XX9

Wrote to
E. Avigdor
Lord Clermont
J. Edwards
Lady Goldsmid
H. Grenfell
B. Husey Hunt
Capt. Jameson
W. Nevill
E. Newsom
Adml. Robinson
Mr. Whitmore

Pitchy dark day.

Awful fog & darkness all through. Wrote or slept by fitz. At 4 called on “Miss Beauforts,” whom, however, after all, I scarcely saw ― it was so dark. They do impress me as other than very educated.

Next, called on Fairbairns’, ―― & drew for the children ― certainly most interesting all of them. Gordon ― Reginald, ― & Florence. Mrs. F. asked me to stay & dine ― & so I stayed. F. came in, with Daddy Hunt, & Bob Martineau. No one else: & certainly the dinner was as pleasant as good. ― The deaf & dumb children must be delightful. The stories of Dadd ― especially that of the folio of his friends all good likenesses, but all with their throats cut! ―― & his present picture of the end of the world!! ―

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