CONISTON, Wednesday, October 22nd, 1862.
—The very wildest howl of wind and pelt of rain, with one or two short bursts of sunshine, till luncheon ; and we sat resignedly in "Mum Atkinson's parlour " with books and letters, giving up all hope of doing the Old Man. But after luncheon, it cleared, and we set off just to go up a little way, and to our joy it kept fine, and we went further and further there, into all the beauties of glen and mountain and, what delighted us most of all, innumerable waterfalls. One was a really great one, and all most lovely and the delicious music of the rushing waters was all round us, everywhere. Tiny threads of water came dancing down the side of all the hills. And oh, the tinting lights, the towering peaks, and the deep valleys ! We got up as high as the last cascade of any size — abt 2/3 of the way, and then, as it began to rain and the wind became so wild that I was actually blown down, I was pintoed enough to turn back with Uncle Stephen, Papa going on. We came down quickly, hopping across innumerable little streams and torrents, and when we were as far down as the copper mills, the tremendous cloud which had been scowling over the Old Man, contrasting most beautifully with the serenest sky and golden sunset light over the lake and valley below us, came down in one of the violent storms. It caught Papa sitting like Pillicock on the top ! which he reached triumphantly. A glorious day of beauty : a joy for ever !
Friday, January 18, 2008
17Oct1862, First Visit to The Lakes
WINDERMERE, Friday, October 17th, 1862.
—Papa and I left Hagley at 10 1/2, and arrived at Windermere, joining Uncle Stephen at Kendal, at 4 1/2. A gt event for me to see the Lakes ! And my 1st glimpse, I must say, was most beautiful. There was a regular angry lurid sunset over the Old Man, breaking through the heavy clouds, and sending a yellow gleam of light along the neighbouring ridges, as we came puffing up to Windermere. We trapesed a little abt the village, Papa being frantic to get a ferrol on his new stick ; and the stormy weather, though it makes us shake in our shoes, made grand effects in the sky ; and I am in hopes of every sort of light and shade. Meanwhile, a clatter-patter of hail comes dash agst the windows of what Uncle St. calls "Mum Rigg's parlour" from time to time. We had a splendid dinner, and, barring a soupcon of exceedingly bad tobacco in the passages, all is luxury.
—Papa and I left Hagley at 10 1/2, and arrived at Windermere, joining Uncle Stephen at Kendal, at 4 1/2. A gt event for me to see the Lakes ! And my 1st glimpse, I must say, was most beautiful. There was a regular angry lurid sunset over the Old Man, breaking through the heavy clouds, and sending a yellow gleam of light along the neighbouring ridges, as we came puffing up to Windermere. We trapesed a little abt the village, Papa being frantic to get a ferrol on his new stick ; and the stormy weather, though it makes us shake in our shoes, made grand effects in the sky ; and I am in hopes of every sort of light and shade. Meanwhile, a clatter-patter of hail comes dash agst the windows of what Uncle St. calls "Mum Rigg's parlour" from time to time. We had a splendid dinner, and, barring a soupcon of exceedingly bad tobacco in the passages, all is luxury.
06Oct1862, Uninteresting Day
HAGLEY, Monday, October 6th, 1862.
—Grey, uninteresting autumnal day. After such a glorious moonlit night. I said my Prayers looking out into it, and it seemed to purify and exalt them.
—Grey, uninteresting autumnal day. After such a glorious moonlit night. I said my Prayers looking out into it, and it seemed to purify and exalt them.
25Sep1862, Horrid Knickerbockers
HAGLEY, Thursday, September 25th, 1862.
—Charles went out shooting, in horrid knickerbockers.
—Charles went out shooting, in horrid knickerbockers.
24Sep1862, Charles bags 12 stags
HAGLEY, Wednesday, September 24th, 1862.
—At about 11 a.m. darling old Charles arrived, having been travelling from Sutherland since 7 on Monday morning, with only one night's rest, and having had 2 or 3 accidents from first to last. But here he is safe and sound, thank God, in a most splendid state of health and vigour, and having killed 12 stags, more than anybody else.
—At about 11 a.m. darling old Charles arrived, having been travelling from Sutherland since 7 on Monday morning, with only one night's rest, and having had 2 or 3 accidents from first to last. But here he is safe and sound, thank God, in a most splendid state of health and vigour, and having killed 12 stags, more than anybody else.
20Sep1862, Prince of Wales engaged to Alexandra
HAGLEY, Saturday, September 20th, 1862.
—Delightful accounts of the amiability and attraction of Prss. Alexandra , of the P. of W's. state of bliss, and the Queen's pleasure in the engagement, have come to Granny from Ly. Caroline Barrington. But there is a difficult future, in spite of its immense advantages, before the 18-yr.-old bride.
—Delightful accounts of the amiability and attraction of Prss. Alexandra , of the P. of W's. state of bliss, and the Queen's pleasure in the engagement, have come to Granny from Ly. Caroline Barrington. But there is a difficult future, in spite of its immense advantages, before the 18-yr.-old bride.
18Sep1862, Papa has a tooth out
HAGLEY, Friday, September 19th, 1862.
—Papa has had an enormous tooth out, under choloroform. He didn't feel the smallest pain, tho' it took a quarter of a minute.
—Papa has had an enormous tooth out, under choloroform. He didn't feel the smallest pain, tho' it took a quarter of a minute.
18Sep1862, Darling Tallee Spencer
HAGLEY, Thursday, September 18th, 1862.
—A melancholy day, for the Spencers went. Darling Tallee makes a vacuum in my heart more than most people : many things go to make up my warm love for her, and I miss her dear bendable tall figure, with its indescribable grace, her face, which has a charm to me shining thro' its plainness, but above all, herself : all the anxious, loving, self-condemning humility that comes out in all her talk with one : her reverence and beautiful thoughts. And then she is a little fond of me, which is so nice.
—A melancholy day, for the Spencers went. Darling Tallee makes a vacuum in my heart more than most people : many things go to make up my warm love for her, and I miss her dear bendable tall figure, with its indescribable grace, her face, which has a charm to me shining thro' its plainness, but above all, herself : all the anxious, loving, self-condemning humility that comes out in all her talk with one : her reverence and beautiful thoughts. And then she is a little fond of me, which is so nice.
07Sep1862, Happy Bright Sunday
HAGLEY, 12th Sunday after Trinity, September 7th, 1862.
—A happy bright Sunday — I could not but think the cloudy weather as we entered church, and the glorious sunshine as we came out, typical of the cloud of sins over one as one goes in, and the joy and light in one's heart as one emerges blessed and purified. 0, what a thought that is!
—A happy bright Sunday — I could not but think the cloudy weather as we entered church, and the glorious sunshine as we came out, typical of the cloud of sins over one as one goes in, and the joy and light in one's heart as one emerges blessed and purified. 0, what a thought that is!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
27Aug1862, A Perverted Game of Croquet
HAGLEY, Wednesday, August 27th, 1862.
—Papa, the Sp. Lytteltons, and I went to the county bow meeting held this year at Hewel1. [FN: The house of Lady Windsor, great-grandmother of the present Earl of Plymouth.] It went off very well; and it was nice seeing a good deal of Victoria Clive, who is charming. Also I saw Mrs. and Amelia Claughton, Ly. Mary Clive with her fair small children (the little boy a merry dot,[FN: The late Lord Plymouth.] his birthday to-day, so his health was drunk), Bennetts, Sandys, Fosters, Bakers, Wake-men, etc. We played a portentously long and frightfully perverted game of croquet, which was amusing nevertheless. The dancing for abt an hr and 3/4 great fun, as there was only one valse, one galop, and one quadrille; the rest being double lancers, and one merry country dance. My partners: Messrs. Mordaunt, Lygon, Leigh and Wakeman. We brought home with us for 2 nights said Mr. Leigh,[FN: Afterwards Dean of Hereford.] young clergyman brother of Lord Leigh.
—Papa, the Sp. Lytteltons, and I went to the county bow meeting held this year at Hewel1. [FN: The house of Lady Windsor, great-grandmother of the present Earl of Plymouth.] It went off very well; and it was nice seeing a good deal of Victoria Clive, who is charming. Also I saw Mrs. and Amelia Claughton, Ly. Mary Clive with her fair small children (the little boy a merry dot,[FN: The late Lord Plymouth.] his birthday to-day, so his health was drunk), Bennetts, Sandys, Fosters, Bakers, Wake-men, etc. We played a portentously long and frightfully perverted game of croquet, which was amusing nevertheless. The dancing for abt an hr and 3/4 great fun, as there was only one valse, one galop, and one quadrille; the rest being double lancers, and one merry country dance. My partners: Messrs. Mordaunt, Lygon, Leigh and Wakeman. We brought home with us for 2 nights said Mr. Leigh,[FN: Afterwards Dean of Hereford.] young clergyman brother of Lord Leigh.
25Aug1862, Tiny George
HAGLEY, Monday, August 25th, 1862.
—Tiny George has fairly found his feet, and goes staggering about, jabbering and laughing triumphantly, with one arm high above his head, just as if he was hoisting a sail.
—Tiny George has fairly found his feet, and goes staggering about, jabbering and laughing triumphantly, with one arm high above his head, just as if he was hoisting a sail.
20Aug1862, No Bull's Eye Today
HAGLEY, Wednesday, August 20th, 1862.
—We shot with the rifle, which I do enjoy: no bull's-eye to-day, however.
—We shot with the rifle, which I do enjoy: no bull's-eye to-day, however.
19Aug1862, Shooting the Pea Rifle
HAGLEY, Tuesday, August 19th, 1862.
—We shot with the pea rifle till church time. I never fail to hit the target (at 70 yds.), and grazed the bull's-eye once.
—We shot with the pea rifle till church time. I never fail to hit the target (at 70 yds.), and grazed the bull's-eye once.
15Aug1862, A Tiff With The Grim One
HAGLEY, Friday, August 15th, 1862.
—At. H., children and I made heroic and partially successful efforts to take a wasps' nest. The Misses Rogers called on M. and were gt audience to Baby, who looked her best. I had a terrific tiff with the Grim One. [FN: Her maid.]
—At. H., children and I made heroic and partially successful efforts to take a wasps' nest. The Misses Rogers called on M. and were gt audience to Baby, who looked her best. I had a terrific tiff with the Grim One. [FN: Her maid.]
22Jul1862, Butterer and Butteree
WORCESTER, Tuesday, July 22nd, 1862.
—Came with Papa to Canon Wood's, Worcester, for the Archaeological Society's doings. Went to a meeting where the Mayor and Corporation buttered the Archeologists and the Archaests. (with Papa presiding) buttered the Mayor and Corpn. After every individual had been both butterer and butteree, we set off to do the interesting things in the town, which I was very glad to see, as it's scandalous not to know the lions of one's Cathedral and county town. Mr. Severn Walker and Mr. Parker ciceroned, and we did SS. Andrews and Alban, the Commandery and the Museum. At which last place mem. especially the gloves King Charles I gave to Bp. Juxon on the scaffold. After dinner, lectures in a gt room on the ecclesiology of Worcester in general by Mr. S. Walker (horribly dull), and of Pershore Abbey in particular by Mr. Freeman [FN: No doubt the historian, E. A. Freeman.]; also on little historical and antiquital points by Mr. Something. Sleepiness a little assailed me.
—Came with Papa to Canon Wood's, Worcester, for the Archaeological Society's doings. Went to a meeting where the Mayor and Corporation buttered the Archeologists and the Archaests. (with Papa presiding) buttered the Mayor and Corpn. After every individual had been both butterer and butteree, we set off to do the interesting things in the town, which I was very glad to see, as it's scandalous not to know the lions of one's Cathedral and county town. Mr. Severn Walker and Mr. Parker ciceroned, and we did SS. Andrews and Alban, the Commandery and the Museum. At which last place mem. especially the gloves King Charles I gave to Bp. Juxon on the scaffold. After dinner, lectures in a gt room on the ecclesiology of Worcester in general by Mr. S. Walker (horribly dull), and of Pershore Abbey in particular by Mr. Freeman [FN: No doubt the historian, E. A. Freeman.]; also on little historical and antiquital points by Mr. Something. Sleepiness a little assailed me.
21Jul1862, Federals Have Not Capitulated
HAGLEY, Monday, July 21st, 1862.
—The Federals have not capitulated, as far as we yet know; but are in the last extremity, their general (McClellan) bragging to the last, and lying most tremendously. They must be too ruined, thinned and done for, I shd hope, to attack Canada, where there are 2,000 Guards.
—The Federals have not capitulated, as far as we yet know; but are in the last extremity, their general (McClellan) bragging to the last, and lying most tremendously. They must be too ruined, thinned and done for, I shd hope, to attack Canada, where there are 2,000 Guards.
19Jul1862, Canada Must Look Out
HAGLEY, Saturday, July 19th, 1862.
—Wonderful but probably false report that the whole northern army in America has capitulated. If so, Canada must look out!
—Wonderful but probably false report that the whole northern army in America has capitulated. If so, Canada must look out!
12Jul1862, Deal Old Hagley
HAGLEY, Saturday, July 12th, 1862.
—Home! Oh dear, dear, how lovely, how deeply green the precious old place looks! And it is delicious repose and refreshment coming back. The children all look well: poor little Win, tho', is still headachy, and we are going to take her to Evans. Dear Rectors are established here, to chaperone the tutor (Mr. Richmond [FN: Mr. D. C. Richmond, afterwards Auditor-General.]) and me. I am too happy sitting in my fresh little room again. Before leaving London I finished Vol. VIII of Alison, reading 50 p.; quicker than any other vol. I have read. Miss W., Elly, and Newmany all looked well. I feel I have been away ages! Can't but be so glad I haven't married or anything upsetting! but have fallen back upon dear old Hagley's loving arms.
—Home! Oh dear, dear, how lovely, how deeply green the precious old place looks! And it is delicious repose and refreshment coming back. The children all look well: poor little Win, tho', is still headachy, and we are going to take her to Evans. Dear Rectors are established here, to chaperone the tutor (Mr. Richmond [FN: Mr. D. C. Richmond, afterwards Auditor-General.]) and me. I am too happy sitting in my fresh little room again. Before leaving London I finished Vol. VIII of Alison, reading 50 p.; quicker than any other vol. I have read. Miss W., Elly, and Newmany all looked well. I feel I have been away ages! Can't but be so glad I haven't married or anything upsetting! but have fallen back upon dear old Hagley's loving arms.
11Jul1862, Last London Day
LONDON, Friday, July 11th, 1862.
—Last London day! This is a joyful reflection; and yet, how odd it is! I believe I never say "the last" of anything without an indefinable "serrement de coeur." It must be the secret feeling of the uncertainty of things — the dread of all that may happen before next time, and above all, the shrinking from that pathetic possibility of Never More.
Read 170 p. of Alison. Had luncheon in St. St., whence kind Mrs. Robartes lifted At. C. and me in her carriage to Lord's for the Eton and Harrow match. We saw the Harrow 1st innings and most of the Eton 2nd. Scores: Eton 1st innings 96. Harrow 1st inn. 56. Eton 2nd inn. 170, with 2 wickets to go down. From which the result may be guessed pretty well! Old Nevy has just got into the 11; he got 6 in the 1st inn. not out. The ground was crowded — lots of fashionable people. Saw Lord Lorne and Lord Archibald Campbell, pretty fair boys on ponies. Dined with Papa at Ld. George Quin's, wherewith Ends My London Gaieties. Have been to 14 balls, 15 parties, 5 dinners.
—Last London day! This is a joyful reflection; and yet, how odd it is! I believe I never say "the last" of anything without an indefinable "serrement de coeur." It must be the secret feeling of the uncertainty of things — the dread of all that may happen before next time, and above all, the shrinking from that pathetic possibility of Never More.
Read 170 p. of Alison. Had luncheon in St. St., whence kind Mrs. Robartes lifted At. C. and me in her carriage to Lord's for the Eton and Harrow match. We saw the Harrow 1st innings and most of the Eton 2nd. Scores: Eton 1st innings 96. Harrow 1st inn. 56. Eton 2nd inn. 170, with 2 wickets to go down. From which the result may be guessed pretty well! Old Nevy has just got into the 11; he got 6 in the 1st inn. not out. The ground was crowded — lots of fashionable people. Saw Lord Lorne and Lord Archibald Campbell, pretty fair boys on ponies. Dined with Papa at Ld. George Quin's, wherewith Ends My London Gaieties. Have been to 14 balls, 15 parties, 5 dinners.
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