Friday, 28 February 1862

Bright & fine ― coldish. ― North Wind ― all day.

Worked (very little) at Grenfells Philæ.

Called on Mrs. Craven ― which her little boy would not leave me. It is odd how children like me.

At 1.30 came Geoff & off we set, to the 3^rd mile, & so to Nausicaa’s fountain ― & by the whole of the Acqueduct [sic] road ―― how beautiful! ― (& Geoff admiring every point,) & up to Gastouri by 4.20 ― & hard walking ― (16 minutes to every mile) ― down to line wall by 6. ―

There, goodbye to Geoff as we said ― in 1837.

His visit has done me good: all his mothers “continuations” do good to all: i.e. all she influenced, influence others.

Dined at 7. Penned out Tepelene. All is quiet ― for the Maudes go to Balls nightly now a days: tanto meglio.[1]

Hutton called today ― & Lawson was in [joke] only about the “Butrinto.” So; it is clear I do not “dispoge” of anything here. More need of hard work & thought.

 

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[1] Much for the better.

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

Thursday, 27 February 1862

Gray ― showery.

Unwell. ― Grenfell’s Philæ. Sad & weary.

Capt. & Mrs. Creyke, Mrs. Lyell & a Gk Gentleman came & looked at the “Galleria.”

At 3 came the Geoffrey Hornby ― who might walk about with all the swells here if he liked, but chooses to come to me. He sate an hour, ― & then we walked by Manducchio & the long round: losing “Jerry” to day at Kastrades, & regaining him at the Nicola steps on landing. ―

The “Carnival” here this year is noisier & fuller than I ever knew it:  I suppose διὰ the marinari.[1]

Home by 6 & dined at 6.45. ―

Penned out till 10.30.

N. Wind ― all of a sudding.

 

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[1] Because of the sailors.

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

Wednesday, 26 February 1862

Pouring rain till 11 ― & very dark, then fine.

Too dark to paint. Outlined & arranged Grenfell’s Philæ & finished Mrs. Craven’s Alphabet.

Called on them at 3 ― & declined dining again.

Downstairs, and found Geoff & tiresome Capt. Clifford, with whom to the Casino: where Geoff & I called on Mrs. De Vere ― the 2 Decies there. They want me to dine on board tomorrow.

Geoff & I walked beyond Alipù ― & returned by 6.

I shall miss him dreadfully: he is so completely superior to the generality of men here.

[When I came back at][1] 6 ― G. was out, & I had to wait till he came; when, saying ― “if you go out so, I had better take the key” ――― he replied sulkily & very loudly,

Si Signor, meglio.[2]

But this was the 3^rd time he had been out today ― & twice without asking or telling me.

Dined at 7 & immediately after ― G. said ― “Vado fuori.”[3] ― Dove?[4] Said I ― “Far un servizio, vado a Spiro.”[5] ― & forth he went: & as yet ― past 10 ― (when I have done penning out [],) he cometh not. What’s in the wind?

It really will be highly of the absurdest, if, after taking the 3^rd floor here for a year ― I find that G. is going to leave me, & then, hardly caring about ˇ[trying] a new servant, ― that I should go altogether? ―

Not that it would signify a bit ― barring the bother of “packing” again.

Quiet abounds: the Maudes are out.

No sleep

XX8

 

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[1] Blotted.

[2] Yes Sir, better.

[3] I’m going out.

[4] Where?

[5] To do a service, I’m going to Spiro’s-

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

Tuesday, 25 February 1862

Gray all day ― & [mostly][1] soppy rain ― misty.

Worked at Jánina. ― 9 to 2.30[.]

At 3 or 4 ― came Geoff ― & we walked to the One Gun, but always in the rainy mist. ―

Much laughter ― & talk of other days: Knowsley & Littlegreen.

At 6 ― called on Miss G. ― & Mrs. N. ― poor things, theirs is a dull life.

Dined at 7 ― μόνος ― & penned out 2 Viósa drawings till 10.15.

 

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[1] Blotted.

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

Monday, 24 February 1862

Gray all day: spitty rain at times.

Painted inertly & ill at Jánina.

― Always the fussy waiting for Post, bothers. But it didn’t come. ― ‘Fort’ came at 2, & said he & Mrs. F. were coming to see pictures: but they didn’t. Meanwhile, at 3 ― what was far far better ― Geoff did come. ― That child is a trumpy=brick. ― We two walked out, to Alipù. ― He is telegraphed to go on March 1 to [], ― & would I could go too! ――

But, δὲν εἶναι δύνατον.[1]

How we talked. I perhaps ― πάρα πολὺ.[2]

We met the Prince who, riding with 3: ― after he passed, we heard ― (as they trotted on,)

Lear? ― “Yes Sir Lear.” ― “O ― I saw him at Rome” ―. ―― a very facile & expedite explanation. ―

At 6 ― when I returned, Craven asked me upstairs to dine: ― bother: I said ― No. ―

So I dined alone.

A letter from W. Nevill came ― very incoherent, & odd I fear. ―

Bed at 10.30.

Much sharp pain today ― in the old sprain: I do not know why.

X7

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[1] It is not possible (NB).

[2] Too much (NB).

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

Sunday, 23 February 1862

Fine. Gray.

Wrote, till 2 P.M. to James Edwards
Fairbairn
Dickenson
Egg.
Holman Hunt
T. Cooper
Major Reynolds.

At 3 called on Miss Goldsmid & Mrs. Naylor …………

The P. of W. came at noon. ―

Church at 3.30. ― The P. ― the L.H.C. & all the suite. It was odd to see the same cortege ― Genl. ― (the Col. Bruce ―) walking up the aisle, as at Rome in 1860. But how changed the prospects of that young man!! ― the guiding controlling father ――― gone.

Walk with Geoff, who was at church ― to the Temple & then Ἀνάλειψις platform ― & the one gun ― round, where, unhappily we fell in with Capt. Clifford. Later, with Hutton, who amiably walked home with me: ― he & his friends go on Wednesday.

So to Decies at 7. Geoff ― & Luard. Merry & pleasant dinner: talk: singing: & walk home ― as far as his boat ― with Geoff. Happier days in Corfû “we shall not see” ―; ― nor could we have expected such.

Home before 11. ―

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

Saturday, 22 February 1862

Warm, ― gray: rainy at times ― all day. Earthquake at 7 P.M.

Worked at Janina ― hardly more than outline ― for I did all wrong yesterday.

Worried & fussed.

Letters from Dickenson ― both the {Corfu & | Cedars are “accepted.”
Ellen.
Sophy Bergmann.

Note from Mr. Craven ― he goes to Charteris’s rooms in the Politi house ―― I, upstairs, when he goes.

Walked out at 5.30 ― overtaking Col. & Mrs. Herbert & Miss Fergusson ― & walking to Kastrades & back.

Woolffs little girl remains in the same state.

At 6.35 ― home ― & when sitting down ― beginning to eat fish ― a smart wrench=shock of Earthquake ― at 7. All the bells rang.

Yet George was uncertain at the moment as to if it was not someone trying at the door!

Upstairs, Mrs. Maude understood it at once, since there, so much higher, the windows &c. jingled.

That poor lonely little woman!

Penned out till 9.30.

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

Friday, 21 February 1862

Fine, grayish, sunny at times: warm.

Worked at the large Janina: but very off & on.

Came ― Mrs. Boyd.
Giovanni Παραμυθιότι ― &
5 Ladies ― his wife one.
Sir Charles Sargent
& Geoff H.

At 3.30 went out with Geoff ―to Βηρῶ ― how lovely!! ―

Ate oranges, & returned by 6.30.

Dined alone. Penned out till 10.

εὐτυχῆς ἡμέρα:[1] ― the walk with Geoff was delightful.

Little sleep ― crying baby.

X6

 

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[1] Happy day (NB).

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

Thursday, 20 February 1862

Rain, & very dark ― worked a very little to Corfû A ― to which I know not how to do any more ― tho’ it is far from finished. Heavy & dull weather, eyes & head suffering. Wrote to Ellen ― Then

X5

After which sleep till one o’clock. ― Half, or more than half distracted by noise of all sorts ― among the rest, of Mrs. Maude’s playing jigs for the 80^th time.

I really do not see that staying here at all is possible. ― What then must I do?

Reading over this day of last year ― how alike!

ˇ[At 3 P.M.] The noise apexed in Stirling & some one else singing in all the howls of Hell. ― So I found I could not bear it, & went up to see Mrs. A. Craven, ― from whom I learned that the Politi first floor is really offered to them, & they have not yet given an answer about it. I afterwards saw Paramythiotti, who again promised I should have the 3^rd floor if vacant, & I wrote to Craven, saying this, & that I hoped he would go.

At 4 went out, & called on Miss Goldsmid, who, (& also Mrs. Naylor[)] are unwell. Then I saw Craven in the street ― & to Decies, who came home with me & staid till 6. After wh. I sate with the Goldsmid for ½ an hour ― & at 7.15 returned to dine.

Penned out Konitza till 10.30.

Noise again ――――――― ugh! ―――

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

Wednesday, 19 February 1862

Gray all day ― & rain at times: very warm.

Worked at Corfû A ― foreground ― grass &c.

At 2.30 came Geoff ― with whom walked to Ποταμὸ ― & then round by Govino road: ― he is as always a delightful chap. ―

Went to Capt. Bridges’ to dine: the Boyds there: ― pleasantish ― but così.

A Mrs. Spenser also. But then new people are a bore to me more or less ever.

Walked home with the Boyds, ― home by 11.

The Maudes have been ‘having’ a party: & it seems to me that they are still very noisy.

It is certain that Corfû life, if as this winter could not be worth while trying for another year.

Penned out, (Konitza) till 12.15[.]

Geoff’s story of Edwd. T. (διὰ τὴν γυναῖκα εἰς St. John’s Wood,) εἶναι πολὺ διάφορα ἀπὸ ταύτην τοῦ Colonel Herbert, ὁ οποῖος ἔλεγε οτι E.S. ἐπιθυμοῦσε πολὺ sposare in Canada.. [1]

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[1] Geoff’s story of Edwd. T. (about the woman at St. John’s Wood,) is very different from that of Colonel Herbert’s, who was saying that E.S. greatly wished sposare [to get married] in Canada (NB).

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