud and [spool?]. This day, chosen for the celebration of the birth of the City of Williamsburgh, was ushered by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannon. [Hope?] was closed and business suspended. Ellen Diskinson? called in the morning to invite us to come to their house in the afternoon, that we might have a better view of the procession, which was to pass through their street Accordingly after dinner Mother, Carrie, and I went. The procession was very good. The Mayor honored us with a special bow. He looked very complacent, and was