August 1992

Diary of

Josephine Matilda deZeng

Geneva, New York

About Josephine Matilda deZeng

September 1842

Saturday, 17th

This morning I made all my arrangements, with Uncle Edward, for visiting Cathalena at Honeoye next week, we purpose starting on Tuesday. May Ten Eyck came in to ask me to come to her Aunt Grosvenor's this evening, to eat fruit. Mag DeL. came in while she was here for me to go down street with her. We shopped till twlve o'clock, not that we bought a great quantity, but we had so much to talk about, that we forgot half the places we were to stop at, until we had got far beyond and were obliged to turn back three or four times. We arranged a drive to the Browns for the afternoon & May T. E. was to go along. When we arrived at the Browns we found Carie home alone, Charlotte & Anne having gone to gather mushrooms. We sat with her a long time, and then drove to Mrs. Slosson's—she was out. We then turned towards home & stopped at Burnside on our way down to see Janet. She was in high spirits, and we had a very merry time, talking over the peculiarities of her brother Charlie, and Mag's cousin Paul. May Ten Eyck invited "Mag & Ed" to her aunt's tonight and urged them to come in the strongest terms. Mag said "Ed surely would" & she would "if circumstances would permit."

We met accordingly between seven and eight at "Aunt Cornelia's." May was in her gayest possible humor, & she sat between Mr. McKinstry & Mr. DeLancey, just as she most desired. Edward DeL. brought me a copy of Mr. Dann's poem "Glimpses of Light & Shade." John Whiting and I kept up a secret exchange of papers when we were playing "consequences," & made some of them come out extremely laughable. We had a delightful "petit souper," melons, plums, peaches and cream, sponge cake, and lemonade. Some one remarked it was quite a meloncholy supper. Mr. Jno. Whiting presided with "great gusto," uttering occasionally some witticism. After this was over, we returned to the parlor and resumed our game. Just after we were seated John with his usual impudence (?) wrote on a slip of paper & handed to me, "Which 'Ned' is it?" I laughed & told him to arrange it as he pleased, but I was sorry afterward that I had not written under it—Both, with John at the head. Edward DeL. walked home with me—indeed I sometimes laugh at myself when I think with what a "matter-of-course" air I wait & he offers his arm, which I take without a thought. What is to be the end of this?

Sunday 18th

Today has been alternately tears & smiles, one hour it would be pouring down in torrents, the next the sky as beautiful & blue as any day in June, and everything sparkling in the warm sunlight. I did not go out at all this morning, as it unfortunately rained at the time for Sunday school & church, & my cold is so bad, Mama thought it more prudent to stay in. This afternoon Dr. Hale read the prayers, and Mr. Irving preached, his text was "1st Corinthians 3rd:23rd:—and ye are Christ's and Christ is God's." The sermon was very good, & I should have enjoyed it much, but that some boys made such an outrageous noise that we could scarcely hear, and at last Mr. Irving was obliged to request Dr. Rose to quiet them. I walked out with Maggie DeL. & had quite a chat. How very sweet she is.

Monday 19th

This morning I found myself quite sick with my cold, and had made up my mind to pass a very quiet day over the fire, but at about half past ten my cousin Augusta came in from Clyde, and I was obliged to forget my disagreeable sickness. After dinner we had just fixed ourselves for a shopping excursion when Maggie DeLancey came in for me to go shopping with her. We all went off together and did not get back till between six & seven o'clock. In the evening came first Walter Ayrault—he brought me "Longefellow's Voices of the Night," & made himself very agreeable for about half an hour, when Mr. Low was announced. He gave us a partial account of the way in which he had spent his vacation, etc. Uncle Edward then came in, & spent the rest of the evening with us "en famille."

Tuesday 20th

This morning we again sallied out and were gone until dinner time visiting mantua-makers, shopping, etc. Just as we had settled ourselves at dinner, Edward DeLancey called to me if I would go with him tonight to hear Frank Johnson's band play, which I had partly promised him I would do yesterday, that was if my cold was better. I said yes. After dinner we called on Rachel, & had quite a nice time. May Ten Eyck came in while we were there full of "Old Nick" as usual. We then went again to the mantua-maker's, and afterwards I went to see Mrs. Woods & Mrs. Kennedy —I paid them quite a long visit, & talked over the new fashions, etc., which Mrs. K. was well able to tell having just come from New York.

Soon after I got in house, Mag DeL. & Annie Peyton called. They were full of fun as usual, & Mag by way of salutation said "How d'ye do Frog?" After tea Anne & Sarah Stoddard called, they were full of mischief to, & A. invited us to her wedding tomorrow at ten o'clock. James, Augusta, Carie, Edward DeLancey & myself went to the concert. After we had been there a little while who should come in but May T. E. & Joe Hill—she giggling away as usual— & wonder of wonders Mr. George Gallagher came in without having Miss Tillman. He looked rather sober & seemed quite melancholy. After the concert had commenced she came in with Mr. Jas. Tillman, Mrs. Holly, Dr. & Mrs. Laird. They had nothing to do with one another until just before it closed, when he changed his seat, & sat behind her, but although he made several attempts, she would have nothing to say to him, until he absolutely forced himself in front of her but she only laughed & said, "What, what?" to his serious looking face, and earnest questions. Mr. G. acknowledged his giving us our serenade last night.

Typescript of the diary provided by the Geneva Historical Society.

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