Wednesday, 31 October 1860

Fine, & colder. ― Headache, “quod era,” ― ˇ[W. Beadon called.] Worked but little ― at Cross’s Baalbek. Edgar & Mrs. E. Drummond came. ―

Later, Ann: who is better a little ― yet more aged ever. We passed our day very harmoniously. Lunch at 1. ― She went at 4. ― I, to Mr. Hays. (A Montgomery & H. Chaney coming out of the room;). Mr. H. was perfectly awful: ― but the D. of Wellington coming in ― he cheered up, ― introduced me as “a painter of eminence,” & did the ancient patron over again: ― it seems to me his ailment is more mental than bodily somehow. ― Walked from 6 to 6.45. ― Then to O. & C. Club ― & here was F.L. ― there was some unforeseen dinner, so we had to dine at the St. James’s Hall, a new, & agreable place. F.L. struck me as more matter of fact ― καὶ βέβαιως ― ἐκείναι αἱ ἡμέραι ἐπεράσθησαν! ((And surely those days are over (NB).)) ―

Neither was I in good tune.

F. came home with me ― & looked at the 7 drawings ― & went at 10.30.

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

Tuesday, 30 October 1860

Fine. It is always now-a-days ― but foggy & dim. ― The 2 Raleighs came ― also E. Drummond. ― Worked at Cross’s Baalbek. At 3 set off to Woodberry.

Arrived there, ― going for a cab, which cost 4/ but found W.N. much “out of sorts,” seeing that Willie is ill ― & they fear fever. ― I ― ἀυτὸς ἐγὼ, ((I, myself (NB).)) ― do not know what to think of this. ― ――― I was, dunque, ((Therefore.)) not to sleep there. ―

Dressed in W.N.’s room. ― The Dinner was, 1. W.N. 2. E.L. ― 3. Ralph ― a nice good & clever lad, 4 Milnwood, ((Milwood in the chart below.)) 5. Mrs. Milwood, 6. Jane Oridge! ― 7. One Mr. Leashman? 8. His sister, Mrs. Black, 9-10 ― Mr. & Mrs. Windsor, 11-12. Dr. & Mrs. Tunaley. 13. Susan Head 14. Mr. Tilly.

The dinner, however plenteous, was singularly ill arranged & served ― & poor W.N. was sad. When the ladies went he was as opposite ― so that I was glad when we left.

The Mr. Windsor seemed a Danish Merchant, & knew Marstrand ― & Pugaãrd ― whom I dimly remember to have brought me a note in Stratford Place in 1850. Converse chiefly [] [on] the Road murder. ― Easy ― music & some singing. ― Sent home in a phly ― at 11¾ .

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

Monday, 29 October 1860

X 11 X

Off the rails again! ―― Ahi!

Rose at 7 ― not well. 8 to 9½ ― saw the 2 Nuneham pictures hung up.

Breakfast. ― Left at 10, Sir H.J. Willoughby also.

The French Princedom at the Station.

Stratford Place: not at all well.

Slept ― κῶμα (([In a] coma.)) till 2.

Lunch. Worked at Cross’s Baalbek.

At 4 walked towards Daddy Hunt’s ― but met Egg ― who told me Daddy was at Hastings: so I walked back with Egg.

Boles out of order.

Musters’s 7 drawings came back framed.

Went to R. Hay’s: found him ill enough. ―

At 7½ went to Edgar Drummond’s ― a most pleasant evening. Mrs. D. is really interesting ― but was unwell, & looked so.

Talk of Greece & Sinai.

& D. walked partly home with me. ―

I wish Γιώργιος would write.

Letter from Lord Clermont, declining the Civitella.

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

Sunday, 28 October 1860

Particularly lovely ― quite summer. ― Rose at 7 & wrote till 9.30. Ann, Gibbs, Elizabeth Beadon, ― Mrs. Clive, & Mrs. Scrivens.

Breakfast. Sir H. Willoughby amusing. ― Afterwards ― wrote & talked with C.F. ― & at 1 walked with Ward B. C.F. & Lady W. ― Lunch, pleasant. ― Read. Later, Duc d’Aumale. ― Later, finding no one about, walked solo ― Teddington, Hampton Wick, & back by 5.30. Talk till dinner.

Miss Cyfritt & the Miss Moneys & Lady Ida W. ― too much chaff ― Ward B. &c. ―

Table turning ― wh. bored me awfully.

Later, more in my elephant ― tiring ― till 11, when Lady W. went to bed.

Τὶ πράγματα. ((What [extraordinary] things! (NB).))

Ὅναρ ― εἶναι ἡ ζωῆ μας: βέβαιως. ((Dream ― is our life: sure.))

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

Saturday, 27 October 1860

Fine all day. The 3 AT songs=proofs, came. ― Worked at Musters Interlaken, & finished it at 1 ― or 2 P.M. Took it to Foords, & sent for the men to place the Nunehams in their case, ― wh. was done, & at 4 I took them to the Rail. 5.30 at Strawberry ― Lady W. very much pleased with them. Only C.F. & Sir H. Willoughby guests. ― All to dine ― o! botheration ― at Orleans House ― so at 8 we went there. Dinner party ― the Duke & Duchess ― & young Prince de Condé: ― Lady of honour, Tutor, Marquis de Somebody & son. Dinner good, but an awful bore to me ― who can’t bear royalty life. Queer enough that I should dine with the Princess of Salerno’s daughter, remembering the days of John Wynn ― & J. Battersby. It has an odd effect to sit among people so removed in history & feeling from one’s own place of life ― & to feel that all the most remarkable points of the French past are linked with them: ― Enghien, Guise, ― Condés ― & all Bourbonisms. They do not forego royal ways ― nondimeno. ((Nevertheless.)) Afterwards saw some very valuable miniatures, from Francis 1^st downwards. Louis 14 ― 15 &c. & Louis Philippe at 12: ― with the Prince of Salerno as a naked Cupid of 3! DelaRoche’s murder of the Duc de Guise ― & Gerome’s Duel ― & a Lumi are striking pictures, with Scheffer’s last work, The Queen of the French’s portrait. But I grew “very weary” ― & was too glad to talk to Sir H. Willoughby ― [&] ((Blotted.)) came away at 10.30.

C.F. sate with me afterwards, till 11.15.

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

Friday, 26 October 1860

Extremely warm ― as all these later days. But not bright, except a gleam of sun at 2 or 3 P.M. Letter from F.L. ― ὁ ἵδιος ― κάι ὁ ἵδιος ἁγαπητὸς. ((The same ― and the same dear (NB).)) ― Wrote to him. Drew. ― Poor dear Ann came, she is pretty well ― yet less strong. Letters of Mary & R. Boswell ― painful enough. Foord’s people came, & took away 4 unfinished pictures & a canvass: ― but, in placing the Nuneham pictures in frames, some wood dust marred all the painting until it be dry. So it could not be fixed in ― & I was as cross as 500000 bears.

At 1 ― Lunch with Ann: ― & drew again after ― but I was very cross. She, poor dear, went at 3.30. ― I then out, & called on the Crakes. Mr. C. very very feeble ― kind old man! ― Mrs. C. M.A.C. & Mrs. H.C. ――― Then across the park, on to Mr. Hays by 5. People there ― so I did not go in. Then to Col. Hornby ― he was in: ― & Windham came in: the latter robust: the former feeble. Gave my sentiments about the Lord Derbyisms ― or my lady Derby’s. ― Home by 6.15. Dressed, & to Ferriers ― where was only James Edwards. Mrs. F. is doubtless one of the most well-bred, charming, intelligent, & pretty women I have seen ― apart from her relationship to James. I was not as agreable as I should have been, but I was “maddled” ― & cross. ― I came out very forcibly at times, in talent of various sots. ―

Col. Hornby told ὅτι ἡ Κωμιτίσσα Δέρμπι εἴπε μίαν φορὰν — πρὴν νὰ ἥναι Κωμιτίσσα – “ἐὰν ποτέ εἷμαι Κωμιτίσσα, κανείς τῆς Φαμίλιας Ὅρνμπι θὰ εἰσέλθη διὰ τᾶς θύρας τοῦ Νῶσλη.” ((That Countess Derby said once ― before she became Countess ― “if I ever become Countess, none of the Hornby family will ever set foot inside the doors of Knowsley” (NB).))

And she has kept her word. No Hornby was at Knowsley at Lady S.’s wedding.

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

Thursday, 25 October 1860

Damp ― not dark. ― Rose at 6½.

Arranged pictures & wrote till 8.

Breakfast. ― Got in readiness the ¹Beirût ― ²Damascus, 3.Interlaken ― 4.Bethlehem, 5.Φιλάτες, 6.Zagori, 7.S. Sabbas ― & 8 Philœ for Oatlands. Then worked at Lady W.’s 2 Nunehams ― & finished them. Ποῖ, fell fast asleep. Then arranged watercolour drawings & drew at Beirût till 2 or 3. ― Slept again.

At 3.30, James Ferrier & delightful little Mrs. Ferrier came: & looked at drawings till at 5 ― James Edwards came: & we all walked to Piccadilly. Rain. Call on Mr. Hay: Lady Hamilton Chichester there: poor old gentleman. ―

Called on R. Curzon: out: ― & C. Massingberd, whom is always a pleasure to see. From 7 to 8 walked up & down Burlington arcade. Then Blue Posts & C. Fortescue: who is livelier & healthier then of old. His story of Mr. Hamilton is sad enough, of Mrs. Ruxton bright & good. Chi good. ―

We talked till 10 ― & walked afterwards. Home ― nearly 11.

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

Wednesday, 24 October 1860

Off the Rails again. Breakfast at 8. Off in car by 9.

Rail from Micheldever at 9.36

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Bah! ―

Bah!

Bah!

Stratford Place by 12. ――

Arranged & unpacked & wrote letters.

Fine day. Calls on Edwards, C.F. Mr. Hay, Col. Hornby & others. ――― Saw Mr. Bilton Mrs. Macbean’s uncle.

J.B.E. came up at 6 ― & I to him. At his lodgings μοῦ ἔκαμε μίαν ὁμολογία ὅτι ἡγάπα τῆν ἀδελφὴν τῆς Κυρίας Δροῦμονδ —  ἥγουν, Μίζι Λίζερ. ((He confided in me that he loved the sister of Lady Drummond ― i.e. Miss Lizer (NB).))

Much thought thereon.

Home by 10.

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

Tuesday, 23 October 1860

Rose at 6½. Warm gray morning: robins singing in the Cedar trees. ― rain. Drew: Beirût.

Flies in this room ― & hunt thereof.

Prayers at 9. Breakfast. Lady Arabella very cheery ever. ― Nice children of T.G.B. ―

Shewed drawings. ― ― Played & sung ― Mrs. B. &c.

Drew in my rooms. Lunch. Drew for children. Drew & read. 5 to 6. Talk with Sir. F. ― young Lefêvre. ― Dinner. Mrs. B. ― alas! how different to talk with! “Had she been in Rome? o yes! o ― well I don’t remember.” ― But out of care for T.G.B. I always avoid noticing her queer folly. ―

Played & sang. Wished good night to these kindly nice people. ― Sate till 12.30 with T.G.B.

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

Monday, 22 October 1860

Wonderfully bright lovely day! ― “Packed.” ― Breakfast. ― Took leave of the 2 young Raleighs ― Totties ― Cruse ― Cochrans &c. &c. &c. Saw Mr. Lyle in bed. ― Paid bill. Lunch: & off to Weybridge at 1. ― …… At Micheldever by 3 ― sent for by Stratton ― there before 4. ― Home quiet place. ―

5 to 6. Walk with T.G. Baring ― who, to my taste, is as delightful a fellow as exists. Letter from Frank his boy: nice. 2 other children of his also nice. ―

Wrote & sent letter to Lord Clermont ― about the Civitella: a “decided utterance” ―

Dinner ― Sir F. & Lady A. Lady Charlotte Howard & one Capt. Powell ― & the rest family (sic).

Ολίγον βαρὺ. ((Somewhat heavy (ΝΒ).)) ― Sung a little.

From 11 to 12½ in T. Baring’s room.

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