5:50 P.M. How did W. feel? "I did not write to Doctor today—if you write, tell him I feel pretty mean all through—tell him that, contrary to the spirit of the poem, that only man is vile—I am in such a state everything seems vile to me." After a pause: "Except this—this pleases me"—tapping proof sheet in his hand—Kennedy's article, which I had brought from the printers. "This pleases me: it is quite the nicest proof I have handled. I want to send a copy to Kennedy—write him about it." Had sent off several other Ingersoll pamphlets. Gave me a big bundle of mail to take to Post Office; one Ingersoll pamphlet to go to Australia. How did he know the proper postage? "I do not know: I manage to put on too much, always—arguing that too much is enough, under whatever administration!"
Paid me McCollin's bill. "I might as well do it now. My father used to say, a good time to pay your debts is when you have the money. And I can't suggest an improvement over that." Again expressed satisfaction with the pictures. Gave me Review of Reviews Portrait Gallery, sent over by Johnston (England). "You are probably interested in portraits—there are a great many here." Left him February issue of Current Literature. He "wondered" how far "these folks" were favorable to him, how far not. Asked him what he thought of my sending set of Lippincott's proofs to Kennedy? "Do it, if you are moved to: there is no harm. Contrary, it may please him. It is not necessary—but: take your own path! Gurowski used to say to me, 'Yes, the sheets are welcome: they are hands, which lead me into the workshop of the gods!'" Promised to send Kennedy proof to Bucke, too. W. expressed regret that the Emerson letter had not yet turned up. In mail W. sent by me were portraits for Dr. Bucke—Ingersoll lecture for Wilkins—another for one of the Australian fellows—papers for Harry Stafford, etc. W. referred to Somerby: "He is a damned scoundrel! Somerby and another fellow there in New York, too, swindled me out of some hundreds of dollars—and in dark days, too, when a ten cent piece meant much to me, in '76 or '75 or thereabouts."