Travel Diaries and Journals

Sunday Jan 18th Snowed hard all day. Sarah and I felt disappointed very much as we of course were unable to keep either of our engagements. The day passed pleasantly at home, however, mostly in reading. Mr Murphy came over in the afternoon, and added much to the cheerful enjoyment of the evening. We sang and talked till near tea _ then retired. Monday. Bright. Fine sleighing. Sarah, Carrie and I practised vocal music. G. Hudson spent the afternoon very pleasantly with us. On account of the cold we all spent the evening at home. Tuesday. "The coldest day we have had for thirteen years", said the papers. It is the coldest day, that I can recollect. Sarah spent the day with her relatives in New York, [?]. She thinks of returning home to-morrow. _ I made a light silk apron. _ Sarah came back about dusk. About seven A?] Daniel & George Hudson called and accompanied [with?] us to the Culbert's. It was a freezing walk, but pleasant company, and the delightful evening we spent on arriving there, made ample amends. Annie took a great fancy to Sarah, and E.D. was [quite?] attentive to the same lady. Besides Elizabeth, [Marjorie?] and Annie, were their three brother Alexander, [Nat?] and Isaiah, who with ourselves and Dr and Mrs [Ach?] comprised the company. Mr Murphy and Nat were [ex?] but the difficulty in crossing the ferries prevented them

[written vertically in left margin, the following:] We came home about twelve. The river frozen so completely to-day that many walked from [?] to New York on the ice and back. Many of the ferry boats ever obliged to stop running. Mary R. spent most of the P.M. with me.

being true to himself -- his better nature. This he constantly betrays, and this contrarity puzzles me, I cannot understand it. Why should any one wish to [offens?] worse than he is! Not that I know of anything really bad in George. He has a careless, easy, but spirited manner; such as we might suppose any one would acquire in a place like California -- is very polite, especially to ladies but to his tongue he gives the fullest license. He evidently likes to create a sensation, to be the laugh, the wonder and the talk; and he gains his object but somewhat at the expense of his reputation. It is most laughable to sit and listen to some of his preposterous stories, which he is safe in telling because he knows that nobody will believe them, at the same time they are told in [such, scratched out] an off-hand, witty way that [illegible] then from being merily absurd, and the interest is so well kept up that we do not tire of them

We were speaking of charity this afternoon, when he remarked that feeling he had so many faults of his own he always threw the look of charity over those of others in hopes they would do the same by him. I thought it a very good idea.

In the evening cousin Hugh called for Carrie, and Sarah and I went with Nat to Lyceum. George H & Alexander Culbert gave us seats with them and their ladies (sisters of course) It made it very pleasant for us all to sit together, we also returned together and all stopped in at our house for about half an hour.

[written sideways along gutter edge] [illegible?] never went to this city this evening with his cousin Mr. Ferandoin? and as a [illegible?[ consequences poor Joseph had to attend the lectures alone. He tried to make ammends for if by walking with me. He came in with the rest but remained some time after they left. He says that Sam was nearly frozen to death while riding last week and suffered much while reviving. He was saved by his uncle who was with him. As for himself he was wholly unconcious of his danger. [Trie?] it was discovered by his friends

Tuesday. Pleasant. Annie passed the day with us. She was evidently depressed though she tried at times to put on an appearance of cheerfulness, -- and indeed she has cause for sadness. To think of her sweet litter sister sacrifieced to such a villian as Mr Branch is enough to sadden any one.

Maggie has left him, and is concealed from him by her friends. He begged to see her but she has refused, and [told?] him in a note that she would not be his wife another hour. He seemed to be very much attached to her and intended to take her to Europe in two weeks; probably that for fear that any reports of his former life might reach her. A fortnight more and it would have been all too late, and she completely in his power, but she was saved in time. At the dinner table Annie told us how she felt when her brother came to her with an account of his true character, and of her immediate flight. It was quite affecting, and we all shed tears. Maggie always appeared to us very much like a child, and her decision and [energy?] which she now displays seems quite surprising. She has born his disappointment well thus far but is now quite ill.

Hannah W-- called in the afternoon. Mary Willet? took with us and spent the evening. Starr also joined us at [tea?] -time. Elisabeth Maggie? & Annie Coulbert? with Alexander Mr Hutchings and George Hudson and Kate? spent the eve with us very pleasantly. They left about twelve, o'clock.

on my way down the N.B. Canongate in the Cab Saw Willie going up the side of the Carlton Hill. he got in & we drove to Portobello. found the house in Grove Place let temporarily & Jessie & Willie in a room in Portobello Road. Went to Mansons Inn in Portobello & left luggage & walked to Portobello Road saw Jessie. remained in all day expecting my father from Mary's did not come to a walk down in the evening & saw him at Marys he had tried to find the house in Portobello Road but could not manage. (My father is now very lame & feeble.) returned to Portobello Road On [3 changed to] 2nd went with Willie to Edin Called on Carr at the "Clarence" Met Alexander. went to call

gone over the hill. [Written above: took quarters at] Whites with Willie & Jessie August 5th. Dressed & went to Edin. to attend Alexanders wedding. Was kept 1/2 an hour later than intended by the non arrival of the Portobello train & so missed Carr. took a cab at the N.B. Station went to the "Clarence" for Carr found him gone drove to the Church (Trinity Church Dean Bridge) found the party assembling. Dr. & Mrs. Alexander Mrs. Tait Mrs. Heriot Dr. & Mrs. Struthers Mr. & [Struck through:Heriot][Written above: Miller John Alexander Lucy Allen David McGibbon Mary & Janie Renford Hindmarsh Dr. Brown Carr Annie Greig Geo Hughes Mrs. Allen M.K.Heriot Wm. Sanders M. Heriot L.A.Miller Mr. Faithful & Heriot John Allen Wm. Greig Alex Allen