Edward Lear's Diaries

Turin

Just as cold, & wetter. Very unpleasant. But I cannot say I suffer as much in these rooms as I did one year at Condi Terrace.

From 9 to 5 ― worked at Turin: tolerably well. Went upstairs & called at Maudes & Cravens ―― both out.

At 6 dinner ― ὤς Χθὲς.¹

& penned out 3^rd Jumerka=Janina sketch till 10.15.

It is a great thing to get over any part of the ‘winter’ easily ― & so far, so good.

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

1. As yesterday (NB). [↩]

Half day of Turin ―

What an odd Xmas day! To begin with, a hard North Easter, & Salvador ― (when seen for Mists,) covered with snow 2 thirds down! 

Sent G. out to his home, & wrote to R. Fowler, & worked at Turin ― very decently.

At 3 ― Hutton, a nice fellow, & Sanson, ditto, came, & staid till 5.

At 6 I dined ― on Maccaroni & cold beef, ― & penned out 2 Jumerka Janina sketches, till 10.40.

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

half day ― Florence ― & Turin.

Sent letters to
Ellis Ashton
Mrs. Bell.
S.W. Clowes.
J.B. Edwards.
T. Cooper ― {Dickenson | Tarrant}
Mrs. Robinson ―
Mrs. Bergmann.

A miserably sleepless night. Morning gray. ― After breakfast ― I work a little at the Florence olives. But I am mortissimo (Absolutely dead.)) in body & soul. ― Yet looking back ― even as far as 6 years old ― (at the clown & circus at Highgate,) ― & then to all since ― how can it be otherwise? The wonder is, things are as well as they are through constant fighting.

Gray ― & showery at times. ― Worked from 2 to 5 at the Turin ― buildings & trees: all ill.

A weary day: ― but when I have I not been weary in winter time ― or indeed anywhere when settled? ― or indeed ― anywhere?

Wrote to Jane Hunt.

&, before dinner, a good deal to Lucy Francillon ― kind good Lucy.

Dined. The Maudes seem always away now-a-days ― & oft in the “stilly night” is the order of the day.

Penned out large Jumerka Janina sketch: ― & so bed at 10 ―

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

Florence ― half day ―――― (6^th day) ――

A gray day ― & rain at 4, but only drizzle.

After accounts &c. ― G. brought the Observer of the 15^th ― Prince Albert died on Saturday ―as I had heard.

Letters from J.B. Edwards ― who is in the expectation of being ordered off to America: ― I incline to think that the best thing for him. ― From Miss Goldsmid, who comes on the 27^th January: & from A. Tarrant.

Wrote a good deal, & worked at the buildings of Florence till 5. ―

Did not go out at all. Wrote to Mrs. Bergmann before dinner.

Dined. But G. had a fit of grumbling ―having been obliged, owing to a fête of S. Spiro tomorrow & Xmas day after, to go hither & thither for heaps of things. After a time he came into decent humour ― for he is always amenable to reason if kindly urged to him.

However, he went on growling again ― & went out at 8.

I set to work penning out, & finished the Temple Corfu view begun on the 5^th & 6^th. But as at 10 G. had not come in, I wonder what is come to him. At 10.30 I have done my work ― & just then I hear the Σουλιοτ enter.

I really do half think it would be better to cut Greece for the present ― altogether: for poor Giorgio as well as for myself. For he can get no other master while I am hereabouts, & I do not think his staying with me is  for his benefit.

XX7

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

The 5^th Sunday here ― & would I were away: yet I bethink me, Sundays ― when I am settled anywhere, ― are always “sad & strange.” However, the day is once more lovely to a fabulous degree. ―

After breakfast wrote to Mr. Ashton of Hayton ―― & read & wrote ― determining not to go to Church till next Sunday ― till 1. When G. came back with his 2 boys. Nicolo the eldest is a fine lad with good expression & eyes. Little Karalambi is very pretty but I think very delicate, & I do not think, if he does not get stronger, that he will live. But what is life?

“O Life! ― o earth! ― o time! ―”

Now ― 1.30 ― to go out, or not? There are times when this loneliness is too dreadful almost to bear ― yet it is less so of late ― & yesterday I was much better. There are so many causes now also for dejection ― over & above those of old ― that on the whole I think myself better.

However, at 2 I walked over the new “Parga” road, to the Potamò ditto, & then by the Govino marsh road up to the Potamò giro,¹ which I took. The glen=scenery ― or rather glades of olive woods ― so filmy & sparkly are truly wondrous ― & almost inimitable: & so also the light olives above Potamo, with the sea & snow mountains: & the thick groves of Εὐροπώλυς ―: ― then, the black-kerchief’d dames of Ποταμὸς, ― & so slowly ― & sadly ― to the Alipõ road & across by the Poplars to the S.ta Decca, & so ‘home’ by 6¼. ― Giorgio turned out a dinner of macaroni, duck & sausages, & I asked questions of Suli, ― but he is abstract & “testa di Legno”² as he says of his son Nicólo. ― The Maudes are tolerably quiet in these days. But I by no means feel that it is profitable to go on long ― even so long as 3 months here.

Wrote to Mrs. Bell: & penned out 4 small 1857 Jánina drawings till [10 or]³ 10.20.

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

1. Tour, or walk. [↩]
2. Literally, “wooden-headed,” meaning “stubborn, obstinate.” [↩]
3. Blotted. [↩]

Florence 5 day.

Rose at 7. A delightful half-sunny ― half pearly gray day, warm enough to have the window open ― a wood fire within.

After Breakfast & hearing G. read ― worked at the Architecture of the Florence picture absolutely, almost without stopping ― from 9 to 5 ―: I could have seen a few minutes longer by the bright reflect of the sunset ― but thought it better to rush out, wh. I did ― to Palœopolis ― from 5.15 ― to 6.15. Dined at 6.30 ― & penned out (Jánnina ˆ[Apl. 10/57]) till 10.30.

Onto the Kastrades road, I met the De Veres: ――

The Prince is really dead ― most sad to think of. He died on Sat.y the 14^th.

And poor Queen Victoria is a Widow. Sadder days still I fear are in store.

What man can have done his duty in all ways as son, brother, Husband, Father, & public man in the highest station ― more & better than Prince Albert? ― This will be felt in after times. ―

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

Florence ― (cypresses & foreground.) ――― 4 day

Cloudy ―― & rain at times towards 4 P.M.

Worked all day ― 9 to 4.30 at the Florence ― ill enough. ―

Weather warm. Spirits none ― horridly dejected at times ― yet fought it out. And at 5 ― walk to Palœópolis & back by 6.15. Dark clouds & lightening.

Dined ― ate little: & from 7 to 10.30 penned out the whole of the Janina drawings of Apl. 1861 ― the one done with J.B. Edwards. ―

Life is full of weary days.

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

Florence ― sky & cypress stems. ―――― 3 day.

The nearly full moon ― opposite my window at 7: ― then the gradually plum=rosiness ― & lastly at 7.30 the first crimson of sunrise on Salvador, is a sight not to be forgotten.

Sent letters to Dickenson & C.F. ― Sarah Street, & Mrs. Chaworth=Musters. ― Worked ― very well, from 9 to 3, at the Florence. ― But Mrs. Maudes jigs & an organ in the street nearly drove me mad. Then came Count Henckel: (he says there is a report that P. Albert is dead.) ― & now, ― it has clouded from noon, ― it is raining, & gloomy.

At 4 ― in pouring rain, called on Mrs. Boyds ― & after that on the Herberts ― with whom (the latter,) sat till 5.30. ― They are nice people.

It really seems to be believed that the report of P. Alberts death is a true one: ― undoubtedly one of the most terrible events possible just now, ― at least so far as we mortals can see. ― A telegram came to a Gk. Merchant here, ― & was taken to Sir H.J. Storks at the Opera, wh. he left directly. It is said the Prince died on the 16^th.

At 6.30 ― dine with Craven, the Chaplain on the 2^nd floor ―― a bluff gruff soldierly sort of priest. There were young Storks ― & one Major Buchanan ― a really nice fellow. ―

After dinner, we hushed the Piano &c. for a time: ― a vast thunder & lightening & rain & hail storm the while. ―― And came away at 10.15.

Poor Queen! ― It seems really true, this terrible news: ― the Lord High C. has put off his ball for tomorrow. I cannot think the poor Queen will ever rally from this loss.

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

Perfectly wonderful weather yet! ―

Rose at 7. ― & after Breakfast worked ― (but not well,) at 3 Corfus ― till 4.

Then I walked out ―by the Alipù Potamo & cross roads & Alipu & cross road again to the S.ta Decca ― ― ―― Home by 6.15. The days seem to me brighter & longer than ever.

Dined at 6.45. Maccaroni & cervelli ―― G. afterwards talking about his dislike of Καστράδης. He don’t look, or seem, well.

The Maudes are out ―― all silent. Penned out, (the Philates Castle drawn in 1856) till 10[.]

And now I have set the window of my bedroom open ― to see the amazing calm & moonlight: Summer ― with a little chill on.

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

Cloudy & North wind ― rain last night: ― at 3 a stiff north breeze & all clear again!

Did not rise till after 8 ― having overslept myself owing to the Maudes coming in very late ― (or early ―) & to all the blinds being closed.

Sent letters to Mrs. Fairbairn {Lorny F. | Arly F.} F.L. Lady Reid, Lady Goldsmid & Emily T.

Worked at the distance of 3 Corfus, & a Dead Sea, till 2: new table came in. Wrote to C.F.

At 3.30 walked out ― by the “new” Parguenote road ― wonderful colour & foamy sea ― N. wind.

Round by Poplar walk from Alipù road to S. Deca ditto. Saw the Longhmans, ― also walked a bit with the long Parson ― Craven. Immense Moon ˇ[(rising over Nemertska)] ― but, mi i! how cold. ――

Home by 6. Dinner at 6.30 ― Boiled fish, woodcock, potatoes & sausages ―all perfect cookery.

Penned out till 10. The Maudes are away ―but Lord! Now the furniture is moved about! ――

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