Friday.22.nd.December.1843.
A warm rain.
To.day a fine chance offers
for domestic vocations, and I reverse the old proverb
of “makeing hay when the sun.shines,” as then my
lark is on the boundless deep, but now the usefull
affairs of life get their proper need of attention.
Lined my lace cape with green, for Christmas.
Mended G’s old shirts. Put my affairs strait.
Remsen, threatened with a bad cold. Louis better.
Julie. at school. A Friend to day; not a sun shine one.
Tried on my new silk dress, it is rather heavy
and has a few faults. An elegant dress too
much so for me. But G. spoils me entirely.
I dread to see the bill come in for makeing.
Soaked Remsen’s feet to.night, he coughs
very much. Julie, came in from school with two medals
and a high commendation from Mrs Okill which she
is almost too young to appreciate. But to me it is a
great pleasure, to find her beyond her associates, in
recitations, and good behavior, — In which Mrs O.
pronounces her superior.
We spent our evening as usual in
our quiet basement, G reading Cicero; and I sewing.
The storm continues more briskly than usual, it
has done before, and the rain falls in torrents.
I have no presents for Christmas, and
feel quite concerned for the promises, which I am
bound to fulfill. Bridget, has been more prudent.
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1 Apposite: very appropriate : suitable for the occasion or situation.
2 Ennui: a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.
3 In 1836, the United States government commissioned Robert W. Weir to paint The Picture of the Embarkation of the Pilgrims from Delfthaven in Holland “for filling the vacant panels in the rotunda of the Capital” in Washington, D.C. It was one of several large scale (12’ x 18’) paintings chosen to represent significant historical moments leading to the founding of the American Republic. Completed in 1843, it depicts the Pilgrim families gathered around their pastor, John Robinson, for a farewell service on the deck of the Speedwell before its departure from Holland.
Weir worked on the Embarkation for over seven years. He produced several small-scale studies that are owned by the Pilgrim Society. The Pilgrim Society commissioned Massachusetts artist Edgar Parker to recreate Weir’s well-known painting for the museum in 1875.
http://www.pilgrimhallmuseum.org/ce_history_paintings.htm
4 Dionysius Lardner (3 April 1793 – 29 April 1859) was an Irish scientific writer who popularized science and technology, and edited the 133-volume Cabinet Cyclopædia.
5 in a different handwritting
6 Eugene Sue’s The Mysteries of Paris was one of the first French serial novels, and the genesis of the ‘city mystery’ genre. This and The Wandering Jew, both ‘anti-Catholic’ novels with Socialist leanings, were Sue’s most important works.
7 Ole Bornemann Bull (5 February 1810 – 17 August 1880) was a Norwegian violinist and composer
8 Henri Vieuxtemps (1820-1881) Belgian composer and violinist .