Diary Four
During the years 1853 through 1855, as always, Patty's days were full of domestic and medical activities. But these years invited her into new avenues as well. She went to dancing school. She attended lectures given by Dr. William France, a convert to Mormonism in England and a doctor of fine reputation. She joined a "theological society." She participated in community concerns, such as petitioning for a transcontinental railroad to pass through the territory. She continued to try to name every person with whom she had contact, although, as the population increased, people became increasingly harder to identify. And she wholeheartedly used her energy to be "presidentess" of a society to aid the poor.
"If I should not live long enough to become famous, this journal will be interesting to the psychologist. The record of a woman's life, written down day by day, without any attempt at concealment, as if no one in the world were ever to read it, yet with the purpose of being read, is always interesting and I write down everything, everything, everything. Otherewise why should I write?"
These words were written by Marie Bashkirtseff in the preface to her journal. Patty didn't exactly write "everything, everything, everything." But she mentioned what we could call everything in passing. What she didn't reveal should fascinate a reader and amateur psychologist as much as what she did.
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