Edward Lear's Diaries

Cedars.

Particularly fine; ― not that that had much to do with me, only it was lighter. ― I intended to work, but Dickenson’s men came, & put up prints & pictures ― già erano in Corfu e Roma¹ ― on my walls. From 3 to 5 did a little at my Cedars ― & then rushed in a cab to J. Φιτζροι .

Williams happily is better. Even he begins to think Rome is not safe. But he ridicules Spence & others who have great fear. On the whole P. Williams’s calmness & kindly temper in 10 weeks of blindness is highly admirable.

Back & at 7 dined at W.F. Beadon’s ― Only he & Mrs. B. ― he tired ―& weary: I hardly know yet if he will recover.

Long talk with Mrs. W.F.B. ― who used to live at Woolwich, & remembered that “nice & beautiful third daughter ― her name was Susan, ― of the Adml. at the Dockyard.” ――

I did too. ―

X9

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

1. They were in Corfu and Rome before. [↩]

Slept ill: indigestion ― & tendency to sore throat.

(X8)

Very fine all day, but the real winter chill seems to have taken possession of me. …… Rose at 7. Wrote to Cramer &c. ― & after post, which brought a nice letter from Mrs. Musters, ― to her, Ann, & P. Coombe. C.M. Church came to breakfast ― he is ever the same good Charles Church ― but years of Theology work their wills.

After he went I sorted drawings till 2: & worked at the oil Damascus till 4.30. Then to P. Williams, in a cab: he is better, & always cheerful. Miss ― I don’t remember her name, ― was bathing his eye, so for once I liked her: or “tolerated” her: ― and Gibson was there: & later, absurd Severn. ―

Came home, & found James Edwards ― but he was not in one of his good moods poor fellow: ― his “relazioni” with his father are sad enough. ― He walked with me towards the Strand, but could not dine. I, then, returning alone, dined at the Blue Posts wholly alone ―. Read of the defeat of Lamoricière & the altogether upside down-ness of Italian matters.

After having written this, Beadon asked me over there ― & lo! there was Henry Bruce ― (Sir T. Abdy & others ―).

Virtuously, I dressed & went ― & was glad to see Beadon better, & Bruce anyhow. ―

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

Alas! wet again. ―――― Caught cold in going across to the Commodo. ― Breakfast. All the pleasant memories of older times push back. … At 10.10 left, ― all these kind beings in the Hall ― & went in an open “shay” to Petersfield. A raw cold drizzle. ― Dim circle of days! ……

Beautiful country ― all around Petersfield. In Stratford Pl. by 1.40. ― Found the 3^rd cabinet, & the new door ― & the 7 dozen Sicilian & other drawings.

At 4 went to see poor P. Williams ― who is better ― but I do not yet see a clear hope. []¹ Rawdon came in, kindly puffy-fluffy buffy-muffy. ― Returned & found Cheales ― a good nice fellow ― with whom towards Pall Mall at 7.

Dined at the O. & C. Club at 7.15 with C.M.C. ― Pleasant.

Cold & damply horrible air! Cab home! The blessed Littlegreen memories ― sounds & sights ― still bear me on.

Susan 13
Hugh ― 12Annie. 9
Phipps 7
James. 5 (knickerbockers & top boots.[)]

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

1. Blot makes the name unreadable. [↩]

Rose at 6 & read “Essays.” Letters from J. Edwards, poor P. Williams ― who is not so well. ― C. Church. ― & F.L. & Bright. Wrote to all ― & others. ― Mrs. Geoff came. Lunch. Clearer weather.

Walked out with W.H. & Jambo; towards Marden ― & saw Geoff ― absolutely the same as ever.

Then we 3 walked to Watergate, & over the Downs ― (the afternoon was fine ―) to Up Park, & through that, wh. is doubtless one of the loveliest spots in England ― to Littlegreen. ― Dinner. Mr. & Mrs. Langdale ― (ο ιερευς¹ ) ― pleasant evening. I sang nonsense for the children: & afterwards much Tennyson for the elders.

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

1. The priest. [↩]

Wet ― al solito. ― Last night, that juvenal ― the Ensign in the 83^rd ― one Fuller came in. (Talking of people here, I found that a gray tall man, with a grayer taller wife, & 3 exceedingly pretty daughters ― were Allan Duke, ― Mrs. D. ― once Margaret Watkins & their children!) At 10.30 rail to Emsworth, & Fly in pouring rain to Littlegreen.

There were ― James: ― & the W. Hornbys ― & all their tribe, Susan ― & Annie, Hugh, Phipps & James. Extremely nice children all. Δεν πριδες να ομιλησω δια την Σουσαννα ― η οποια ειναι ως πρωτον ― παντοτε γυναικα ουρανια.¹ ―

After lunch ― pouring rain ever ― penned out & read in James’s room. Dinner, too wet for the Geoffs to come: ― but after dinner was dear Lady Hornby* ― the same yet older. Singing from me. ― & bed at 11.

The Adml. is astonishing ― & might be 50.

Lucy is as ever. Maria far better in health.

Evening “blessed”

*Decbr. 28.
Lady Hornby is gone.
― Mrs. Phipps ― of 1830!²

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

1. No need to talk about Susan – she is, as always, a heavenly woman (NB). [↩]
2. Probably added on hearing of her death. [↩]

7XY ― Relapse, horrid indigestion. ―

Breakfast at 8.30. Young ossifer of 83^rd ― goosy.

At 10.30 walked out to Stoke ― & Kingly Vale.

There is  no prettier walk in England methinx. These old good trees ― & the subtle=delicate slopes of the down hillwood in the shade & shrub-studded ― the 2 Kings tombs crowning. ―― Those years! ― Something unearthly of feeling used to pervade this place years ago ― but now there are rifle butts ― & various signs of modern life. Nevertheless the trees are much the same as when J. Sayres took me there from Midhurst in 1832 or thereabouts.

Drew a bit ― & I wish I could come down to paint ― but at 12 it began again to rain & rained hard all the rest of the day till now ― 6 P.M. ― There were 2 other young men at this dinner ― & one was pleasant ― t’other a mute  young sinner. ―― At 3 to the Cathedral ― which is under repair ― & the Choir not used. But the whole nave was full ― Dr. Rook (as Mrs. Hives used to say) being very popular. The Hanthem (as old Calkins was wont to say ―) pleased me ― Mozart. ― But I was a little disappointed with Arthur [J].E.’s father-in-law’s discourse. ― Too much “brethren,” & “Jeeesus” & affection ― for my particular tastes.

Dined alone at 6.30. A most comfortable inn is this: ― cookery good ― & attendance ― fussless & proper: nor are the rooms fusty musty. ― But I have a fire ― [].

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

Rose at 5, rain: & I was half inclined to go to town. Many feelings howbeit said no. B.H.H. had gone out. “Paid” Coleman, & the housemaid: & at 8 came to Rail. 8.30 at Brighton. Went to Allan Nevill: nice little lad. Mrs. Lovedig’s account of Hugh is not pleasant. ― To H.T. Catts: a most sad account of Fanny Coombe: alas! ―――――

H.T.C. as usual a fine fellow: what children!

Came to Louisa Shakespeare: whom, with Ida, I saw. & Mrs. Sayer… staid an hour.

Rail again at 11.50. ―― Arundel Station at 12.30. ―

Walked thence down the [hill] ― passing J.L.s of Lynnalin, to the Blake House ― & Brookfield ――― & quite to the old Mill by the river, whence I walked all along the old walk & across the “brooks” ― & up the chalk pit to Burpham, ― & there I saw the Church, & the tombs &c. &c. Peppering is [grievous] & merry ― 4 nice little girls, the youngest a very nice child. Robert in better health than I expected ― a sterling good man, as his father before him. Mrs. R.D.D. seems to me also much improved. ― What an absurd dream of time!

Having lunched, I came away at 5 ― & walked all the way back: at Rail by 6.30 & off again, & at Chichester by 7.30. Dined comfortably.

(X6)

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

Pouring rain at 5! ― & dark: so I didn’t “get up.”

(X5)

Nor did B.H.H. go out with his Merrymen, ― whereby we breakfasted together at 8 al solito.

Painted till 12 then cleared off & partly packed: & dressed: & lunched.

At 2 or 3 ― walked across the Downs ― through Glynd & so to Fyrle. A parky=fieldy brown=cow=frequented approach to an old house ― badly placed. “Arabella” was at home, & an old lady ― (Mrs. St. Quentin senior?) & Miss Gage. All pressed me to stay ― αλλά δεν ήταν δυνατόν.¹ ― So I came away. The Gages appear to me homely & really good folk ― [of no] fashion ― Χωρὶς φάσσιον.² Walk home too windy. Returned by 6. Finished packing.

Dined al solito with B.H.H. ― but the evenings are not pleasant. Mindless & reposeless. ―――

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

1. But it was not possible. [↩]
2. Without fashion. [↩]

Up by 5.30 ― al solito.

Work all day at the Bethlehem.

Note from J. Edwards.

At 4.30 go out.

Walked round the castle: part of the town, ― & beyond the Racecourses, nearly to Mt. Harry.

Back: & dined at 7. Always clear & fine, but tonight there is a high wind. ―

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

Perfect weather to look at but too cold for my task. At work by 6.5. ―

Letters from C.F. W.N. ― C.M.C. ― & good Γεώργιος: ― George tells me poor Spiro has lost his little boy, poor fellow. ― G.’s letter is quite the same true simple Man Friday sort of document as ever.

Worked all day long. At 5 went up Mt. Caburn ― & to the riflemen. B. & I dined alone.

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