Edward Lear's Diaries

Woke early, ― but slept again, & rose at 8. Letters from J.E. Cross ― & B. Chapman. ― Began to work at those dreadful Parnassii, but F.L. came in, , & Charles Wynne later, so I did not do very much. ― And at 3 I went out & called Col. Clowes, ― & to Daddy Hunts Pictures, (where was W.G. Clark of Peloponnesus,) & then on Miss Yates ― & various others. All this town seems absurdly small, & wearily tiresome: ― & life too. Returned at 5 ― &

X6 X

O confusion of existence!

& slept.

Waking, she found it was too late to go to Brompton, so she painted for an hour, & then, sending for some bold ceef & bable teer, ― she dined.

Afterwards came Edward Holmes ―: exactly the same as ever: ― he stayed till half past ten, & I was truly glad I was in.

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

Fine throughout, but very windy. ― Rose at 7. ― After breakfast went to Mills in Oxford St. & bought furniture. Returned. Arranging rooms &c. ― Invitation from the Evans’s. ― at 12 Mrs. Musters came, , & saw the various pictures: a delightful, good, & sensible little woman. Then J.B. Edwards, ― discourse of his parient [sic], &c. Then the new bookcase & sideboard, & thence fresh arrangement of books &c. &c. ― Then came Richard Church ― who is a really good & pleasant man: he was evidently pleased with all he saw. At 5.30 called on Wynne, ― saw W.W. ― on Col. Hornby ― who told me all the news, which is little. Terrick Hamilton, ― Beauclerks, ― Clermonts, & Percys, & home by 7. Dressed, ― calling on Col. Clowes by the way ― & to W. Evans. Mrs. Walter E. ―, Capt. Storey ― old: ― a Mr. Balguy? (who married a White Ogle) “Dorothy Blair” ― Mrs. Dawkins, & a young Russian. The dinner was good: the whole family friendly & kind: ― everything agreeable.

In the evening I sang various songs: & came away at 11½.

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

Inclined to rise earlier, but didn’t. ― Riz at 7. Prepared paints, & after breakfast ― did a very little to the 3 Parnassi ― when it grew dark, & I suddenly thought I would devote the day to changing the bookcases &c. So I pulled all the things away ― & took down all the books, ― & then Edwards came, ― a good boy: ― & we arranged disarranged, & rearranged the 2 pieces of furniture, ― & various affairs, talking the while ― & lunching. At 3, J.B.E. went, & I went on with rearrangements, & then 2 men of Foords came, (also Dickenson, his bill which is 150£!) & replaced the Bookcases, & so by replacing the books &c. &c. &c. &c. &c. … it was 6¾, & I had to dress. ― All the day from 10 to 5 pouring rain. Then it cleared. ―

By 7¾  at the G. Clives. Mr. (Arthur,) & Mrs. C. ― Miss Clark: Mr. Millbanks ― & Mr. Somebody ― [&] Florence Mansfield, which last is very much softer than formerly. ― The Dinner & evening were all cheerful & extremely pleasant: singing &c.: & came away at 12½. ― Home by 1. ―

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

It seems a wearily sad affair that with all my trouble I utterly fail in the one trial most important.

Rose at 8. ― Gray, cloudy, but not raining,, & lighter. No letter. I wish I could hear from Giorgio.

Worked from 9 to 1 at the Parnassi, Ιας οποιας ζωγραφιας φαινεται που δεν θα ετελιωκλησαν ποτε.¹

At 1½ called on Col. Hornby ― & Gibbs ― out. ― Then to Foord’s, looking for a bookcase & sideboard. To Bob Martineaus. ――― To Wyatts ― (having made a long & vain effort to find E.C. Holmes.) ― (remembering my father & a gig ― a gray mare, Peggy ― driving me by Theobald’s Road, & shuddering about a murder close by ― …) & then to other furniture shops ― & finally to the Cabinet maker in Lichfield St.. At 6/15 back & dressed, & a cab to 98 Gloucester Terrace. There were  Mrs. Shakespeare & “Ida” ― Mr. & Mrs. Sayer, & Miss Sayer ˇ[& F.L]. The evening was not unpleasant, ― the dinner good: ― but there was a clashy clangy somewhat, not to be passed by. ― Photographs. ―

At 11½ or 12 ― walked back with F.L. who is as ever, most remote & lifeless as a friend, ― in all the outward & vital signs of union. ―

If one speaks, he is silent: ― if one don’t [sic] speak he is silent: ― & one don’t know if he knows one is here or there or at the devil.

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

1. Lear probably meant, “whose painting never seems to come to an end;” των οποίων η ζωγραφική φαίνεται ποτέ να τελειώσει (GT). [↩]

No rain, but dull: ― after 12 a little brighter.

Slept well, & all the morning walked about with W.N. ― discoursing. Επειτα απω τους πενιντα Χρονους, επαλλ αδησαμεν ολον. ― At dinner ― 2 P.M. ― only W.N. ― Ralph & young Will. He is, I rejoice to say, greatly improved ― thanks to Rifle days. Ralph is an exceedingly clever boy, & with more judgment than most boys at his age, & far more than any of the others have had.

Geoff is in Paris, & writes nicely. ― Walking afterwards, along of the staccato mode of feedin’ in this house: ― the afternoon is fine: green all ―: caterpillars & chrysalis, & other varieties ― [sinful] thrushes & what not: all pleasant. At 8 ― W.N. came with me in the Brougham all the way home.

To bed early ― 9½ ― resolving to rise at 5. ― But, from noise of carriages, sleep imposs ― & besides I must have taken κατι τι να μου ειχε φερει ολιγον αρροζυς:¹  ―

XX5

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

1. Something that brought me a little [?] (GT). [↩]

Pouring rain & quite as dark as in November. ― Wholly impossible to work. ― Letters from J.H.R. & others: had to write &c. &c. ― At 11 Daddy Hunt came, who looked at all my pictures & brightened me up a bit. Λορδ Πάνελα & that story. At 2, went off in a cab & pouring rain (“piove ― Signore)” ―― leaving a note & Magazine with the Musters ― & to Foords, & to W.N.’s at Gresham St. Saw Willie (as a rifleman) ― & Ralph; at 3½ to Woodberry with W.N. ― & R. Dinner, & evening, wherein I was very tired & sleepy. [Ralby] is a nice boy in all ways, apparently.

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

Dull & gray ― at 12 rain as usual.

Letters from E.P. ― Mrs. Coombe & others.

Worked pretty well at the 3 Parnassi ― i.e. pretty steadily. Slept half an hour: & Gibbs with V. Johnson came in. ― Worked till 4.30.

Calls. Wynne ―― Mrs. Wynne ― dead: ― kind merry Mrs. Wynne! How I recall Vœlas, & her walks with me, & the Betties [y] ― wed. || ― Godley ― away: he ill. || Cocks: out. ―|| A. Seymour, who paid his £5 Bassæ fund. Walked with him, & saw the Clives, a pleasure. ― || Sir W. James. || Sir J. Young. || Massingberd. || Met E. Sartoris ― a disagreeable man, & called on Mrs. S. ― G. Duff Gordon screamingly going out. Leighton the painter there ― & another. Mrs. S. struck me as horribly artificial & actress-like. || across the park to Evans. || Cab home. Dressed. C. Fortescue came. ([επιζολη απο τον κινξλοι].)¹ A pleasant half hour.  At 8 ― dined with the Chaworth Musters, just the same as at Nottingham, ― & “Carry Franklin.” She is certainly a remarkably nice & I think sensible girl.

Sang a good deal, & came away at 10.30.

To Mrs. (Archer) Clives: a large party: saw various Gordons, Wilsons, & others, & heard some good music: particularly Madrigal singing: ― but I hate large parties on the whole. ―

Rain: ― the weather is always winter. Home by 12.30.

X4

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

1. Perhaps meaning επιζωλη απο τον κινξλοι, which might be interpreted, according to GT, as “surviving from the Kingsleys.” [↩]

XXX3

Very hideous fate. ― Rose at 8. ― S.W. Clowes came at 10½. Gibbs later. Worked very little, off & on, at the 3 Parnassi. ― Sleeping and reading, midwhiles. ― Wrote to J.B.H., Mrs. Coombe, C.M. Church, & Mrs. Empson. Rain all the morning.

At 3½ S.W.C. came, & as it hardly rained, we walked to the Z. Gardens. The Balœniceps was the most curious brute there. ― The few ― 4 I think ― older keepers, sadly strangely recall those early days of Z. drawing: ― so narrow does the ruin of life gradually ˇ[seem to] become. ―

Cab home, dressed, & to the Crakes by 6½. A changed house indeed. ― Yet Mr. C. is a brave old man. Mrs. C. is more querulous, more Mrs. Nickelby=ious & indescribably queer & harsh & obstinate & selfish than ever, & that is saying much. M. Anne is more undisguisedly bitter & contemptuous, & ungrammatical. ― Yet they cannot help their faults, albeith the faults make their life unhappy. ― At 10 I walked home. Letters from Mrs. Edward Holmes, ―― most kind & unchanged: ― oh! John Sayres! ――― & from Mrs. G. Clive.

Letters also from Ann, & one from S.S. enclosed.

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

Rain, & stormy. ―― Suddenly prepared for painting, & did paint or painted a good part of the day ―― on one of the Parnassi.

Notes from Mrs. Clive, Mrs. Musters, & Lady Bethell. ― J. Edwards came: ο ιδιος ειναι που πρωτον: ― αλλα δεν εμπορει να πηγαινη ομου με εμε, ως ηλπιζα. Και ουτως τελειωσει ταυτα τα φλυαρια.  ―¹

“Jemmy” is to be Major next week: he is a good lad.

Worked again till 5: an access of sleep midwhile.

Called on Col. Hornby ― out: Mrs. Farquhar: (M.F. IS married! & to Cosway!) ―― Mrs. Clive: ― & Lady Waldegrave.

At 7 dined with F.L. ― pleasantly.

αυτος και ο ιδικος ανθρωπος ειναι και παντοτε ο ιδιος.  ―²

Returned at 12. ―

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

1. He is the first: ― but did not get commercial with me, as I had hoped. And so [once] finished the things chattered (GT). [↩]
2. He and his [relatives?] are always the same (GT). [↩]

James Edwards is returned ―. Unpacked. ― Foord & all the 18 pictures came; carpets, boox ― &c. &c. ――― F.L. came. ― looking well. τι ειναι, η ζωη μας;¹

At 2 went out. Called on Mrs. Sayer, Bethells, Crakes, & Daddy Hunt: with whom sate till 6, then cabbed to Piccadilly. Called on & saw J.B. Edwards. ― Returned to Stratford Place & thence to Tor Villa again, where dined & passed the evening ― home by 12.

Wet nearly all day.

Daddy H. is after all one of the very best of huming beans I have known.

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

1. What is our life (GT). [↩]