JOURNAL.

NEW YORK

JAN. 1.

1919.

1919.

See NEW BOOK not yet bought devoted to 1919 - if I live -
I like the sound and the view of 1919

I don't know.

Mother and Carrie are at the Opera; last night we spent at a dull
family party at Aunt Soph's - People are beginning to go abroad.
Clemenceau has come out in opposition to Wilson's ideals; as an
advocate of the old order. But there is no doubt, I think, that
it will be either an attempt to realize a League of Nations,
with a radical economic programme, or Imperialism followed by
Bolshevism. -

Things are interesting.

But my life isn't. - Only amusing in spots. ----

NEW YORK

February 5.

I made my debut as an Improvisation actress last night at Sterners in connection with some charades gotten up on the spur of the moment. It was amusing to do and I found myself without embarrassment of shame; - whereas 2 weeks ago when at the Local Board dinner I was called on for a speech without notice I was extremely flustered, - but managed something.

Was out with Leo Stein a few nights ago; he was rather upsetting, we disagreed so and he turned red radical and spoke of education radically and condemned everything (me by implication and also explicitly on occasions) I don't think we'll ever be very good friends; I don't like criticism to that extent and although I enjoy his flashes of mental brilliancy I don't follow him on the whole. Everyone is turning bolshevik now anyway.

Florrie had a studio party the other night and everyone was or thought he was or pretended to be. It's very depressing; but so are the alternatives.

JOURNAL.

NEW YORK

Jan. 18.

1919.

I may as well begin this 1919 diary today as any other day; I
have a hunch nothing very unusual is going to happen in the near
future. I am doing nothing: I can't even get my ideas on the
subject of Bolshevism and Society in general in order. I wonder
what is the matter with me. I am rather stupid just at present,
I don't even react to superficial brilliant Artistic Bohemia.
I was at such a party at Sides last night and didn't enjoy it.
I don't know why. I don't really enjoy anything at present, not
even flirting. I ought to go on with my novel, since it is
certain no one wants the things I could do with the German press
opinion. I wasn't able to place my Wilson article. Notestin
did nothing about it though he was so interested. He's gone to
the Peace table, I had a peculiar experience on Sunday. I rang

and so swayed by circumstances and impulses instead of
by taste and ideals. - It's a strange world and the more you
know it, the less attractive it is; others have found this out
before.

The war is at a turning point. Germany is sueing for peace,
before she has really made any constitutional reform, in Prince
Max of Baden's inaugural speech.

JOURNAL.

NEW YORK

Feb. 14 (cont.)

1919.

Bebr. 23.

The President is supposed to land tonight / the only person
who seems to have a head left to think with among political
men. Everything is in a muddle and the fools of Senators
are trying to remain in the last century.

Mary Garden has been in the foreground of our lives in a somewhat ridiculous fashion these last weeks. I'm a perfect Waster at present; when will I be Wastest, I wonder- and what can it be like. I am suffering terribly with a dying nerve. I shall change dentists soon. Walter Stettheimer has been here and is leaving tomorrow.

March 2.

Speeches for and chiefly against the League of Nations are being made continuously and the President leaves again on Wednesday (Ash- Wednesday!) for Paris, probably or perhaps I should say unsupported by the American people. How he will put through a Liberal League is hard to picture. I thought of sending him my article and a letter but hadn't the necessary initiative and now it's too late.

He speaks here Tuesday night, but I suppose I couldn't get tickets (though Mr. Elkus is distributing them) even if we were not to celebrate with Avery & our 5th Anniversary.

Today we 3 and Christian Brinton went over to Easter Field's and Nadelman.

JOURNAL.

NEW YORK

March 2. (cont.)

1919.

Arddley Galleries where Gleizes' Exhibition opened. We saw the strange man's house next door, a queer place full of things he loves - some nice, and a remarkable view of New York sky-scapers downtown, with coal bunks and sheds in the foreground. The yards are queer too, it is all described in Pool's Harbour. - He himself is an extraordinary creature, the key to whose eccentricities is probably something of a Freudian colour.

Nadelman looks very badly - he has lost 50 % of his beauty and seemed flatter and harder than in the days of our flirtation.

I felt rather sorry for him somehow without knowing why. He tried to get up some sentimental steam, but didn't succeed very well. Brinton thinks he is burned out artistically too. (I am disgusted in a way to think that because he is not spris any-more I am completely cold.)

A great many people were there today; Lespinasses, Lachaises, Stella, (I kept out of his way, but he said he would write

Duche a long letter telling of his experience in meeting me, Rose Strunsky and Mr. Icles, Diedrich, Max Weber, Fleischers.

Yesterday we were at Lewisohns to view his gallery under Marie's supervision. Not excaping. Renewed my acquaintance with Seguinola.

JOURNAL.

NEW YORK

March 2 (cont.)

1919.

I read the German papers, but I have no insight, no political opinions. Everyone seems shortsighted to me.

8

of one social party line - very strongly.

arrived

March 14.

Stella 'phoned this morning that Walter safely - It is splendid
for her that her 2 boys are all right and perhaps, let's hope
so, better for their experiences.

It's bitterly raw today; last night we had a tame but pleasant
dinner. I pass my time at present organizing entertainments!
I've never done so little as this winter. If the family were
only in good health I'd take a studio as F. does and absent my-
self during the day and work - Perhaps if they remain well I
can next fall.

March 31.

Nothing to write - social life flowing along busily but nothing
new or exciting. Political situation very exciting and more so
every day, - no leadership at all - Wilson not successful at R

JOURNAL.

NEW YORK

March 31 (cont.)

1919.

Paris so far and insufficent backing at home. Senators sound like
plain asses. Bolshevism stalking abroud. Go to the League of
Free Nations Ass. luncheons again. Consider Raymond Robbins a
temperamental opportunist. Just wrote George Beer a letter.

Florrie has been asked twice within 2 weeks to exhibit; the first
time in an exhib. gotten up by Mrs. Lydig in DR. Stickney
Grant's Church; her grounds being that she did not respect the
church that baptized fashionable Jews. Second: Easter Field, in
a sort of Salon des Non- invites (to the Luxembourg Show);
grounds: that she isn't disgruntled at not having been asked.

JOURNAL.

NEW YORK

April 19 (cont.)

1919.

but he thought of me all the time, he was undecided and miser-
able - but I could push him with the smallest gesture. He
couldn't"decideA; but of course if he "decided" it would be as
he"decided" !! Never before had anything like this happened
to him. It was all confusing and wouldn't I go out with him x
anyway, alone. - I refused again , at my door once more, avo-
wing I adored our relationship, I demanded nothing but grænd-
ship - I wanted it to continue just as it was; I would never
trample on any other woman's feelings- I wouldn't go out with
him alone, and when he kissed my hand only and shoved me away
and told me to get in quick I took his and pressed it and
said"You are behaving well and I like you for it". The purest
comedy on my part - I think he was sincere.

Today is a beautiful day, but I awakened with a sore throat
which is trying to develop into a cold and will in all human
probability prevent me from going to Madge's tomorrow

Easter Sunday

was a day in the country now in its first budding. Worse luck

The first Day is finished ina general (and good) way - Susanna
is her name

JOURNAL.

NEW YORK

May 9. (cont.)

1919.

The peace treaty seems to me a violation in spirit and probably in letter of the entire list of 14 points. It makes the League of Nations a mockery. I am absolutely stunned by Wilson's defeat. I don't care a bit about the feelings of the Germans, because in all these months they expressed no change of mind or heart; they punished and tried no one, they repudiated nothing - they regretted nothing - except always Eisner, who was assassinated for it. Their so-called revolution did nothing actual ad far as I could make out, either in internal reforms or in external relations (even in intention). It is small wonder that no one believes in it nor in their good faith. But humbling and enslaving Germany reacts on all of us in a horrible way; it will perpetuate all the rotten feelings and morality that makes for war one for enmity among nations. The League of Nations as a force seems dead, Wilsonism seems dead, fraternity seems dead, all modern internationalism seems dead. It remains to be seen whether Bolshevism is alive or dead.

the
This must be the very bottom of political pit. -

Life is bleak in consequence - and all has become so flat and flavourless through the background of these tremendous happenings that have tremendous results only for some unlucky and

JOURNAL.

NEW YORK

May 9 (cont.)

1919.

accidentally tragically placed individuals. -

Well, so here we are all "het" up and not knowing how to be at
all happy, though C. is better as far as her head-ches are con-
cerned, she hasn't had one in 10 days or more, but is on a
diet and looks pperly and is always morally depressed. I wish
I could get away from the family for a while. Was out with
Sid. last night, funny theatrical performance witnessed some-
what like the Romane did. He seems to be my "best" just now.
Developments with Eli N. have been strange and amusing, but I
see him little; I still think he may be married to Viola. How
strange life is, think of this concatenation preceded by Stutt-
gart days. Think of my having her picture in a blue locket: if
they are married and ever publish it, I'll give it to him.

I thought of Steichen on Easter Sunday, because 2 years ago he
sent us lilies, and a few days after I phoned to Stieglitz
for news of him and was told he had arrived on Easter Sunday.

I wrote him a note immediately and so far I have not had any
response. Can it be that he harbours some resentment. I think
not; I think him a big soul somehow in spite of his failures.

June 7.

Sunday. It's cold today after 10 days of unsufferable heat -
like July or August. I've been looking over accounts and paying
bills. -

I've written a good short story and I expect to do a lot on my
new book at "CALUMET" ! Lake Placid. I hope it won't be like
the last Calumet summer. We're right next to the Seligmans.

JOURNAL.

CALUMET CAMP

July 6 (cont.)

1919.

Florrie is up again; lunched with us. Dr. was here but has discharged her. It will probably be long before she is strong again. Marie and Nadelman are now expected tomorrow evening. Avery is not coming and I was foolish to delay asking Sides, for now he has refused too, as he is leaving for France soon.

Today I had an inspiration for my "Days" - I shall re-name them "Love-Days" and make them frankly love episode crises. I am still on the second - the Berlin one. So far I have done nothing worth while; either I am geographically distracted (by having to go to the village for food or medicine or beautifyers or mentally distracted through worry, laziness, expectation or disappointment.

July 17.

Nadelman has come and yesterday he has gone: whether for good and all I don't know, as, a

we had a tiff out on the Lake, owing to my frankness, that comes to the surface just when my camouflage begins to work. But he was most charming, amable, vivacious and agreeable and free with his favours!

It was amusing and agreeable until the last afternoon. The night before we dressed up - N. as a Mexican, I as a Spanish gift, and as I had read my potboiler to him that day, I called him Alfonso and myself Juanita. Alfonso looked wonderful; if he were as nice as he looked - -

JOURNAL.

CALUMET CAMP

July 17 (cont.)

1919.

(Just to remember it he told me that one of my friends threw herself at his head - offered herself for the same day or next: either he was lying (and she fooling) or else she has gone daffy on the sex question, which is possible: she has struck me as queer for some time, but not as a vulgar lunatic - still I give her the benefit of the doubt, as a friend should)

Marie is entertaining us while I am writing, she is staying a while still. Albert is coming up next week.

Before the explosion of yesterday Nad. had decided to come back when Leo Stein comes which I expect will be the 1st of August. Florrie is O.K. Seligmans have been very nice to us. The place itself wears well and is lovely and comfortable. Since our guests arrived my complexion and hair have behaved in a societyfied manner. Sid. wouldn't or couldn't come - is heaving for Europe.

JULY 31.

Yes -

As golfers say "Fore, fore" - -

Sterners left yesterday and the next guests don't come till Saturday, so we are being quiet - I am spending the day writing letters: we are going to Saranac to shop this afternoon and this evening Ella and Lucile Kohn are coming to supper. Madge is at Edith Beers and 2 of us were asked to spend the night. But I'm not going - Many psychological reasons.

Albert Sterner did a sketch of Florrie in her Venetian costume and some things for Carrie's doll house and he brought me a lithograph of Nadelman whom I now call Mr. Flannery considering his desire to be so in all senses. He must be out of his senses

JOURNAL.

CALUMET CAMP

July 31 (cont.)

1919.

to so desire; from a talented artist and a personality to transform himself into a camouflaged "rentier" and Somebody's husband. He has not written his note the day after. Perhaps he is having the "affair" my friend desired. What a strange and tragical thing it would be. What a world after all - If only one were intelligent enough to grasp it all at once, instead of piece meal and in fragments and by long experience.

August 11.

Elizabeth Duncan and Maurice Sterne left this morning after a very pleasant stay, pleasant for both sides. Leo Stein was prevented the last moment, so he claims, and never turned up at all.

Maurice Sterne turned out to be a very amiable, simple, intelligent and commonplace man, fond with a few eccentricities of action mainly, such as his stay in India and his marriage and its at least temporary rupture. Very German education, very sane person, loves to talk and relate, so that his isolation in travel is hard to understand. Perhaps after all there are depths we haven't plumbed. Eliz. was perfectly in tune always, never fell out of her attitude under any circumstances.

JOURNAL.

LENOX

Oct. 3 (cont.)

1919.

We'll miss Aunt Jo if she leaves for France on Saturday and perhaps also of she leaves on Monday. - Don't look forward to anything but finishing my book. -

NEW YORK

Nov. 2.

Home since Friday - 26th I think. C. much better and hardly dieting. I am doing her job and having nothing but changing. Sent Cook no.1 away; waitress no. 1 left; Cook 2 (call ((her)) Annie Hopwood) is old and cooks nicely but prefers not to cook at all. - Had a tea at Florrie's for Mme. d'Alvarez today; just a few. She's fat but looks young nearby. Her upper register lovely and her modern interpretation lovely, don't like her husky, unclean lower notes and her superficially tumultuous contralto. - No calm depth of repressed passion - all explosive emotion - fire.

Have a bad headache - first in a weeks. Have seen and heard from

JOURNAL.

André-Brook-

TARRYTOWN

June 5 (cont.)

1921.

Received and given both. I met Anna Mellick by chance at Altmans, she seemed allright. Tomorrow I start real work.

June 10.

Saturday.

This 10th day is the first one that is not heavenly-point of view climate-it's warm, muggy with an unceasing wind - sunny though. Instead of hearing Eve Gauthier and Mr. Palmer at Mrs. Hellmans garden-fete at Jaretzkis. I am feeling ill - asthma every night - this morning dizziness, so that as we have no motor and Madge is not going, hence not taking us, I can't go - a taxi is too exposed.

We have little company: it's too much trouble thinking up parties.

My cow-brown and white cow, with the golden horns and green daisies to stand on, is now my inkstand and her nether body and cracks are all turning blueish as though cold.

I am really writing and thinking of the creation: it has a square round shape. Perhaps all works of art have. - We had a postal

JOURNAL.

TARRYTOWN

July 15 (cont.)

1921.

The 4 parts of opus 2 are finished but not polished and I have no definite ideas for parts 5. and 6. - or 5 if that is all. I ought to have my little change now - but complications too bering to relate on paper have arisen. I am reading Lawrence "Women in Love". There are passages of beauty, of truth and of inspiration, but his main object, to give in literature a Freudian picture of individuals' unconscious as well as conscious emotional life, seems to me as unsuccessful as it is interesting. The book has the same qualities of distortion as so-called expressionist painting, only in the latter they are instruments for the apprehension of limited emotional reactions to life, and in Lawrence of an extensive presentation of truth. - In this former method fails, il me semble.

The individuals are not individual, they haven't the necessary coherence. His women are, in so far as they are anything - mindless males, they are all chameleons who change everything on every page or two. Their 2 most pronounced reactions are 'personal desire + hate'.

JOURNAL.

TARRYTOWN.

Sept. 1.

1921.

Have just finished part 5 begun on August 2nd. It needs some
re-writing and re-forming perhaps - furbishing, but substantial-
ly it's finished, and has gone to roost ♃Xth temporarily with
its 4 sisters in C.W.'s portfolio - making 666 pages. -

I am now re-reading Hugh's book with a view to modelling here
the best in him and Bill combined.

Whether I shall introduce a short day in between I. don't know,
but the end is to be disappointing - like - life.

Sept. 21.

Have finished part 6. May fix it up like part 5. after fini-
shing the whole and getting the drift freshly.

Just got home from Dempsey-Carpentier film, most interesting
contrast - not nearly so pronounced as pretended, much subtler.
D. much the finer animal, light dancing feet and legs - constant
dancing motion - fine body, straight back - all electric, flame-
like; - only in action his head and neck moment ugly, ex-like
brutish. C. Carpentier more commonplace, pseudo-gentleman (em-
phasis on pseudo) graceful in style of dancers, skaters, wal-
kers - no professional distinction - gentler type - curved
back - gliding rhythm. Sweet smile - quite uninteresting both
as type and indiv, but pleasant. ((D)) sailor boy of people
type, sweet smile.

Quarry Hill.

IRVINGTON STAY

December 11.

Sunday.

Madge, Sidney, Marjory and Dotty and Florrie, Frances and
Susan all left at 5.30 and I am here alone with Bridget, An-
derson and his wife and 2 other servants and another butler.
So far I like it and am not scared. We have asked Fania up
for tomorrow! -

I expect to work. -

Think I'll start tout-de-suite. Had a party last night. Don't
enjoy anything very much - am getting that is, have gotten, old-
The house is full of smoke from the fire in the grate downstairs
which I just tended. Mother may like me better when I get home
she seemed very tired of me these last days.

P.S. Our 2 Italian boxes arrived $ 54.64
3.44 - things neither a
disappointment nor a delight.

December 13.

Tuesday 9.25 P.M.

Reread parts 4, 5, 6, yesterday and began part 7 today wrote
25 pages; not bad, besides deciding on characters, inventing
hero of 7; 8 will be Bill and Edwin B. or some other Dr.

JOURNAL.

IRVINGTON O.H.

Dec. 13 (cont.)

1921.

Living here is like having a country house lent to you for
your honeymoon with the man absent.

It's like nothing else in the world. I think Carrie will be
very upset when she hears that the doors have no keys - this
lock is out of order and Bridget left yesterday morning. I
went on the grounds for an airing today for 1/2 hour, other-
wise been writing most of the day - 10 pages this M.
10 pages this Aft.
5 pages this Eve.

I am also stimulated to sleep well -

Dec. 15.

Thursday, 8 P.M.

To page 61 and quiteréussi - John made of whole clothes -
Nietzschean type - just introduced Hugh - Bill- plus X -
a saint, a beautiful consumptive saint. - Last two pages may
have to be rewritten tomorrow in the electricity of the mor-
ning air. - Getting interesting and forming itself beautifully

Mother and Carrie and Clara Sternberger here today.

Only out 15 minutes this morning, 15 this afternoon on the ve-
randah. - Beautiful cold day - Gorgeous moonlight nights -
Moon - no honey -

Yesterday shopped at Tarrytown and went to see Andrébrook.

Miss Reynolds - Mme. Petri - dutch as S((auerkraut)) - think
of going in holidays to finish up - want to stay here till
Tuesday if undisturbed - wonderful here -

Dec. 17.

Saturday.

Got finished with 7 this morning 86 pages - on the whole seems
allright.

JOURNAL.

IRVINGTON.

Dec. 17 (cnt.)

1921.

Borg family up for lunch; since they left have written 9 pages of 8; getting suspicious; it's coming too easy; maybe it's N.G. too hurried. Anyway can rewrite later if I find it is. Don't know. Since today have a sort of hurried feeling. And it's the most important part of the whole.

Nothing to report; getting accustomed to living alone. -

Dec. 19.

2.50

Monday.

Finished part 8 - 30 pages and calls for 2 more parts anyway - not very long ones though I think -

The climax must be a little less realistic and detailed. Several meetings in the Mts. - Don't know myself just how will end it.

P.S. My hands are frozen.

10.10

Wrote Day 9. (13pages) in a few hours today, this afternoon from teatime until 8.45.

Leaving tomorrow.

JOURNAL.

NEW YORK

Dec. 27 (cont.)

1921.

here - or wait, and go to Madge's for 3 days first week in
January. -

NATHAN

Nothing to report - (went to consult Dr. Brill about Hugh: can't have him die suddenly.?)

Dec. 28.

Wednesday.

Had work this morning that the Munich things due today - won-
der in what condition they are -

Can't work here - think must go to Madge's again for 3 days
week after next or next. -

Oh, if only I could bring this book to a triumphant close quick-
ly and I could if I had solitude - in spite of Dr. s ---

Dec. 31.

Last Day of

1921.

Saturday - 8 o'clock.

Have been fighting a cold since last evening - in bed until
this aft. - not much better - Ought not to feel so depressed
and bored, but do.

My book which I am afraid to finish without a long draft of
leisure, is practically finished in my spare head. - Perhaps
I am unhappy with Susanna's misery - which with a difference is,
after all - my own - with a great difference - No, it is not
really my own at all. I never had an opportunity with a real
Hugh. -

JOURNAL.

NEW YORK

Dec. 31 (cont.)

1921.

My own Hugh was only half Hugh; the other half - the fine half-
is borrowed. What will 1922 bring? No doubt it's well one doesn't
know.

Anything would seem better than my passivity but I know I'm a
feel while I'n saying this. A thousand things might be worse. -
I wonder what is the latter with me? Old age? Have I stopped
developing and being young? Have I come to the end of my pos-
sibilities because I'm at the end of my energy?

JOURNAL.

NEW YORK.

JANUARY 1.

1922.

January 1. 1922.

After 5 - our tea party hasn't started yet - I spent the
morning and took luncheon on bed - fighting my cold - I'm
in pretty good shape this aft. - but how long will it last ?
Bell has rung

Good luck to yourself

ETTIE

and to everyone else.

January 3.

Tuesday.

Still laid up with my nasty cold - now bronchial and larynx is
since
worse than usual. Got up for lunch and then freeze (it's un-
usually cold) until I go to bed - Probably won't go out until
Thursday with Lucille, if then -

Were my red velvet cape on Sunday - great success. Party dif-
ferent and amusing. I was amused - at least more than usual
at present, although no one present personally interesting.

Ida's friend Dasburg here - how odd the world - he asked me to tea - perhaps to talk of her - I promised him a snap-shot of her.

He has some charm; but he is crippled and I shouldn't think he would appeal to Ida's untender heart. -

The *Little Review* was here - also amusing to observe. -

I won't be able to go to Madge's this week at all on account
of my cold. If I miraculously recover might go up Sunday with
her and stay until Wednesday, coming back for Hilda.

I'm nibbling at my last day - but think I really oughtn't to
until I let open the floodgates in one great gesture.

JOURNAL.

NEW YORK

Jan 3 (cont.)

1922.

But if I should get sick and die! It wouldn't be finished -

Jan. 6.

Friday.

9 o'clock.

1922.

## OPUS 2.

finished

_temporarily at least -_

there will be little changes, additions, subtractions, but
it's practically finished.

Practically

finished.

The end came so easily that I'm suspicious of it's quality.

I wrote 10 and 11 in snatches amid colds and household matters except that I swam around in it at night before going to sleep
I haven't reread what I wrote in Irvington.

Must get a typist at once

I'm rather pleased on the whole -

## March 20.

Monday.

It doesn't seem possible that I haven't written since Jan. 6 th
though since then, after trying a typist, I have bought a type-
writer and have been typing my book myself - hours and hours
4 - 8 every day. I have achieved about 220 - 250 pages in
all this time. First 1¼/2 hours or so a page and now 20 minutes
when dictated, but much longer including alterations.

I really enjoy it immensely. I am mechanically untalented but

JOURNAL.

NEW YORK

March 20 (cont.)

1922.

it gives me much pleasure.

I have done little else - gone out some, met few new people,
seen Methusalah.

Uncle Sylvain died the beginning of the month and Saturday we
heard he had left C.F. and me each $ 10 990.

This was sweet and lovely and very surprising, as he left no
one else, but Aunt Jo, money - which was lovely but understan-
dable. We had all thought he had left no will.

I am going to buy a car; perhaps this summer - if we go to the
Jersey coast. -

Mother has been well - so have we all - this winter, G. b. p.

June 10.

9 o'clock A.M.

Yesterday Duches put the fasteners on my M.S. This morning I
signed it: tomorrow I expect to take it to Carl. V.V. who
has offered to take it to Knopf. - I may as well start in that
way. I don't know what to think of it: I'm so sick of it and
gone stale on it. I enjoyed writing it and typing it - however.

Had a busy winter in consequence - very enjoyable. There's a
torrid spell since Sunday - a week's. Stella is going for Europe
today - we're going to the steamer - Homeric. Leaving for
Sea Bright on Thursday - -

Haven't bought my car as the roads are too bad yet to ride on.-

JOURNAL.

SEA BRIGHT

July 10 (cont.)

1922.

Lala left on steamer week ago - Mr. Sassoon by chance on same steamer. Pray to all the powers that are that she may pull it off.

Take you out again

2.45 P.M.

to record that Carl has telephoned
that Knopf has accepted "Love Days" - finished on January 6 th
rectified after -

Have "arrived" at last - ought to feel more elated -

July 31.

Monday.

I celebrated yesterday because it was Sunday and more convenient. Our house guests were Marie Sterner, Duche, Pope and MacBride, Ackerman, and Carl and Fania for the day. I had asked Lulu, who sent me a Lawrence book of poetry but had left town, and Mr. Brugiere who didn't answer, and 2 or 3 boys of no importance. It was a talky party and pleasant with good food but as I'm in a bored humour I enjoy nothing.

The fact of having had Knopf take my "L.Ds" is satisfying but not exalting. I've got to get to work going over the spelling and possibly shortening it a little; but this won't take long.

I received a check from M. who had a nice birthday with the family here) 2) records from Carrie 3) a W.W. deer from Florrie 4) fruit from Aunt Sophie 5) ? from Nina 6) a prospective book

JOURNAL.

SEA BRIGHT

July 31 (cont.)

1922

from Aunt Jo. 7) a printed pun from Duche which does more
credit to his thoughtfulness than his thinking power.

Rien de plus. -

I certainly *need* a *new* batch of friends. - I feel "stagnant" as G. de Paats says.

October 10.

Tuesday (I think.)

I haven't looked to see when I wrote last, but I know it was
long ago. Since then I have learned to write (spell)

haven't correctly but have learned little else. And felt litt-
le and experienced little and nothing pleasant. I handed
L.De in on the 16 or 17th of Sept. and am glad to have a rest
from it for a while - I shortened it by 26 - 30 pages and po-
lished it some more. I think it is improved in most parts,
but 2 or 3 paragraphs are worse -

However -

The weather has been warm - there was bathing up to
2 days ago and most people would go still on a decent beach
which we haven't. -

JOURNAL

NEW YORK

APRIL27th(cont.)

1924.

There was a young lady named Bright

Whose pace was faster than light

She went out one day in a relative way

And came home the previous night.

After luncheon Stankard took us to the V.V. apartment for May S. to meet the cat ( she wrote to Carl that she wanted to meet him because of his "Tiger in the House") and Elinor Wylie and her husband Benét. We all, (excepting Sinclair, who had an engagement with Harriet Monroe,) went to F. V. studio, where she showed my portrait with great success. XX

E.W. seems nice - sophisticated, intelligent, but not as nice as Jennifer Lorne. Her husband is "nice" too, - a college-student grown up type, ambitious, open-minded, mediocre.

Well, there was talk of my note to her and my books -etc. I told her I'd send her a copy of L.D. - She's young and good-looking in a way, - a lady, - but "in allen Wassern gewaschen - more or less. At F's we all, and then Helen Parkhurst, and then Mother, Carrie and Stella! Then Fania, Helen Westley and Steichen and Carl Sandburg. - A distinguished party, as Lovett would have said.

And on Thursday I dined at Knopfs and met H. Menken, who was most amiable, and Willa Cather, who never "notices" me and Marks, who ?- But it was interesting.

JOURNAL

NEW YORK

MAY 19 (cont.)

1924.

to Beatrice Keysers to hear Miss Matthias recite—
Everything upset and suddenly in the midst of spring.

MAY 24.

Saturday Eve.

Seligmann review appeared today - very nice but too high faluting" as Mother called it. Difficult for the author to follow - impossible for the public - I should think.

Expect to go to Williamstown to Greylock for the early this month ((summer meant, no doubt)) - then ??

JUNE 15.

Sunday.

We leave for Williamstown next Wednesday - at least we expect to. For at least a month. - That's that. The last weeks: shopping, seeing people in driblets but continually. Expect to work at W. Today: Best, Tuska, Covaribia (?) Seligmann. Family in the morning.

Next entry at W. (I hope ------)

WILLIAMSTOWN.

MASS.

The Greylock.

Writing with a W. pen. Tout le reste en grand harmonie.

Here since last night after a pleasant enough trip preceded by strenuous days. From *North Adams* an auto at 9o'clock through a road town into a cemetery.

JOURNAL

WILLIAMSTOWN

(( no date )) JUNE

1924.

Here tres primitive - & assez de fracas - un bébé a coté
de ma chambre - Mother likes it so far. I have the best
room - at the end - for writing. I am doing that now with
Carrie next door in her bath.

Divine privacy. But questionable whether this place com-
fortable enough -

Well, the day and next night will show. -
((no date))

Sunday.

and I walked down to the village to take the trolley to

North Adams

we passed a choral ceremony taking place on the flat top
of the church steeple - saw capped and gowned figures
silhouetted against the sky, and heard voices - none too
beautiful - floating down. Below in the hot sun and the
shadier lawns under the trees which are the feature of this

JOURNAL

WILLIAMSTOWN

JUNE ((?))

1924.

place, people were standing, listening upward - It
ought to have looked mediaeval, but it looked pro-
vincial and futile and out of date. Everything here does.

JUNE 25

Wednesday even.

F. getting used to this. First really very cool evening,
after heavy showers. Quite mountainy air. Yesterday
motored over partly torn-up road to

BENNINGTON

pretty town and Hoosac. Finished Burns story. Not very
exciting - may be dull for all I know. Little business
latter from Boyd - certainly something is the matter there.

JULY 4.

But nothing even forecracky to record. Hotel has grown full
and ugly again - but only temporarily I think.

Before that a quiet lovely week - library - spiritism - Mrs
Cole of Indianapolis for one day(conversation) A Henry
James reader - Haven't written much. Got started wrong
I think on the Phil. Moeller episode.

JOURNAL.

WILLIAMSTOWN.

JULY 8th

1924.

It's very hot - was yesterday and day before - now a pro-
tracted electric storm which threatens to become violent -
still very hot.

Convention going on in N.Y.-the domestic tragedy of Coolidge's boy's death.

Heat bad for my Muses's health- the swoons. Have read a lot of
is/
spiritual, but no good description of a séance, so *shall* have to
invent it (if I can).

Came across my Rowland review in the Library a few days ago -
or rather came across the Jourbhal arranged in vol. of years
and hunted it up. - Very much impressed; well written - much
better than I remembered. - Got a request from I. van Doren of
the Nation to review a book (Carl's suggestion no doubt) but
refused. -

Have read Henry James' Washington Square- must be early -
very simple - unaffected - humorous - and a little trivial.

Absolute realism of feeling, or lack of it. No banalities -
Henry certainly still caviar - but the most civilized and cul-
tured and rich - broadly of not deeply - of all our writers:

The best -----

JULY 11 th

Friday

A coölish day after a week's hot spell and we drove this af-
ternoon to

Manchester
Vermont

got out at the Equinox House for lemonade which they hadn't
but they had Mr. Philip Littell seated on the Balcony and

Journal.

Williamstown (cont.)

July 11 - " "

by the time I had descended from the washroom he was about
to get into a car with his companion a large goodlooker named
famously Rublee, I stopped him and we chatted for a few moments
He's at Cornish, N. H. And would have come down here later in
the season an auto - so he said. But not for the present.
He was sweet, as usual. No other news. Finished H. James
"In a Cage" - far fetched.

July 15 th

The James Rosenbergs were here last night - we spent the
evening together. She professed to like L.D. immensely, as she
put it: the Italian episode was so felt that she felt as
though she had lived through it(1) and it was the best piece
of writing she had come across in many a day. - They had
recently dined with the Knopfs! -

Had a very nice note from Mrs. Cole - the lady I spoke to
here a propos of L.D., and Eugenie Faber wrote again, as
her first letter went astray and briefly if appreciatively.
I "brouse" and chew in the Library now that it has been
cool in the early afternoons - don't know whether it will im-
prove my literary milk.
X wrote "Spiritual"

All plans still chaotic -

July 17 th