File:Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries- Volume 8, page 163, February 23-28, 1857.jpg

Transcription:

[compa]ratively new-comers. The mother [Maria Brooks] is a good humored elderly widow who has a house at Hudson, but prefers New York during the winter months. The girl [Nina Brooks] is young, has delicate health, is extremely short-sighted, of a slim fragile figure, but possesses a pleasant and intelligent face. She has read more than any girl I ever met, and very promiscuously. (I don't know that she's disgested any of it.) At present a sentimental flirtation is in progress between her and the tall Scotchman, [William] Leslie. He is very far gone, and would, I believe, commit himself irretrievably but for a wholesomely practical apprehension of her feebleness of constitution. They have hour-and-a half tete-a tetes in the morning, (being both late breakfasters) and sit together all the evenings. He has esquired her to the theatre, and supplementary supper.

[24. Tuesday through 28. Saturday] Sickness, scribbling. goings bitter and the Mouth. Thither, callings down and uptown. Received a letter from my mother [Naomi Butler Gunn] and Rosa [Gunn] and replied to both. Much revision of book and occasional ragings at absence of all intelligence about cuts from Boston. Things going on much as usual in the house. Mrs [Mary] Levison has her younger sister staying with her, projects selling off furniture and flitting, first to her natal Philadelphia. [Jesse] Haney,