Thursday, 7 February 1861
Damascus
Bother London! ― Dry ― fine, mild, & sunny. ― For all that, I say, bother. Most grotesquely wrote a letter to the Times about the American split: ― of wh. ― anon. ― But then came J. Edwards ― then Robt. Curzon & “Johnny Warren:” ― both kindly. R.C. alquanto1 absurd. (James Hope & the Dukedom of Napolli! [sic]) Then worked 2 hours at the Damascus. At 2 put the room in order for showing drawings. At 2.30 H.J. Bruce came ― always a pleasure. ― At 3.15 ― (appointment at 2,) Mrs. & Miss Clive, Captn. & Mrs. Houston ― (she with a little dog ― who wanted water ― & wished to P on the drawings.) Mr. & Mrs. Smith of Sanderstead ― & Cosway. Shewed Palestine drawings. Later, ˆ[H.J.] Bagot ― a kindly honest fellow ever. ― The back room was far too small for so much crinoline & company. ― At 5 all went, Mrs. C. leaving a muff ― but calling again. ― Letter from W.N. ― uneasy.
Drove ― by 5.20 to Freemason’s Tavern ― as per advice of Mr. Bell ― & found they dined at Thatched house. Cab thither ― arriving at the soup ― table full, very. Boxall, & Buckton by Mr. B. ― I absquetulate to the bottom, & am amiable to vice. Seize on entomology as a topic, & spiders come uppermost. Hence trap ditto, ― & find that Saunders the Vice is cousin of Prevesa S. ― & that his son has married Annie S. Talk to deafish man on left, & he turns out Matthews of Oxford Militia ― knowing all Corfû ― & lived in the house opposite Romas ― wh. he says left on account of the shocking scenes there ― πῶς ὁ ἀδελφὸς τῆς Διαμαντίνας εἶχα καθ’ ἡμέραν τον κοψαμαλλιἀν του! ! !2 ―― thus wondrously confirming the alarming history of Lord Methuen’s informant. As for me, nearly roared. ― After dinner, we walked to Burlington House, ― & the old Linnean routine seemed a dream. Saw Gould, remotely.
Then, went to the Royal Society ― & sate, at first patient, ― the hour one diabolical Professor Tindall rave on gases, figures & the deuce knows what. At the end of an hour I felt I was growing actually mad, ― & flew the brutal torture. Meanwhile, I had seen AT come in & sit afar far off! ― … Home by 10.15.
Wrote a note to R.D.D. preventing his coming if possible, for such days are insanity. “Give me repose or death.”
XXX
[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]
So Edward Lear wrote letters to the editor! This one seems to be on the American Civil War (“split”) and the old Victorian bugbear
of the Bourbons of Naples. Has some researcher gathered these political opinions of Lear? If not, why not? I see some bright spark’s Ph.D. starting out here.
I looked through the Times issues around this date, but could not find any letter by Lear, so I suppose it was not published.