Monday, 17 February 1862
Very fine early. Cloud at 12 ― rain, more or less ― from 4 to 11.
Worked ill & very little at Corfu A.
Worry for Steamer, wh. brought a letter from Holman Hunt. Wrote to him ― & thus did but little work. Did not go out till 6, when I called on Miss Goldsmid: ― then to Neptune ― a very disagreable boating. Dined with dear little Geoff ― how very absurd! ― remembering the gardens of Knowsley & Woolwich. Capt. Clifford ― a “cleverer” man than he seems ― but of a wearisome “humour” ― & a queer countenance. The Doctor, Parson, & Commander.
Oppressed & silent at dinner ― wh. was very good tho’, ― foreboding the boating bark. ―
At 10.30 came away. No ships for me ― if I had my will: that phase of life is shut from me. ― Home by 11 ― but as G. had lighted a fire, & the people under my bedroom were giving a dance, violin &c. ― it was no use to go to bed, so I sat up & penned out the last Ζαγώρι drawings. Bed at 1 A.M. ― when I imagine the last fiddling is extinct ― but am not sure.
[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]