Saturday, February 14, 2009

27Jan1865, Skating with Great Enjoyment

HOLKER, January 27th, 1865.
—Unable to stand looking at the skating any longer without feeling of envy, I put on the articles, and staggered and floundered about with great enjoyment, squired unweariedly by Compton, [FN: Afterwards 3rd Lord Chesham. She had described him on the 24th as "an ugly but civil nice boy of 14." ] who shared with me many a fall. F. and Co. shot. The dear little boys [FN: Her brothers Edward and Alfred.] came about 5, had tea with Newmany in our room, appeared at dinner, and behaved with great aplomb.

23Jan1865, Conscience Clause

HOLKER, January 23rd, 1865.
—Discussion is going on pro and con the admitting of dissenting children to a Church school by means of a "Conscience clause," which is to provide that if it is desired by the parents, they may be excluded from the religious teaching. I am in a wood about it, Papa being con, Freddy pro.

19Jan1865, Dear Old Bodies

HOLKER, January 19th, 1865.
—In the afternoon Lav., Lou, and I went to see Aggy, Hannah, and Betty (their surnames will not stay in my head !) ; dear old bodies. There has been a good deal of fever about, but it is going off. Poor Brailsford, the keeper, has lost his only child with some brain complaint. Lou gave to 3 old ladies a charming shawl apiece, which she has crocheted.

16Jan1865, Hare Hunting

HOLKER, January 16th, 1865.
F. went hare hunting on foot : a most Holkerish proceeding !

02Jan1865, The Pope's Encyclical

HOLKER, January 2nd, 1865.
—The Pope has put forth an Encyclical letter denouncing and condemning all possible inquiry and thought, to a degree that it is supposed will make all intelligent Roman Catholics stand aghast.

26Dec1864, We Kept Christmas

HAGLEY, December 26th, 1864.
Albert played in the service for the day. We kept Christmas in the technical sense ; viz., general holyday and monster dinner of all the creatures—counting Fred, we make up the dozen, but oh for Meriel and John ! Uproarious fun and games, ending in famous chorus singing and "God save the Queen." Next Christmas, alas ! we shall probably be without dear old Nevy, whose Rifle Brigade commission may come any day.

25Dec1864, Cavendish Answers

HAGLEY, December 25th, 1864.—
Cavendish answered my letter, to my infinite pride and satisfaction.

22Dec1864, A Begging Errand

HAGLEY, December 22nd, 1864.
—I wrote to Cavendish ! ! ! on a small begging errand of Mrs. Otley's. Played billiards with Aunt E. and beat her.

20Dec1864, The Story of Lefevre

HAGLEY, December 20th, 1864.—
Mr. Brookfield spouted in the barn " The Merchant of Venice " and the story of Lefevre with great success.

16Dec1864, Future Bishop Talbot

HAGLEY, December 16th, 1864.
—I had a nice walk with Edward Talbot, [FN: Afterwards Bishop of Rochester, Southwark, and Winchester.] who strikes one immensely with his thoughtful, powerful mind, coupled with such heartfelt, earnest reverence and deep feeling. I think he must turn out great. He has at length decided on taking Orders, though full of self-distrust as to his fitness to cope with the dangers and controversies of the day. But, if faith and love and humility are any safeguards to a man, he has them, only he lacks hopefulness.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

15Dec1864, A Reproach to the Queen

HAGLEY, December 15th, 1864.
—One of the Times' peculiarly ill-judged lectures to the Queen, which might have been spared her, considering the many little ways in which this year she has lessened her retirement. And it makes one ashamed of one's country to hear the attacks made upon her, striving as she does in her terrible bereavement and loneliness, to do all the necessary duties, while she never misses an opportunity of showing thoughtful kindness and sympathy for the joys and sorrows of others. And lately she has taken more part in society, tho' it is most painful to her. Under these circumstances, it shows good feeling indeed to reproach her on the anniversary of her widowhood !

13Dec1864, Decorating the House

LONDON, December 13th, 1864.
—Such a busy day as I have seldom had. We had Ld. Richard to breakfast, and after that, an interview with the beloved Currey. Thence to our splendid mansion, No. 21 Carlton House Terrace, where we met my old Meriel and Mrs. Talbot, and Trollope, the builder-and-furnisher's man. And we have settled the whole painting of the house, chosen all the papers, and the principal grates, and discussed many other points. All I think most successful.

09Dec1864, Another Lovely Morning

CHATSWORTH, December 9th, 1864.
—Another lovely, radiant morning, the sun quite burning one's face through the window. Fred rode with the Duke and Ld. George to Hartington. Ly. G. and Susan went. Cavendish came. Some of us went to the kennels, where are a bewildering number of violent black dogs.

04Dec1864, A Year Ago

CHATSWORTH, December 4th, 1864.
—This day last year Papa and I arrived at Chatsworth, and I had my memorable Church argument with "Ld. Frederick Cavendish" at dinner !

No. 21 Carlton House Terrace

Someday, this may be the view from our front door.

I do hope our house is still standing and not replaced with a storage structure for those odd vehicles.

02Dec1864, The House is Ours

CHATSWORTH, December 2nd, 1864.
—The C. H. T. house is ours !

01Dec1864, A Visit from Sutherlands

CHATSWORTH, December 1st, 1864.
—The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland and a pug came. I cuddled rather with Lady Blanche, who is very nice.

26Nov1864, A House is Selected

CHATSWORTH, November 26th, 1864.
—It is actually all but settled that we shall have the beautiful house in Carlton H. Terrace ! !

19Nov1864, Sunshine Has Come Back

CHATSWORTH, November 19th, 1864.
—My sunshine has come back to me ! Freddy turnd up about 1½, a little glad, I do believe, to see me again ; and I had a delightful walk with him (mostly in the rain) and happy, happy sits in our room. Oh, I don't deserve all that is given me. A dear letter came this morning from him.