After trial, tribulation and excitement to incinerate we got off at five o'clock yesterday afternoon on the Michigan Central. Marion, Harriet, Louise and Mr. Troop were at the train to see us off. Of we got with no mishap save the forgetting of the kodak, but I have wired and written for it and hope it will catch us tomorrow. This morning our porter wakened us for a peep at the Falls, we'd not sufficient interest to dress and go out, but contented ourselves with seeing what we could see from our windows. Beany was the one most interested, tho of course it recalled to Grace and me one of our wedding trips, and for that reason was of some interest. Dashing through New York all day, catching a passing glimpse of West Point, we finally, at about half after six, reached "little old New York". At the garden Mrs Magill could only give us rooms on the fourth floor, so, after dinner I ran over to the "Woodstock" - (the present name of the "Spalding"), and secured rooms. We are to take our meals at the Garden in memory of old times, but for the first time in some years are to sleep elsewhere. Then a stroll down Broadway to Herald Square brought us back, and to the present writing.

And so much for the first day and journal entry. If I fill as much space every day my nice little book won't half last out the trip, but this is the christening as'tnere, and a little extra should be allowable - besides, who can tell how much space I'll be able to fill during the voyage?

First and foremost, the graphic and thrilling account of "hon Betsy and Mr killed the b'ar", only this time it actually was I who bought Grace a hat. That was yesterday and was only an incident of the day. We shopped and shopped: then did some more shopping. Grace was in attendance in the morning, but we got her to bed in the afternoon and Beany and I shopped on our own account. It is a melancholy fact that part of our purchases did not meet with Grace's approval, but that is another story, as is also the fact that Grace didn't enjoy her dinner. Beany and I dropped in at Shanleys for afternoon tea and in the evening I attended the Hippodrome - great!

This morning we had to return one or two of our purchases of yesterday, and then I went to see Dr Irwin. He found my eyes changed very little, left lens the same (-6.50) right lens now 2.00. And while I think of it I'll just note the doctors address, 10 W. 39th St, so I shan't have so much bother finding it in the future. The afternoon finishing up a few odd things is all, and dinner at Shanleys. The evening, a quiet one for the girls: Maud Adam in "Peter Pan" for me - I think about the smartest think I ever saw. "Do you believe in fairies?".

And so for our last day and night on shore or two weeks, and in America for months. Trunks are packed, tagged and down in the baggage room ready for early delivery at the dock; hand luggage partly packed and ready to finish in the morning; a call left for seven o'clock at the office; and now to bed.

A new chapter begins today and it begins well, for I have never seen the sea as smooth as we have had it for the few hours we have been on it - if it keeps that way. At nine we took a carriage, drive to the dock and went on board. I had two to watch, for it was a new experience for Grace as well as Delphene; to bad I'm so "blaze". Our stateroom, 114 on the Promenade Deck, is very commodious and comfortable; Beany's 295, on the upper deck, is quite satisfactory too, The regulation departure, and usual first day, with unpacking, setting and general getting ready for the two week stay on board; reading the letters, feverish writing of last notes to go back with pilot marking the first two hours. Thanks to smooth sea practically everyone was at table both meals; I hope I shan't be missing at any of them. As for fellow passengers, as yet there has been, of course, no chance to size up any of them, but there is a cute little Italian girl has her chair next ours and I have been up on deck practising French with her;that is, she is kind enough to call it practising, although so far as I can judge she speaks it like a native. Nothing else to note 'cept Beany doesn't exactly like the Continental table - d'hote - too hard to serve fish.

The band began the day for us by playing a hymn. But Beany says it was awfully careless of them to play it an hour and a half before breakfast. Grace slept all morning, and in the afternoon sat up on the boat deck, where I had her chair placed. As for me I was everywhere from boat to main deck, smoked a few, chatted in French and English with Miss Copello, walked with her, and smoked a few. Grace and I enjoyed a glorious sunset from the boat deck, cuddled up in our steamer chairs and rugs. And after dinner we walked for awhile, until bed time. It has warmed up a bit and the wind has freshened, and the pleasure of the walk under all the circumstances, with a moon added, can better be imagined than described by my pen.

Another beautiful day, and, tho' the wind has freshened a great deal, the old boat has been as steady as a church. Grace stayed down till the 10:30 concert, but was up all the rest of the day. Nothing eventful ocurred unless we mention my stroll with the tiny Italian, but as I have taken them before, and shall again hope I suppose they need not be mentioned specifically. Graces first sight of phosphorescence