Saturday, 30 April 1859

Rose at 5½. ― Greek from 7 to 8½. ― I don’t improve much, but it is something not to go back. ― Wrote, a rather sad letter to J.B. Harford, and Ann. ― Worked at T.G. Baring’s Parnassus ― off & on ― for various people came ― 2 Miss Monx ― Stansfeld, with a Mr. & Miss Lathon. All public news are most disastrous. ― The Emperor landing at Genoa ― “hostilities” commenced, ― part of the army marching to Ancona ― among other reports. I have written all I could to Ann, & there is nothing to be done but to wait. Later, Drummond came, ― & Dr. Hodgkinson ― & another ― a Hebrew I think ― a friend of Sir M. Montefiore. ― Their remarks on the Palestine drawings were very pleasant to me. ― After they went, I worked till 3½ & then walked out  with P. Williams, to S. Agnese, & back. Dined alone. ― A calmer day ― yet sad enough.

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

Friday, 29 April 1859

Rose before 6. Gk lesson. ― Fine dry all through. ―

Worked at another of Fairbairn’s Petra ― off & on very wearily. ― Stansfeld called ― & at 5 ― Drummond, with whom I walked in the Borghese ― but I was nervous & unwell. ― Dined at Lady Carmichael’s ― the 2 Lady C., Sophy C. & Reid. (Francis.) whom I liked. Indeed the whole party are interesting, & sad. ― Talked till late, sang ― 4 songs & away ― reflecting much ― by 10½.

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

Thursday, 28 April 1859

Could not rise for Gk. lesson. ― Rose at 8½ ― Unwell & miserable. ― Letter from Ann, ― very unsatisfactory ― Sarah not returning &c. ― Miss James & party ― came. ― Went to Macphersons: ― very bad accounts of public affairs, in Tuscany, Sardinia, & elsewhere. Talk with P. Williams. ―

Dined at 4. ― Later came the Sandbachs, ― & Edgar Drummond, with whom I walked till 7. Cloudy & scirocco. ――  In the evening came P. Williams.

Worked very little all day.

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

Wednesday, 27 April 1859

A very uncomfortable day ― but why?

Rose before 6. Gk. lesson ― 7 to 8.

Worked at a drawing of Masada for a Φοτογραφ ― by fits all day ― yet being very heavy ― slept frequently.

At 2 ― 3 ― Isabella Knight sent to me, to ask me to go there at 4½ ― to sign a paper.

At 3 I went to Macbeans ― Williams & others: everything is unsettled & ugly.

At 4½ ― to Pal V. Braci &, with Mr. Stocker, the agent Chaplain ― signed, as witness, I.K.’s will. The Duchess of Sermoneta was there also. Poor good kind people. There are few have suffered as I.K. has, & yet have remained  good. ― C. & H. are at Frascati. ― After that called on Lady Carmichael, who to my surprise, told me Sophia is to be married on Monday ― to her cousin Reid of Ravells!!!

Lady C. was very nice. ― After that I walked with P. Williams ― 6 to 7. ――
Dined alone, & wrote to J.B. Harford.

XX9 14 in all

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

Tuesday, 26 April 1859

Rose at 5¾. Ever a mist ―: fine by 8. Gk. lesson.

Always less able to work after going into the Campagna. ―

3 papers to read. ― Worked, ― & ― νομίζω ((I think (D. Harvey).)) ― finished Mr. Sandbach’s 2 drawings: ― but, chi sa?  ― Giorgio went out to the Europa, & being kept a long time ― was more angry than I thought I ever saw him: ― but gt. allowance is to be made for this ― vû his natural temper, & that he never dawdles at all. Poor fellow! he would gladly work all day ― yet he longs to go out of “ἡ φυλακή.” ― ((The prison (D. Harvey).))

Came an American Clark, & “Talfourd ―” not unagreable. ―

Then, letters from F.L. ― E.T. (that really heavenly woman,) B. Husey Hunt ― William Nevill & C. Ingleby ― !!! ― & Fanny Coombe. ― All, on the whole, a pleasure. ―

Worked on till 4. How lovely a day! ―

At 5 came Edgar Drummond ― & I walked with him to S. Lorenzo ― a most pleasant walk. ―

Returned to dine alone. ――― War ruinous bad.

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

Monday, 25 April 1859

Rose before 6. Greek lesson ― 7 to 8. ―

Very fine bright morning ― & not misty.

G.’s accounts ― careful & good. ―

Paid Pizzerani 134 scudi. ―

At 11 ― G. & I set out towards P. Maggiore ― & at 12½ were at Tor di Schiavi. ― Here I drew pretty carefully & quietly ― G. always amusing & quiet, ― till about 3 ― the Marshalls came: & after that the Monks ― & Herberts ― & the deuce knows who. The whole quiet of the place & its interest go off like smoke from this bother. ― Yet the line of ruins & distant plain ― miniature as it is ― is very lovely ― all the sheep too included.

We walked home ― (starting at 5½ ―) by 7. ―

Dined from Spillman’s ― not very well ― cioè ((“That is to say.”)) ― I had ordered a scudo dinner, ― but (“che gnocchi ―!” ((“What wonderful gnocchi!”)) said G. ―) they sent both soup & fish, ― wh. we was [sic] forced to eat. At 8, ― (G. could not go to the [friends] ― for his foot was sore ―) we saw a portion  of the Fuochi d’artifizio  ― from my window.

Found a letter from Mr. Edwards: ― very kind. ― Jeremy is Captain Edwards!

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

Sunday, 24 April 1859

Slept well. The air is lighter, yet still heavy.

Rose at 6. ― After G.’s lesson, & finding he had decided on going to the St Peter’s Benediction, ― I went at 9 ― with him, across the ferry ― to S. Pietro. We were in good time for the Pope’s Entry ― but that had no effect on me as in old days. Then, we waited on the rt side of the facciata ― taking 2 chairs: ― the people are not reverent now ― assuredly: nor were there crowds. An old lady whom I assisted, told news had come of the Austns & Sandns having declared war.

The Pope’s voice, in the benediction was very good, & I never can, nor wish to, divest myself of the feeling that he is the head of a great division of Xtianity. ― G. & I got away with difficulty ― & walked round the walls, ― coming to the ferry, where I saw C. Perkins, who confirmed the war news. ― At the door of N° 9 I saw pretty-eyed Miss James ―: (― going out again, I nearly ran over very ugly-eyed Mrs. Ormsby ―) & then I called on the Stansfelds, & after that on P.W. ― He & I set out to walk, but meeting with Gibson, he turned back with us, ― a misfortune, as his conversation is highly ridiculous & tedious. ― We sate, (all 3 ―) some time near P. Pia, & J.G. returned, P.W. & I walking on & returning at 5 ―: after which meeting Drummond, I again returned with him ― & back by the walls ― (unpleasant Rozzica=players ―)  to the P. del Popolo, & over the Pincian. ― Home by 6½. Dined. ―

Sent out Gio. to see the Illumination, wh. now, at 9 ― I see from my windows ― but these lights all seem vulgar & shabby to me. ― Bed at 10½.

Very bad night for sleep. ― X

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

Saturday, 23 April 1859

Rese before 6. Gk. Lesson. ――― Sent letters to Ann & Mrs. Empson. Mrs. Hornby is better ― I hear by a note from Miss Boyle. ― G.’s lesson ― & his uncertainty about going to St Peter’s. ― Sandbach, Drummond, & an American (Clark) called ―. ― Worked at T.G.B.’s Parnassus till 2 2½. With Mr. & Mrs. W. Sandbach to Cerbara grottoes ― very lovely cloud-flitting afternoon, & exquisite freshness ― greenery, & Asphodels ―――

――― . ― We returned by 6½. City crowded.

Dined with the S.’s ― very pleasantly. Showed them AT ((Lear often uses Alfrred Tennyson’s monogram when referring to Alfred Tennyson.)) drawings &c. ― ― ― ―

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

Friday, 22 April 1859

XX8

A truly miserable day. ―

Slept nearly all through it ― & read at times.

Tremayne ― Leighton ― & Drummond came, with which last I walked to S. Agnese & back. ― dined alone.

Mostly rain all day ― very heavy scirocco.

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

Thursday, 21 April 1859

O dear me drumstix. ― [vel.] ― I riz at 5½ ἤμουν ― ἔξ. ((I was ― six (D. harvey).)) ― Greek lesson till 8½ ―
After 10 ― began to work; but soon came papers & notes & what not, & then E. Drummond, who is no interruption, ever.  But, while he was here, came a vast bunch of Letters ― all of wh. affected me more or less. I worked very little. ― Then I went out & called on the Macbeans, & afterwards got a Piano ― ― wh. I ought to have had long ago. ― [3 words are erased]. ― Returning I worked a bit, & walked with Drummond till 6.30. ― (Benouville called at 10. ―

Dined alone. ― ―

Piano forte came.

Wrote to J. Edwards.

[The “vast bunch of letters”.]
C. Fortescue.
Mrs. Empson.
Ann ― &
three packets
from Hansen ―
containing letters of
Edwards.
J. Cross.
Mrs. Wyatt.
E. Holmes. ―
Spiro ― (announcing Giorgio coming)
C. Church.
E. Tennyson.
& others.

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]