Jervis McEntee Diaries

Thursday March 20, 1890

Jervis McEntee Diary Entry, March 20, 1890, from the Jervis McEntee papers, 1850-1905, in the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution

Thursday, Mar 20, 1890 Warm and bright, the snow melting rapidly and the streets in a bad condition. I went up to the Ortgies' gallery to see Richard Butlers collection which is up for sale. Fortunately there is only one of mine and that a small one dated 1889 (I think it is the one I painted for the Darley fund[)]. There are 21 Giffords I think and several Kensetts. I also went up into Averys gallery and saw a small collection by Swain Gifford. The light was too strong and nothing looked well. Then I came down to 23rd St. to Putnams to try to get a life of [C?], but they had none--then over to old Mr. Kellys in E. 13th St to get some stretchers made but he was not in, then up to 17th St & 6th Av. to Sussmans but he had only the most clumsy kind of stretchers. By this time I was ready to come to my room and I wrote a note to Kelly to make the stretchers for me. Have been painting all afternoon on a head of dear Gertrude from the one I brought down from home, hoping I might do something better but I am afraid I wont. I feel discouraged and have all I can do to keep busy and from looking into the future. I went around to the Century and made some notes on [C?] from the Encyclopedia Brittannica. This notice of the death of Macauley I cut from the Tribune today. This is the end of a sad life. He was a brilliant lawyer and a kind and genial man but he ruined his own life and that of his family by drink. The wonder is that he lived so long and his death cannot but be a relief.