Tuesday, 29 March 1859
Fine ― of course. ― Greek lesson. Worked at B. Hunt’s Jerusalem. ― At 12 came W. Sandbach ― after I had fallen fast asleep ― & ordered a 60£ painting ― & 2 ― 10£ drawings of Athens.
Then came Mrs. Storey ― & various others ― deloited with the Bassæ ―: then a note from Col. Bruce ― (it was then 3,) that at 4 ― “if convenient” would HRH the P. of W. come to see my drawings. So ― when the Storeys went, George & I arranged & swept, & G. put on his Sunday clothes ― & so at 4 ― came H.R.H. ― whose face one knows by this ˇ[time] right well ― & Col. & Mrs. Bruce, & Capn Grey ― & Mr. Tarber ― & later Dr. Chambers; ―
Nobody could have nicer or better manners than the young Prince, nor be more generally intelligent & pleasing. ― I was afraid of telling or shewing him too much, but I soon found he was interested in what he saw, both by his attention, & by his intelligent few remarks. Yet I shewed him the Greek pictures, & all the Palestine also ― & the whole of the sketches, & when I said, “please tell me to stop, Sir, if you are tired by so many” ― he said ― “O DEAR NO!” in the naturallest way. ― Altogether I was much pleased with this hour ― (he staid 1 hour & 5 minutes) of seeing the young Prince of Wales. The suite was all immensely pleasant. ― ―― Went out & made a lot of calls, but saw nobody. ― At 7 dined at Macbeans ― most pleasant as always. Mr. Maleston there: Miss M’s afterwards. I sang, but the sphere was not musical. ― The M’s are certainly kind good people. ― Home by 11. ― I wish Ann could have been here.
[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]