1872

January 18 Annie, Fanny (Mason) and I went to Mrs Rogers to a dance, it was a large party and went off very well.

January 19 as usual with me lately I could not get up until mid-day, for a violent sick headache.

January 23 A very good concert. Titius, M’lle Colombo, Viggani, Folit and others. Sister Fanny came for it and also W.N.Mason who was delayed on the rail by an accident at Boston until the concert was half over.

February 2 Fanny had 5 teeth out, under chloroform, she was a good deal shaken.

February 10 Annie, Fanny (C) and I had a very pleasant walk to Duffield, and came home by train. We spent some time watching two men fishing in the Derwent, but they caught nothing but what they called “Tommy Roughs”, but what I thought were Flat heads.

February 12 Went to London on business, amongst others for the Earl of Chesterfield. Went to the Pantomime, at Drury Lane “Tom Thumb”. Also to “Last Days of Pompeii” at Queen’s and to the Alhambra.

February 14 Wednesday (this day) Ash Wednesday all Theatres closed went to a miscellaneous concert. Knipton was in London with me and we offered Wilkinson’s minerals to Humphreys for £13000. Sent my wife an original valentine.

February 15 Returned home. No event of more than passing importance.

February 24 Very busy about this time particularly bothered about Horsley Woodhouse property I had to purchase for 2^nd mortgagers of Richardson. Took ten shares in Derby Fish and Game Co Ltd of which our office is solicitors.

March 9 Assizes. I had 2 cases one was settled before Commission day by our opponents consenting to a verdict and the other settled by our opponents giving us (Mrs Bullock) £185 to settle. We also have the sale of the property to pay the money out of.

March 15 Went to Horsley with Mr Oliver saw Mrs Richardson, the hardest woman at a bargain I ever met, and took possession of premises. Dined at Dolmans met Bob Simpson.

March 16 The weather lately has been like April more than March after almost a deluge of rain, and today I have been out sketching for the first time this year, making a nice drawing (oils) on the Markeaton Brook near Kedleston. Annie went with me and we had a very pleasant afternoon.

March 17 Sunday Very rainy day.

March 18 Monday. Went to Sheffield on business lunched with Mr and Mrs W Middleton (Gamble’s sister) and home at 5. Went by the new route from Chesterfield, the journey through by express only taking an hour. Had no special fun. Turner begged in again having been under notice for bad conduct, drinking etc. I am sorry he has gone so wrong. He faithfully promises amendment.

March 24 Impromptu in a letter to S.J.M.:

There is a little man

And he is short and stout,

He didn’t think he should be

But so it’s come about;

Along of one old man

And a great big black hoss,

A long legged bright bay mare

And carriage lined with floss.

These four all combined

His labours easy make

And then a merry wife’s

Reformed the quondam - (d)rake!

April 7 Sunday evening. On the twenty-eighth ult. Annie and I went into Lincolnshire to spend Easter at Rigsby. We went to Derby station to meet the 12.35pm train but it was half an hour late into Derby and nearly one hour into Nottingham so we missed the through train to Alford, for that night, and after a deal of grumbling which came as a matter of course we decided to go on to Boston by the next train and stay there until the morning mail at 3am to Alford, as there was only one service train on Good Friday. We had to wait at Grantham and went over the large church on the hill, which has a handsome spire, for the first time; and were very much pleased with it. The proportions are very fine and it is a large church seating 1500 persons, but very simple as to decorations. We had tea at the ‘Angel’, a very old looking picturesque building in the town and went on to Boston at 8pm. There we had supper at the ‘Peacock’ and staid until 12 when they closed the house. We were waited on by a little ‘perky’ bald-headed man, who accepted his orders with little jerky bows for all the world like the pecks of a blackbird on a lawn at a worm. We made ourselves as comfortable as we could from that time until the train arrived at the station, and it was very late. The porter made us a good fire and we drew a large double ended sofa near, and lay at opposite ends, I with my feet on a chair, like herrings in a barrel or sardines in a tin. We finally arrived at Alford at 5am and slept at Wilkinsons Hotel near the station. On being called at 9am I felt as if I had had a fortnight of nights. We attended service at Rigsby Church in the afternoon, and did not go out afterwards.. We found them very well at R House and were met by about half a score of dogs of all ages and nearly all sizes and qualities. Young, old, lame, sound, big, little, fierce, squeaking (Trap), cheeky etc etc.

On Saturday we went to Alford and called on Brackenbury’s, Father, Bradleys and Eardley; and Lizzie and Lang. Iley B and Eardley came to dinner at R at 5pm and a very pleasant evening we spent. Lang, Lizzie, Eardley and I played a rubber of whist, and then went in for miscellaneous music.

On Sunday (10^th) the weather was misty and damp and I did not stir out of the house. There were two services morning and afternoon at R church and ‘the others’ went.

On Monday Will drove me to Horgath Hill, to see Uncle Henry’s farm (Annie’s Uncle) and a very wet drive we had, to see scarcely anything but fog!

On Tuesday I went down to the market and saw a good lot of people, and we returned home on Wednesday, Will accompanying us, and arrived at 10pm.

On Thursday I was ill, but able to go with Will as arranged to look over the Tan yard and premises at Horsley and Arthur kindly drove us. Will left again on Friday.

Yesterday (the 6^th inst.) Gamble told me he must have more money. I did not go into the question then and left it till tomorrow. I do not know what will come of it.

We have lately been thinking of taking the neighbouring house, which the Hon Mr Jervis is about to leave, at a rental of £85 per annum but in the face of G’s intimation we are inclined to wait. It is a nice place, good rooms, and a good garden, with stabling which we intend to let off if we can.

This morning (Sunday) Mr Abney preached a beautiful sermon from 15 cap 1 Cor 10v (I Corinthians Ch 15 V 10 -ed: “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”) which I enjoyed very much, and tonight we had a beautiful anthem. I am getting tired and Annie wants to go to bed so I shut up my desk!

April 8 After a long talk with Gamble this morning I ultimately arranged with him that as I might acquire part of my share in undertaking a new and larger house, he would raise further capital when required, and on the strength of it I paid him over £50 of the £150 received from Barnaby. I also purposely told him of my intention to try and take the large part of “The Elms” as if I were more ‘tight’ I should rely on his capital.

April 15 Finally agreed with Mr Hall to take “The Elms” at £85 per annum. It is a large amount but both Annie and I have well considered it, and it has been a prominent subject of our prayers. We hope to let the stabling for say £20 per annum allowing for times when it may be empty, and if necessary we are prepared to take a boarder. ‘May God bless our undertaking’.

April 18 I had today to go to London unexpectedly on business, and at the last minute persuaded Annie to go with me; which she agreed to do if we went second class so as to reduce the expenditure. This we did. We staid until

April 22 Monday when we returned after a very pleasant outing. On the Thursday evening after our arrival (6.30p.m.) we went (as all country people invariably do) to the Haymarket where they are playing a pretty piece called Pygmalion and Galatea founded on the old story of the statue coming to life. It is a pretty piece, but there are some very bald parts in it particularly that of Leucippe played by Mr Howe. Mrs Kendal (Miss Robertson) as Galatea is very naive; she has a delicate passage, when she first becomes animated and enquires into the nature of men and women, and other matters common to ordinarily born folk, from Pygmalion, but the part was most remarkable for its modest interpretation coupled with amusing ‘freshness’.

On the 19^th after attending to my business Annie went with me to the Crystal palace and we spent a few hours very pleasantly. The chief attraction for us was the salt water aquarium Pately opened with which we were much pleased. The ‘pans’ of cod and lobsters and crayfish making the most impression on me. The anemonies were also very beautiful.

At night we went to see Toole in ‘The Princess of Trebizonde’. I have seen him in it before, Annie was not much taken by him.

On the 20^th I was busy nearly all day, and at night we went to the Lyceum to see the “Bells” a Russian story the point being the disclosure of a murder, from the murderer’s being continually haunted by the sound of the ‘bells’ of the horse driven by his victim, which ultimately drove him mad.

On Sunday the 21^st we went to the Temple Church in the morning, and had a long walk in the parks in the afternoon at night it rained very fast and we did not go out.

April 22 Monday Today we returned home without any special occurrence.

April 27 Today I sent off a quantity of circulars to ‘Turners’ to try and dispose of the Horsley Tan yard.

April 30 Mr Jervis gave up the garden to us as he and Mrs J are going out.

May 5 Sunday we have been very busy during the week with the new garden, and we have also been to Horsley one day. We have had some fine asparagus from two first class beds there. I have had one application to purchase and have at last I believe arranged with all parties.

Yesterday afternoon there were races amongst the Yeomanry and we went to look on from a distance. Some horseman got in the way during one race and one of the racers ran against him, the horse breaking its neck and dying at once; the rider was hurt but not seriously I hope.

Today has been Sacrament Sunday. We both stopped and I enjoyed it very much. We had two good sermons from Mr Abney. Mrs Dolman has had rheumatism this week for the first time but she is now better.

June 16 Since the last entry above I have never had an opportunity to continue my regular notes. During the early part of May nothing particular occurred. In managing the Horsley property we have been over once a week and the drive has done us good. We have taken little Ernest two or three times much to his delight, and benefit in health. My negotiations are still in hand but I hope will end satisfactorily this week. This matter has been a great trial of my faith and ‘patient waiting’, but I trust the end has been gained and that the result will be beneficial in every way.

I heard from Sam Haddelsee on the 24^th May. I have not had any direct communication from him since he left Mr Rhodes; he is settled at Grimsby that horrible place all tar and mud.

The Langham’s have at last gone altogether from the office to Flint, and I hope they will never come near me again; their doing so has however led to greater complications in the suits than ever, and we are now fighting their endeavour to withdraw from prosecuting the suit against Freeth.

On the 26^th May I went up to London partly to see the Academy and partly on business. I was rather unwell but spent nearly a whole day (in time) in the Academy. My notes are in a special book, on the whole I think the show of pictures better than last year. It was the ‘Derby Day’ that I set apart to go, but the rooms were very full. I watched the ‘Fours’ starting from Fortnum and Mason’s for some little time early in the morning: some of the teams were very good ones, and others wretched screws.

On 28^th May I had a long day in the City, went over the Haberdasher’s Hall with Hugh Jones and a Mr Jas Wilson, (a Farmer and a member as he said of ‘the ‘aberdasher’s company’). The banqueting hall is very pretty and gorgeously decorated; the drawing room in pale green and crimson satin also looked very nice. Returned home on the 29^th very much out of sorts.

3 June Mr Hall finally decided that he would not have Mr Minnitt as tenant for our house, so we have all the trouble to go through again.

4 June I had to start for London by the midnight mail according to a telegram from Norris & Co. I telegraphed to the Tavistock for a bed at 7pm but when I arrived there at 4.35 in the morning it was to find, not only no bed, but about 20 applications waiting to be served; so I made up a bed of chairs in the dining room till 7am and then took a stroll till breakfast. In Trafalgar Square one of the basins had been run off and as usual with cockneys there were plenty of ‘gapers’. An old man was going about in the mud with a pair of fishing boots on picking up odds and ends. He found a large quantity of boys’ marbles which he threw amongst the congregated youngsters to get up a scramble; a small round looking glass in a tin case; a few kettles and canisters and a miscellaneous collection of worthless articles, including any quantity of old hats and boots; so many that one might have thought the place had been used as a sort of ‘civil service co-operative store’. My attention was next attracted by ten fine cart horses 2 abreast drawing a dray and a large iron shaft and crank for a steam engine, which must have weighed many tons. I followed them to Westminster new bridge to see how the wide span arches would carry so heavy a load. The centres trembled a good deal but that was all the effect I noticed, and when they drew into the tram sides, no shaking or yielding could be felt.

The river was very misty and I returned to breakfast.

Richard Mason met me in Chancery Lane and after mutual enquiries as to wives etc he asked me to dinner but I could not go so far out. I had not seen him before since his marriage.

On the 6^th returned home; have had no bedroom, but slept the second night in a bed made up on the dining room floor, a great Frenchman having a bed at the other end of the room. He said in the morning “You did snore a leetle”, for which of course I was duly sorry.

The case Langham and Gamble not being reached by 3pm I returned by the 5.30pm train.

7 June the anniversary of my birth, or in common parlance ‘my birthday’ age- 29. Had several letters, and Dolman and wife to dinner. Stood them champagne, salmon and lobster sauce, lamb and asparagus, and gooseberry tart etc etc.

My dear Mother wrote me a charming letter.

We have made great strides both in our social advancement and the business during the past year; may we never go back!

During the past week our managing clerk has been drinking again and yesterday I gave him his dismissal, but allowed him a little time to make some new arrangement, and also to enable me to look about for a new man.

Mr Jervis’ sale was had last Thursday. We bought £50 worth of things, carpets also a very fine Gill time piece for £5. Possession of the house was given us last night, and this morning we have taken our seats in our new pew. We have made a great stride, but not without much anxious thought and care and prayer, and I trust we may be blessed in our future labours. I have written all this under this date, on an old ??, under an apple tree in the garden, amidst many interruptions from Ernest, but as he has at last settled down to filling a basket with stones from the gravel path I have obtained peace.

Mr Abney returned to his duties this morning after a month’s outing, and looks better. He preached a very good sermon, and altogether I enjoyed the services very much. We have not been to church tonight, it is so hot, and Annie is easily tired out. The flowers are so sweet, the air is so fresh and the birds sing in the trees all round so sweetly, that instead of being close to a large town we might easily think ourselves in some rural retreat. The summer really seems to have come upon us at last, and all within the last few days the previous month having been very cold and wet. I now close for the present.

30 June 1872

The large house at the Elms! We are safe here at last, and having had a week in full occupation, begin to feel at home. We began cleaning up, putting in gas and making ready to move on the 19^th inst, and completed our labours on the following Saturday.

21^st June we took our first meal in the new house, and slept in it the preceding night (20^th to 21^st).

Fanny (M) came to stay with us on the 17^th to help Annie during the moving and left us yesterday (29^th). Nothing further has happened during the last fortnight.

21 July 1872

Sunday 1pm We are now comfortably settled and like our new home very much, our enjoyment of the garden has been greatly spoiled by the wet weather.. The sparrows having filled the spouts with their nests the first heavy thunderstorm made them run over and flood some of the rooms. I had to go on the lead flat with my boots and stockings off, and bale the water off with a bucket.

Since Fanny left we have had no one to stay with us, and our managing clerk having gone, and the new one not yet come I have been kept close to the desk, and we have consequently been very quiet.

A Mr Ray our intended managing clerk was to have come last Saturday (yesterday) week (the 13^th inst) but he did not turn up and letters arriving for him on Thursday I opened one and found it to be from his Mother. I therefore wrote to her at once saying we had seen nothing of him; and yesterday she arrived at my house just after I had heard that he had been brought up before the Boro’ Magistrates for threatening to commit suicide. However it was then too late to see him, and after arranging with the Mayor (J Leech) to make an application on Monday for him to be brought up at once, Mrs R went to stay at the Midland.

Mr Hall having said he would not mind selling the Elms if I offered a good price I arranged with Peach to survey it for me and he came yesterday to lunch and dinner and made his measurements. Langham and Gamble (see 16 June) has not yet been heard!

Jones has not yet closed the negotiations for the Horsley Tan yard, but I have during the last week heard of two other enquirers.

The run of the garden has done Ernest a great deal of good, and he looks immensely better notwithstanding the heat.

During the week before last I commenced and finished a small cabinet picture of “Shrimping on the Lincolnshire coast” the sky taken from nature, and the remainder from a water colour sketch made last summer on the spot. I have also made a large sketch in our own garden.

18 August 1872 Sunday

On the 29^th July I had to go again to London when the case of Langham and Freeth was finally settled Freeth paying £1000 and all our costs. I returned on the 30^th, having been unable to find any time to visit the Academy. The weather was fearfully hot. I went to see Mr and Mrs Bandman in ‘Dead or alive’. They are very clever actors.

8 August Our second son born at 7.15am. I went for Dolman at 3.30. My dear wife had a very fair time and he is a fine boy. My sister Fanny came according to request by telegram and arrived at 10pm. She is very pleased with the house and garden, this being the first time she has seen them.

14 August Sale at All Saint’s Vicarage. I bought a few things some chairs and 7 loads splendid manure for seven shillings.

16 August Friday a busy day at the office. Mr Tempest gave me the investment of £5300.

17 August Fanny and I with Mary and Ernest had a beautiful drive by Kedleston Park nook and Windley. I took sketching materials but we had not time enough to stop to make a drawing. Annie came out of her bed room for the first time and baby weighed 8lbs and 3/4 having gained 3/4 lb since he was born.

18 August Sunday Fanny staid at home with Annie in the morning and I went to St Alkmund’s. Fanny has gone tonight and I stay at home writing here. Annie came down to dinner today. We have met with a new clerk a Mr Evans an old man I am afraid he will not suit: he is too expensive and not quick enough. I may however judge differently.

Yesterday and today have been very clear, sunny, and hot, really the only summer days we have had for some weeks. There has been an immense deal of rain, with severe thunder storms. Mr Owen’s house on the Kedleston Road (about 150 from ours) and the Roman Catholic schools about 120 yards on the other side being struck during one storm.

I am sorry I cannot yet record the sale of the Tan yard, but Richardson has executed all the deeds and I am now free to deal absolutely with it. May God bless my endeavours.

On the 6^th instant I went out sketching before breakfast to Darley and obtained a very pretty little view over towards Breadsall moor.

There is one advertizement in the Derby Reporter of Friday last the 16^th inst of a ‘Tailoring’ business to be sold. The business is specially recommended to a “pushing man”. I thought all tailors were pushing men.

5 September

22 August There is one amusing couplet in Punch this week under the heading “A plural on a plural”; it is

“Half-Hebrew, half English, Old Benjamin Moses

Cries ‘Clothes’ all the week, and on Saturday closes.”

Dolman and Mrs dined with us, we had a forequarter of lamb, and kidney beans of my own growing.

26 August I dined at Dolmans off a haunch of venison given him by Sir John Crewe, and very delicious it was. Met Major Cox, Gamble, Bob Simpson, Wright, and John Smith (4 lawyers, 2 doctors and a wine merchant - the Major was in the R.V.’s.) And spent a very pleasant evening.

On Saturday 24^th I took Fanny to Monsal Dale, and we enjoyed the afternoon very much, I made a hasty sketch of the waterfall.

29 August Fanny Annie and I all attended the evening service at St Alkmunds for the ‘Churching’ service.

31^st August Fanny and I went by invitation with Dolman’s party to Cheedale, and enjoyed the outing very much. The party consisted of Mr and Mrs Dolman, two Miss Boroughs, B Simpson, Peach, Sharpe (Infirmary) and Mr and Mrs Lindsay (Asylum). I had a bad headache nearly all the afternoon. I made a slight water colour sketch.

September 4 Spent the afternoon in the garden, except when driven out by thunder storms of which we had two rather severe ones. Fanny was very nervous. Dolman and Mrs dined with us.

September 5 Had sick headache this morning but got up by 11am to go to Nottingham. Fanny left us today we miss her very much at present. I had a long talk with Annibal at Nottingham about purchasing the Tan Yard. He will take it a price. Asked him £2000 or for the whole property £3300 exclusive of minerals.

Lunched at the Midland refreshment room. Spiers and Pond have raised the price of a dinner 3d “in consequence of the high price of labour, fuel etc etc.”

Packed Fanny off by the GNR at 2pm.

Nurse left today, just a lunar month since baby was born. He is to be called “Bernard William.”

24 September 1872

6 September Although Nurse had left all well on the 5^th (yesterday) Annie was taken with violent sickness and diarrhoea during the night, and I was obliged to send for Dolman and the nurse again this morning.

7 September Annie better this morning but very weak thrown back at least 14 days. It became fixed upon my mind today that Derbyshire people say ‘pep’ for the p. participle of to peep!

9 September Fanny came in answer to telegram on Saturday.

12 September Annie out again and I drove her and Fanny to Horsley to try the potatoes they are doing very well compared with many peoples’.

13 September Made sale of the first part of Horsley estate the minerals for £180 to a Mr Small, more than I had put them at in my estimate!

Asked Gamble for £150 to capital for the first time, not obtained.

16 September Commenced my busy gardening operations for the agricultural show. Nurse left us for the second time. Gathered the apples a good crop for the year, they are very scarce.

18 September Cattle show after trying to get some guests we had no one. We asked Uncle Dick, Will, Mr and Mrs Hallam but none could come at the last minute. It was a fine day, a successful show and a pleasant dinner. A rider of one of the horses was a good deal hurt by a fall, but recovered.

19 September Baby Christened Bernard William and registered today. Dolmans and F S Cooke sponsors. Presents: knife, fork and spoon.

20 September Dined at Dolmans and Annie Fanny Emily and I went to hear Chas Dillon in Louis XI. Arthur and Lottie stayed at home. Poor old Sam Jarvis of Duffield died, one of the first men I met in Derbyshire on business.

21 September Dolmans wanted us to accompany them to Haddon Hall but we declined. Fanny went, we were busy at home.

22 September Mr Abney returned after a month’s holiday.

23 September The weather this morning as cold as any day last winter. Potter said he was at Buxton yesterday and it snowed. Came to an issue with Gadsby respecting the passage between Spencer’s house and Bloor’s.

24 September Very cold again today. Offered Mrs Richardson £250 for her life interest. Settled Freeburch a fortnight since by giving her 2 years more instead of trying the right. Fred Forman died last Thursday from Typhus Fever.

Monsieur Z Aboul has been liberated again by the Prussians (he was taken about a week since) and cackles like an old hen pulled off her nest, to raise political capital out of it.

Baby was Christened 19^th inst. Bernard was my fancy name, William Father’s request. He is a bouncy little chap, and has got over weaning very well!

We have had a nice supply of fruit from the garden considering the year, and some of the pears are delicious.

I wrote to Mrs Cooke (aunt Fred) yesterday for our pedigree!

I finished another picture last week of ‘Rose’ from ‘Roses and Holly’.

16 October 1872

26 September Bought three fine Aylesbury Ducks and a Drake from Mr Geo Crewe of Etwall, two to kill and the others to keep.

27 September Attended a public meeting at night in the Town Hall convened by request of Griffiths and Langham, to oppose the proposal to make Derby a military centre. The whole meeting was dead against Griffiths & Co and for a long time would not hear them. A resolution praying government to fix Derby as a centre was passed with acclamation. During the meeting which did not break up until half past 10pm a very heavy storm of rain fell, which quite flooded the streets.

28 September Spent the afternoon (Saturday) in touching up sketches viz “Shrimping” “Breadsall from Derby” “Dolly Varden” and “Monsall Dale”.

29 September Sunday. Staid sacrament in the morning did not go out after dinner - had a bad cold.

30 September Bought four white pullets and Dorking Cock. They are beauties and we expect them to begin laying very soon. Took Ernest to see Wombwells menagerie. He was not at all frightened and was delighted with the monkeys especially.

1 October Had Mr and Mrs Dolman Fanny (Mason) and Emily to dinner. Mrs Clark and some young ones came in for a few minutes after dinner on the park.

4 October Met with an odd conjunction of name and trade today viz ‘Smallpiece’ a Tailor!

7 October Bought paper and papered Breakfast room. It took Annie and me from 3pm to 12.30am including cutting paper borders etc.

8 October Ill in the morning. Arthur drove Annie Emily and me to Horsley in the afternoon. Disposed of all the potatoes for about £10 an acre. They are very bad and small in amount of yield as well. We dined at Dolmans after our return.

10 October To an evening party at Dolman’s. Met Dr Goode Mr and Mrs Wright-Baker, Mr and Mrs Fred Sale and Miss Middleton, Mr and Mrs Iliff etc

12 October Walked to the station in the afternoon and read etc afterwards.

13 October Attended service at St Luke’s in the evening for the first time. It is a very fine church, and I like the service. Fanny and Emily went with us, and all Dolman’s party came to supper after.

14 October In County Court nearly all day, and my case was settled at last.

16 October We received a reply to our invitation to Mother and Polly, this morning, that they will come on Friday. I really hope at last there is some chance of seeing my Mother in my own home. Been to sing at St Peter’s Penny Readings. Sang “Her bright smile haunts me” and walked round by Darley Lane afterwards. The night is so fine!

Tuesday 19 November 1872

October 18 Went to Nottingham in the afternoon to meet Mother and Polly and brought them home to dinner at 6.30pm.

October 22 Took them for a drive by Kedleston Park and on to Park Nook and so home. Had Gambles to dinner spent very pleasant evening.

October 23 Dolmans dined with us.

October 24 Thursday Church at night. I went by myself to All Saints in the morning to the Infirmary sermon, and heard Canon Miller; a splendid discourse.

October 25 Dined at Dolmans.

October 26 Mother and Polly left by 8.30am train. Annie and I accompanied them to the station.

October 28 Annie and I had a cosy consultation on ways and means, to our mutual comfort; but we wish there was more to consider.

October 30 Gave Evans notice to go, he is no use.

November 1 Went to Lincoln and met Lang on business, he is not nearly well yet.

November 4 Attended a meeting of the Finance reform association at the Town Hall. It was slow!

November 5 At 9 went to fireworks at Grammar School and to supper at Clark’s introduced to Miss Clark. We have some time wished to know Miss C. and are not disappointed in her. They apologised for not having called.

November 7 Attended (A and I) Conversagione of Derby Art school and distribution of prizes, presided over by Sir H Wilmot and enjoyed the evening.

Went with Peach to Horsley and completed survey for sale by auction on 22^nd inst., which I have now determined on.

November 9 Attended nomination of mayor a large meeting S Leech having sought re-election. He lost and J Smith was elected. There was some fun.

November 19 During the last ten days nothing particular has occurred. I have been preparing for the sale of the Tan Yard. I made sketch of the house and Yard and had it lithographed on the plans and particulars. I think everything has been done and the ‘lot cast into the lap’. The disposing thereof must be ‘of the Lord’ - may he extend his mercies to us once more.

I have still no satisfaction from Gamble. I hope matters will work round.

Had a bad headache yesterday for the first time for a long time (for me). I think it is partly the weather which is always wet and dull.

15 December 1872 Sunday 9.30pm

November 18 Mr Higgins senior died

November 21 Mayor’s dinner. Dolman and I sat together, made a party with Pornitani (?) Moody Chimpton etc. Went off very well. There was no M.P. there!

November 22 Horsley Tan Yard sold for £1191 exclusive of fixtures to Heath.

It was decided about this time that the Prince of Wales would accept the invitation to distribute the Grammar School prizes.

December 1 Attended a general meeting of Infirmary governors for the first time. To consider Mr Frank Wright’s proposal to take £3000 (the balance of the building debt of £5000 after crediting his donation of £2000) from the funds of the Institution to pay off its debt. Mr Barber proposed counter resolution on the ground that 12 months ago the governors had negatived the same proposition and would be breaking faith with Donors to rescind the resolution. Mr Wright’s proposal was carried by 59 to 35. I wished to vote for Barber but could not vote at all not having been a subscriber for 3 months.

December 3 Annie and I went to hear Mlle Beatrice in Frou frou. She is an admirable actress and her French accent is very pretty, but the piece is immoral.

December 4 Took Annie with me to Shelford, Notts searching for evidence in the Chesterfield peerage case. We spent some time in the Church and at the Vicarage but did not find what was wanted. The vicar is a bachelor and a very nice man. The weather was bitterly cold and we had to ferry across the Trent.

December 9 At County Court. Smith and Ward. Judge in my favour reserved decision.

December 10 At Court again 3 cases.

Commission day of Assize. Baron Pigott judge.

Had ticket for the Drill Hall at the Prince’s visit sent me from Reception Committee.

December 13 Took a defence before County Magistrates.

Heath made an offer of terms for release from his contract.

December 14 The decorations for the Prince’s visit are progressing very fast and nothing seems to be talked or thought of, the Town will be very gay.

December 15 Two tickets came by post for Drill Hall from M Clark headmaster, according to his promise. They are in the front block. Had rheumatism in my back for the first time for some weeks (almost months) past, it must be the weather which is fearfully wet and misty.

Little Bernard was vaccinated last week and is going on very nicely. We have accepted an invitation to spend Xmas at home and propose to go over on Saturday next. On Friday the Mayor is to give a grand Ball to which we expect to go (we have received tickets) and as our train leaves at 8.35 on the Saturday morning we shall not get much rest that night probably.

I have painted a picture of ‘The Hayfield’ Rigsby 7 acres Meadows Ernest and playing the piano during the last month and part of a large picture of the Home Field Elms and House at Tothby.