File:Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries- Volume 1, page 130, June 25-26, 1850.jpg

Transcription:

ductory Bostonian epistle to the partner of the daguerrotypist it was destined for, (he himself being in California.) Engravers, publishers and editors. A Mr J B Hall, printer and projector of a “Firemans books.” Informed of a projected “Boston Punch” — endeavour to hunt up the projectors. Busy morning. Back to dinner at 1/2 past 1 — then dozed all the better part of the afternoon. After supper a long five mile walk and back. Through, and beyond Roxbury, and along a certain Deadham road. But for the telegraph wires now and then skirting the road, I might have been in the heart of dear old England, so quietly beautiful was the landscape. Sweet scents on the air, sweet and peaceful sounds on the ear, and gratitude and happiness in heart. Now cordling out the jovial songs of Autolycus —

“Jog on, jog on, the footpath way —”

now in sober musing as to the future and past. Returning heard a queer note of a [word crossed out] tree frog somewhat like a grave sonorous tine from accordean [accordion]; yet more abrupt. Fireflies in the grass and hedges, and the broad yellow moon’s glory bringing Homer’s description into mind.

26. Wednesday. More campaigning mong engravers and Publishers till noon, then another ascent to the summit of the State House. A ramble throughout and around “the Common”. Dinner, reading and making “dark night of part of the day.” Evening off for a walk to Cambridge Over a quarter-of-a mile-long bridge spanning Charles river; — huge clouds checquering the sunset, — in shapes like megatherium or itchyosaurus or Buckland-knaro-what ante-Adamite reptiles. Old