Edward Lear's Diaries

Dull & dark.

Letters ― F.L. is to marry K. Morgan.

A. Fowler ― his boy is dead.

Wrote to F.L.
Macbean
& others.

Arranged linen &c. to send to Corfu. ―

& books.

At 3.30 walked to St. John’s wood, & after a long time found where Roëd was staying, but he was out. So, for the sake of the days of Marstrand, I asked him to breakfast or dine on Friday. Coming away, met Edmund Lushington & Matilda Tennyson & walked back part of their way. E.L. goes tonight to join F.L. at Edinburgh, for Lady M.’s funeral. ―――

Home by 6 ― & dressed ― & to Fairbairns ― only Tom Woolner, & a Mr. Waring there. Dinner excellent & evening very pleasant.

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

Dark

Wet. Daddy Hunt to breakfast ― & staid till 12. ˆ[Daddy’s life is not as happy as I could wish.]

Sorted letters till 2.30.

At 3 went out: it did not rain, but was black=blanket gloom & filth. First, I went thro’ Grosvenor Square ― & staid awhile seeing No. 23 levelled: ― o! the happy days I have passed there! ――

Then I called on Col. Hornby ― tho’ I did not expect him to be in town. He is sadly older & wearier; ― whatever he says of Lord Derby, adds to my disgust of all one ever hears of Knowsley. Lady Denison returns to Madras tomorrow. ― I suppose now, I shall hardly go to L. Green.

Walking from 12 Chapel St. I met Terrick Hamilton in Park St., ― who amiably turned back with me as far as Holford House, & then I walked back again with him: ― as always he is bright & pleasant.

Col. H. met me thus returning, but I overtook him soon, ― & again left him to call at Fairbairns’s 17 Park Lane. They were out, so I overtook the Col. Again before he got out of Park Lane. Whereon the poor old gent’s politeness gave way, & he [sided] with Down Street ― pretending a call, ― tho’ I saw he came out almost immediately & continued to padder down Piccadilly. Was he disgusted at walking with a “hartiss” ― or simply bored? After this I called on Lacäita ― (the foolish woman said he was at Count Lansdowne’s ― & made a deal of fuss about “Sir James.”) & on C. Knight: out also. & then ― at 4.30 ― walked to Brompton, where I found Mrs. Coombe, Percy, & Sidney at home. The latter is ill, tho’ I do not know of what, & is going away to [Dering] for the winter. Percy is a good lad. ―

I walked back at 7 ― & dined on cold Surrenden Dering Pheasant.

XX3

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

X2.

Fog.

Odious letter from R. Boswell.

wrote to
Taylor
Ellen.
Sarah.
J. Senior.
G. Scrivens. ―

At 1 went out & called on poor W. Beadon ― on Dalziells, & on Bergmanns. Then, Zoological Gardens ―where I saw the Brookfields. ―

Then Fairbairns ― & then home: James Uwins coming to dine with me ― & staying till 10.30. ―

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

Very lovely. Rose at 7. Breakfast with Elim Avigdor¹ ― farewell to Sir F. & Lady Goldsmid. ― Drive to Pluckley.

Paddock wood, Archbishop of Canterbury ― with whom talk to Croydon.

Stratford Place at 2.

Letters from Sarah
Ellen.
C. Church
G. Kokali
Dalziel
F.L. & others.

Called on Beadons ― J. Uwins ― & Holman Hunt. ― on the Eggs ― where I dined. W. Frith came in. H.H. walked partly home. ―

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

1. Elim Henry d’Avigdor was clearly an associate of Sir Francis Goldsmid’s, and later the author, under the pseudonym of Wanderer, of Across Country. London: Bradbury, Agnew, & Co., 1882. In 1861 he took the second B.A. examination at the University of London. [↩]

Very lovely morning ― tho I hardly rise before 8.

Walked on the Terrace. Sir F. & Miss G. went to Somerhill. I, penned out, or talked with Lady G. till Lunch: ― afterwards ― at 3 she drove me to Charing, & then we walked in the Park. Most glorious calm evening!

(Talking of F. Lady W. ―― Lady G. said she used to know her as a girl, but ˇ[had] never seen her since a dance at her uncle Godsmid’s ― when she danced opposite to her; ― some jealousy about a partner occurred, & F.W. (Fanny B. then,) crossing over, said to Lady G. ― “if you do that again, I’ll blow your brains out!” ――――― ――――――

At 6 I packed up. 7½ dinner.

Mr. G. Dering, ― & a Mr. Rawly ― an Indian Doctor who was with Col. Caldwell on Lord Amherst’s staff. ― Dering was a bore. ―

Singing after ― but dull. ―

X1

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

Gray

Rose earlier. Wrote to Taylor. ―

After breakfast showed drawings ― talked with Mrs. M. & drew till lunch. Mrs. M. says Braham was sent to Italy by her grandfather & gd. Uncle: & she knew Lady W. when young. ――― D’Israelis father (& mother) were both Jews ―but he was elected to serve some office in the Synagogue, but as they would not both let him off serving & excuse his ‘fine,’ ― he declared he would turn Xtian, & did so. ――

Lady G. & Mrs. M. went after a pleasant Lunch: ― & then Sir F.G. ― Miss G. & I were driven to Eastwell, ― a dim distance ― but fine trees; ― Sir F. left us, & I & Miss G. returned. She is absolutely delightful.

Talking & playing till dinner.

Fun about the game of “plants” & singing.

I do not think such pleasant times were ever again to be.

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

Very lovely day ―tho’ showery early.

At 9 walk on Terrace with Miss R. Breakfast afterwards ― showed drawings to Lady & Miss G. & Miss J. ― after Miss J. went, a good deal of talk ― & pleasure in finding these pleasant & well-bred women so good, clear, & charitable in all their views.

Lunch. Drew i.e. penned out. ―

Walk with Sir F.  ― ― & later dinner ―― but I was not over well.

Mrs. Montefiore, Sir F.’s sister ― very pleasant also. After dinner, my nonsenses & other nonsense: no music.

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

Left St. Leonard’s at 10 ― & at 11 ― Hastings.

A fine day. Mrs. Napier & her children. Genl. & Mrs. Campbell.

At Ashford by 12.30. ― carriage sent by Lady Goldsmid ― & drive to Surrenden Dering, a charming large house in a lovely place. Lady G. & Sir F. & a Miss Goldsmid, very beautiful.

Lunch. Drive with Lady & Miss G. ― very pleasant. Walk in grounds with Miss G. & talk of Miss Emily B.’s book ― which we agree upon completely. Miss G. is evidently delightful in manner, intellect, & disposition.

A Miss Rowan ˇ[& a Miss Jekyll] ― & dinner: all pleasant. A nephew also  one Elim? &

Shewed nonsense drawings ―― gt. laughter. Sang a good deal: & Lady G. played.

Altogether, happier than for many a day.

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

Fine.

Drew nonsenses.

At 12 ― called on A. Fowler.

Then, with the G. & W. Scrivens’s ―― walked to East Cliff.

Dined at the G.S. ―― & played & sang.

Fine day.

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

Stormy & showery. Paid bills & ran about.

Mrs. V.C.
V. Crake.
3 Woodbine Parishes ―
3 Taylors ―
8 came ―

& just as it was pouring with rain, & I was wondering how I should get to the Crakes ―

C. Fortescue.

Dined at the Crakes.

Wet thro’ coming home, & savage.

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