Edward Lear's Diaries

Bethlehem

Darkish early ― but a fine day ― & “frightfully warm.”

Worked at the Bethlehem ― ἢ κακως, ἢ καλῶς, δὲν ἐξεύρω.¹ ― At 3 resolved to make up the room for visitors, & to wind up by the end of February if possible. ― Went to Foord’s, & ordered the Beirût & Damascus frames, & the Cedars, back here.Walked at ― 4.30, to J. Edwards at his office. ― He is restless & unhinged, & I do not see, after all ― that he is sure to settle & do well. It rather appears to me that he may suddenly fling everything away, & go abroad. Drummond’s ˇ[last] letter, as all I hear from him, ― bespeaks a good & kind hearted man.

Dined at home on cold beef at 6.30. Read H. Melvilles “Marquesas”² ― & did some Greek.

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

1. Whether good or bad, I do not know (NB). [↩]
2. I.e. Herman Melville’s Typee: A Peep at Polynesian Life. During a Four Month’s Residence in a Valley of the Marquesas (1846). [↩]

Rose late. ― After breakfast wrote to Wind^m Hornby ― & to G. Richmond. ― Then looked over Campagna drawings, for Mr. Whitman’s picture. ― Day very warm, & “fine.” Went out at 1.30 ― calling at Crake’s ― & across the Park to the G. Clives. ― Mrs. C. ― Miss C. Charley, & Kathleen ―: all of them natural ― which is a boon. (Met P. Bouverie, & 6,000,000 children: ― also Jameson, με την ματέρα του: ― καὶ¹ Lord Rendlesham.) Went home; & again called on R. Curzon, Lady Farquhar, & J. Uwins: all ἔξω.² Home ― & at 6.30 to Crakes. Mr. & Mrs. C. ― & Mary Anne. Oimè! ―― äi! Θάνατος! ἂχορος, ἂλυρὂς, πλέον ἒργὠ. ― Ἀδοἀρδος Κραῖκς ――³ Came away at 10.15. Cab home ― & it is pleasant to find the cheerful fire here ― yet sad to reflect on the past cold going out of lights!

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

1. With his mother ― and (NB). [↩]
2. Out (NB). [↩]
3. Woe! Ah! Death! Without dance or lyre, in every point ― Edward Crakes (NB). [↩]

Thurston Thompson? Photographer?¹

Fine: ― rose at 7.30. Letters from E. Tennyson, & Windham Hornby & J.B. Edwards ― the last satisfactory.

But my eyes & stomach were ill at ease & I worked [], at the Bethlehem ― the black from the chimney annoying me horridly. So at 2 I cabbed to Foord’s ― & ordered glass for the frames. Returning ― spent the rest of the day in looking at paper &c. &c. &c. They sent, & put the glasses.

At 7 to Martineau’s. Mrs. M. always so kind, pleasing, & lady-like, the 2 Miss M. ― Edward M., & Bob ― a pleasant evening ― burning the Candles at dinner.

Walked back with Bob M. We spoke of Lockyer’s death.

XX

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

1. Lear might have been looking for information on photographic reproductions of his drawings, as Thurston Thompson is mentioned as taking photographs of the Mulready Drawings “previous to the presentation of these drawings to the National Gallery” in the Journal of the Society of Arts for 9 April 1858, p. 317. [↩]

Rose at 7.30. Dull ― dark. ―

Wrote a long letter to J.B.E. διὰ τὴν Κυρίαν Λίζαρ.¹ & a reply to a nice letter from the Comte de Paris.

Ann came at 11 poor dear: she grows sadly aged. ― Sarah S. goes to her tomorrow.

Worked from 10.30 to 3.30 ˇ[or 4] at the Bethlehem.

At 6 Dr. Gray’s ― Mrs. Gray though 75 ― is really the same lively kindly woman as ever: Mrs. Stokes also ― as pleasant. She ― Sophia Gray as was ― has one little girl 10 years old ― Emina Gray ― Mrs. Smith ˇ[only] one boy: as old. There were Mallets & various people ― 11 at dinner.

A young Hungarian ― ([] ―) played wonderfully on the Piano. ― I sang ― but not well.

At 10.30 cab home.

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

1. About Mrs. Lizar (NB). [↩]

Bother.

Rose at 7.30 ― did a little Θουκυδίδης.

Worked ― fitfully & slovenly ― at Bethlehem. But I was much interrupted. Foord’s man, to put up curtains ― W.F. Beadon ― I think better a little, and later, Ralph, Allan, & Mary Nevill: ― 3 dear little children. Ralph ― by far the best head & general “arrangement” of “that ilk.” ―

At 2.30 went to British Museum, & saw C. Newton, ― anent Consulate, Macbean & Cholmley are candidates ― & also ―――― !! Severn! ―

This last monstrous folly is backed by Eastlake & Gladstone!!

So I came away, leaving a card ― on Mr. Gray ― & then to Bob Martineau; ― (the drawings in the Elgin rooms, & the struggle in Martineau’s, were curious to me.) ― After this to Gould’s ― where I saw Prince. Story of G.’s sons, & daughters, the latter sad. ―

Home ― (walking with Somers Cocks.)

James Edwards came: διὰ τοῦτο, τὴν ἑξορίαν τῶν τῶν αύτῶν πραγμάτων:¹ ― & sad they are ― yet it seems to me may yet come right. ― At 7.30 to Edgar Drummond’s. He, Mrs. E.D., & Alfred Drummond a brother, there. Dinner extremely good, καὶ κρασι:² ― there is something very interesting in those 2 ― the sweet, intelligent melancholy of Mrs. D. ― & the straight sailor like friendliness of E.A. Drummond. Home by 11.30: found a kind note from Mrs. Gray.

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

1. For this, the exile of their own affairs (NB). [↩]
2. And wine (NB). [↩]

Rose at 7.30. Warmer ― but darker. Letters from S.W.C. Lady Reid, Mrs. Hunt, James Hornby ― & Mrs. Parkyns.

Painted pretty hard from 9.30 to 4 ― interrupted by C. Fortescue, F. Lushington, & S.W. Clowes calling ―― all welcome stoppages. The Bethlehem tocca a finire.¹

At 5 went out, & had hair cut. Then waited at J.B. Edwards’s till 6.30. Ἔπειτα² ― to C. Fortescue’s, & with him to the St. James’s Hall, where we dined. (Dickey Doyle there when we went in.)

At 8.15 C.F. cabbed away νά ὑπάγῃ εἰς τὴν Ἰζλανδίαν, καὶ ἐγῶ εἰς τὴν οἰκείαν μου.³

XX

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

1. I suppose Lear meant “I have to finish the Bethlehem” (Mi tocca finire il B.) or, more probably, “It is the Bethlehem’s turn to get finished” (Tocca al B. essere finito). [↩]
2. Then. [↩]
3. To go to Iceland (Ισλανδία), and me to my home (NB). Lear, always suffering from cold, might mean that Fortescue goes to his icy rooms, or perhaps Iceland is metaphorical for a life of cold relationships. [↩]

Not too cold. Rose at 7.30 ― & worked at Bethlehem from 9 to 4, & very decently.

At 4 went to Wyatt’s ― & by 6 to Mr. Bell’s. Only Mr. & Mrs. B. & JameSalter [sic].

Evening così¹ ― cards ― which abhor me.

Walked to Fleet St. with James S. Cab home by 11.

Why have all chymists female names?

He is either an Ann Eliza, or a Charlotte Anne.

How many foreigners, & of what nation make one uncivil?

40 Poles make one road ―

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

1. So so. [↩]

Milder, ― delightful letters from Geoff, Miss (Georgiana) & Wyndham Hornby. From Ann also ― & Clowes.

Got to work pretty early, & worked at the Bethlehem more or less till 4, or 3.30. ― Lo! ― James Uwins!

(“Μ᾽ ἀρέσκει ἐκείνος ― διότι ὀμιλεί ὀσὰν τίποτες,”¹ said George one day. ―) James is placid, but apparently doing nothing. Later, came C. Flint & his son, a kindly fellow C.R.F. ―

At 4 I went out ― & called on Mrs. Shakespeare ― Mrs. S. & Ida were there: ― there is something acidangular in the household. Sir John & Lady Young are off to Australia. ( Sir W.D. was to leave on the 22^nd for Madras, poor Lady D. to go to England direct!!! ―)

Then, call on Crakes ― did not go in.

Then, Col. Hornby, who goes to Littlegreen tomorrow: ― I was glad I saw him. ―

Poi ― “St. James’s Hall” ― & dined, dinner, fluids, & waiter, for 6/6. Wrote to Ann, & E. Drummond.

Col. H.’s account of Lady Derby is not good.

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

1. I like him ― because he talks like nothing (NB, who notes that Giorgio might have meant “because he talks nonsense” or “he doesn’t talk at all”). [↩]

Cold thaw ― & foggy. Looked over drawings ― μάλλον, Ἀμπρουζζικὰ,¹ ― till 12.30. Cab to Woodberry.

All the family except Geoff ― Miss Robinson also, & Dearlove.

Day pleasant, but there seems trouble ahead with Willie, who has left the rifles, & seems indisposed to everything. Dearlove is a nice & healthy-minded fellow, & I wish he were there all the holidays. Ralph is clever & good. ―

Allan is good ― but I can’t see what he will be yet, ― best that he is alone. Mary is a darling child. Guy clever & spoiled. ― Hugh ― φοβοῦμαι!²

At 8, was sent to Portland Place in the Brougham: cab home.

Gave
£1.0.0 to Allan.
.4.0 cab & turnpikes
.2.0 to coachman

――――――――――

1.6.0 days higspences.

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

1. Rather, [the] Abruzzi [sketches] (NB, guessing since Ἀμπρουζζικὰ does not exist in modern Greek). [↩]
2. I’m afraid (NB). [↩]

Wholly dark, cold, & utterly miserable. And letters came from Church, misdirected, so that I never got them yesterday.

P. Williams's Neapolitan Peasants at a Fountain, 1859.

Arranged, unpacked, &c. &c. ― At 12, C.M.C. & at 2 I walked with him to various palces, & then to the Brompton Boilers, & saw Giant Turner, & also P. Williams “Fountain”¹ ―― which looks very well: tho’ its evident circle=like composition is unpleasant. Yet by Eastlakes imposition it seems fine.) ― C.M.C. went to Lord Aucklands, & I back alone ― paying bills &c. & home by 5. Saw Gush ― returned from Canada. Saw Curzon (Robert) ― Saw Grenfell. ―

What is to become of the Cedars?

XX

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

1. Penry William’s Neapolitan Peasants at a Fountain, 1859, now at Tate. [↩]