p. 51

Sunday February 29th There were two large fires during the night. I saw both of them. The fire was quite near us, and lighted up the clouded sky, and the snow-robed earth with a roseatic and resplendent glow.
I was much amused to see some throwing snow balls into the flames, which rose brighter and higher, as if in scorn of these petty efforts. The soft, cloggy snow made it difficult for the firemen to drag their engines, yet they were soon on the job, and at last through their untiring efforts the struggling reluctant flames were compelled to desist their destructive work. As this last triumphant shout of the crowd proclaimed the victory over the devouring element, and the wearied firemen turned noisly homeward, I closed my window and retired. Towards morning Harriet called me to see another, and a much larger one in a distant part of the city. It was a very beautiful sight but I was too sleepy to gaze at it long. Morning dawned brightly, but it was cold, and the ground fozen. I attended church all day, and Sunday school in the afternoon. Father preached in the morning his text was 11 Peter 2;9. - Henry H was at church in the afternoon for the first time since his return. - Did not go out in the evening and retired. early.
Monday. Cloudy and cold. At home, employed as usual. Elisabeth Culbert called in the afternoon. Ellen Dickinson also called in the morning to invite Carrie and I to attend the Ladies Annual Commencment of Columbia College but as Carrie was not well we declined.

[sideways on the page] admirer. I think and can hardly fail to read his Personal Philosophy. Also wrote in my journal.