The Harry Watkins Diary, Volume 11 [July 22, 1853–June 12, 1854]

14 January 1854

Sat. (Saturday) 14 . My birth day [sic birthday] . I have just reached the 29th mile-stone [sic milestone] on myexpand_less road of life—In taking a retrospect through removemy theexpand_less mind's eye of my past life, I see but little to removerepent call for repentance or regret—my sufferings have been many, and my faults those resulting from the follies of removemisguided removea a headstrongexpand_less youth. I have gained many lessons of practical utility taught only in the schools of adversity, which, after all, is a much better instructor than prosperity—Those twenty-nine years, like the seasons, have been diversified by sunshine and darkness, storms and calms—times of famine, times of plenty—and there have been floods and droughts of Fortune. I have experienced remove…slipall the ups and downs of life, but yet, removethe gazing upon the bright side of the picture, things appear brighter than do they on the dark side—dark. Many un- [sic Many]

unpleasant occurrences have taken place removebut as they have entailedno neither sorrow nor removenorexpand_less misery which might, perhapsexpand_less, have been avoided, but as they have entailed neither sorrow nor misery, removetheycaremovenll for no more regret than one must feel at any unpleasant act however trivial in its nature—In respect of the wrong done by me to others, and removeadone by others to myself, judging by my intentions, the leremoveas…slipsser share is mine. Considering that I am a member of that impossible-to-be-satremoveaisfied . portion of the animal kingdom ycleped men, I am about as contented with my remove…slip situation and prospects as is necessary for the minds [sic mind's] ease—might be bettered, could be rendered a great deal worse. On the borders of bachelordom and no wife in view! Why dont [sic don't] the right one come along;. where does she keep herself—: Come,—come, youremoveging lady dont [sic don't] remove…slipremain in the background any longer, for if I am to be married now is the time. Commenced snowing early A.M. but cleared off beautifully, though cold. Reading & walking A.M. studying & writing P.M. at Theatre 7 P.M. Confound Uncle Tom, it is to be played another week