Colder ― Χειμῶν εἶναι1 ――― & all snow: so that I thought Ann would not come. ― But at 11.30 she did ― & had actually walked from home ― not liking vehicles on the slippery roads.

She is very well ― all but eyes ― & vastly cheerful. ― Perhaps we have never had so pleasant a day. ― At 1.30 or 2 we dined ― & then Mrs. Wyatt came & Constance ― who were really pleased with the pictures ― took away the Φιλάτες ― so that has “forsaken me.” ― After 3, I walked all the way with Ann to Stonefield Street, & left her there. Her talk of Pentonville in 1800 was curious enough.

By 5.30 I had walked back thro’ the snow to Stratford Place, & at 6.30 ― I had walked also to the Crakes.

Edward & “Mary Ann” were going out to dine: so I had my evening with the old people. Mr. C. is very much fatter. The old lady ― whom I never could really like ― more obstractious than ever. Mr. C. kindly & good: ― crying suddenly on mentioning John’s name. At tea ― I played ― & talk went on to Oatlands & environs: hence Ockham ― & Lady Lovelace ― & Lord Ockham2 ― (fustian & costume3 ―) & Lady Ada. One Miss Johns or Jones ― step daughter4 of a Rev. Mr. [Pemble]5 ― seems to have been a [dear friend]6 of Lord B.’s ― who [] Mr. Pemble with Ada Byron directly she was born ― []7 Mrs. C. ― I imagined that Mrs. C. knew of the reasons of Lady B.’s leaving Lord B. ― for she ― in her meandering way ― checked herself now & then, & said, “Mr. Pemble was a most cautious man!” ――

Walked back in snow at 10. ―

I dread a journey tomorrow ― & would fain return to Oatlands: μὰλλον εῖς τὸν Ἀίγυπτον.8 ―

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

  1. It is winter (NB). [↩]
  2. On the Ockhams and Lovelaces see Wikipedia. [↩]
  3. A big blot covers the end of this word. [↩]
  4. Also covered. [↩]
  5. Smudged. [↩]
  6. I am largely guessing, as the blot covers most of these words. [↩]
  7. I cannot read the two words, which are badly smunged. [↩]
  8. Or rather to Egypt (NB). [↩]