Thomas Seddon, Jerusalem and the Valley of Jehoshaphat from the Hill of Evil Counsel (1854-55)

Perfectly lovely all day. ― Wrote. Breakfast ― Daddy’s affairs ― which I must say are queer & sad enough. ― I, quoque,1 was unsettled ―: & I can’t bear to think of the Rome journey. Worked at the Masada till 2. Then wrote to Clowes ― & walked to Seymour Street. Letters from Ann, who is safe at Margate ― from poor W.N. ― & from Mr. Edwards ― the last so profusely amicable, as is θαύμαστον πρᾶγματι.2 ― Left letter & [presspaper] at Clowes’s ― & went to Vernon Gallery ― to see Seddon’s Jerusalem. However accurate ― it is, to my feeling, an absolute failure, & without any sense of beauty. Met lots of people ― Lady C. Legge ― Severn ― W. Harcourt &c. &c. Then to Foord’s ― & then to the Beadons’: saw Mrs. W. ― Then Crake’s. ― Then walked home. H. & R. ― dinner. Penned out ― till 11, latterly alone ― for H. is out ― & R. gone. This morning I half resolved to winter  at the I. of Wight ― but the wish for Arabic & Greek prevent that plan. Yet how to manage?

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

  1. Latin, “also, likewise.” [↩]
  2. “Truly wonderful” (D. Harvey). [↩]