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Describes Mary Brainard, the woman Alf Waud eloped with. Transcription: as unwise. I've visited the house some two or three times, in company with Alf [Waud]. His 'wife [Mary Brainard]''s face is a fair one, her hair a bright red ? the Madonna color one sees in old pictures, and no one could think it unpleasant. I can fancy a dark haired man imagining it to be perfectly beautiful ? as Alf does ? which I think unnatural. It disturbs my notion of the fitness of things when a light haired man loves a blonde. I can admire a fair beauty, but only in cold blood, and might outlive three crows without falling in love with one over the depth of a finger nail. To return to 'Mrs Hill.' Her skin is very fair and smooth, her features regular, her form plump, her stature tall. But for her speech she might pass for an Englishwoman. Yet however comely her face, I think it lacks depth ? earnestness. There's something of the mother [Celina Jewell]'s in it, in which, I think, can be read how it occurred. As I write I call to mind the grave, kind face of Hannah [Bennett], its purity and sweetness, and think how good she is ? and know, in my heart, that however Alf may hold his prize there are higher and dearer ones than he is ware of. Not that I would cast a stone against this poor Yankee girl, Heaven help her! She says her prayers every night, Alf declares, and is afraid she ?s been very wicked and God won't forgive her. He 'don't care about that sort of thing, but likes to see it in her.' She is very Title: Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries: Volume 8, page 90, October 20-22, 1856 . 22 October 1856. Gunn, Thomas Butler, 1826-1903