Edward Lear's Diaries

X

The same fine day. East wind.

Ill ― καὶ δὲν ἐθάυμασα τίποτες.¹

Came ― man from Foords ― & poor W. Beadons butler ― T.G. Baring ― & Dalziels’ man ― & then F.L. ― nearly all at once ― so that I was in a mess & angry & stupid. F.L. staid some time.

At 2 I dined. Came M. Parkyns then & staid till 5. ― Mrs. Clive also came ― kindly & pleasant

Ἳσως, στοχάζομαι, ὁ Κύριος Μαίλδμαι θὰ ἀγοράσει τὸν Δαμάσκον;²

At 6 I called on Gould, & Mrs. Wyatt, but returned to tea.

Hired a Piano.

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

1. And I did not admire anything (NB). [↩]
2. Maybe, wonder I, Mr. Mildmay will buy the Damascus? (NB). [↩]

Bright, fine, misty early, but clear after, dry.

Rose at 8.45. ― (for I do not sleep.)

Had to write letters to John Harford, ― & to J. Senior about the Skerett Will &c.: also to look for dates & bother letters, which took up a good lot of time.

(Clowes, bye the bye, comes not.)

Worked for some 2 hours on the Damascus, not ill I think: but it ought to be finished!

At 2.30 ˇ[(or 3)] I went out, & called on Mrs. Mildmay, (who had written very kindly to ask me to dine there, 26,) ― & then to Lady James, ― & to the Evans ― where I saw Mrs. Evans & Clara G. (& the Interlaken.) Poor people! their brother Lionels death is very sad & dreadful to them, which, knowing them, speaks well for him as well as for them.

Then I came to Bickers & Bush; & bought [Rafflins] Jura &c. ― & to Foords ― & to the Chappells ― where I hired a Piano ― & so “home.” ―

Which I dined on Mutton Broth & Rice at 7.30.

A letter from H.J. Bruce ― enclosing one from Hyde Beadon: ― William F. Beadon is going. Alas! … kind good friend! ― The Alas! is not for you, but for those who remain.

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

Dry

Very fine ― cloudless.

Worked from 9½ to 12 ― at Damascus, when

M. & E. Parkyns
T. & E. Abraham
Ge. Bethell,
Mr. Morier,
C. Church,
& Dickenson came.

So work was at an end: & at 2.30 I walked to Holman Hunts. The portrait he is doing vexes me: & so does a plan of future painting, from Clarences’s dream. ― He himself is always one of the best men I have ever known.

Thence I walked to Friths ―out. Omnibus to city, & saw Mrs. Bell. (Mr. B. out.) Whatever the Weld case may be, it is certainly a stunner.

Buss back to Regent St. & tried to dine at the St. James’s Hotel: But they kept me so long, that I grew ill ― & paid 4/ for next to nought.

Back by 8.30 & found F.L. had been, & had left a note.

Took medicine ― Bowels don’t act now a days ― & bother abounds.

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

Very fine ― cloudless ― & not cold.

Letters from ET. ― The Weld affair is ὦς ηξοχασθώμην from Mrs. Beadon ― bad account of W.F.B. & C. Church.

Really (!!!!!!) set to work, & did “pink” touches all over the Damascus by fits ―but whether it be better or worse I know not.

At 2 “Archie” Peel came: kindly nice heart: “I have another kid!” said he.

At 4 I went out & called on Lady Goldsmid, ― Mrs. Peel, Mrs. Leake ― & then Mrs. C. Stanley ― & Mrs. Buxton.

(I met poor Mr. Granville Vernon ― has aged & saddened![)]

& Mrs. Bruce ― & Mrs. G. Clive: all out. ―

Met [Bontein]: ― days of Malta. Also, Count de Paris, ― smoking a cigar, just in the narrow boarded bit of house repairing opposite [Bakeley] St. in Piccadilly. Not content with recognizing me, he walked back as far as Arlington St. & then, as I told him I had lost my sister, he went back. He is undoubtedly the nicest youth ˇ[(of that “alto rango”)]¹ I have known for many a long day. He says the Queen is not so ill.

X

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

1. High rank. [↩]

XXX

The same cold dreary darkness.

All day worked at letters, & receipts ― arranging & sorting &c. &c. &c. καὶ Ἦλθε κανεῖς.¹

At 6 walked to the Crakes.

Mr. C. is greatly more feeble: ― tomorrow is his 74^th birthday ― & he thinks he shall not live over it.

He is a kind-hearted noble old man.

Mrs. C. is evidently preparing to lose him.

Mary Ann is as ever rather silly, rather good.

Edward always improves gradually.

[Vandelen] ― not so. But, tied to such a 2^nd wife ― no wonder: ― a more painfully idiotic person one can hardly see: poor thing.

Little Willie appears to me as not to live long.

I walked home by 10.30 ― overtaken by F.W. Gibbs ―always kindly. ―

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

1. And Nobody came (NB). [↩]

Dry, cold ― East Wind ― gray. ― Rose at 9.

Ἐὰν δὲν εἶναι τοῦτο χειμῶν, τὶ εἶναι;¹

C. Fortescue came at 10 ― breakfast ― pleasant: ― he is always absolutely kind & solidly good. Exit at 12.30.

At 1 came J.B. Edwards ― & thence we walked out, making calls I ― & talking both. But he seems of a disposition impossible to live on without discontent: ― I do all I can to reconcile him to life ― but not to much purpose. Sometimes I think 2 or 3 more years of Indian service might have done him more good. ― Intanto I went on nowhere, but called at

Wynne
Godley
Morier
Cocks
[]²
Fairbairn
Bruce.
Lushington
Robinson
Cosway
Malcolm
Higgins.
Farquhar
Baring
Grey
Evans
James.

17 houses in all ― whereby it was nearly 6 & I came back to dress.

I am sorry for James Edwards.

At 6½ to Sir R. Bethells. Sir R. at Hackwood. Mansfield & Emma Parkyns, “Toni” & Ellen Abrahams Hildebrand a friend of the Parkyns, Slingsby & Mrs. S. ― Lady B. & Gussy.

At first I had a pleasant feeling in seeing them all, ―but as they all more or less squabbled ― excepting Gussy & Emma ― I grew weary. A more disjointed household hardly exists I hope: ― & yet all seem to care for each other. Meanwhile Lady B. did not come down, & was all “nohow [“]upstairs.” ― Wondered I should grieve for my sister ― since “I so seldom saw her.” & said very unwise things about Sir R. sleeping at Oxford Sqre. & she at home &c. &c. I came away uncheerful: ― nor see any quiet happy lot. Dearest Ann’s was really so ― tho’ not to these shallow & vulgar spectators, who, in all their pomp ― bite the dust of misery. ――― Thank God, ― that my health is far better to day. Very little inconvenience in walking.

C.F. told me that Lady R. had told him of this dialogue (or agiologue, or agiomonologue ―) from Pope to O.R. ― Pio IX ― “If I could for one moment believe in the ˇ[lasting] Unity of Italy I would place myself at its head ―: but I know it is not possible. ― And you English know that too: ― & moreover if it were possible you would prevent it, for you are well aware that you are inferior in every talent to the Italians, & would suffer if Italy were a great nation to be your superior in every way!”

The old blashpemin pigg!

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

1. If this is not winter, what is? (NB). [↩]
2. Blotted. [↩]

X

Gray dark cold ― but dry. ― Letters from J. Edwards, Mrs. H.J. Hunt, & C.F. Ellen N. & Mrs. Cheales: ―

All day till 3 sorting letters. What memories!

Went out ― feeling better abdominally, on account of the belt. ― Called at Sir R. Bethells ― & saw Mrs. Abrahams & afterwards, in the Park, Emma & Gussy. ― Called on J. Uwins ― who was very kind & nice. ― Then to Trafalgar Square, & dined. Laura, Mrs. C. Percy, Sidney, & Genest. Afterwards, young Allen ― all which prevents conversation ― tho’ it can’t be helped.

Walked ― (at 8.30) to Apsley House: Cab home.

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

XX

Finer=cold. No good accounts of the Beadons. ……

Sorted letters ―― what affection in all her life! ―

At 3 or 4 Rose came; ― he examined & pummelled  & what-notted me ― & says there is no rupture; but a bad strain, wh. will ― in all probability come right.

At 5 I went down to Waterloo Place & bought a belt. Left cards on F.L. ― Lady W. ― Mrs. Gladstone, ― Lady Farquhar, ― & Col. Hornby ― & Gibbs.

Dined alone ― & sorted letters from myself to dear Ann, in 1846 ― 47 ― 48 ― 49 ―― 1853, 4 5―6―7―8 ― & 1860. ―

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

The same bright clear cold. ―

Left kind dear Mrs. Empson, & good Arthur at 10.15 ― a happy & pleasant visit.

At Stratford Place by 2 or 3 ― & busied myself in getting the back room feasible. But, in doing so, ― I found more pain & inconvenience brought back, & I wrote to say Mr. Rose to come tomorrow. ― S.W. Clowes came ― always kindly. ――

My sadness is, as it were, more solid than ever. Dined alone. ―

Vastly shockingly miserable & ill ―body & mind.

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

Very fine ― but cold E. wind. How old! ―

Health better somewhat: ― great inconvenience & weight in the Abdomen still ― but hardly any pain: ― & no stoppage.

Breakfast with Arthur.

Letters from
Mrs. Husey Hunt ― ― (answered)
S.F. Widdrington ― very nice (answered)
James Edwards ― (answered)
& wrote also to Mrs. Gladstone Lady [ft.] Grey &
C.F. ―
E. Woodthorpe.
Mrs. Bright

After Lunch, walked with A. to Beechen Cliff, ―――― ? & Bathwick ― & back by 5.30.

Dinner ― woe is me! a Dr. Lloyd, & a Mr. & Mrs. Leach ― he half brother to Mrs. S. Rawson of Wastdale. Conversation extremely perplexing, & foolish, & I, (always falling back on the sad past if I cannot join in what goes on ― & how should I on balls & Bath follies?) ― was, I fear, gloom: which, vû kind good Mrs. Empson’s heartiness, I did not wish to be, but could not help.

Mr. Lloyd spoke of “that interesting Volcano Vesuvius, down which Socrates threw himself (!)”――¹

I was bored, but that good Arthur set me a lesson of patience. ― Yet Mrs. Leach was really a very deadly vulgar bore!

But the visit is happy & good: tho’ Bath would not do for me.

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

1. The philosopher said to have committed suicide by throwing himself into Mount Etna is Empedocles. Matthew Arnold’s poem Empedocles on Etna, a narrative of the philosopher’s last hours before he jumps to his death in the crater was first published in 1852. A suicide by leaping into the mouth of Mount Vesuvius closes the French opera La Muette de Portici (1828), by Daniel-François-Esprit Auber; several dubious cases had also been reported. [↩]