Friday, 3 May 1861
Warmer, darker, damper.
Cedars
Saw in the papers, 2 “events.” C. Newton’s marriage to Mary Severn. And the death of
“Eliza A. Vigors, aged 65, widow of the late N.A. Vigors, [Sqr.] M.P. at her brother in law’s home, James Keymer ― Dartford.”
Poor Mrs. V.! a sad life hers! ― Bye the bye she is the original of my story of “is it your boles you’re neglecting ― you bad buold boy! your boles, wh. ought to be the chiefest care of your life, & yere been & aten eet & twenty orrnges before bkfast! ―” ― but she must have been 75 ― for Ferdinand is nearly 50.
Mrs. North
Catherine North.
Caarl Haag.
F. Cary.
Lady Farquhar
Miss North | after I was out
Mrs. Marsh |
Painted by fits at the Cedars till 4.30 ― when I walked to the Zoological Gardens ― where I dined on ’am & bread, & saw the “Bore constructor” eat rabbits & dux.
Walked home by 8.30.
[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]
It’s no wonder Lear and his table mates had bowels on their mind. These diaries could nurture a protein-stuffed study of the unhealthy eating habits of the mid-Victorian upper classes. The diarist himself doesn’t seem to pass a day without sinking his teeth into our animal friends.