Tuesday, 12 February 1861
A hard frost again ― bright & cold!
Letters from Mr. Edwards, & C. Church. C.F. is engaged to be married. Ἐτελιῶθῃ εἰς ἐκείνον ταῦτα τὰ φλυαρία.1 ― ˇ[Drummond came] Mr. Nicolas came, ― whom paid. Then Vincent. ― Then Dalzell ― about the “Nonsense.” ―
After wh. in despair & hurry rushed out, but at [] Square found I had a cap on only, so came back. Fell in with Jameson ― & he came up with me. Set out again, & went to Col. Hornby’s ― out: ― (I hear Geoff has a ship.) ― Then to B. Institution: poi, Jones, ordering a gt. coat ― ἔπειτα2 Martin, 2 pr. shoes: (διὰ ποῖον χώριον νὰ εἶναι μεταχειρισμένα, ταῦτα τὰ παπούζια?3 ) Then, Lady Waldegrave’s ― blooming, natural & kindly: ― then H.T. Phillipps ― where “Lock” was sitting ― a remarkably nice fellow. Home. ― Then to Daddy Hunt’s, for the day was too far gone to do any work ― & returned at 5 by the park, & to Crakes. Good old Mr. C. fading, fading still. ― They are always kindly & good-natured. ― εἰς τὸ σπῖτι.4 ―
At 7 to Cosways. ― Mrs. C. near her confinement ― much altered. ― Party at dinner
Dinner nice. Wine particularly good. ― Converse pleasant. ― Evening ― I sang a good deal ― & better nor usual ― Κανὲν ἂλλο (ἡ ἂλλη) ἐτραγούδησε.5 ― Walked to Piccadilly.
Letter from Ann.
X
[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]
There’s a limerick trapped in this social whirl trying to get out. We need a rhyme for Lear’s “cap”. Maybe “Mrs. C.’s” lap, “much altered” by what’s imminent, “her confinement”?