LONDON, Tuesday, June 4th, 1861.
—Slept like a top, and eat vigorously, but I had a nice upset with Wheeler's proceedings. She has for some days been tiffy with the nurse, thinking she (Wheeler) was reckoned a p.h., and such-like nonsense, and has treated me to one scene, for which she begged pardon afterwards. But now it has been settled that the nurse is to go to Sheen with me : two can't go, so the Grim One must stay behind. She should have had a holyday meanwhile, but she flew into a passion with Atie. P., and gave warning to me rather impertinently, so as I ain't a horse yet, I was put into a regular tremble and heart-beatings. It's a most lamentable thing, the want of common Christianity in servants. Suppose it was an unnecessary fidget to take the nurse (which it ain't, as Atie. P. won't be much there and there's no doctor near), one shd think it a very simple duty to give up one's own wish and swallow one's own pride rather than kick up a dust, especially with a Hinvalid [FN: She had just had typhoid fever]; but they wd never dream of such a thing. I could kick her.
Monday, September 11, 2006
07May1861, Scampishness
LONDON, Tuesday, May 7th, 1861.
—We went to Miss Coutts's [FN: Afterwards Baroness Burdett-Coutts] to hear the tragedian Fechter (whom everyone raves of) read a particularly scampish French play in the most beautiful way. Poor Miss Coutts sat on thorns, not anticipating the scampishness, and a Bishop or two stalked out ! Aggy and I dined alone.
—We went to Miss Coutts's [FN: Afterwards Baroness Burdett-Coutts] to hear the tragedian Fechter (whom everyone raves of) read a particularly scampish French play in the most beautiful way. Poor Miss Coutts sat on thorns, not anticipating the scampishness, and a Bishop or two stalked out ! Aggy and I dined alone.
02May1861, Painful Sotto Voce
LONDON, Thursday, May 2nd, 1861.
—The Duke and Duchess of Argyll dined here and Mr. Norton, and I at once fell into a fit of Cliveden [FN: She had met the Duke and Duchess of Argyll at Cliveden, where the Duke of Sutherland lived] shyness. Uncle W. was hoarse after another great speech, Atie. P. silent, and the three guests would speak below their breath, so we were sotto voce to a painful extent.
—The Duke and Duchess of Argyll dined here and Mr. Norton, and I at once fell into a fit of Cliveden [FN: She had met the Duke and Duchess of Argyll at Cliveden, where the Duke of Sutherland lived] shyness. Uncle W. was hoarse after another great speech, Atie. P. silent, and the three guests would speak below their breath, so we were sotto voce to a painful extent.
30Apr1861, Gladstone in Rollicking Spirits
LONDON, Tuesday, April 30th, 1861.
—Uncle W. in rollicking spirits over his Budget, and very kind to me.
—Uncle W. in rollicking spirits over his Budget, and very kind to me.
29Apr1861, Dizzy Against the Budget
LONDON, Monday, April 29th, 1861.
—We went with Atie. P. to the House and stayed till 2 ! Uncle W. spoke quite admirably in defence of the Budget, and Dizzy admirably against it ; so I am left in the wood.
—We went with Atie. P. to the House and stayed till 2 ! Uncle W. spoke quite admirably in defence of the Budget, and Dizzy admirably against it ; so I am left in the wood.
24Apr1861, The New Budget
LONDON, Wednesday, April 24th, 1861.
—A squash at Ly. Derby's, which was very amusing ; he in immense spirits, poking fun at Atie. P. about the Budget, which, however, it is expected will be accepted and approved : ld. off the income tax, duty off paper, but left on tea and sugar, which I believe I ought to rage at, being a Conservative ! Am I ? I don't quite know.
—A squash at Ly. Derby's, which was very amusing ; he in immense spirits, poking fun at Atie. P. about the Budget, which, however, it is expected will be accepted and approved : ld. off the income tax, duty off paper, but left on tea and sugar, which I believe I ought to rage at, being a Conservative ! Am I ? I don't quite know.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
23Apr1861, A First Rate Ball
LONDON, Tuesday, April 23rd, 1861.
—I dined [FN: I.e. at 10 Great George Street, her sister's house] there, and then came to Downing Street, [FN: To which Mr. Gladstone had now moved as Chancellor of the Exchequer] where Atie. P. and Aggie were looking well. I am so glad it ain't Carlton Terrace : grim grandeur, and how I shd hate it without Meriel! A first-rate ball at Ly. Egerton of Tatton's, where we both danced plentifully. My partners were Ld. Carnarvon, Althorp (oh, little Charlotte [FN: Lady Spencer, wife of "Althorp."] I fell over head and ears in love as usual), Mr. Wortley, Lord Cowper, and Mr. Sarin. Home abt. 3. So off we go !
—I dined [FN: I.e. at 10 Great George Street, her sister's house] there, and then came to Downing Street, [FN: To which Mr. Gladstone had now moved as Chancellor of the Exchequer] where Atie. P. and Aggie were looking well. I am so glad it ain't Carlton Terrace : grim grandeur, and how I shd hate it without Meriel! A first-rate ball at Ly. Egerton of Tatton's, where we both danced plentifully. My partners were Ld. Carnarvon, Althorp (oh, little Charlotte [FN: Lady Spencer, wife of "Althorp."] I fell over head and ears in love as usual), Mr. Wortley, Lord Cowper, and Mr. Sarin. Home abt. 3. So off we go !
16Apr1861, St. Mary's Home
BRIGHTON, Tuesday, April 16th, 1861.
—I went with Papa over S. Mary's Home ; a penitentiary, hospital, sisterhood, school, and nursery all in one, under Mr. Wagner. The Lady Superior showed us all over ; a cheerful, pleasant woman. The penitents do all the household work. Everything beautifully arranged, clean, bright, and airy. The sick children's room very touching ; one poor pretty little fellow, hopelessly ill with abscesses, knitting in his crib, with such a placid angel look in his small wasted face. There were some things rather shocking to one : a picture of the Blessed Virgin crowned, with the words in Latin, " Holy Mother of God, pray for us " ; which I trust was only there for ornament ; otherwise it goes beyond mere sentiment. Also a large crucifix in one of the sisters' rooms. But it is a wonderfully good and great work, and one must believe it is done in the full strength of the text which was in nearly every room : " The love of Christ constraineth us."
Nevy, Spencer, and I had an hour's boating. Papa said (of St. Mary's) that it was always a striking thing to go among people who were in the very straightest road heavenwards.
—I went with Papa over S. Mary's Home ; a penitentiary, hospital, sisterhood, school, and nursery all in one, under Mr. Wagner. The Lady Superior showed us all over ; a cheerful, pleasant woman. The penitents do all the household work. Everything beautifully arranged, clean, bright, and airy. The sick children's room very touching ; one poor pretty little fellow, hopelessly ill with abscesses, knitting in his crib, with such a placid angel look in his small wasted face. There were some things rather shocking to one : a picture of the Blessed Virgin crowned, with the words in Latin, " Holy Mother of God, pray for us " ; which I trust was only there for ornament ; otherwise it goes beyond mere sentiment. Also a large crucifix in one of the sisters' rooms. But it is a wonderfully good and great work, and one must believe it is done in the full strength of the text which was in nearly every room : " The love of Christ constraineth us."
Nevy, Spencer, and I had an hour's boating. Papa said (of St. Mary's) that it was always a striking thing to go among people who were in the very straightest road heavenwards.
14Apr1861, Fine Singing
BRIGHTON, 2nd Sunday after Easter, April 14th, 1861.
—We all went to St. Paul's in the morning ; fine singing ; anthem, Spohr's "Blessing and honour." S. Mary's aftn., sermon by Mr. Elliott on the tremendous Indian famine: he got £73 from his morning congregation !
—We all went to St. Paul's in the morning ; fine singing ; anthem, Spohr's "Blessing and honour." S. Mary's aftn., sermon by Mr. Elliott on the tremendous Indian famine: he got £73 from his morning congregation !
11Apr1861, A Dance With the King of France
LONDON, Thursday, April 11th, 1861.
—There departed today Charles and I to London for the ball, which came off at Carlton Terrace with great success : I can't remember all my innumerable partners ! One, however, I do remember ; the " King of France " (Comte de Paris) asked particularly after me and danced with me : stomach-ache of thrill ! For the rest, Messrs. Trefusis, Ryan, Le Fevre, [FN: No doubt G. J. Shaw-Lefevre, afterwards a Cabinet Minister and now Lord Eversley] Hope, and Capt. Grant, Mrs. Percy's distinguished son, are all I remember. Charles was quite the handsomest man there : enjoyed himself, and danced with Warrens, T. Gladstones, and Sybil Grant. Introduced me to the D. of St. Albans with great propriety ! Declares he will learn to valse ! ! Everyone looked well in white and black. The house recalls the days of courtship [FN: Presumably referring to her elder sister Meriel's marriage] and matrimony wonderfully !
—There departed today Charles and I to London for the ball, which came off at Carlton Terrace with great success : I can't remember all my innumerable partners ! One, however, I do remember ; the " King of France " (Comte de Paris) asked particularly after me and danced with me : stomach-ache of thrill ! For the rest, Messrs. Trefusis, Ryan, Le Fevre, [FN: No doubt G. J. Shaw-Lefevre, afterwards a Cabinet Minister and now Lord Eversley] Hope, and Capt. Grant, Mrs. Percy's distinguished son, are all I remember. Charles was quite the handsomest man there : enjoyed himself, and danced with Warrens, T. Gladstones, and Sybil Grant. Introduced me to the D. of St. Albans with great propriety ! Declares he will learn to valse ! ! Everyone looked well in white and black. The house recalls the days of courtship [FN: Presumably referring to her elder sister Meriel's marriage] and matrimony wonderfully !
04Apr1861, An Escort
BRIGHTON, Thursday, April 4th, 1861.
—Went to St. Paul's for 3 1/2-o'c. service ; having to walk back alone, I pretended to belong to two elderly ladies in succession, who I don't think found out that they were escorting me.
—Went to St. Paul's for 3 1/2-o'c. service ; having to walk back alone, I pretended to belong to two elderly ladies in succession, who I don't think found out that they were escorting me.
02Apr1861, Scampish
BRIGHTON, Tuesday, April 2nd, 1861.
— I walked alone on the pier, which it suddenly struck me was scampish.
— I walked alone on the pier, which it suddenly struck me was scampish.
Monday, August 21, 2006
16Mar1861, Stolid Country Poor
HAGLEY, Saturday, March 16th, 1861.
—At. C. came back from Bedworth at last looking blooming, and saying there is a slight improvement in work just now, but very little. Also bringing some presentation sausages from a poor man whom she has helped to start with that commodity. Tantalizes me with accounts of the quickness and earnestness of some of the people, which really leads to some good coming of working amongst them. One hardly ever sees any results in stolid country poor.
—At. C. came back from Bedworth at last looking blooming, and saying there is a slight improvement in work just now, but very little. Also bringing some presentation sausages from a poor man whom she has helped to start with that commodity. Tantalizes me with accounts of the quickness and earnestness of some of the people, which really leads to some good coming of working amongst them. One hardly ever sees any results in stolid country poor.
02Mar1861, Russian Serfs to be Free Men
HAGLEY, Saturday, March 2nd, 1861.
—Heavy stormy rain, thro' which At. Emy and I were pleased to walk parochially. Tommy Morris came to the Rectory and sang to us, that we might decide if his voice is good enough to compete for a choir place at Windsor ! Part of the Crystal Palace was blown down. To-morrow morning all the Russian serfs will be free men ! A grand thing.
—Heavy stormy rain, thro' which At. Emy and I were pleased to walk parochially. Tommy Morris came to the Rectory and sang to us, that we might decide if his voice is good enough to compete for a choir place at Windsor ! Part of the Crystal Palace was blown down. To-morrow morning all the Russian serfs will be free men ! A grand thing.
24Feb1861, Tutor Seems Bitten with Horrible Essays
HAGLEY, 2nd Sunday in Lent, February 24th, 1861.
—Albert wrote to John, saying Edward's tutor Curgenven seems bitten with these horrible " Essays and Reviews," which some sound theologian ought to answer.
—Albert wrote to John, saying Edward's tutor Curgenven seems bitten with these horrible " Essays and Reviews," which some sound theologian ought to answer.
13Feb1861, Distress at Bedworth
HAGLEY, Ash Wednesday, February 13th, 1861.
—After what seemed a lull, the distress at Bedworth has broken out again awfully : one poor old woman tried to kill herself, from " clamming."
—After what seemed a lull, the distress at Bedworth has broken out again awfully : one poor old woman tried to kill herself, from " clamming."
11Feb1861, Doncaster Church
ESCRICK, Monday, February 11th, 1861.
—Dr. Vaughan pioneered us [FN: In a visit to Doncaster Church, of which he was Vicar. He was afterwards Master of the Temple, where, in spite of his " curious silky " voice and manner, his sermons, which were not at all " silky," attracted great congregations] : I greatly dislike his curious, silky, feminine voice.
—Dr. Vaughan pioneered us [FN: In a visit to Doncaster Church, of which he was Vicar. He was afterwards Master of the Temple, where, in spite of his " curious silky " voice and manner, his sermons, which were not at all " silky," attracted great congregations] : I greatly dislike his curious, silky, feminine voice.
07Feb1861, Alfred Turns Four
ESCRICK, Thursday, February 7th, 1861.
—Our precious blossom, Alfred, struck four. Each year in his sunny little life marks more than anything the distance between the present and the cloudless Past. Four years ! He wd rejoice Mamma's heart, with his bright generous temper, his amazing winsomeness, his quickness and noble looks.
—Our precious blossom, Alfred, struck four. Each year in his sunny little life marks more than anything the distance between the present and the cloudless Past. Four years ! He wd rejoice Mamma's heart, with his bright generous temper, his amazing winsomeness, his quickness and noble looks.
01Feb1861, Hard Work at Coventry
HAGLEY, Friday, February 1st, 1861.
—Aunt C. came back from her gallant hard work at Coventry none the worse, and having evidently been invaluable. They have hope of the trade looking up in a month ; meanwhile daily feeding and clothing amongst misery, cheating, and starvation goes on.
—Aunt C. came back from her gallant hard work at Coventry none the worse, and having evidently been invaluable. They have hope of the trade looking up in a month ; meanwhile daily feeding and clothing amongst misery, cheating, and starvation goes on.
28Jan1861, Messrs. Claughton and Pepys
HAGLEY, Monday, January 28th, 1861.
—Messrs. Claughton and Pepys ; the former lectured on Poetry, reading extracts from Crabbe and Spenser quite beauti¬fully. But too little variety.
—Messrs. Claughton and Pepys ; the former lectured on Poetry, reading extracts from Crabbe and Spenser quite beauti¬fully. But too little variety.
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