HAGLEY, April 30th, 1859.
—Bright has beaten Mr. Acland at Birmingham by 3,000, and has made a magnificent speech, the wretch.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
29Apr1859, Adam Bede Bowdlered
HAGLEY, April 29th, 1859.
—Granny began yesterday to spout to us the new novel about which the world raves, " Adam Bede," to be duly bowdlered for our young minds. (Only 1 chapter was missed out.) So nice.
—Granny began yesterday to spout to us the new novel about which the world raves, " Adam Bede," to be duly bowdlered for our young minds. (Only 1 chapter was missed out.) So nice.
16Apr1859, Grinding Despotism for France
HAGLEY, April 16th, 1859.
—I finished Bourrienne's " Napoleon " : very interesting and apparently trust worthy. It is curious how he declares a free government to be indispensable to France, and yet it has never succeeded under one ! On the contrary, this grinding despotism seems the only thing for it. Oh, one has a sort of feeling as one thinks of that, and hears of the decrease of the population, that the everlasting stain of Louis XVI revolution, and the slow murder of his saintly little son, has robbed the nation of all vigour and healthy prosperity.
—I finished Bourrienne's " Napoleon " : very interesting and apparently trust worthy. It is curious how he declares a free government to be indispensable to France, and yet it has never succeeded under one ! On the contrary, this grinding despotism seems the only thing for it. Oh, one has a sort of feeling as one thinks of that, and hears of the decrease of the population, that the everlasting stain of Louis XVI revolution, and the slow murder of his saintly little son, has robbed the nation of all vigour and healthy prosperity.
07Apr1859, Over Clent Hill
HAGLEY, April 7th, 1859.
—I rode till 6 with Arthur, over Clent Hill, by Hunnington and Halesowen-Birmingham road and Wassell road home. Delightful ! The child asking all manner of questions about macadamized roads, poor-law guardians, fire insurances, etc.
—I rode till 6 with Arthur, over Clent Hill, by Hunnington and Halesowen-Birmingham road and Wassell road home. Delightful ! The child asking all manner of questions about macadamized roads, poor-law guardians, fire insurances, etc.
06Apr1859, Summer, Spring, Winter
HAGLEY, April 6th, 1859.
—It is hot and fragrant ; summer in the sun and air and scents, early spring in the leafless beeches, oaks, and elms, winter in the here and there nipped young leaves, consequence of this day week's frost and snow.
—It is hot and fragrant ; summer in the sun and air and scents, early spring in the leafless beeches, oaks, and elms, winter in the here and there nipped young leaves, consequence of this day week's frost and snow.
04Apr1859, In Full Leaf
HAGLEY, April 4th, 1859.
—I hope we appreciate this beautiful early summer : larches, sycamores, in full leaf, everything all life and warmth and loveliness.
—I hope we appreciate this beautiful early summer : larches, sycamores, in full leaf, everything all life and warmth and loveliness.
02Apr1859, Exit Snow, Exit Frost
HAGLEY, April 2nd, 1859.
—Oh, bliss ! the dear soft glorious air again : exit snow, exit frost, exit the last remains of chilliness, but pouring rain all day. I adventurously took pudding and barley-water to the Pratt child ; which is recovering from croup, as none but a poor child would at 6 ½ : warm, green, and delicious.
—Oh, bliss ! the dear soft glorious air again : exit snow, exit frost, exit the last remains of chilliness, but pouring rain all day. I adventurously took pudding and barley-water to the Pratt child ; which is recovering from croup, as none but a poor child would at 6 ½ : warm, green, and delicious.
29Mar1859, Ld. Derby Will Go Out
HAGLEY, March 29th, 1859.
—Every expectation that Ld. Derby will go out, and Radicals come in for good ! ! ! Thunder ! ! ! Uncle Billy lectured on Bodies again.
—Every expectation that Ld. Derby will go out, and Radicals come in for good ! ! ! Thunder ! ! ! Uncle Billy lectured on Bodies again.
17Mar1859, Trapes thro' the Mud
HAGLEY, March 17th, 1859.
—Ceaseless rain till sunset, when soft glowing light broke over everything : too beautiful, contrasting with the heavy clouds. I took advantage of the evening beauty for a 6 o'clock trapes thro' the mud into the villages : hedges quite green in parts. Congregation 10.
—Ceaseless rain till sunset, when soft glowing light broke over everything : too beautiful, contrasting with the heavy clouds. I took advantage of the evening beauty for a 6 o'clock trapes thro' the mud into the villages : hedges quite green in parts. Congregation 10.
04Mar1859, Drive to Obelisk Hill
HAGLEY, March 4th, 1859.
—Most deliciously soft, with dark blue distance, and gleaming sun : coming out of church was like emerging from a well into full summer. A very pleasant day : we went an uproarious and boggy driving-and-riding expedition up the obelisk hill, whence the view was. Thence set off for St. Kenelm, but a much tormented spring of U. B.'s (Uncle Billy's) carriage broke, and we all turned out. Great and high was the facetiousness of the party, in course of which, by an awful absent thoughtlessness, what should I do but call Mr. Pepys Herbert ! The evening is memorable for the surpassing beauty of the singing, which came off in the hall, and for an exciting game of Commerce and Fright. The Miss Yorkes have won our hearts ; especially I like Bertha, who is decidedly pretty.
—Most deliciously soft, with dark blue distance, and gleaming sun : coming out of church was like emerging from a well into full summer. A very pleasant day : we went an uproarious and boggy driving-and-riding expedition up the obelisk hill, whence the view was. Thence set off for St. Kenelm, but a much tormented spring of U. B.'s (Uncle Billy's) carriage broke, and we all turned out. Great and high was the facetiousness of the party, in course of which, by an awful absent thoughtlessness, what should I do but call Mr. Pepys Herbert ! The evening is memorable for the surpassing beauty of the singing, which came off in the hall, and for an exciting game of Commerce and Fright. The Miss Yorkes have won our hearts ; especially I like Bertha, who is decidedly pretty.
01Mar1859, Little Tiddly Lambs
HAGLEY, March 1st, 1859.
—Delightful day, exactly the spring of books, which I used to quiz as never existing. Hedges breaking out here and there into precious little ducky tender green baby leaves : three little tiddly lambs, with only one mother, three calves, rose leaves appearing, primroses, and a scrap of (forced) mignionette.
—Delightful day, exactly the spring of books, which I used to quiz as never existing. Hedges breaking out here and there into precious little ducky tender green baby leaves : three little tiddly lambs, with only one mother, three calves, rose leaves appearing, primroses, and a scrap of (forced) mignionette.
25Feb1859, Parish Matters
HAGLEY, February 25th, 1859.
—Aunt Emmy came, and we talked parish matters, which are unusually exciting with illness : 6 people prayed for ; 4 expecting babies, 3 of whom are anxious cases ; my old Priest ; little Wright children with disgraced father, mad mother, and no money ; little Shilcocks ill with the dregs of scarlet fever ; and to wind up, a bewildering bother about Annie Farmer—who we trusted was off our hands. I drove the children exploring.
—Aunt Emmy came, and we talked parish matters, which are unusually exciting with illness : 6 people prayed for ; 4 expecting babies, 3 of whom are anxious cases ; my old Priest ; little Wright children with disgraced father, mad mother, and no money ; little Shilcocks ill with the dregs of scarlet fever ; and to wind up, a bewildering bother about Annie Farmer—who we trusted was off our hands. I drove the children exploring.
22Feb1859, Mr. Calthorpe wins
HAGLEY, February 22nd, 1859.
—As a counterpoise to this excellent news, Mr. Calthorpe came in by a majority of 320 odd.
—As a counterpoise to this excellent news, Mr. Calthorpe came in by a majority of 320 odd.
23Feb1859, Soft Weather
HAGLEY, February 23rd, 1859.
—I rode in the brilliant and exhilarating soft weather, through the sprouting wheat and up lovely hill and dale, with Mr. and Amelia Claughton, and Arthur who fell flump on his back once. Most pleasant. Oh, the view from High Down !
—I rode in the brilliant and exhilarating soft weather, through the sprouting wheat and up lovely hill and dale, with Mr. and Amelia Claughton, and Arthur who fell flump on his back once. Most pleasant. Oh, the view from High Down !
03Feb1859, Hounds at the Hunt
HAGLEY, February 3rd, 1859.
—Some frostiness. The hounds met in front of the house, and they had a run over the place, which later fun, alas ! we missed. I have been in at the death ; it would have been but reasonable to have seen full cry.
—Some frostiness. The hounds met in front of the house, and they had a run over the place, which later fun, alas ! we missed. I have been in at the death ; it would have been but reasonable to have seen full cry.
28Jan1859, Princess Royal Has a Son
HAGLEY, January 28th, 1859.
—The Princess Royal had a son yesterday at 3 a.m., being of the mature age of 18, bless her ! The little Queen a grandmother, Princess Beatrice an aunt ! ! The Duchess of Kent a great-grandmother ! ! ! Princess Alice wrote the news to Granny : " My dear dear Laddle "—such a happy, natural letter.
—The Princess Royal had a son yesterday at 3 a.m., being of the mature age of 18, bless her ! The little Queen a grandmother, Princess Beatrice an aunt ! ! The Duchess of Kent a great-grandmother ! ! ! Princess Alice wrote the news to Granny : " My dear dear Laddle "—such a happy, natural letter.
27Jan1859, There's to be an Election
HAGLEY, January 27th, 1859.
—East Worcestershire has lost its member, and there's to be an election : Calthorpe, Liberal, against Pakington, Derbyite : goodness knows which is best !
—East Worcestershire has lost its member, and there's to be an election : Calthorpe, Liberal, against Pakington, Derbyite : goodness knows which is best !
26Jan1859, We Shall Not Be Able To Come Out
HAGLEY, January 26th, 1859.
—Corfu news : horrible fear that his Xcellency (Gladstone) will stay indefinitely, in which case he will miss all or a great part of the session, and oh ! result to shake all plans and politics ! we Shall Not Be Able To Come Out ! !
—Corfu news : horrible fear that his Xcellency (Gladstone) will stay indefinitely, in which case he will miss all or a great part of the session, and oh ! result to shake all plans and politics ! we Shall Not Be Able To Come Out ! !
14Jan1859, Bishop of London
HAGLEY, January 14th, 1859.
—I have just read the Bp. of London's charge, which is everywhere reckoned admirable : temperate, wise, careful, showing active knowledge, research, and appreciation of what there is to do, with a humble un-self-asserting tone. May he only act up to it ! The India troubles seem settling down. Our Princess Royal's confinement is daily expected. There is talk of a war between France and Austria.
—I have just read the Bp. of London's charge, which is everywhere reckoned admirable : temperate, wise, careful, showing active knowledge, research, and appreciation of what there is to do, with a humble un-self-asserting tone. May he only act up to it ! The India troubles seem settling down. Our Princess Royal's confinement is daily expected. There is talk of a war between France and Austria.
11Jan1859, Papa Lectures on New Zealand
HAGLEY, January 11th, 1859.
—Papa lectured in the evening on New Zealand — as none but he can ; clear, true, full of bits of his peculiar irresistible fun, and sustaining one's interest perfectly. He left one with such a happy, satisfactory idea of it all, and with proud thrills over its English-born goodness and prosperity. The end was a dear, beautiful allusion to the cloud " abiding "—yet not without light—over his life, and which he likes to speak of—as to those who can know and feel—to his neighbours and people at home. And surely it has gone into all hearts.
—Papa lectured in the evening on New Zealand — as none but he can ; clear, true, full of bits of his peculiar irresistible fun, and sustaining one's interest perfectly. He left one with such a happy, satisfactory idea of it all, and with proud thrills over its English-born goodness and prosperity. The end was a dear, beautiful allusion to the cloud " abiding "—yet not without light—over his life, and which he likes to speak of—as to those who can know and feel—to his neighbours and people at home. And surely it has gone into all hearts.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
30Dec1858, The Ball at Stourbridge
HAGLEY, December 30th, 1858.
—The great event of our first ball came off at Stourbridge, and we much enjoyed it ; chaperoned by Papa and Aunt Coque. The thought would come of how Mamma would have liked taking us ; and it must have made it sad to Papa. But I think he enjoyed seeing us dancing, and greatly we liked it. We were not in bed till past 3, nor up next morning till 11 1/2 ! It felt so dissipated.
—The great event of our first ball came off at Stourbridge, and we much enjoyed it ; chaperoned by Papa and Aunt Coque. The thought would come of how Mamma would have liked taking us ; and it must have made it sad to Papa. But I think he enjoyed seeing us dancing, and greatly we liked it. We were not in bed till past 3, nor up next morning till 11 1/2 ! It felt so dissipated.
15Dec1858, Hunting
HAGLEY, December 15th, 1858.
—Papa and Charles hunted, and came home looking mildewed with fog, having found nothing.
—Papa and Charles hunted, and came home looking mildewed with fog, having found nothing.
04Dec1858, Silence Was Appalling
HAGLEY, December 4th, 1858.
—Soft and pleasant. We made much of the boys : blew soap-bubbles with them (one of mine, by the bye, floated from the perron to the witch elm, where we lost sight of it), played draughts, whist, and backgammon in the evening. I marched in solitary state at 8 to church, which Cooper and I divided between us. Uncle B. reconnoitred from behind the curtain : looked at me in the foreground, dim emptiness behind me, and retreated. After a pause of agitating suspense, Papa and Mr. Boyle came. In due time both clergy walked into the reading-desks, where they stood for full 3 minutes. The silence was appalling. It might have seemed sublime ; but somehow 'twas only ridiculous. After those ominous minutes, Rector and Curate stalked back to the vestry, and Papa and I and Cooper returned to our respective homes.
—Soft and pleasant. We made much of the boys : blew soap-bubbles with them (one of mine, by the bye, floated from the perron to the witch elm, where we lost sight of it), played draughts, whist, and backgammon in the evening. I marched in solitary state at 8 to church, which Cooper and I divided between us. Uncle B. reconnoitred from behind the curtain : looked at me in the foreground, dim emptiness behind me, and retreated. After a pause of agitating suspense, Papa and Mr. Boyle came. In due time both clergy walked into the reading-desks, where they stood for full 3 minutes. The silence was appalling. It might have seemed sublime ; but somehow 'twas only ridiculous. After those ominous minutes, Rector and Curate stalked back to the vestry, and Papa and I and Cooper returned to our respective homes.
01Dec1858, A Problem Visit
HEWELL, December 1st, 1858.
—Two young ladies Bridgeman have been frightfully burnt, through some carelessness. One, Lady Charlotte, died on Saturday. They are daughter-in-law's sisters to Lady Windsor, and very intimate. Hence we concluded that our invitation to Hewell would have been blown up. That not being the case, however, we drove here in the evening, doubting and wondering, 1st whether a letter had been written and miscarried, 2ndly whether we had been altogether forgotten, 3rdly whether we should find the whole party gone to the funeral, or going tomorrow, 4thly whether we were unaccountably reckoned such old shoes that they didn't mind our sitting, dullissimus, benumbing, with them, 5thly if they had taken it for granted we should not come. In all which surmises we were mistaken. We found the Lady Baroness and two daughters in quiet but placid spirits, and happy coloured gowns, quite ready to entertain us, which, with the help of the Revd. Mr. Dickens of Tardybigg, they successfully did till 11 1/4 at night when we went to bed.
—Two young ladies Bridgeman have been frightfully burnt, through some carelessness. One, Lady Charlotte, died on Saturday. They are daughter-in-law's sisters to Lady Windsor, and very intimate. Hence we concluded that our invitation to Hewell would have been blown up. That not being the case, however, we drove here in the evening, doubting and wondering, 1st whether a letter had been written and miscarried, 2ndly whether we had been altogether forgotten, 3rdly whether we should find the whole party gone to the funeral, or going tomorrow, 4thly whether we were unaccountably reckoned such old shoes that they didn't mind our sitting, dullissimus, benumbing, with them, 5thly if they had taken it for granted we should not come. In all which surmises we were mistaken. We found the Lady Baroness and two daughters in quiet but placid spirits, and happy coloured gowns, quite ready to entertain us, which, with the help of the Revd. Mr. Dickens of Tardybigg, they successfully did till 11 1/4 at night when we went to bed.
10Nov1858, The Ionian Isles
HAGLEY, November 10th, 1858.
—I wrote to Agnes, who is going with her parents to the Ionian Isles, he [FN: Mr. Gladstone was sent on a mission to the Ionian Islands in 1858.] as Lord High Commissioner on some knotty point. Very delightful, but they will miss Willy's first Oxford vacation, and be away for Xmas, which is a pity.
—I wrote to Agnes, who is going with her parents to the Ionian Isles, he [FN: Mr. Gladstone was sent on a mission to the Ionian Islands in 1858.] as Lord High Commissioner on some knotty point. Very delightful, but they will miss Willy's first Oxford vacation, and be away for Xmas, which is a pity.
04Nov1858, Old Saxon Architecture
LANHYDROCK, November 4th, 1858.
—Dim, grey day, cold and autumnal, with no distance. We drove with Papa and Mr. Robartes in a post-chay and two, a 40 miles drive to Tintagel and back. The drive was bleak and desolate, over dreary moor, with stunted trees, few and ruinous cottages, and not a human creature for miles ; nearly went melancholy mad. At length we came within sight of the church, standing nakedly up on a hill against the sky, and then by a most unprepossessing approach to a pretty little parsonage smothered in creepers. Here the brisk little Vicar received us with a rapid flow of words and welcomes, and carried us off to the church. I never saw such an interesting one : much of old Saxon architecture, so supposed, Norman, E. English, and a bit of Decorated and Perpendicular : a side-chapel with a stone altar 1,000 years old, with crosses cut upon it, ancient carved wood, and little single lancet windows, with deep splayed sides. We returned to a sumptuous and highly peppered luncheon, and then---- Now for the beauty that forms a fit crowning-point to all that we have seen in this beautiful county.
We went down a rocky valley with a stream running along it into the sea. Then we turned to the left and saw before us a steep path up one of the cliffs, which stood up grandly round the bay, all craggy and broken. The sea was deep emerald-green, far below us. We climbed higher and higher, among the scanty ruins of the Castle, old beyond all date, and said to have been King Arthur's. No use trying to do justice to the greatness and dignity of these perpendicular cliffs, and the sea four hundred feet below, warm with that wonderful colouring in spite of the grey November sunlessness, which, alas ! prevented us from seeing the glorious expanse of horizon.
We saw a peak standing apart, like a needle ; rough and craggy ; and on the flat top is a cross carved, still easy to be seen, and having a look of solemnity, as if the wild rocks and sea would speak of One greater than they. As indeed they do !
—Dim, grey day, cold and autumnal, with no distance. We drove with Papa and Mr. Robartes in a post-chay and two, a 40 miles drive to Tintagel and back. The drive was bleak and desolate, over dreary moor, with stunted trees, few and ruinous cottages, and not a human creature for miles ; nearly went melancholy mad. At length we came within sight of the church, standing nakedly up on a hill against the sky, and then by a most unprepossessing approach to a pretty little parsonage smothered in creepers. Here the brisk little Vicar received us with a rapid flow of words and welcomes, and carried us off to the church. I never saw such an interesting one : much of old Saxon architecture, so supposed, Norman, E. English, and a bit of Decorated and Perpendicular : a side-chapel with a stone altar 1,000 years old, with crosses cut upon it, ancient carved wood, and little single lancet windows, with deep splayed sides. We returned to a sumptuous and highly peppered luncheon, and then---- Now for the beauty that forms a fit crowning-point to all that we have seen in this beautiful county.
We went down a rocky valley with a stream running along it into the sea. Then we turned to the left and saw before us a steep path up one of the cliffs, which stood up grandly round the bay, all craggy and broken. The sea was deep emerald-green, far below us. We climbed higher and higher, among the scanty ruins of the Castle, old beyond all date, and said to have been King Arthur's. No use trying to do justice to the greatness and dignity of these perpendicular cliffs, and the sea four hundred feet below, warm with that wonderful colouring in spite of the grey November sunlessness, which, alas ! prevented us from seeing the glorious expanse of horizon.
We saw a peak standing apart, like a needle ; rough and craggy ; and on the flat top is a cross carved, still easy to be seen, and having a look of solemnity, as if the wild rocks and sea would speak of One greater than they. As indeed they do !
24Oct1858, Aboard the Royal Albert
ANTONY, October 24th, 1858.
—A very pleasant last day. We went for morning service on board C. Rice's ship, the Royal Albert, which we went all over. The service was most striking : the middle deck covered with sailors : 1,000 of them, all very quiet and attentive, the sermon excellent. All the passages in the Liturgy about the sea coming in with such meaning, and the beautiful Navy prayer. I was positively awestruck at the enormous size, depth, and complication of the ship ; with the mighty mysterious machinery, the swarms of sailors, the beautiful incomprehensible rigging, etc., etc. It has the heaviest broadside of any ship in commission. And all as clean as a pink. C. Rice, with other officers, pioneered us about, and we did it as thoroughly as possible in so short a time. We had luncheon on board, and then home, and to afternoon church at the School. A very nice evening of talk, music, and singing.
—A very pleasant last day. We went for morning service on board C. Rice's ship, the Royal Albert, which we went all over. The service was most striking : the middle deck covered with sailors : 1,000 of them, all very quiet and attentive, the sermon excellent. All the passages in the Liturgy about the sea coming in with such meaning, and the beautiful Navy prayer. I was positively awestruck at the enormous size, depth, and complication of the ship ; with the mighty mysterious machinery, the swarms of sailors, the beautiful incomprehensible rigging, etc., etc. It has the heaviest broadside of any ship in commission. And all as clean as a pink. C. Rice, with other officers, pioneered us about, and we did it as thoroughly as possible in so short a time. We had luncheon on board, and then home, and to afternoon church at the School. A very nice evening of talk, music, and singing.
22Oct1858, Fun in the Carriage
ANTONY, October 22nd, 1858.
—We had great fun in the carriage parodying Scott, and singing all the old songs we could rake up.
—We had great fun in the carriage parodying Scott, and singing all the old songs we could rake up.
21Oct1858, The Two Captains Rice
ANTONY, October 21st, 1858.
—We both greatly like the two Captains Rice, who seem sensible and good and are very amusing. We had an exciting morning of battledore and shuttlecock.
—We both greatly like the two Captains Rice, who seem sensible and good and are very amusing. We had an exciting morning of battledore and shuttlecock.
20Oct1858, Most Delightful Day
ANTONY, October 20th, 1858.
—The most delightful day of all. We went in a boat across the Sound to the Breakwater, towed by a gunboat most of the way, and going 7 or 8 miles an hour. We went along the breakwater to the lighthouse, in spite of the sea breaking slightly over it. We climbed up the lighthouse, and going back had a sort of race with the waves, which as the tide was rising deluged the breakwater every moment. M. with her accustomed sang-froid, wouldn't go above a foot's pace, and got drenched up to the knees ; all of us were wet ; it was great fun. Then another delightful row, with the sails up, and all over the dockyard, where I first learnt to appreciate the enormous size of the ships, by their masts and yards. Also saw a penny reduced to pure copper ore by the blow-pipe, and soldering by the same. A delightful row, and pleasant walk home with the elder C. Rice.
—The most delightful day of all. We went in a boat across the Sound to the Breakwater, towed by a gunboat most of the way, and going 7 or 8 miles an hour. We went along the breakwater to the lighthouse, in spite of the sea breaking slightly over it. We climbed up the lighthouse, and going back had a sort of race with the waves, which as the tide was rising deluged the breakwater every moment. M. with her accustomed sang-froid, wouldn't go above a foot's pace, and got drenched up to the knees ; all of us were wet ; it was great fun. Then another delightful row, with the sails up, and all over the dockyard, where I first learnt to appreciate the enormous size of the ships, by their masts and yards. Also saw a penny reduced to pure copper ore by the blow-pipe, and soldering by the same. A delightful row, and pleasant walk home with the elder C. Rice.
18Oct1858, Mount Edgcumbe
ANTONY, October 18th, 1858.
—We went to Church, view St. Luke, and drove with the Carews and young Captain Rice to the top of and all round Mount Edgcumbe. The steep descent below us was one mass of evergreen, tier above tier, and at its foot spread the open sea, lit up with one of the transient gleams of sunlight, which just caught the white crests of the waves ; while to the left lay five stately ships of the line. This broke suddenly upon us, and the beauty was such that I had a wild impulse to fling myself down into its arms as it were.
—We went to Church, view St. Luke, and drove with the Carews and young Captain Rice to the top of and all round Mount Edgcumbe. The steep descent below us was one mass of evergreen, tier above tier, and at its foot spread the open sea, lit up with one of the transient gleams of sunlight, which just caught the white crests of the waves ; while to the left lay five stately ships of the line. This broke suddenly upon us, and the beauty was such that I had a wild impulse to fling myself down into its arms as it were.
12Oct1858, New Cards for Whist
HAGLEY, October 12th, 1858.
—I invested four shillings of my gambling money in a new pack of green-backed cards, with a gold ivy pattern on them, wherewith we played at whist in the evening. I trust they are not intensely vulgar !
—I invested four shillings of my gambling money in a new pack of green-backed cards, with a gold ivy pattern on them, wherewith we played at whist in the evening. I trust they are not intensely vulgar !
11Oct1858, We Came Home
HAGLEY, October 11th, 1858.
—We came home, after a most delightful visit, full of much pleasure, and giving me a very happy launch into the world. I have enjoyed it greatly and kept quite clear of all scrapes. In fact, C. Ebbett has paid us both compliments as to our manner, etc. This is very nice to hear : it is what would have pleased Mamma.
—We came home, after a most delightful visit, full of much pleasure, and giving me a very happy launch into the world. I have enjoyed it greatly and kept quite clear of all scrapes. In fact, C. Ebbett has paid us both compliments as to our manner, etc. This is very nice to hear : it is what would have pleased Mamma.
09Oct1858, Amazing Fun
ESCRICK, October 8th, 1858, or rather the 9th, for it must be past two.
—We have all sat up to this unconscionable hour at Lord Boyle's earnest request to Cousin Ebbett, put in irresistible Irish, under the promise of something amusing at the end of the evening. So we had playing, the Miss Grahams' glorious singing, three comic songs, a round game, from whence I was 10s. richer, and finally a jig by Lord Boyle, in a coat with one tail, tucked-up trousers, and all etcs., to make him a perfect tipsy Irish post-boy. He kept us dying with his brogue for some time : amazing fun, but perfectly gentlemanlike all the time, and looking too absurd. I rode with Bingy, Papa and Edward. We saw some of the shooting. Bingy paid me a most elegant compliment. He asked me if I liked his mother. I said : " Do you think anyone can know her without liking her ? " Says he : " No ; and can anyone know you without liking you ? " He is a pleasant, bright boy, and the pink of courtesy. Papa has sold the Rubens for £500.
—We have all sat up to this unconscionable hour at Lord Boyle's earnest request to Cousin Ebbett, put in irresistible Irish, under the promise of something amusing at the end of the evening. So we had playing, the Miss Grahams' glorious singing, three comic songs, a round game, from whence I was 10s. richer, and finally a jig by Lord Boyle, in a coat with one tail, tucked-up trousers, and all etcs., to make him a perfect tipsy Irish post-boy. He kept us dying with his brogue for some time : amazing fun, but perfectly gentlemanlike all the time, and looking too absurd. I rode with Bingy, Papa and Edward. We saw some of the shooting. Bingy paid me a most elegant compliment. He asked me if I liked his mother. I said : " Do you think anyone can know her without liking her ? " Says he : " No ; and can anyone know you without liking you ? " He is a pleasant, bright boy, and the pink of courtesy. Papa has sold the Rubens for £500.
07Oct1858, A Pleasant Day
ESCRICK, October 7th, 1858.
—Pleasant windy day, warmer ; damp, but no rain. I rode with the three children to Morby, where we saw Mrs. Preston. I was on a nice fast pony, and greatly liked it. For the evening came Mr. and Mrs. Duncombe and her two sisters, who made most beautiful music, singing Italian together in such harmonious unison, with soft full voices. There were also two comic songs, and to wind up, the most capital jig, performed by Lord Boyle and Cousin Bick. Oh, the fun of the former !
—Pleasant windy day, warmer ; damp, but no rain. I rode with the three children to Morby, where we saw Mrs. Preston. I was on a nice fast pony, and greatly liked it. For the evening came Mr. and Mrs. Duncombe and her two sisters, who made most beautiful music, singing Italian together in such harmonious unison, with soft full voices. There were also two comic songs, and to wind up, the most capital jig, performed by Lord Boyle and Cousin Bick. Oh, the fun of the former !
04Oct1858, A Drive and a Comet
ESCRICK, October 4th, 1858.
—We had a 60 miles drive ; to Riveaulx Abbey, four-in-hand, changing horses twice, in the drag. So very delightful : Cousin Ebbett [FN: Lady Wenlock] and I on the outside : the aged Meriel within. There came also Papa and C. Dicker, who drove turn about ; Lord Boyle and Edward Neville. I never saw finer country or such perfect and beautiful Early English ruins. We set off at 9 and were home at 8, I remained outside the whole time. Pouring rain nearly all the morning ; but a beautiful afternoon and night. I saw the heavy bank of clouds that had overhung the sky all day roll off into nothing at nightfall before the stars as they shone out one by one, and the marvellous comet with its sweep of pale light, curving high upwards, like a great white plume, all one line of beauty.
—We had a 60 miles drive ; to Riveaulx Abbey, four-in-hand, changing horses twice, in the drag. So very delightful : Cousin Ebbett [FN: Lady Wenlock] and I on the outside : the aged Meriel within. There came also Papa and C. Dicker, who drove turn about ; Lord Boyle and Edward Neville. I never saw finer country or such perfect and beautiful Early English ruins. We set off at 9 and were home at 8, I remained outside the whole time. Pouring rain nearly all the morning ; but a beautiful afternoon and night. I saw the heavy bank of clouds that had overhung the sky all day roll off into nothing at nightfall before the stars as they shone out one by one, and the marvellous comet with its sweep of pale light, curving high upwards, like a great white plume, all one line of beauty.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
02Oct1858, Mrs. Preston
ESCRICK, October 2nd, 1858.
—I haven't spoken of the people that are here : three daughters of Sir Guy Campbell, one married, Mrs. Preston, the most fascinating beauty I have ever seen : shady deep eyes, all expression and grace ; and such a lovely classical mouth ; figure and manners most winning and refined. All this in spite of a strange impediment in her speech, which makes it a sort of nasal prolonged drawl, but which one does not care for in the fascination of everything about her.
—I haven't spoken of the people that are here : three daughters of Sir Guy Campbell, one married, Mrs. Preston, the most fascinating beauty I have ever seen : shady deep eyes, all expression and grace ; and such a lovely classical mouth ; figure and manners most winning and refined. All this in spite of a strange impediment in her speech, which makes it a sort of nasal prolonged drawl, but which one does not care for in the fascination of everything about her.
01Oct1858, Lord Boyle
ESCRICK, October 1st, 1858.
—Lord Boyle turned up in the evening, and we sat up till nearly 12 with a round game, whereat I won four shillings.
—Lord Boyle turned up in the evening, and we sat up till nearly 12 with a round game, whereat I won four shillings.
30Sep1858, A Pleasant Dinner
ESCRICK, September 30th, 1858.
—A pleasant dinner and evening, with a round game, in which for the first time in my life I played for money.
—A pleasant dinner and evening, with a round game, in which for the first time in my life I played for money.
28Sep1858, The Baby
HAGLEY, September 28th, 1858.
—Baby a bad stye : he kisses his hand to wish good-bye, says please, makes little bows and curtseys, understands all you say to him, pretends to read, takes everyone and everything for horses, clicking to them like a jockey, and talks much in his own way with many intelligible words. But it is impossible to describe the " winsomeness " of him. Newmany has taught him to know and kiss Mamma's picture in the dressing-room and study, and to call her name when he goes there, in a little sighing plaintive voice, oh, so darling and so deeply mournful. He will never know anything but the shadow : poor precious !
—Baby a bad stye : he kisses his hand to wish good-bye, says please, makes little bows and curtseys, understands all you say to him, pretends to read, takes everyone and everything for horses, clicking to them like a jockey, and talks much in his own way with many intelligible words. But it is impossible to describe the " winsomeness " of him. Newmany has taught him to know and kiss Mamma's picture in the dressing-room and study, and to call her name when he goes there, in a little sighing plaintive voice, oh, so darling and so deeply mournful. He will never know anything but the shadow : poor precious !
27Sep1858, Quarrel About Confession
HAGLEY, September 27th, 1858.
—The papers are all wrangling over the new quarrel about confession : how odd people are ! What can be easier than the gentle and wise directions of the Prayer Book to ask advice and guidance when in difficulty, or oppressed with some sin, of the clergyman who has authority to declare forgiveness in the Name of Christ ? And why shd these directions lead clergymen to force their parishioners to unwilling confession ? Or why shd they be made stumbling-blocks and be reckoned popish, as long as St. James' words stand : " Confess your sins one to another " ? Marvellous extremes people fly to ! on whichever side, missing the truth, which is Scriptural, temperate, and wise. In difficulty, with something on your conscience, go to a clergyman ; without a difficulty, without anything on your conscience, do not go. Who wouldn't say Amen to that ?
—The papers are all wrangling over the new quarrel about confession : how odd people are ! What can be easier than the gentle and wise directions of the Prayer Book to ask advice and guidance when in difficulty, or oppressed with some sin, of the clergyman who has authority to declare forgiveness in the Name of Christ ? And why shd these directions lead clergymen to force their parishioners to unwilling confession ? Or why shd they be made stumbling-blocks and be reckoned popish, as long as St. James' words stand : " Confess your sins one to another " ? Marvellous extremes people fly to ! on whichever side, missing the truth, which is Scriptural, temperate, and wise. In difficulty, with something on your conscience, go to a clergyman ; without a difficulty, without anything on your conscience, do not go. Who wouldn't say Amen to that ?
25Sep1858, Back to Hagley
HAGLEY, September 25th, 1858.
—Three cheers, we came home, having been much pleased and amused with our visit. I am amused at everything, dulness and all, and in part it has been very pleasant. Oh, the refreshment of coming into the glowing evening beauty of Hagley, and its dips and rises, even after three days of country as flat as a pancake, and as dull as ditch-water !
—Three cheers, we came home, having been much pleased and amused with our visit. I am amused at everything, dulness and all, and in part it has been very pleasant. Oh, the refreshment of coming into the glowing evening beauty of Hagley, and its dips and rises, even after three days of country as flat as a pancake, and as dull as ditch-water !
24Sep1858, Orphan Home in Glostershire
HAMS, September 24th, 1858.
—They gave us an interesting report of a wonderful Orphan Home in Glostershire (managed by Mr. Muller, a Plymouth Brother), which is flourishing and increasing, though he has no certain money whatever. His strange one-sided religion is sad and unfortunate, for one can hardly tell what lasting and sterling good he may do ; and with such noble singleness of mind and faith, how one longs he should teach all that's right. Then it seems there would be no end to the good he would do. He has nearly 1,000 orphans. If they did but all turn out high-principled, right-minded Christians and Churchpeople ! This they can hardly do, as Plymouth Brethren, poor things, are not allowed to say their prayers till they are converted : what a horrible idea, that one has been a heathen for exactly fourteen years, 11 months, and 864 days, and that then on the 31st of December 185- one becomes a Christian for life ; for this it seems they think happens regularly. And the calm, complacent way in which he talks of the converted and unconverted, those who are Christians and those who are not, settling them up in respective little packets as it were. Who are we to judge our brothers ?
—They gave us an interesting report of a wonderful Orphan Home in Glostershire (managed by Mr. Muller, a Plymouth Brother), which is flourishing and increasing, though he has no certain money whatever. His strange one-sided religion is sad and unfortunate, for one can hardly tell what lasting and sterling good he may do ; and with such noble singleness of mind and faith, how one longs he should teach all that's right. Then it seems there would be no end to the good he would do. He has nearly 1,000 orphans. If they did but all turn out high-principled, right-minded Christians and Churchpeople ! This they can hardly do, as Plymouth Brethren, poor things, are not allowed to say their prayers till they are converted : what a horrible idea, that one has been a heathen for exactly fourteen years, 11 months, and 864 days, and that then on the 31st of December 185- one becomes a Christian for life ; for this it seems they think happens regularly. And the calm, complacent way in which he talks of the converted and unconverted, those who are Christians and those who are not, settling them up in respective little packets as it were. Who are we to judge our brothers ?
22Sep1858, Behaving Properly
HAMS, September 22nd, 1858.
—I am exhausted with behaving properly, and feel as if we had been away from home a week !
—I am exhausted with behaving properly, and feel as if we had been away from home a week !
21Sep1858, Going Out On Visits
HAMS, September 21st, 1858.
—And here am I going out on visits ! Oh, there is something forlorn in us two alone with poor Papa ! It goes to one's heart his taking care for us, and fetching us to go down with him.
—And here am I going out on visits ! Oh, there is something forlorn in us two alone with poor Papa ! It goes to one's heart his taking care for us, and fetching us to go down with him.
12Sep1858, A Comet
HAGLEY, September 12th, 1858.
—Tallee and I read and talked poetry together, in the most romantic fashion, very greatly to our mutual enjoyment. We saw a comet and a meteor.
—Tallee and I read and talked poetry together, in the most romantic fashion, very greatly to our mutual enjoyment. We saw a comet and a meteor.
28Aug1858, Arley Castle
HAGLEY, August 28th, 1858.
—Seven of us, from me downwards excluding Charles, went to Bewdly with Papa, and Miss S. and Uncle Sp. to see the Bakers, and go up the Severn in a barge to Arley Castle, all which was accomplished most satisfactorily. Arley was in our family, but was given away by naughty Tom [FN: The second Lord. "A nobleman," as Sir George Trevelyan has said, "who, rather by contrast to the others of his name than for any exceptionally heinous misdoings of his own, goes by the sobriquet of 'the bad Lord Lyttelton.'"] ; we saw some family pictures and monuments. Such a hideous little church. Beautiful wooded banks and islands up the Severn : I never gave it credit for such beauty.
—Seven of us, from me downwards excluding Charles, went to Bewdly with Papa, and Miss S. and Uncle Sp. to see the Bakers, and go up the Severn in a barge to Arley Castle, all which was accomplished most satisfactorily. Arley was in our family, but was given away by naughty Tom [FN: The second Lord. "A nobleman," as Sir George Trevelyan has said, "who, rather by contrast to the others of his name than for any exceptionally heinous misdoings of his own, goes by the sobriquet of 'the bad Lord Lyttelton.'"] ; we saw some family pictures and monuments. Such a hideous little church. Beautiful wooded banks and islands up the Severn : I never gave it credit for such beauty.
20Aug1858, A Ride to Kinver Edge
HAGLEY, August 20th, 1858.
—Spencer and I went a seventeen-miles ride with Papa to Kinver Edge, most lovely : a hill from which we looked down about 600 feet, as perpendicular as the cliffs of the sea, and the cliffs at the bottom are covered with fern, gorse, and heather, a mass of warm, picturesque colour. A bright view, and such a stirring fresh breeze, all fragrant with heath, the horses enjoying it as much as we.
—Spencer and I went a seventeen-miles ride with Papa to Kinver Edge, most lovely : a hill from which we looked down about 600 feet, as perpendicular as the cliffs of the sea, and the cliffs at the bottom are covered with fern, gorse, and heather, a mass of warm, picturesque colour. A bright view, and such a stirring fresh breeze, all fragrant with heath, the horses enjoying it as much as we.
18Aug1858, The Atlantic Telegraph
HAGLEY, August 18th, 1858.
—Aunt Wenlock came, and played whist with us, graciously bearing with our third-rate powers. The first message arrived in 36 minutes by the Atlantic telegraph : " England and America are united. Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men." Amen, from the bottom of my heart !
—Aunt Wenlock came, and played whist with us, graciously bearing with our third-rate powers. The first message arrived in 36 minutes by the Atlantic telegraph : " England and America are united. Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men." Amen, from the bottom of my heart !
11Aug1858, Mr. Girdlestone
HAGLEY, August 11th, 1858.
—Mr. Girdlestone came for two nights, and we had a pleasant evening, combining words, poets, concertina, whist, reading, and conversation.
—Mr. Girdlestone came for two nights, and we had a pleasant evening, combining words, poets, concertina, whist, reading, and conversation.
05Aug1858, Out of the Schoolroom
HAGLEY, August 5th, 1858.
—This day month I shall be seventeen, and shall come out of the schoolroom ! Oh dear, my old journal : " I'm 13 years old, I wish I was only 12." " Fourteen years." " I have lived fifteen years." " The beginning of ' mortal woe ' with me at sixteen." I recall perfectly each of the days on which I wrote those words, as well as if I had written them yesterday. Oh, the deep sadness of the flying years !
—This day month I shall be seventeen, and shall come out of the schoolroom ! Oh dear, my old journal : " I'm 13 years old, I wish I was only 12." " Fourteen years." " I have lived fifteen years." " The beginning of ' mortal woe ' with me at sixteen." I recall perfectly each of the days on which I wrote those words, as well as if I had written them yesterday. Oh, the deep sadness of the flying years !
30Jul1858, First Omnibus in New Zealand
HAGLEY, July 30th, 1858.
—Heard of the first omnibus appearing with honours in New Zealand.
—Heard of the first omnibus appearing with honours in New Zealand.
20Jul1858, Ordering Dinner
HAGLEY, July 20th, 1858.
—I ordered dinner for the very first time in my life. Oh dear !
—I ordered dinner for the very first time in my life. Oh dear !
04Jul1858, Teaching Bobby
HAGLEY, July 4th, 1858.
—I told Bobby about the Creation, and with some difficulty made him attentive and interested ; when I was describing the empty world with no animals in it, he added : " No stable-yard."
—I told Bobby about the Creation, and with some difficulty made him attentive and interested ; when I was describing the empty world with no animals in it, he added : " No stable-yard."
29Jun1858, The Filthy Thames
HAGLEY, June 29th, 1858.
—Every paper is full of outcries about the filthy state of the Thames, which has reached an appalling climax : affecting the Imperial Parliament of Great Britain itself, which accordingly sticks chloride of lime in its windows, and has stomach-aches nevertheless. Therefore we may hope that something more effective may be done : filthy lucre should be no consideration in the case of filthy smells.
—Every paper is full of outcries about the filthy state of the Thames, which has reached an appalling climax : affecting the Imperial Parliament of Great Britain itself, which accordingly sticks chloride of lime in its windows, and has stomach-aches nevertheless. Therefore we may hope that something more effective may be done : filthy lucre should be no consideration in the case of filthy smells.
23Jun1858, The Mayde of Alle Worke
HAGLEY, June 23rd, 1858.
-I rode a grey mare in the morning, which Papa means to buy, for my riding, the boys', and his own when necessary, and also for hunting and to go in the gig. Therefore is she to be yclept " The Mayde of Alle Worke."
-I rode a grey mare in the morning, which Papa means to buy, for my riding, the boys', and his own when necessary, and also for hunting and to go in the gig. Therefore is she to be yclept " The Mayde of Alle Worke."
11Jun1858, Becoming Grown Up
LONDON, June 11th, 1858.
—I dined with Papa at the Bp. of Worcester's, M. being still feeble, where for the first time I was bowed at to leave the room, and taken in by the Bishop ! I didn't know if I was on my head or my heels.
—I dined with Papa at the Bp. of Worcester's, M. being still feeble, where for the first time I was bowed at to leave the room, and taken in by the Bishop ! I didn't know if I was on my head or my heels.
01Jun1858, Selling the Rubens
LONDON, June 1st, 1858.
—The great Rubens out of the billiard-room came up to be valued, as Papa wants to sell it.
—The great Rubens out of the billiard-room came up to be valued, as Papa wants to sell it.
29May1858, The Crystal Palace, Edmund Kean
LONDON, May 29th, 1858.
—Glorious summer heat, hazy and dazzling, with soft fragrant wind. We went with Aunts Coque and Kitty and Uncle Spencer — such an odd party — to the Crystal Palace, where I have only been once before, 3 or 4 years ago. It was lovely : the trees and grass in early green, and the masses of rhododendrons in flower. We came in for the playing of the fountains, and also heard " Der Freischütz " on the noble organ, and many rather dull things by a brass band. We also dined there, and had delicious strawberry cream ice. The heat was great : overpowering I may say at times, but so beautiful. We stayed till 6, then rushed off in frantic hurry to be in time for the Princess's at 7. We actually were in very good time. Much we admired the marvellous scenery, which is the very best that ever was, and this helping out the noble words of the great play (" King Lear ") made it delightful. But I can't abide the acting. Surely it ought to aim at being natural, not perpetual forced gestures and voice, affected and ranting. Yet we saw Kean, who is reckoned capital
—Glorious summer heat, hazy and dazzling, with soft fragrant wind. We went with Aunts Coque and Kitty and Uncle Spencer — such an odd party — to the Crystal Palace, where I have only been once before, 3 or 4 years ago. It was lovely : the trees and grass in early green, and the masses of rhododendrons in flower. We came in for the playing of the fountains, and also heard " Der Freischütz " on the noble organ, and many rather dull things by a brass band. We also dined there, and had delicious strawberry cream ice. The heat was great : overpowering I may say at times, but so beautiful. We stayed till 6, then rushed off in frantic hurry to be in time for the Princess's at 7. We actually were in very good time. Much we admired the marvellous scenery, which is the very best that ever was, and this helping out the noble words of the great play (" King Lear ") made it delightful. But I can't abide the acting. Surely it ought to aim at being natural, not perpetual forced gestures and voice, affected and ranting. Yet we saw Kean, who is reckoned capital
26May1858, Charles' Noble Play
LONDON, May 26th, 1858.
—Many spoke of Charles' noble play, which has been mentioned in the Morning Post as some of the best ever seen ! ! !
—Many spoke of Charles' noble play, which has been mentioned in the Morning Post as some of the best ever seen ! ! !
24May1858, Charles' Innings
LONDON, May 24th, 1858.
—Papa came back from Eton, so pleased with just coming in time for Charles' innings at cricket, where he stayed in for an hour and a half against the best bowler at Eton, and got 57 runs, and 13 later.
—Papa came back from Eton, so pleased with just coming in time for Charles' innings at cricket, where he stayed in for an hour and a half against the best bowler at Eton, and got 57 runs, and 13 later.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
13May1858, Bishop Cotton Consecrated
LONDON, May 13th, 1858.
—We saw Cotton, Bishop of Calcutta , consecrated in Westminster Abbey, by Canterbury and 8 other Bishops. Most beautiful to see the united hands blessing the new Bishop, and much indeed does he need prayer and blessing for the weighty and responsible work before him, in that troubled and rebellious land.
The service lasted 5 hours, for there was a somewhat tedious sermon, and the Holy Communion, at which there were 400 ; it was very striking and perfect, in that glorious old Abbey, fit indeed for high services offered to God in the beauty of holiness, as to-day.
—We saw Cotton, Bishop of Calcutta , consecrated in Westminster Abbey, by Canterbury and 8 other Bishops. Most beautiful to see the united hands blessing the new Bishop, and much indeed does he need prayer and blessing for the weighty and responsible work before him, in that troubled and rebellious land.
The service lasted 5 hours, for there was a somewhat tedious sermon, and the Holy Communion, at which there were 400 ; it was very striking and perfect, in that glorious old Abbey, fit indeed for high services offered to God in the beauty of holiness, as to-day.
10May1858, Princess Royal
LONDON, May 10th, 1858.
—We tramped waiting in vain for a sight of the Queen. The dear Princess Royal begged Lady Raglan to tell Granny how happy she was ; she is extremely popular, and loved by everyone. God bless her !
—We tramped waiting in vain for a sight of the Queen. The dear Princess Royal begged Lady Raglan to tell Granny how happy she was ; she is extremely popular, and loved by everyone. God bless her !
09May1858, The Miss Fortescues
LONDON, May 9th, 1858.
—We met the 3 eldest Miss Fortescues after service, all alike : sallow, long-nosed, brown-eyed individuals. The third is just out. Althorp was at church, and so was Miss Seymour, but we didn't see her, much to my disappointment.
—We met the 3 eldest Miss Fortescues after service, all alike : sallow, long-nosed, brown-eyed individuals. The third is just out. Althorp was at church, and so was Miss Seymour, but we didn't see her, much to my disappointment.
06May1858, Althorp is to Marry
LONDON, May 6th, 1858.
—There was a breakfast. [FN: This, I think, means a meeting of the Breakfast Club, a society of "intellectuals" who breakfasted together from time to time.] Poor Papa had an attack of influenza ; he has never been poorly so long together I should think. Now for a good bit of news. Althorp is to marry Miss Charlotte Seymour ! who is good, lovely, darkish, not over tall, and everything delightful. Edward T. is going on well, his pulse improving, and his appetite better. Such a blessing. A delightful concert at St. James's Hall which is most magnificent.
—There was a breakfast. [FN: This, I think, means a meeting of the Breakfast Club, a society of "intellectuals" who breakfasted together from time to time.] Poor Papa had an attack of influenza ; he has never been poorly so long together I should think. Now for a good bit of news. Althorp is to marry Miss Charlotte Seymour ! who is good, lovely, darkish, not over tall, and everything delightful. Edward T. is going on well, his pulse improving, and his appetite better. Such a blessing. A delightful concert at St. James's Hall which is most magnificent.
04Apr1858, Church Twice
HAGLEY, April 4th, Easter Sunday, 1858.
—Tolerably fine, more chilly. Such a sermon of Uncle Billy's, sounding inspired in parts, going into great heights and depths. Church twice.
—Tolerably fine, more chilly. Such a sermon of Uncle Billy's, sounding inspired in parts, going into great heights and depths. Church twice.
13Mar1858, Deep Blue Distance
HAGLEY, March 13th, 1858.
—Delightful stirring S. wind ; rainy, with flying clouds : deep blue distance ; snow disappearing ; my cold at a climax.
—Delightful stirring S. wind ; rainy, with flying clouds : deep blue distance ; snow disappearing ; my cold at a climax.
10Mar1858, Played at Battledore
HAGLEY, March 10th, 1858.
—We played at battledore and shuttlecock, went to the church, and to see a newborn family of rabbits. I read Is. LIII to Nanny. Mg. and Evg. services : a good sermon at the latter.
—We played at battledore and shuttlecock, went to the church, and to see a newborn family of rabbits. I read Is. LIII to Nanny. Mg. and Evg. services : a good sermon at the latter.
03Mar1858, A Visit to Althorp
ALTHORP, March 3rd, 1858.
—We came to Althorp, where we were last four years ago, just before Bobbie's (6th Earl Spencer) birth ; the account is in the first volume of my journal, which I have lost, alas ! We seem to have stood apart during these four years and watched the rapid changes. When we were here then, Aunt Yaddy was Tallee's friend Miss Seymour, Uncle Fritz sat at the head of the table, the house was full of company and amuse¬ment but at grave moments the shadows of the two first great griefs one might still fancy hanging over the place. Now, there is a young widow with two babies beside her, and Tallee is an orphan. And we, children then, grief never known to us, and feeling strange and grown up in being away from Papa and Mamma. Now, coming with Papa, alone, bringing our own heavy sorrow into this changed and sorrowful house. God be thanked we knew not what was coming !
Such dear little children. Victoria says next to nothing, but in a tiny bell-like voice, and compensates for her extreme ugliness by the most winning signs and movements, pointing and gesticulating with a pair of fairy hands, or with little rounded wrists. The baby fair and pretty, placid and happy with everyone.
—We came to Althorp, where we were last four years ago, just before Bobbie's (6th Earl Spencer) birth ; the account is in the first volume of my journal, which I have lost, alas ! We seem to have stood apart during these four years and watched the rapid changes. When we were here then, Aunt Yaddy was Tallee's friend Miss Seymour, Uncle Fritz sat at the head of the table, the house was full of company and amuse¬ment but at grave moments the shadows of the two first great griefs one might still fancy hanging over the place. Now, there is a young widow with two babies beside her, and Tallee is an orphan. And we, children then, grief never known to us, and feeling strange and grown up in being away from Papa and Mamma. Now, coming with Papa, alone, bringing our own heavy sorrow into this changed and sorrowful house. God be thanked we knew not what was coming !
Such dear little children. Victoria says next to nothing, but in a tiny bell-like voice, and compensates for her extreme ugliness by the most winning signs and movements, pointing and gesticulating with a pair of fairy hands, or with little rounded wrists. The baby fair and pretty, placid and happy with everyone.
02Feb1858, Peerage of 1854
HAGLEY, February 2nd, 1858.
—We have got a '54 Peerage, wherein I diligently insert alterations gleaned from The Times' births, deaths, and marriages, chiefly in the sanguine hope of improving my knowledge of people's families, titles, relations, and circumstances. To-day there was the birth of a son to Honble. Mrs. Brand, daughter-in-law of the house of Dacre, and the marriage of a great-niece of that of Mar and Kellie to a stick in Siam. There ! I trust I shall remember them.
[FN: What sort of gentleman a "stick in Siam" is I have no idea !]
—We have got a '54 Peerage, wherein I diligently insert alterations gleaned from The Times' births, deaths, and marriages, chiefly in the sanguine hope of improving my knowledge of people's families, titles, relations, and circumstances. To-day there was the birth of a son to Honble. Mrs. Brand, daughter-in-law of the house of Dacre, and the marriage of a great-niece of that of Mar and Kellie to a stick in Siam. There ! I trust I shall remember them.
[FN: What sort of gentleman a "stick in Siam" is I have no idea !]
29Jan1858, The Sepoys
HAGLEY, January 29th, 1858.
—Very good and interesting letter of Eddy Watson's ; only rather horrid his saying he could almost like to see the sepoys tortured : as Granny said, the logic of the day seems : " Oh, how horrible the conduct of these sepoys ! What diabolical cruelty ! what villainy ! Let's go and do exactly the same ! "
—Very good and interesting letter of Eddy Watson's ; only rather horrid his saying he could almost like to see the sepoys tortured : as Granny said, the logic of the day seems : " Oh, how horrible the conduct of these sepoys ! What diabolical cruelty ! what villainy ! Let's go and do exactly the same ! "
15Jan1858, Relief of Lucknow
HAGLEY, January 15th, 1858.
—Still more magnificent Sir C. Campbell's Relief of Lucknow, the whole population of which, garrison, women, children, wounded, and sick, he brought out, unhurt every one.
—Still more magnificent Sir C. Campbell's Relief of Lucknow, the whole population of which, garrison, women, children, wounded, and sick, he brought out, unhurt every one.
14Jan1858, The Siege of Lucknow
HAGLEY, January 14th, 1858.
—We read Inglis' account of the siege of Lucknow, which will be a great historical name, therefore I need not give details. It is more like the siege of Londonderry than anything, and gives one sure and exulting confidence in the nobleness of English hearts and hands.
—We read Inglis' account of the siege of Lucknow, which will be a great historical name, therefore I need not give details. It is more like the siege of Londonderry than anything, and gives one sure and exulting confidence in the nobleness of English hearts and hands.
01Jan1858, A Prayer
HAGLEY, January 1st, 1858.
—Do we but cling on to the Chain of Thine Everlasting Mercy, we are sure of the Blessing—through life, in death ; for neither life nor death can separate us from that unutterable Love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. A day exactly like yesterday in weather, most beautiful.
—Do we but cling on to the Chain of Thine Everlasting Mercy, we are sure of the Blessing—through life, in death ; for neither life nor death can separate us from that unutterable Love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. A day exactly like yesterday in weather, most beautiful.
29Dec1857, Uncle Fritz Dies
HAGLEY, December 29th, 1857.
—Alas ! Granny was too late. ! Uncle Fritz died an hour after she left Hagley, for he had no strength of constitution to resist the illness. And the short brightness of Althorp is clouded —sorrow has come upon them at the height of their happiness. Tallee and Althorp are lonely orphans, and the two little children are fatherless. Poor Aunt Yaddy, only two months ago rejoicing in her little son, who came to gladden his father's eyes, so short a time before they were to close
—Alas ! Granny was too late. ! Uncle Fritz died an hour after she left Hagley, for he had no strength of constitution to resist the illness. And the short brightness of Althorp is clouded —sorrow has come upon them at the height of their happiness. Tallee and Althorp are lonely orphans, and the two little children are fatherless. Poor Aunt Yaddy, only two months ago rejoicing in her little son, who came to gladden his father's eyes, so short a time before they were to close
27Dec1857, Granny Summoned to Althorp
HAGLEY, December 27th, 1857.
—A telegraph with most alarming accounts from Althorp summoning poor Granny.
—A telegraph with most alarming accounts from Althorp summoning poor Granny.
18Dec1857, Lord John
HAGLEY, December 18th, 1857.
—High soft wind. Papa rode with Lord John. He said there were ripe natural strawberries and raspberries a month ago. I walked with Miss Smith : began Thierry's " Norman Conquest." Lord John gave Charles (his godson) a perfect little leather case, containing Bible, Prayer Book, and Christian Year.
—High soft wind. Papa rode with Lord John. He said there were ripe natural strawberries and raspberries a month ago. I walked with Miss Smith : began Thierry's " Norman Conquest." Lord John gave Charles (his godson) a perfect little leather case, containing Bible, Prayer Book, and Christian Year.
05Nov1857, Beset With Dangers
HAWARDEN, November 5th, 1857.
—We feel like living beset with dangers ; great fears for St. John's, for a man keeps skulking about it. However they are on the watch. All the clergy are sending for 6-barrelled revolvers ; Uncle Henry has his gardener under his stairs, and Mr. Austin sows gunpowder on his window sills : he will probably blow up. The Rate gives 1000, (from editor: i.e. £1000 for restoration of the church) so there is over 3000. Such weather.
—We feel like living beset with dangers ; great fears for St. John's, for a man keeps skulking about it. However they are on the watch. All the clergy are sending for 6-barrelled revolvers ; Uncle Henry has his gardener under his stairs, and Mr. Austin sows gunpowder on his window sills : he will probably blow up. The Rate gives 1000, (from editor: i.e. £1000 for restoration of the church) so there is over 3000. Such weather.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
29Oct1857, A Fire
HAWARDEN, October 29th, 1857.
—The much-loved, time-honoured old mother church was set on fire between three and four in the morning, and before the afternoon was destroyed with the exception of the walls, tower, and chancel windows and stalls. The whole of the nave and aisle roofs fell in, and the chancel one will have to come down. The W. window, stone work and all, is destroyed ; the tracery of the others still stands ; all the glass shivered, except in the chancel. Miss S. awoke me at about 1/2 past 5 to tell me, news having been sent to the Castle of it. We scrambled on to the leads of the house, and from thence saw the red glow beating high into the sky above the trees. Before 7 1/2 we went to see. The flames were then being subdued, but the whole floor of the body of the church was a mass of burning beams and red-hot ashes : the columns blackened and stripped of their plaster (a good thing, by the way), the last of the nave rafters burning away in its place across the top of the chancel, and the broken mullions of the W. window alone remaining, the font a shapeless ruin, the roof of the chancel, which still stood, smouldering and occasionally breaking out into flame, the fire-engine fizzing, roaring, rushing, spouting, drenching, a line of schoolboys passing buckets, rather enjoying the fun, an excited crowd all round ; the beautiful Memorial windows looking down upon the wreck serene and unmoved in the morning light, and the old clock melodiously chiming the quarters as if nothing had happened. While we stood on the tombstones bouche béante, the last rafter gave way, and fell amid showers of sparks. Uncle Henry and Mr. Troughton were busy on the top of the chancel wall hauling up buckets, in the hope of saving the roof. The S. chancel aisle roof is saved. Uncle Stephen was there, almost niobe, as was Uncle H. ; Molly Glynne pink and green with dismay ; Miss Brown with her gown and shawl over her night-gown ; Mr. Brewster with his white hair in indescribable confusion, looking like a wild foreigner ; old Bennett helplessly wringing his hands. The engine was kept playing incessantly about the chancel, and at last the fire in the roof was put out, but not before the beams were charred and wasted, and the intermediate spaces done for. Then there was an alarm about the tower floor, the principal beam of which seemed almost self-supported, and true enough while they were spouting at it, crash came part of it, and nearly smashed young Waldegrave Brewster. We picked up particulars as we looked on, and later. The Grammar School master was roused a little after 4 by his dog barking, and saw flames breaking out of the W. window. He rapidly alarmed the village, Mr. Br. among the rest, who instantly sent to Chester for the fire brigade, which arrived promptly in 20 minutes. Meanwhile he, Uncle Henry, and Uncle William later, worked wonders at the church. Mr. B. crept on all 4s through stifling smoke into the vestry, and, with the aid of a maukin and Uncle H. who got in through the window, saved therefrom the parish registers. They penetrated into the chancel, brought out the seats of the choir, arrested the progress of the fire with mere buckets of water, had the organ fetched out, while the candelabras, altar-cloth, and a mass of books were also saved, either by them or by others. Now, the horrid part is that it is proved the church was fired on purpose, probably about 3 o'clock. For the organ was fired inside, and the W. end had also been set fire to. Moreover the poor-box was broken into, its staple was found on the ground, with the tool used. It is an act of diabolical wickedness : destroying the House of God, and a part of it too specially used for His praise, the noble organ whose voice has ever pealed through the church divine music, speaking to Him in what may well be thought echoes from the " Seraph choir," for there is something more than earthly and human in the voice of music.
—The much-loved, time-honoured old mother church was set on fire between three and four in the morning, and before the afternoon was destroyed with the exception of the walls, tower, and chancel windows and stalls. The whole of the nave and aisle roofs fell in, and the chancel one will have to come down. The W. window, stone work and all, is destroyed ; the tracery of the others still stands ; all the glass shivered, except in the chancel. Miss S. awoke me at about 1/2 past 5 to tell me, news having been sent to the Castle of it. We scrambled on to the leads of the house, and from thence saw the red glow beating high into the sky above the trees. Before 7 1/2 we went to see. The flames were then being subdued, but the whole floor of the body of the church was a mass of burning beams and red-hot ashes : the columns blackened and stripped of their plaster (a good thing, by the way), the last of the nave rafters burning away in its place across the top of the chancel, and the broken mullions of the W. window alone remaining, the font a shapeless ruin, the roof of the chancel, which still stood, smouldering and occasionally breaking out into flame, the fire-engine fizzing, roaring, rushing, spouting, drenching, a line of schoolboys passing buckets, rather enjoying the fun, an excited crowd all round ; the beautiful Memorial windows looking down upon the wreck serene and unmoved in the morning light, and the old clock melodiously chiming the quarters as if nothing had happened. While we stood on the tombstones bouche béante, the last rafter gave way, and fell amid showers of sparks. Uncle Henry and Mr. Troughton were busy on the top of the chancel wall hauling up buckets, in the hope of saving the roof. The S. chancel aisle roof is saved. Uncle Stephen was there, almost niobe, as was Uncle H. ; Molly Glynne pink and green with dismay ; Miss Brown with her gown and shawl over her night-gown ; Mr. Brewster with his white hair in indescribable confusion, looking like a wild foreigner ; old Bennett helplessly wringing his hands. The engine was kept playing incessantly about the chancel, and at last the fire in the roof was put out, but not before the beams were charred and wasted, and the intermediate spaces done for. Then there was an alarm about the tower floor, the principal beam of which seemed almost self-supported, and true enough while they were spouting at it, crash came part of it, and nearly smashed young Waldegrave Brewster. We picked up particulars as we looked on, and later. The Grammar School master was roused a little after 4 by his dog barking, and saw flames breaking out of the W. window. He rapidly alarmed the village, Mr. Br. among the rest, who instantly sent to Chester for the fire brigade, which arrived promptly in 20 minutes. Meanwhile he, Uncle Henry, and Uncle William later, worked wonders at the church. Mr. B. crept on all 4s through stifling smoke into the vestry, and, with the aid of a maukin and Uncle H. who got in through the window, saved therefrom the parish registers. They penetrated into the chancel, brought out the seats of the choir, arrested the progress of the fire with mere buckets of water, had the organ fetched out, while the candelabras, altar-cloth, and a mass of books were also saved, either by them or by others. Now, the horrid part is that it is proved the church was fired on purpose, probably about 3 o'clock. For the organ was fired inside, and the W. end had also been set fire to. Moreover the poor-box was broken into, its staple was found on the ground, with the tool used. It is an act of diabolical wickedness : destroying the House of God, and a part of it too specially used for His praise, the noble organ whose voice has ever pealed through the church divine music, speaking to Him in what may well be thought echoes from the " Seraph choir," for there is something more than earthly and human in the voice of music.
22Oct1857, Reading
HAWARDEN, October 22nd, 1857.
—We read "Waverley" in the evening ; it seems to me heavy and prosy, but improves as it goes on.
HAWARDEN, October 23rd, 1857.
—We read "Waverley" in the evening : it gets interesting.
—We read "Waverley" in the evening ; it seems to me heavy and prosy, but improves as it goes on.
HAWARDEN, October 23rd, 1857.
—We read "Waverley" in the evening : it gets interesting.
17Aug1857, Mamma Dies
HAGLEY, August 17th, 1857.
—Suffering, and discomfort, and wearing, and sinking, only for a little while more. The Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, is hers now—it's all over, all left behind ; the Everlasting Morning has dawned on the short weary night. With Christ, which is far better, and all tears wiped away ; and the calm of Paradise, and the Arms of God.
—Suffering, and discomfort, and wearing, and sinking, only for a little while more. The Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, is hers now—it's all over, all left behind ; the Everlasting Morning has dawned on the short weary night. With Christ, which is far better, and all tears wiped away ; and the calm of Paradise, and the Arms of God.
13Aug1857, The Soul-light On Her Face
HAGLEY, August 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 1857.
—It is of no use—God has set His seal. She speaks about it, and the soul-light on her face makes her wonderful to look at. On Sunday she kissed all her twelve poor children, and said good-bye, and then she took the Blessed Communion with many of us, and then she lay still, waiting. Her precious eyes were very blue and clear, shining strangely, and looking on, away, beyond us, except when she turned them on us with a depth of wistful tenderness. No more suffering all Sunday, and such precious words : remembering everyone ; no fear and distress.
—It is of no use—God has set His seal. She speaks about it, and the soul-light on her face makes her wonderful to look at. On Sunday she kissed all her twelve poor children, and said good-bye, and then she took the Blessed Communion with many of us, and then she lay still, waiting. Her precious eyes were very blue and clear, shining strangely, and looking on, away, beyond us, except when she turned them on us with a depth of wistful tenderness. No more suffering all Sunday, and such precious words : remembering everyone ; no fear and distress.
30Jun1857, The Brichtzka
HAGLEY, June 30th, 1857.
—Our coach-horses ! took Mamma out in the brichtzka for the first time, with good success ; Uncle William's Budget, spirited and a desperate puller, and a slow solemn creature whom Mamma has named Oenone, viewing Papa's beautiful translation of that poem, just printed.
—Our coach-horses ! took Mamma out in the brichtzka for the first time, with good success ; Uncle William's Budget, spirited and a desperate puller, and a slow solemn creature whom Mamma has named Oenone, viewing Papa's beautiful translation of that poem, just printed.
19Jun1857, Mamma's Drive
HAGLEY, June 19th, 1857.
—Mamma had a drive in the Robins' carriage : a most acceptable loan, view our deficiency of vehicle, for she cannot bear the rough jolting of the pony carriage : she has had one or two drives in it ; me driving, to my extreme pride. Mamma seems quite to trust me, which she never used to with the ponies
—Mamma had a drive in the Robins' carriage : a most acceptable loan, view our deficiency of vehicle, for she cannot bear the rough jolting of the pony carriage : she has had one or two drives in it ; me driving, to my extreme pride. Mamma seems quite to trust me, which she never used to with the ponies
08Jun1857, Our Last Day
FALCONHURST, June 8th, 1857.
—Our last day ! I went to the dear little church for the last service, and hovering about near it was caught by Mr. Hunt, who walked and talked home with me. A sort of recapitulation of what he has said before. I made Witherby show me at the last minute a cunning nightingale's and a nettle-creeper's nests, close to each other in some brushwood, and was only back in time for some goodbyes. I saved a daisy from among my Confirmation ones which were all expanding in water, stuffed the beautiful little nest of the Portugal laurel chaffinch into my pocket, with the cuckoo's egg in it, and we all set off in the car, and two other conveyances : Papa and Mamma in the pony carriage. We have left a bright blessed time behind us.
—Our last day ! I went to the dear little church for the last service, and hovering about near it was caught by Mr. Hunt, who walked and talked home with me. A sort of recapitulation of what he has said before. I made Witherby show me at the last minute a cunning nightingale's and a nettle-creeper's nests, close to each other in some brushwood, and was only back in time for some goodbyes. I saved a daisy from among my Confirmation ones which were all expanding in water, stuffed the beautiful little nest of the Portugal laurel chaffinch into my pocket, with the cuckoo's egg in it, and we all set off in the car, and two other conveyances : Papa and Mamma in the pony carriage. We have left a bright blessed time behind us.
05Jun1857, Mr. Hunt
FALCONHURST, June 5th, 1857.
—Mr. Hunt [FN: The Vicar of the parish, a lifelong friend of the Talbot family] saw me before the evening of yesterday, and again either to-day or Saturday Agnes and I went through the Communion Service with him. My two godparents, Aunt Coque and Uncle Stephen, were there. Aunt Coque gave me yesterday the medallion of a Head crowned with thorns : most beautiful. I have had two such letters : one from Uncle Billy and one from Dove [FN: Her former governess, Mrs. Oxley].
—Mr. Hunt [FN: The Vicar of the parish, a lifelong friend of the Talbot family] saw me before the evening of yesterday, and again either to-day or Saturday Agnes and I went through the Communion Service with him. My two godparents, Aunt Coque and Uncle Stephen, were there. Aunt Coque gave me yesterday the medallion of a Head crowned with thorns : most beautiful. I have had two such letters : one from Uncle Billy and one from Dove [FN: Her former governess, Mrs. Oxley].
04Jun1857, Confirmation
FALCONHURST, Thursday, June 4th, 1857.
—I was confirmed at Penshurst Church with many others by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sumner. We left Falconhurst early ; I was so sorry Aggy didn't come and wasn't confirmed with me. She and Cecil had got me a little bunch of daisies, which I loved taking with me. It was very quiet and all fear and trembling seemed gone. The long drive was nice and stilling, and the glorious bells chimed as we came up to the church. I had Papa on one side, Mamma on the other. We waited in the church for a long time before the Archbishop came, but it didn't seem so to me. And I seem to remember nothing very distinctly till I went up and knelt on the altar step, feeling the strangest thrill as I did so for the first time. And I know how I waited breathlessly for my turn, with the longing for it to be safe done, half feeling that something might yet prevent it. And I know that I felt when it was I that should come next at last, though my face was hid down in my hands. And I know that I shall never forget the touch of the hand on my head : " Defend, 0 Lord, this Thy servant with Thy heavenly Grace . . ." and the glorious rush of trembling calm that followed in indescribable feeling. And then I went back and knelt down. The crying came then, and the Thanksgiving and Prayers mingled and repeated in unutterable gratitude, while the " Defend, 0 Lord," blended with them in the gentle faltering words unceasingly. And the new Life has begun.
—I was confirmed at Penshurst Church with many others by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sumner. We left Falconhurst early ; I was so sorry Aggy didn't come and wasn't confirmed with me. She and Cecil had got me a little bunch of daisies, which I loved taking with me. It was very quiet and all fear and trembling seemed gone. The long drive was nice and stilling, and the glorious bells chimed as we came up to the church. I had Papa on one side, Mamma on the other. We waited in the church for a long time before the Archbishop came, but it didn't seem so to me. And I seem to remember nothing very distinctly till I went up and knelt on the altar step, feeling the strangest thrill as I did so for the first time. And I know how I waited breathlessly for my turn, with the longing for it to be safe done, half feeling that something might yet prevent it. And I know that I felt when it was I that should come next at last, though my face was hid down in my hands. And I know that I shall never forget the touch of the hand on my head : " Defend, 0 Lord, this Thy servant with Thy heavenly Grace . . ." and the glorious rush of trembling calm that followed in indescribable feeling. And then I went back and knelt down. The crying came then, and the Thanksgiving and Prayers mingled and repeated in unutterable gratitude, while the " Defend, 0 Lord," blended with them in the gentle faltering words unceasingly. And the new Life has begun.
30May1857, Fishing
FALCONHURST, May 30th, 1857.
—I went to look at the robin's nest, wherein all the eggs are hatched but one. The chaffinch's in the P. laurel have vanished like the others : it must be a weasel. We went in the afternoon to a pond some way off, where we fished : Witherby presiding. I had been in common with all the others tantalized by perpetual bites, and had twice I think brought a roach above water, which then splashed away again, and had in some despair changed my place, when behold ! two or three little bobs of the float, a very great one, a dash of it towards the middle of the pond, a stiff tightening of the line, a frantic tug upwards on my part, a flight through the air of a great flapping fish and a landing of a—carp ! ! ! !
With this overwhelming exploit, my afternoon deeds ceased ; I caught no more. Two little roach had been caught before, one by Cecil, and one by Edward, but the capture of the carp seemed to exhaust the pool, for even bobs of the float became rare. But it was all great fun, especially the frequent excited appeals to Oracle Witherby, on the occasion of deceptive Bobs, or Roberts, as Meriel's wit denominated them. We ordered the carp to be done for dinner, in spite of its single blessedness, and had the two small fry for tea. But alas ! the carp was let fall by the culpable cook and rendered unfit for presentation.
—I went to look at the robin's nest, wherein all the eggs are hatched but one. The chaffinch's in the P. laurel have vanished like the others : it must be a weasel. We went in the afternoon to a pond some way off, where we fished : Witherby presiding. I had been in common with all the others tantalized by perpetual bites, and had twice I think brought a roach above water, which then splashed away again, and had in some despair changed my place, when behold ! two or three little bobs of the float, a very great one, a dash of it towards the middle of the pond, a stiff tightening of the line, a frantic tug upwards on my part, a flight through the air of a great flapping fish and a landing of a—carp ! ! ! !
With this overwhelming exploit, my afternoon deeds ceased ; I caught no more. Two little roach had been caught before, one by Cecil, and one by Edward, but the capture of the carp seemed to exhaust the pool, for even bobs of the float became rare. But it was all great fun, especially the frequent excited appeals to Oracle Witherby, on the occasion of deceptive Bobs, or Roberts, as Meriel's wit denominated them. We ordered the carp to be done for dinner, in spite of its single blessedness, and had the two small fry for tea. But alas ! the carp was let fall by the culpable cook and rendered unfit for presentation.
27May1857, Boiled Eggs
FALCONHURST, May 27th, 1857.
—We boiled two eggs ourselves, to a nicety, and the elders came to look at us. Agnes has actually been to the Opera !
—We boiled two eggs ourselves, to a nicety, and the elders came to look at us. Agnes has actually been to the Opera !
Sunday, February 19, 2006
26May1857, Nests and Eggs
FALCONHURST, May 26th, 1857.
—Mr. Hunt saw me again : went through some of the Commandments, and spoke about Amelia, whom he saw, and advised me to go on speaking to her. A very nice talk. We have got in the garden seven nests, all eggs except the linnet's. Besides those mentioned elsewhere, a coletit's lying on its side on the ground wherein we found first two, then three, then four, then five, and now six lovely eggs, pure white, with red spots on the thick end. And I found a perfect little chaffinch nest, in a Portugal laurel, with three eggs, and there is another with three eggs in a little cedar. There was a sparrow's near this one, but alas ! four pretty eggs disappeared mysteriously. We have taken the cuckoo's egg from the robin, for it would only turn the little robins out. Alack ! to-day an egg vanished from my nest, and horror of horrors ! abominable Gip, Edward's dog, caught and killed a darling linnet, now full-fledged and able to flutter about. A most mysterious event has happened with regard to the nest in the cedar. The three eggs were hatched a few days ago, first two, and then the third. Visiting it on Monday, I found but two birdlings, the nest weighed down on one side, and the third suspended by its poor little claw to a branch below, quite cold and dead. Having fully ascertained this tragical fact, and in vain tried to recall the little thing to life, I buried it, and settled to my Prescott's " Peru " in the library, when Behemoth and Cecil appeared frantically at the window. " Lucy ! Lucy ! it's alive, and we've put it back in the nest." " Alive ! " quoth I, " why I've buried it ! " They stuck to their assertion, having found a little nestling under the little cedar, in a weak state but alive, of exactly the appearance of the other two, which after a little warming, they put in the nest, where it recovered. Behemoth disinterred my little bird, and produced it studded with bits of mould, to prove the truth of my words. And the event remains a mystery, making us believe that take 1 from 3, 3 remain, or else, that transmigration of souls—and bodies too—exists among birds. . . .
(By the bye, I have had two rides with Edward, on a little mouthless, perverse creature, whom I force with some difficulty to follow my way, not her own.) We had a delightful picnic tea in the wood. Our own fire, boiling, etc.
—Mr. Hunt saw me again : went through some of the Commandments, and spoke about Amelia, whom he saw, and advised me to go on speaking to her. A very nice talk. We have got in the garden seven nests, all eggs except the linnet's. Besides those mentioned elsewhere, a coletit's lying on its side on the ground wherein we found first two, then three, then four, then five, and now six lovely eggs, pure white, with red spots on the thick end. And I found a perfect little chaffinch nest, in a Portugal laurel, with three eggs, and there is another with three eggs in a little cedar. There was a sparrow's near this one, but alas ! four pretty eggs disappeared mysteriously. We have taken the cuckoo's egg from the robin, for it would only turn the little robins out. Alack ! to-day an egg vanished from my nest, and horror of horrors ! abominable Gip, Edward's dog, caught and killed a darling linnet, now full-fledged and able to flutter about. A most mysterious event has happened with regard to the nest in the cedar. The three eggs were hatched a few days ago, first two, and then the third. Visiting it on Monday, I found but two birdlings, the nest weighed down on one side, and the third suspended by its poor little claw to a branch below, quite cold and dead. Having fully ascertained this tragical fact, and in vain tried to recall the little thing to life, I buried it, and settled to my Prescott's " Peru " in the library, when Behemoth and Cecil appeared frantically at the window. " Lucy ! Lucy ! it's alive, and we've put it back in the nest." " Alive ! " quoth I, " why I've buried it ! " They stuck to their assertion, having found a little nestling under the little cedar, in a weak state but alive, of exactly the appearance of the other two, which after a little warming, they put in the nest, where it recovered. Behemoth disinterred my little bird, and produced it studded with bits of mould, to prove the truth of my words. And the event remains a mystery, making us believe that take 1 from 3, 3 remain, or else, that transmigration of souls—and bodies too—exists among birds. . . .
(By the bye, I have had two rides with Edward, on a little mouthless, perverse creature, whom I force with some difficulty to follow my way, not her own.) We had a delightful picnic tea in the wood. Our own fire, boiling, etc.
19May1857, Nests Found
FALCONHURST, May 19th, 1857.
—We have found two more nests : a chaffinch's, and a darling robin's among the roots of an oak, six eggs, one a cuckoo's, which I rejoiced to purloin.
—We have found two more nests : a chaffinch's, and a darling robin's among the roots of an oak, six eggs, one a cuckoo's, which I rejoiced to purloin.
16May1857, Falconhurst, Kent
FALCONHURST, May 16th, 1857.
—Oh, such a beautiful house ! Built of yellow-grey stone, large, with one wing, and a long pretty range of offices. Bow windows, and all of them plate glass. A very pretty front door, with a cut iron hook for handle. Opens into a good-sized carpeted hall, with such pretty white and gold pillars, supporting the staircase landing and passage above. The staircase is of dark waxed wood with the most beautiful banisters I have ever seen. Oak, and very massive and low, with some of the interstices filled up with T and one with C, I suppose for Mrs. Talbot, as her name is Caroline. The staircase leading into a long passage, out of which open four rooms, the first and last of which are Mamma's and ours, facing the stairs. Both with bow windows, and such delightful rooms. The passage turns down at the top leading to Cecil and Miss Harris' room, and the schoolroom. On the ground floor are the library and a little study opening out of it, which rooms we occupy. Then a large uninhabited drawing-room, with pillars at one end. These all open out of a passage corresponding with the one above. At the end of the passage, the nice large dining-room. A door on the opposite side of the passage, leading to the kitchen and other offices, all on the same floor : so nice. On the south of the house a terrace, and all round it a large garden. The approach on the north. The view a pretty cultivated wooded country, with a few rare cottages, and much rising and sinking ground. One or two woods close to the house. On rising ground within a quarter of an hour's walk, the little church, whose spire is seen from the house. The trees bushy and plentiful, but small and slender, without much variation, being chiefly dwarf oak. Witherby, the butler, showed us to-day a darling linnet's nest, with five birdlings in it, in a little box tree close to the house. We also saw a thrush's nest in a laurel in the garden, with five eggs. There is daily service, and we went through a lovely wood, by a little grassy path to the church, which is lovely. Of the same stone as the house, only one aisle, and a beautiful porch, with these words over the church-door : " This Church was founded and begun by the Honble. John Chetwynd Talbot, and completed in fulfilment of his instructions by his widow, to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity. The memory of the just is blessed." So beautiful ; surely what he would like to be there.
—Oh, such a beautiful house ! Built of yellow-grey stone, large, with one wing, and a long pretty range of offices. Bow windows, and all of them plate glass. A very pretty front door, with a cut iron hook for handle. Opens into a good-sized carpeted hall, with such pretty white and gold pillars, supporting the staircase landing and passage above. The staircase is of dark waxed wood with the most beautiful banisters I have ever seen. Oak, and very massive and low, with some of the interstices filled up with T and one with C, I suppose for Mrs. Talbot, as her name is Caroline. The staircase leading into a long passage, out of which open four rooms, the first and last of which are Mamma's and ours, facing the stairs. Both with bow windows, and such delightful rooms. The passage turns down at the top leading to Cecil and Miss Harris' room, and the schoolroom. On the ground floor are the library and a little study opening out of it, which rooms we occupy. Then a large uninhabited drawing-room, with pillars at one end. These all open out of a passage corresponding with the one above. At the end of the passage, the nice large dining-room. A door on the opposite side of the passage, leading to the kitchen and other offices, all on the same floor : so nice. On the south of the house a terrace, and all round it a large garden. The approach on the north. The view a pretty cultivated wooded country, with a few rare cottages, and much rising and sinking ground. One or two woods close to the house. On rising ground within a quarter of an hour's walk, the little church, whose spire is seen from the house. The trees bushy and plentiful, but small and slender, without much variation, being chiefly dwarf oak. Witherby, the butler, showed us to-day a darling linnet's nest, with five birdlings in it, in a little box tree close to the house. We also saw a thrush's nest in a laurel in the garden, with five eggs. There is daily service, and we went through a lovely wood, by a little grassy path to the church, which is lovely. Of the same stone as the house, only one aisle, and a beautiful porch, with these words over the church-door : " This Church was founded and begun by the Honble. John Chetwynd Talbot, and completed in fulfilment of his instructions by his widow, to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity. The memory of the just is blessed." So beautiful ; surely what he would like to be there.
27Apr1857, Boating
BRIGHTON, April 27th, 28th, 29th, 1857.
—Such a number of little tobies up and down the parade. (So I call all wicker carriages, in fond remembrance of Toby and the little black one at St. Leonard's.) Had the most enchanting boating in a long boat, with four oars, Charles, Albert, and two sailors. Herewith we skimmed away briskly ; to the Pier in five minutes, a little coasting, straight out a mile and a half to sea, gaining upon, beating, and heading a boatful considerably in front of us, rowing up to a large coal brig, letting her pass us some hundred yards, with her sails all spread to the fair wind, beating her, under the pier, out to the end of Kemp Town, and home in an hour and a half.
—Such a number of little tobies up and down the parade. (So I call all wicker carriages, in fond remembrance of Toby and the little black one at St. Leonard's.) Had the most enchanting boating in a long boat, with four oars, Charles, Albert, and two sailors. Herewith we skimmed away briskly ; to the Pier in five minutes, a little coasting, straight out a mile and a half to sea, gaining upon, beating, and heading a boatful considerably in front of us, rowing up to a large coal brig, letting her pass us some hundred yards, with her sails all spread to the fair wind, beating her, under the pier, out to the end of Kemp Town, and home in an hour and a half.
23Apr1857, Convalescence at Brighton
BRIGHTON, April 23rd, 1857.
—Mrs. Talbot came up again. A lovely apparition sent to be a moment's ornament, for --
April 24th, 1857 — She went back again.
(Lady Mary Lyttelton is recovering. Mrs. Talbot could only stay briefly.)
—Mrs. Talbot came up again. A lovely apparition sent to be a moment's ornament, for --
April 24th, 1857 — She went back again.
(Lady Mary Lyttelton is recovering. Mrs. Talbot could only stay briefly.)
21Apr1857, Nevy and Spencer
BRIGHTON, April 21st, 1857.
—Nevy and Spencer went back to Geddington ; niobissimus, poor, dear, old fellows.
—Nevy and Spencer went back to Geddington ; niobissimus, poor, dear, old fellows.
31Mar1857, Baby Baptized
LONDON, March 31st, 1857.
—Baby was baptized. Uncle Billy came on purpose to do it ; the first of the whole twelve that he ever has. Such an addition to the brightness of to-day. I went to see the precious one dressed : he was perfectly good during the trying operation, though it was his crying time. He looked lovely in his robes, and Mamma's wedding-veil, with the tiny Christening cap surrounding his little placid face, which struck Uncle B. on first sight with its look of happy thoughtfulness. Mamma came to church, so nice. Mr. Selfe, Althorp, and Aunt Emmy were godparents ; Mr. Cavendish and Auntie P. representing the two latter. Oh, the beauty of the service and Uncle B's reading of it ! The little one was wide awake all the time, gazing round him with his beauteous eyes, and moving his little arms. He never made one cry, and only uttered a little low sound when Uncle Billy took him tenderly, becoming quite quiet again, and looking earnestly up at him. The Water touched the calm white forehead, and the Cross marked Alfred Lyttelton as Christ's soldier and servant, sealing him as God's child, purifying his immortal soul, and filling it with the Spirit that makes him an inheritor of glorious Eternity. God for ever bless the new Christian enrolled under His banner.
—Baby was baptized. Uncle Billy came on purpose to do it ; the first of the whole twelve that he ever has. Such an addition to the brightness of to-day. I went to see the precious one dressed : he was perfectly good during the trying operation, though it was his crying time. He looked lovely in his robes, and Mamma's wedding-veil, with the tiny Christening cap surrounding his little placid face, which struck Uncle B. on first sight with its look of happy thoughtfulness. Mamma came to church, so nice. Mr. Selfe, Althorp, and Aunt Emmy were godparents ; Mr. Cavendish and Auntie P. representing the two latter. Oh, the beauty of the service and Uncle B's reading of it ! The little one was wide awake all the time, gazing round him with his beauteous eyes, and moving his little arms. He never made one cry, and only uttered a little low sound when Uncle Billy took him tenderly, becoming quite quiet again, and looking earnestly up at him. The Water touched the calm white forehead, and the Cross marked Alfred Lyttelton as Christ's soldier and servant, sealing him as God's child, purifying his immortal soul, and filling it with the Spirit that makes him an inheritor of glorious Eternity. God for ever bless the new Christian enrolled under His banner.
25Mar1857, Eton
LONDON, March 25th, 1857.
—M. and I had the lark of going to Eton, with Papa, Auntie P., and Agnes. We found Charles in the heat of a game of fives, which he lost by one I believe in our very eye. However it was an excellent game. All were flourishing. We dined at Seymour Neville's rooms, which he is making elegant to suit his Minor Canonship. It was great fun. Before luncheon we saw the boys' rooms, with characteristic differences between Charles' and Willy's, and Mr. Coleridge who received us most affably, and told us several mournful particulars about the health of his wife, whose brain is in some melancholy state of dilapidation : not softening like that of his friend Miss Hawtrey, but something analogous. We went in the afternoon to Eton Chapel, wherein the flood of boys looked very striking, especially when they all stood up, with a sort of rushing sound. But the unfortunate thing was that there were no proper responses, only a muttered whisper. We went to the Castle : most beautiful view.
—M. and I had the lark of going to Eton, with Papa, Auntie P., and Agnes. We found Charles in the heat of a game of fives, which he lost by one I believe in our very eye. However it was an excellent game. All were flourishing. We dined at Seymour Neville's rooms, which he is making elegant to suit his Minor Canonship. It was great fun. Before luncheon we saw the boys' rooms, with characteristic differences between Charles' and Willy's, and Mr. Coleridge who received us most affably, and told us several mournful particulars about the health of his wife, whose brain is in some melancholy state of dilapidation : not softening like that of his friend Miss Hawtrey, but something analogous. We went in the afternoon to Eton Chapel, wherein the flood of boys looked very striking, especially when they all stood up, with a sort of rushing sound. But the unfortunate thing was that there were no proper responses, only a muttered whisper. We went to the Castle : most beautiful view.
08Mar1857, Christ Church, Oxford
OXFORD, March 8th, 1857.
—One of the happiest days I have ever spent. As soon as we were dressed, after Mrs. Talbot had read aloud the Xtian Year for the day, Johnny appeared, in his cap and gown to please me, for he says the men of Ch. Ch. (Christ Church, Oxford) are not wont to walk about in them, though every other college does, and he is an anxious martyr to manners and customs. Well, under his escort, we walked to Ch. Ch., which I am happy to say we found free from smell, and Johnny's rooms much the better for the chloride of zinc, and looking bright and comfortable. The breakfast one is much longer than broad, and had its whole length filled with the breakfast tables, covered with an elegant spread. The grate amused me : its bars were of the most collegiate and ecclesiastic appearance, of this shape.(With a sketch.) Mr. Majendie soon turned up : in fact we had, I thought, rather too much of these gentlemen, one or other of whom, or all together, were with us nearly all day. The toast was cut in a collegiate way also, triangles of an impressive appearance. We had an excellent breakfast ; the coffee alone being rather inferior. Beautiful sort of hashed fish, which was obtained after some little difficulty, caused by some regulation against the importation of fish for breakfast. However we had it, and it was lucky we did, for Mr. Majendie had two or three helps of it. Indeed, one of my notes of Oxford was the large quantity everybody eat, myself included, for there was no help for it. . . .
We went to luncheon at Mr. Majendie's rooms in Peckwater Quad, adjoining Tom Quad (e.g. Johnny's quad), where we found an excellent spread. A young Mr. Villars, son of the new Bishop (on which account Mrs. Talbot warned me not to speak disrespectfully of Lord Palmerston's bishops : as if I was likely to !), Mr. Henniker, and Mr. Palmer, all came in to luncheon : all being Johnny's friends. They made pleasant talk, and we had a very good luncheon. It was in fact a very complete dinner.
—One of the happiest days I have ever spent. As soon as we were dressed, after Mrs. Talbot had read aloud the Xtian Year for the day, Johnny appeared, in his cap and gown to please me, for he says the men of Ch. Ch. (Christ Church, Oxford) are not wont to walk about in them, though every other college does, and he is an anxious martyr to manners and customs. Well, under his escort, we walked to Ch. Ch., which I am happy to say we found free from smell, and Johnny's rooms much the better for the chloride of zinc, and looking bright and comfortable. The breakfast one is much longer than broad, and had its whole length filled with the breakfast tables, covered with an elegant spread. The grate amused me : its bars were of the most collegiate and ecclesiastic appearance, of this shape.(With a sketch.) Mr. Majendie soon turned up : in fact we had, I thought, rather too much of these gentlemen, one or other of whom, or all together, were with us nearly all day. The toast was cut in a collegiate way also, triangles of an impressive appearance. We had an excellent breakfast ; the coffee alone being rather inferior. Beautiful sort of hashed fish, which was obtained after some little difficulty, caused by some regulation against the importation of fish for breakfast. However we had it, and it was lucky we did, for Mr. Majendie had two or three helps of it. Indeed, one of my notes of Oxford was the large quantity everybody eat, myself included, for there was no help for it. . . .
We went to luncheon at Mr. Majendie's rooms in Peckwater Quad, adjoining Tom Quad (e.g. Johnny's quad), where we found an excellent spread. A young Mr. Villars, son of the new Bishop (on which account Mrs. Talbot warned me not to speak disrespectfully of Lord Palmerston's bishops : as if I was likely to !), Mr. Henniker, and Mr. Palmer, all came in to luncheon : all being Johnny's friends. They made pleasant talk, and we had a very good luncheon. It was in fact a very complete dinner.
27Feb1857, Baby's Name : Duodecimus?
LONDON, February 27th, 28th, 1857.
—Mamma lies on a bed-couch during the day, and is getting on : such nice appetite. Such a debated point Baby's name : Duodecimus, or Octavius, though appropriate, have been rejected. Papa dares to think of Frederic. My abomination. Mamma talks of Grenville or Grey. I have been building on the hope of being his god¬mother more than I can express, but I hear that Aunt Emmy is to be. I suppose I shall not be confirmed in time, but it is such a dreadful disappointment.
—Mamma lies on a bed-couch during the day, and is getting on : such nice appetite. Such a debated point Baby's name : Duodecimus, or Octavius, though appropriate, have been rejected. Papa dares to think of Frederic. My abomination. Mamma talks of Grenville or Grey. I have been building on the hope of being his god¬mother more than I can express, but I hear that Aunt Emmy is to be. I suppose I shall not be confirmed in time, but it is such a dreadful disappointment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)