Sunday, 19 May 1889

…Sophie left us soon after breakfast, to take the 10.14 train on her way back to Bryn Mawr, to continue her preparations for the final examination there. She is looking rather pale and worn, and I wish that the struggle was over. …

 

Sunday, 26 May 1889

…Herbert Morris called to see Sophie this evening, but she is not at tome this Sunday. I believe that Sophie at Cathy Bean’s request, asked him to go with her to Shipley’s, new West Chester, to Cathy’s parting tea to the graduating class of Bryn Mawr. … Corney is undergoing the throes of examination at the University now. And Sophie’s final examinations at Bryn Mawr are to begin next week.

 

Thursday, 30 May 1889

Decoration Day. A legal holiday. Bank closed.

…I rose late, this morning – at 7.22 – having overslept myself. Breakfast at about 8. as usual. Sophie with us. Having come from Bryn Mawr this morning to go to the dressmaker, Mary Dwyer. I had to give her $15. For her special expenses; and we expect to give her graduating class a breakfast on next Monday that may cost about $100! Trower is to furnish the food and J. Welsh Young, the cut flowers. ….

 

Monday, 3 June 1889

I awoke several times last night, on account of the pain of the rheumatism in my shoulder (the left shoulder blade at the back). And I do not feel well this morning. Rose before seven. Shaved after dressing. To breakfast before 8. Trower’s waiters were at our house, before breakfast, beginning their preparations for Sophie’s breakfast to her class at Bryn Mawr (the graduating class). It will probably cost me $100. at least. … Went out in the 2. o’clock train; and found only two of Sophie’s classmates at our house; the others had gone before my arrival. These two were Margaret Thomas and Louise Elder. The former is quite pretty; a noble face with a deep voice. I have not seen her before. Louise is a quaintly bright looking as ever. These two went away at 2.50 for the 2.54 train, and had to run for it. There were 25. Girls at the breakfast, including Sophie, and the affair is said to have passed off satisfactorily. The whole troop went over the house and seemed to admire it. … Nothing of the feast was kept for me, except some sweets that I could not eat and some fruit that is almost equally dangerous. The waiters ate everything that was left by the guests – not being looked after properly. …

 

Thursday, 6 June 1889

Sophie’s Graduation Day

Rose before seven this morning. A cool cloudy morning clearing up later in the day. Breakfast before eight. Lucy and I went to the 97 train, staring for Bryn Mawr, but Lucy sent me home for our invitations to the graduating exercise; which we had forgotten. So I made another start alone in the 924 train, and afterwards went to Bryn Mawr by the 10.15 train, to see Sophie graduate after her four years course at Bryn Mawr College. Gertrude Houston joined me after I had left the train and we walked to Taylor Hall together. We had seats in the front gallery, at first; but afterwards were beckoned down by our party to seats on the main floor near one of the large windows of the assembly room; and went. Our party consisted of Lucy, Miss Grew, Miss Zell, Theora, Lizzie Thomas, Emily Godley and Thalia Dobson. I, however, could not stay on account of a draft that came down upon my perspiring head. And so I went up to the gallery at the rear of the room; where I found Corney, Stuart Wood, Prof. [Morris] Jastrow, etc., and looked from a step ladder over the heads of those seated in the gallery. My perch was in the lobby, and I looked through a door from it to the gallery; having a good view of the stage, and more than half of the hall, and hearing very well. The exercise opened with an introductory statement by Francis T. King, President of the Board of Trustees, followed by a Psalm read by John B. Garrett and a prayer by Doctor James Carey Thomas. Doctor Rhoads, President of the Faculty then made quite a long address, reviewing the work of the college, etc. And the Dean, Miss M. Carey Thomas presented the candidates for the degree of B.A. – after describing what they had done – and Doctor Rhoads handed them their diplomas, in a set form of words; each “Group” of candidates being spoken to separately; the Greek & Latin Group, first, in which Sophie was. Doctor Paul Shorey closed with an address on the part of the faculty, which was very original and able, full of poetry, brightness, sentiment and humor. As Corney and I waited in the lobby, on the first floor of the hall, for our party to come out, I saw and greeted many acquaintances including some of the new B.A.’s, whom I congratulated. Afterwards came the collation in the Gymnasium; where I had an opportunity of speaking to many friends and of thanking Dean Thomas and President Rhoads for their kindness to Sophie, etc. We then went to Sophie’s room in Merion Hall and spent some time there. Corney and Miss Grew left at about 3. P.M. for the City; and Corney took Miss G. to her home in Filbert St. Lucy, Sophie & I went afterwards to a tea given by Miss Emily Balch, in her room, where I made the acquaintance of her father (a Boston lawyer of a most forlorn appearance) and had a pleasant talk with him; about Howells, Tolstoi, Turgeneiff [sic, Turgenev], Kennan, etc. Sophie walked with us towards the station, and levied upon me for more money, before going back to college. After which Lucy and I made calls upon the Goffs & Kellogs. The former were not at home; but we found the latter in, and spent some time there. We saw first Mrs. Kellog & Lizzie, and just as we were leaving, George Kellogg, who came out from town. Home in the 5.48 train from Bryn Mawr; getting off at Powelton, and taking the 6.10 from the city for Germantown. Corney was at home when we arrived; and we had supper soon afterwards. The beef steak was not good, on account, probably, of being basted with lead butter. I tried to write a few lines of diary during the evening, but had to give it up on account of Lucy’s and Corney’s talk about the events of the day. …

 

Saturday, 8 June 1889

…Henry C. Lea called to notify me that he would soon draw upon us for about $40,000. To pay his taxes! And I got him talking about his literary work, and describing to me his methods in writing. He is now working upon the History of the Spanish Inquisition, and he may add several volumes to the three published already upon the Inquisition. …

Sunday, 9 June 1889

…Sophie looks badly from her recent “examinations & receptions;” s they were cleverly put together by Shorey in his address. Her eyes look swollen from want of sleep. Lawrence and Corney brought over her effects from Bryn Mawr on Friday – in a light wagon borrowed from Glassey & Fowler, drawn by our mare Nelly. …

 

Wednesday, 12 June 1889

…Clam soup and peas from our own garden for supper; and both good. My arm quite painful after supper. Corney made a fire in the library grate of cannel coal, which warmed the room, and was agreeable to all of us, both to feel and to see. I chatted with Lucy, Sophie and Corney, for a good while, with only the light of the fire for illumination. And, afterwards, I spent sometime in looking at two groups of Bryn Mawr girls, photographs, which Sophie brought home from college; commenting on the appearance of the more striking faces. One group is the Senior Class that has just graduate, and the other is the whole four classes at the time of Sophie’s graduation. They are good photographs. Sophie played a little on the piano. I went to bet about eleven o’clock. …