LONDON, April 3rd, 1867.
—A very busy day. At 10½ I paid a flying visit to the workhouse. Soon after 11 went with Auntie P. and Mrs. Hampton shopping for the Convalescent Home : got coal-scuttles, crockery, coffee-mill, knives, forks, and spoons, canisters, etc., etc. N.B. stone ware cup, with its saucer, price 2d. ! ! Luncheon, and at 2½ I drove off to Westbourne Terrace to call on Mrs. Martineau ; found Mrs. Monsell (the Great) with her ; learnt useful text-painting particulars ; looked in at St. Paul's, Knightsbridge, but the service was just ending ; visited Aunt Caroline (who is just come home from abroad), who was out, and Lady Albemarle whose daughter sang most delightfully ; sagged to Paddington to meet Mazy, but, being a few minutes late, missed her. And finally we dined at Lady Estcourt's, meeting Robartes's.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
01Apr1867, Mrs. Scott-Siddons Reads Shakespeare
LONDON, April 1st, 1867.
—A young Mrs. Scott-Siddons, about 20 years old, and great-grand-daughter to the great Mrs. Siddons, recited some Shakespeare and Tennyson at the Hanover Square rooms. She is beautiful, and sometimes like the famous pictures of the Tragic Muse ; her voice lovely ; soft, but clear and ringing ; all was good, but the tragedy parts really excellent. Such grace, and pathos, and passion ! but always natural, and with no rant. I cried dreadfully over Constance and Arthur ; finishing with a good hearty howl when it was over ! But what promises most of all by far is her acting. I feel as if the dream I have had all my life of what should be on the stage is to be realized.
—A young Mrs. Scott-Siddons, about 20 years old, and great-grand-daughter to the great Mrs. Siddons, recited some Shakespeare and Tennyson at the Hanover Square rooms. She is beautiful, and sometimes like the famous pictures of the Tragic Muse ; her voice lovely ; soft, but clear and ringing ; all was good, but the tragedy parts really excellent. Such grace, and pathos, and passion ! but always natural, and with no rant. I cried dreadfully over Constance and Arthur ; finishing with a good hearty howl when it was over ! But what promises most of all by far is her acting. I feel as if the dream I have had all my life of what should be on the stage is to be realized.
27Mar1867, Labourers on Strike
LONDON, March 27th, 1867.
—The engine-drivers on the Brighton line and elsewhere, and the wretched starved Buckinghamshire labourers, are on strike ; the latter only demanding 12s. a week.
—The engine-drivers on the Brighton line and elsewhere, and the wretched starved Buckinghamshire labourers, are on strike ; the latter only demanding 12s. a week.
24Mar1867, Sermon by Magee
LONDON, March 24th, 1867.
—Went off in a hansom to St. Paul's Cathedral, inside which neither of us had ever been : grand and stately it is, but crying out for splendid rich decoration. Thousands of people. Magee , Dean of Cork [FN: Afterwards Bishop of Peterborough.], preached a glorious, eloquent sermon, outpoured with great fire and earnestness without a single note. His voice and action perfectly beautiful—unaffected and persuasive and powerful.
—Went off in a hansom to St. Paul's Cathedral, inside which neither of us had ever been : grand and stately it is, but crying out for splendid rich decoration. Thousands of people. Magee , Dean of Cork [FN: Afterwards Bishop of Peterborough.], preached a glorious, eloquent sermon, outpoured with great fire and earnestness without a single note. His voice and action perfectly beautiful—unaffected and persuasive and powerful.
23Mar1867, Dined at the Argylls'
LONDON, March 23rd, 1867.
—Dined at the Argylls', meeting a rugged, clever old Scotch Lord Colonsay, Mr. C. Howard, and George [FN: Afterwards 9th Earl of Carlisle.] (who gave a better account of Rosalind, and said his baby was like the Stanleys, which is rather sad, if it ever lives to be Lord Carlisle), etc. I made acquaintance with Edith Campbell [FN: Daughter of the 8th Duke of Argyll ; afterwards Duchess of Northumberland.] who is just out, and would be lovely but for her tiny shrunk figure ; beautiful Evy ; Elizabeth, who is less pretty, but has a better figure and very delicate features ; Lorne [FN: Afterwards 9th Duke of Argyll. Married Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria.] and Archie very pleasant, taking, gentlemanlike fellows, Lorne seeming very clever ; has just written a book about Travels in America and Jamaica.
—Dined at the Argylls', meeting a rugged, clever old Scotch Lord Colonsay, Mr. C. Howard, and George [FN: Afterwards 9th Earl of Carlisle.] (who gave a better account of Rosalind, and said his baby was like the Stanleys, which is rather sad, if it ever lives to be Lord Carlisle), etc. I made acquaintance with Edith Campbell [FN: Daughter of the 8th Duke of Argyll ; afterwards Duchess of Northumberland.] who is just out, and would be lovely but for her tiny shrunk figure ; beautiful Evy ; Elizabeth, who is less pretty, but has a better figure and very delicate features ; Lorne [FN: Afterwards 9th Duke of Argyll. Married Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria.] and Archie very pleasant, taking, gentlemanlike fellows, Lorne seeming very clever ; has just written a book about Travels in America and Jamaica.
18Mar1867, Household Suffrage
LONDON, March 18th, 1867.
—Susan and I went to the House of C. before prayers (with which I was not edified : such an inaudible mumble, and nobody pretending to follow ; yet the crowd of members standing up together and keeping entire silence was striking). Dizzy made a painful, laboured speech, bringing forward his badissimus bill : Household Suffrage, with actual personal, as distinguished from compounded, rate-paying, and a marvellous scheme called "duality of votes," which Uncle W., who followed in a more vehement, bitter onslaught than I have ever heard him make, called "a gigantic engine of fraud." Household Suffrage pure and simple would perhaps have been accepted by the Liberals, though many of them do not think the country ripe for it ; but Dizzy dursn't do that as a leader of the Conservatives ! and now they are nevertheless, many of them, as discontented as possible : Sir W. Heathcote and others spoke against the Bill, and it is supposed not to have a chance. Never shall I forget the fire and scorn and vehemence of Uncle W.'s speech : he glared from one side to the other, gesticulated with both arms, often spoke with a kind of bitter laugh, stumbled over the formal phraseology of the House, in his violent feeling ; but the whole gave such an overwhelming notion of righteous indignation stirred up by moral convictions that there was no effect of temper about it.
—Susan and I went to the House of C. before prayers (with which I was not edified : such an inaudible mumble, and nobody pretending to follow ; yet the crowd of members standing up together and keeping entire silence was striking). Dizzy made a painful, laboured speech, bringing forward his badissimus bill : Household Suffrage, with actual personal, as distinguished from compounded, rate-paying, and a marvellous scheme called "duality of votes," which Uncle W., who followed in a more vehement, bitter onslaught than I have ever heard him make, called "a gigantic engine of fraud." Household Suffrage pure and simple would perhaps have been accepted by the Liberals, though many of them do not think the country ripe for it ; but Dizzy dursn't do that as a leader of the Conservatives ! and now they are nevertheless, many of them, as discontented as possible : Sir W. Heathcote and others spoke against the Bill, and it is supposed not to have a chance. Never shall I forget the fire and scorn and vehemence of Uncle W.'s speech : he glared from one side to the other, gesticulated with both arms, often spoke with a kind of bitter laugh, stumbled over the formal phraseology of the House, in his violent feeling ; but the whole gave such an overwhelming notion of righteous indignation stirred up by moral convictions that there was no effect of temper about it.
17Mar1867, Withering, Shivering Blast
LONDON, March 17th, 1867.
—Withering, shivering blast, drying up one's miserable throat and making one like a nutmeg-grater inside and out. Also a keen frost. I never could feel, with Dr. Watts, the pleasure of reflecting upon the "starving wretches," in contrast with my comfortable self on a night like this. It is almost maddening to think of anybody out-of-doors in tattered clothes ; and oh ! I wish it would rain seal-skins !
—Withering, shivering blast, drying up one's miserable throat and making one like a nutmeg-grater inside and out. Also a keen frost. I never could feel, with Dr. Watts, the pleasure of reflecting upon the "starving wretches," in contrast with my comfortable self on a night like this. It is almost maddening to think of anybody out-of-doors in tattered clothes ; and oh ! I wish it would rain seal-skins !
Sunday, June 14, 2009
16Mar1867, A Visit to Chiswick
LONDON, March 16th, 1867.
—Emma and I drove to Chiswick. I can never go there (especially without a load of people) without our golden days all coming back upon me. The Duchess was visiting Lady Blantyre, and we waited an hour for her. She looked very well and queenly, and made me as shy as usual ! Snug home dinner, after which a drum at the Speaker's. The Duke of St. Albans is to marry Sybil Grey.
—Emma and I drove to Chiswick. I can never go there (especially without a load of people) without our golden days all coming back upon me. The Duchess was visiting Lady Blantyre, and we waited an hour for her. She looked very well and queenly, and made me as shy as usual ! Snug home dinner, after which a drum at the Speaker's. The Duke of St. Albans is to marry Sybil Grey.
10Mar1867, Obstreperous Ragamuffins
LONDON, March 10th, 1867.
—School, where I was driven nearly wild by 8 obstreperous ragamuffin boys.
—School, where I was driven nearly wild by 8 obstreperous ragamuffin boys.
06Mar1867, Sermon by Dr. Pusey
LONDON, March 6th, 1867. Ash Wednesday.
—Freddy had odious meetings all the morning. I went to All Saints', which was crammed full as Dr. Pusey preached. It was a striking, solemn sermon, upon the saved "suffering loss" at the Last Day, from the "wood, hay, and stubble" of their works on earth being tested by fire, they being themselves saved nevertheless by Infinite Mercy. I hardly understand the text in the same way. I think it means that if only we have built upon the One Foundation, the imperfections of our works will be forgiven, the fire will cleanse them, and only what is good and true will remain. But I don't know. I was glad to find sitting-room on the steps of the font, and heard with difficulty. He has a good, gentle face, though ugly ; his voice sounded rather weak and as if his chest hurt him. We had luncheon at Devonshire House where was Netty. I went to see Kate Amberley, and Granny who got down her Bible and entered the lists with Dr. Pusey so well !
—Freddy had odious meetings all the morning. I went to All Saints', which was crammed full as Dr. Pusey preached. It was a striking, solemn sermon, upon the saved "suffering loss" at the Last Day, from the "wood, hay, and stubble" of their works on earth being tested by fire, they being themselves saved nevertheless by Infinite Mercy. I hardly understand the text in the same way. I think it means that if only we have built upon the One Foundation, the imperfections of our works will be forgiven, the fire will cleanse them, and only what is good and true will remain. But I don't know. I was glad to find sitting-room on the steps of the font, and heard with difficulty. He has a good, gentle face, though ugly ; his voice sounded rather weak and as if his chest hurt him. We had luncheon at Devonshire House where was Netty. I went to see Kate Amberley, and Granny who got down her Bible and entered the lists with Dr. Pusey so well !
03Mar1867, School and Workhouse
LONDON, March 3rd, 1867.
—School and workhouse. The old bodies made a great joke of F.'s bringing me to the door of the workhouse.
—School and workhouse. The old bodies made a great joke of F.'s bringing me to the door of the workhouse.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
02Mar1867, John Parry and German Reed
LONDON, March 2nd, 1867.
—I went with Grauntcoquitty [FN: I.e. "Granny" and "Aunt Coque" and "Aunt Kitty" : the Dowager Lady Lyttelton, Hon. Caroline Lyttelton, and Miss Pole-Carew.] , Meriel, and Mrs. Robartes (very childish of such old matrons and maids !) to see John Parry and German Reed. Laughed till I was exhausted !
—I went with Grauntcoquitty [FN: I.e. "Granny" and "Aunt Coque" and "Aunt Kitty" : the Dowager Lady Lyttelton, Hon. Caroline Lyttelton, and Miss Pole-Carew.] , Meriel, and Mrs. Robartes (very childish of such old matrons and maids !) to see John Parry and German Reed. Laughed till I was exhausted !
21Feb1867, Visiting the Very Poor
LONDON, February 21st, 1867.
—At the poor dinner was a pretty, bright-eyed little pussy-girl of five, whose remains of dinner I carried home for her, for fear she should come to grief with the plate. She showed me the way, trotting fearlessly along down a squalid street and court, up to the top of a wretched house. On the last landing, a door opened and out peeped another darling little girl. This was "home," and I went in. Father and mother, 4 children, and a baby were in the tiny place ; the little things all pretty and chubby, but the parents pinched and starved-looking: it was a tidy room considering ; I felt ashamed of myself, coming back to this big house, where there is not even one little baby to take up room.
We successfully entertained at dinner the Eddies, the Forsters, Agnes, Mr. Charles Howard , Mr. Tom Hughes. There was some discussion about the volunteers, who were called out illegally to, defend Chester from the Fenians the other day, and are really supposed to have saved the town from attack. The question is, whether it ought to be legal to arm them in cases of civil riots. Mr. Hughes was against it, saying they were and ought to be perfectly free to choose either side ! ! and so it might be awkward.
—At the poor dinner was a pretty, bright-eyed little pussy-girl of five, whose remains of dinner I carried home for her, for fear she should come to grief with the plate. She showed me the way, trotting fearlessly along down a squalid street and court, up to the top of a wretched house. On the last landing, a door opened and out peeped another darling little girl. This was "home," and I went in. Father and mother, 4 children, and a baby were in the tiny place ; the little things all pretty and chubby, but the parents pinched and starved-looking: it was a tidy room considering ; I felt ashamed of myself, coming back to this big house, where there is not even one little baby to take up room.
We successfully entertained at dinner the Eddies, the Forsters, Agnes, Mr. Charles Howard , Mr. Tom Hughes. There was some discussion about the volunteers, who were called out illegally to, defend Chester from the Fenians the other day, and are really supposed to have saved the town from attack. The question is, whether it ought to be legal to arm them in cases of civil riots. Mr. Hughes was against it, saying they were and ought to be perfectly free to choose either side ! ! and so it might be awkward.
20Feb1867, Poor People's Dinner
LONDON, February 20th, 1867.
—Yesterday and to-day I have been to preside at a poor people's dinner just set going in this parish : went afterwards, with a little dot of a girl who had dined, to the district school in Bedfordbury, where were over 100 little creatures, the lowest of the low, in a nice airy room at the top of the building, which has a chapel for its basement, and another school and a mission room "au second."
—Yesterday and to-day I have been to preside at a poor people's dinner just set going in this parish : went afterwards, with a little dot of a girl who had dined, to the district school in Bedfordbury, where were over 100 little creatures, the lowest of the low, in a nice airy room at the top of the building, which has a chapel for its basement, and another school and a mission room "au second."
16Feb1867, Macleod and Canterbury
LONDON, February 16th, 1867.
—We went to Lady Augusta Stanley's, and were introduced to Dr. Macleod, the editor of Good Words, whose Liberalism and penchant for painted windows has affronted certain stiff kirk-people ; but he is a Presbyterian all the same : a big burly man, with a great face full of power, very like my idea of Dr. Johnson. The Dean of Canterbury (Alford) was talking to him ; such a contrast, with his spare figure and thin, sensitive features.
—We went to Lady Augusta Stanley's, and were introduced to Dr. Macleod, the editor of Good Words, whose Liberalism and penchant for painted windows has affronted certain stiff kirk-people ; but he is a Presbyterian all the same : a big burly man, with a great face full of power, very like my idea of Dr. Johnson. The Dean of Canterbury (Alford) was talking to him ; such a contrast, with his spare figure and thin, sensitive features.
15Feb1867, Maid Parry is Expecting
LONDON, February 15th, 1867.
—To my bewilderment and dismay last night, my poor maid Parry, who is married, announced in a tremulous voice, that, when she had been with me only a few days, she suddenly and unexpectedly discovered that she was several months gone with a luckless baby ! My head span, but I hope to manage a stop-gap, and take the poor thing back.
—To my bewilderment and dismay last night, my poor maid Parry, who is married, announced in a tremulous voice, that, when she had been with me only a few days, she suddenly and unexpectedly discovered that she was several months gone with a luckless baby ! My head span, but I hope to manage a stop-gap, and take the poor thing back.
12Feb1867, Uncle W. Much Disgusted
LONDON, February 12th, 1867.
—Uncle W. looks blooming after his holyday. He is as much disgusted and bothered by the course of the Government as it's possible to be : when I said something about the emptiness of the Resolutions, he said, "But there is plenty of poison in them," and later spoke of the difficulty of dealing with "a tortuous policy." He has the profoundest faithlessness in Dizzy ; almost the only man of whom he does not think better than he deserves !
—Uncle W. looks blooming after his holyday. He is as much disgusted and bothered by the course of the Government as it's possible to be : when I said something about the emptiness of the Resolutions, he said, "But there is plenty of poison in them," and later spoke of the difficulty of dealing with "a tortuous policy." He has the profoundest faithlessness in Dizzy ; almost the only man of whom he does not think better than he deserves !
07Feb1867, Tea wth the Stanleys
LONDON, February 7th, 1867.
—Entertained at 5 o'clock tea Agnes, Ly. Augusta Stanley, and her little Dean, who got through an alarming amount of bread and butter. Later, had the honour of a visit from Cavendish who stopped till Freddy came home.
—Entertained at 5 o'clock tea Agnes, Ly. Augusta Stanley, and her little Dean, who got through an alarming amount of bread and butter. Later, had the honour of a visit from Cavendish who stopped till Freddy came home.
02Feb1867, Landseer's Lions
HOLKER, February 2nd, 1867.
—Landseer's lions are actually mounted on the pedestals of the Nelson monument.
—Landseer's lions are actually mounted on the pedestals of the Nelson monument.
30Jan1867, A Plot Among the Whigs
HOLKER, January 30th, 1867.
—There are dismal indications of a plot among the Whigs against Uncle William's leadership of the Opposition, and some have dragged up Cavendish's name to take his place. He has heard nothing of it directly, and would have nothing to do with such a dirty job.
—There are dismal indications of a plot among the Whigs against Uncle William's leadership of the Opposition, and some have dragged up Cavendish's name to take his place. He has heard nothing of it directly, and would have nothing to do with such a dirty job.
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