Wednesday, 30 April 1862

Rayther hotter ― but fine all day.

Riz at 5.

O criky bore! state of packing 16 cases of pictures in a big case ― till 9 ― with the ‘Zincaro’[1] of 1847, George, & others. ―― Called at Taylor’s ― & returned at 9.30.

Breakfast. ― The big package not “fixed” till 12 & Taylor’s men, not finding it ready, “abandoned” it. Post, brought, 2 papers, ― & a letter (a kind & nice note,) from Majr. Reynolds ― buying my 35£ Corfu. Packed & arranged drawings, & by 3 or 4 ― made up a 2^nd case, & again went to Taylor’s. Where I saw Sir C. Sargent, going to Athens in the ‘Queen’, ― & read the last horrid battle news of America. ―――― ― ― ―

Returned by 5 or 6 ― & then [started] the packing & zincking of the 2^nd case. ―

After which, at nearly 7, roamed road & so to the St. George ― where I dined; not at all ill. ―

Came home, & finding G. out, lighted my 2 Lamps: whereby he of course instantly came in. It is an observable fact, how that man everlastingly works & never complains. ―

 

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[1] “Zingaro,” gypsy.

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

Tuesday, 29 April 1862

Fine, but misty early.

Rose at 7.

Posted letters to C.F. ― Ellen, T. Cooper, Drummond & the Linnean.

Abschewed work ― as it is impossible to do anything while so unsettled.

Whereon ― resolving to send off these pictures & packed & screwed in ― with G.’s help ― all the morning ― 16 cases in all. ―

Nice letter from Sir S. Marcorãn: ― I am to go to his home at Strongili.

Went to Taylors ― at 3 or 4 ― to ask about L. Steamers’ ―: ― & arranged to pack the big case tomorrow.

At 4.30 or 5 ― went up to the Candóni Hill & drew till 5.50. Saw Mrs. Woolff, but she did not come back.

Home by 7.30, dined.

Penned out till 10.30[.]

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

Monday, 28 April 1862

Clear, fine, warm: mist early ― till 8 or 9.

Rose at 6.30. Not well.

Wrote to Julia Goldsmid at Constantinople.

Unable to write.

Post brought Saturday, & Wednesday Review, ― but no Evening Mails ― no letters ― whereat [wroth].

Worked a little off & on at S.F.G.’s Mt. Athos.

At 4.30 ― went up to Candoni Hill & made a small outline of Καλιάκοπουλος, & the hills. Below, the race course shone. ―

Saw M. Grasset ― & returned at 5.45 or 6 ― by the Parga path-way. Fell in with good Craven ― a kindly good man.

Dined at 7.30. ―

Penned out till 10.30.

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

Sunday, 27 April 1862

Same lovely weather ― but, bit north breeze.

Wrote to Ellen, C.F. T. Cooper, & Linnean Society.

G. Παραμιθιόττι called, & agreed that the De Veres can come here if they will do so for 4 months.

At 1.20 ― walked out to Mrs. Woolffs, whom I found alone, with Φιζζι. Lunched & sate talking till 4.

Home: dressed. ― George not in at 6.

Went, by Καστράδες ― up to Casino ― by 7.

The De Veres ― how pretty ― even beautiful Mrs. D.V. looks dressed in a bonnet: ― but a certain “Irish” ἀπανω πατώματα[1] prevails when she is presiding. ―

Hamilton appears to me a well=conditioned fellow.

Ἐτραγούδησα ἔπειτα.[2]

The D.Vs. do not come here, but are to live a yott.

Walked home with Major H.: nearly 12 when I got to the Παλατιον Παραμυθιοττι.[3]

 

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[1] Upstairs (NB).

[2] Then I sang (NB).

[3] Paramithiotti Palace.

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

Saturday, 26 April 1862

Very clear & fine all day.

Rose at 5. At 6 with D. Οἰκονόμος, ― hottish walk, but slow, to Κυνοπιάστρες, ― where I was introduced to Sig. Villetta: ― it is curious to remember how I used to draw outside the house years ago! ― After sketching an outline of the pearl-blue mountains, I left ― tea ― [trout] & eggs ― was ready: & very pleasant, in the garden ― below the pergola. Then I wandered about seeking places I might draw in ― certainly Κυνοπιάστες is a lovely place. Then I called on a Mr. & Mrs. Μέξα, living in one of the Viletta Villas, & then at 12, with Villetta, & Μεξα, (οἰκονόμος went to sleep ―) we went in search of some pine trees ― those wh. of old F.L. & I used to walk to ― but we only discovered them after a long & hot & merry walk ― returning by 3 to Κυνοπιάστες[.]

Μέξα conversed sensibly about the “Protection[:]” he likes the English, but cannot understand their policy ― of wh. perhaps they have nil. At 4 we dined ― all 4 of us ― & very well. Οἰκονόμος came out strongly with the κρασῖ[1] ― as a Ζοροάστrian or what not. Once in a way [sic] this sort of thing is pleasant: & anyhow Villetta’s hospitality & kindness is extreme.

At 6.40 ― we ― Οἰκονομος & I slowly walked home, ― that very queer bird talking always ― & τόιον! & πόσουν![2] Speaking of his aristocratic Epiroti mother’s severity ― he said she never entered into his plans ― “καὶ εὰν τὴν λέγω ὃτι μὲ χρειάζεται νὰ ἓχω γυναῖκα[3] ―” she will not understand me, but rather if anything opposes me.” ―― very hot walk, & unnumerable fireflies.

At home about 9.

Letters from Ellen: ― & the Linnean Society, ― requesting to drop it the A.L.S. if I did not communicate science. ―

The fireflies. ―

X10

 

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[1] Wine (NB).

[2] And how and how much!

[3] And if I tell her that I need to have a woman (NB).

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

Friday, 25 April 1862

Particularly lovely clear all day.

Rose at 6.

Painted at Philæ ― (Grenfells) till 12, & “bettering” it “with time.”

Οἰκονόμος,[1] & Mrs. & 3 Miss Longhmans came.

After wh. I worked at the large Corfu till 2.30. At 3 ― went slowly to the Ἐπάνω Γεφύρι[2] near Potamo, & drew, surrounded by imps, till 6.20.

Returned home. Letter from De Vere, wishing to take Maude’s rooms, ― & I went to Παραμυθιόττι on purpose ―: but it seems they are to be let to the I. Consul.

Dined ― kid & pease.

Penned out till 10.

X9

 

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[1] The housekeeper (NB).

[2] Upper Bridge (NB).

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

Thursday, 24 April 1862

Quite fine.

Rose at 6. G. ― who came in at 5 ― says Karalambi is better, but has fever. ―

Worked at Grenfell’s Philæ ― not ill.

Mr. & Mrs. Barr, & Mr. & Mrs. Clark came, but Mrs. Longhman not ― which is a bore. ―

At 2 I lunched: fell asleep: woke ― & X8 so the tally will keep at the third day still, all I can do.

There are games below Condi Terrace, ― to see which I have sent out G. ― But I knew not what to do myself.

At 5 ― I walked out & observed jumpings &c. Then to the Kokali home, where I saw poor little pretty Καραλάμπι, who is better, but I doubt his ever living to be strong & well.

I saw ˇ[the] good old mother too ― who said ― “Δὲν εἶμαι τόσον καλὰ, διὰ γεράμματα”[1] ― a real good woman that.

Walked up to the Casino & back by 7.20.

Dined.

G. went to his house ― poor fellow.

I penned out till 11[.]

 

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[1] I am not that well because of old age (NB).

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

Wednesday, 23 April 1862

Very fine, warm, pleasant.

Rose at 6 ― medicine.

Post ― 4 papers ― to the 14^th & the Saturday: & 4 letters ― 2 from Julia G.: ― they had a bad passage to Syra, & stayed there a week: ― arriving at Athens ― they found Sir T. Wyse dying. ― From Fanny Coombe: & C. Cockburn on dear good W.F. Beadon’s death.

Worked at Grenfell’s Philæ, & got it back again to where it was. ―

Accounts ― &c. ―

At 12. called at Taylor’s & paid him 50£. Then on Mrs. Barr ― a nice pleasant woman. ― On Mrs. Clark, & on the Cravens: ― & on the Boyds ― (where was Count Savini.) Then back ―: ― & at 2.30 or 3 ― went to Ποταμῶ, & drew at Πανταλείμωνα till 6.20 or later.

Gave three pence to Dionýsios ― & returned by the industrious Maltese=cuppane=fields. But these places are too far, & it is now too hot for these walks. Τὶ να κάμομεν?[1]

At 7.20 ― Dinner: & now G. has gone out to Καστράδες hearing that Καραλάμπι is not well again: I doubt their rearing that little one. Col. Bruce’s 2^nd Band is being audible & pleasant: but so is the big barking dog.

Penned out till 11.20 ― & G. is not come in: which makes me fear that little boy is worse.

 

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[1] What can one do? (NB).

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

Tuesday, 22 April 1862

Fine, but hot, & alquanto[1] cloudy. X7

The female dog owled [sic] a good deal, but as George says ― “fa compassione”[2] ― so she was forgiven.

Rose at 4.30. ― & dressed: & packed. ― Breakfast at 6: ― & ― leaving G. to settle all ― set off walking.

Had it some extended distance, few views would be more fine than that looking to the Dukades & Lacones rox at early noon. ― I left the Paleoκαστρίτζα bays & rocks, & shrubs, with a kind of regret: absolute regrets there are none of, now a days. Walked on ― drawing at 3 places, ― & at 9.30 ― near Dukades, G. & the carro overtook me, & went on. ― At 11. I reached the Osteria of the 8½ mile, ― but it was full; so G. brought some wine & cold fowl to the shade of a Nollive tree & so I lunched ― a large dog [mazū]. ― Then they went on, & I slowly ― very: reveling in the heat of the day ― & the shadows of the olives & the grass & fern. ―― All along by Govino ― & the Potamo flats, & up by Condi’s houses, & then Manducchio, & so to “home” by 2.35.

Where, of course, I found the rooms in perfect order; but the post was closed ― & a good deal of bother ariz from the last [round] & firings of pistols at Easter.

Washed & dressed, & sate still: & wrote notes.

At 7.15. G. presented a dinner of roast lamb & pease ― worthy an old woman. A curiously active & patient fellow is G. Kokali.

Penned out till 10: ― G. is gone to his mounting ’ome. ―

10.30 ― Πρέπει νὰ ὑπάγωμεν ᾽ς  τὸ κρεββάτι[.][3] And so ends the Παλαιοκαστρίτζα “outing.”

 

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[1] Quite.

[2] One feels pity for her.

[3] We must go to bed (NB).

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

Monday, 21 April 1862

Fine, but not so serene.

Did not sleep well ― δὲν ἐκοιμήθην τόσον καλὰ, [οὓ] καλὰ καὶ δὲν ἐξεύρω τὸ διατὶ.[1] ―― Rose however at 5.40 ― & at 6.20 drew one more view of the Castel St. Angelo. ― Returned to breakfast at 8. After mooning about ― (boles all wrong,) drew a mule ― barrel=loaded, at the convent door: but biting fleas, & crowing cox disturbed. I have resolved to go home tomorrow ― for many reasons: want of money: a feeling of imprisonment; ― & having come to the end of one’s work here.

At 12.30 ― conversed with Dr. Roberts ― & drew on the beach, ― “shadowed caves” ― & then at 2 ― walked on, filling up other outlines to 2 miles distance, returning at 4 to draw the rock-scene ― wh. took me to 5.40 ― when I was “utterly outworn.” Παλαιοκαστρίτζα, beautiful as it is wearies me ― as only a mass of foreground after the first general views are taken: ― then it is so devoted to get swells, & so un=countrylike in its ways, though so untownlike in its position. ‘So I go.’ ― And leavin[g] Dukades & Lacones to other times. If indeed such times come ― for I truly weary of Corfû.

Towards Sunset, talk with Dr. R. Mrs. C. ― also with Mrs. L. ― who is clever & oddly=pleasant. Mrs. C. is fairy like & with many charms. I do not like to see her & any [] sitting on rox after sunset.

Meanwhile a placid female dog, having [brought out] 4 puppies, & they being destroyed ― she now roameth & howleth. ―― Καλόγερι[2] are then here, but after Sabbas & Athos ― how can they interest? ―――― Γευμάτισα[3] ― on boiled fowl & agirades: ― & read Holy Land travels: I would fain see the East once more: just now ― ὃμως[4] ― I am covered with fleas, & sad.

(See, Back ― over leaf ―19^th)[5] X7

21^st. At 11 ― determined to go onto the farther rock, to get to wh. I have failed frequently, ― & set off in my stockings, ― G. ― pushing me up or preventing my slipping ― & so, in 20 minutes I got there ― but got little but the satisfaction of “persistence.”

 

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[1] I did not sleep that well, [not] good and I do not know why (NB).

[2] Monks (NB).

[3] I dined (NB).

[4] However (NB).

[5] The rest of this entry is found in the page for 19 April.

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