Edward Lear's Diaries

Cedars.

Fine. ― After breakfast, J.B.E. came ― & thereby lots of talk. He has really thrown up his appointment, &, as the Hunter’s have their house full, will go to Lpool tomorrow. He seems to hesitate about Corfû & Aldershot ―: I think, if the thing is to be broken off ― the furthest ˇ[off] he goes & ˇ[for] the longer time ― the better. It is a miserable affair altogether.

After he went came C. Fortescue: ― & after him, the Fergusson: who looked at pictures & sketches for an hour. Worked ― but only by fits at the Cedars. I greatly wish I were away, & had some thorough change.

Then restessness: sleep. X. X

Later, worked a little: & at 4.30, came Mrs. J. Godley ― (& Dennis Godley,). ― But I did not go out at all, ― morning up & down the rooms, & I wish I had music of some sort to play.

So I dined at home on cold beef & beer. Came letters ― (wh. I answered,) from Leycester Penrhyn: ― Mr. Penrhyn is dying, ― it was in 1835 ― 26 years ago ― he took me to Ireland.

And from Mrs. Clive ―――― Maria Cosway has a daughter. ―

Poor James Edwards’ affairs make me sad. And my own ain’t particular shiny.

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

Cedars of Lebanon

Lightish, brightish. ―― Foord’s men came & fixed in the Bethlehem & Interlaken & [seamed] & moved the Lebanon. Worked off & on ― but was not well, & slept a good bit. John Blencowe came. ― Later Sir Walter & Lady James, both whom were very nice & pleasant. She is assuredly a delight. ― At 4.30 walked to Mrs. E. Stanley’s: ― Mr. Penrhyn is worse. ― Had hair cut: Fearon there. ― Home to dress & at 7.30 to Sir Walter James.

But I found at home a most grievous & sad letter from J.B.E. ― who has thrown up his appointment & is going into foreign service! Nothing has vexed me as much for a long time.

Sir W.’s dinner was really pleasant

Gladstone was really charming ― talked of Corfû ― & Athens, &c. After dinner music: ἀλλὰ δὲν ἐτραγούδισα ἐγὼ.¹ ― Called at James’s club ― not there: at his lodgings ― but found him asleep: so I left a card only.

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

1. But I did not sing (NB). [↩]

Beirût.

More or less dark all day. ― Worked a little at Beirût, & ceased for the present, ― replacing it above the chimney, & the Damascus below: removing also all the other easels & tables. Mrs. & Miss Clarke came, no one else; but G. Middleton after I had gone out, & R. Martineau when I came back at 6.30. Besides these, Daddy Hunt for a short time.

Letter from P. Williams.

Walked to Belgravia at 4.30 ― called on Buxtons, E. Stanleys ― Lushington’s & Clives. ― At Mrs. Stanleys, the servant gave me a very bad account of Mr. Penrhyn, ― so I called on Col. Hornby ― fearing he might hear suddenly of his death. ― Returned ― to dine at home.

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

Wet all day. … T. Woolner came to breakfast ˇ[― very pleasant all,] & staid till 1. ― Rain ―. Called on Mr. Fergusson ― a very marvellous man. Then on Cockerells ― at dinner ― & did not go in. Mrs. Martineau. F.W. Gibbs ― & walked with him to Prince’s Gate. S. Guerneys ― & their house. ― Dr. Lushington ― Fairbairn, & Evans ― left cards. ― home by 7.

At 7¾ to Carlton Gardens: ― Mr. H. as young & well as if he were 40 ἀντὶ¹ 76. Lady W. well ― but it appeared to me ― I had written an over long letter. Anyhow she was “fine” ― & I became glum. Genl. & Mrs. Malcolm. H.J. Genfell ― Bidwell ˇ[C. Braham] ― & a younger Peel: besides the 2 Miss Moneys. I sate between Peel & Bidwell, & was bored to death. The upper part of the table’s converse was utter frivolity. ―

In the evening Miladi talked wholly to Bidwell & Grenfell. I ― to Mrs. Malcolm.

The conventional tone of these castes extremely disgusts me. C. Braham is evidently ill & cross: ― & the whole thing seems to me crooked. ―

Επερηπατησα ‘ς τῆν οἱκεῖον ‘ς τὰς δέκα ὣρας.²

X

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

1. Rather than (NB). [↩]
2. I walked home at 10 o’clock (NB). [↩]

Beirût.

Perfectly dark ― if darkness be perfection.

Intanto¹ ― this drives me wild.

Work being impossible, I went in a cart to Foords, Bickers, & Robersons.

Pouring rain. Came back & worked a little at Beirut. Slept.

X

Col. Hornby came: ― it is sad to see him, so aged, & so unoccupied. Penrhyn I fear is dying. ―

Later, James Edwards ― who is in better phase. He has been to Lady T. Leavis ― & is to go to Lady Palmerston’s to night. All this is right, as he has decided to stay here. I cannot altogether make out Miss L.’s views towards him ― or probably she can’t herself: yet I suppose by all this, that they give him a chance willingly.

Dined at the W. Beadons ― only W.F.B., & Mrs. B. he is sadly ill. She, better than usual. ―

He is also greatly excited & angry at times, & one sees that she suffers in many ways. ―

Small annoyances have had little hold on me lately, ― but a twice sent bill is one, ― & such came in to day. But I found it paid in Hansen’s book ― luckily. ―

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

1. Meanwhile. [↩]

Beïrût.

Very fine. Worked ― scantily at Beirût, for the Evans’s came ― & bought Interlaken: ― then Henry & Ernest Bunsen ― then Brant of Damascus ― & then one Mr. Crowley from Gould, whom I gave advice to anent Hotels &c. in Rome. ― Later Mrs. Ernest & Mary (Battersby) Bunsen, ― who is if possible more an angel than of old: ― and Charles & Mrs. Weld ― Miss Simpkinson & Agnes Weld, ― & then Augustus & Mrs. Egg. So I did not get much work done, although the Beirût does progress, however slowly. At 6.15 walked to Digby Wyatts’, ―

A most charming evening wholly. ― The Digby Wyatts themselves there is no need of praising. Ferguson is delightful from fun as well ˇ[from] as [sic] every kind of knowledge: Russell & Thornton both intellectual. Afterwards I sang 6 or 7 songs.

Found a note from Evans ― & the 126£ for the Interlaken.

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

Beïrût

Fine early ― then dark: then rain.

Mr. Morier came. later S. Gurney & E^t Bunsen.

Afterwards F.L. ――――――――――――¹

Worked more or less at Beirût. ―

At 7 went to the Beauclerks in a Hotel in Dover Street.

How very Irish ― yet so kindly ― as Irishism ever is! Mr. & Mrs. A. de V. B. ― a Miss Burgess ― immensely pleasant & pleasing ― Sir Henry Vane? ― & that same Colonel Knox whom one has seen for ages.

I am bored often with smallnesses & small talk, yet on the whole the evening was very amusing. ―

Horrid gale of wind!

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

1. I’m not sure whether this line is meant to underline “S. Gurney & E^t Bunsen” above or to follow “F.L.” [↩]

Beïrût.

Dark, warm, & wet ― all the last part of the day: ― particularly nasty & relaxing.

Worked at Beïrût more or less ― fell asleep from 2 to 3. Mrs. Wyatt & Mrs. Digby Wyatt came ― both nice women, Mrs. D.W. charming. ― Later came J. Edwards ― ἐκεῖνος εἶναι καλήτερος τῶρα.¹ ― And, just as I was going out with him, came young Wilson from Lambeth Palace. He went upstairs & saw the pictures. (Mr. Thomas & his girls go abroad. ―) After these things, J.B.E. & I walked out, & I went on alone to Mrs. Leake, whom I saw. She seems to me pretty well on the whole, poor lady. ― Then I left a card at Sir H.J. Holland, ― & then called on Mrs. Evans, whom I saw, with good Mrs. Gisburne ― Lionel G. was there ― evidently very ill. ― So I came home. ― & there dined on cold beef & beer ― εὐτυχῶς:² ― & read that most remarkable man Ferguson’s Topography of Jerusalem, of the truth of the theories contained in which I have been convinced for some time past. George in Corfu, & Ann here, are my only drawbacks to going out there.

Greek till 10.

XX

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

1. He is better now (NB). [↩]
2. Fortunately (NB). [↩]

Beirût.

Fine, “Spring,” light bright day.

Worked, from very early, ― at Beirût, all day: i.e. till 4.30. John Simeon, & C. Wynne came: ― both kindly & pleasant: ― John Simeon is certainly a real good honest man.

No one alse came, & I worked hard all day. ― Yes ― Dickenson came, ― with his bill ― 210£ ― discount ― i.e. ― 194: not more than I have expected from the great number of frames, cases &c. ― the moving from Rome, ― & the alterations indoors here. ―

At 4.30 walked to Frith’s: all out.

Then to Crake’s, where I passed a very pleasant evening ― & dined. Edwd ― was at home, but dined out. ― Cab home. Found Fergusson’s Jerusalem sent me from Bickers ― εὐχαριζοῦμεν τὸν Θεὸν!¹

Nowhere have I seen any descent to death so wisely, gracefully, & pleasantly carried through as in dear good old Mr. Crake’s case. Every road to intellect clear: ― only gradually all the bodily power fading. ―――

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

1. Praise the Lord (NB). [↩]

Damascus.

Dark, καὶ οὗτως καῖ ἐγῶ αὐτὸς.¹

Worked for a very little time at Damascus, ― but not ill.

No-one came. ― Arranged 1838 sketches till 4.

Letter from W. Nevill. ― Umph.

Cab to Ann’s: ― poor dear she is really unwell; ― if she does not get better soon ― I shall not go abroad at all; but must strike out something new here ― Tennysonia? ― Palestine? ― ποῖος ἐξέυρει;² ― take rooms at the Appuldurcombe Hotel? ― send for Giorgio? ―

Walked to Woodberry: ― no one there. Literally all that great house with only Talbot & Mrs. Talbot, & Martha ―― good people all three. M. got me some dinner rapidly ―& bye & bye W.N. returned. He is certainly very “rambling” at times, & often makes me uneasy. ― Willie has gone to Amsterdam. ―

At 9.30 I was sent in the Brougham to Highbury corner ― walked to the Angel, ― & Omnibus to Cavendish Square ―― walking home by 11. ―

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

1. And so was I (NB). [↩]
2. Who knows? (NB). [↩]