Diary by E.B.B.

Intended to be off to Malvern at seven. On being awakened at seven, “Ye Gods & little fishes” wd. have been an appropriate enough interjection—for the sky was full of clouds, & the clouds letting down rain “sans intermission”!— Ann & Arabel questioned or seemed to question the...

My cold is better, in spite of my wet drive yesterday. Reading Plato De Legibus—but read nothing very fine.

Going to the Peytons today!— Henrietta & I are north & south about it. I would cry; if crying would keep me at home.—

My cold has increased, is increasing, & ought to be diminished. I could scarcely speak this morng.

Reform meetings at Worcester & Hereford:[1] & Sam to the former, & Bro to the latter. I think too that my cough is reforming: but it is not “the whole bill”: only a “bit by bit” reform.

Sam gave me at breakfast, a note from Mrs. Boyd, which he called for yesterday. Condolences about my cold! So Mr. Biscoe’s last letter does not contain even the “affectation of feeling”! “Oh this—love! this love!” A cold thing at the warmest!— But Annie certainly must bear her part...

A fine day. How provoking, when I cant go to Malvern!— Bro to Worcester[.]

Tuesday 9th Nov. [sic, for 8 November.]

I have not written a word in my diary for this week,—& why? Because this day week I went to Malvern—& now I must go on in a diary-cal way.

Off to Mrs. Cliffe’s with Bummy & Arabel. Wd. rather have stayed at home. At number one I shd. think, in the thermometer. Eliza showed us her preparations for lithography—& they gave us luncheon, & wanted us to stay all night—& gave me a history of a disputation of theirs about me in which...

Reading Camoens last night, suggested what I have been writing this morning—“Catarina to Camoens”.[1] I do not dislike it. A letter from Papa, speaking of his return!—

No!—Bummy wont—she followed me up stairs after breakfast to say so. I was determined not to oppose any wish of hers—& luckily no wish of her’s ran counter to mine. Henrietta quite angry with me, because Bummy wdnt go. It was all my fault—my fault!!!! and I ought to be ashamed of...

Getting on with Iphigenia .. I am very much interested in it—particularly in the scene between Iphigenia & her father.[1] How much simple affectionate nature there is in her character! The opposition between her’s, & Clytemnestra’s stately dignity, is skilfully conceived.

I wrote last night & sent my letter this morng to Mrs. Boyd, enclosing Mr. Martin’s circular.[1] In my letter I told her, & begged her to tell Mr. Boyd, about Papa’s return, & about the apprehended consequences.

Arabel & I got over the “triste embarras” by writing to Bummy, & begging her to “walk” home. Agreed to,—& we set off at about eight. Found Annie half dressed & Mrs. Boyd quite undressed. Nearly ten before I was admitted into Mr. Boyd’s room. He spoke to me very kindly—& we read the...

So I hear Bummy was very angry at Arabel’s going with me yesterday. What she said before the boys about Annie, was enough to make me so, & did. It is not kind.

Very unwell indeed all day—& lazy besides. A note of invitation from Lady Margaret. Battle of the frogs & mice with Henrietta, about it.

Obliged to go to Mathon with Bummy & Arabel. The latter slept at the Bartons last night. I hope she had enough of it.

The Cliffes wanted us to stay, but we “must go”. I have to answer Lady Margaret’s note, & must say yes—or I dont know what Bummy wd. say. Reading poor Mr. Hockin’s epitaph[1]—& Mr. Reece’s pseudo-Latin one.[2] Messrs. Dean & Sill[3] came, & worked at a translation verbatim. Mrs....

Wrote to Mrs. Boyd to beg her to write & let me know whether I should be acceptable to her party on Monday—to write to Eastnor. Lady Margaret asked me to stay with her two or three days; but I wont stay a day later than Monday morng. And late enough,—by the presiding Goddess of Ennui. Ann &...

Heard Mr. Higgins twice at church, & once in the Eastnor dining room.[1] Dont like him—or rather, cant tolerate him! Walked on the terrace with Miss Baker & Lady Margaret, et cum silentio.[2] Lord Somers cd. not help admiring the manner in which my hair was dressed—!! at dinner today—just...

Read when I was in bed last night, Marmontel’s Sheperdess of the Alps.[1] Very pretty; but the heroine never never shd. have married again. Well! that cant be helped now. Talked to Miss Baker, about .. love!— She told me some passages in her life, which might have been left dark passages,...

Today Miss Boyd & Miss Bordman leave Malvern. Had a letter from Mrs. Boyd which I ought to have had last Sunday; & then I might have gone to say good bye on Monday. But it is as well. I cant bear saying good bye.— And I shall see more of Mr. Boyd, who always must & will stand first in the...

Off to Malvern, by favour of Mr. Lane’s driving, at eight in the morning. Slipped gently into the house, & presently into the kitchen, to find out whether Mr. Boyd had had his breakfast. Jane[1] just going to take it up to him. So I ventured to precede it.

Wrote a letter to Mr. Boyd,—but not a very long one, about some things which he enquired about, in Isocrates & Zenophon.[1] Did not send it!— No letter—& no Papa. Dealing with Gregory!—