File:Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries- Volume 8, page 126, December 27-31, 1856.jpg

Transcription:

trashy stories in Harper’s, when I learnt that [Fitz James] O’Brien was the author of them! Had he chanced to have been present I should have come out with my condemnation as largely, never supposing he could have written such trash. After all, one’s predispositions to like or dislike are pretty often justifiable.

[Jesse] Haney said a good thing to-night. We were talking of the “Marble Heart” (Les Filles de Morbre”) “Some women” said he, “have marble enough in their hearts to make tombstones for their husbands.” “You looked at me, as you said that!” said Mrs [Mary] Levison. —

She’s not a bad sort of woman. Only she has no love and no religion. / How horribly absurd that reads) She looks prettyish, at times

[William] Levison is only weak. That’s the best and worst that can be said of him.

28. Sunday. In doors all day. Had a letter from Mr [Joseph] Greatbatch yesterday. Very ungrammatical, a little ill-spelt, and friendly. All pretty well, or no complaint of sickness. Details of prairie-farming life. The season “not an average one,” in consequence of summer drouth [drought].

[29. Monday through 31. Wednesday] Each day to the [European] Office as usual, and indoors during the evenings, writing