Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

Friday – evening to see “Young Mr. Lincoln” – a grand picture. I had gone with misgiving, for I could not see Fonda in the part. Whether he was visually like Lincoln never occurred to me. The simple, unadorned manner in which he presented the spiritual character of Lincoln was wonderful. It showed in his every move, facial expression and utterance. It would not There would not be much point in my trying to compose a homily on Lincoln, but what a remarkable “occurrence he was in the history of the human race, and what a lesson to us as Americans to be proud of our humble beginnings. I would rather be a native of America than any other country I know, past or present. ; ; July 24 – (Mon.).P.M. to Milsom Manor (where Berlin’s are vacationing) – a hot ride out. The place pleasant, not too warm. The lake was calm, and the water rather warm, but refreshing never-the-less.; After supper (which I’ve finished) to the Cliff to watch the sun go down, and thence to the beach, where after a short walk, their youngest went in swimming (they had longed to go in by moonlight). I had eaten too much and felt it was not safe for me to go in. We built a huge bon-fire of drift wood, which tho a cheerful and fascinating sight blacked out the moonlit lake and shore – it made the moon look pale green.