Edward Lear's Diaries

if possible ― fairer: perfect calm & sunshine.

Worked at all 4 Corfus ― figures & goats.

Letters from
A. Empson ―
Mrs. Musters
J. Edwards
Ellis Ashton
& Mrs. Bell.

At 5 ― went to Ascension.

Dined at 6.45.

Penned out ― but not much; as there were 2 papers, the Westminster, & 2 vols. of Turner’s life¹ ― all come to day ― to read.

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

1. Probably Walter Thornbury’s The Life of J.M.W. Turner, R.A. 2 vols. London: Hurst and Blackett, 1862. [↩]

Very lovely ― calm & bright all day.

Worked savagely at small Corfû all day.

Invitations to dinner, from Luards, Maude ― &c. &c. ―

Short walk at 5½ ― to 6½.

Dined at Luards’ ― pleasant enough: a clever & nice lad.

Home by 11.40.

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

Fine ― warm ― cloudy at times.

Having to go to see the “Exhibitions,” did not begin oilwork. ― Placed a small Florence, & a large Jánina on canvass ― & squared a long Corfû.

Col. Maude sate from 11.30, to 1.30 ― a good-natured fellow ― but I grow weary of interruption.

Then Craven wrote ― asking me to go up to night.

At 2.30 ― went out & saw the Exhibition ― a necessary duty ― & pleasing enough in itself ― but, inasmuch as it brought me in contact with Le Mesuriers, Valsamachis, Woolffs, Capt. Clifford & others ― a bore.

Came home at 3 ―& squared the Corfu ― G. not in till 5.30.

Dined, & penned out Delvino till 11.

Bad night ― indigestion.

X7

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

Fine ― gray at times: ― but very close & warm.

Worked ― not very well, ― at Dionysiou ― from 9 to 3.

Letters ― (Trieste & Alexdr. Boat ―) from Ellen: ― Fred ― & his son are in Genl. Price’s army.

& T. Cooper. ― “Called up” at the Maudes ―

Walked from 4.00 ― to 6.15 ― calling at the Kokalis ― Χριζὸς is better.

Dined alone. Penned out, the old Delvino drawing of the Castle.

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

Perfect fine & calm again: rippleless sea, & warm sun.

Painted irregularly ― 3 Ascensions ― from 9.30 ― to 1.30.

Letter from C. 40scue ― & Newspapers ― & wrote to C.F.

At 2 ― walked to Casino, & drew an Ilex till 4. Then to Ascension, & on to the Cannone ― returning home by 6.20.

Dined alone ― Χριζὸς is ill, so Giorgio has to go there, & sleeps out.

Penned out the very last of the Athos 1856 giro.

X6

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

Very fine all day ― lovely & calm ― towards sunset.

Accounts ― & then went to Taylors, & got £25. Called & left a Nonsense book at Woolffs.

Boles all corny. Returned at 10 ― & by 10.30 was working at Athos (Ἀγιού Διονυςίου) till 5. ― Dr. Roberts ― Capt. Vernon ― & latterly Col. Maude called.

Steamer not in from Trieste.

Luard dined with me, & I read him some Tennyson, & penned out afterwards (Cavalla sketch,) till 11.45.

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

Gray ― soft, rainy=looking ― but no rain, warm.

Rimasto¹  at home, & wrote to Mrs. Clive, & various others.

At 2.30 went up to the Maudes: & at 3 to church.

Craven preached, not badly.

At 5 ― home, & walked out, the longer ― or middle giro, ― meeting Craven, & Luard.

At 7.30 dined at the Decies ―

Pleasant people all ―: excellent dinner ―: excellent dinner: delightful  evening altogether.

Home by 11.15.

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

1. I stayed. [↩]

Gray & misty early: fine ― later. East wind.

Worked from 9 to 4.30 at S. Dionysio: & well. Col. Maude came in & sate.

Early ― at 10 ― I went up to them: howling dog ― “Τι νὰ γίνα ― διὰ τοῦτο πρᾶγμα; ―”¹ said Paramythides’s nephew.

Letters from Lucy Franville
Reg.d Fowler.
Mrs. G. Scrivens.

Walked up to Casino & back ― (after 5.30 ―) by 6.30.

Dined, & penned out half a sketch ― Carvalka. ―

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

1. What to do about this thing? (NB) [↩]

My dearest Ann’s birthday: she would have been 71 today.

Alas.

A fine gray sunless day, like an English Autumn.

Worked principally at S. Dionysio.

I wonder what comes after death.

Worked till 5 ― when Luard & Le Mesurier came. ― & stayed till 6.

6.30 dined.

Penned out from 7.15 ― to 10.30.

(a Syra drawing.)

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

Fine day ― but very warm & moist, ― clouds ― & 2 small showers.

Worked at the [S.] Dionysio, which I put on canvass, from 9 ― to 4. Aubrey de Vere came.

At 5 ― went up to the Casino ― to ask after Mrs. D.V. ― met the Lord High ― who said he would come & see me when I wished: he is extremely courteous & kindly always.

Returned at 6.15 ― & penned out till 6.40. Dressed to dine upstairs at 7.

Dinner ― [I sat right of] Craven’s ――― a singular bore except so far as the eating, which was good: only I had rather have eaten dry bread, & escaped the misery. Only Capt. Someone was there ― who was at Boyds’ the other night ― rather a nice fellow: ― but after dinner ― (wine=drinking prolonged with cigars till 9.30 ――) the Captain’s Lace Exhibition was the only tolerable part of life: Mrs. Cravens variations & jigs being painful. I really could not stay after 11.15 ― when they seemed half affronted at my going “so early” “Let us alone?”

Horrible indigestion & sleepless night.

XX5

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