Sunday, 23 March 1862

Lovely fine again. No sleep last night: that disgusting little ass walking about, & his dogs fleacing themselves all night. So I had my bed moved once more: ― the length & strength of suffering of this winter through this noisy house! ― Post brought a letter from Lady Waldegrave! ― & the Sat. Review. […]

Saturday, 22 March 1862

Violent storms ― thunder & lightning & rain till 2 or 3 ― afterwards ― calmer ― with rain at times: fine at sunset. Little or no sleep last night. The noise of the people below & above, ― & at 2 or 3 A.M. a storm of wind, & corresponding fuss of doors & […]

Friday, 21 March 1862

Quite gray all day ― & as if it would rain. Painted at Fairbairn’s Florence ― (but irregularly & not very well: houses ― duomo ― hills.) up till 6.15. Lunching at 2 ― Sir C. Sargent calling, & sitting a while. I fancy one likes him as well as ever one would could or […]

Thursday, 20 March 1862

Gray early ― but lovely after 10. ― Rose at 6.45. Breakfast ― & at 9 ― off, with G. ― to the Hotel St. George ― at 9.30, with Miss Goldsmid & Mrs. Naylor to Palaiokastritza ― wh. we reached at 12.20. Very lovely bay & rox! We lunched in the Monastery ― & […]

Wednesday, 19 March 1862

Very fine. Worked ― 9.30 to 1.30 ― at Florence. ― Then Miss Goldsmid & Mrs. Naylor came. After wh. lunched ― & worked till 4. ― At 5 ― walked, by Παλαίοπολις, to Ἀνάλειψις ――― where I prowled about among the darkling gray olives: aperiently that is one of the loveliest spots on Earth. […]

Tuesday, 18 March 1862

Fine all day & calm & warm ― but cloudy at times. Worked ― particular ― from 9.30, to 6. ― (only stopping to read the Observer & Punch, sent by Miss Goldsmid[)] ―― Mr. Clive’s illness distresses me much. ― Worked at the Olives & vines & fig in the large Florence. ― Did […]

Monday, 17 March 1862

Very fine ― & lovely ― N. wind after 3 Worked at Fairbairn’s Florence ― Cypresses & vines. ― Annoyed by Carri. ― Left off at 3.30 ―― Post Steamer being in. Letters from J.B. Edwards ― cheery & nice. & from Edward Clive ― sad enough: ― Mr. Clive has had a fit of […]

Sunday, 16 March 1862

Gray ― fine ― gleamy ― warm ― very. Wrote to Ellen ― after breakfast. ― Went to church at 11. Cecil Lane ― overtaking me. ― He seems the same good plain fellow as of yore. Clark preached from ˇ[about] those dreadful old bores Jacob & Esau. Also the church was crowded & a […]

Saturday, 15 March 1862

Fine ― gray ― gleamy ―warm. XX4 No sleep till 5 ― that disgusting young Sterling making a row all night ― μεθυσμένος, μοῦ φαίνεται.1 Worked little ― (Cypresses of large Florence) ――― but not ill. At 1.30 went out: called on Le Mesurier who went with me to the Ascension Temple ― where I […]

Friday, 14 March 1862

Gray ― gleamy ― calm. Ill ― from sleeplessness: & no sooner had I begun to work on Florence ― unwell & hardly able with all my attention & application, to proceed as I wished ――― those horrible=silly Mauds began their noises above: ― she playing some 2 score of bits ―not 3 minutes each, […]