ace is unaltered, but the haughty
expression that "La Princesse" wore in former days has vanished, and
the fond young mother, grouped with her two little children is prettier
than ever.

_June 15_.

I feel singularly indolent, and indisposed to journalize this evening.
Perhaps it is the result of two hours spent in croquet, a game in which
I am very unproficient and therefore find decidedly wearisome; but
Gabrielle, who is the best croquet player in Chappaqua, is in the city
to-day, and my feeble assistance was necessary to make up the quartette.

Two entire hours spent in this game seem quite an unwarrantable loss of
time, but we have had a guest from New York to-day, and therefore both
Plato and Kohlrausch have remained under lock and key in the library.

I think no one enjoys the country more thoroughly than a physician when
he can escape from his patients for a holiday, and Dr. Howe, our
visitor of to-day, was not an exception. This gentleman is, I fancy,
quite young in his profession, for his figure is of almost boyish
slenderness; his face, too, which reminds one somewhat of Shelley in
its delicacy and brightness, and its dark eyes and luxuriant curls, is
quite youthful for a fully fledged M.D.

Dr. Howe returned from Europe some months since, and brought us a
letter of introduction from a friend of mamma's in Florence; but owing
to mamma's long illness and the seclusion in which we lived last
winter, we have not seen him many times.

I have in my lap a number of letters received in this evening's mail.
One is from my dear friend, Mrs. Knox, the charming contralto of Christ
Church. We had expected her to visit us this week, but her unexpected
departure for the West has prevented her from doing so. She says:

"You must truly be enjoying Chappaqua these heavenly June days. I hope
that the fresh air and rest are putting roses into your pale cheeks and
giving you health and strength for your literary labors. My sudden
departure compels me to forego the pleasure I had anticipated in seeing
you at Chappaqua--at least until the fall. I am appreciative of the
courtesy of your dear mamma in inviting me to spend a day in that
lovely retreat, already made sacred to me by my high regard and
admiration for your most noble uncle, whose home it was."

Another letter is written upon most dainty stationery, bearing the
impress of Tiffany, and adorned with a prettily devised monogram in
lavender and gold (handsome