~~~Nov 1 SATURDAY [305-60]~~~

All Saint. Hol at Bank Transfer Office and South Sea House

Jane and Aunt Walker came to meet Uncle Henry at station & he came to tea with us after. Received monthly part of Household Words, 2 nos. of the American Magazine, Punch's Pocket Book for 1852 with large plate "Progress of Bloomerism" against which Punch has taken a determined stand, also got Parlour Mag, Nov. No of Jerrold's Works and the Ill. London News; sent the whole lot, with my card, in to my fellow lodgers, Mr and Mrs. W. Stanley Joyce, a newly united couple, staying temporarily here;

Sunday 2 -20 aft Trin [306-59]
All Souls. Michaelmas Term begins.

Last night Jones came down & had tea & finding the house comfortable wouldn't turn out so he stayed all night & in the morning, after I had rec'd a letter from Mother on Miss Smith & her failings, CG, Jones and I took tickets by 1st class train to Barnet Green,[1] from whence we walked along to the brow of Lickey Hill & round it; were overtaken by a tremendous hailstorm; the hail lying 2 & 3 inches deep after; down the Lickey we walked into Bromsgrove & went to Mr Russell whom we found alone, refreshed on Bread, cheese & ale & then Mrs & Miss Russell came in from church and we all talked about our visits to the Exhibition & other matters & then we had tea with them & took the 1/4 to 6 train to Worcester; I wrote to Mother on her having omitted all mention of the attack on Miss Smith's Stockton conduct, & changed it into one on her failings- her drinking propensities - & on which I am not so prepared to defend her, but I want the other cleared up first; told her of our trip to Bromsgrove etc.

~~~3 MONDAY [307-58]~~~

Monday sent London News to Miss Riley; in evening walked up to Aunt Wilson & paid her washing a/c. Mary & Eliza came to lodgings.-

~~~4 TUESDAY [308-57[~~~

This morning at Gardens to see progress made- satisfied. Yorkshireman from home. A Lecture on Bloomerism by an American lady at the Guildhall this eve, didn't go. Wrote to Miss Russell a letter of apology for our Sunday intrusion.

~~~5 WEDNESDAY [309-56]~~~

Powder Plot

At Garden this morning, which now looks creditable, though entailing a heavyish expense, will repay me I hope. Mr. Hobro took the "Boar" Inn in Lowesmoor; long talk thereupon with him, & Mr. Needham & Broakley as to the practicability of his doing justice to both offices.- Met Jones in the evening. He was at the Bloomer lecture last night which was a regular failure; the lecturer being some vulgar being who could read, not over grammatically, & had acted as agent to some money hunter.

~~~6 THURSDAY 0310-55]~~~

Worcester is gay with visitors of a sporting character being the annual autumn Races & Steeple Chasing in the evening walked in the town, paid Deighton's, called at Graingers, met Jones who then came down & had tea with me & then he & I went to the Theatre at half price;[2] the Theatre is newly decorated & furnished & looks well; the actors of mediocre talent; saw two "screaming farces" "Alarming Sacrifices" &  "The Unfinished Gentleman" both extremely laughable & after all with a sort of moral in them, which one fears the audience paid but small ear to, not being too awake to the drolleries; not at lodgings until 12.-

~~~7 FRIDAY [311-54]~~~

Letter from Lindsay this morning; he reached the Exhibition during the last week of it, as the Queen's visit to L'pool gave him holiday; remonstrates with me on my views of M.A.M. thinking she has acted very properly in refusing to answer my question. Mayhap she did; but as she did write she might have answered it.

~~~8 SATURDAY [312-53]~~~

Wrote a letter of great length to William Dewse last night on the "Pen Ink and Paper" & the delay of the 1st No., on his contribution & suggesting alterations & recommending him to condense, on his not going to the Exhibition & on his coming here & our visiting Stratford, & Tinturn, Chepstow etc., together & many other matters; amongst them our trip to Bromsgrove, & about Miss Russell.- Reading London News[3] in evg Kossuth continues to star it & takes to the provinces tomorrow; Manchester & Birmingham having invited him.- Maria Walker, unknown to us, went to L'pool Wednesday morning. Wrote home in WD's At my garden before breakfast to see all that has been done; Rummaging among old letters all the morning & reading many recalling old feelings, memories pleasant & otherwise, of much enthusiasm & much foolish haste, seeing wherein I have been wrongfully blamed & also where I deserved reproof  & did not have it, until now from my own conscience.- After dinner CG & I went up to Boughton & had tea with them; talk about the forthcoming No. of the P I & P, now 10 days behind in time; reading Punch the month etc.

~~~10 MONDAY [314-51]~~~

Letter from Father this morning; he had just written to Miss Miles; Miss Smith had gone to live at her Aunt Brown's; enclosure from William Dewse acknowledging my last.- At Mr. Needham's house; he being unwell & could not come to the office.- Sent Ill News to Emma Vokes.- Indoors in the evening; writing at an article for our forthcoming No. of the "Pens Ink & Paper!" 

~~~11 TUESDAY [315-50]~~~

St. Martin Half Quarter Day

Mr. Needham not able to come down to office today; we communicate by letter.- Planted a laurel tree[4] in my garden. Jones called down in the evening; He lost all the bets he had on the Steeple Chase- deservedly, he had made an error at the Bank by which the firm would lose £97. Wrote to Charlie Cox on the P I and P, correcting an error of his in a quotation from my last; sent him 1/2 quire of paper[5] for his article for the mag. I promised to write again speedily as to the topic of his last which I had left at the office.-

~~~12 WEDNESDAY [316-49]~~~

Cambridge Term divides at midnight

Jane and Fred Walker came down this afternoon to tea; Fred at the office for a couple of hours.- Talking,- Chess and Draughts playing, etc. until Harry called for them, unsocial, undomestic as ever, his presence always a wet blanket- glad to see him leave us, with his unkindly unfriendly manner it is quite painful to associate with him.- Lent Jane several Nos. of the Parlor Mag & Harry Punch's Pocket Book for 1852.-

~~~13 THURSDAY [317-48]~~~

Received Yorkshireman from Emma Vokes; a prompt response. This silent correspondence is quite agreeable since there is no fear of our differing over it.-

~~~14 FRIDAY [318-47]~~~

Mr. Needham has been very unwell all this week and did not come to the office until this afternoon (Friday). I had called at his house twice, & found him swathed up in flannel, a violent cold having taken its lodgings in his head. Jones down this evening, gave CG and I an invite for Sunday morning to breakfast.- CG and I at Mrs. Hilbournes this evening, found her at home with Adelaide & Kate; arranged to have a couple more shirts made, etc.[6]

~~~15 SATURDAY [ 319-46]~~~

At Statford's this morning for Illustrated London News, which I now get from them as Grainger is so very dilatory in procuring any books ordered from him & in executing orders in general & I find Statford's people more obliging & attentive & possessed of a larger stock. At the office until past nine o'clock. The London News filled with details & engravings of Rossetti's enthusiastic reception in the provinces.

16 Sunday -22 aft Tr [320-45]

To Jones' for breakfast; there by 1/2 past 9. Jones not up until 1/2 past 10; reading Leader & other papers until 1/2 past 12 and then CG, Jones & I turned out & walked by the river to the Droitwich Canal, then to Ombersley, looked through the Churchyard & then on to Holt Fleet[7] & had tea at Mrs. Smiths, who knew us all again; left there at 1/2 past six, walked home, quite dark, saw the toll-keeper's wife who had been robbed & beaten; reached Worcester by 1/2 past 8; found Mary & Eliza Wilson at lodgings. Mr. Needham went to Birmingham this afternoon on a visit to Mr. John Wadger for remainder of the week- Sent London News to Emma Vokes.

~~~17 MONDAY [321-44]~~~

Jones came down in evening to office; walked with CG & I to Wilsons but he didn't join; CG & I had tea there the two little Roses, Fanny & Mary Ann & a Miss Markham were there & little  Pruey Griffin,- Lizzy Jones, also. Playing with the young-uns.

~~~18 TUESDAY [322-43]~~~

A Bloomer lecture at the Guildhall last night by a Mrs. Washington Montgomery!! but the Worcester people were so disgusted with the former lecturer's vulgarities that no one attended this one; another lady is announced for next week, said to be really good.- Jones down this evening I wrote a letter to Father, in reply to his last now on hand a week unanswered.

~~~19 WEDNESDAY [323-42]~~~

For 10 days I have had no letters, an event unprecedented almost.- Wrote to Editor London News for a reply as to the course the Amateurs are taking from Bristol, & when they may be looked for at Birmingham.- Sent Ned Walker an old London News.- Fred Walker came down in evening with an invitation to go to their house tomorrow evening as the Miss Groves are going to be there; looking that we shall do for their escort, which might as well have been said when it was so clearly meant, but our late hours at the office compelled us to decline it; Harry came from Fred & wanted contributions to the Mag.

~~~20 THURSDAY [324-41]~~~

Letter from Father this morning wondering at my silence; mine would reach him this morning.- Fred Walker came down after CG & I this evening, so we could not refuse to go up this evening, so by an effort we got off by 6 o'clock & were up there to tea; the Miss Groves not there; but Miss Eliza Alforth was, & Miss Agnes Bullock/ what a combination! Charles Alforth came in later on in the evening, he appears far more sensible than I had previously given him credit for, for though somewhat of a fop he has a little of the scholar in him; Miss Agnes (we must politely bunk the other  name;) is a good tempered, somewhat phlegmatic, fair featured lady of at 21 or 2; but Miss Eliza Alforth is a remarkable personage; belongs to the genus "fast"; eyes  & hair of ebon blackness; the eyes brilliant & expressive; the development of a venus & clear ruddy complexion; poor Charley's heart was lost this evening; we had dancing & then charades in which Eliza at once, tho her first attempt, made herself at home; "cham-pagne" was one word, & Harry played well in it; & "Inn-o-cent" another, Eliza making a splendid chambermaid.- It was nearly three before we broke up, & Charley & I stayed all night, causing it to be past 8 before Charley got off to the office & past 9 before I did.

23 Sunday -23 aft Tr [327-38]

Letter from Mr. Needham at [B'ham] on Friday morning speaking in pleasing terms of my efforts & says I am to go to Leominster & Ludlow- letter from Ned Thackray with a list of the company at his birthday from which I see Miss Riley & Miss Smith were absentees.- Mr. Needham came back on Saturday afternoon, & arranges for me to go to Ludlow & Leominster on Tuesday. This (Sunday) morning CG & I walked up to John Fullwells; who is very unwell & away from his work; found him not much better; from there we crossed by the field to Perry Wood & to Aunt Wilsons, found all well & untidy & came home to dinner (Sunday) wrote home after dinner; coming on to rain did not go to Boughton as I intended; went to post office and then to Hilbournes to see if I should pass near where Eliza is, in my rounds; found I should not; they all looked so quiet & comfortable that I gladly accepted their invitation to stay [for] tea; on coming home found CG off to Boughton where he had again met Eliza Alforth, Jane and her at Church. Wrote to Charley Cox in evening as to his contribution & wishing to know about Ludlow.

~~~24 MONDAY [328-37]~~~

Letter from home this morning- Father had been thrown from his horse & was hurt; letter also from Mother; written just before Father's accident. Letter from Charley Cox this morning promising a contribution & hoping it may swim well.

~~~25 TUESDAY [329-36]~~~

Michaelmas Term ends

At 1/2 past 2 started outside the Ludlow Coach on my first commercial journey; had pleasant company past Abberley; beautiful scenery from Abberley to Tenbury; there it became dark & snew; & I reached the fine old "Feathers" Hotel damp & cold; our man Tranter met me, & I at once commenced my canvas & made a fair beginning; after tea, I wrote home- growing very anxious to know how Father is, & describing my visit as far as it goes.- Wrote also to Ned Thackray (from Leom).-

~~~26 WEDNESDAY [330-35]~~~

This morning, after breakfasting with another Coml gent. in the comml room, I and Tranter started & made good progress; Mr. Cooper (Cooper of Bluck) proving my main hindrance; the afternoon I devoted entirely to the inspection & view of the noble old Castle & its neighborhood. Ludlow Castle is in far better preservation than most ruined Castles are; all the apartments are clearly marked, fireplaces, chimneys, ovens are there, & staircases, one being of oak, the only known to exist of Elizabeth's date; the Chapel is a model of the holy Sepulchre, the best existing. Crossed the river & ascended the Whitcliffe to obtain a fair view of the Castle & river; pretty; Went by the Engineer Coach at 5 o'clock to Leominster dark again, lost all the scenery, Charles Allan met me and we did a little this (Wednesday) afternoon.

~~~28 FRIDAY [332-33]~~~

At Ludlow I had received a letter from Charley Cox, pointing out Ludlow's notabilities; promising his contribution for the 1st & promising to take charge of the 2nd ban thing of the P I & P, if it can be done at no cost! At business all day on the Friday, got on very fairly; called on Spraff, saw Mrs. Morris there. Mr Allen's is a very comfortable house, Mrs. Allen his Mother a good caterer, tho my vegetarianism caused her the Barmaid (Miss Crookes) no little alarm.

~~~29 SATURDAY [333-32]~~~

Left Leominster by Price's coach at 1/2 past 9 & had a fine ride through a very picturesque country up to Worcester;   clear frosty morning, views extended. At office by 1/2 past 1; Mr. Needham satisfied with my 1st journey & I may have  to go again. I had received at Leom a long letter from Uncle Clepham; he has escaped from his loss better than he expected; talks a little of Miss Smith;- his letters are always welcome. On the morning I left for Ludlow I had received a long letter of 20 pages from William Dewse; talking of xmas & its pleasure but decides to visit Wors in summer; of his books having bought quite a library & general chat. He enclosed me two pieces of Homer Thackrays poetry, on Emma Vokes whom he deeply loved; but which was not returned; she generally has credit for his death; but if from the beginning she could not like him, she cannot be blameable; I felt anxious to see the pieces in question, because I have lately thought much of her; her fair face, & the memory of our young pure days haunting me very often.-

                                                30 Sunday -1 in Adv [334-31]

St. Andrew

On Sunday morning I had a letter from Bellerby enclosing a beautifully artistic heading to my contribution for the PI&P- On Saturday morning a letter from Father, who has been ill all the week from his fall, but is now better. Wrote to Father again on Sunday; with my Ludlow journey etc. Jones came down to breakfast; a rain on the Saturday evening about 11 o'clock before we had left office & a very sharp frost had made the streets & roads sheets of glass, very dangerous to walk on.- CG & I had a walked/slid up the Tolladine & Virgin Tav Roads & back.- Dinner after which we went to Boughton. Miss Eliza Alforth came for Jane to go to church but we kept them in; made E a promise to come to our lodgings on Tuesday with her sister, Miss Agnes & party.

Footnotes for November

⁵⁹  See accounts for cost of trip

⁶⁰   See accounts for the cost of the tickets

⁶¹   See accounts for the cost of the paper

⁶²   See accounts for the cost of the tree

⁶³   See accounts for the cost of the paper

⁶⁴   See accounts for the cost of having shirts made and mended

⁶⁵   See accounts for cost of the trip to Holt Fleet and check on map for location

ACCOUNTS FOR NOVEMBER
CREDIT
Date	Description	£	S	D
01-Nov	FM Needham 1 month's salary	6	13	4
08-Nov	Error in cash
	a/c last Jan discovered		6	0
		6	19	4
DEBIT
Date	Description	£	S	D
26-Oct	Lunch at Malvern			8
02-Nov	Railway Fare, Worc to Barnet Green		1	9
	Do Bromsgrove to Worce		1	5
03-Nov	Plants			6
	Butter			6
	Ashes			6
	1 Doz Berrytrees		2	0
	Lettuce plants			6
	Mrs. Wilson 1 Quarter's washing due 31 Oct		10	0
04-Nov	Jas Bromley 4 gals Ale at 1/2		6	0
	Bills, 2 days drink allowance		1	0
	FH Needham 1-1-0 Coal halves with CG		6	10
	1 mo. of Illustrated library		1	0
05-Nov	Bills 1 day's drink allowance			6
06-Nov	Theatre, boxes		3	0
	Wine		8	0
	Cosmorama			6
07-Nov	Deightons Jerrold & Parlour Mag to date		3	6
08-Nov	London News			6
	Herb plants		1	0
11-Nov	Mrs Griffin Board		5	2
	Lodging		5	0
	Garden		1	0
	Pencil mending		1	0
	Bills 4 days at 2/=8/		8	0
	Laurel			6
	Bills			3
10-Nov	London News			6
	Holt Fleet Tea		1	3
	& Mandy?			6
	Till?			2
	Servant			4
17-Nov	Malpas Curry powder		1	4
	Oil, Cold Cream			6
18-Nov	Mrs. Griffin's board		4	10 1/2
	Lodging		5	0
	Garden		1	0
22-Nov	Stratford's London News			6
	Note paper		1	9
23-Nov	Tom Jones			6
	London News			6
	Pencil leads			7 1/2
25-Nov	Mrs Griffin Board		5	2
	Lodging		5	0
	Garden		2	0
		6	19	4