Edward Lear's Diaries

Cold, but fine: cloudy at times.

Worked at Butrinto ― not very badly ― all day.

Ἥλθε κανένα.¹

Looked at Candoni’s house ― by the Post Office ― an absurd place: ― at 5 ― walked a very little way.

At 6.30 dined with the Goldsmid & Naylor. A very pleasant evening of work, talk, music.

Home by 11.

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

1. “None came.” Lear probably intended κανένας, which would make it “no one came” (NB). [↩]

Bright & cold North wind. Evening ― very cold.

The Saturday Steamer only came in at 9. A []¹ day! ―

Letters from C. Fortescue, & F. Lushington, & T. Cooper[.]

Worked at Butrinto.

Hutton, Lawson, & Wombwell came.

The sun now comes over Fort Neuf at 3.30 ― & the rooms are useless thenceforth.

At 3 ― called on Miss Goldsmid ― & on the Decies. The Politi rooms will not be vacant ― so unless the Maude & Cravens go, I am off.

Walked a little way to the One Gun. ― A half-drunk sailor on a grey horse insisted on shaking hands with me ― “I know you’re an Englishman by your jib! ―” ― & wanted me to go & “have a drop of something to drink” with him.

Dined at 6.30. Penned out till 9.15.

Cold & cross & sad. ― High North wind.

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

1. Blotted. [↩]

Rainy early & wind: ― colder & cloudy & rain later.

Worked at Butrinto ― but off & on=wise ― till 5. No steamer.

Came, Hutton ― at 3.

At 3.30 ― Mrs. Maude & the Forts: ― Mrs. F. admires the big Corfu A. ―

Sate at work afterwards ― Hutton by me, ― & then walked with him to the 1 Gun battery & back by 6.15.

Hutton is a really nice fellow.

His description of Capt. Murray in a boat at Luro! & his mania for shooting wild geese.

Dined at 6.45.

Penned out Ζαγώρι drawings till 10.30.

The Maudes dining out ― quiet.

Spiro has been, & says Politi will let me his floor ― one of them, when vacant.

ˇ[Saturday’s] Steamer came in ― at 9! ―

Thoughts of a yacht life from April, May & June along the Coast.

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

Gray cloudy damp till 12 ― then rain till 5 or 6.

Worked ― but not much, ― at Corfû A ― trees.

Count George Henckel von Donnersmarck came, & his brother-in-law: a better bred man ― & a gentlemanly fellow.

Afterwards ― just as I was getting to work again, came someone else ― & G. announced “il Capitano d’un Bastimento.”¹ So I went angrily to the front room ― & was none the less angry at seeing a large dog in it ―― when lo! ――――

Geoff Hornby!

So we talked ― & at 4.30 ― walked. & he went to the Neptune at 5.30.

The noise of the Maude people today was dreadful: they seem to throw down tables & chairs for fun.

Dined at 6.30 ― & penned out Ζαγώρι drawings till 10.20.

No steamer: S.W. Wind.

XX4

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

1. The Captain of a ship. [↩]

Pouring rain, & Thunderstorms: high S. wind all day.

More angry still that there are neither letters nor papers ― Διατὶ;¹

In a horrid rage.

Looked out Tennyson Illustrations from his poems.

Wrote to R. Martineau.

A deadly doleful day ― dark pouring gloomy ― & I gloomier.

At 5.ˇ[20] called on the Goldsmid & sate till 6.30.

Went to Woolff’s ― but found their little girl is ill & that I could not stay.

Came to the Decies ― they 2 only, & then dined & passed a delightful evening.

Home by 11.

They say Politi’s lower floor is about to be vacant? ―

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

1. Why? [↩]

Cloudy & sunny at times: once or twice a half shower of rain. Very calm & open window=no fire weather. ― Worked at Corfu A ― trees & foreground ― but, tho’ none come, little things interrupted me.

First, paying Παραμιθιόττι’s rent: I asked for the refusals of the upper floor ― but got no answer. Then there were noisy street cars, ― & looking out for the Post Ancona boat, wh. came not. At 2 ― salutes ― the new General Sir J. Inglis landing. A new ship of war came in. Then the new General’s packages to stare at ― & the 2^nd regiment & band twice past. ― And at 5 ― sunset beautiful ― a 2^nd set of salute guns ― I conclude for Sir George & Lady Buller’s going. What a life has her’s been here! ― Yet happier than if she had tried to mix with all, ― wh. she could never have done. ― 5.45. No steamer.  ― The sun comes round Fort Neuf now at 4.30 ― whereby ― later in the year, this room will be useless. ― Things must be as they may: ― go ― or not go.

Dined at 6.30 ― & penned out till 9.30 ― but the room was useless for another cause, ― the awful noise of the Maudes. Went to bed angry ― & half thinking of going away.

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

Cloudy gray all day ― a little rain before a gold sunset.

Worked at Corfu A, ― trees, all day ― stems ― off & on, from 9.30, to 6.15.

Letters from Mrs. Shakespear ―― & Ellen.

Did not go out. The Goldsmid wrote to say she sould not drive, as I had written to her to say the same.

Dined at 6.30 ― or 7.

Penned out [] drawings.

X3

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

Gray & cloudy calm all day.

We seem to have gone back ― years.

Worked at trees in Corfus, B. C. & D. till 2: ― after which Miss G. & Mrs. N. were to have driven, & I with them. But they wrote to say they would call at 3.30 ― & so they did. ― (Col. Herbert coming by chance also.)

The vexing nature of having 7 unfinished pictures & none other is ridiculous.

The Goldsmid is full of talent. ― We 3 walked to Mandruchio & back ― slowly ― to Condi Terrace. ― The slow walks kill me. Alas! we are to drive tomorrow. ―

I write little & express less.

Dined at 6.30 & penned out till 10.30.

Much suffering & trouble for the sprain today. My life will not be long here ―I mean in this world ― I think. But that does not depress me. The state of life ― while I live here, ― does. ―

Anyhow, I think another year of Corfû, basterà.¹

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

1. Will be enough. [↩]

Cloudy early ― but fine, with a North sudden breeze from 12 to sunset[.]

Painted at Citadels of Corfus A B C ― & D, from 9 to 5.30. Col. Maude came in ― he is going to Albania for 10 days ― & away from here in 3 weeks: & it becomes a question if I should try to get the upstairs floor?

Did not go out at all.

Dined at 6.30.

& penned out (Lapsista drawings ―) till 10.45.

X2

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

Paradise weather all day. Sent letters to Ellen N. & C.F.

Paradise without, for I cannot move.

Began to work on Corfu D ― the little one: ― but worked ill. Fear of noise ― (which presently came in 4 Artillery men carrying up wood ―) & disgust at repetition of subject made me work badly ― & besides, I was unwell.

X1.

At 2. Lunched. At 3 ― most weary & sad ― yet, with a persistence I had not in old times ― I shall try to work again. O! these 4 Ascension pictures!

Worked on till 5.

Internally, a very wretched day, but outwardly calm & purple=bright Paradise.

Dined at 7.

& penned out till 10. Lapsista drawings.

The Lord be thanked ― the Maudes are out ― so stillness rains above & below.

But it is hard prison=work: albeit there is much to be thankful for indeed.

(After writing this, read over journal of this day & other following days of 1861: & surely ought to be content!)

XX

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