Edward Lear's Diaries

V. Petraja ― 4

There was fog early ― (rose at 6.30.) but it cleared, & the day was the loveliest conceivable. I wish I had my journal here of 1859, there is such an absurd sameness just now! The fine calm weather, the distasteful hard work all day ― … the disinclination to go out ― [even] the receipt of a letter from Mr. Edwards! ― [Colours] of Athos come back ― & Patmos, & Eubœa, ― but there seems no use in memory.

Wrote to Mr. Morier.
Lacaita
B.D. Morier
Mrs. Bergmann

Dined at 4 ― sole & cold fowl. ―

Worked again till dusk: really I don’t know if well or ill. Then took my solitary walk, farther than usual, but beyond the Library are annoyances of crowds & bore. ―

O dear! what a life!

Bed at 9. ― No Greek: no penning out. Yet considering all that has past there has been no little energy by fits, tho’ I haven’t much just now.

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

Villa Petraja. 3

One of the perfect days of weather, bright, calm, not hot. But at sunset there came a great “sea=fog” ― & I suppose there will be rain tomorrow.

Morally also, & physiologically διὰ ἐμὲ, ˇ[(τὸν εαυτόνμου,)]¹ the day was somewhat better. Worked before breakfast ― & afterwards off & on. Paper came late, & took long to read. ― dined at 4 ― boiled fowl. Worked again till 7 ― dusk ― then prowled ― from 7.30 ― to 8.30. ―

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

1. For me (myself) (NB). [↩]

Lovely day all through. La Petraja. 2

Physic ― & unwell.

Worked pretty hard off & on ― but XX & horribly out of spirits ― & miserable.

Dined at 4 on a sole & beer & potatoes.

Worked again ― & walked a little.

After all what good are the trees & beautiful woods of England to me? I got no sight of them. ― Nor is it well that I should care much now for anything more. ―

I think, at the outside, I shall finish 4 or 5 of these paintings only ― & then leave St. Leonard’s. ―

“We come no more to the golden shores¹
“Which we loved in days of old.”² ―

O weary life.

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

1. Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor. I.iv. Falstaff to Robin: “Hold, sirrah, bear you these letters tightly; | Sail like my pinnace to the golden shores.” [↩]
2. Owen Meredith (Robert, Lord Lytton). Clytemnestra. II: “Troy being captive, we shall see once more | Those whom we loved in days of old.” Bulwel-Lytton, Robert. The Poetical Works of Owen Meredith. Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1875. 302. [↩]

Rose at 8 ― shameful! ― Bright morning & day throughout, but windy, & noisy sea.

Wrote all the day ― 14 letters.

1 Lady Bethell ― Westbury
2. Gussie Bethell.
3 Mrs. Clive
4 C.M. Church.
5 S.W. Clowes.
6 J. Edwards.
7 Mr. Edwards
8 Holman Hunts
9 Edgar Drummond
10 John Cross.
11 James Hornby.
12
13
14 Mrs. G. Scrivens

& posted all at 6. ― Then went up to Mr. Crakes. Good old Mr. C. wanes fast. ― Mrs. Hamilton is there ― & M.A.C. ― & Mrs. C. ― I went to look over Van’s house, but returned to dine. Mary Ann C.’s behavior to her mother is certainly at times horrid. ― The children are nice enough. ― After dinner, Mr. C. talked of Sicily “Girgenti &c.” ― as clearly as if it were last year he had gone there ― not 1841. ― Later, V.C. came in ―: & poor Mr. C. slept. Sad universal sadness of decay! Alike for all! ――

A sudden death I think is best. ―

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

La Petraya 1.

Worked very hard all day ― sorting & destroying letters &c. Then, making the Petraia tracing & outline.

At 4 walked to Hastings: the elder Mr. & Mrs. W. Scrivens. Bought various matters: & home by 7. Dined.

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

Breakfast with 40scue at 10 ― pleasant.

At 1.30 to rail with 10 packages ― & at St. Leonards before 5.

Dined at Sussex Hotel.

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

All day busy. Packed. Drummonds &c.

To city at 5 ― & with W.N. to Woodberry, lonely home now!

He sent me home in Brougham at 10.

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

Busy till 10. To Leatherhead, & passed the day with poor Ellen. ― Came up at 7 & cab to F. Coombes.

Home by 10.30 ― tired.

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

Looked on the sketches for work. Called on Daddy ― Susan married. Various shoppings.

Dined with Daddy at 7.30.

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

At 8 left luggage at 119. Marina. Greeks at Station.

Lewes by 10. Passed the day with the Hunts, & dined there at 6. Late train, & only reached 15 Stratford Place by 11. Mrs. Cooper in bed. T. Cooper away, Bright Smith being ill.

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