Jervis McEntee Diaries

Tuesday February 18, 1879

Jervis McEntee Diary Entry, Tuesday, February 18, 1879, from the Jervis McEntee papers, 1850-1905, in the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution

Grey and snowy. Julia, Miss Fanny Gott, Miss Mabel White and Bowyer by invitation lunched with me. They seemed to enjoy it as I certainly did. If I were able to I would like to do all sorts of pleasant things for our young people. While they were here a Mr. Parsons from Detroit called. Said he knew my pictures, talked about his brother in St. Louis who owned pictures, about traveling in Europe and about building and furnishing a home taking care to let me see he is a rich man--in short he talked too much for a stranger and far too much of it was about himself. In manner he reminded me very strongly of Uncle Charles. After the young people left I was alone again with my fancies and my melancholy. I have wondered fifty times today what has been the effect of my letter I sent on Saturday. Will I get an answer? Will I ever know any more about it? Will I wish I had not sent it? I do not regret it yet. Have tried to paint a little. Shattuck came in. Says his wife has another baby making six in all. He feels discouraged and I think he has reason to for he is not advancing in his art. He looks very old. Nichols called. They both seemed to like my picture but did not say much. Calvert and I went to the Christian Association to a lecture on color by Prof. Rood before the Academy of Sciences. Sat near Mrs. Bullard. She says her father has lost his mind and is a great care.

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