attempted to gild refined gold in bellowing her fame. I [word crossed out] detest the
spirit that would ape exclusiveness in ostracising universally admitted merit, yet as
I think I must write. I had imagined a voice able to move heart and pulse,
and at the soul soaring to heaven; but with me at least, admiration mounted not
to enthusiasm and adoration. The bird-song was exquisite, Echo also but
sweetest of all, the sweettiest, saddest ballad ever written Auld Robin Grey Yet
her foreign accent was very perceptible, in this and others. She has a good
figure, was charmingly dressed, but of the minutiae of her kind face I cannot speak
as distance forbode my perception. Left when over, and in accordance with
a small note received in the morn, to Wall Street, the Office of one J B Holmes,
surveyor; he desirous of my making a water color landscape, for accompanyment to
survey. Called at Anderson s Office, and again at Holmes. After supper
to Canal for color-box, saw Homer; got a letter from Boutcher, and returned
through a tremendous, drenching rain storm, with lightning accompanyment.
30. Friday. To Holmes by 7, and there all day, at work. He a
shrewd, well meaning, travelled man, born of Irish parents, though eastwards
of the Cape of good hope. A repealer, and physical fine one having journeyed
to Ireland to take part in Smith O Brien s attempt. Talk of Anderson
whom he knows, and of whom I learnt much. [words crossed out]
[words crossed out]. [words crossed out]. He tradeth on
false pretenses, is no architect, and hath got thus far by dint of brass and
braggadocio. He owes Holmes money, hath libelled him, and been lamed
by him. This ^|is but Holmes story| [words crossed out]
words crossed out] Mac Namara called in, to whom my job is owing.
Evening to Duane St, and anon to Canal, with Dillon, then returned.
31. Saturday. Holmes all day. A letter from Alf. Interview
with Genin, about going to Fonthill. Fred Anderson calling at Robinson
wanting me at the Office. Evening on the Battery, with Mr Hart & Dillon
| Page |
| Title: | Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries, Volume Two: page one hundred and ten |
| Description: | Describes attending a Jenny Lind concert. |
| Date: | 1851-05-29 |
| Subject: | Anderson; Anderson, Fred; Boutcher, William; Concerts; Genin; Gunn, Thomas Butler; Hall, Homer; Hart; Holmes, John B.; Irish; Lind, Jenny; Mac Namara; Mapother, Dillon; O'Brien, Smith; Songs; Waud, Alfred |
| Coverage (City/State): | [New York, New York] |
| Coverage (Street): | Canal Street; Duane Street; Wall 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. |
