I have just returned from my trip to Europe with my good friend Jane Addams. Oh, it was wonderful! We traveled all around, seeing many a famous landmark. The one downfall of the trip was when we were in Madrid. Our entire group was to see a bull fight. We were all horribly excited. But after the fight had begun, I, as well as the others, were horrified at the cruelty that was used against the animals. Our group left early, except for Jane. She stubbornly refused to leave. I believe she later felt sorry for staying, but she said nothing. All in all, the trip was amazing.

May 21, 1888.

While in Europe Jane suggested an idea to me. She has always had a great desire to help others, and when visiting England she learned of a small "settlement house" called Toynbee Hall, that five people have been living at. These five people help the neighborhood children by giving them meals, providing activities, and being friends with the children. She proposed that we could start something like that. I was quite surprised, but I liked the idea.

August 3, 1888.

Jane and I have been searching for a house in which to start our own settlement house. We have looked all over Chicago, but so far have been unsuccessful.

February 16, 1889.

At last, we have found a it! "It" is a large house built by Charles Hull, right in the heart of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods. He fell upon hard times when the city grew up around it, and was forced to sell the old house to a women named Helen Cluver. We have rented the second floor, and a room on the first floor. We have set upon restoring it, hanging pictures, and putting other knickknacks around the house. "The streets are inexpressibly dirty" Jane said to me the day after we moved in. It is just to be the two of us, plus our maid, Mary Keyser.

November 14, 1889.

I have been far too busy to keep this up. Our "Hull House" as Jane named it, has been booming. We have offered many language classes, and it fills my heart with joy to hear the people speaking English with a new light. But that is just one of the programs we have to offer. One of our first programs was a nursery, for all of the children in the neighborhood. We hope to soon expand. We are very happy here, I think this is the best thing that has ever happened to me.