Saturday, July 6, 1872- We have just emerged from a heated term which has been most disastrous to human life. July 3rd was the hottest day and the Tribune of today says that over a thousand people have died from heat in the city in a week. We had a house full on the 4th, Calvert, Mr. & Mrs. Swan, Girard & a friend all came in Thursday. Joe Tomkins came Friday. His mill in Hillsboro burned last week and he has come to see whether it is to be rebuilt or not. I received a letter from Mr. Fairbanks yesterday in which he declined to take my "Venice" which I offered him for $900. I got my painting materials together today and went to work in our room. I made a little study for the picture I am to paint for Mr. Dorman. It is inconvenient painting here as the sun comes in in the afternoon. I had intended to have my little studio completed if Mr. Fairbanks had taken my picture and perhaps I may have it done still later in the season, but I cannot bear to go in debt for it. The fact is I am very unhappy and very disinclined to do any thing. Every thing looks like a great undertaking even the most trivial affair and I find the summer going away without accomplishing much. Whether it is owing to the fact that I have not entirely regained my health or whether I am gradually losing my energy and hopefulness I can hardly tell, but I am afraid this constant worry about money affairs is having its effect to discourage me. Every summer it is the same. I am tied fast for the want of a little money. I think I must begin now to lay my plans for another year and if possible go somewhere where I can be at work all the time. There is no way to be happy except to keep occupied and I find I cannot occupy myself here. I should like to go up into the mountains for September and October but really I do not see my way clear to accomplishing it unless I can finish Mr. Dormans picture and get the money for it which I shall try to do. Janette Hubbard came on Wednesday and she and Mary went to N.Y. yesterday with the Powell. Janette sails for Europe today in the Italy to be gone a year. I received a note from H.K. Brown today explaining why he had not come up to go on our Friday fishing excursion.
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