~June 1 Sunday [152-213]~

Sunday after Ascention.
Cambridge term divides at midnight.

This morning letter from Lindsay wishing me to spend Whitsunday with him;- an impossibility.- Jones came to breakfast after which he, CG & I started Bredon Hills[1] by way of Theinksey Common and Crowle, bathed in the  Avon; pretty rustic scenery; Jones & CG sore with blisters having no stockings on, walked to Defford after being on the summit of the hills for an hour or so, and after resting at Mrs. Workmans, took Government train hours home, & were in by 20 past 8 to tea.

~~~2 MONDAY [153-212]~~~

Several editions of Lett's Diary are now ready for exportation

Wrote to Lindsay today to say how the expense of the trip he proposes for me would render the plan insurmountable; inviting Charlie Cox & him over here for next week. Sent Miss Miles the London News.- Jones & I at garden in evening; watering asparagus & onion beds etc. and Jones hoeing potatoes. Harry here (5th evening).

~~~3 TUESDAY [154-211]~~~

Got Parlour Mag, Douglas Jerrold, & Family Friend from Deightons, also the Attaché to read. Received Yorkshireman.- Wrote to Uncle Cox on the Guano Trade & its prospects here for Mr. N's dealings in it; enclosing him samples of spurious Guano which has also been sold here for Peruvian; repeating invitation for Charley; wrote to Father enclosing gloves from Uncle Wilson; reminding Uncle Charles as to garden tools not to hand; wrote to Jane Walker to come down to see us today.-

~~~4 WEDNESDAY [155-210]~~~

Rain last night refreshing garden- much in want of moisture. Entering Diary up too, Jones called. Jones at Station as to season tickets- referred to Derby Secretary.- Letter this morning from Charley Cox giving my unpleasant contretemps with Eliza Lomax a skilful coup-de-grace in a delicate manner; he encloses a letter from Eliza too professing her perfect reconciliation with me & abnegation of the past; she calls me cousin & this clears all away pleasantly to all; she is a good being & deserves beatification; letter of four lines from Uncle Clepham saying he is very busy & has sent a paper to keep me quiet, by which I see he has carried off a prize for Rhubarb at a horticultural show at Middlesbro!

~~~5 THURSDAY [156-209]~~~

Jones at garden last night & then at rooms until half past eleven, looking over Continental Guide & planning. - Letter from Father this morning "chaffing" me about my garden, which I don't feel inclined to be laughed out of; Henry Mayfield is better but cannot leave his room.-Wrote for pens to J.D. Barton enclosing 24 stamps.- CG, Harry  Jordon and I at garden last night weeding; heavy rain after a very long dry season of two months. John planted lettuce out.- Wrote to William Dewse this afternoon as to his coming here & when, & if he goes to the Exhibition or not;-

~~~6 FRIDAY [157-208]~~~

I told Mr. Needham today that I should wish to see the Exhibition & he gives me full permission to go whenever I choose.- Wrote last night to Charley Cox with invitation to come here and final remarks on I & Miss Lomax; thanking her too, through him, for her letter but not writing direct to her.

~~~7 SATURDAY [158-209]~~~

Oxford Term ends

Pens from JD Burton this morning. In town Deightons for London News etc., Chaplins bought cap etc. at Aunt Wilson's in evening, paid her Quarters washing to 30 April last;[2]

~~~8 Whit Sunday [159-206]~~~

Fred Jones came down to supper.- At garden this morning for asparagus, disappointed in the quantity, fear some one has been in before me.- Wrote long letter to Father on Uncle Charles & his illness, garden, Miss Miles, Exhibition and other subjects; also to Wm Dewse on coming over here so that we may to Coventry to see the Lady Godiva procession on the 24th. Jones came to dinner; Fred Jones & Marshall called in after, walked with them up to Malvern Road to Pitrasha & Jones & Marshall went on.

~~~9 Whit  MONDAY [160-205]~~~

Holiday at Stamp and Tax Office

Wrote an 8 page letter to Aunt Jane last night to thank her for hers; with my views on vegetarianism & on Miss Smith in defense - at length; tea with Mrs. Jones & Alice  yesterday. Letter from Charley Cox this morning breathing the old confidence & affection; throwing new light & redeeming feature in Uncle  Henry's character & truly his troubles at heart must be heavy; declining to visit  me as he wished to spend all his spare time with Eliza.- but reasonable too, old friend! All the family except himself are "touring in the mountainous districts of North Wales! CG & I in town, College, and London Road last night & coming to lodgings wrote long letter to George on his coming over & plans for working it, also to Ned in poultry, garden, Exhibition & general news.- In town, Sauks, WS Barbers etc.; Rain for last five days almost incessant.- Wrote to Mr. & Mrs. Barnesley as to Lemonade receipt, duties of Vegetarian Local Secy (I being one), the Banquet when & where? & my visits to Manchester & the Exhibition. Letter from William Dewse announcing his coming visit to me to come off next week; joyful tidings. - also from Father, Henry Mayfield is much as before; Miss Miles continues to visit our house in company with the Bacon family often.-

~~~12 THURSDAY [164-201]

Mr. Needham gave a dinner to all the men this afternoon, at Bromleys; had half-an-hour with them, which I found sufficient, felt dull all the evening; at Hilbournes with CG. Adelaide only in. At garden this morning, cutting asparagus; John put me a good trench of celery in yesterday morning, but the long continued rain prevents my doing much work. Wrote to William Dewse on his coming.-

~~~13 FRIDAY [165-200]~~~

At Wilson's last night with CG.- Jones down, looking books over & telling of Exhibition. Letter from Lindsay still urging me to visit him; but Wm Dewse's visit to me will be ample excuse for my not going to  L'pool; letter also from Mrs. Barnesley in reply to my last explaining the disputed point of the lemonade receipt & saying the Vegetarian banquet will come off in L'Pool next month so I may manage to get over then & see Lindsay then;- Charles George had letter from his Father yesterday morning in which he charges him with not having a regard for his health; an accusation quite wrong for it has always been a subject of deep concern to him & to myself & it was very painful to have such an unjustifiable accusation brought against him; I wrote to Uncle Charles, perhaps rather more warmly than I ought to have done or should have done upon consideration, saying I thought such a charge "heedless & needless" & "highly inconsiderate to say the least!" & that it is painful (referring to their opinion on our Sunday excursions & other past matters) to have our well-meaning acts so perverted; & this (Sunday) I received his reply thanking me for the interest concern & care I manifest to CG, but after quoting & remarking on the above remarks in my letters, terms them "false"; but I will not reply to his letter for our opinions are so widely at variance that discussion would only lead to ill feeling; I cannot but think the word an uncharitable one since his own letter had justified the language I had used, at least with the warmth he must have seen I had written in; but these things are best dead. -

~~~16 MONDAY [167-198]~~~

At Boughton all day yesterday; Harry returned from the Exhibition, & the Wye hearing his narrative.

~~~17 TUESDAY [168-197]~~~

Wrote to Lindsay on Sunday night saying Wm's visit & the Vegetarian Banquet at L'pool in July will prevent my seeing L'pool at present but inviting him to come over & join WD & I in our proposed Coventry trip. William Dewse came by 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon astonishing CG & I by walking down our yard; left work at once & had tea then met Jones; walked through the town & up to Wilsons to give Aunt intelligence of Henry who is not any better; Will looks well & is more uproarious & devil-may-care than ever.

~~~18 WEDNESDAY [169-196]~~~

At meals today & last night while in bed with me William told me all the news of home, old friends, cronies, schoolfellows & brothers of the drama, how all are dispersed, giving me kind greetings from many; he has not spoken on or referred to Miss Miles beyond a casual repetition of her name & I am thus in hope he does not know of the feelings I bear towards her.-

~~~19 THURSDAY [170-195]~~~

Corpus Christi

On Tuesday night CG, WD and I were at Boughton; we with Jane & Maria walked to Powick Bridge & back.- Harry not at home; Uncle Henry arrived off his journey while we were there looking vastly improved.- We were indoors last night talking over general topics; William is becoming on the best terms with Mrs. Jones & all the Griffin family who all like him.- He goes about the neighborhood sketching.- Wrote home on Wednesday.-

~~~20 FRIDAY [171-194]~~~

Accession 1837. Hol at Com Pleas & Law Offs

Last evening all at Jones' to tea; CG & I joining WD there, he having been with Jones all the evening round by Claines Rd.  Walked in the town afterwards. Obtained leave for a day's holiday next Tuesday from Mr. Needham to go to Coventry with William to see the Lady Godiva Pageant.-  At the Porto Bello gardens this evening; enjoying the view from there with cider & talk with the girl & afterwards up at Boughton & introduced William to Harry Walker.-

~~~21 SATURDAY [172-193]~~~

Letter from Mother this morning; Henry continues very ill and has two doctors in constant attendance on him, neither of whom holds out much hope; left the office by seven this evening, had tea & then Chas George, William & I walked to Malvern & had tea at the Unicorn & slept there, at least CG and WD did but I slept 3 doors off;[3]

22 Sunday - 1 aft Trin [173-192]

This morning we were up by 6 at looked round the Abbey Church, & round the village & neighborhood villas to see the different style of architecture, back to breakfast & on settling found ourselves awfully fleeced, she charging 1/6 each for tea & breakfast & 2/ ea for poor beds; never! to avoid the Unicorn; I sallied round by North Malvern; Billy sketching the quarries & well tower there; tasting all the water "taps" & then on to the hills in the beautiful air of which we soon forgot Mrs. Kerby & the Unicorn; along the range of the Hills to the Wyche; refreshed there; then on to the Encampment, showers; beautiful views of the coming storms; cleared up, returned to the Wyche to tea; down into Malvern & so on to Worcester.

~~~23 MONDAY [174-191]~~~

This evening at 5:20  William & I took tickets to Birmingham[4]& reached there by 7; walked up to Edgebaston & found Mrs. Silvers out; Uncle Joseph's married daughter; Aunt is staying with her; with Mrs. Silvers to the Town Hall & heard a splendid  3d concert, organ included; then to the Rodney, a sort of Casino- a combination of public house room with Theatre combined; gorgeously furnished & having wonderfully fast comic songs & ballet dancing which with the smoking, drinking & the mass of mingled company & attendant waiters looked a sort of Pandemonium; the entrance fee of 6d for which you receive refreshment. Stayed at Mrs. Silvers all night; Mr. S in Dudley so did not see him;

~~~24 TUESDAY [175-190]~~~

St John Baptist. Midsummer Day

This morning we were at the Station before 8 to procure tickets for Coventry & we were jammed in a dense crowd until 1/2 past nine before we got them; booked to Kenilworth but got off at Coventry &  there found a body of 60 to 70,000 people assembled to see the celebrated Godiva pageant, which we beheld to advantage; the procession a mile long; "Madame Cassaneti" who personated the Lady looked very pretty & very saucy & the procession halting she stayed her horse close to us on our stand; the children of the officers & townspeople looked prettiest of all, decked out in splendid apparel; everything in connection with the town had its representative; all the choirs in Christendom seemed gathered on the Green. At 2 we took train to Kenilworth & luxuriated in a rummage over the noble & classic ruin, with its many associations; saw the celebrated chimney piece & then on to Warwick walking the 5 miles past Guy's Cliff, a house at the end of a long avenue giving a pleasant glimpse from the road; at Warwick saw the outside of the noble castle which is maintained in its pristine glory; the view from the foot, by the old ruined bridge being solemn & majestic; teaed at Warwick and then walked to Leamington where we admired the beautiful shops & promenades presenting a curious contrast to Warwick by its Regent St. appearance; we then  made for the Railway Station & after much detention reached there about 11 o'clock & stayed all night at Scotts Commercial Hotel in Marshouse Lane & were well entertained at a moderate charge;
~~~25 WEDNESDAY [176-189]~~~
At 7 on Wednesday morning we left for Worcester  & I was soon at work at the office. On Wednesday evening, I called to see Mrs. Hilbourne, then to Mrs. Davis & saw Adelaide, so Mrs. Davis, I, Adelaide and WD had a walk by Perry Wood & to my rooms for a cup of coffee;

~~~26 THURSDAY [177-188]~~~

On Thursday Mr. Needham fixed my going to the Exhibition for Saturday evg the 25th, wish I had known earlier, would have been better prepared to stand the expense, than I shall now be. Thursday evening William, Chas Geo and I were at Wilsons to arrange for Mary's returning with W.D. on Friday evening. We all met Jones & had pleasant walk to Broad Heath & back by the Porto Bello gardens through sweet scented Hay Fields.

29 Sunday -2 aft Trin [180-185]

St Peter

Last night WD & I had stroll through the town. This morning WD, Chas Geo, & I went to breakfast with Jones & after looking his books over walked by Pitchcroft to Bevere & had a quiet read on a cool iron roller under a shady tree, the excessive heat not allowing us to go further; back to dinner with Jones & further reading on the grass flat, & then all to my house to tea & up to the garden.-

~~~30 MONDAY [181-184]~~~

Wrote home last night about my holiday & going to London & if Father or Mother can meet me,- for I should like that best of all; & if they cannot I & Jones must pair off ; telling Father I shall want to borrow £5 from him. In doors all the evening; close & sultry; signs of rain.

Footnotes for June

 

³⁵ Bredon - See accounts for costs

³⁶   Washing bill- see accounts for cost- Aunt Elizabeth Wilson is listed as a laundress in the 1851 census.

³⁷   Malvern trip- see accounts for costs

³⁸   Birmingham trip- see accounts for cost

ACCOUNTS FOR JUNE

 

CREDIT

 

Date	Description	£	S	D
June 2	F.H. Needham, for salary at advanced rate from 1st May 1 month at £80 per annum	6	13	4
June 9	CG Walker, lavender waistcoat			5
June 26	Mrs Griffin cash returned, placed in her hands at sundry times		12
		7	18	8

 

 

DEBITS

 

May 24	John and Charles			6
May 25	Abberley & Witley			6
May 28	Sparkes - knife			6
	watering can		2	6
	Mrs Hayne, cucumber plants			4
	canarienas			2
June 1	Expense at and far from Bredon		1	0
June 2	Mrs Griffin -board and lodging due 13 May		11	7
	20th May		11	2
May 31	J Smith			3
June 2	Mrs Griffin- towards garden rent		5	0
June 3	Jas Bromley ale a/c		9	6
June 4	Gingerbread			4
	Locks for summerhouse		3	5
June 7	Aunt Wilson- 1 quarter's washing due 30th April		10	0
June 10	Board		4	5 1/2
	Lodging		5	0
	B'ham		3	0
	Garden		2	0
	Garden basket		1	3
June 11	Plum knife		1	0
	Tweezers			6
	Deighton - Paper			9
	Wax			3
	Birleys-tapers			1 1/2
June 14	Woods Bronze powder		1	0
	Cobalt blue		1	0
June 16	Siedlitz powders			3
June 17	Mrs Griffin - board		6	8
	lodging		5	0
June 18	Brandy		1	0
	Lemonade materials			9
	Chas Cale			4
	Ino Fullwell			4
	Pea sticks		1	0
June 21	Tea		1	6
	Bed		2	0
	Breakfast		1	6
	Servt (3rds)			4
June 22	Cider etc			4
	Tea at Malvern			10
June 23	Worc to Birm on 2n c		4	6
	Bradsalst (halves)			1 1/2
	Town Hall (1/2)			4 1/2
	Rodvey			6
June 24	Birm to Kenilworth 2nd c		2	6
	Standingall			4
	Coventry Expo			2 1/2
	Kenilworth Do.		1	7 1/2
	Warwick Tea		1	6
	Leamington to Birm		3	0
	Bed and Bkt at Bm		2	6
	Bm to Worcr		2	8
June 26	Bath evening			6
	Barber, dyer		4	0
	Harry for garden work & bower bldg		8	0
		7	18	8