Tuesday, March 24, 1874- It was as cold as mid winter today. I went up to Eastman Johnsons this morning to see if he would go up to Rondout with me on Saturday which he has promised to do. I met him on his way down town and walked with him down to 34th St. to Thoms gallery after which we walked back to his house. We had a talk about his Cranberry Picking picture which he is working on and a rambling conversation on various matters. We spoke of the necessity of valuing our pictures more highly by not being so ready to exhibit them at clubs and other places merely to amuse people but to bend all our efforts towards a fine exhibition once a year at the Academy. We both hope much from the coming exhibition at the Academy in the way of creating renewed respect for American Art. All indications go to show that we will have a full and fine exhibition and I am very much interested to see the effect which it cannot fail to have. Another thing which I have always insisted on is that artists should always stand up for the dignity of their profession and not quietly listen to the conceited utterances of ignorant people who presume to set themselves up as authorities the moment they buy a few pictures. I have met with instances of this kind which were too offensive to be borne and have incurred the charge of being a churlish fellow because I would not quietly listen to it. My little model was to have come today but he disappointed me and I had hoped to finish the picture. I had a great piece of good luck today. I was looking over some papers in my pocket book and came across a hundred dollar bank note which I had entirely overlooked. I have just finished Blacks last novel "A Princess of Thule" a charming story the scene of which is laid in the Hebrides. I am reading now "The Initials" by the Baroness Tautphoeus.
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