[New York City—Sunday, 7 May 1865]
Sunday. May 7. A radiant day. Went to hear Dr Bellows—a grand discourse—after service sat in his drawing room and talked and then walked together to see that pearl of a building, the Academy which he told us was designed by a young man of the age of 21 unknown previously to fame. Wight by name. Dr Bellows delighted us by his strong helpful humanitarianism delighted & strengthened us. He too has been to see Edwin Booth—the poor fellow said to him—“ah! if it had been a poor drunken fellow like myself who had done this dreadful deed the world would not have wondered—but Johnnie!!”
In the afternoon went to Staten Island. What a paradise it seemed. Found the Wisteria in bloom and all things in time. Mr Curtis on the way up.
