Sunday evening 5 January 1873 8pm

I take up my diary for the first time this year, being unable to go to church tonight owing to a severe cold. I was in bed all yesterday until 8 o’clock at night with most severe pains in my head and last night I went to bed at 11pm but not to sleep until nearly five this morning, beguiling the time with alternate attempts to sleep, and the reading of a new novel “The Wortle Bank Diary”.

17 December 1872 On this day the Prince and Princess of Wales came to distribute the prizes to the Grammar School Boys, and a very grand day it was for Derby. We have kept a paper with a full report of the doings. We had tickets for the Drill Hall sent us by Mr Clark and one by the Reception Committee as we subscribed 2 guineas our seats were very near the front and we could hear and see admirably. We went out as soon as we could after the ceremony was over and whilst standing near the doorway the whole procession passed us, and a slight check occurring in front, the carriage containing the Prince and Princess, the Duke of Devonshire and the Marquis of Hartington stopped close against us, so that I could have put my hand upon the side of it. I had just taken off my hat for a good “Hurrah” but the suddenness of the stop took it out of me so I stood hat in hand, had a good look at both and fairly “caught their eyes”, then dropping mine waited till they moved on when I finally discharged my hurrah after them. Annie says she felt as if she should have liked to kiss the Prince. As the Royal party was to call at the Infirmary Annie and I went direct to the Midland Hotel and had another capital view of the whole procession as it drew up at the station.

In the evening we dined at Dolman’s and then all went together to see the illuminations which were very fine. All we did was to set up a large Union Jack on the house top, and the staff is there yet.

18 December 1872 Dolman, Will Mason (who arrived at Dolman’s yesterday) and I drove to midday dinner at Bob Simpsons and I attended a meeting of the Mechanics Institute Members at 8pm on the appointment of new Trustees: as solicitor.

19 December 1872 We had a dinner party Dolmans and the two Misses Dolman, Will Mason and Peach Bob Simpson was to have come but could not.

20 December 1872 We went to the Mayor’s Ball (invitation) which was a grand affair at the Drill Hall there being about 600 there. We left at 12.30 having to rise early next morning to go into Lincs.

21 December 1872 Annie and I went to Father’s for Xmas today taking Ernest with us and Mary as Nurse.

23 December 1872 Went sketching to Tothby in the morning for materials for my new picture. Family party at home to tea.

24 December 1872 Went with Father rabbitting to Woodthorpe. Got 7 couple rabbits 1 couple woodcock a hare and a jay. I shot two rabbits, and only had four shots altogether: wounding a pheasant which we lost, and missing a third rabbit.

25 December 1872 Only went to Church in the morning the service being 2 hours long without sacrament which we did not stay. Annie and I had a walk on the Well foot road in the afternoon.

26 December 1872 Went again with Father to Woodthorpe to shoot in the open. Got only 2 couple rabbitts a hare and a crow. I shot a couple of rabbitts out of four shots altogether, wounding a hare and missing a partridge, a long shot and the bird flying into the afternoon sun. We dined at Brackenbury’s at night.

27 December 1872 Will Mason drove me down to Chapel. I shot at one snipe and he had three shots but we got nothing. Had a long walk and home to dinner at Rigsby. The sea looked very dirty and bleak, it was not rough enough to look ‘wild’.

28 December 1872 returned home. Had a chat as far as Boston with Fred Hopkins and Mr Berkely, the tenant of Well Hall.

31 December 1872 Action against Heath for deposit of Horsley sale. Arranged to withdraw. Record on payment of all costs of the action damages to be refused to Oliver and Spreckley and ?

Went to church at 11pm to see old year out. Had Litany service with full choir and Sacrament after. Enjoyed it very much.

2 January 1873 Eliza left us, after serving two years as cook!

3 January 1873 Had Dolmans to oyster supper.

5 January 1873 We have started the new year with fresh hopes and fears. Horsley is still undisposed of and difficulties with Gamble increase, but generally matters seem pretty well up to the average. Our boys thrive and look well. Ernest I measured today and he is just 2ft 11ins, and he weighed 2st 2lbs last week.

Sunday 2 February 1873

On Friday the 10 January last I went up to London to dine with the solicitors of the Union Insurance Company by invitation, and a very pleasant evening we had, leaving at 9pm a good hour earlier than last year. I had Mr Rodgers for my right hand neighbour again, the same as last year. I also made the acquaintance of a Mr Cook from Hull, whose children were at school at Derby.

On the Saturday I attended the hearing of Walker and Walker before the Master of the Rolls, when a decree was made as prayed. Lang was also in Court to our mutual surprise, he also having a case on. We spent the rest of the day together, he dined with me at the Tavistock and I staid in Town until Sunday.

Miss Sprat came to stay with us a few days after my return and is with us now. Nothing particular has occurred during the past fortnight. I have been busy making up the office balance sheet and was at it last night with Watson till 8pm.

We have got a new dog ‘Mop’ six months old a little rough dirty brown black Skye terrier.

16 January Mrs Dolman’s first boy born at 2 am all going on well.

No particular news from home. Fanny has consulted two London doctors, who say her heart is not diseased, but her blood is very poor.

I gave old Mr Evans his final discharge yesterday.

Last Thursday (30 January) we had a small supper party. T. Clarke and Miss, 2 Miss Rodgers, Arthur and Fanny came, Sharpe (Infirmary) Mrs JF Sale Mrs and C Bowring and Coulson were all prevented. Mrs Bowring has suddenly lost a sister, and Mrs Sale had a premature confinement - she is going on well.

Snow and frost during the last few days. I am hoping to have some skating tomorrow.

My eyes have been weak lately and I have done no painting since Xmas.

7 February 1873 (extract from newspaper pasted in. Contains Queen’s Speech at opening of Parliament. F Cooke has enumerated the main points of the speech at the side. Followed by notes on the paper’s report of the debate. Lord Derby, Earl Granville, Disraeli, M Horsman and Gladstone’s speeches.)

Sunday 23 February 1873

3 February The frost having lasted, on and off for upwards of a week, I went with Tom Clarke this afternoon to try and get a little skating. We went down to the “Back Waters” by the Midland Line, on the London Road, but a slight thaw having come on at mid-day, and gradually increased we found the ice only just sound, and it had been so spoiled with hillocks of drifted snow, that we did not think it worthwhile to put on our skates. I have therefore had no skating so far this winter.

5 February Went to see the Pantomime at the Star Music Hall, ‘The House that Jack built’, by far the best that I have seen in Derby.

6 February Alfred Vine came to dinner at 6.30pm and staid all night, we had a pleasant chatty evening and sat up until nearly 1a.m. So as a matter of course on the

7 February I was in bed all day with a frightful sick headache, and only roused up at night, and read the Queen’s speech, entered in here with extracts from some of the chief Hon Members speeches.

8 February Mary the housemaid left us after 2 years service, to go to ‘dressmaking’ she says, but I think to make a ‘bridal dress’. Annie, Alice Spratt and I went to spend the evening at Tom Clarke’s. We had music and round game at cards etc.

11 February Wrote Mr Hall offered him £3100 for this house land etc. which he refused.

12 February Finished audit of accounts with Watson balance so small determined to end partnership.

13 February Lent Chas W Clarke my plan of ‘The Elms’, he wants part of land as site for class room. Drove Annie and Alice to Horsley; found all pretty well.

14 February Paid old Evans finally off. He has found a good berth at Manchester. Went to see the ‘Man Fish’. He has a large aquarium on the stage, about 10 or 12 feet long and four deep, and performs several tricks under the water, as eating, drinking milk from a bottle, going down with a lighted pipe etc, most of which I have tried and done; the chief matter of remark was the time he continued under water without much apparent inconvenience. The longest ‘spell’ I counted was 1min 55secs.

17 February Attended the first general meeting of Directors of the Derby Fish and Game Company, on start with a dividend of 6% for 11 months interval.

Gave Gamble preliminary notice

21 February Mrs John Gamble died. EJ (?) Comes in for about £300. Let one room at the office to Bayliss for £18 per annum.

22 February The finest day we have had for a long time, although we have had three rime frosts! Annie, Alice and I walked down by Markeaton Brook in the afternoon and had a very pleasant stroll. We took ‘Mop’ with us. We had to cross the brook once on a rail but as there was another rail above to hold on by it was not a very difficult passage, but Alice and Mop seemed to think it was; she is not used to such climbing, and Mop had to swim for it, they waited until Annie and I had crossed, and when we had gone over, they both took fright, and lamented together, making a very piteous pair. However Alice at last made the attempt when I went back to help her, and landed safe and sound. Mop had his first swim, and having accomplished it was very frisky indeed.. The hens are now laying capitally.

23 February After missing Church today it began to snow, and fell about an inch, but it is thawing again. It was so ‘sloppy’ (and snowing as well) that we staid at home.

Ernest has a gathering in his finger and has had a large poultice tonight much to his amusement; he has got something under the nail. The goldfish given us by Mrs Green in August last are all well yet. We have now a cat, as well as Mop and they are capital friends. Affairs with Gamble are still unsettled.

Sunday 15 June 1873

I had no idea so long a time had passed since I last wrote up this diary, until I opened the Book.

I think the first principal event has been the completion of the arrangement of the terms with Gamble to date as from 15 March last, for which see the deed and papers. The best part is that it was all amicably done. As he retires in consideration of an annuity, I may now be taken as embarked solely on my own responsibility. May God’s blessing attend my labours.

Uncle Richard died on Saturday the 7^th inst. After suffering some months from a diseased foot, the proximate cause of death was the bursting of a vein in the foot and sudden syncope.

On the 30^th April I went to London and wishing to see a witness in the Chesterfield Peerage Case living at Brighton, I spent a night there with the Brackenbury’s, Lang having gone there for a short rest.

Of course I went over the aquarium with which I was very much pleased, and also had a swim in Brile’s Bath.

Miss Stainforth came to spend a week with us in May and on the 6^th May I drove her, Alice, Annie and Ernest to Matlock for the day. We all went to the top of High Tor Ernest riding up and down again on a Donkey, much to his delight. I made a sketch from the top looking to West, and included the Donkey-Boy. Miss Stainforth was on her way to Leeds. She left on 20^th May.

We all dined at Dolman’s on the 2^nd June the anniversary of their wedding. Whit Monday - Made sketch on Markeaton Brook in the morning.

On the third of June the ‘Seven Stars’ was struck with lightening. It is about 200 yards off. Too near to be pleasant.

To London last Tuesday afternoon (the 10^th inst) to meet Brackenbury on business. The last carriage went off the line near Bedford and was broken to pieces before the couplings gave way. The guard, W Bamford, was a good deal injured, but I heard on my return 3 days later that he was recovering.

12 June I spent at the Royal Academy. The first visit. I do not think it quite impresses one at first as being so good as last year. I hope to go again to study individual pictures.

Returned home in the afternoon leaving London at 5pm. I bought a pair of ? for the drawing room, of full size, for 19/6.

14 June Made my first official visit to the Infirmary as a “weekly visitor” in company with Mr Cooling. Everything seemed in admirable order and the patients very comfortable. Commenced a large picture of a view in our garden, to contain also likenesses of some of the family. I expect it will take some time.

Sunday 13 July ‘73

17 June The Brackenburys called on their way home from Malvern and stopped all night. We had the Dolmans to meet them etc. Dinner. Lunched with Mr Clarke at Derby Grammar School athletic meeting.

18 June Annie was unexpectedly “taken” during the night, and was delivered of another boy at 4.45am he is not named yet. Of course it made a general turn out, Alice got dressed at 4am Lizzie went to bed again after gathering all the news she could. I went ill with sick headache for the whole day very bad.

19 June Uncle John called quite unexpectedly but only stayed about an hour being on his way home from Buxton.

Sunday 20 July 1873

21 June 73 Saturday. I took Ernest to Alford for a trip until Monday. Our first outing together, without female assistance. He behaved admirably and was quite a lion at Alford. We stayed at his grandpa’s.

23 June Fanny returned with us and as we left Alford at 4pm and did not arrive home until 10pm Ernest was very tired. He would not be persuaded to stay with his grandma if papa left.

Sunday 27 July 1873

26 June 1873 Received £500 on a/c legacy from Uncle Henry (Mason’s) estate - first installment.

27 June Friday Went to London in pursuance of a telegram from Norris & Co, to work up the Chesterfield Peerage case. Mr Allen being ill and unable to attend to it.

7 July Engaged in all the work preparing case, did not go to any amusements from Monday until Saturday night when I went to the Gaiety, and ‘round’ with Hayes from Dublin.

Today the case came on and after three hours and a half hard work, we obtained a decision from the Committee favourable to our claim.

The Earl was then introduced to Lord Carnarvon; and thanked me very pleasantly for my assiduity. I went at night with Williams (from Norris & Co’s office) and Hayes, for the first time to Cremome, it is certainly very pretty and a very pleasant summer evening lounge.

8 July Returned home, having been eleven days away, the longest time Annie and I have been separated since our marriage. I found all well at home, and Annie progressing wonderfully.

9 July (Wednesday) Went to Louth and back in one day to settle a large mortgage. It is a horrible ‘drag’. I had a long talk (from Alford to Louth) with Mr Ben Peacock of ?? And found him as pleasant as formerly.

14 July Engaged all day at Derby Assizes, and lost our case owing to the stupidity of our client and witnesses.

19 July Received letter from Earl Chesterfield agreeing to stand godfather to Baby and suggesting we should call him after him ‘George Philip’, which we of course determined to do.

22 July 73 Went to Horsley and finally arranged with Mrs Richardson, so that I can sell the entirety. I really hope this is the beginning of the end. Took Annie, Fanny and Ernest with me. Mrs Richardson took Fanny for Ernest’s nursemaid much to our amusement.

23 July We had Mr Keene up and all had our likenesses taken in the garden. The Dolmans also came and had a ‘family group’ taken.

24 July Had ‘George Philip’ christened. Alice Spratt, and Eardly his godmother and 2^nd godfather. Rev. Allerson performed the ceremony. We had a garden party afterwards. Mr, Mrs and Miss Clark of the grammar school, Dr Lindsay (asylum), Major Cox, W and Miss Cox, Mrs and the Misses Rogers Turpie (?)(Bank manager) Mr and Mrs Gamble, the Dolmans, Eardley and Cooper. We had a pleasant evening playing croquet etc. We had supper at 9.30 supplied by town, and altogether enjoyed ourselves very much. Revd and Mrs Abney, Revd Beresford, Mr and Mrs Sale, Mr and Mrs C Bowring, Dr Goode and J Smith (son) were prevented from coming.

Alice has given George Philip a fork spoon and napkin ring.

25 July Had a meeting with Gamble, in the presence of Watson, completed all the accounts and signed the deed and paid him all his balance due!

26 July To the office in good time and went with Fanny to the Dolman’s party to Cheedale, had a fine afternoon and enjoyed it very much. Only our party, theirs and Fred Borough his two sisters and a Miss Hutchinson.

In making up the committee on the Chesterfield case, I had to call upon Lord Belper and Lord Vernon, and I also was brought to the notice of Lord Carnarvon! I have received very nice letters since from Lord Chesterfield, Mrs Stanhope of Fareham (his aunt) and M Sutton our Junior Counsel.

The Tichborne case is now arrived at another phase, and the claimant’s defence is commenced. If his counsel be not overdrawing his case the prosecution scarcely stated their case with ingenuousness to say the least of it. One day when hurrying into Westminster Hall during my last stay in London I was pressing round the door way and the claimant was just coming out of court, so that it was only by a great effort that I avoided running bodily against him.

The Shak (Sheikh?) was also then the general Lion of the Town, and although his cortège passed me several times, I only once saw a portion of his face and the top of his hat, round the edge of the carriage. It was significantly remarked in Town that almost simultaneously with his appearance, the great blonde actress M’lle D’Anka disappeared from the Alhambra where she had been acting since Xmas in the ‘Black Crook’.

Lang has been out this summer for a rest, under imperative orders from the Doctor, and has received great benefit from his rest. He was thoroughly worked out.

Eardley left us at half past twelve last Thursday night to travel home during the night. I suppose it is one of his ‘fancies’ again.

Thursday 21 August 1873

28 July Monday. Went by invitation of Dr Lindsay, with his party to Dovedale Fanny and I and the Dolmans and Alice and Dr Lindsay’s family. We went in a 3 horse van. After putting up the horses at the Dog and Partridge, we all set off to scale Thorpe Cloud. The two little Lindsay boys were first, Alice and I next, and the others one after another. The day was fine and the view splendid. After enjoying the breeze a short time we scrambled down into the Dale, and after lunch we went right through it some distance beyond the caves.

We all enjoyed it exceedingly and did not get home until 7pm. It was my first visit and very much delighted I was it combines Monsal Dale and Cheedale in one.

Sat 2 August Annie and I went with Baby and Nurse Potter to Rigsby by the first train. Fanny returning home at the same time. Will and I had a long pleasant stroll in the evening.

Sunday 3 August We had a long walk in the morning, went to Church in the afternoon and to see Father in the evening.

Monday 4 August I drove Annie and Fanny to Chapel and Will drove Fanny C. We had lunch at the Bradleys and returned to Rigsby to Dinner at 5pm. The shore looked very desolate. We had Lang and Lizzie and Eardley in the evening, and made merry.

Tuesday 5 August We returned by the M train arriving home at 6pm safe and sound and all the better.

Thursday 7 August Emily the housemaid left.

Gamble determined to sell Grove Cottages.

Friday 15 August Dined at Dolman’s.

Tuesday 19 August Sale at Horsley. Sold all but the Tan yard lot, at an advance over my estimate of £50. The Tan yard is still on hand but I have two intending purchasers I believe. Polly and Harry and May came. Alice left Derby.

Wednesday 20 August Was in bed all day the long fast and excitement upset me altogether.

Thursday 21 August We Polly, Annie, Harry, May and I have had a nice drive this afternoon round Kedleston Park but we only saw 3 deer.

Sunday 24 August 1873

Friday 22 August Was very busy in the office all day, did not come home to lunch. Yesterday I took Polly Harry and Annie by the afternoon cheap train to Cheedale, it is the first time Polly and Harry have been there. We did not arrive at home until nearly 11pm.

Went up to the top of the hill overlooking Cressbrookdale, for the first time, and a very beautiful view we found.

Gamble said they think of going to France for a year.

Saturday 1 November 1873

26 August ‘73 Gamble’s sale of Grove Cottages at the Bell Inn sold for £3600!

27 August 73 Took Annie, Baby and Nurse Porter to Llandudno we were delayed a long time on the road by an accident to a luggage train at Abergele. I had a frightful sick headache which was not improved by the jolting. We arrived at Llandudno about 6.30pm and obtained beds at the ‘George’. This part of the route is not particularly interesting until passing over the ‘Clwyd’.

28 August 73 Annie and I walked round the Great Ormes head on the North east side and came back across the top by the little public house where we obtained some refreshment. We were amused by the way they manage to keep the roof on - large stones being laid on each row of slates and cemented there. This house is at the highest point of the headland and is about 750 above the sea level. This is a very lovely walk the path in many places is from two to three hundred feet above the sea and the face of the coast is indented by many deep fissures between the rocks, almost amounting to small bays. On the top of the projecting rocks a slight covering of soil has collected and is overgrown with grass very short and soft, and in some places there is a fair growth of bracken, which seen from a little distance gives a beautiful soft appearance to the outline which would otherwise be too sharp. We were surprised to see in many spots cabbages growing apparently out of the rock, but on close examination we found that a little soil had washed into a crevice and there they had taken root. Ferns or wild plants would not of course have been matter of surprise but is seemed very odd to find such a plant where man could not by any chance have planted them.

From the top of the ‘Head’ the view over Conway Bay and Beaumaris Bay is very pretty and Penmaen Mawr 1500ft high is a prominent feature. Just at the time when I was sketching the shadow of a cloud fell on the mountain and made him almost blue-black, an effect which I tried to catch.

Monday 3 November 73

Have had a very good day at the office. I have cause to thank God every day so many blessings are showered on me. I have some doubtful matters which are very harassing but they serve their purpose in keeping me from too much elation.

29 August At Llandudno. These notes are taken from small memoranda made on the spot. Today was very rainy and windy. It was bright early in the morning And Annie and I started to go round Great Orme’s Head again but were caught and got thoroughly wet. I went out to the top of G.O.H. in the afternoon and the wind was so strong it nearly blew me off my legs, but unfortunately it was from a ‘wrong quarter’ and there was no rough sea. It seems indeed to be always from the wrong quarter here for any fun to relieve its unpleasantness.

30 August Went by Boat around Little Orme’s Head and made a pencil sketch. Whilst doing so the Boy who accompanied us let us drift too far round the Headland and we could only just manage to pull back again. A swell was coming in from yesterday’s rough weather and the tide was very strong so that the reflux from the face of the rock made very bumpy water and the boat was very light and small.

Sunday 16 November 1873 9.45am

Annie and I have been to early Sacrament this morning at 8am and I enjoyed it very much; it is the commencement of our Church Mission week. The Bishop of Lichfield opened the Mission yesterday afternoon, and preached in All Saints Church. A very good earnest sermon, the first I have heard from him; the church was crowded.

To resume my back notes:

30 August At one time I was very much afraid we should not be able to pull round again, in which event we must have gone away round the head, and returned by land. The dangerous part of our position was the chance of missing in attempting to round the point and getting the boat up against the face of the rock, when we must have been smashed and the water was deep.

In the afternoon we climbed to the top of the Little Orme, and being affected by the motion of the boat, I could not shake off the see-saw feeling, and was slightly dizzy, although I felt no illness when on the water. We sat to lunch at the top of the rock and although several feet from the edge I felt for some time as if I must throw myself over, a most peculiar feeling, and for a climber I should think a very dangerous one. I never felt it so strong before. After lunch and ½ pint of sherry I felt quite right and made an oil sketch of the Great Orme’s Head.

August 31 Bathed for the first time. The water was cold but I enjoyed a good swim. I was much amused by one of the Bye-laws, stuck up in the Machine. I copy it exactly: “Fares for Bathing.” “For a single person 6d each time. For a party consisting of more than one person 6d each”. They must have plenty of language on hand at Llandudno.

One thing I missed very much, they have no Flag Staff (which can be seen from all points) to show the direction of the wind; this is a great omission. They have no Coast Guard station either, which always makes a little rendezvous for the curious in sea affairs.

August 31 Sunday To Church in the morning and heard a very good sermon in English by a Welsh man. We did not go out after lunch it came on to rain and blow so heavily.

1 September Monday Started off at 10am to climb Penmaen-Mawr, which lies just over Conway bay, and is the dark mountain in my sketch of Beaumaris Bay. It is over 1500 feet, and slopes abruptly down to the sea. After a long toil we reached the top, two little boys being our solitary companions. They were pretty little dark-eyed fellows, and could only speak a very little English. After arriving at the top we had one good look down the Menai Straits, and across to Beaumaris, and then a cloud came down, and we saw no more. Immediately after the cloud settled, it began to discharge its rain, and it came down just like a shower bath. Then the wind began to blow, and a more miserable 20 minutes was probably never spent on a mountain top. We waited for about that time in shelter of a rock and finding things grew no better we commenced the descent. I had a macintosh and Annie a waterproof cloak, but having no waterproof covering for our legs we got thoroughly wet through nearly up to our waists. It never ceased raining until we reached the station, and we were obliged to return to Llandudno, about half an hour’s ride, in our wet clothes. On arriving we ‘took’ some hot grog, but no cold.

After a hasty dinner, we paid our bill and set off for Carnarvon where we arrived at 10pm very tired and worn out, and went direct to bed.

2 September We all felt very much done up this morning, and did not rise till late. Annie and I were both very much out of sorts. We went over the castle in the morning and were very much pleased with it. We bought some small presents there.

In the afternoon we drove to Menai walked across the suspension bridge and ‘viewed’ the tubular. The evening was beautiful and the view sublime. The distant purple of the sea melted down through a thousand shades until at our feet it lay dark and brown, broken only by lines of red light thrown across at intervals by the setting sun.

On the left hand looking north from the bridge, the cliffs were thrown into deep sombre shade which fell far over the water, a tree here and there, changed to bright yellow by the autumn frosts seeming to relieve the depth of shade. Whilst above the top of the rocks the sky was bathed in golden light. The whole was a picture worthy the pencil of Turner.

From a distance the delicate proportions of the suspension bridge add attraction to the view, rather than spoil it but I cannot say as much for the tubular. It represents ‘utility’ only.

Having staid as long as there was light, we returned to Carnarvon by train and left our driver to return by himself.

3 September (It is now time to start for morning service, so I leave the description of our trip down the pass of Llanberis for an unbroken meditation.)

4 September 1873 Journey down the pass of Llanberis.

We started in a one horse carriage of the usual seaside kind, at about 9.30am the distance to the commencement of the pass being about 4 miles. The road is in some parts very uninteresting, and only begins to change where a small river runs parallel with the road; I did not learn the name of the river, but it runs very swiftly and tumbles about wonderfully.

At the first glance from the head of the lake, I cannot say I at all realised the height of the mountains or indeed the size of the lake.

After seeing to our horse and taking a glass of sherry, we first went to view the waterfall of Ceunant Mawr, which lies a little to one side of the pass, the little stream which supplies the fall, coming down from the foot of Snowdon. I succeeded in obtaining a very nice sketch.

We then had dinner at the Hotel and started to drive down the pass. There having been a heavy fall of rain the day before, all the small mountain streams were running, and looked at the distance like silver threads. The mountain tops were mostly covered with heavy clouds, but every now and then we had a clear view for a few minutes and beautifully sublime it was.

The rough mountains rise one above another on each side until it really makes one’s neck ache with looking up. There are a few sheep scattered here and there, wherever a little grass has succeeded in lodging itself, but the valley is almost lifeless.

The thoughts raised by the influence of such a locality, cannot well be otherwise than gloomy, or at any rate, if not gloomy, sober. The majesty of design and power displayed cannot fail to overawe a thoughtful mind; and the whole nature feels its helplessness amongst such vast works. Crags stand ready to topple down on the pressure of a stronger whirl of storm than usual, sufficient in weight and size to destroy the strongest works of man. Rocks, in themselves small hills, have been thrown about like children’s toys, and all is wild rugged and sublime.

We went to the end of the pass and back again, and arrived at Carnarvon at about 7pm very tired.

Thursday 27 November 1873

On the 18^th inst I made RH Cox a client (in part) by a loan, and obtained power over him. Annie had a bad cold so we did not get to Church in the evening as we had proposed.

The Pigs arrived today sound and well.

November 20^th Dolman and Mrs came to Dinner. They had expected the Vines, but Lottie was under a wrong recollection of her invitation. She had asked them for next week.

November 21^st Friday Very tired and ill after arriving home at night, and slept on the sofa all night.

Saturday 22^nd At home painting all the afternoon.

Sunday 30^th November 1873

Sunday 23^rd Was last Sunday of the Mission week and a very fine service we had; it was exceedingly impressive - after the Missioner’s sermon Mr Abney gave a short address which in sentiment expression and “impersonation” was one of the finest little pieces of oratory I have ever heard.

Monday 24^th Was the wind up of the Mission and we had a service for ‘renewal of vows’, all answered the questions on cards delivered round and we have since signed them for a reminder, may the effect last through eternity.

Tuesday 25^th Attended the complimentary dinner to J Smith the ex-mayor. It was well attended. His chief (?) was in referring to the opening of Mr Bass’ public swimming baths when he said it was a day and sight to remember, when his friend Mr Bass stood at the head of the Bath surrounded by the nymphs meaning the little boys who were to dive for half pence.

Taylor of the Royal said today that he had been bid 15/6 per bottle for the sherry he bought at J Richardson’s sale, the same sort as mine!!

Wednesday 26 Obtained the signatures of the Hon W M Jervis, T G Crompton High Sheriff and J Smith to my Memorial to Lord Chancellor to obtain Commissionership to administer oaths.

Attended Church Meeting at St Alkmund’s proposed and carried that notice of alteration as to sittings being considered free after four minutes to the service time be sent by letter to all pew holders. To Mrs Brown’s for the remainder of the evening.

Thursday 27 Went to see Dillon as Hamlet, he looked dirty, but acted well. Fanny M came to Lottie’s.

Friday 28 Mary Vine came to stay a day or two at Lottie’s. I lunched them and Annie and I dined them. Then Annie, Fanny and I went to the Choral Union. Beethoven’s Mass in C, and the Hymn of Praise; Lloyd as tenor. It went very well on the whole. Home in Brown’s cab.

29 Nov At home all the morning hanging new pictures and rearranging old ones in the dining room.

Went into the town in the afternoon. The Dolmans Fanny and M Vine dined with us. I had a sore throat and could not sing.

On Thursday last I ordered a haunch of venison for Lang, and King could only obtain it by specially ordering a doe from Lord Scarsdale’s, which he has done!

Mary Vine is better looking and altogether nicer than I had been led to expect. She is a strict Wesleyan but has been with us to St Alkmund’s this morning and seemed to like our service. Her brother Alfred called here also yesterday. He is now stationed at Loughborough and she keeps his house.

Last week we moved the Ormolu Table and glass to the end of the drawing room, from the side, and very much better it looks. The piano also is more convenient at the side. This morning Mr Abney preached a splendid sermon on ‘ the way of salvation’ which I very much enjoyed.