through brake, brier, and coppice and over rock to the tall ones so familiar
to me. Trees out in luxuriant blossom, fresh deep greensward, and a tranquil
ripple in the broad Hudson. Halt on the rocks, till a few rain drops plashing
pleasantly on our faces bade us descend to the Shades below, or Woodlawn
as its new proprietor hath with better taste re-named it, there to imbibe Sar
saparilla . Anon returned Jersey-wards, to New York. Parted with them,
went to Dobs to get things, saw her and others firing up the old room for
the reception of Homer and his wife Alzina. Back to Robinson, and writing
during the evening; boy Vanderhoff sitting beside me at the little table doing the
same. Shallow young cub is this boy, and anticipatory lewd.
11. Sunday. Writing for an hour or so, a letter to Alf Waud, then with
boy Vanderhoff to Chapin s Church. Finding that he did not preach; the people
as is generally the case when any substitute in there were pouring out,) we walked
to the Battery, and there lounged away the hour and half till past noon, and
then returned to Robinson. Dinner, and then resumed and finished letter.
Mr Greatbatch, the boys and Joe calling, with them to the Battery, and
so, round by the East River into, at 5, Mulberry Street. Tea, and anon
to Chapin s Church with Joe. Met Mr Hart there, and as Chapin did not there
preach, to the Tabernacle. Common place, half a century-ago sermon, of which I
recollect no jot worth doing so. A heavy rain-storm out side and broad violet-
hued lightning flashes. Left ere the sermon was ended, tarried awhile in the
covered entry, and then parting with Joe; and presently Mr Hart in Chamber
Street, a plashing wet walk home. Ah no! Not home. Shall
I ever have one? What chance have I of that hope , and all that should create it.
[line crossed out]
[line crossed out]
12. Monday. Drawing on the wood all the morning and afternoon; sitting in
the room overlooking Greenwich Street. Partly a dull, partly fine day. Out just after
| Page |
| Title: | Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries, Volume Two: page ninety-nine |
| Description: | Mentions a visit to Hoboken and attending church. |
| Date: | 1851-05-10 |
| Subject: | Chapin, E.H.; Dobson, Mrs.; Greatbatch, Edward (Bristol); Greatbatch, Fred (Bristol); Greatbatch, Joe; Greatbatch, Joseph; Gunn, Thomas Butler; Hall, Alzina; Hall, Homer; Hart; Leisure; Religion; Sermons; Vanderhoff; Waud, Alfred |
| Coverage (City/State): | New York, [New York]; [Hoboken, New Jersey]; Jersey [City, New Jersey] |
| Coverage (Street): | Chamber Street; Greenwich Street; Mulberry Street; Robinson Street |
| Scan Date: | 2011-02-07 |
| Volume |
| Title: | Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries, Volume Two |
| Description: | Includes descriptions of Gunn's attempts to find drawing work among New York publishers, brief employment in an architectural office, visits to his soldier friend William Barth on Governors Island, boarding house living, drawing at actor Edwin Forrest's home at Fonthill Castle, and sailing and walking trips taken with friends. |
| Subject: | Boardinghouses; Books and reading; Gunn, Thomas Butler; Military; Publishers and publishing; Religion; Travel; Women |
| Coverage (City/State): | New York, New York |
| Note: | Thomas Butler Gunn was born February 15, 1826, in Banbury, England, and came to New York in 1849. During the Civil War he worked as a correspondent for the New York Tribune and the New York Evening Post. He returned to England in 1863, and died in Birmingham in April 1903. The collection includes twenty-one volumes of his diaries, including newspaper clippings, letters, photographs, sketches, and various other items inserted by Gunn. Diary entries date from July 7, 1849, to April 7, 1863, and include his experiences with the New York publishing and literary world, his descriptions of boarding houses, his travels throughout the United States, and his experiences traveling with the Federal army as a Civil War correspondent. |
| Publisher: | Missouri History Museum |
| Rights: | Copyright 2011 Missouri History Museum. |
| Source: | Page images, transcriptions, and metadata of the Thomas Butler Gunn diaries have been provided by the Missouri History Museum. |
