Called at 6 by Janni. Wrote to Lord Stanley ― but I fear to no effect, as Merivale is “master of the situation” ― & had “first cut.”

Weather frightful, pouring rain, & wind. ― No steamer. Called on the Reids ― Saunders, & Hendersons. ― O! wind! wind! wind! & F.L. still writing letters ― but he will not gain his point ― the demon of red tape has arranged it long ago. Sleepy ― at 3 went to the Boyds & Ragneneans. No steamer. Violent wind. At 5 F. & I walked to the 1 Gun. Returning it rained hard & the steamer was signalled. There was time to dine quietly & then a cigar. ―A pleasant hour. ― Pouring with rain, at 9 ― or 8½ ― I went down, for it was absurd for L. to come ― solo,1 smoking, thro’ the quiet Jew’s quarter to the dark harbour. There were Giorgio, & Spiro ―: row over to harbour, & alongside steamer, to Bombay. Nearly fell into the water, & so did Spiro ― I not seeing the steps. On board, & later, writing this. Heavy rain, & no appearance of starting before tomorrow. ― So begins my Syrian tour. Letter from Lady Bethell.

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3. Previously published in part in Lear 1988, 129.]

  1. Italian, “alone.” [↩]