May 3 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook in Florence:

Madonna, child & child St. John. Three children, for the Madonna is a physically developed woman 9 years old. St. John is wretchedly drawn. The whole picture is poor. With Raphael’s name removed it would be dear at $1.50. / The Wrestlers are wonderful. / They try to tell when a picture or other work was made by the character of the workmanship — forgetting that there are good & bad workmen in all ages.

Breakfast Tuesday 12.30 with the Marquise or send word if Mrs. C. has engagement.

Prof Fiske used to edit a chess journal, & in Icelandic games he used to translate the terms into English; but there was one embarrassing term which he always left untranslated to the great annoyance of his readers: this was the —– Gambit. Or ——- starting Gambit [NB 31 TS 41].

Frank L. Ferguson for Chadron Academy in Chadron, Nebr. wrote to Sam soliciting aid; postmarked from Boston by American College and Education Society [MTP].