Edward Lear's Diaries

At work by 6. Cold but bright. ―

Letter from S.W.C. ― worked always at the Edwards’ Bethlehem. Breakfast alone at 9.30. Letter from S. Clowes always in the North.

Lunch with B.H.H. at 1. ―

Worked very hard till 4.30. ― Then walked out on those beautiful downs ― to Mt. Caburn & back ― solo.

J.G. Blencowe ― & Currie at dinner.

J.G.B. is always a real good-hearted man. ― And now he is in parliament at least brute Bowen’s prophecy is unfulfilled ― “boor” ― “lout” ― & “utmost he’ll do is to drive a plough.”

Exquisite fine day.

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

Rose at 5 ― very fine, but horribly cold.

Began to work on Mr. Edwards’s Bethlehem. B.H.H. out with rifles & did not return till 11. ― I breakfasted alone at 9.30. Letter from Louisa Shakespeare & Sarah Markham.

Lunch at 2. Worked on till 6. Then walked on the hills, & came back with the riflemen.

Dined at 7 with B.H.H.

Later, a nephew of old Mr. Mabbott’s came: Mr. M. died to day.

Rain at times all day.

X4

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

Quite gray ― & very cold tho’ dry. ― My cold bad.

Wrote. ― At 2, & to 5 ― walked to Caburn Mount with B.H.H. Dark & gloomy as a December day ― but no rain.

Dinner at 6 pleasant.

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

Drew 10£ from Drummonds. Lewes

Very unwell, cold better a little, packed. ―

Called on P.W. who goes on pretty well.

To Drummond’s: ― hair cut & back.

London Bridge by 2, having sent off canvass 2 days ago. At Lewes by 5.

Walked with B.H. who is alone ― Mrs. H.H. at Weymouth. Dinner.

Sleepy & unwell ― & I fear cross. ―

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

Fine. ― Dickenson came ―about frames &c. &c.

Ann came ― in better health: & went at 4.

Remaining things came from Rome.

No time to go to P.W.

Dined at W.F. Beadons. Sir T. Abdy & son, Mr. Secker, ― the W. Cockburns ― Vansittart Neales, & others ― a large party.

The two Nunehams framed.

X3

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

Great Masada ― 3^rd day

Did little all day. A little work at the 2 Church’s drawings ― a little at the large Masada. Went to Williams at 4 ―Gibson & old Levern there. (Levern said to P.W. ― [“]your operation is nothing to one I had once on my own eye. A nail 7 inches long was shot into the corner & the head was level with the eye so that it was rather ornamental than otherwise:” ― “was it not uncomfortable?[”] said I quietly. ― “Not at all ― but the taking it out was: & occupied 3 hours, & it was difficult not to crush the eye altogether, only it had curved round it, & so did not hurt the brain!” ――

Dined alone at the Blue Posts.

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

Bethlehem ― 1 ― day.

Still unwell. Fine day. ―

Beadon & little Willie called.

Worked at Church’s Damascus: & outlined Edwards’ Bethlehem.

C.A. Knight came, & staid 2 hours.

Worked: dined at 3 ― hastily: & worked till 6. ― Called on P. Williams. Incoronati & Gibson there.

X2

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

Cedars.

Fine now always. ― Cold & cough bad.

Drew at Damascus & the Cedars. ― At 1 C.F. came. ―

Story of 2 Omnibus Drivers discussing offers to the daughter of one. “Why not have Bill… he is well off ― &c. &c. &c.?” ――― “Because you see I likes eddication, & Bill, tho’ a good fellow, is such an illiterate b――. ― Would you believe it, I saw one of his love letters to my daughter, & from beginning to end, wherever it was used, ― the word c―― was spelt with a k!! ――”

Worked at the Cedars till 5, dined at home. Walked to P.W. J.G. there. W. progresses, but slowly. (cold & cough bad ― mine.)

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

Cedars.

Quite fine. ― Cold bad. Sir H. Ward dead. ―

Letters from C.F. & wrote to him & others.

Worked a little at Church’s drawings ― & afterwards, at the Cedars in oil. ―

Could not work after 2. At 3 went up to Z. Gardens: Monday, sixpenny day & great crowds. Could get nothing to eat before 6. ― Came to P. Williams & sate till 7.30. J. Gibson came in. ―

What crowds of happy people & children!

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

Rose late, fine. Expected W.H. Hunt, but no one came. ― Cold bad. Dawdled. ―

Called on P. Williams. Goddard Buckner & Co. there. Walked to Waterloo Br. & rail to Richmond.

To Mr. Hays: he is now quite blind, & (Giuseppe is with him,) his state is absolutely terrible. Μου φαινεται οτι τι πραγμα τι ειναι ― δεν  φανερον ― εις το νους του: δεν εμπορω να εξευρω.¹ Dined with him, & back by 9. ―― Cold very bad.

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

1. It seems to me that the thing is ― not evident ― in his mind: find no commerce. [↩]