Tuesday, May 4, 1886 I came down by the morning train bringing a big bundle of papers for Calvert. Found a letter from Mrs Custer, one from Wm Winter regarding Booth, one from Lily French. I answered Mrs. Custers note. Want to begin a little picture but have not felt quite like work being somewhat troubled and so the day has gone. Mary came and told me Mrs Custer had given us these tickets for the 19th Century club meeting this evening. After dinner I called on Mrs. Custer to see if she meant to go with us but she was going with Miss Clara Louise Kellogg and we were to meet them there. Marion, Mary and I went and presently Mrs. Custer and Miss Kellogg came. We kept seats for them. The discussion was on realism, Impressionism and some other "isms" in Art. Hopkinson Smith opened the ball and rather argued for a middle course. He was followed by Alexander the portrait painter who defended the Impressionists but in a temperate way. Next came Coffin an artist I never heard of who was very quaint and amusing in defense of realism, followed by Clarence Cook who stood up for every thing which ordinary mortals detest. It was all very amusing but not very settling or convincing. There followed the usual social meeting and adjournment to the lower hall for refreshments. I met many acquaintances among them Mrs. Charles Dudley Warner whom I had not seen since she came to my studio when dear Gertrude was here. I had a very pleasant talk with her. Saw Mrs. Youmans, Mrs Hicks[,] Mrs. Col. Church, the Putnams and many others.
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