LONDON, March 14th, 1865.
—F. after his railways, with the Duke. (N.B. The Duke called me Lucy yesterday to my face for the first time!)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
13Mar1865, North and South Against Us
LONDON, March 13th, 1865.
—Fred had the Furness Railwayums. I missed church, thro' an in-and-out of circumstances, which resulted in my entertaining at 5 o'clock tea the odd combination of Fanny Carew and her boy Reggie, and Althorp! and going afterwards to the H. of C. to hear a debate on the defences of Canada, which seemed to be of the poorest ; and there is a notion that the American War must shortly end (the South being exhausted, and having just lost Charleston and Wilmington) and that then both parties will unite against us. I don't believe it unless we do something abominable.
—Fred had the Furness Railwayums. I missed church, thro' an in-and-out of circumstances, which resulted in my entertaining at 5 o'clock tea the odd combination of Fanny Carew and her boy Reggie, and Althorp! and going afterwards to the H. of C. to hear a debate on the defences of Canada, which seemed to be of the poorest ; and there is a notion that the American War must shortly end (the South being exhausted, and having just lost Charleston and Wilmington) and that then both parties will unite against us. I don't believe it unless we do something abominable.
12Mar1865, To the Sick Ward
LONDON, March 12th, 1865.
—I paid my first workhouse visit with the Gladstones. Went to the sick-ward, and made acquaintance with several poor old goodies. The look of the ward certainly takes away all romantic notions of ministration ; everything most uncomely and meagre, and some of the poor old folk repulsive enough ; but two were wonderful instances of strong love of God and faith in Him making suffering and weariness light burdens.
—I paid my first workhouse visit with the Gladstones. Went to the sick-ward, and made acquaintance with several poor old goodies. The look of the ward certainly takes away all romantic notions of ministration ; everything most uncomely and meagre, and some of the poor old folk repulsive enough ; but two were wonderful instances of strong love of God and faith in Him making suffering and weariness light burdens.
11Mar1865, North and Sourth Discussion
LONDON, March 11th, 1865.
—F. went to Barker's to sniff after broughams, as we purpose setting up one. . . .
Major Anson and Fred had a furious N. and S. [FN: I.e. North and South : the American War.] discussion ; F. got the best of it !
—F. went to Barker's to sniff after broughams, as we purpose setting up one. . . .
Major Anson and Fred had a furious N. and S. [FN: I.e. North and South : the American War.] discussion ; F. got the best of it !
10Mar1865, St. Anne's Mission and Diamonds on My Head
LONDON, March 10th, 1865.
—I went to London House, where I put down my name for St. Martin's Workhouse, and as supplemental lady to the St. Anne's Mission, Limehouse. Mr. Rousel mentioned a terrible case of a struggling curate, so poor at best that he could not have a fire in his house, or eat meat, for days together ; and now with his large family in the scarlet fever. Meriel Bathurst (who came for the first time), my Meriel, Mrs. Talbot, Agnes, and I agreed to send him a hamper among us ; and M. and I got the things after luncheon ; viz. tea, arrowroot, tapioca, sago, grapes, concentrated beef tea, currant jelly, a dozen of port wine, and a bottle of brandy. The 2 latter items we found it rather blowing to order. . . .
We dined at Ly. Cowper's, and had to go afterwards to a ball at Marlborough House, where the Princess of Wales looked lovely. I saw my dear Princess Helena, but not to speak to, also Princess Louise and many Court friends. I wore all the diamonds on my head for the 1st time. Headdresses are becoming remarkable. The young Lady Wharncliffe had her hair in a frizzled mop ; and many were tending in the same direction.
—I went to London House, where I put down my name for St. Martin's Workhouse, and as supplemental lady to the St. Anne's Mission, Limehouse. Mr. Rousel mentioned a terrible case of a struggling curate, so poor at best that he could not have a fire in his house, or eat meat, for days together ; and now with his large family in the scarlet fever. Meriel Bathurst (who came for the first time), my Meriel, Mrs. Talbot, Agnes, and I agreed to send him a hamper among us ; and M. and I got the things after luncheon ; viz. tea, arrowroot, tapioca, sago, grapes, concentrated beef tea, currant jelly, a dozen of port wine, and a bottle of brandy. The 2 latter items we found it rather blowing to order. . . .
We dined at Ly. Cowper's, and had to go afterwards to a ball at Marlborough House, where the Princess of Wales looked lovely. I saw my dear Princess Helena, but not to speak to, also Princess Louise and many Court friends. I wore all the diamonds on my head for the 1st time. Headdresses are becoming remarkable. The young Lady Wharncliffe had her hair in a frizzled mop ; and many were tending in the same direction.
08Mar1865, More Work with Parochial Mission
LONDON, March 8th, 1865.
—F. deposited me in George St. for luncheon, and thence I drove with Mrs. Talbot and Miss Laura Oldfield to St. Anne's, Limehouse, where we attended one of the "Mothers' Meetings" of the Parochial Mission there ; and I was introduced to Miss Lilby, the Lady Superintendent who is to have me to apply to ; to the Mission woman, Mrs. Bush ; to the clergyman (a missionary), who ended the meeting with reading, explaining, and prayers ; after hearing much about the work which is being done, and talking a little to some of the poor women, of whom there were about 25, we went to the London Hospital to see a girl of 23 who is there recovering from a tremendous operation : and who before going to the Hospital had been working as 2nd mission woman with such marvellous zeal and overflowing love for the work, that she went about amongst the people early and late, in spite of continual violent pain. And now in her weakness her one longing desire is to go back again ; her whole heart yearning after the poor things among whom she went. And all with such simplicity ; evidently she had no idea she was doing anything great.
—F. deposited me in George St. for luncheon, and thence I drove with Mrs. Talbot and Miss Laura Oldfield to St. Anne's, Limehouse, where we attended one of the "Mothers' Meetings" of the Parochial Mission there ; and I was introduced to Miss Lilby, the Lady Superintendent who is to have me to apply to ; to the Mission woman, Mrs. Bush ; to the clergyman (a missionary), who ended the meeting with reading, explaining, and prayers ; after hearing much about the work which is being done, and talking a little to some of the poor women, of whom there were about 25, we went to the London Hospital to see a girl of 23 who is there recovering from a tremendous operation : and who before going to the Hospital had been working as 2nd mission woman with such marvellous zeal and overflowing love for the work, that she went about amongst the people early and late, in spite of continual violent pain. And now in her weakness her one longing desire is to go back again ; her whole heart yearning after the poor things among whom she went. And all with such simplicity ; evidently she had no idea she was doing anything great.
05Mar1865, At a Play with the Wales's
LONDON, March 3rd, 1865.
—A little "doment" with a French play at Ld. Granville's, who had got the Wales's : the Prince astonishingly fat, the Princess looking lovely, tho' she is to be confined this summer.
—A little "doment" with a French play at Ld. Granville's, who had got the Wales's : the Prince astonishingly fat, the Princess looking lovely, tho' she is to be confined this summer.
27Feb1865, Ladies' Diocesan Association Inaugural Meeting
LONDON, February 27th, 1865.
—This is a day to be remembered. I attended the Bishop of London's inaugural meeting of the "Ladies' Diocesan Association," which he set on foot last year, and in which ladies join to do useful and charitable work of many different kinds in the diocese. I became a member ; the Bishop giving me a little book, as token of admittance. I hope to undertake small things ; one is to be what they call a "supplemental lady" for the Parochial Mission Women Institution (that is, one whom some one Lady Superintendent may refer to for help on special occasions) ; the other, to visit S. Martin's Workhouse once a week. I have an awestruck feeling at joining people who have devoted themselves to good, and can only pray that the great blessedness of work for the poor may be mine, and that I may be helped.
—This is a day to be remembered. I attended the Bishop of London's inaugural meeting of the "Ladies' Diocesan Association," which he set on foot last year, and in which ladies join to do useful and charitable work of many different kinds in the diocese. I became a member ; the Bishop giving me a little book, as token of admittance. I hope to undertake small things ; one is to be what they call a "supplemental lady" for the Parochial Mission Women Institution (that is, one whom some one Lady Superintendent may refer to for help on special occasions) ; the other, to visit S. Martin's Workhouse once a week. I have an awestruck feeling at joining people who have devoted themselves to good, and can only pray that the great blessedness of work for the poor may be mine, and that I may be helped.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
25Feb1865, The Bishop Held a Confirmation
LATIMER, February 25th, 1865.
—Bright clear morning, indescribably pleasant after the London dirty dinge and slop. Most of the womankind went to the "Waterside Church," where the Bishop held a Confirmation of about 80 several of whom were elderly people. Now, though my own Confirmation is a sacred and precious memory to me, almost beyond anything else, and though Spencer's and Lavinia's was full of deep interest, I can't say I ever saw, till to-day, a Confirmation really impressively and strikingly done. But the Bishop of Oxford has always excelled in this respect (having done, I should think, more good at Eton than can be measured by his Confirmations there), and this was most solemn and moving.
—Bright clear morning, indescribably pleasant after the London dirty dinge and slop. Most of the womankind went to the "Waterside Church," where the Bishop held a Confirmation of about 80 several of whom were elderly people. Now, though my own Confirmation is a sacred and precious memory to me, almost beyond anything else, and though Spencer's and Lavinia's was full of deep interest, I can't say I ever saw, till to-day, a Confirmation really impressively and strikingly done. But the Bishop of Oxford has always excelled in this respect (having done, I should think, more good at Eton than can be measured by his Confirmations there), and this was most solemn and moving.
24Feb1865, From Euston Square to Hyde Park in 17 Minutes
LATIMER, February 24th, 1865.
—Went headlong in a hansom to Euston Square from Hyde Park Corner in 17 minutes ; and here we are, in a very pretty house, with Gladstones, Emma and B. Lascelles, Miss Campbell (a sister of Mrs. Wyndham), Messrs. Evelyn Ashley, Cowper, Hugh Smith ; and the Bishop of Oxford, who has come to hold Confirmations.
—Went headlong in a hansom to Euston Square from Hyde Park Corner in 17 minutes ; and here we are, in a very pretty house, with Gladstones, Emma and B. Lascelles, Miss Campbell (a sister of Mrs. Wyndham), Messrs. Evelyn Ashley, Cowper, Hugh Smith ; and the Bishop of Oxford, who has come to hold Confirmations.
20Feb1865, Furniture Shopping
LONDON, February 20th, 1865.
—Lou, F., and I did a deal of furniture inspection, not deciding yet upon much. Also we showed off the house to the Duke who was much pleased with it. F. and I dined very pleasantly at Ld. Granville's, meeting the Argylls, the Bruces, Messrs. M. Arnold, Leveson, H. Cowper, Ld. Lyons, and Sir D. Dundas.
—Lou, F., and I did a deal of furniture inspection, not deciding yet upon much. Also we showed off the house to the Duke who was much pleased with it. F. and I dined very pleasantly at Ld. Granville's, meeting the Argylls, the Bruces, Messrs. M. Arnold, Leveson, H. Cowper, Ld. Lyons, and Sir D. Dundas.
19Feb1865, Hearing Mr. F.D. Maurice Preach
LONDON, February 19th, 1865.
—We went to hear the famous Mr. Maurice in the morning. He preached most beautifully on Triumphant Hope ; with a manner full of love and fervour. If one had not known of his startling, peculiar opinions, I think one would have seen nothing in his sermon but what any Christian might agree with. But alas ! there is terrible difficulty and dispute all round one now, and one is unconsciously on one's guard and in a state of distrust.
—We went to hear the famous Mr. Maurice in the morning. He preached most beautifully on Triumphant Hope ; with a manner full of love and fervour. If one had not known of his startling, peculiar opinions, I think one would have seen nothing in his sermon but what any Christian might agree with. But alas ! there is terrible difficulty and dispute all round one now, and one is unconsciously on one's guard and in a state of distrust.
Monday, February 16, 2009
17Feb1865, We Dined at Lord Russell's
LONDON, February 17th, 1865.
—We dined at Lord Russell's ; it amused me immensely to go to dinner with Fred ! It was pleasant. Met Sir Edwin Landseer, Ld. Lyons, Mr. Barrett Browning, [FN: Probably the poet Robert Browning, not his son Barrett who was only a boy at this time.] Cap. Egerton, the Stanleys of Alderley.
—We dined at Lord Russell's ; it amused me immensely to go to dinner with Fred ! It was pleasant. Met Sir Edwin Landseer, Ld. Lyons, Mr. Barrett Browning, [FN: Probably the poet Robert Browning, not his son Barrett who was only a boy at this time.] Cap. Egerton, the Stanleys of Alderley.
03Feb1865, Reading Hume and Lingard
HOLKER, February 3rd, 1865.
—Began to read the same period in Hume that I have in Lingard : that is, I only read the memoir of Hume to-day : it was flesh-creepy to discern the soullessness and irreligion of the man, and his ghastly cheerfulness and indifference up to his dying moment.
—Began to read the same period in Hume that I have in Lingard : that is, I only read the memoir of Hume to-day : it was flesh-creepy to discern the soullessness and irreligion of the man, and his ghastly cheerfulness and indifference up to his dying moment.
30Jan1865, Kingsley's The Water Babies
HOLKER, January 30th, 1865.
—Little boys (Edward and Alfred) (and Compton) plunged into the snow before luncheon ; played at hide-and-seek afterwards. I did some French and Latin with them, to my great enjoyment, reviving old-maid recollections. Also read to them the beginning to Kingsley's mad book "The Water Babies" : the only comprehensible part ; the rest being an entangled jumble of allegory, fairy-tale, and natural history—very dream-like and crazy. I have begun a course of English History, and am reading Lingard's first vol.; Iliad, Carlyle, Butler.
—Little boys (Edward and Alfred) (and Compton) plunged into the snow before luncheon ; played at hide-and-seek afterwards. I did some French and Latin with them, to my great enjoyment, reviving old-maid recollections. Also read to them the beginning to Kingsley's mad book "The Water Babies" : the only comprehensible part ; the rest being an entangled jumble of allegory, fairy-tale, and natural history—very dream-like and crazy. I have begun a course of English History, and am reading Lingard's first vol.; Iliad, Carlyle, Butler.
28Jan1865, Advanced to the Stage of Clumsy
HOLKER, January 28th, 1865.
—Ice the order of the day again. I advanced to the stage of clumsy, spasmodic self-propelling, diversified by tumbles, and supported by a stick. F. had to foot-hunt, to my grief. He has a horrid cold. He saw the last 5 minutes of my exploits. Lou and I have begun Ld. Derby's new translation of the Iliad, in blank verse ; it is very nervous, easy, and dignified. Little boys tumbled about with and without skates, and swore friendship with Compton. A young man of three-and-twenty has just died of drink, his grandfather and all his paternal uncles having done the same. It is frightfully common about here.
—Ice the order of the day again. I advanced to the stage of clumsy, spasmodic self-propelling, diversified by tumbles, and supported by a stick. F. had to foot-hunt, to my grief. He has a horrid cold. He saw the last 5 minutes of my exploits. Lou and I have begun Ld. Derby's new translation of the Iliad, in blank verse ; it is very nervous, easy, and dignified. Little boys tumbled about with and without skates, and swore friendship with Compton. A young man of three-and-twenty has just died of drink, his grandfather and all his paternal uncles having done the same. It is frightfully common about here.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
27Jan1865, Skating with Great Enjoyment
HOLKER, January 27th, 1865.
—Unable to stand looking at the skating any longer without feeling of envy, I put on the articles, and staggered and floundered about with great enjoyment, squired unweariedly by Compton, [FN: Afterwards 3rd Lord Chesham. She had described him on the 24th as "an ugly but civil nice boy of 14." ] who shared with me many a fall. F. and Co. shot. The dear little boys [FN: Her brothers Edward and Alfred.] came about 5, had tea with Newmany in our room, appeared at dinner, and behaved with great aplomb.
—Unable to stand looking at the skating any longer without feeling of envy, I put on the articles, and staggered and floundered about with great enjoyment, squired unweariedly by Compton, [FN: Afterwards 3rd Lord Chesham. She had described him on the 24th as "an ugly but civil nice boy of 14." ] who shared with me many a fall. F. and Co. shot. The dear little boys [FN: Her brothers Edward and Alfred.] came about 5, had tea with Newmany in our room, appeared at dinner, and behaved with great aplomb.
23Jan1865, Conscience Clause
HOLKER, January 23rd, 1865.
—Discussion is going on pro and con the admitting of dissenting children to a Church school by means of a "Conscience clause," which is to provide that if it is desired by the parents, they may be excluded from the religious teaching. I am in a wood about it, Papa being con, Freddy pro.
—Discussion is going on pro and con the admitting of dissenting children to a Church school by means of a "Conscience clause," which is to provide that if it is desired by the parents, they may be excluded from the religious teaching. I am in a wood about it, Papa being con, Freddy pro.
19Jan1865, Dear Old Bodies
HOLKER, January 19th, 1865.
—In the afternoon Lav., Lou, and I went to see Aggy, Hannah, and Betty (their surnames will not stay in my head !) ; dear old bodies. There has been a good deal of fever about, but it is going off. Poor Brailsford, the keeper, has lost his only child with some brain complaint. Lou gave to 3 old ladies a charming shawl apiece, which she has crocheted.
—In the afternoon Lav., Lou, and I went to see Aggy, Hannah, and Betty (their surnames will not stay in my head !) ; dear old bodies. There has been a good deal of fever about, but it is going off. Poor Brailsford, the keeper, has lost his only child with some brain complaint. Lou gave to 3 old ladies a charming shawl apiece, which she has crocheted.
16Jan1865, Hare Hunting
HOLKER, January 16th, 1865.
—F. went hare hunting on foot : a most Holkerish proceeding !
—F. went hare hunting on foot : a most Holkerish proceeding !
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