Thursday, 23 December 1858
Bright ―: cold within, warm summer without. Rose at 7 ― but chilled, & not well: yet I hope it is “stomach” only. After sundry shoppings &c., breakfast (with J. Morris,) at “Degradation” café. S.W.C. was asleep. So I began two Bethanys. & at 1 went to S., who got out for the first time on the Pincian. ― I was not a little uneasy, & feared fever for myself. Worked from 2.30 ― to 4. ― Then walked by the river. ― At 5.30 to the Belle Arti ― & dined with P.W. pleasantly. Went to the P. Office ― no diligence.
Sat with S.W.C. till 9.30 then came “home.” The Proud Porter officiating. Kind note from H.K. ― What a queer life is this! (Letter from Jane Husey Hunt: very kind but, sad. Both Mr. J. Hofer, & the clergyman brother are dead. ―)
[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]