WURZBURG, August 24th, 1869.
—The cathedral, though of the 11th century, looks like 1700 personified, having been done up with frightful white plaster—cherubs and sprawling figures all over the roof ; the monuments and altars out-Herod Westminster Abbey. There was one charming monstrosity : a woman with an air unveiling a bust of a quizzical James I style of Bishop in a curly wig, who looks up complacently at finding himself unbonneted ; close by he appears again heaving himself out of his grave. I am truly delighted at finding this style of thing is not peculiar to English Protestantism.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
19Aug1869, A Most Beautiful Grasshopper
KISSINGEN, August 19th, 1869.
—We saw perched on the inside of my umbrella a most beautiful winged grasshopper, the size of a large dragon-fly and of the most vivid green. We could study his countenance and see the Biblical likeness to a horse in the shape of his head.
—We saw perched on the inside of my umbrella a most beautiful winged grasshopper, the size of a large dragon-fly and of the most vivid green. We could study his countenance and see the Biblical likeness to a horse in the shape of his head.
02Aug1869, The Stupid Gas Bath
KISSINGEN, August 2nd, 1869.
—We are destined to make a "fiasco" of the stupid gas bath. I took my seat in one with great pomp this afternoon, and was shut up in it for a quarter of an hour, sitting tight for the gas to arrive. I looked like the old woman who lived in a shoe, and can only hope the resemblance may go further ! but as to the gas it never came at all !
—We are destined to make a "fiasco" of the stupid gas bath. I took my seat in one with great pomp this afternoon, and was shut up in it for a quarter of an hour, sitting tight for the gas to arrive. I looked like the old woman who lived in a shoe, and can only hope the resemblance may go further ! but as to the gas it never came at all !
27Jul1869, Letter from Henry Tuckley
KISSINGEN, July 27th, 1869. (sic)
—Had a touching letter from Henry Tuckley, a young man who was taken to St. Martin's workhouse in a half-mad state, and whose story of running away from his employer in consequence of a love disappointment, with £40 of his father's money, while drunk, and spending about a month in London not knowing what he was about, seems on inquiry to be true. He was evidently respectable, and, as it was a first fall, tho' such a terrible one, the good Master of the Workhouse took interest in him and told me about him and I got him under Mr. Shaw Stewart at the Newport Market refuge. We have got the money for him to emigrate to Canada, and it remains to be seen how he turns out. If well, it will be a joy and encouragement all one's life long, amid the evil and humbug of the world. (Heard startlingly soon that he had become a Wesley minister ! ! Wrote to caution him.)
—Had a touching letter from Henry Tuckley, a young man who was taken to St. Martin's workhouse in a half-mad state, and whose story of running away from his employer in consequence of a love disappointment, with £40 of his father's money, while drunk, and spending about a month in London not knowing what he was about, seems on inquiry to be true. He was evidently respectable, and, as it was a first fall, tho' such a terrible one, the good Master of the Workhouse took interest in him and told me about him and I got him under Mr. Shaw Stewart at the Newport Market refuge. We have got the money for him to emigrate to Canada, and it remains to be seen how he turns out. If well, it will be a joy and encouragement all one's life long, amid the evil and humbug of the world. (Heard startlingly soon that he had become a Wesley minister ! ! Wrote to caution him.)
27Jul1869, Every Shade of Bad Complexion
KISSINGEN, July 27th, 1869.
—Got up soon after 6 and went out to drink half-tumblers of Radosky. It is cold and fizzy and far from nasty, but I find 3 glasses hard work as I am never in the least thirsty before midday. Everything very Emslike ; crowds of creaky people with every shade of bad complexion —the pasty, the muddy, the green, and poor Mr. Joddrell who is purple. Also varieties of quizzes, but not such pronounced ones as at Ems. This place has no gambling-hall, and is reckoned dull and respectable ; so much the better. We met Lord Walter Scott, and F. shot [FN: see Glossary] a German Jew from Bradford, one of his constituents, a wonderful, round old fellow with no neck, in a velvet coat.
—Got up soon after 6 and went out to drink half-tumblers of Radosky. It is cold and fizzy and far from nasty, but I find 3 glasses hard work as I am never in the least thirsty before midday. Everything very Emslike ; crowds of creaky people with every shade of bad complexion —the pasty, the muddy, the green, and poor Mr. Joddrell who is purple. Also varieties of quizzes, but not such pronounced ones as at Ems. This place has no gambling-hall, and is reckoned dull and respectable ; so much the better. We met Lord Walter Scott, and F. shot [FN: see Glossary] a German Jew from Bradford, one of his constituents, a wonderful, round old fellow with no neck, in a velvet coat.
23July1869, Traveling to Germany
BOAT TO OSTEND, July 23rd, 1869.
—We left London at 8, and travelled right through to Cologne, crossing from Dover to Ostend. Lovely peaceful night passage ; none of us ill. We slept in a deck cabin for 3 hours or so, but dead tired was I nevertheless when we got to the Hotel Bellevue at 'Deutz at 4. Lazy till early bed. We have a handsome courier called Kern.
—We left London at 8, and travelled right through to Cologne, crossing from Dover to Ostend. Lovely peaceful night passage ; none of us ill. We slept in a deck cabin for 3 hours or so, but dead tired was I nevertheless when we got to the Hotel Bellevue at 'Deutz at 4. Lazy till early bed. We have a handsome courier called Kern.
22Jul1869, Matters are All Arranged
LONDON, July 22nd, 1869.
—The political thunderstorm has entirely cleared the air ! Matters are all arranged by certain small concessions on the part of the Govt. and much repentance on the part of the Lords ; Lord Cairns amenable, Lord Grey apologetic! ! ! And so the great measure of justice is passed. I never felt so strongly the beautiful balance of the Constitution, which has been like a grand ship straining fearfully in a dangerous storm, and righting herself when all seemed lost. Both sides are glad and relieved. One can only thank God and take courage. Uncle W. came home absolutely overcome. He said he wished to go straight to church! The Archbishop of Canterbury has been the moving spring of influence that has brought it all about : it is immensely to his credit, as he is no lover of the Bill.
—The political thunderstorm has entirely cleared the air ! Matters are all arranged by certain small concessions on the part of the Govt. and much repentance on the part of the Lords ; Lord Cairns amenable, Lord Grey apologetic! ! ! And so the great measure of justice is passed. I never felt so strongly the beautiful balance of the Constitution, which has been like a grand ship straining fearfully in a dangerous storm, and righting herself when all seemed lost. Both sides are glad and relieved. One can only thank God and take courage. Uncle W. came home absolutely overcome. He said he wished to go straight to church! The Archbishop of Canterbury has been the moving spring of influence that has brought it all about : it is immensely to his credit, as he is no lover of the Bill.
20Jul1869, Speeches Against Compromise
LONDON, July 20th, 1869.
—There was an odious reckless debate in the Lords, Lord Cairns, Lord Grey, and Lord Salisbury (which was unexpected) all making violent speeches against concession or compromise, and a majority of over 70 decided on sticking to their own preamble, which cuts out the words by which the surplus is excluded from religious uses. Hereupon Lord Granville adjourned to "consult with his colleagues." ...
Uncle W. dined.... He was very unhappy, dreading worse terms being imposed on the Church hereafter, and foreboding danger to the H. of Lords.
—There was an odious reckless debate in the Lords, Lord Cairns, Lord Grey, and Lord Salisbury (which was unexpected) all making violent speeches against concession or compromise, and a majority of over 70 decided on sticking to their own preamble, which cuts out the words by which the surplus is excluded from religious uses. Hereupon Lord Granville adjourned to "consult with his colleagues." ...
Uncle W. dined.... He was very unhappy, dreading worse terms being imposed on the Church hereafter, and foreboding danger to the H. of Lords.
09Jul1869, Making A Hash of the Bill
LONDON, July 9th, 1869.
—The Lords are making a dreadful hash of the Bill, such as permitting the present Irish Bishops to sit on in the House of Lords after the disestablishment, like ghosts.
—The Lords are making a dreadful hash of the Bill, such as permitting the present Irish Bishops to sit on in the House of Lords after the disestablishment, like ghosts.
07Jul1869, Not Smart Enough
LONDON, July 7th, 1869.
—Drove with Lou to a breakfast at Holland House. Wasn't smart enough and so felt rather unhappy, such is human weakness.
—Drove with Lou to a breakfast at Holland House. Wasn't smart enough and so felt rather unhappy, such is human weakness.
04Jul1869, Speak Above One's Breath
DUFFERIN LODGE, July 4th, 1869.
—Church. At Miss Coutts's new church in the morning. Bishop Harris of Gibraltar preacht well. Responses and singing spiritless and sleepy to a degree : it seems impossible in England to have a full sound without a choir. Why don't people learn Public Worship from the Psalms ? "Sing praises lustily with a good courage." "Sing we merrily . . . make a cheerful noise." I believe there is a wretched prim notion among "respectable" people that it is improper to speak above one's breath.
—Church. At Miss Coutts's new church in the morning. Bishop Harris of Gibraltar preacht well. Responses and singing spiritless and sleepy to a degree : it seems impossible in England to have a full sound without a choir. Why don't people learn Public Worship from the Psalms ? "Sing praises lustily with a good courage." "Sing we merrily . . . make a cheerful noise." I believe there is a wretched prim notion among "respectable" people that it is improper to speak above one's breath.
01Jul1869, Edward Talbot at Kebel College
LONDON, July 1st, 1869.
—The great news of Edward Talbot's appointment to the Headship of "Keble College" at Oxford is given out now, and is delightful : such a compliment to a man of 25 ! Mr. Liddon was privately asked to take it, but refused.
—The great news of Edward Talbot's appointment to the Headship of "Keble College" at Oxford is given out now, and is delightful : such a compliment to a man of 25 ! Mr. Liddon was privately asked to take it, but refused.
28Jun1869, The Queen's Garden Party
LONDON, June 28th, 1869.
—The Queen held a breakfast [FN: I.e. a Garden Party.] in Buckingham Palace Gardens, so brilliant and pretty it was ; gowns of every colour of the rainbow ; canary from head to foot amongst others ! Papa and Sybella were there ; how it is one takes that so calmly I can't tell, but so it is. The 2 new romances swallow it up, and it is restful to see Papa so happy and peaceful. She was presented to the Queen, who kissed her. Also H.M. kissed me, and asked which was the sister going to be married. Drum at Stafford H. in honour of the Viceroy.
—The Queen held a breakfast [FN: I.e. a Garden Party.] in Buckingham Palace Gardens, so brilliant and pretty it was ; gowns of every colour of the rainbow ; canary from head to foot amongst others ! Papa and Sybella were there ; how it is one takes that so calmly I can't tell, but so it is. The 2 new romances swallow it up, and it is restful to see Papa so happy and peaceful. She was presented to the Queen, who kissed her. Also H.M. kissed me, and asked which was the sister going to be married. Drum at Stafford H. in honour of the Viceroy.
21Jun1869, Generally With the Poor
LONDON, June 21st, 1869.
—Eastward. I tried to talk to a miserable girl who knew absolutely nothing of religion, but it was bewilderingly difficult, having nothing in common to start from, and no time to go really into it. 0 how it made me feel my own impotence! Generally with the poor you feel an intense sympathy in common : indeed they leave one far behind in strong personal faith : and then the Bible words are a consoling harmony.
—Eastward. I tried to talk to a miserable girl who knew absolutely nothing of religion, but it was bewilderingly difficult, having nothing in common to start from, and no time to go really into it. 0 how it made me feel my own impotence! Generally with the poor you feel an intense sympathy in common : indeed they leave one far behind in strong personal faith : and then the Bible words are a consoling harmony.
18Jun1869, Back to the Fires
LONDON, June 18th, 1869.
—All this time it is so cold we have been driven back to fires.
—All this time it is so cold we have been driven back to fires.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
17Jun1869, Irish Church Bill Second Reading
LONDON, June 17th, 1869.
—Oh dear, dear ! political life has quite dropt out amid this excitement [FN: I.e. of her sister Lavinia's engagement to Edward Talbot : and her younger sister May's very brief engagement to Edward Denison. The latter had to be broken off, as his uncle, Speaker Denison, would not consent.] ! On Tuesday afternoon I had what was a huge treat in spite of other thoughts : a place with Mrs. Byng at the H. of Lords. They are debating upon the second reading of the Irish Church Bill, and we heard the Bp. of Peterborough (Magee) speak splendidly : wonderfully eloquent, brilliant and witty, and almost persuasive in spite of the badness of his case, for he is dead against the 2nd reading, and ended his speech with a fiery appeal to the Lords to run their heads against the wall by turning out the Bill. We also heard Ld. Grey ; it was good but difficult to hear ; he is a "leveller-up." Archbishop Trench was so fearfully grubous and grim, it was like nothing so much as a passing bell, and he is said to have called the House "my brethren" more than once !
—Oh dear, dear ! political life has quite dropt out amid this excitement [FN: I.e. of her sister Lavinia's engagement to Edward Talbot : and her younger sister May's very brief engagement to Edward Denison. The latter had to be broken off, as his uncle, Speaker Denison, would not consent.] ! On Tuesday afternoon I had what was a huge treat in spite of other thoughts : a place with Mrs. Byng at the H. of Lords. They are debating upon the second reading of the Irish Church Bill, and we heard the Bp. of Peterborough (Magee) speak splendidly : wonderfully eloquent, brilliant and witty, and almost persuasive in spite of the badness of his case, for he is dead against the 2nd reading, and ended his speech with a fiery appeal to the Lords to run their heads against the wall by turning out the Bill. We also heard Ld. Grey ; it was good but difficult to hear ; he is a "leveller-up." Archbishop Trench was so fearfully grubous and grim, it was like nothing so much as a passing bell, and he is said to have called the House "my brethren" more than once !
10Jun1869, Papa and Sybella are Married
02Jun1869, Dined Dullissimus Major
LONDON, June 2nd, 1869.
—Workhouse with Lavinia. Spencer breakfasts every morning with us. We had some snug reading, and went together at 5 to the R. Academy in its fine new rooms. Some good Millais and Landseers. Dined (dullissimus major) at Ly. Milton's ; I was lucky enough to sit by Aunt Fanny, or I should have gone to sleep.
—Workhouse with Lavinia. Spencer breakfasts every morning with us. We had some snug reading, and went together at 5 to the R. Academy in its fine new rooms. Some good Millais and Landseers. Dined (dullissimus major) at Ly. Milton's ; I was lucky enough to sit by Aunt Fanny, or I should have gone to sleep.
25May1869, The White May is Coming Out
CHATSWORTH, May 25th, 1869.
—It is a sad blow having to wear one's winter things and have regular fires at this time of year. It was pretty fine in the afternoon, and even E. winds can't help things smelling sweet ; the white May is coming out at last. May and I rode with F., who came back to luncheon ; I on Salvolatile, a charming little beast. China went on merrily, specially the clearing out of a wonderful ménagerie of odds and ends, knick-knacks and gimcracks, from the cabinet in the 1st state-room. [FN: This was china brought from Chiswick and now being placed at Chatsworth. Chiswick was not inhabited by any of the Duke's relations after the Duchess of Southerland's death.]
—It is a sad blow having to wear one's winter things and have regular fires at this time of year. It was pretty fine in the afternoon, and even E. winds can't help things smelling sweet ; the white May is coming out at last. May and I rode with F., who came back to luncheon ; I on Salvolatile, a charming little beast. China went on merrily, specially the clearing out of a wonderful ménagerie of odds and ends, knick-knacks and gimcracks, from the cabinet in the 1st state-room. [FN: This was china brought from Chiswick and now being placed at Chatsworth. Chiswick was not inhabited by any of the Duke's relations after the Duchess of Southerland's death.]
24May1869, Auntie P Overworked
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