Monday, May 24, 1880 I went home on Saturday 15 and returned today having had to attend to the repairing of the cistern at my home and some other things. I have decided to let Josephine and her husband live in my house to take care of it occupying the kitchen, dining room and front hall. Friday 21 Sara and I went up to Hudson to visit Mary Gifford and to see Alice Hoysnadts little daughter named after dear Gertrude, a lovely child who seems to have been born with dear Gertrudes sweet nature. I gave her Gertrudes little topaz cross and charm which Mrs. Boughton gave her when we were in England. We came home the same evening. Calvert came up that evening on the boat and remained until today. Saturday Sara and I looked over Gertrudes things and I gave away a great many things which only were a care without being of any use. It was heart breaking work but I knew it ought to be done. I had my room cleaned while I was home. Sunday Weirs brother Charles dined with us and he, Calvert, Maurice, Sara and I drove over and called at Capt Andersons. I wrote a letter to John Weir. Calvert and I came down this morning by train. I found here two notes from Lily French and one from John Weir so cruel in its tone that I cannot rest until I have seen him and had a talk with him. Also a note from Mr. Chickering dissatisfied with his picture. I heard from Calvert by a letter from his mother that my picture is hung in the Royal Academy but found no letters here about it. Booth came in and said he had seen a notice in the Tribune that it was hung and some comments on it from a London Journal not all favorable. I confided to Booth my note from Weir and all the circumstances and his feeling was one of indignation that he should have written me such a note. I did not send Weir the letter I wrote yesterday but wrote him a short note to tell him how cruelly his words hurt me and asking him to arrest his judgment until he and I could have a talk. I am in the depths of sorrow and discouragement. I cannot bear to think that Weir could write to me thus and shall be most unhappy until I can see him. I have written to Mr. Chickering. The weather is very hot and I am anxious to get away for I am wholly wretched here. Attended a council meeting. J. G. Brown said there was a notice of my picture in the R. A. in the Herald yesterday taken from a London paper but not entirely favorable I imagine. Julia Dillon wrote it was hung too high to be well seen, but hanging in a room with lighter pictures it looked very strong and vigorous. Mrs. Henry brought Lady Gordon and her daughter in to see me yesterday. They both had on ragged dresses and the daughter distorted her English so that I could hardly understand her.
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