Milder, ― delightful letters from Geoff, Miss (Georgiana) & Wyndham Hornby. From Ann also ― & Clowes.

Got to work pretty early, & worked at the Bethlehem more or less till 4, or 3.30. ― Lo! ― James Uwins!

(“Μ᾽ ἀρέσκει ἐκείνος ― διότι ὀμιλεί ὀσὰν τίποτες,”1 said George one day. ―) James is placid, but apparently doing nothing. Later, came C. Flint & his son, a kindly fellow C.R.F. ―

At 4 I went out ― & called on Mrs. Shakespeare ― Mrs. S. & Ida were there: ― there is something acidangular in the household. Sir John & Lady Young are off to Australia. ( Sir W.D. was to leave on the 22nd for Madras, poor Lady D. to go to England direct!!! ―)

Then, call on Crakes ― did not go in.

Then, Col. Hornby, who goes to Littlegreen tomorrow: ― I was glad I saw him. ―

Poi ― “St. James’s Hall” ― & dined, dinner, fluids, & waiter, for 6/6. Wrote to Ann, & E. Drummond.

Col. H.’s account of Lady Derby is not good.

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

  1. I like him ― because he talks like nothing (NB, who notes that Giorgio might have meant “because he talks nonsense” or “he doesn’t talk at all”). [↩]