Sunday, 18 December 1859
Colder than ever. ― “Packed” & wrote.
At 1 called on Godleys ― (out) Cocks ― Sayers, ― & then walked to the Serpentine ― where thousands were skating, (wh. I wish Giorgio could see,) ― then to Barings, (out,) & Col. Hornbys ― who is unwell, ― & Massingberd: ― where I sate for an hour; ― he is a good kind fellow, but talked of the wretched death of Jack Jenkinson’s wife, by overdose of chloroform ―: & of the strange disappearance of Algernon M. from Lima. ― Then home to dress, & to the Somers Cocks ― where was only Colonel Cocks. Evening pleasant, though at first I was unwell. ― Cocks is always the most cheerful being on earth. The cold is most frightful.
X8
[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]