Thursday, Apr 19, 1888 I think this is the anniversary of the firing upon the Massachusetts troops in Baltimore. Several distinguished men have died within a few days. Matthew Arnold, whose last utterance was a severe criticism upon America, Roscoe Conkling who evidently died from the effects of his perilous walk up town during the Blizzard, Dr. Agnew and J. R. G. Hasard Musical Critic of the Tribune upon whom Winter has a very appreciative paper in the Tribune this morning. I received a note from Mrs. Dr. Lord inviting me to come down to their house on Friday evening to pass the night. She lives with her daughter Mrs Mc [?] at Tompkinsville Staten Island. I wrote her a note from the Century this morning and was obliged to decline as I am going to Pokeepsie tomorrow. The prizes were voted yesterday at the Academy as follows. I did not go. The annual meeting of the Academy was held this afternoon the largest and one of the most interesting ones ever held. The result was entirely satisfactory to me with the exception of the unwise custom of reconsidering votes upon defeated candidates for Academicians and Associates. To my mind this is an exhibition of vacillation of purpose entirely undignified and calculated subject us to severe criticism. Besides it is unfair. A candidate is defeated--a friend gets up and appeals for him and one cannot oppose him without becoming the enemy not only of the candidate, but of his friends also. Chase was defeated by five votes, Millet spoke for him as did Ward, moved a reconsideration and he was elected by a good majority. I voted against him on personal grounds. He is artist enough but his hostility to the Academy and the older artists I am in favor of disciplining him for. The dinner was well served as usual by Pinard, there were songs by Brown, Cranch and Yewell a little talking by Millet, Weir & others, a recitation by Selstadt and we broke up at 11, everything having been accomplished in good feeling, and with proper decorum. The Academy is evidently becoming a power.
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