August, 1857


I wish I did not haf to rite in this jurnal. Father says I must tho. He is deturmined that I practise my spelling and grammer. He thinks that maybe I will pursue a literery career if I rite in this jurnal. But I would much rather play outside. I bet all the other boys are fishing rite now. Boy, how I wish I culd be with them.

Father just told me that I shuld record facts about myself. Mama added that when I am older, I will apreshiate having ritten this. I do not think so. But if it makes them happy, I shuld rite those facts about myself, for their sake at least.

Well, I was born on May 3, 1849. I am currently eight years old, and going to this horrible school where they are very mean to me. I wish I did not have to go, but Father makes me because I must get a good educashion. I live in Ribe, Denmark, and it is very old-fashioned here. I wish I could see the world and new-fangled contrapshions that I often hear about. I have lots of brothers, and only one sister. But it is my cousin, Emma, who I love best. One of my brothers drowned two months ago. It made me very sad. I do not like talking about it, so I won’t rite about it either.

Mama has told me that I can stop riting and go back outside now. Hooray for Mama!

Jacob Riis