LONDON, May 12th, 1870.
—A little half-sister was born to the poor old dozen at Cavendish Sq. this morning — 30 years after May (sic, Meriel was 30). Sybella was frightfully ill, and the poor little thing suffered much in the birth, but all went well, and she is comfortable. It is rather a pretty little baby. [FN: Sarah Kathleen, now Mrs. John Bailey. (editor of the diary)]
Saturday, February 13, 2010
18Apr1870, Granny's Funeral
HAGLEY, April 18th, 1870.
—It was a glorious sunny weather, such a help and blessing. Dear Granny was laid near her husband in the vault which was opened under the S. wall of the chancel. A long train of children, grandchildren, and others and nearly all the servants followed (not her, only the worn-out tabernacle that her dear spirit must so gladly have left behind). I felt heavy-hearted, as I thought of that last "going to church" and called up the sight of her familiar, steady, dignified walk down the old path. If we could but realize the blessedness of the change to the Better Land where they need no Temple ! But I can't as I ought.
—It was a glorious sunny weather, such a help and blessing. Dear Granny was laid near her husband in the vault which was opened under the S. wall of the chancel. A long train of children, grandchildren, and others and nearly all the servants followed (not her, only the worn-out tabernacle that her dear spirit must so gladly have left behind). I felt heavy-hearted, as I thought of that last "going to church" and called up the sight of her familiar, steady, dignified walk down the old path. If we could but realize the blessedness of the change to the Better Land where they need no Temple ! But I can't as I ought.
05Apr1870, Missed Church
LONDON, April 5th, 1870.
—Missed church these 2 days, alas ! To-day was busy looking over the Woodford report.
—Missed church these 2 days, alas ! To-day was busy looking over the Woodford report.
31Mar1870, Papa's Turns 53
27Mar1870, Mr. Liddon's Sermon
LONDON, March 27th, 1870.
—B. was in great excitement over Mr. Liddon's sermon in S. James' : the crowds to hear him are tremendous. [FN: I myself can remember that it was necessary, when Liddon preached at St. Paul's in the late eighties, to be there by 1.30 if one wished to have a seat for the service which began at 3.15. Many stood all through the service and an hour and a half before it began.(Editor John Bailey)]
—B. was in great excitement over Mr. Liddon's sermon in S. James' : the crowds to hear him are tremendous. [FN: I myself can remember that it was necessary, when Liddon preached at St. Paul's in the late eighties, to be there by 1.30 if one wished to have a seat for the service which began at 3.15. Many stood all through the service and an hour and a half before it began.(Editor John Bailey)]
08Mar1870, Hearing Dickens Read
LONDON, March 8th, 1870.
—We went to hear Dickens read "Boots at the Holly Tree Inn," a bit from "Oliver Twist" and from "Pickwick" : the first was much the best, tho' Fagin was wonderful. (He died very soon after.)
—We went to hear Dickens read "Boots at the Holly Tree Inn," a bit from "Oliver Twist" and from "Pickwick" : the first was much the best, tho' Fagin was wonderful. (He died very soon after.)
27Feb1870, Quinquagesima
LONDON, February 27th, 1870. Quinquagesima.
—I went to the early Communion, which we think of beginning regularly.
—I went to the early Communion, which we think of beginning regularly.
26Feb1870, Clothes for a Poor Dressmaker
LONDON, February 26th, 1870.
—A poor dressmaker to whom I gave some old clothes on Tuesday, having reason to believe her story true, came overcome with gratitude to-night to say she had got work the very day after. Such a contrast, in the decent clothes and with a brightened face, to the poor, ragged, starved tramp who tottered into the room on Tuesday, crying helplessly and yet giving me the impression of respectability. I keep thanking God over and over for letting me do this.
—A poor dressmaker to whom I gave some old clothes on Tuesday, having reason to believe her story true, came overcome with gratitude to-night to say she had got work the very day after. Such a contrast, in the decent clothes and with a brightened face, to the poor, ragged, starved tramp who tottered into the room on Tuesday, crying helplessly and yet giving me the impression of respectability. I keep thanking God over and over for letting me do this.
24Feb1870, Dinner With the Prince, a Scandal
LONDON, February 24th, 1870.
—Last night we dined at No. 11 to meet the Wales' : it was horrid for poor Auntie P. ; was all settled before the scandal got into the papers. However, to everyone's relief, the Prince appeared voluntarily to-day as a witness, [FN: In the Mordaunt divorce case] gave very straightforward evidence, solemnly denied being guilty, and is generally believed to be quite cleared. The dinner and evening went off very well ; the Princess looked lovely, but very sad when she was not exerting herself.
By way of contrast, Agnes and I went off to-night to tea at Limehouse, which was a great success.
—Last night we dined at No. 11 to meet the Wales' : it was horrid for poor Auntie P. ; was all settled before the scandal got into the papers. However, to everyone's relief, the Prince appeared voluntarily to-day as a witness, [FN: In the Mordaunt divorce case] gave very straightforward evidence, solemnly denied being guilty, and is generally believed to be quite cleared. The dinner and evening went off very well ; the Princess looked lovely, but very sad when she was not exerting herself.
By way of contrast, Agnes and I went off to-night to tea at Limehouse, which was a great success.
20Feb1870, Reading Ruskin
LONDON, February 20th, 1870.
—I am much bewitched with my 1st dip into Ruskin.
—I am much bewitched with my 1st dip into Ruskin.
19Feb1870, Meeting Max Müller
LONDON, February 19th, 1870.
—Our coachman being unkind enough to have laid himself up with influenza, we had to go in a hired tub to dine at the Palgraves'. Met Professor Max Müller ; a very quiet, unaffected, pleasant man, with a decided German accent ; he thinks himself quite English. We talked arts and sciences and Mr. Palgrave lent me Ruskin's book on Landscape Painters, on my saying I had been unlucky enough never to have read him. Drum at Ly. de Grey's.
—Our coachman being unkind enough to have laid himself up with influenza, we had to go in a hired tub to dine at the Palgraves'. Met Professor Max Müller ; a very quiet, unaffected, pleasant man, with a decided German accent ; he thinks himself quite English. We talked arts and sciences and Mr. Palgrave lent me Ruskin's book on Landscape Painters, on my saying I had been unlucky enough never to have read him. Drum at Ly. de Grey's.
16Feb1870, The Poverty of London
LONDON, February 16th, 1870.
—We went to a drum at No. 11, and I talked a little to Mr. Goschen. Johnny had asked him a question about the poverty of London in the House, "if his attention had been called to it," and poor Mr. Goschen answered that you might as well ask a man engaged in a terrible struggle whether his attention had been called to the fact that he had an enemy in front of him. But what is to be done? There is a movement for making charitable agencies and the poor-law work together, which would be admirable ; but the difficulties are said to be enormous. The Bp. of Exeter was at the party, to B.'s intense delight, for she worships him. [FN: Dr. Temple, whom "B." (Beatrice Lascelles) afterwards married.] He told her he had no hope but that opposition would follow him to his dying day ; and that it was a great grief to offend so many good men. He looks brave and cheerful nevertheless.
—We went to a drum at No. 11, and I talked a little to Mr. Goschen. Johnny had asked him a question about the poverty of London in the House, "if his attention had been called to it," and poor Mr. Goschen answered that you might as well ask a man engaged in a terrible struggle whether his attention had been called to the fact that he had an enemy in front of him. But what is to be done? There is a movement for making charitable agencies and the poor-law work together, which would be admirable ; but the difficulties are said to be enormous. The Bp. of Exeter was at the party, to B.'s intense delight, for she worships him. [FN: Dr. Temple, whom "B." (Beatrice Lascelles) afterwards married.] He told her he had no hope but that opposition would follow him to his dying day ; and that it was a great grief to offend so many good men. He looks brave and cheerful nevertheless.
28Jan1870, William and Victor Meet Again
HOLKER, January 28th, 1870.
—William and Victor met downstairs for the 1st time for a fortnight, and it was the prettiest sight in the world. William was quite crazy with delight (reminding me in the most whimsical way of Friday's joy at seeing his father, in "Robinson Crusoe" !). He would never leave him, and all his tyrannical ways disappeared as he evidently thought him a tender little invalid who must be petted : called his name over and over again in a darling little soft voice, peering up into his face ; showed him pictures, picked up what he dropped, and kept breaking out into squeaks of bliss and laughter. Meanwhile Victor received all demonstrations with dignity, slowly thawed into smiles, and finally they trotted about the room together. It was the more comical, that Victor, tho' thinner than he was, is still far the biggest of the two, having again gained upon W. in height during his illness.
—William and Victor met downstairs for the 1st time for a fortnight, and it was the prettiest sight in the world. William was quite crazy with delight (reminding me in the most whimsical way of Friday's joy at seeing his father, in "Robinson Crusoe" !). He would never leave him, and all his tyrannical ways disappeared as he evidently thought him a tender little invalid who must be petted : called his name over and over again in a darling little soft voice, peering up into his face ; showed him pictures, picked up what he dropped, and kept breaking out into squeaks of bliss and laughter. Meanwhile Victor received all demonstrations with dignity, slowly thawed into smiles, and finally they trotted about the room together. It was the more comical, that Victor, tho' thinner than he was, is still far the biggest of the two, having again gained upon W. in height during his illness.
19Jan1870, The Footman has Rheumatic Fever
HOLKER, January 19th, 1870.
—Poor George the footman has rheumatic fever : such a sick house never was.
HOLKER, January 20th, 1870.
—George grew so much worse, that late in the evening (unknown to us) the doctor came and bled him—such an unheard-of thing nowadays, that we telegraphed
January 21st, 1870. — for Dr. de Vitre, who thinks very seriously of his case, and also of poor Porter, the groom of the chambers, who has a very bad throat.
HOLKER, January 22nd, 1870.
—The 1st thing we heard in the morning was the sad news of George's death at 1 o'clock. . . .
—Poor George the footman has rheumatic fever : such a sick house never was.
HOLKER, January 20th, 1870.
—George grew so much worse, that late in the evening (unknown to us) the doctor came and bled him—such an unheard-of thing nowadays, that we telegraphed
January 21st, 1870. — for Dr. de Vitre, who thinks very seriously of his case, and also of poor Porter, the groom of the chambers, who has a very bad throat.
HOLKER, January 22nd, 1870.
—The 1st thing we heard in the morning was the sad news of George's death at 1 o'clock. . . .
11Dec1869, Exeunt the Listowels
CHATSWORTH, December 11th, 1869.
—Exeunt the Listowels, and the "company time" is over ; 3 cheers ! Not that it has not been pleasant, and successful, but 0 to be on one's own hind legs for 6 weeks !
—Exeunt the Listowels, and the "company time" is over ; 3 cheers ! Not that it has not been pleasant, and successful, but 0 to be on one's own hind legs for 6 weeks !
08Dec1869, Personal Infallibility of the Pope
CHATSWORTH, December 8th, 1869.
—At Rome the Bishops of the Roman Church are mustering for the so-called Œcumenical Council. The Ultramontane Italian party are said to be firmly resolved on decreeing the "personal infallibility of the Pope"—a monstrous new dogma, which one of their authorized catechisms now in use puts down as a "Protestant invention." There have been protests from the German clergy, and one Père Hyacinthe in France ran such a tilt against the Ultramontanes that he has been forced to throw up his position, and has been excommunicated. The Roman party affect to ignore these protests, but lately Dupanloup, Bishop of Orleans, a strong Catholic, has written an earnest appeal against such a decree being passed ; and they can hardly ignore him, It seems a desperate turning to bay.
—At Rome the Bishops of the Roman Church are mustering for the so-called Œcumenical Council. The Ultramontane Italian party are said to be firmly resolved on decreeing the "personal infallibility of the Pope"—a monstrous new dogma, which one of their authorized catechisms now in use puts down as a "Protestant invention." There have been protests from the German clergy, and one Père Hyacinthe in France ran such a tilt against the Ultramontanes that he has been forced to throw up his position, and has been excommunicated. The Roman party affect to ignore these protests, but lately Dupanloup, Bishop of Orleans, a strong Catholic, has written an earnest appeal against such a decree being passed ; and they can hardly ignore him, It seems a desperate turning to bay.
07Dec1869, Treassures Found in a Corner
CHATSWORTH, December 7th, 1869.
—The quaintest little old children's carriages have been found in a corner, which must have been made for the late Duke and his sisters, or for his left-handed brethren, the Cliffords : one is shaped like a cockle-shell ; mounted on high green and gold wheels, and fitted with single and double harness for dogs ! The shafts and pole are twisted snakes, and there is a comical hood. Also two spotted rocking-horses.
—The quaintest little old children's carriages have been found in a corner, which must have been made for the late Duke and his sisters, or for his left-handed brethren, the Cliffords : one is shaped like a cockle-shell ; mounted on high green and gold wheels, and fitted with single and double harness for dogs ! The shafts and pole are twisted snakes, and there is a comical hood. Also two spotted rocking-horses.
23Nov1869, Touring Chatsworth
CHATSWORTH, November 23rd, 1869.
—We took the folk over the state-rooms. The arrangement of Chiswick china in the little ante-state-room, which has been hung with red-lining paper and turned into a regular china-closet, is generally admired.
—We took the folk over the state-rooms. The arrangement of Chiswick china in the little ante-state-room, which has been hung with red-lining paper and turned into a regular china-closet, is generally admired.
22Nov1869, A Migihty Brigade Arrives
CHATSWORTH, November 22nd, 1869.
—A mighty brigade of folk arrived (13 of them at once), viz., Aunt Caroline, May and B., the American Minister, Mrs. and 2 Miss Motleys, Mr. Montgomery and daughter, the St. Albans', Messrs. Cowper, W. Coke, etc.
—A mighty brigade of folk arrived (13 of them at once), viz., Aunt Caroline, May and B., the American Minister, Mrs. and 2 Miss Motleys, Mr. Montgomery and daughter, the St. Albans', Messrs. Cowper, W. Coke, etc.
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