Oxford Experience Documents

Go to Document List

View the TEI xml code for this page
View image of page

[Diary entry of Marion Walter Carmichael]

In some near or remote future, should my eye chance to fall upon this page, I shall recall in all distinctness this day - Feb 26th, 1898.

How miserable are the effects of negligence of duty! For more than three weeks I have delayed writing my spring term speech, and not until last night did I try hard to accomplish this task. But lo! I accomplished nothing! I read a part of Emerson's Essay on Self-reliance, think-
View image of page
ing that it might quicken mental action. But after trying to write until half past one o'clock, I could do nothing that was satisfactory to my own mind. I went to bed, slept until nearly seven o'clock, and arose with the determination of making another trial this morning. So after breakfast I gathered up Lee's History of the U.S., Sargents Standard Speaker, and writing tablet and set out for the woods. The morning is bright and nature seems to lend every aid. I am now in a little patch of pine woods of five or ten years growth by an old gully about ten feet deep which in all probability is the result of thoughtless antibellum [sic] farming, about one mile north west of Andrew Hall. What success I may have today I cannot now predict. But this much I know, that there is no probability of my enjoying the
View image of page
Arbor Day exercises of the class of '98, of which I am a member, unless I make one more earnest effort to write my contemplated eulogy on Thomas Jefferson. May my mind be quickened by Him who has all power.

March 3rd, 1898

This has been another trying day in my life. I arose this morning being awakened by the cook's call for the keys to kitchen, and learned that my butler was still sick and that the boy in his place had not returned. Consequently I had to look after the dinning [sic] room and did get to study my mental philosophy lesson on I should. And was called upon, failed, and was rebuked. But alas! The sun does not shine bright every day.

Go to Document List