MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Notes in front of diary:
Mondays (at home days) Mrs Agnew Mrs Pettie Mrs Silver Mrs Tweedie Mrs MacTear Mrs A. Harding Mrs H. Power
Tuesdays Mrs Innes Mrs Morley Mrs Roberts Mrs Pollen
Wednesdays Mrs Boehm Mrs Critchett Mrs Humphreys Mrs Macmillan Mrs Rainbow Mrs W.S.Gilbert Mrs Hickman Mrs Lehmann Mrs P. Morris Miss Tenniel Mrs Gaston
Thursdays Mrs G.M. Allen Aunt Linda Mrs Morel Mackenzie 1
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Mrs P. Wright Mrs Coward Mrs H. Dickens Mrs Parish 2 first Mrs Turner Mrs Waring
Fridays Mrs Baines Mrs Goodall Mrs Holl 2 last Mrs A. Levy Mrs MacKenzie Mrs Linley
Saturdays
Sundays Mrs Lewis Mrs Innes Mrs Pidgeon
People to stay at Townley Abbey Parsons Little Angell Young Allen Tenniel Keene J. Ellis Grossmith & wife Huish & wife Rose-Innes W. Austin 2
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 young Chapple H. Dickens & wife Gen. Kent Mr Davis Mr & Miss McCarthy & son Miss Toole Miss Penn B. Rivieres Fildes – Olive. Brandon Thomas Fred Thornton & father Beerbohm Tree Woodvilles & little boys Mr Webster Floss Boehm
Order for stores Loaf sugar Soda Flour Oil Methelated Rice Tapioca
Stocks held in Nov. /85, copied fr. Schedule by Messrs Chapple Welch & Chapple to Townley Castle:
£ 52.3.4. (27) £$ 11000. 2nd Mortgage Bonds Erie Railway $ 13.500. 6% Consolidated Mortgage bonds Detroit Grand Haven & Milwaukie Railway $ 5000. 7% 1st Mortgage Bonds Allegheny Valley Railway $ 4000 7% 1st mortage bonds Allegheny Valley Railway 3
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 £ 6000 Ordinary Stock Central Argentine Railway 808 shares City of Buenos Ayres Tramway Co’y £500 6% debenture stock City of Buenos Ayres Tramways Co’y £ 1500 permanent 6% debenture stock City of Buenos Ayres Tramway Co’y 40 shares London & River Plate Bank 3 ordinary shares Northern Railway of Buenos Ayres. 17 Preference shares Northern Railway of Buenos Ayres £ 20 debenture stock Northern Railway of Buenos Ayres £ 1510 Stock St John del Rey Gold Mining Co’y £ 40 shares Van Mining Comp’y £ 40 shares Fortuna Company 10 shares Assam Company £ 5000 Ordinary Stock Buenos Ayres Gt Southern Railway £ 3000 6% debenture bonds Western Railway of Buenos Ayres 50 shares Gt Western of Brazil Railway Co’y 300 shares English & Australian Copper Company 300 shares part Philips & Colonial Gold Mining Co’y 50 shares of the London Stock Exchange Albert Hall Box (49) £150 Stock Margate Pier & Harbour Company 31st Dec /84. We dined at Mrs Hunters. Fildes, Woods & another gentleman there. Very pleasant evg. Took chicks to Circus. Capital.
30.0.0 Cent. Arg 12.0.0 West of Buenos Ayres 12.0.0 Buenos Ayres T.s 15.0.0 Barr Estate £69.0.0
100 69 50 4
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 £219
Thursday 1 January Went out with Roy to buy things for tree. Met Conrad & Effie. We dine at Mrs Boehm’s. Mother still at Bath Hotel. Saw cook. Bitterly cold.
47.10. 0 on deposit 6. 0. 0 West of Buenos 6. 0. 0
Buenos Aires
27. 0. 0 Maud 86.10. 0 25. 0. 0 Sep quar. £110. 0. 0
Friday 2 January Went out shop’g. Spent all afternoon with Mother at Bath Hotel & lunched with her. Conrad called. Sophy F. with Mother. Con brought me home. V. late dinner.
Saturday 3 January Constance Twiss married. At home Chester St. 3- 6 after. Jess & Ham came. Mother went down to Westwood by Granville, called morg. with Mervyn. Laurence never heard bell. Mr Joachim called twice about stables. Ham dined out. Jess & self went to Mrs Twiss’ at home, lovely presents.
Sunday 4 January Dear Lin’s birthday. Ham lunched out. Jess & self walked to Uncle’s, drove back. Lin rode with C. Hunter. Quiet evg. Sp called. Mr A. Lewis called, Mr Blackburn also.
Monday 5 January Mrs Thornton & Mrs Gay’s dance 9.30. Horses sold at Tattersall’s. Drove Jess & Lin up. Maud & self went to May’s about Maud’s dress, shoes 5
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 etc. Called for Jess. Horses sold well considering. Con & Effie here to dinner go to dance after. Sp called, cd. not dine on account of Ada.
Tuesday 6 January Lady Mayoress’ fancy dress Juvenile Ball ½ past 6. Allen cook leaves at end of her month today. Went out shops morg. Jess seedy breakfast in bed. Jess & Ham left for Westwood by Granville. Will Oakes called morg. Mr Fildes called with Val. Lin went to Ball at Drury Lane after.
Wednesday 7 January Go to Drury Lane pantomime. Bob, Evelyn, Brenda & Tom go with us. King comes. Mistake about box. Sp called after our return. Burnand chaffed Lin about ball last evg. Maudie had dinner with me. Took Laurence.
Thursday 8 January Mrs Ionides children’s party – grown ups till 12. Hard frost. Sp’s cart called for Lin to see horse. Lin gone to play tennis. Letter from cook. Saw 2 cooks. Called on Boehms, Con there & Mrs Geiger. V. wet. Judy here on return. Maudie gone with Laurence to Mrs Ionides.
Friday 9 January Judy comes to go shop’g. Walked to School of Art Needlework. Spencer came in. Called after lunch on Mrs Oakes, saw her Ada & Baby. Went & had tea after at Mrs Tom Taylor’s. Wycliffe & Lucy there. Wet evg. Lin hard at work on two figures.
Saturday 10 Janury Mrs Blackburn’s children’s & grown up party fancy dress 5 to 9. Take character of cook. Bad, cannot take her. Went in carriage, called Prices, ordered things at Barkers. Conrad & Effie coming to dinner 7.30. Went out after lunch called on Mrs Caldecott & went about cook. Mrs Hunter wrote for King. Lin went to smoking party. Con sent for by Mrs B.
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885
Sunday 11 January Went to early service. Lin rode “Pip”. Chicks cold, Nurse went to Church alone. Dull afternoon. Miss the dear old home. Quiet day. Dear little Maud down. Wonder Con did not come in.
Monday 12 January Judy called. Paper about Mr Macdonald. Saw 6 cooks, 5 very old things & Mrs Rainbow’s old cook called again. Went up to Stores with Judy called on Mrs Graves & Mrs Blackburn. Snow storm. Young cook called. Laurence gone to pay bills for me. Standish 8/- Ware 2/7 & 3 letters with cheques. Leonee 8.18.6. Brandon & Nicolls.
Tuesday 13 January Juvenile fancy dress at Mrs Holland’s 7.30 - 11 o/c. Lin dines at Arts Club 7 o/c. Saw young cook again objects to late dinner Sundays! Mrs Hunter, Nelly K, Mrs Ross, 2 Speeds, Mrs Boehm, Edgar B, Effie & Conrad & Mrs Woodville & little boy called. Maud down to dinner. Roy down afternoon, cold better. Mr M. Guest’s drawing done, took Lin nearly 2 days. Clara out afternoon & evg.
Wednesday 14 January Punch dinner. I dine at Mrs Stone’s. Mrs Gilbert’s children’s party 6 o/c. X. Petit ami – rested all morning. Saw nice cook but already engaged, wonder why she came. Cannot go to Mrs Stone’s, wrote to her. King paid books. Midge came to lunch, missed her train. Hard frost.
Thursday 15 January Mrs Gilbert’s at home 3.30. 2nd act of “Patience”. Too seedy to go out. Saw cook short character awful difficulty. Stayed in all day. Bitterly cold.
Friday 16 January Cold NE windy morning. Breakfast in bed. Sp called. Called on Mrs Fair, Santly, Rivière, Pettie & Holl. Had tea with last, lovely house. Lin worked 7
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 late. Went to bed early. Block Lord C. Beresford’s promotion over senior officers.
Saturday 17 January Cold & damp. King left in the evg, paid her £1.5.2. Called for Lin at Garrick at 4 o/c. Called on American Ambassador Lowndes Sq 31. Sp called. Lin went after dinner to Mr A. Lewis, heard of young McCarthy & Miss Toole’s engagement. Judy called morg. before lunch.
Sunday 18 January Cold. Lin riding Pippin & going to lunch at Orleans Club with Sp & Burnand. Sorry not to go to Church. Mrs Wirgmann called. Lin went to Richmond, pro. of Club gave him sketch of Leech’s. Supper. Quiet evg. Girls managed cooking nicely.
Monday 19 January Dark foggy day. King came at 7.30, very fortunate to get her. Saw young cook 24 married feel v. uncertain about her go for character Wed D.V. Called after lunch on Judy, out, Mrs Leach & Mrs Charrington - both in. Quiet evg. King goes home at night. Mrs Boehm called with Effie.
Tuesday 20 January We dine at Mrs Keith’s. Heavy black fog. Saw another old hag, few month’s character. Mrs Leach’s children’s party 5 o’clock. Can’t go for character of questionable cook on act. of fog. Mr & Mrs Santly called. Mrs Coward, Judy & Miss Webster. Mrs Malin about Mission.
Wednesday 21 January Mrs Lewis’s juvenile party. Jess & Ham come up for night. Walked after character of cook with Judy. Cook going to have a baby! Called on Mrs Hunter. Jess & Ham came. Mrs Blackburn & Cathleen & Judy called. Ham & Midge went to Mrs Lewis’s. Enjoyed it v. much. I to bed early.
Thursday 22 January 8
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Mrs Tuer’s dinner party. Ham left for Shropshire early 9.30. Very cold. Went morg. to Pines’s & about cook at Mrs Lord’s. Dr O came to see Midge, says she must not go with Ham until April. Mrs Stone called & asked us to dine with her tomorrow, of course cannot leave Lin. Splendid dinner at Mrs Tuer’s. Miss Gilbert, Alexanders & general tennis set (illeg) C. Keene.
Friday 23 January Walked with Midge morg. to Aldous for tulips. Called on Marion P, left card. Saw Mary Millais. Saw 2 cooks, old & ugly. Midge left by Granville, I took her to Vic. Sta. in brougham. Young Abernethy. I called on Mrs Livesey, Mrs Ionides & Mrs Joachim & Mrs Spofforth. Lin hard at work.
Saturday 24 January Lin & self went to Court Theatre “Young Mrs Winthrop”. We lunch at Mrs Evans with chicks if warmer. Cannot go on account of chicks’ colds. Went with Lin to Grosvenor Gal. & Salon Parisien, awfully grand. Met Mr Weigall. Went to Ulster House, met Mr Black. Lunched at St James’. Carriage met us at Hyde Pk Corner. Lin played tennis with Mr Tuer. I called saw Aunty, Uncle & children. Judy to tea here. Mr Tuer came. Startling news of Dynamite explosions.
Sunday January 25 Went to early service. Fog & hard frost. Lin rode Pip, tiresome. Sp & Mrs B. Tree called. Quiet afternoon & evg. Chicks to children’s service. Uncle Alfred passed away this morning peacefully after great suffering the past week.
Monday 26 January News of Uncle Alfred fr. dear Mother & Jess. Chicks out for walk. Lin riding Pip. Warmer. Mrs Drabble called. I called after lunch on Mrs A. Harding, Miss Wilton, Lady Freake, Mrs Burnand, Holland & Auntie. Neuralgia awful in my eyes. Lin rode Pip., knocked himself again. Sp dines at Boughtons. 9
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885
Tuesday 27 January. Walked to see Judy. Wet after fine morg, fine again at 1 o/c. Lin played tennis morg. Mrs Watney, Judy, Violet Hunt & Mrs Humphreys & Mrs Sam Bergheim called.
Wednesday 28 January Maud & Roy have tea at Mrs Coward’s. Grand romp there. Nurse got me 6 towels fr. Derry. Mrs Charrington called. Mother, Jess & Ham came up, H fr. Shropshire. We dined together. Lin went to Punch dinner. I drove to stores & bought soles & pigeons. Waters drove abominably. Judy called.
Thursday 29 January Lin rode before breakfast. Spencer’s birthday. Fresh morg, wet after noon. I saw a cook - respectable looking person. Jessie & Judy came. Jess lunched here & left with Ju for Westwood by Granville. Mother & self went to Paddington to take flowers for poor Uncle, gave them to Uncle & Aunt Edwin to take. Went after to Labin & Croker about cooks & Mother & self had tea at Dr Orton’s. Mrs Vallis came to see Mother. Lin went to see “Babes” with V. Watney after dinner.
Friday 30 January Wet miserable morg. Lin rode before breakfast. I have horrid sore throat on left side. Go at 2 after character of cook, 3½ yrs character, good but independent but must take her, so expensive having King. Mother & self went to Brandons & Burlington Arcade about J’s doll. Saw Miss Elmore & Chay there. Mr Ellison called & Effie B. Lin doing J. Bull & America, later than usual.
Saturday 31 January Lin’s Kinsman’s dinner. Invite from Mr Palmer for dinner, can’t go unfortunately. Lin D.V. takes Roy to Circus morg. Mother went out all morg. brought me flowers & fur tippet & muff, Mrs S. one also. I went & 10
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 fetched Roy fr. Circus. Dora & Waddie arrived at 12 o/c. W. left about 7.30. Dora woke & cried, went to Mother’s room. Sp called, told us he had been to poor Uncle’s funeral. Thunderstorm. Mr Tuer, Sp & W.O. called morg. Saw 2 cooks.
Sunday 1 February Very wet morg. Mother & Dora bad night. Lin not home till ½ p 2 this morg. I slept badly, uncomfortable dreams. Went to 9.30 service, foolish sermon. Fine at 12 o/c. Lin riding. Will Oakes called & had tea here. Lin & self went for walk to Row, I returned alone. Lin went on to Club, about his black coat which was or is mislaid.
Monday 2 february Mrs Boehm’s dance. Lin & self went to see “In the Ranks”. Mother, Roy & self went in fly to City to Mr Chapple’s, saw Uncle there – then to office, Sp out, 2 office boys. Had lunch at Ship & Kettle, v. hot there. Hollands called, saw them. Reed came to see Mother. Lin & self went after dinner to see “In the Ranks” v. amusing. Con called to see Mother.
Tuesday February 3 Lin dines with V. Watney & goes to St James’ Theatre after. Waddie returned & will sleep here tonight. Lin played tennis with Mr Tuer morg. Mother, Dora & Waddie go to Vic Sta & dentist’s in brougham. Wire fr. Sp about rise in S. American stocks. He called this morning. Lin reading silly fairy story to illustrate. Colder. Locksmith here fr. Nash’s. Waddie going to sleep here tonight. Mrs McClean Mrs Eykyn, Mrs Spofforth called. Mother v. tired, bad eye. Sp wired me about shares.
Wednesday 4 February Mrs Carters dance. Lady Monckton’s first “at home”. Dear Mother, Waddie & Dora return to Westwood, wish Mother cd. remain on. Conrad called whilst we were here at breakfast. New cook comes. Sp called about my investments. Mother not going. Feel very seedy indeed, worried to see Mother look so poorly. Aunt Leigh & Mrs Mocatta, Mrs 11
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Wilson, Con & Effie called. I drove to Putney & called on Mrs Pigeon, v. stout. King left, pd. her £3.14.6. Had dinner in drawing room. Thursday 5 February Lovely morg, paid books with Maud. Mother went to see Con & came back v. worried. Lin gone to see Burnand at Van Beers gallery. Dear Mother leaves us today. Lin & self to see Mrs Langtry. I drove Mother up after tea to Vic. Sta. Con & Effie met us there. Lin & self drove to Princes Theatre, no performance. Fearful catastrophe at Khartoum!!! Lin out all day.
Friday 6 February Colder. Bright morg, wire fr. Mother. Mr Tuer called. Punch not over well so paid calls on foot. Called on Mrs Baines, Mrs Collins, had tea at both places, & Mrs Stone, stayed a long time. Lin doing Clown & old gent’le block. V. late 9 o/c.
Saturday 7 February Lovely day. Lin rode morg. & Roy went with me shopping. Judy called. Lin played tennis all afternoon. I called on Mrs Huish, stayed some time. Mrs Coward, Miss Webster, Mrs MacIlwraith, Miss Wells & Mrs Tuer. Mrs Tuer brought me home in her carriage. Mr Hartree called. Judy arrived fr. Westwood with basketful of things. Don’s leg bad, had to take a cab & come home. Saw Mrs Messel. Lin went to Lewis’.
Snday 8 February Went to early service, damp morg. Lin rode morg, read “Nana”, Zola. Sp came in looking very seedy & worried about Booker disolving partnership. Hope he will be all right. Chicks to afternoon service. I showed Sp Mr Barker’s letter to me about investments. W. Taylor came to tea & then in to dinner. I feel awfully sleepy – taking hop bitters(?) Think it has touched(?) up my brain(?).
Monday 9 February
12
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Lovely morg. Had boiler cleaned out, no water for baths. Pippin seedy. X. Petit ami au soir. I drove to Studwick, pd. bill. Brandons, about Mother’s bonnet, Dickens & Jones pd. bill & carriage left me at Mrs Watney’s. Called after on Marion P, Mrs B & had tea there, borrowed her umbrella. Pd. Ponting’s bill & called on Mrs Silver. Had letter fr. Aunt Leigh.
Tuesday 10 February Punch dinner. Maud had dinner in drawing room with me. Pippin still seedy. Petit ami feel awfully seedy. Miss Hogarth, Mrs Joachim, Mrs Lewis & 2 girls, Mrs White & Mrs Pettie called.
Wednesday 11 February Midge came up in time for lunch. Drove to Snelgroves, round Park, home. Mrs Kemp, Mrs Chapple called, cd. not see them, too seedy. Lin played tennis, left Don at tennis court. Midge & I fetched him home in brougham. Quiet evg. Smith came with man & trained creeper.
Thursday 12 February. Special meeting of Central Argentine. Sp called, came in my room. Midge gone shop’g. Maud gone to spend day with Rica. Terrible news fr. Khartoum, Gen. Earle & Col. Eyre killed above Korti. Lovely morning. Midge & self called after lunch on Mrs Turner & had tea at Mrs Goodalls & brought Maud home. Mrs G’s brother ordered off to Egypt on Saty next only married in Dec!!! Lin went to Club after dinner. Hamilton wired 11 o/c. Mrs Burnand & Mrs Geiger called & Mrs Wood.
Friday 13 February Sp called. Hamilton had to leave directly after breakfast for Deptford about groom. Maud out shop’g with Midge.
Saturday 14 February Evening concert at Albert Hall 8 o/c. Gave tickets for A. Hall to Mr Harcourt. I drove up to Bath & took Mother to Baker St. Bazaar & drove 13
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 home after alone. Jess & Judy shop’d. Mr Huish called morg. Lin would not see him. Lin photos of Harry Payne clown & lunched with him. Quiet evg.
Sunday February 15 Wet day dull & heavy. Mother called & I went to St Mary Abbots with her, Mr Leche found us front pew, good sermon about divine calling. Jess looks v. poorly & low. Mother returned with me to lunch. Jess, Nurse, Roy & Maud went to Church afternoon. Mother left after for Bath. Sp & Ada called. Mr Kendal called. Quiet evg.
Monday 16 February Jess & self went to de Castro’s & then to Bath Hotel , stayed ½ an hour with Mother & Judy there. Went after to see Japanese Village - do not think much of it. Wet dark dull day. Hamilton arrived from Liverpool at 5.30. Played letter game.
Tuesday 17 February Rica’s afternoon party 3.30. Mrs Mocatta’s dinner party 8 o/c. Hamilton & Midge left at 2.30. Feel v. unhappy about Midge going. Put out white china in place of Hill’s china. W. Taylor, Mr Hunt & Marion Pollock called.
Wednesday 18 February Evening concert at Albert Hall 8 o/c, given to Miss Penn. Morg. Sp. called. La cuisinière va partir à la fin de sa mois. Unfortunate. Parler avec femme de chambre, va aussi partir. Pippin pretty well only Lin not able to ride. Fine morning. Walked to Art Needlework with Maud. Met Mrs Stone. Went with Laura to see midgets & double headed nightingale & Van Beers pictures. Mrs A. Peto & A. Barrs called.
Thursday 19 February Lovely morg. Large number of troops sailed for Egypt. Went out shop’g with Nurse & chicks, ordered book fr. Buckles. Met Mrs Orton. Called on
14
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Ada Sp & Mrs O. (had tea there) Mrs Tom Taylor, Mrs Eykyn, Nelly (had tea there too) & had tea again at Mrs Cowards.
Friday 20 February Cold bitter morg. Went shop’g with Roy & ordered white china dishes. Clara’s mother came. After lunch walked to call on Mrs Ellison, Judy (sat some time with her) Mrs Kemp, Mrs McClean, had tea with her. Mrs Abernethy called - went to Furzicotts. Lin rode Punch. Sp called morg. Saw a cook, too old.
Saturday 21 February Lovely but cold day. Went out shop’g with Maud. Met Mrs Joachim. La petite noire(?) va partir. Saw 2 cooks, one fr. Mrs Abernethy. Lin out to lunch. Went with Roy to call on Mr Hartree, Sterne (saw him later with Mrs McTear) Mrs Toole, Mrs Boehm, Lady Monckton. Bought Roy a book & home. Lin back to tea, played tennis. Mrs Fildes called. Proclamation about Militia(?) & Volunteers War. Lin to Mrs A. Lewis.
Sunday 22 February Wet day. Went to early service, called on Dr Harcourt coming home. Beautiful sermon about 40 days of our Lord’s Temptation in the Wilderness. No one called but Spencer who had evidently had little squabble with Ada & Mrs O. Nurse took chicks to afternoon church. War news. Gen. Buller’s retreat. Roy immensely interested.
Monday 23 February We dine at Mrs H. Furniss. Lovely morg. La petite cuisinière ne veut pas venir! Jess, Ham, Dora, Waddie, Mother come up to Vic. & go on to Waterloo, leave for Southampton by 3.15. Went with Maud to Vic. Sta. Waited about one hour & missed them. Called on Price’s to hear particulars. Dined at Furniss’s.
Tuesday 24 February
15
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Rec’d pho fr. Tab of Baby & long letter fr. Midge. Mrs McClean’s dinner party 7.30. Miss Wells dinner party. Hamilton, Midge, Waddie & Dora sail for South America. Spencer’s bachelor dinner, Lin going. X. The Langleys sail for South America. Miss Wells called, (illeg) not dine there. Went morg. by omnibus to see Mother at Bath, Ju there. Miss Wells called. Mother & Effie going to Westwood by Granville. Mrs Leche, Mr Graves, Miss G, Mrs Tuer & Miss (illeg), Mrs Abney, Laura Stone & Judy called. Ju stayed to dinner with us.
Wednesday 25 February I dine at Mrs Boehm’s alone. Lin at Punch dinner. Mrs Boehm & Georgie went after to Lady Monckton’s, sorry I was not dressed to go also. Went out morg. shop’g. Wickliff Taylor called. Letter fr. Mother.
Thursday 26 February Judy came & went out with me, saw Mrs Fildes. Saw one cook, 2 housemaids. Ordered dish & pie dish. Called after lunch with Ju on Mrs Larnack, Elmore, Barlow (in) Woodville, Pollock (in) Peto, Gilbert, Harding & Dickens (in). Mr Frere & Mr Ellis called, saw them. Quiet evg. Violets & letter fr. Tilda. Saw 2 housemaids & 3 cooks. Lin took his & my pho. Prince & Princess of Wales.
Friday 27 February Wet morg. Lin rode Punch morg. Go for character of housemaid. Miss Keith’s at home. Called on Mrs Lord, saw Mrs Hunter there, walked on to Frith’s. Sweetly pretty drawing room yellow blue & white. Mrs Hastings, Mrs Oppenheim & 2 other ladies there. Late night. V. sleepy.
Saturday 28 February Evg concert at Albert Hall 8 o/c. Chicks to tea a Mrs Leches 3 o/c. Mr Ellis’ dinner party, Lin going. Lin played tennis after lunch. Mr Tuer, Lord Sefton & another, had to go with telegram to Court fr. Mr Burnand. I took Maud to Mrs Leche’s. Roy went for drive with me, called on Aunty Leigh, Flossie, & took Roy to Japanese Village. Poured with rain. Saw 2 maids, 16
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 letter fr. cook, ansd it. Unable to drive to (illeg) after character so wrote. Dined alone. Laurence fetched Maud. Saw Scotch cook morg.
Sunday 1 March Went to early service, beautiful sermon about our failure here, not to be tempted to despair in consequence but to strive harder for great ends. Lovely day. Mr Ellis dined here 7.30. Lin v. sleepy after dinner. No one called.
Monday 2 March Mr & Mrs Huish dine here 7.30. Cook & housemaid called. Going after character of Scotch cook this afternoon, V. charming lady, Mrs McCloud. Call on Mrs White, Hirsch, Morley, Palmer, Reed & Rainbow, Small. Lin broke 2 globes of his gas. Met Mr Small & gave him card.
Tuesday 3 March 2nd Special Meeting Central Argentine. Mrs Sington, Mrs Peto & Mrs Garston called. Wet day did not go out except to Theatre, Wilson Barrett evg. Mrs Roche’s move out.
Wednesday 4 March Mr Ellis’ at home. Lovely morg. Saw resp. cook fr. Hall. Sent her on to Mrs Fildes. Major Welman called about bee book. Drove after lunch to Susie a’B, Mr Graves (had tea here & went over Chapple) Mrs Perugini, Judy. Mr Ellis at home, P. Spiers there, Sir F. Goldsmit took me in to tea. Like him, admires Lin’s work, said complimentary things about Lin’s drawing of Prince of W. as Pat & Princess. Mrs Wright drove me home. Called on Lady Blakie. Lady Laurence called. Sp. came in explained business.
Thursday 5 March Miss Elmore’s dinner party. Went out shop’g & paid books with Judy. Met Mrs Boughton. Soldier tried to get in last night at one o/c. Lin not in
17
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 till 2. Row outside with policeman for quite ½ an hour. Letter fr. Jess last evg. Charming dinner at Mrs E’s. Mr Browning took me in.
Friday 6 March Investments. X. Invite to Annabella’s to lunch 1.30. I go D.V. to Westwood until Monday. Sent cheque of £211.15.0 to Spencer for shares. Sent letter to Mr Woolcott(?) with ½ sheet of Allottment paper. Cold day.
Saturday 7 March At Westwood. Maud goes to Mrs Leche’s again. Guy goes to tea with Roy. Lin came down by last train. Sophy came down by Granville. Lovely day & bright warm sun.. Tilda & I drove to shops in Ramsgate. Mother Tilda & self walked in grounds, picked violets any amount. Mother had little sleep afternoon.
Sunday 8 March X. Petit ami venu au matin. Lovely day. Sophy & Tilda to Church. Lin for long walk. I & Tilda walked after dinner. Poor Mother very low. Lin went up by last train. Lovely quiet day. Wrote long letter to Midge. Major Welman’s letter.
Monday 9 March Fine cold day. Mother & self both breakfasted in bed. Lin dines with C. Stokes.
Tuesday 10 March Mrs Skerrow’s luncheon party. Con away. Lin dines at “Our Club”.
Wednesday 11 march Jane Nealy comes, Mrs Brewer goes. Sophy & self went to Pegwell Bay about flowers, v. poor & v. dear. Wrote to Judy to get basket of flowers fr. Hardwick’s. Con returns fr. the Parsons. Mrs P. very pretty. Con & So. went for drive. 18
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885
Thursday 12 March Mrs A. Peto’s at home 4.30 to 7. Lovely day, went into Vinery with So & Jarman. Picked violets for Mother’s grave. Letters fr. Lin , Mrs Stone, cook, Skerrow & Mrs A. Peto. Tilda painted marble(?) bases. Con went after dinner to Parsons for night. Con took Sophy for a drive with Caprice.
Friday 13 March 1st anniversary of our dearest Father’s gain & our loss. I took Sophy to Station early. My basket of flowers arrived upside down. Wreath fr. Spencer lovely. Mother Tilda & self went to our little garden & took flowers. Mother kept up well considering. Con did not come home but was out hunting. I had nightmare & slept with Tilda.
Saturday 14 March Lin came down. Con returned. Most lovely day. Mother much better looks quite herself.
Sunday 15 March Dear Mother went to Church & garden before breakfast. Tilda & I went to 11 o/c service, beautiful sermon fr. Vicar about going to communion & our dear Saviour’s miracle in the wilderness in feeding the multitude. Went in Bath chair to Petleys after dinner to see mare, don’t think much of her! Con rode his little mare. Lin & Con drove to Westgate.
Monday 16 March Lovely day. Lin & Con hunted with G.R. fox hounds good day. Dined earlier & returned home at 11 o/c evg. Laurence been seedy, better. Roy with cold. Waters met us. Left dear Mother looking v. well. Most lovely day.
Tuesday 17 March
19
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Home again. Lovely day. Went in carriage at 11 with Maud to shop at Harvey & Nichols, bought gloves & 2 birds. Like look of new housemaid, pleasant face. Called on Mrs Stone, neuralgia, could not see me. Sp called. Mrs Wright & sis, Mrs Hunter & friend, Mrs Fair & (illeg) called. Lin rode “Pip”. Roy’s cold little better.
Wednesday 18 March Lovely day. Went down & messed with cooking. Queen’s Drawing Room. Lady Monckton’s at home. Effie called, eat sweets. I went to Monckton’s with 2 Frith girls, v. pleasant party. Lin never turned up. Effie ill there. Cold night.
Thursday 19 March Flossie B called. Pd books. Lovely day. V. cold. Card fr. Tilda. Called after lunch on Effie B, Mrs Oakes, Burnand, A. Peto, Lady Laurence, Lady Anne Blunt. To P.O. about withdrawing money, too late. Lizzie cook called, Lin made me go after her. Went in & had tea at Mrs Hunter’s, awfully tired. Met Marcus Stone. Bad night.
Friday 20 March Spoke to little Clara, feel so sorry as she keeps everything so nice, but certainly is not strong. Coals in horrid mess. Called on Mrs Baines, Mrs Winslow, Donaldson & Keith, thro’ their new house next door but one to old. Tired. Roy’s cold better. Sp called.
Saturday 21 March Zoo tickets. Mr Hunter’s pictures. Went with Lin & Maud to Zoo met Mrs Furniss & 2 chicks there. Lunch at 2 o/c. Called after on Mrs Spofforth, Mrs Hunter & Mrs Stone. Had tea at two first. Saw pictures. Quiet dinner, lamps smelling. Judy called morg. Sp called morg. riding Pippin.
Sunday 22 March
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Thick snow, bitterly cold. Feel as if I had taken cold all over me. Sp called after luncheon, looks seedy. W.Taylor called. Lin walked to club & back. Cold.
Monday 23 March Mrs Boughton’s dinner 7.30. I too seedy with cold to go, remained in bed till 12 o/c. Mother & Tilda came up. Tilda called afternoon. Judy came & had tea & dinner with me. Mary Nicol called. Letter fr. Spencer with Certificate.
Tuesday 24 March New cook comes. Mrs Boehm called about Effie long talk & all to no point, sorry we ever introduced them. Effe came & dined here. Mrs Parish, Donaldson, Ledford(?) Winslow, Olive Tucker, Pigeon, A.Forbes etc called. Mrs Caldecott also. Snow still on ground. Cold bad. Pleasant evg. Effie here.
Wednesday 25 March Mrs Sambourne coming for day. Fine morg. Lin rode Punch. Parlage avec L. a cause du lit, tiresome we have not more room. My cold bad. Mrs Stone asked me to dine with her, can’t go on act of cold. Clara left, paid her. Invite to tea at Mrs Speed’s. Can’t go out on act of east wind. Sp called morg. Mother called. Mrs S. here for day, went home in brougham.
Thursday 26 March Went with Maud to P.O. & got the £49.14.11 in gold & took to Bank to send on. Maud going to sell at Bazaar with Miss Penn. Mrs Brewer called & asked me to see lady for her tomorrow. Invite to spend day at Aunt Linda’s. Dear Mother called twice, she had letter fr. Annie twice. I called & had tea at Aunt Linda’s, like her new house but think it dear. I called & saw Aunt Leigh & Florence. Maudie sold at Bazaar, Laurence fetched her.
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Friday 27 March Mrs Skerrow’s dinner at ¼ to 8 o/c. Mrs Chester’s at home 9 o/c. See lady for Mrs Brewer. Went up to see Mother morg. Very pleasant dinner at Mrs S’s, we v. late. Mr Chappell took me in. Went after to Mrs Chester’s, squash & general mixture – Cromwells, Gilberts, Mrs C. Ingram pretty. Home by 1 o/c. Came in Stone’s cab.
Saturday 28 March Maud goes to tea at Mrs Coward’s. Geoffrey & Florence Blair come to tea here, Alice also. I went up morg. by omnibus to Bath Hotel, remained & had lunch with Mother, found her well. Mother & I left Con’s things at Mr Boehm’s. Oxford & Cambridge boat race, Oxford won. Mother left me here. Alice, Mrs Watney & Mrs Stone to tea. Lin rode morg, played tennis afternoon. Mrs Stone dined here.
Sunday 29 March Went to early service, met dear Mother there, found her place & returned. Mother came after 11.30 sermon lost her book, great state of mind about it. Mother went after it & then returned & had piece of bread & butter & went off again in cab. Fine day. Lin rode Punch. Con & Effie came to tea & we walked together to Oakes’ & had tea there. Con returned with Effie.
Monday 30 March Went up by Bus to Mother at Bath & lunched there. Con came in, had regular break down with Mother. Judy came. Con Mother & self lunched together. Judy came in & stayed with Mother. Con & I drove to Mrs Boehm’s together. Mrs B tried to make out it’s Mother. Left Con at B’s & went on to Grove & shopped. Dr & Miss Harcourt coming to dinner 7 o/clock. Lin & Sp went to Theatre, home late.
Tuesday 31 March Mrs Oakes dinner. Went up by carriage with Roy to Bath Hotel & to Miss Nicol to stop her coming to lunch with Mrs Wilson. Paid books. Sent Roy 22
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 home, lunched with Mother at Bath & went with her to see poor Annie, very ill. Mrs Stone, Mrs Baines & Nelly called. Sp came in. V. pleasant dinner at O’s. Major Broadfoot & Mr Walker sat next me. Con & Effie there, they brought me home. Lin at Punch dinner.
Wednesday 1 April Divds fr. Western of Buenos Aires due £6.0.0. Sent Mother Epitome of dear Father’s will. Went out sho’g morg, lovely day. Con coming for night. Went to Mother at 3 o/c, found Edg. & Sophy there having lunch. Went & shopd at Stores & went back to Mother, sent carriage home. Had tea with Mother who looks v. seedy & tired. Judy came up, left her there. Con & Effie came too. Con came to us at 10 o/c. He & Effie been to see house, too big.
Thursday 2 April Lovely day. Con gone to see Effie. Mrs Wright’s dinner 7.30. Con going to stay another night. Received cheque £25 fr. Mr Chapple, sent it on to Bank. Went up to see Mother. Pd books on way. After lunch found Edgar there, waited until ½ p 4. Con & Effie going to Mother’s to tea. Met Mrs Stone coming home, went to Whiteleys with her & she had tea with me here after. Con & I dine alone & Con went on to B’s at 10.30.
Friday 3 April Con here. Went with Mother at 10 o/c to see Annie, better. Most lovely day. Came back to lunch, Mother cd not stay & looks seedy. After lunch Con went to see Mother & Effie. I took Maud to Church, after had tea at Mrs Orton’s. Mrs Boehm called here & remained waiting for me one hour. Effie & Con to dinner. Lin taking photos with Mr Ellis.
Saturday 4 April Mr Goodall’s pictures. Asked Aunty to go & see pictures with me. Lunch with Auntie at 1 o/c. Con left us, he & Mother return by Granville to Westwood. I lunched at Aunt Linda’s, went after to see Pettie, Holl, Riviere, Goodall, Hodgson & Calderon’s pictures. We dined earlier & 23
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 went to Savoy. Met Mary Nicol. Mr & Mrs Wilson there. V. full, had to sit on dress circle steps. V. good piece. Mr Wilson’s sister going to be bridesmaid to Effie.
Sunday 5 April X due not come. Mr Goodall’s pictures. Went to early com. service. Early lunch. Went with Lin in brougham to Millais, Princep, Fildes, Hunter, Riviere, Holl, Pettie, Calderon, Marks, Morris & Davis etc to see pictures. Mary Nicol & Mrs Wilson called. Quiet dinner, Mr Ellis here, Jane cooked it. Mr E showed us developing photos after dinner, tedious business. Lin’s cold v. bad, made him hot grog.
Monday 6 April Lunched at Mrs Wilson’s. Nice little lunch, fricassée of chicken, curried beef & anchovy toast & coffee with kummel in it. Went in brougham, came home in cab. Quiet afternoon & dinner. Lin’s cold v. bad. Made him gruel.
Tuesday 7 April Fine day. Drove with Maud to Mrs Mackenzie’s, left books there. To Boehms & saw G & Floss, & Harvey & Nicols bought black stuff & skirt £1.12.0. Pd for it. Edgar called after lunch, discussed Con’s engagement. Judy came to tea, no one else called. Quiet evg, letters fr Mother & Con, sent latter on to Edgar. Nurse seedy, went to see Parr, out. Queer no little friend.
Wednesday 8 April I dine with Mrs Stone 7 o/c. Work at Mrs MacDougal’s. Punch dinner given at Mr B’s Club. Had “Crumb” in all morg, v. seedy poor little thing. Nurse went to see Dr Parr, think she is v. nervous about herself. Cold east wind.. Mrs Fildes at Laura’s, went & returned in carriage. Worked for 2 ½ hours at Mrs MacDougal’s. Bitterly cold. Lin returned v. late fr. Punch dinner.
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Thursday 9 April Went & pd books all v. heavy. Walked, no little friend, dreadfully afraid. Go at 3 to Mrs Sambourne, Ealing. Drove to Ealing with Maud, had tea at Mrs Linley’s, Alice looks wonderfully well. Called after on Mrs Barker, felt v. grieved to see such a change. Altho’ she looks well there is a strange alteration in her. House looked charming, as usual. Great stir about Butler battle with Afgans 500 killed. Had hot bath.
Friday 10 April Stock certificate ready of new Central Argentine. Mr Hartree’s children’s party. Wet day. Still no friend, bathed in hot water, had hot bath last night. New cheque book & Pass book sent. Went & pd butcher & Hall, ordered lobster. Met Mrs McKenzie. Letter fr. Con. Judy called. Took Maud to Mr Hartree’s. Mrs Chapple & Mrs W. Penn there, charming party. Called on Judy on way home. Effie called & brought me flowers.
Saturday 11 April Lin , Maud & self went to British Museum. Lunched at Holborn Restaurant. Lin played tennis 3 till 6. I walked to Mrs Keith’s & back. Nelly at Bedford Park. Edgar & Sophy called. Terrible news of Lord Mayor’s death this morg. after only 2 days illness. Bought pot of tulips & 2 bunches lent lilies. Invite to Con’s wed’g!
Sunday 12 April Went to early service & walked over Notting Hill. Took 2 Pado pills, result! – pas. Mr Ellis called. W.Taylor to dinner.
Monday 13 April Judy coming after lunch. Parlage avec la bonne. Dull day. No lttle F – too awful. Miss Penn returns after week’s holiday. Jane’s wages given her for month, due Saty 11th. Went with Judy to Salon Parisien, Agnews & Art Gal. Met Mrs Pigeon. Bought plovers eggs 2/- for ½ doz. Had coffee at Charbonel’s. Called & saw Mother at Bath only came up today looks v. seedy. Letter fr. Spencer. Judy & I walked home. 25
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885
Tuesday 14 April Fine day. Dear Mother’s wedding day. Sad news of Mrs Griggs death. Drove up to Bath, found Mother & Con. Mother still seedy, took her bottle of champagne. Forgot to take cork, stupid of me. Mr & Mrs Allan Cole called. Lin walked to Club & back. Cold east wind, Maud seedy.
Wednesday 15 April Lady Laurence’s first singing class. Little Tom’s wed’. Working afternoon, Mrs. Boehm’s day. Lock of my drawers seen to. Roy’s cold worse. Went & worked at Mrs. McDougal’s. Judy came home & dined with me alone, we worked at pyjamas here after. Wet night, she went home in cab.
Thursday April 16 Promised to lunch with Nelly at Bedford Park. Very wet, did not go. Met Mrs. Sambourne at Courtney’s, saw some pretty dresses & cheap. Took Mrs. S. to Mrs. Carter’s & had tea there, Punch put up. Niceish house but not comfortable. So empty & deficient dusting. Drove on way home to see Mother, looks v. seedy. Received either this day or tomorrow Central Argentine £50 stock allocated for new line.
Friday 17 April Mr & Mrs. Lucy to dinner. Promised to lunch at Mrs. Hartree’s, going next Friday, wired instead. Shopped morg. Pd books. Walked afternoon & called on Mrs. Joachim (at Isle of Wight) Mrs. Cornwell, Mrs. Livesey, saw Mrs. C, Mrs. Griffin & Mrs. Church there. Long chat amusing about Mrs. Chester’s party & house! & Mrs. Huish, out. Don’t like the Lucys, he has no manners & if clever not good at conversation & very unpleasant to look at. She perpetual grin most tiring & annoying. Pippin to Tattersall’s.
Saturday 18 April
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Dear Mother’s birthday. Went morg. to Judy’s, out, & to Miss Winter dressmaker. Must be expensive on act. of situation & good rooms. Then to Mother, found her in new rooms, much better, had good night. Con came in, sent him to Boehms in brougham. I lunched with Mother. Sp & Dr Hensman called. Con & Effie came & Edgar. Lin fetched me & we walked to Tattersalls, took cab home. “Pippin” at Tattersall’s for sale. Saw man fall off bicycle coming home!. Funeral of Lord Mayor at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Sunday 19 April Went to early service. X. Petit ami à l’eglise! Dieu soit béni! Lovely day. Sp & Ada called. C. Stokes came to dinner, did tricks. Had to send for chicken, fortunate.
Monday 20 April We dine at Mrs. Herkomer’s. Lin went alone & returned same night. I drove with Lin & saw little “Pip” sold for £33 gns at Tattersall’s. Con drove with me round Pk. after I had taken Lin to Garrick. I dined alone.
Tuesday 21 April Drove to Aunt Leigh’s, out. To Bath, Mother out but returned fr. Westwood. Drove to Boehm’s saw Effie, not coming tonight. Mrs. Kemp, Spofforth & Huish called, Effie & Con also. Lovely day.
Wednesday 22 April Spencer called morg. Drove after lunch to Garrick with Lin’s dress suit, & to Madame’s, ordered new grey dress. Called on Mrs. Mocatta & Mrs. Humphreys, saw the baby. Maud dined with me. Mary called about Mrs. Cotton’s. Lin dining at Public dinner.
Thursday 23 April Promised to go to Auntie, W. Hampstead. Invite to Mrs. A. Peto’s. Drove & called on Mrs. Nordenfeld & after to Aunt Linda’s, found Mr J. Valentine there, v. amusing. Raining hard all the way. Saw Uncle. Left 27
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 after cup of tea & went to tea at Mrs. A. Peto’s. Miss Peto & fiancé there. Still wet. V. pretty house.
Friday 24 April Maud & I lunch at Mrs. Hartree, one o/c. First dressmaking class at Mrs. Nordenfeld’s 11 o/c morning. Went with Maud to lunch at Mrs. Hartree’s by rail. Carriage took us to Char X & fetched us. Miss Stacey staying at Mrs. Hartree’s. Enjoyed day there v. much & Maud v. good. Called on Mother, Judy & Spinks there. Mother looks v. seedy. Reed at Hotel also.
Saturday 25 April Little F due. X. Deux mois en retard. 2 Private Views. Went to Grosvenor Gal, met Lin there, saw heaps of friends. Left Lin & called on Mother at Bath, looks little better, & home. Dined alone. Lin went & saw horse at Tattersall’s. Mother went to theatre with Con & Effie.
Sunday 26 April Mrs. Boughon’s at home 10 o/c. Went to early service with Mother & on to Hotel. Lunched with her. C. Stokes came & was v. amusing after at St James’ Hotel. Lin fetched me & we went to Tattersalls to see Cob. Lin likes “Suffolk”. Mr Boehm & Mr Angel called. Mr Sterne, Mrs. & F. Boehm called. Lin & I dined at Mr Sterne’s, went on to Boughtons. V. pleasant evg. Laurence had locked door, rang.
Monday 27 April Asked Mr & Mrs. Fildes to dinner – not coming. Going to see horses sold. Went in cab with Lin to see horses sold. Went on to Bath. Mother just going to see Mrs. Boehm. Drove to Madame Boquet’s, to Mrs. Barnes, called at Wilson’s & home. Mrs. Macmillan, Aunt Linda & Mrs. Holl called. Conrad had tea there. I walked home. Tassel came up & is at the stables with Walters. Letter fr. Mrs. Mactear.
Tuesday 28 April
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Lovely day. Went out morning with Roy. Walked to Studwicks to order bouquet, 7/6. Met Alice Wells (illeg) & Mrs. Boughton. Waters back & forwards about new horse with vet. Lin dines at Bath Hotel with Con at bachelor dinner. I dine at Mrs. Boehm’s. Mother there also. Drove Mother back to Bath Hotel. Mrs. Wilson & Mervyn called.
Wednesday 29 April X X. Con & Effie’s wedding day. Irving banquet. Press day at Academy. Wet night & dullish morg. Splendid wedding, all went off splendidly. Mrs. Sambourne, Misses Linley, Sheehy & Carter here to tea & Mrs. B. Tomlin. Sp & Percy called. Drove up & had dinner at Mother’s Bath Hotel. Mervyn there. Very tired, cd not sleep well, overtired.
Thursday 30 April Major Wellman to dinner 7.30. Wired to put him off on act of Lin’s cold. Went out with Maud. Mother & Mervyn called. Drove after lunch to take Lin’s coat to Turkish baths. Lin’s cold fearfully bad. Called on Mrs. Parrish & then carriage left me at Mrs. Coward’s, it had to meet Lin at 6.30. Brenda, Bob & Evelyn here to tea. Pity had such a nice dinner for Major W. Spoke to Lizzie morg, cooked much better.
Friday 1 May Private view of Academy. Mr Burnand called, wd. see Lin whose cold is fearful simply to see new horse. Lin rides new cob for first time morg. Mother sent Reed with ticket for Hall 16th May. Books dreadfully heavy. Manage badly & can’t make it out. Paid books self. Dressmaking day. Judy went with Lin & S to Academy Private View, gt. crowd at Piccadilly. Punch went v. queerly coming home, trust nothing wrong. Wet afternoon. Lin fearful cold. Mother Judy & Mervyn to theatre evg. Tassel gone too. New horse went well.
Saturday 2 May Jane out evg. & afternoon. Mrs. Pollock’s at home. Invite to Sandown with Mrs. McTear & party. Humphreys Hall & Japanese Village burnt 29
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 down. Mother returned to Westwood, Tassel, horse & carriage, & Judy. Mervyn returned to Norfolk. Lin lunched with Mr Chapple & took him after to Arts Club. I left cards on Mrs. St John Adams(?) Anna & George D at Marion’s. Walked home. Lin rode new horse, did not use brougham. Dressmaking all morning. Lin went to 1st night Irving Banquet. not home till 3 o/c.
Sunday 3 May Went to early service, chatted hour at Dr Harcourt’s. Lin rode new horse morg. “Thanks offering”. Lin slept for 3 hours after lunch v. seedy with cold. Sp, Ada & Baby & Nurse, Mr & Mrs. Hensman, Mrs. & Miss McCarthy called & had tea. Laurence out. Fine afternoon.
Monday 4 May Asked Judy to go shop’g 10 o/c. Mr & Mrs. Woodville, Mr Macdonald, Mr & Mrs. Hensman, Major Welman to dinner. Mr Woodville not quite well. V. pleasant evg. Lin, Maud Roy & self to Exhibition – good seats. Saw all well, sent 2 tickets to Dr & Mrs. Orton. Fine morg, wretched afternoon. Lin, Mr & Mrs. Harold Power & self lunched together in Duval(?) room, horrid. Woodvilles v. late to dinner. Sent chicks home to lunch in carriage. Auntie called here, was going to Boehms. Georgie B. came.
Tuesday 5 May Mrs. Colin Hunter’s at home 9 o/c. Wretched wet cold morg. Went to Marshall’s & Madame’s with Maud, ordering black dress to be remade. Letters fr. Con, Judy etc. Went out morg. (wet) to Madame, ordered black silk. Gen. Kent, Nelly & Miss Tribe(?) called. V. pleasant evg. at Hunters, great crush. Mary Anderson, Blacks, Sterne, Uncle & Aunt Edwin, Sp & Ada there. Home late.
Wednesday 6 May Rainy day. V. tired, in bed to breakfast. Making body. Called after on Dr Harcourt, gave him wedding cake & 2 Bab Ballards to read. Called on Mrs. McTear, Mr Toole (v. handsome woman there) Mrs. Ledgard, Mrs 30
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Agnew, Lady Laurence (singing class going on don’t understand it one bit) plain little woman teaching. Lin rode morg, hope his cold is better. Maud bad cold. Lin came home & dressed & then went to big at home at Mr Woodall’s, met Mr Gladstone.
Thursday 7 May Chopped finger in garden. V. painful. Mrs. MacKenzie’s at home 4 to 7. Policeman not come to be photod. Lovely morg. Tidied back yard with Laurence, chopped off tip of finger, v. painful. Maud’s cold better. Nurse bad cold. Wet. Mrs. Boehm & Floss called morg. Very wet afternoon. Floss went with me at 3.30 to Mrs. Chester, Palmer, Morley, Critchett, Messel, Kahn, Skerrow & to Morel Mackenzie’s at home - slow- Mrs. McTear & B. Darley(?) there. Sent carriage home fr Boehms had 2nd tea there & girls walked home with me.
Friday 8 May Mr Hartree’s at home 4 o/c. Lunch at Annabella Baines at 1.30. To be fitted at Madame’s at 12 o/c. Saw Clarke about milk. Ordered mantle at Madame’s, to be fitted with it when last fitted with dress. Jolly little lunch at Annabella’s, sweetly pretty Mrs. Campbell there, sister to the beauty Mrs Somerset Butler, & Mrs. Innes there who asked me to call on her. Drove in cab to Hartree’s (saw dead horse!). Stayed with H’s until 7. V. jolly afternoon. Goldie, Mocatta, Leslie Ward & great crush there. Lin late to bed.
Saturday 9 May Lin & self go to Westwood by Granville D.V. Came to Westwood in carriage with Mr & Mrs. Corbett or Carbett, v. handsome woman. Got out at Westgate. Mother met us at gate. Judy saw us at Victoria, she just up fr. Westwood.
Sunday 10 May Went to 11 o/c service with Mother. God sermon by Mr Whitehead, “Be ye doers & not hearers only”. Sympathy without purpose & action 31
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 worthless. Lin walked morg. & after tea walked to Burnands & dined there, returned late. Mrs. Burnand down & going to London Tuesday or Thursday. Did not write to Midge.
Monday 11 May Lovely day. Lin took photos all morg. Donkey, bees etc. Gyp killed rat in field. Lin leaves for London tonight. Lin took photo of Mother & self in conservatory.
Tuesday 12 May Mr Ellis at home 3 to 6pm. Mother & self drove to Westgate. Saw Mr Corbett’s house, out of the way very, & Turret Court next Lady Clementine Milford’s. This was very dirty & badly furnished & no stable.
Wednesday 13 May Lin lunched out. Mother v. bad night looks seedy. After early dinner went to Abernethys (out) & looked over Northfield Lodge (dirty place) & Callis Court, too small, queer old place, nice for small family with only 2 servants. Saw nothing else worth looking at or to let.
Thursday 14 May X. Mrs. Mackenzie’s 4-7. Mother & self cooked morg. Fine but v. cold. I called on Mrs. Hammond after dinner, saw B. Hollingshead there. Saw no houses. Took basket to garden of white lilacs. Mrs. Vallis returned. More worry about A. X. Petit ami au soir.
Friday 15 May Miss Wills dinner 8 o/c. D.V. I return home by 12.10 today. Can’t go on act. little F. Breakfasted in bed. Tassel doing windows.
Satrurday 16 May Morg. concert at Albert Hall. Dr & Miss Harcourt, Gen. Kent, 2 Keiths have ticket. F.Miles at home at 114 Bond St fr. 10 till 5 o/c. Evening fête at Exhi’n. Con & Effie return fr. wedding tour, go to Mother for fortnight. 32
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 V. rough passage, cd not come. Lin coming tomorrow, playing tennis at Mr Davis’.
Sunday 17 May Fortnight’s news to tell Midge. Mother went to v. early service. Con, Effie & Lin arrived at 12.20. C. Stokes to dinner. Lin & C went for walk. Lovely afternoon but v. cold.
Monday 18 May Lin returned by Granville. Con & Effie to Ramsgate in brougham. Mother & self rested writing. Mother too seedy to come down to dinner, looks so poorly & low. Went to bed whilst we were at dinner, Mrs. V. with her. 5 new little birds in kitchen (illeg). Effie looks v. pretty tonight in little red tea gown.
Tuesday 19 May Lovely day. Effie & self went to Ramsgate in brougham, called at Watkins about house. 2 letters fr. Dickie. Mother v. poorly in bed, better after luncheon. Effie & self birds nesting, found a lot, blackbirds with young ones in. Con & Effie went in new donkey cart to St Peters, jolly little cart. Mother & self wrote letters. A little warmer. E & C bought bread for birds.
Wednesday 20 May Mother had better night & went by 12.10 to London. Wet day. Con saw her off. After lunch Con, Effie & self took wreath to St Peters garden in donkey cart. Con & self went & put it on, & one for the Baby. Con brought us over horrible road coming back, v. frightened. Jack went splendidly. Sang in evg. & played, rather late to bed 10.30. Letters fr. Lin. Stay over Whitsuntide.
Thursday 21 May Mrs. MacKenzie’s 4 to 7. Mrs. Lehmann’s at home 10 o/c. Effie went up to London alone by Granville. Mother & Effie return together at 7.25 33
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 tonight. We all dined at 8 o/c. Mother looks well. Con & self went after lunch in donkey carriage to Pegwell flats, good fun. Bought lilies. Had tea on return & went birds nesting with Con. Found a heap of new ones. Mother & Effie came down, both looked well.
Friday 22 May Wet chilly morg. Letters fr. Lin & Tab morg. Mother looks bright & well. Effie tired, breakfasted in bed.
Saturday 23 May Lin came down by Granville. Mother & I went to Margate shop’g morg. Charley Stokes came down with Lin, he is staying at Nayland Rock Hotel. Sang, played in evg. Mother looked v. tired.
Sunday 24 May Went to Church 11 o/c. with Effie & Con. Met Mrs. Whitehead, took lilacs, Con & self placed them. C. Stokes came to dinner. Lin took group photos of us all on lawn. Lin & C. Stokes went for walk to Ramsgate. Came back to supper. 2 of Mrs. Vallis’ little birds died. Thought my lovely thrush had forsaken, had neglected her nest but she has not.
Monday 25 May Lovely morning. Eff & Con walked to Margate, saw C. Stokes there. Lin & self walked about. Wet afternoon. Thrush not forsaken nest, all safe, but she (illeg) them all 10 days after. Had letter fr. Effie.
Tuesday 26 May Dullish heavy & warmer. Lin photod all morg. After lunch Effie & self drove into Ramsgate. Called on Mrs. Hammond, B. Hollingshead there again. Mrs. Whitehead, Mrs. & R. Thornton & Frisby & Parsons called. Mother v. tired. Sang & played after dinner. Letter fr. Midge & Mrs. S. Lin walked into Margate after lunch & went Zoo, poor little pig.
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Wednesday 27 May Stafford Terrace again. Came home by Granville with Lin. Mother coming later train. Lovely day, warmer. Going with Lin to first night “Olivia” Lyceum. Dine earlier in consequence. Feel awfully tired. Great many people at Lyceum, friends. Enjoyed it v. much. Drove Folkeston fr. Station to Madame’s, found my dress here, don’t like it. Mother came just as I was dressing for dinner.
Thursday 28 May Mrs. Mackenzie’s 4 to 7. Hot day, fine. Throat feels queer again. Went with Folkestone to Alexandra, saw Tabs, & then to Bath, saw Mother. Put £1 in savings bank for chicks. Ordered fish. Came in at 1.30, Mrs. S. with me, met Mrs. Lewis & Clara. Tabby came in to church awfully short of breath! Don queer, sent to stables. Called after lunch on Aunt Linda, saw Johns & Uncle E. Long chat & tea there. Someone called, forgotten who.
Friday 29 May Mrs. S. & self went afternoon in carriage to Whiteleys, bought chocolate, cake, cheese. Called on Aunt Leigh, Mrs. Tucker, had tea there, Hollands, Farquharsons & Leche. Lin & self went evg. to Strand, saw Major Willington de Boots. 2 Nicol girls joined us there. I drove them to Hotel. Saw Mrs. Nicol, had lemon squash. Lin met us, had whiskey. I came home. Aunt Leigh & Mrs. Messel called.
Saturday 30 May 5 tickets for Exhibition. Went to Whiteley’s & shopped, bought fish, ducklings etc costing (blank) & my gloves and trimming, drew cheque for £1.0.0 at Whiteleys. Met Mrs. Pettie. I took chicks to Exhibition, had tea there costing 2/8. Lin played tennis at Mr Tuer’s. We drove Folkestone morg, Punch afternoon. Meet of Coaching Club.
Sunday 31 May Last call of £40 payable tomorrow on Buenos Ayres Gt Southern Shares. Lady Monckton’s small evg party 10 o/c. Mrs. F. Cowen’s “at home” 9 35
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 o/c. Mrs. A. Lewis tennis. Went to early service, met Mrs. Coward & 5 children. Called & had chat at Dr H’s. Went after lunch with Lin to Lewis’. Mrs. Agnew, daus, son, Sir F. (illeg), Sington etc etc there. Mr Parsons, Tab & Ham to dinner. Went to Cowen’s after. V. tired.
Monday 1 June Fine morning. Lin paid last call of £40 on Buenos Ayres Extention 1890. Cook does not seem to see her plates are dirty. Meet of 4 in hand in Park. Pd books for last week. Met Mrs. Spofforth. Called after lunch on Mrs. White, Hirsch*, Harding*, Peto, Hensman, Hartree*, Mactear*, Pollen, Nordenfeldt, MacKinley, these with *’s in , rest out. Mrs. S. v. tired. Lin rode morning to see Coaching Club.
Tuesday 2 June Mrs. Santley’s “at home” 4.30 to 6.30. Aunt Leigh, Florrie, Laura S & Mrs. Pollen called. Only saw Aunt L & F. Lin & self went to Mrs. Santley’s. Gerty P married to Mr Meiggs. Saw Mrs. Lyttleton, Rosie Burnand etc. Went on to Exhibition & dined there, met Orchardsons, dined at same table. Bad dinner & v. dear. Met Agnews. W. Agnew asked Lin to go with him on dray tomorrow to Derby.
Wednesday 3 June Tab comes to spend day. Derby Day. Lin gone with W. Agnew. Also had invite to 1st Life Guards dray. Called with Tab after lunch on Mrs. Boehm, Abney, left Tab at Hotel & called on Critchetts. V. angry with Waters, doubt his ever driving well, punishes his horse for his own stupidity. Lin dined after with Agnew & party. Won 2 sweeps Melton & Paradox(?)
Thursday 4 June Mrs. Mackenzie 4-7. Mrs. Joshua’s dinner party 8 o’clock. Mrs. Critchett’s dinner 8 o’c. Tab comes for afternoon to see maids here. Mrs. Merl’s “at home” fr. 4-7 at 7 Sackville Street. Went out morg. with Roy & Don. Bad night. Met Joachim. Ordered Roy’s suits Barkers. Tab came to 36
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 lunch & spent afternoon & saw maids. Dr O. called. Sofa came fr. Mother.
Friday 5 June Mrs. Wright’s at home 4-7 o/c. Mrs. Peto’s at home. V. hot day, lovely. Lin rode Folkestone before breakfast. Sp came in. After lunch fetched Tab fr. Alexandra, went to Marshall’s & Mrs. Peto’s (measles) & then to Mrs. Wright’s. Mr Ellis, Dr Farquharson, Nicols, Webster etc. Lin met us there. Talk over Academy Election, Burne Jones. Lin & self went to Engineers Soirée at Exhibition, met McTear & Sterne, Fildes, Hunters, C. Grain etc. Mother came just at dinner, looked ill, felt v. upset about her. Saturday 6 June Asked Miss Innes to dinner 7.30 & Mr Angel, neither can come. Tiresome as had ordered nice dinner. Pouring wet day. Went in carriage morg. with Folkestone & Mrs. S. to Bath Hotel & stayed until 5 o/c with Mother. Edgar, So, Taby, Mother & self to lunch. Mother gave me flowers & pd for cab home. Lin went to Lady Granville’s reception after dinner. Mrs. Hickmann & W. Taylor called.
Sunday 7 June Floral Sunday. Lovely day. Went to early service with Roy, met Mrs. Joachim. Mr Burnand & Gerty called asking us to dine there at 8 o/c tonight. Good sermon fr. Gleeson about our mission in this life, how little we think each day, we are here to fulfil duties the Almighty had given us to work out. Lin playing tennis at Mr Hickman’s. We dine at Mr Burnand’s 8 o/c. V. pleasant dinner, home late.
Monday 8 June 3 Nicols to tea & Tilda. 2 invites for Thames Yt. Club. Mrs. Sambourne leaves for Ealing for a few days. Pouring wet all day, cd. not go out. Mrs. S. remained in & leaves tomorrow instead. Nicols came to tea.
Tuesday 9 June
37
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Edgar’s wedding day. Dull day. Started in brougham at 8.30 for Bath, Judy there, left in carriage with Mother for Carshalton, enjoyed drive. Went to Edgar’s hotel, had champagne & went to Church, queer little Church. Edgar looked v. nice. After to house. Capital lunch but funny(?) drinks(?) Had coffee after & danced. A. Pollock took me in, Shep(?) other side. Tab & Mother looked charming. After bride & bridegroom left Mother & self drove home, left Mother at Hotel. Con & Effie came here to stay. Mrs. Sambourne left. Lin dined with Sp & Ada. All came in at 10. Mervyn came whilst Con, Eff & self were at dinner & stayed till 10.30.
Wednesday 10 June Mrs. Joachim’s at home ¼ to 10 o/c. Lin dines at Hampton (illeg). Went at 11 o/c with Maud to Adcocks, Mr Burnands, Harvey, & Bath Hotel & Army & Navy Stores, bought fish. Mother looks seedy, she going with Judy, Tilda, Tab & Mervyn to Albert Hall. Gave me tickets for Exhibition tonight. Lovely day. Effie & Con in Pk. morg, home to lunch at 1. Phillips came after & the 3 went to C. Stokes. C. Hartree & Mrs. Ackers called. Con, Eff & self to Joachims, too tired to enjoy it. Sankey & Piati etc.
Thursday 11 June Mrs. Mackenzie 4-7. Mr Ayala’s dinner. Pd books morg. Sp called, new grey cob. Miss Phillips called. Eff & Eve to lunch at Tabs & Con & Eff dine at Boehms. Fine day. Mother returned to Westwood.
Friday 12 June X. Mrs. du Mauriers dinner ¼ to 8 o/c. Mr & Mrs. Thomson to tea, had gone to dress. Petit ami au matin. Met Millais, Sir R. Temple, Boughtons, Keshfields & Buckles, felt too seedy to enjoy myself. Con & Eff on river all day. Mother sent me lovely velvet dress.
Saturday 13 June Go with Tilda to Baker Street about cheveux. Promised to take Roy to Zoo, cd not. Nurse & 2 chicks went to tea at Mrs. Fildes, Val’s birthday. I drove to Keiths, saw Mrs. K, Nelly lying down. Drove round Pk home. Lin 38
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 rode morg. Effie went on river with G. & Floss. Con & Effie went to Exhibition after dinner. Invite to Sandown. Letter fr. Jess.
Sunday 14 June Lady Monckton’s small evg party 10 o/c. Lovely day. Eff to church & lunch with her people. Con, Mr B & Lin rode together morg. Con came in to lunch. Lin goes to Lewis for tennis. Tab, Ham & Tilda to tea. Mr Angel & little boy called. Lin & I dined alone, felt v. faint dining so late. Con & Eff came in at 10. Wrote long letter to Jess & Mother. Lin went to Lady M’s, v. good evg. there.
Monday 15 June Cooking lesson 12-1 o/c. Holloway Sanitorium at Virginia Water & luncheon to meet their R.H’s the Prince & Princess of Wales. Con & Eff left us for Atherstone Warwickshire. Sp called. Mother comes to town. Lin gone to Virginia Water. I drove out 3.30, called on Mrs. Power, Piries(?) Latham, Grossmith, Leng, Cole, only found Mrs. C at home. Funny little woman v. Waters did windows, look nice. Miss Tenniel called.
Tuesday 16 June Mrs. Moscheles “at home” 10 o’clock. Lin & I lunch at Mrs. Lucy’s. Mrs. Chapple’s dinner. Con & Eff go to Ada’s for a week. Mrs. Sambourne returns today fr. Ealing. Lin & self lunched at Lucy’s. Lady Waterlow, Capt Hawes, Mrs. Summers(?) Mrs. Maclaren. Went to stores, then to Chapples, v. pleasant. Mr Hirsch, Grossmith, Tabby & Judy etc called.
Wednesday 17 June Tilda coming to lunch. Little Tom’s last Wednesday. Sent £5 to Auxiliary Stores. Went with Roy to Mde B’s, Bradbury & Barkers. Ordered cream evg. dress. M cross & getting dearer. Tilda here to lunch & tea. No one called. Mrs. S & self to dinner alone.
Thursday 18 June 39
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Mrs. Mackenzie 4-7. Mrs. Skerrow’s “at home” 9.30. Mr Bowen May’s invite to lunch at Ascot. Sp & Ada going to Ascot, feel too tired to care myself about going. Mr Davis’ tennis party gentlemen. Judy called this morg. Tabby to lunch. Pd books morg. Called after lunch on Mrs. Wright, took Lin to Mr Davis, called after on Mrs. Morris, Turner, Furness, Goodall, Ogilvie, & fetched Lin. Saw the little D’s, dear little things.
Friday 19 June Went to call on Miss Tenniel. Go to Tabs, Alexandra, to lunch. Went in brougham to Tab, lunched there, drove after to Mrs. W. Agnew, Mrs. Wilson, gloves, china. Army & Navy Stores got 3 lbs gooseberries & salmon, 1lb cherries & bloaters. Ordered, 9 lbs sirloin of beef for tomorrow. Flowers fr Nicols. Left Tab at Hotel.
Saturday 20 June Mrs. Joachim’a “at home” 10 o/c. Miss Webster’s children’s Garden Party 4 o/c. Little Laddie Angel coming to stay until Monday D.V. Went to stores morg, bought 6 crayfish, chicken & cherries, & ordered ice. Took chicks to Mr Webster’s performing dogs. Miss W taken v. ill. Left Nurse Roy & Laddie, went home & Maud & self went to Dr Orton, had tea there. Lin to tennis at Mr Davis, pouring wet evg. Drove Folkeston evg, Punch morg.
Sunday 21 June Mrs. Dixon’s “at home” 4-7. Mrs. Boughton’s “at home” 10 o/clock. Chicks went to Church with Nurse. Mrs. S went to Church. Not down till 11 o/c, v. tired. Fine day. Mr Farquharson & W. Taylor called. Lin went to Lewis’ for tennis. Nurse & Maud to Church afternoon. Laddie & Roy with me, v. good. Delightful evg at Boughtons.
Monday 22 June Stores sent 2 soles. Mrs. Boehm’s dance 10 o/c. Eff & Con come up fr. Tabs. Eff called afternoon, looked tired. Did not go out all day. Lin went with Mr Burnand to Handel festival at Crystal Palace., home to dinner. V. 40
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 jolly dance at Boehm’s. Mr & Mrs. Chapple, Burnands, Sps, Tabby & Ham, home at 2 o/c. V. tired. New dress came fr Madame, cream & mauve. Wore red velvet. Little Laddie left.
Tuesday 23 June Mrs. W. Wren’s dinner party 8 o/c. Mr A. Barnum’s dinner ¼ to 8 o’clock. Tennis Court. Nurse goes home for a fortnight. Laurence going to take chicks. Callers, Nelly, Mrs. V. Cole, Laura S, Mrs. Critchett, Mr & Miss Graves. Good dinner at Wrens. Rather slow for Lin, I enjoyed it, amused with Mr Russel. Poor Nurse v. upset at leaving chicks.
Wednesday 24 June Stores sent 3 mackerel. Boiled beef, butter 2½. Royal Academy Soirée. Tilda coming for day. Not come, seedy. Promised to go to Tournament with Ham & Tabby, taking Maud & Roy. 10 to 3 to be there. Mrs. Gaston sent us ticket for Academy Soi, shall ask Tab. Mrs. Watney, Waring, Lucas, Edgar & Con called. Enjoyed tournament immensely. Lin went too. Chaperoned F. Toole to Academy, McCarthy! Met heaps of friends, v.jolly, home late.
Thursday 25 June Mrs. Mackenzie 4-7, last at home. Cold day. Mr Hartree’s dinner 8 o/c. Dull day, v. tired. Mrs. S. worries herself so about the children. Paid books morning alone. Laurence took chicks out. I met Mrs. Roberts & heard of her dreadful loss. Hampers came. Promised to dine at Mrs. Burnand’s, too tired. Hamper fr. Westwood. Called after lunch with Mrs. S. on Mrs. Ackers, Mrs. Burnand, Boehms, Abernethy, & had tea at Mrs. Hardings.
Friday 26 June Lin hard at work all day. Mrs. A. Lewis’ garden party. Went with Maud, Rica there. Mrs. A. Levy’s at home 4 to 7. Took Judy & called on Joshua & Skerrow. Mrs. P. Morris at home 9 o/c dancing, only Lin went, I too tired. Dull cold day. Mrs. S. took chicks out for walk morg. Baronets & 41
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 peers created wholesale!!!!!!! So much for change of government. Shopped morning got shoes laces, Barkers, sugar fr Barkers. Strawberries 6d, logans 3/2. Went into Mrs. Ionides gave me grapes & rose. Abbey brought me home.
Saturday 27 June Tennis Court. Maud fetched by Rica & governess at 10.30. Stayed till 8.30. Laurence fetched her. Mrs. S. Roy & self went to Zoo, lunched there, lovely & hot, foot hurt me. Lizzie up till after 11 o/c, annoyed. Lin at work all day, rode in evg. Dinner at 8.15. I put Roy to bed. Edgar & Sophy, Con & Effie called. Sorry to miss them again. Sp called in morning.
Sunday 28 June Mrs. Grossmith at home 10 o/c. Mr Hickman’s dinner 7.30 after tennis. Took Roy & Maud to early service. Called at Miss Websters, about the same. Found moth. Mr Guthrie called. Lin played tennis at Mr Hickman’s. I dined with Lin at Hickman’s, went on to Grossmiths after, v. pleasant party. Laurence took Maud to children’s service.
Monday 29 June Lady Laurence & Miss Hartree called.. Mr Davis children’s garden party 3 o/c. Mrs. Silver’s at home 5 to 7. Lin rode Sp’s white pony. Lovely day. Parlage avec (illeg illeg). Con called & stayed some time. Tab’s maid called. Wrote. Laurence takes chicks at 3 o/c in carriage. In all morg, went to Mrs. Orton’s, feel v. queer & on to Mrs. Silver’s. Dr Parr, Miss Tenniel etc there. Great pain all evg. Dr Orton came, fearful pain in night but slept a little.
Tuesday 30 June Tennis Court. Mrs. Parkinson Wright’s dinner ¼ to 8 o/c. In bed with chill till 3 o/c. Feel awfully weak & seedy. Lin to Zoo with Roy. Lunched there, Percy paying. Sp called. Dr Orton called. Mrs. Watney, Mrs. Tom Taylor, Lucy called, also Mr & Mrs. Pollen & Mr Ellis. Maud went for walk with 42
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Cook & bought strawberries 3 baskets 1/-! Lin rode evg & went to Mrs. Wright’s dinner.
Wednesday 1 July Mrs. Watney at home 10 o/c. Mr Trendell’s dinner Chinese Restaurant 6 o/c. 6.30. Dr O came, still feel the pressure. May not go out today. Roy took magnesia, stayed in. Mrs. S. wrote for me to Mrs. Holl, may not go tomorrow. Letter fr. Mother. Tilda came to tea & dinner, she is going to Germany on Saty. Went down to dinner, felt worse in consequence.
Thursday 2 July Mrs. Holl’s dinner 7.45. Invitation to Mrs. Maclaren’s boat house at Henley. Lin went early to Mrs. M’s, Henley. Dr O called. Ada sore throat. Still feel pressure & sickness when I stand. Wrote to Mrs. Pollen, Mrs. Tomlin & Mrs. Bosanquet. Lin came back only just in time to dress for Mrs. Holl’s dinner. Mrs. G. Palmer called., Chicks went for walk with Laurence. Maud had letter fr. Nurse.
Friday 3 July Lovely morning. Stayed in bed to see Dr Orton, says I must give up going out at all for some time, dreadful nuisance. Society of Arts Soirée at Exhibition, so sorry can’t go.
Saturday 4 July Lin goes to Lady A. Blunt’s until Monday. Lin did not go on act of my being ill. Went down for short time to drawing room, felt pain in consequence, feel it is spreading. Dr O. came.
Sunday 5 July Mrs. Jopling’s at home 4 to 7. Lin played tennis at Mr Lewis’ all afternoon. Felt v. ill all day, great pain in evg. Sent for Dr Orton at night felt so ill & in great pain.
Monday 6 July 43
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Do not forget to send flowers to Westwood for dearest Father. Dr Barnes & Dr O. here 5 o/c. Shall have to lie up. Tabs stayed all day so thankful to have her. Dr O. called in morg. as well, felt awfully seedy at night nearly fainted in Co. Lin carried me up.
Tuesday 7 July Anniversary of the dearest Father’s birthday. Mrs. Blackburn’s at home 5 to 8. Miss Nicol’s wedding ¼ to 3 o/c. Mrs. Gregory’s garden party at Foundling. Mrs. Lockyer’s at home 9 o’c. Nurse returns. Mrs. S. goes to Broadstairs. Invite to Mrs. Tuer’s near Reading. Judy came to stay. Tabs here. Mrs. S. left. Nurse returns. Sent wreath. Letter fr. Mother & Mrs. Bosanquet. Feel v. ill.
Wednesday 8 July X. Petit ami arrivé! Mr Burnand’s (A) at home 4 o/c. Mr Ellis “at home” 10 o/c. Mother arrived. Ju met her. Tab came directly after lunch left at 7. Mother & Ju went out for walk after dinner. Funny little duck story. Had bad night this day but certainly feel better for Nurse being back. Dr O. came.
Thursday 9 July XX Dear little Don died. Capt. & Mrs. Tomlin’s dinner ¼ to 8. Lin rode with Miss Elmore, she rode Folkestone. Mrs. Knowle’s ball. Had v. bad night felt X & tired. Sp called. Judy & Mother took walk after dinner. Lin home at 1 this morg. I never slept till 3 & woke at 5, did not sleep after. Nurse shut me up afternoon & I had little nap. Nurse slept with me on sofa. Lin slept in drawing room & Mother stayed . Lin met Lady Anne at the Knowles.
Friday 10 July Mrs. Bosanquet’s bazaar today & tomorrow, wants us to go & stay. Mrs. B. wants us to go . Lady Folkestone going to open Bazaar. Bazaar postponed until 18th. Mother returned to Westwood. Tab came & had tea with me, feel much better & slept an hour ¾. Judy went to Eton & Harrow 44
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 match. She took Mother to station in carriage, missed train. Carriage fetched Judy fr Lord’s. Lin hard at work all day, dined with Judy & both sat with me after. Had splendid night. Lin did not go out.
Saturday 11 July Promised to go to Mrs. Bosanquet’s. Had letter fr. dear Mother. Ada Sp called. Dr O. called. Mrs. Theker’s at home. Tab going. Promised to come after, did not. Judy did shop’g morg. with Roy. Lin took Roy to Lords, E & Harrow Match. Ami encore. Laid on sofa whilst bed was made. Lin went to Inventories & on to Club.
Sunday 12 July Good night. Judy goes home at one o/c for day. Lin rode with Mr Burnand at 11 o/c. Dull & cooler. Petite amie reste. Crumb came. Lay on sofa whilst bed was made. Laurence out. Baby Spencer came with Nurse & stayed some time in my room. Roy v. funny. Tabs here & Ham to dinner.
Monday 13 July Mrs. Moscheles at home 4. Dr O. came. Must not leave room for few days. Mrs. Stone called, coming to see me Wed.
Tuesday 14 July Mrs. Oakes “at home” 10 o/c. Tennis Court. Lin worked hard all day on Gladstone drawing for Mr G. Hart. Callers. Dr O. did not come. Tabs came to tea & brought strawberries. Hallam had tea with Nurse. Slept 1½ after lunch. Lin went to O’s “at home”, v. good & enjoyed it. Con & Eff & Elizabeth came up. Tab met them in brougham. Took pill again!
Wednesday 15 July Lovely day. Dr O. came, said might lie on sofa in spare room tomorrow. Con called. Tabs here to lunch. Elizabeth here, took chicks for walk. Mervyn & Mother coming up. Lin gone with Punch staff on river. Must give Lizzie notice & hate it. Elizabeth goes to meet Mother at Vic at 2 o/c. 45
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Tab & Judy go to make their rooms comfortable. Tabs Judy & Elizabeth got things ready for Mervyn & Mother at rooms. Laura Stone came to tea. Parler à la cuisinière au soir, elle essayerait d’être nonchalant! Ce jour mois.
Thursday 16 July Mrs Agnew’s dinner 8 o/c. . Maud goes to tea at Mrs. Spofforth’s. Con came in morning. News of advance at (illeg). Wonder what Conservative Government will do now! Dear Mervyn’s operation at 4 o/c today. Judy went round & saw them at Phillimore Place. Tabs there. Eff goes for drive this afternoon, can’t be v. bad. Lin drove to Burnands, out! Sent red eiderdown, 2 nightshirts, bed john, tablecloth & jar. Spencer came in evg. for few moments. Lin enjoyed Agnew’s dinner. John Bright there. Judy went home to dinner.
Friday 17 July Mrs. Kemp’s dinner party. Judy returned at 8 o/c evg. after going with school about 560 to Epping Forest. Dr O. called morg. May not go down until Tuesday next. Dr O. stood to Lin, old pauper also. Hallam came round for table & band box & cloth. Mrs. Barker called. Fine day. Moved into spare room morg. Returned to own for afternoon sleep. Lin had tea with me. So glad Ju returned in time to dine with Lin. Asked Dr O. about Mervyn, said he was going on all right. Letter fr. Effie. Nurse met her in Gds in bath chair with Gertie B.
Saturday 18 July Lin & Roy gone at 10 o/c to Zoo with Percy in cart. Maud going to Mrs. Goodall’s for day. Laurence going out this evg (brother in law). Lin dines at Mrs. Theophilus Burnand’s at 8 o/c. Letter fr. Mrs. S. Con came in after a garden party, was driving Shah in buggy, looked v. nice. Ju went to see Mother. Mervyn going on all right. Table cloth, 6 towels.
Sunday 19 July
46
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Mother came round, told me about jardinier, sorry but can’t be helped. Trust all will go well – il part demain p. bon. Ju went to 9.30 service & then to Sunday school after luncheon. Lin came & sat with me some time. Mr Milliken coming to dinner . Lin & he go to Lewis’ for tennis. Rain, cd not go, & chicks cd not go to church.
Monday 20 July Le jardinier part après quatorze ans. Dr O. came, says I must get some fresh air, to go away as soon as possible. Tiff between Con & Judy. Went in to spare room after lunch. Dr O. came & examined me. Much better but feel weak. Mrs. Stone came to tea. Ju drove to stores, called & enquired after Mrs. Barnes, Mrs. Akers, & Effie. Did not sleep afternoon or at night.
Tuesday 21 July Tennis Court. C. Hartree’s luncheon party. Ju went out morg. with chicks, v. good. Laurence went out. Jane took chicks for walk, L went out directly she came in. I told her to remain out later. Had to send for Dr O, had had night in great pain & very feverish. Says I have taken a chill, must remain in bed several days. Great bother. Lin went to club at 10 o/c in carriage. Foggy queer day. Table badly laid.
Wednesday 22 July Elizabeth gone to Westwood. Dr O. came told him about jumping pains & great pain over back & st. Shall have to be v. careful. Pd little visit fr. Arsculap(?). Ju seedy very with little F. Jane took chicks for walk & v. X to them, shall not ask her again to take them, cannot understand why she shd be more unpleasant with the children then any I have ever had unless to spite Nurse. Mother came in evg. for little while, looked tired & worried we thought. Has engaged gardener fr Lady Holland, 12 years character, been second there. Lin dining at Garrick with friend, went in brougham. Ju’s sis came.
Thursday 23 July 47
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Mrs. Flower’s “at home” 4-7. Feel better. Dr O. called morg, better, had restless night tho’. Nurse in & out all night & very seedy evg. after taking chicks for walk. They went in brougham morg. Ju to stores, v. late home. Had to get jockey suit for Lin. Con & Tabs called after tea, stayed till quarter to 7. Ju out all afternoon at Mother’s. Lin dined at home. Ju slept with me, Nurse too ill. Got excited & cd not sleep. Letter fr. Mrs. Watney. Lin hard at work.
Friday 24 July Invite to go to stay fr. today until Monday at Mrs. Mocatta’s at Datchet. Sp called. Bad night again, pain all round, wasn’t until 2 o/c slept until 7 when Nurse appeared with Arsculap(?) & tea & hot bottle. Ju awfully kind getting up in night. Mother came in at 7.30, stayed little while, felt worried & tired. V. stupid about Barker’s bill, cried! Feel so weak. Worried Lin & his busy day. Dr O. came gave me tonic, quinine. Dr O’s kind little nurse called to invite chicks to tea promising to take charge of Roy & bring him back. Ju went to Madame B’s with brown for my tea gown, took chicks to Soho Bazaar. Mervyn sent me some of his beef tea.
Saturday 25 July Tennis Court. V. hot so they say, like it. Up on sofa in room, feel better. Had bad night 3 heavy sweats in night, slept late. On 2nd visit Dr O. came, was pleased to see me on sofa, anxious I should feed up & keep quite quiet. Dear Lin & Roy & Percy O. to Zoo , took 30 photos, baby bears, guinea pigs & diving birds. Percy lunched here. Maudie was fetched by Rica at 10.30. Mother returned fr. Westwood, found all well & St Peters as she cd wish. Dear Lin had tea with me, slept for a whole hour outside bed. Felt better. Judy went to see Mr Price then to see Tabby & Mervyn. Lin went to Datchet, Mr Mocatta’s. Carriage fetched Maudie after, was home by 8. Ju & I had jolly little dinner, felt stronger & enjoyed dinner. Settled in at 10 (illeg).
Sunday 26 July 48
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Good night & slept late, no sweats & feel much better. Ju went to 8 o/c service, called & saw Mother & Mervyn. Mervyn sent me photo & letter. Lovely day. Mother sent me lovely bunch of grapes & 5 peaches. Found Tassel had kept all in order especially dear little St Peters garden. Laurence’s Sunday out. Nurse after settling me for afternoon sleep took chicks to church, Ju to Sunday school. Had sleep. Ju in 4.30 had tea together. Mother came in the evg. & sat some time. Lay on sofa little while.
Monday 27 July Dr O. called morg. Feel better, found me on sofa. Ju funny about Mervyn & Mrs. Bell all weeping. Mrs. Bell’s mother died. Had dinner on sofa. Nurse & chicks to Dr O. to tea, had jolly time there. Laura Stone came to tea. Effie called, Lin would not let me see her afraid. Ju went in carriage & paid calls fr. 3 till 4.30. Nurse came in early too. Dr O’s nurse kindly brought back children. Dear Lin had tea with us. Mr Chapple sent us our quarter’s one day this month.
Tuesday 28 July Much cooler. Maudie was fetched by Rica at 10.30. I went down to drawing room, Lin Nurse & Roy! helped me down, had my dinner there. Came up for sleep after, slept 1½ hour. Amy Binn’s marriage with Major Maude in Times. Miss Hartree, Mrs. Agnew, Mrs. Ogilvie called. Ju making her sister’s red bonnet. Ju took Roy & fetched Maud fr. Mrs. Goodall’s, her last sitting to Mr G. Carriage left Ju as she dines at her father’s. Lin dined at Inventories. Ju went saw Mervyn & Mother. M on sofa & his room being cleaned. Lin doing Lion photos. Ju went home & dined there & little maid sent me some country flowers. Must not forget this, so kind & thoughtful.
Wednesday 29 July Garden party on Parliament Hill, Mr Shaw, Lefevre. Dear Mother & Tabs came in early, has been crying about her dog Col. & Roberts. Mother looked better but was thoroughly tired out later on, she & Ju went off to 49
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Brandons etc & came in tired. Mervyn another pill. Dr O. came, says I may drive out Friday or Saty & must try to go to Westwood Tuesday. Had long sleep in afternoon, refreshed. Lin took photos of Miss Purves’ poodle dog in yard. Ju had tea with me & dear Dickie. Ju then went to friends for tea. Mr Barker & Alice called. Lin spoke to me about Jane, don’t know what to do there. I’ve made arrangements but must do as he wishes. Letters fr. Edgar & Miss Hartree. Roy went at 9 o/c with Lin to Natural Hist, brought me greengages. Effie came to tea. Mrs B & Alice called. Ju had her head champood by Nurse. Tabby came & slept.
Thursday 30 July Cold. Taby slept here. She & Ju went out early. Ju pd books. Mr Burnand came & stayed a long time morg. “Pommes de terre”. Little glass marked by curling(?) machine. Sp came early, stayed some time talking about Scotland. Ada S.J. changed her nurse! G. Roller given S.J. business, so glad. Wish he wd stick to it. Good sleep after lunch. Judy went to “at home” at Collins, wore pretty brown dress, Madame made it. Carriage fetched Ju & she went to Madame’s about my tea gown. Lin worked after dinner. I had long talk with Miss Penn, wants salary raised as usual. Our term ends 14th August & begins 11th November.
Friday 31 July Too cold to go out. Tap broken in Ju’s room, men came after lunch to see to it. Con came in morg, talked about his house near Arundel, seems pleased about it. Lent me Edgar’s letter to read. Parlage avec la tête à cause du voyage, la grande ne veut pas. Ne sais que faire. Ju took Roy & Maud out in carriage. Tabby went too, brought Baby’s clothes in Sloane St. Ju took Roy out after tea to get present for dear Maudie’s birthday. Late night. Ju finished story by James. Did not sleep afternoon. Dear Mother went to Westwood. £15 fr. Cen. Argentine Railway.
Saturday 1 August
50
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Lin, Roy & Percy went off to Zoo early. Nurse & Maud for walk. Dr O. came & thinks we must get away Monday if possible. Kind letter fr. Mrs. Ackers. Ju & self go for drive this afternoon for one hour, first day out & down for 5 weeks. Good night. Mother returns fr. Westwood today. Sent Nurse’s brooch to be done. Electric eel Roy touched, & saw enormous spider. Went for drive & felt v. shakey. Ju took her things home whilst I lay down. Mrs. Stone to tea. Ju came back only for a moment & upset about her father, feel v. sorry. Percy O here & remains to dinner. Tea gown came home, don’t like it. Poor Ju’s father v. ill. Lin & Percy went to Arts & Garrick club after dinner. I went to sleep v. early.
Sunday 2 August Lin went for ride morning with Mr Burnand. Dull day. Postman’s parade. Effie came whilst I had luncheon. Ju came to tea. Dull afternoon. Lin out all day with Burnand, Sp & Percy. Cobweb shied & knocked Folkestone over, so thankful dear Lin not hurt beyond a bruise. Ju told me all her troubles, feel so sorry for her. Felt awfully low & weepy evg. Lin came & sat with me after dinner. Jane cooked dinner v. well, warm plates!
Monday 3 August X. Frightful rumpus about yesterday’s lunch & general commotion all round. Ju came in to lunch, ordered late dinner, shall be thankful to be down again, so dull for Lin. Petit ami arrivé! Dull heavy & cold day. Mother came in late & slept here, did not know or wd have had all comfortable for her. Slept badly.
Tuesday 4 August In bed all day, feel weak. Ju came in & lunched. Lent her carriage for evg. Wrote to Vinten & Syretts for me about house. Mother won’t let Westwood, sorry but can’t be helped, so no good worrying. Nelly came & spent all afternoon assisted me immensely as usual. Mother came & slept here, looked tired & worried. Nurse took chicks for short walk.
Wednesday 5 August 51
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Darling Maud’s birthday. Dull morg. Lin out early, went to get Maud smelling bottle. I gave Maud ring lost little pearl. Mother went away early. Ju came with Laura Wyvil, lunched. Sent off £7.10. C. Argentine £15 & deposit order £25 to Bank. Hope to receive deposit note £47.10. Dr Orton came advises me to wait till Saty. At 2.30 chicks & Ju gone to Inventories. Had pint of mock turtle fr. Jones, v. nasty. Con & Effie go to Ada’s, Christchurch. Mother & Ju sleep here tonight. Ju took chicks to Inventories & Laura Wyvil & came home to tea. Nelly cd not come. Dear Lin riding evg. Maudie & I dined alone in bedroom. Roy had some chicken & custard sent up to him. Mother & Tab came in at 10 o/c.
Thursday 6 August Mervyn, Tab & maid go to Christchurch. Tab sat with me until 11 o/c. Mother left early, dull & foggy morg, bright after. Aunt Anna came & stayed an hour, looks well. Tab, Mervyn & Hallam left by 2.15 to Waterloo, have to change at Ringwood. Mother & Ju going with them to Waterloo. Mother going on to see Mr Chapple about Edie. Parlage avec la grande jusqu’ ici (illeg) bien. Blairs & Leighs in Yorkshire. Letter about houses fr. Mr Vinten. Ju came in after tea.
Friday 7 August Lovely day. Mother slept at lodgings, 7 Lower Phillimore Place, but came in to see me early & stayed some time. Lin rode before breakfast. Nurse went out morg. with chicks & paid books £3.8.3. Stores, & washing extra. Saw Lizzie about dinner, hope she will get a good place before we leave as she must stay here whilst we go to Tabs. Dear Mother came & stayed some time again about 12 o/c, brought me flowers. Aunt Anna came too & brought me basket of roses & read letters to me. Judy came in.
Saturday 8 August D.V. Lin, Mother & I go to Westwood today. Had beautiful carriage van on with 2 comfortable sofas. Lin & I went to Vic in brougham. Mother & Ju there first. Comfortable journey, found all beautiful as usual here. 52
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Mother seemed better. Judy came in morg. & promised to pay books for me next Thursday if Lin home & to have the chicks Monday morg. for a drive somewhere. Hope all will go peaceably during absence.
Sunday 9 August Lovely day. Went morg. in bath chair & Lin round Westwood Lane. After dinner Lin went to Ramsgate about houses, all (illeg) down. Hammonds away. Lin went to Westgate, saw Orchardsons & walked home late rather. I had long sleep afternoon. Mother & self tea together, little rabbits. Lin supped late. Mother worried par la vieille & consequently slept badly. So sorry as she was looking better.
Monday 10 August Westwood. Lovely morg. Mother had bad night, palpitations. Mr Vinten sent over letter fr Tilda & deposit note fr. (illeg) Bank. Chicks go with Ju somewhere. Mother v. seedy, looks tired & worried. Lin went to Ramsgate saw house he likes, chaffed all evg about same, v. funny. Mother’s second new man came, garden.
Tuesday 11 August Went morg. after having beef tea to see Lin’s Castle. Pretty house & bright, only 5 bedrooms! Felt tired. Mr & Mrs. Banks took us over. Lovely day. Lin walked home in time for dinner, almost settled about house. Went to sleep & Mother too after lunch. Looked at Views of Holland House, v. good, after dinner.
Wednesday 12 August Dear Lin went up by Granville. Marion P. & Baby called & stayed some time. Ju came in time for tea. Lin came in my room early. Letters fr. Uncle John, Mrs. S, Mrs. Boehm & Judy. Mother pretty well, only cannot make out strange pain en bas. Shall try E.
Thursday 13 August
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Ju & self went morg to Ramsgate to try & get hat. Could not get one, bought lace. Drove along marina, home for lunch, then rested in bed. Mother & self had little nap. Tea, cozy, & after drive in bath chair. Sheep in wrong paddock. E late at Mrs. Tassel’s. Mrs. V! Mother had better night, feel much better self, pain gone. Saw Mrs. Fletcher, her dog near L. Tomlin’s lost. Carriage returned for it.
Friday 14 August Lovely day. Slept late morg. F. kept me awake after 2 o’clock. Walked in garden with dear Mother. Had delicious luncheon & Judy & self came up left 2.45, reserved carriage, fee 5/-. Pleasant journey, so glad to leave Mother better. Lin very busy, had greasy cutlet & went to bed early, feels close & stuffy in London. Put deposit note & dear little tea pot in drawer safely. Ju left at once, coming early in morg.
Saturday 15 August We all go to Tabby’s D.V. Mrs. S’s birthday. Lizzie leaves, I month 3 weeks & 1 day. We left by 2.15 fr. Waterloo, Nurse, chicks & luggage in omnibus & Lin & self in brougham. Ju came in, fait l’argent avec Laurence & helped generally. Laurence goes for weeks’ holiday today. Lovely place here “Sandhills”. Train one hour late. Ham met us with wagonette. Dined alone with Mervyn in drawing room. Baby dear little pink cheeked thing, exactly like Ham. More like an Effie baby than Tabs.
Sunday 16 August Chicks delighted to be on sands all day. Mervyn & self breakfasted in bed & dined again in drawing room. Lunched downstairs. Letter fr. Lizzie about cheque not being signed. Sat out morg. Sat on sands after lunch.
Monday 17 August Ham went up to London early. Lin & Con out before breakfast. Ham returning after dinner. Mervyn & self dined in drawing room. Con, Mervyn & self rowed up river, lovely, & sailed back. M rather headache evg. Tabs & Eff paid calls afternoon. Lovely day. 54
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885
Tuesday 18 August Little Tabs birthday. Breakfast in bed. Dined downstairs, first time for 2 months. Mervyn down also. Roy paddles morg. Lin, Ham etc discussion about boat in boat house. Lin worked all afternoon. Ham, Con & Mervyn out fishing afternoon. Tab, Baby, Eff & self went into Christchurch. Baby cried all morg, came back for Nurse. Bazaar, got Roy’s purse. Letter fr. Mother. Played roulette evg. Lin & self neither lost nor won. Lovely day, feel much better.
Wednesday 19 August Darling Roy’s birthday. Lovely morg, saw squirrels. Up to breakfast for first time for 2 months. Cake with pink sugar & beetles for Roy. Grande société p. le thé au jardin. Eff & Tab out afternoon calling. I took Roy for walk before tea looking for crabs.
Thursday 20 August Con & Effie leave, go morg. Regatta. Saw yacht capsized & got up. After lunch went with Tab, Ham & Mervyn to see Regatta. Came on later to rain. After dinner Lin to sleep v. heavy.
Friday 21 August V. cold tho’ fine. Wire fr. Lizzie about Mrs. Halford. Wire fr. Burnand. Wrote letters, ans Watneys, Nicols, Uncle John, Mrs. S. & forwarded letter to her. Went over to bathing house with Tab & Hallam, too cold to bathe. Ham & Mervyn painting boat. After lunch rained. Tab & self sat in drawing room, worked. Tab took Roy to fetch Miss Drummond Hay from station. Ham, Mervyn & Dickie went fishing at 5 o/c, came in late. Played roulette, I lost. Tried tricycle. Letter fr. Midge.
Saturday 22 August Lovely day, cold rather. Felt uncomfortable pressure so stayed in bed to breakfast. Finished novel “Ishmael”, Mrs. Braddon. Ham & Mervyn painted boat. Tabs, Miss Hay, self & Lin rowed to Christchurch. Lovely 55
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 calm evg. Ham & Mervyn drove in dog cart. Wrote to Edgar & Con. Depressing letter fr. Con to Tab. Letter fr. Mother to Mervyn. Mervyn stung by wasp at dinner. Played roulette, Lin & self won. I hate playing for money. Another letter fr. Mrs. Halford about Lizzie.
Sunday 23 August Lovely day, down late, all gone to C. Church except Lin, Mervyn & self. Lin took photos. Read afternoon. Ham played evg. Lin & Ham walked after tea. Did not sleep well, dreamt of Mary Abernethy.
Monday 24 August Lovely day, down late, coldish wind. Ham’s boat launched, leaked a bit. Went to island with Tab, Miss Hay & Hallam. Tab bathed. Lunched. I went with Lin, Ham & Mer to dig sand eels, great fun. Got in fearful mess. Lin carried me. Miss Hay & Tabs went calling. Roy went in boat after with Lin, Ham, Mer & Dearham. Wrote to Aunt Anna, Ju, Mrs. Boehm. Had letter fr. Effie. Letter fr. Judy. Played roulette, won 6 pence. Lin lost, was bank.
Tuesday 25 August Lovely day, went over to island, Tab, Miss Hay, Roy, Hallam & self. Tab & Roy bathed. After lunch went sand eeling. Great fun, got a good many which we had for dinner. Caught pricking(?) fish. Letter fr. Mrs. Nicol about Lin’s going there. Mervyn, Miss H. & Tabs to Miss Ricardo’s garden party, v. slow they said. Ham, Lin & self tea alone. They all played tennis. After dinner roulette. I made ½ penny! Lin lost good bit. Ham bank.
Wednesday 26 August Lovely day. Lin worked all day. Mer & Ham went after early lunch to Bournemouth regatta in dog cart. Yacht on sand. After lunch went crabbing, & Roy, Miss H. & Tabs went sand eeling. Roy got wet, had hot bath & had tea in bed, read to him. Played roulette evg. Lin lost again,
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 will play so riskily, wish he wd. be steadier. I remained same, put in 6d, had it returned. Late to bed. Letters fr. Con & Mother.
Thursday 27 August Fine day cold rather. Down to breakfast. Read. Walked after lunch for short time to sands, quite cold. Roy gone with Dearham sand eeling alone. Chicks had tea in summer house. Doctor to see Minnie. Tabs & Miss H. to Christchurch shop’g. Lin at work all day. Played roulette, Lin lost again, I was bank. I remained same, staked 6, had it returned. Feel stiff all over. Wrote to Mother & Emma.
Friday 28 August Dull day, up late. Great commotion last night, Ju lost! Lin & Ham & 5 men turned out on the hunt, Tabs & Hallam in & out of room, did not get to sleep till past 2. Ju came back this morg looking v. ashamed of himself. I wrote letter for Tabs to Doctor Falls about Minnie. Letter fr. Aunt Anna. Lin & Ham drove to Christchurch morg. After lunch Tabs, Miss H, Mer. & Ham went to garden party at Mrs. Maberley’s & enjoyed it. Col. upset tea all over my black dress. Wonder he has not done so before. No roulette after dinner. Lin & Ham at photos. Finished reading “Goodbye Sweetheart”.
Saturday 29 August Cap. Parish came. X. Petit ami au matin. Stayed in bed until ½ past 2 o/c. Dined in drawing room. Played roulette. Lin bank & won! Lovely day & lovely evg. Letter fr. Con & Judy.
Sunday 30 August Lovely day. Chicks to Church with Nurse (Tabs). Nana had Baby, brought her to my room, dear little thing, said Baby for first time today. Lin took all our photos on veranda after lunch. Nurse & chicks to Church evg. I dined & lunched in round drawing room. Cap. P & Miss H took long walk together alone. Ham & Tabs talked to Dearham alone. Quiet evg. Lin amusing, dumb show of photographs. 57
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Monday 31 August Wet day. Lin, Ham & Mer. went up to Christchurch sailing morg. I lunched in drawing room, feel better. Fracas en bas, parlage. After tea Cap. Parish, Ham, Miss Hay & Lin went out sailing, home late for dinner. Tabs took dogs out. I dined in drawing room. Played roulette. Hamilton played high, Lin bank, won. I wish Tabs would insist on no more than 1/being put in the pool. Uncomfortable either win’g or losing so much. Mervyn gave Hallam gold brooch.
Tuesday 1 September Emma promised to come to take over house. If all well we go to Westwood. Dear Lin & chicks return home. I go D.V. Thursday. Mr & Mrs. Pollock & Baby come. Cap. Parish goes. Played roulette. I won three half pence. I went down to dinner & lunch.
Wednesday 2 September Wet dull day. Letters fr. dearest Lin, Dr Fall & Emma saying she wd go to Stafford Ter Friday morg. Encore ami. Went down to lunch. Ham, Mer, & Mr Pollock went sailing & got drenched morg. Marion P, Miss H, Tabs & self drove & made a call at Miss May’s(?) Poured with rain, mild day. Had 2 babies morg. in round drawing room. Forwarded letter on to Lin, wrote him also, to Laurence & for Tabs to Dr White, Bournemouth, about Minnie. Finished reading “The Shadow of Ashlydyat”, Mrs. Wood, most exciting.
Thursday 3 September Lovely day. Sat all day on sands. Mr P. & Ham out sailing. Tabs & Marion bathed. After lunch went & saw “Shakers” most interesting, shd. like to understand their faith. Mrs. Girling uneducated illiterate woman. Strange appearance, everlasting wreath. Roulette evg, made 2 pence. Marion won 1/7. Letters fr. Lin & note fr. Clara K. asking for character, must write. Rumpus with Tab’s domestics, must be fools to leave such a place. Glorious day. 58
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Friday 4 September I go home by 11 o/c train. Lovely day, breakfasted in bed, had v. bad night, was horribly nervous, perhaps thinking over “Shakers”. All the men gone out fishing. Tab drove me to station in brougham, got in 2nd class carriage with 3 gentlemen & one lady, think one was a (illeg) next me. Found all well here. Emma here, dear Mother & Ju called. Mother looks v. ill, feel most anxious about her. Lin v. busy as usual, feel v. tired & sleepy.
Saturday 5 September Lovely day (shower). Went thro’ linen with Emma & Laurence, packed silver & linen. Mrs. Sambourne & Judy came whilst busy, Mrs. S. remained to lunch. Judy looks very seedy. Lin out to luncheon. Wire fr. Mr Fenton. Lin played tennis with Mr Tuer all afternoon. Note fr. Judy, v. seedy. Sent note & lent livres to Judy evg. by Jane. Waters started early this morning with horses for Ramsgate. Dear Mother left for Westwood this morning. Mrs. Sambourne remained until 6 o/c, looks v. well & in good spirits. Quiet dinner.
Sunday 6 September Must write Mother, Nelly K, Aunt Anna. Stores, Manning about coffee. Richford to call Tuesday. Pack box & work. People to ask, Messrs Tenniel, Abbey, Parsons, Charley S. Wrote to Aunt Anna, Manning, Nelly, Mother & Richford. We leave tomorrow at 9 o/c for Ramsgate D.V. Mother takes chicks for day.
Monday 7 September (most of this written on wrong day, Tuesday) To Ramsgate. We all came to Townley today. Pouring wet day. Came by 10 o/c train. Waters left with horses Saty. Pleasant journey 1st C. Saloon. Found all well here, W. Vinten taking inventory. Charming house but poor china & glass. Mother sent carriage, Roy, Maud & self went to Westwood. Mother only pretty well, Roy v. tiresome. Lin came by later train. Dined quietly here. 59
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Tuesday 8 September We spent morg. settling rooms, dullish day. Dined at Mrs. Burnand’s, Mr B. away. Mr & Mrs. Hammond came in. Tassel came twice, brought figs & flowers. Gas tube done for Lin’s work. 2 brace partridges fr. Mother.
Wednesday 9 September Lovely day. Chicks to sands, Cuthbert’s birthday. Mrs. Burnand invited our chicks, Maud only going. 2 carts fr. Bligh’s sent, don’t like the idea of cart, no nerves left. 2 brace partridges fr. Spencer, only 1/- to pay. Lin went to London at 3 o/c. Mrs. L. Tomlin called. I walked to Mrs. Burnand’s bought Cuthbert boat 2/6. Maud & Roy enjoyed themselves v. much. Maud dined with me. Went to bed early.
Thursday 10 September Lovely day. Walked in to Ramsgate with Maud. Met Lin at Station. Drove in cart to Syrett’s & met Mother, came on here with Mother. Bought me gloves, peaches & tomatoes. Asked 4 Burnands to tennis. Rosie, Frank & Zita came to tea. Lin & Frank arranging tennis court. Lin rode Folkestone.
Friday 11 September Edith F & Miss Birt going to stay at Mother’s. Unpacked stores with Jane, all correct. Heard Roy & Maud read. Window broken in Roy’s room. Blind in lower lavatory to be mended. Wet. Mended dresses & finished home made black. Lin rode “Folkestone”. Waters rode “Punch”. Sat after dinner in drawing room, delightful room to sit in evg.
Saturday 12 September Asked Mr & Mrs. a’Beckett to stay – can’t come. Mr Milliken coming. Frank & Mary Burnand came over in the morning. Very wet, no carriage fr. Westwood. Drawing room cleaned. Letter fr. Susie a’Beckett. Mary Burnand stayed to lunch. Frank arranged tennis net morg. with Lin. Wire
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 fr. Mr Milliken, did not come, friend ill. Frank fetched Mary & had tea here. Mrs. Hicks called. Lin rode to Westwood, Mother only pretty well.
Sunday 13 September Went to Church with Maud, saw Mrs. Banks & mother-in-l, Mrs. Hammond & Miss Woolmer. Cart late. Fine morg, warm. Looked for spiders with Roy & Maud after lunch. Jane cooks v. nicely, sent up v. good lunch. Went to Church. Drove to Westgate after lunch & saw Sir W. Wiseman & Mr Watson. Had tea at Mrs. Orchardson’s. Her Baby arrived 6 weeks too soon last Tuesday evg. Saw her & Baby, wonderfully well. Mr Lockyer there also. Quiet little dinner. Finished “Under which Lord” by Mrs. Lin Linton, don’t care for it.
Monday 14 September Fine day. Busy morg. mending cloth. Heard children read. After lunch drove in dog cart to Westwood. Mother out. Picked up apples pears & flowers with Mrs. Vallis. Mrs. Hammond & Miss Hollinshead called & Mr & Mrs. Banks. Lin rode Folkestone. Picture fell just as Mr & Mrs. Banks came.
Tuesday 15 September Mother goes to London, Edith & Miss Birt also. Little Burnands to tea, 3, rest to tennis. Mr Orchardson to dinner 7.30. Asked Mr & Mrs. Hammond & Mr & Mrs. Banks. Mother called morg. looks very poorly. Depressing letter fr. Con, brought us apples, partridge & damsons. She goes to London tomorrow & then to Tabs, sleeping one night at Stafford Terrace. Went out shop’g. Ordered 2 partridges, 2 trout etc. Met Gerty & Mary, they walked home with me. Conny, Frank, Mr Banks & Mr Orchardson to tennis. Mr & Mrs. Bks to dinner & Mr Orchardson. Late evg rather. Fright with lower lavatory. Piano came, gave men 1/-.
Wednesday 16 September V. wet morg. Waters doing pavement. Maud & I dusted drawing room. Mr Banks called. Lin went up to London, pouring wet all day. Read & played 61
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 with chicks. To bed early. Roy dined with me. Nothing of importance happened.
Thursday 17 September Pouring wet all night, girls down v. late, after 8, overslept themselves. Taught chicks morg, were v.good. Letter fr. Mother. Maud breakfasted with me. Mother slept at Stafford Terrace last night. Lin not coming till afternoon. Wet. Walked with Roy after lunch on Pier, met Mrs. Banks & spoke about windows. Bought Roy gloves, self also, & hooks 2/2. Cart to meet Lin. Mother gone to Tabs.
Friday 18 September Lovely day. Turned out boudoir for Mr M. Wire fr. Canon Harford, coming D.V. Wed. Asked Mr & Mrs. Whitehead. Called after lunch on Mrs. Banks & Mrs. Hicks, Mrs. Woolmer, met Mrs. Whitehead. Walked by Granville, felt tired. Lin busy at work, sent off by 5 o/c. Wish I had someone staying, feel rather dull.
Saturday 19 September Asked Arthur Linley & a’Becketts, can’t come. Mr Milliken coming. Mervyn’s birthday, 21.. Of age! Pouring wet day. Went over morg. in dog cart to Westwood for 2 blankets & fruit & vegts. Paid all books after on foot. Mrs. Hicks called after lunch whilst I was doing flowers. Uninteresting person rather but kindly. Mr M. came by 4 train. Arrived in time for dinner. Looks v. poorly, hope the air will do him good here. Brace of partridges fr. Spencer, shot 16th. Lin wired to Mervyn.
Sunday 20 September Mr & Mrs. a’Beckett come. Lovely day. Letters fr Canon H & Nellie. Mr M & Lin gone to meet Mr & Mrs. a’Beckett in dog cart. Chicks & Nurse to Church, so sorry I cannot go to St. Peter’s. Very pleasant day sat in garden all afternoon. Quiet evg. Chicks twice to Church.
Monday 21 September 62
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Lovely day. I shop’d morg, met Rosie with little ones. Susie & Mr a’Beckett went for walk, came in to lunch. Lin went up to London & only returned at 8 o/clock in time for dinner. Susie & I drove to Pegwell flats & got out. Mr Milliken out all day fishing, brought in lovely cod over 5lbs & some whiting.
Tuesday 22 September Lin, Mr a’Beckett & Mr Milliken went fishing, lovely day. Susie & I called on Mrs. Burnand & Mrs. Hammond & went afterwards to Westwood got fruit & flowers. Susie & I lunched alone. Chicks spent whole day on sands. Conny, Rosy & Jack, Mr & Mrs. Hammond & Miss Hollingshead to tea & tennis. Mr & Mrs. Burnand to dinner, played roulette. I had v. jolly evg. Felt tired & rather excited having rested too long. Letters fr. Mother & Canon H.
Wednesday 23 September Asked Georgie Boehm. Mr & Mrs. a’Beckett leave us. Mr Milliken leaves us also. Canon Harford comes. Rosie & Conny Burnand called morg. to ask us to dinner tonight. Can’t go on act. of Canon. Mr & Mrs. a’Beckett left by 11.30 by L.C. & Dover Rail. Letter fr. Edgar last night saying he had got the Adjutantcy at Grantham. Chicks to Burnands, little Winnie’s birthday. Lin rode Folkestone.
Thursday 24 September Asked Mr Orchardson & Mr & Mrs. Whitehead to meet Canon Harford & Georgie B. Lovely morg. Lin busy morg. went & pd. books, met Rosie & Conny Burnand. Canon out all morg. Mrs. Banks asked us to tennis. Georgie B. coming at 5 o/c. 7 to dinner. Canon, Maud & self drove to Westwood, had tea there. Canon went to Mr Banks to see tennis. Muddle about Waters waiting, general confusion. Mr O. very entertaining as usual quite the life of the table. Lin so put out about Waters.
Friday 25 September
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Drove to Westwood with Georgie. Mother looked v. worried & poorly. Always these money troubles, if only she cd understand economy. Walked round grounds gathered violets. Cannot help thinking how different all looks at Westwood. 2 gardeners taking down dead tree on lawn. Lin rode after work. Mr & Mrs. Mclean & 2 girls called. Canon read us “Dante”. Heavy hail storm, unable to go into town to shop.
Saturday 26 September Asked Mr Frisby to dinner. Spencer to dinner. X. Petit ami au matin. Canon left at 2 o/c. Tennis. Burnands, Mr & Mrs. du Maurier, May, Sylvia & Gerald, Mr & Mrs. Banks, Mr & Mrs. Millar, all to tennis & tea. Played roulette in evg, lost. Georgie did my shopping. Pd. 4/3 for cakes etc.
Sunday 27 September Lovely day. Got up at 12 o/c. Georgie chicks & Nurse to Church. Letters fr. Mrs. C. Carr also Clara K & fr. Midge, & Madame’s bill. Frank & Ethel Burnand called. Lin rode afternoon. Charley S. & Spencer came to tea & stayed some time, C. complaining of rheumatism.
Monday 28 September Nellie Keith comes. Georgie Boehm leaves. Georgie left at one o/c. Quiet nice girl very shy. Fracas with W. about kick fr. chestnut horse on Punch’s shin (off). Dear Mother called & brought red cabbage & jam for children. Nellie came at 6.28. Laurence, Lin & W. fetched her! Lin called on Mr Wood at St Peters. “Tyburnia House” bevy of daughters & 2 elderly females with small dogs calling also, in small room. We went to bed early.
Tuesday 29 September Pouring wet day. Cleared up after 12 o/c. Stayed in bed till 12, feel seedy in my head & weak. Expecting Mr & Mrs. Hammond & Miss Hollingshead, Mr & Mrs. du Maurier to dinner. Mr Hammond & Gerty to tennis. Mrs. & Miss Woolmer called. Nelly & I drove to Westwood.
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Mother worried over accounts. Letter fr. Mr Chapple. Mother sent me grapes, wine, fruit, flowers etc. Letters fr Judy, Tilda etc etc.
Wednesday 30 September Lin gone to town by 10 o/c train. Card from C.S. Nelly & Maud gone to pay my books, fearfully heavy – so many dinners & company last week & this. Bad night, dog barking dreadfully, but came down to breakfast. Quiet afternoon in dining room. Edgar expected at Westwood. Saw performance by Maud, Punch & Judy.
Thursday 1 October Lin returned fr. town. Laurence broke 3 finger bowls, sugar bowl, & the globe of Lin’s lamp yesterday. Lin sent me diamond brooch for my birthday. Nelly paid books again, remainder. Sent 2 bonds £3 each to Mr Rigge. Heard of highway robbery with violence outside Westwood, men caught. Nelly & self drove to Westwood. Mother v. seedy & ill. Brought away apples & damsons, tomatoes, parsley.
Friday 2 October Invitation to dinner fr. Lady Rose Weigall at 8 o/c. C. Stokes coming till Monday, goes to Mother until tomorrow morning. Lin v. busy. Nelly & self went for little walk after lunch, called on Mrs. Banks sen’r & Mrs. Hicks, latter in, saw Mr Hicks, ordered 4 eggs & 2 plants. Dull day. Sent Waters to Westwood, going to have carriage tonight. Mr, Mrs & Miss Wood called, charming man tho’ plain. Edgar expected at Westwood.
Saturday 3 October Nelly & self went in to town, met Charley & Mother. I did little shop’g with Mother then she went to Margate, & Charley here to lunch. Miss Woolmer came & played tennis with Charley & Lin. Mr Frisby called. We had dinner & & played roulette. Edgar still expected.
Sunday 4 October
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Nell & self went to church in cart. Mother there. I went on to lunch at Westwood. Mother came back with me at 5 o’clock & stayed an hour. Lin & Charley went out fishing all day, came in about 4, smell fishy. Brought 6 score of fish home. Mother went to evg. church after leaving us & after dinner we wickedly played roulette till 11. Lin v. X with C. being (illeg).
Monday 5 October Dull day. Nelly, Charley & Maud went for long walk. Had to take cab, dispute, wanted 2/6. Charley left at 4 in cart for Westwood. Nelly & self played with chicks till nearly 5. Tea & talk. Roy smashed vase, did flowers. Lin worked all day on “Thumbelina”.
Tuesday 6 October Lovely morg. Lunched at Westwood. Lin went hunting for 1st time this season. Nelly & self went & sat on sands some time. Carriage fetched us & we went to Westwood. Stayed until 4 o/c as it poured with rain. Found Lin home. Ordered hat, gave cotton dress to Mrs. T as its too dingy for Nurse. Breakfasted at 8.30. Called at Mrs. Burnand’s, heard Harry is to be married next month.
Wednesday 7 October Lovely morg. Nell & self walked to Pier, sat on sands, saw M. Clark, heard band, wrote 4 letters. Mr & Mrs. Whitehead called after lunch. Chicks again to sands. Wrote 3 more letters. Mr & Mrs. Whitehead & Mrs. Thornton called. Quiet evg. & dinner. Lin hard at work all day, did not go out.
Thursday 8 October Nellie leaves us. Wet day, pouring. Nelly’s hot water bottle leaks & I’m afraid she has taken cold. Saw Nelly to Station, frosty blowy day. Lin hard at work, did not go out. Edgar called on his way to Westwood. Looked well. Anxious to settle about trustees etc. Lin & self in library & dining room, did not use drawing room at all.
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Friday 9 October Nurse’s cold v. bad. I took chicks & paid books, sat on pier. Ordered haddock & pd for it, 8d, fr. Mrs. Bank’s shop near harbour. Lin sent off block & went hunting. Wet morg, turned out fine after. Letter fr. Uncle John fr. Stirling. Edgar & Mother called. Maud & I drove in cart & called on Mrs. Whitehead & Mrs. Banks, found Mother here on return. Nurse v. ill just as we finished dinner, sent off for Mr Hicks, says its bronchial asthma. Will be better soon. Kettle going all night. Lin slept in little room, Maud with me. Woke at 3 went to Nurse found fire all right.
Saturday 10 October Pouring wet day. Lin gone to London by 10 train. Mr Hicks called to see Nurse, little better. Washed & dressed chicks, polished kettle, made blanc mange. Mother sent over apples, marrows, onions, grapes & lovely flower fern by Tassel in cart. Nurse still v. poorly in bed, had v. bad night. Chicks & self had high tea. Played roulette & went to bed.
Sunday 11 October Mr & Mrs. Furniss come until Wed. Lin, Edgar, Mr & Mrs. F came together. Mr Hicks called say’g Nurse will be all right in a few days. Fearfully rough & gusty. Feel a pain in left side & sore throat. Edgar came to dinner. Charley at Westwood. Played roulette all evg. Lin & Mr Furniss went for long walk.
Monday 12 October Cold wet day. Lin & Mr F. & Mrs. F went for walk afternoon. Mr Woods came to tea. Played roulette in evg.
Tuesday 13 October Pouring all day. Mr Furniss took chicks for walk, bought 2 paint boxes & 2 shuttlecocks. Mr F & Lin played tennis all afternoon in rain. Mr Weigall & Edgar called. Mother sent little (illeg) & fruit & jam. Mr Weigall stayed to tea, had long talk with Lin. Mr Hicks came. Nurse better, had hot bath. 67
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Played roulette evg. Lin lost 15/- does not like it. Looks seedy since Almanack dinner, must have eaten & drunk too much. Played shuttlecock with Roy & Mrs. F.
Wednesday 1 October Lecture at St Peters by Mr Woods. Lin went to town by first train. Photo’d martin, saw swallow. Lin put out, cold & damp. My throat v. uncomfortable cd not sleep well in consequence. Mr & Mrs. Furniss leaving today, taken chicks for walk. Mother & Edgar called. Mrs. Hammond & Mrs. Tomson called. Laurence out evg. Mr Hicks called.
Thursday 15 October Went out on sands with chicks, picked up quantity of shells. Lovely day quite warm. Laurence took Maud out after lunch. Mother called with Edgar. Edgar came over to dinner, said Mother was coming, cd not come at last moment. Mr Hicks called.
Friday 16 October Promised to dine at Mrs. Hammond’s at 7.30. Dined at Mrs. Hammond’s. Met Mr & Mrs. Banks, Miss Gripper & Mr Curling. Roy, Maud & self pd books morg, met Mother & went to Westwood, took Roy with me. Came home in brougham. Brougham took us & brought us back fr. Hammonds. Jane out evg. Laurence took Maud out afternoon. Nurse better, moved in to Roy’s room.
Saturday 17 October My cold uncomfortable. Mr Hicks saw me, given me medicine. Mrs. Banks called morg, took me round garden. Charlie came in after lunch, stayed to tennis & dinner. Burnands & Mr Hammond came. Fine day & afternoon.
Sunday 18 October Fine day. Lin & C going fishing. I going to lunch at Westwood. Received cheque fr. Mr Chapple. Jane out. Gerty, Cuthbert & Ethel Burnand came 68
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 to tea. Mr Weigal to tea. C. Stokes, Edgar & Sophy came. S looking wonderfully well & happy. Lin drove to Westwood & Quex Park after lunch. C.S. never turned up for fishing. Lin photod all morg.
Monday 19 October Letter fr. Mr Chapple about Mother’s extra drawing fr. estate, agree to cancel debt. Lin photod Maud for Thumbelina. Mr Hicks came, saw Nurse. Gerty Burnand & I went in cart, met Mr Weigall, saw his studio & pictures. Some pretty girls but a wretched portrait of Mrs. Kendal, shd not know it was her. Left cards on Lady Rose & went to Mother, would go in garden with us. Had tea there & Gerty dined here. Lin walked home with her at 10 o/c. My cold uncomfortable. Bitter east wind driving, that cart will be the death of me.
Tuesday 20 October Mrs. Sambourne coming. Lin out hunting on Punch. I took chicks, bought blackberries, ordered fish 3 times a week. Met Rosie & Connie Burnand. My cold v. painful on chest. Lovely day but bitter east wind. Mrs. S. came at 6 o/c. Lin worked evg. He has taken cold too, had hot whiskey at night.
Wednesday 21 October Dull morg. Saw Mr Hicks. Mrs. S. saw him too. Lin gone to London by 12 train. Mother came at 12 o/c. East wind. Walked fr. Westwood with Mrs. V & walked back am afraid she will be v. done up. Mrs. S. & self walked in to Ramsgate & called on Mrs. Woolmer. Saw funny man. Met twins, they came to tea. Quiet evg. Went to bed early.
Thursday 22 October Major Welman coming. We dine at Mrs. Whitehead’s at 7.30. Lin returned fr. London, has bad cold. Letter fr. Mother wanting us to (illeg). Had carriage. Most excellent dinner at Mrs. Whitehead’s. Maud & Mrs. S. dine together. Wired to Major W, coming Monday.
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Friday 23 October Mrs. Hicks invitation to dinner 7 o/c. Drawing room turned out. Helped polish furniture. Pouring wet day. ½ brace of partridges fr. Spencer. Mother sent me pheasant & 1 brace partridges. Very pleasant dinner at Mr Hicks. 12. Miss Levy, Mrs. Gorky(?) Martin Thomsons, Hammonds & 3 others. Beautiful dinner, wonder how its done! Had cab. Pouring night & day.
Saturday 24 October Asked Arthur Linley till Tuesday, coming. After lunch Mrs. S. chicks & self walked to sands, met Burnands, found Arthur here on arrival. Tassel with note fr. Mother. Arthur had tea & then took walk. Quiet dinner, played roulette & Arthur lost 2/-. I won 6d! Pouring hard all morg.
Sunday 25 October Lovely day. Drove with Mrs. S. to church in cart. X. Petit ami. Dear Mother’s little Lamb in church. Lin & Arthur with Crumb met us coming out. Crumb lost & came back evening. No one called. Waters never came in to wait. Laurence remained in & goes next Sunday instead. Arthur & Lin went to Burnands after dinner. Mrs. S. to sleep & I to bed. Woke several times in night, pouring rain & wind.
Monday 26 October Asked Major Welman to come. Arthur Linley leaves. Wet morg. Stayed in bed. Perte plus qu’ordinaire. Saw Mr Hicks, thinks he can cure me !!! Letter fr. Mother. Sun came out at 12. Miss Levy & niece called. Dear Mother called, brought me flowers & crumpets for chicks. Looks pretty well. Wretched day.
Tuesday 27 October Wet morg. Turned out fine. Mrs. S. walked out. Nurse & chicks out. Lin goes up to town tonight, returns D.V. Thursday morg. Quiet dinner with Mrs. S. & Maud. Mrs Banks & Mr Banks called. Chimney rolled over by high wind. V. glad to chat with Mrs. B. 70
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Wednesday 28 October Lin takes photos of armour in tower with Mr Furniss. Dull day. Mother fetched me at 4, took letter to post & to Westwood. All looking so lovely. Fire in my room & everything as beautiful as ever. Little Milly came up in evg. Mrs. Tassel’s mother ill.
Thursday 29 October Westwood. Lin dines with the Mayor of Ramsgate at 6.30. Bad day but fine morg. Waters came over. Lin’s cold still bad, been unfortunate with photos. Shd almost like to return but prospect with Mrs. S. instead of dear Mother tonight decides me to remain here as Lin will be out. V. happy with dear Mother. Worked & talked, did not drive out. Letters & serviettes fr. Con & Effie. Floss B. there.
Friday 30 October Westwood. Wet day, cleared after lunch. Mother had better night, v. bright & cheery, had little fish for breakfast. Has promised to try glycerine. Letters fr. Ju about poor Hallam’s death, v. grieved. Have not heard particulars. Mother brought me home at 3.30. Pd her coal bill first, found all well here, except the outside pavement which is a disgrace. Wonder Lin puts up with it. Mrs. Peto called. Passed her carriage with Lady C. Mitford in. Did flowers & finished little cloth. Charley came to Albion Hotel Ramsgate.
Saturday 31 October Wet morg. Pd. books. Undid store box. Walked on pier, met Mrs. S. & Roy. Boat on Goodwin Sands, Deal men on board her. Ultimately broken up, one man drowned. Charley S. to dinner, did tricks for Mrs. S’s amusement after, v. good ones. Lin & Mrs. S. fell asleep, left as usual to tête a tête & je ne l’aime pas. Lin rode F.
Sunday 1 November
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 I went to Church alone. Fâchée a cause de la voiture étant sale. Dear Mother at Church, had bad night & looked v. poorly. Had to come out during hymn. Charley S. & Lin missed each other but both turned up at Westwood after long walk. Delicious luncheon. Lin walked home, C. & self drove in cart at 4.30, had tea here. Felt awfully sorry to leave dear Mother alone. Rosie & Ethel came to tea. C & Lin walked home with them & then C. went to London. Quiet dinner early to bed. Laurence only went out at 7.30. Cart used afternoon.
Monday 2 November Fine day! Mrs. S. took chicks to sands. I met them there, saw Rosie & Cuthbert. We dine at Mrs. Burnand’s tonight. 7 o/c dinner before wedding tomorrow. Went to Hill’s about present & another shop. Saw poor woman. Decided to give sugar castor. Mother came looks v. poorly, over wrought. Mrs. Tomson called, asked about her husband! Finished Effie’s serviettes. Nurse took Maud for walk after lunch. V. jolly party at Burnands with roulette great fun. Register not arrived.
Tuesday 3 November Mr Hicks called to see Nurse. Harry Burnand’s wedding day. Dear Mother called & drove Maud & self to the Church. Mr B. gave us good places with wedding guests. Raining hard. Lin &Waters out with hounds, in to luncheon. Letter fr. Con coming down Saty. Awful headache. Frank B came after lunch to ask us to dinner again tonight, my head too bad. Rosie & (illeg) Mr Edwards called to ask us again to dinner, had tea here. I do not care for Mr E, too forward & familiar, uses strong language. Lin dined at Mr Burnand’s. Lin & Mr Hammond bank, won £2.17.6. Lin gave me £1 for chicks. Mrs. S. & I alone to dinner, went to bed early, v. tired. Lin up at one o/clock, woke me.
Wednesday 4 November Pouring wet night. Lin off to town by first train, breakfasted at ¼ to 8. Headache. Worked all morg. Mother called for me at 4. V. disappointed not to take Maud but its too wet. Mother seemed tired & overwrought, 72
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 had cocoa & tea dinner at 6.30. Played & sang in dining room & went to bed. Gruel. Dearest Mother tucked me up & I slept like a top till morg. Fire in room. Fireworks arrived 5/2.
Thursday 5 November Pouring wet day. Letter fr. Lin. Mother had bad night. Little Lamb lighted my fire at ¼ to 8, brought tea. Breakfasted ¼ past 9. Mother very poorly. Made blancmanges & chocolate (illeg). Dear Mother eat little lunch & took glycerine after, seems better. We worked & wrote until 4. Carriage came & Mother brought me back. I then fetched Mrs. Vallis fr. Station. Letter fr. Aunt Bessie & B.A.G.Southern Ext. div £4.15.0. Chicks making masks. Mother had letter fr. Ed(illeg) & poetry for Con!!!
Friday 6 November Hicks cure commenced. Lovely morg. Sent Waters to Westwood. Medicine. Went for walk with Maud. Pd for hat 16/9. Ordered shoes 9/6. & 2 lambswool combinations. Soap & jams, muffins, jam roll, rice cakes, Fireworks. Children to tea. Met Mrs. Banks, went in with her little while, Mr Banks called. Undecided about contending for East Kent. Put £1.5.0 to children’s P.O. book.
Saturday 7 November Con arrives at Ramsgate at 6.15. He & Rosie Burnand dine here. Morg. went out shop’g. Pd books with Maud. Took Crumb, met Mrs. S. & Roy on sands. Lovely day. Sat an hour listening to band, saw Mrs. Price. After lunch called on Mrs. Hicks, had tea at Mrs. Fox Tomson’s. Met Miss Woolmer. Con arrived 6.15, dressed here. V. pleasant evg. Box of sweets fr. Charley. Jack fetched Rosie, Con & R. Mother sent carriage for Con. Lin rode Folkestone. Nurse v. seedy again.
Sunday 8 November Dull cold east windy day. Mother sent brougham for me & Maud. We lunched there. Con brought us back at 6 o’clock. Maud & I pressed some flowers. Mrs. S. took Roy to Church. Jane’s Sunday out. 73
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Monday 9 November Go to meet ¼ to 11 o/c. D.V. with Mrs. Tomson. Cold day. Enjoyed meet immensely. Saw Mr & Mrs. Parsons, Hammond, etc. Lin riding. After lunch walked to Burnands. Lamb followed, saw Gerty & sat with her, Crumb so tiresome, came away sooner. Quiet evening. Lin hard at work on Almanack block. Mother & Con called, saw Mrs. Sambourne.
Tuesday 10 November We dine at Mrs. Banks 7.30. Went out morg with chicks & Crumb. Met Mr Banks & wife, lovely sea coming in. Picked up shells.Very angry about bread & buns in dust bin, wicked wastefulness. Sent cheque for 5/6 to Fleischman. Ordered new winter dress fr. Madame, returned patterns. Had Roy’s hair cut 6d. Bought little collar for Crumb 6d, stamps 6d.
Wednesday 11 November Roy bitten by Crumb, v. anxious. Took him to Mr Hicks & had it cauterised at once, & after to sands, shell hunted beyond pier. Con called during absence, lunched here & drove me without Waters to Westwood. Stayed till 6. Tassel drove me home. Lin hard at work, rode Folkestone. Parlage à cause du pain. Mrs S. read all afternoon & evg. to Lin.
Thursday 12 November Invite to dinner ar Mr Hirsch. Dear Mother & Con to dinner. Mrs. F. Tomson called. Mary & Ethel & Conny to tea. Mrs. S. reading. Went morg. with Roy shell hunting, Mrs. S. & Maud too. Met lady & little boy. Told us 2 horrors(?)
Friday 13 November Mending. Went to meet at Cheeseman’s farm near Quex Pk. with Mrs. Tomson. Lin unable to go. Mrs. S. left me at Mother’s, lunched there. Con brought me home in evg. Mrs. Hammond called.
Saturday 14 November 74
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Fineish day. Pd books morg. Very low thank goodness, able to pay few extra bills, chemist etc. Called & sat with dear little Gerty B. Saw Dr Woodman. Raining, went on to Mrs. Hammonds, lent me umbrella which Waters took back in evg. C. Stokes & Con came over to tea & left little Gyp behind them, slept in my room. Quiet evg. Nurse went for walk.
Sunday 15 November Lovely day, first fine day for an age. Going to church & take little Gyp. Mother sent carriage for me. Tok Roy & little Gyp. No one in pew. Mr Whitehead away, miserable sermon. Met C.S. going to church. Lunched at Westwood, Roy & self. Mother upsets all by it(?) & well after. Bands read! Evg. took C.S. to Station & came home. Lin went after dinner to Burnands. Mr B. not well, rest at Mrs. Hammond’s. Mrs. S. took Maud to Church.
Monday 16 November Lovely day. Took Roy & paid 4 small bills in Ramsgate. Met Miss Woolmer, she walked along with us to New Pier nearly & back. Met Mr Woolmer, told me about his being bitten 6 years ago by mad dog. Lin hunting on Folkestone. L. came in just as we finished luncheon. Mrs. S. read. Con leaves Mother early.
Tuesday 17 November Stayed in morg. Went out calling after luncheon on Mrs. Banks senr, Mrs Martin Tomson, Mrs. Fox Tomson, stayed some time with her & saw little girl. Went onto Burnands where Waters met me & said Roy was lost. Rushed home, met Waters again said he was all right, had gone to watch football. Put to bed. I had tea with Mrs. Banks. Quiet evg. Fire in bed room but not in drawing room. Crumb v. tiresome, scratching. Sent him to be fastened up.
Wednesday 18 November Had lovely day. We all went to sands gathered lovely shells, went long way beyond new pier. Met lady & little boy. Out 2 hours. Ordered tripe & 75
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 fish. Dear Mother called for me but as Lin is not going to London cannot leave, so Maud has gone instead, hope she will be good & attentive to Mother. V. cold. Think Mother looks v. poorly. Quiet evg. in library. Fire in Mrs. S’s room.
Thursday 19 November Cold bright day. Took Roy & had walk on sands. Sat & worked afternoon. Lin rode Folkestone, went over & saw Maud & Mother, v. happy together. Quiet evg. in library, fire in my bedroom lasted till morg. Slept very badly.
Friday 18 November Mrs. Hammond’s dinner 7.30. Cold dull morg. Fracas entre l’en bas & la bonne. Went & pd books alone. Met Mother & went with her & Maud to leave note at Mrs. Tomson’s. Going to have the carriage for tonight. Mrs. Banks senr. called, asked Mrs. Sambourne & self to tea tomorrow. Splendid dinner at Mrs. Hammonds. Mrs. Parsons, Mr Frisby, Mr & Lady R. W. 12 in all. Lin late had to go on first alone. Sat next to Mr Weigall, v. amusing. Stayed late, discussed after merits etc.
Saturday 21 November Charley S. to dinner. Asked Mr & Mrs. Tomson also & Mother also perhaps coming. Went out morg. ordering. Saw herrings landed fr. smack 30 at 1/-. After lunch Rosie & Cuthbert called for the children to have tea there. Lin photoing all morning. Sent cart, Roy with Waters, for Maud. Mother in but cd not come. Went & had tea with Mrs. Banks senr. Miss Daniels there. Lin riding Folkestone. Mother & Charley & Maud arriving at 7 o/c. Mr Tomson (illeg). C.S. staying at Westwood.
Sunday 22 November Dull day. Petit ami, stayed in bed to breakfast. Mother & Ch. came over 10.30. Mother went to Church with chicks & Nurse here. Ch. having photo taken. Had to send note to Mrs. Tomson’s can’t go to meet tomorrow, v. sorry. Laurence’s Sunday out. 76
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Monday 23 November Stayed in bed till 12.30. V. seedy. Letter fr. Miss Hartree. Mrs. S. went for long walk. Water warmer! Read Belinda. Very kind letter fr. Mrs. Banks, & asking me to tea tomorrow. Nurse went out & did shop’g morg. Mrs. Tomson asked me to go to meet but of course unable. Dull day, dark & heavy.
Tuesday 24 November Pouring wet day. Stayed in bed till 12.30. Read “Belinda”, Rhoda (illeg), feel v. seedy. Mother called afternoon, looks well. Brought flowers & cake for children. Letters fr. Mother, Judy & Nelly. Asked Mrs. Banks to tea as I can’t go to her. Hot water for first time!
Wednesday 25 November Dull day, raining. In bed till 12.30, feel very queer & can’t think why. Letter fr. Mother. Mother came & slept night in little room, am afraid she won’t be comfortable. Came just before dinner. Warmer. Lin & Roy went in cart to see “Fairfield”. Lin v. pleased with the house. Roy fell out of cart at Cruk(?) & Page’s, frightened him, little bruised, otherwise unhurt. Mr Hill called about buying some things for Lin at sale – we don’t want them a bit.
Thursday 26 November Mrs. Tomson’s dinner 7.30. Pouring wet day. Stayed in bed until 12, feel little better but awfully weak. Dear Mother here, had bad night. Lin worked late last evg. 3 wires fr. Burnand not doing anything for Punch this week, finishing Almanack. “Water Babies” come, with flattering letter fr. Mr Macmillan, so glad it is going to be a success D.V. Tassel called to see Mother. Lin finished Almanack. Lin had pleasant dinner at Mrs. Tomson’s. Hammonds, Parsons, Frisby, Tomsons & sister.
Friday 27 November
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Mr & Mrs. Banks dine here 7.30. Feel better. Notice of trusteeship from Mr Chapple. Mother had letters fr. Midge & Judy. Lin & Waters out hunting morg, lovely day, bright & sunny. Mother out before breakfast. Drove after lunch with Mother in her brougham to Westwood & Margate. by down. Nurse got stays & called on Mr Hicks to see me, three bells at gate. Pleasant evg. Fred’s hand poisoned. Mr Hicks called afternoon.
Saturday 28 November Ch. dining here, shall ask Rosie B also. Pouring wet day. Wretched night. Both fires smoking. Came down to breakfast, feel as weak as water. Returned “deed” to Mr Chapple. After lunch went with Mother in brougham to Mr Hicks. Drove along Marina, left note for Charley & went to Westwood, had tea there & played piano. C. came. Left at ¼ to 11. Poor little Crumb out again all night. Little Burnands here to tea. Lin took photos of them & our chicks.
Sunday 29 November Ch. coming to dinner. Pouring wet day. Mother went to early service. C. came about lunch time, lunched here, photos taken in conservatory. Mr Weigall called. C. & Lin went for walk together, came in to tea. Lin walked to station with C. & after dinner went to Mr Burnands, his birthday, & performance by chicks just finished.
Monday 30 November Pouring wet day. Mother left us at 11.30, took Mrs. S. with her. They lunched at Westwood & returned about tea time. Sorry Mother won’t stay, wretched evg. for her to go. Jane v. late to bed. Letter fr. Con, ans’d it. Mother out before breakfast. Awful noise at night in streets. Poor little Crumb’s foot bad. Cat in drawing room.
Tuesday 1 December Lovely day. Great com’tn, Lin & Mrs. Sambourne go to London, wire at last minute to say Punch dinner tomorrow, altered. Gt rabble in Ramsgate in cons’q of Election yesterday. Crumb scratched in eye by 78
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 cat. Mrs. Sambourne went off well, not so depressed. Sent up my dresses, balls, rackets, 2 tablecloths, green do, habit, hat etc. Gt commotion in Ramsgate. Roy broke flower pot, thankful he was not hurt. Dear Mother fetched me, we did shops together & then drove to St Peters, called on Mrs. Hewet, v. excited about Election & talked a good deal. Delicious fowl for tea. Sang & played. Roy went & had game with 4 of Mr Banks’ boys.
Wednesday 2 December Lovely day, one of few this wet autumn. Mother & self drove morg. to Ramsgate, called at Townley C, found gates closed as I ordered & all well. Chicks gone to Broadstairs, drove after to Margate, first time I have been this year. Mother seems pretty well. Sat & worked & talked afternoon. Great commotion about under gardener’s wife, had little girl born Wed night, Mrs. Tassel there. Mother v. busy with little clothes.
Thursday 3 December Fine morg. at Westwood. Dear Mother had bad night but looked bright & better at breakfast. We went to St Peters with flowers but finding 3 men working there left to go again on our return fr. Broadstairs, rained & unfortunately cd not place the flowers. Lin called during our absence. After lunch Mother & self took stroll, she seems very low, came in & wrote to Edgar. Lin came again on Folkestone, stayed a few moments. Mother brought me home at 6 o’clock, found Mrs. Buckmaster had called today & letter fr. Mr Hicks, Effie, & allotment of one new Extension share B.A.G.Southern, accepted it & sent £10.5.0. Lin wrote to Mr Barker, had letter fr. Mrs. S.
Friday 4 December D.V. We dine at Mrs. Orchardson’s & sleep at dear Mother’s. Mr Banks & cousin, Mrs. Banks senr. & Miss B & Mrs. Tomson called. Lin to tea, v. sorry serious accident with brougham, brewers van rushed into us. Thankful neither Lin nor Tassel were hurt. Had wretched dinner at Mrs. Orchardson’s. Mr & Mrs. Trower & Col. & Mrs. Jones there. V. slow evg, 79
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 no coffee! Slept at Westwood. Everything lovely there as usual, dear Mother looks tired.
Saturday 5 December Charlie & Mother to dinner. Slept at Westwood. Lin went over in cart about accident morg. & returned v. late. Photo of field mouse, mole. Lin remained to lunch, left directly after. Charlie turned up at 5.30 or 5. Mother & self walked about grounds. C, Mother & self drove over here to dinner. Pouring wet night. Bligh lent Mother landau until her brougham sh’d be repaired.
Sunday 6 December Went to Church, St Georges, with Maud. Nurse & Roy behind us. Mr Woolmer preached. Dear Mother here on our return. Charlie having photo taken. Mother & self drove to St Peters, v. annoyed with 2 boys. Lin C. & self lunched with Mother, had coffee after. Mother seems v. low & depressed. She brought me back at 5.30. C. & Lin walked back to develop photos. Indignation of Maud about C. Mother went home alone, cd not persuade her to stay. Charming letter fr. Lady Rose about our accident.
Monday 7 December Pd books morg. Met Mr & Miss Woolmer & Mr Weigall. Ordered china & glass to replace broken. Medicine & hair wash. Lin out hunting, Folkestone. Roy over to see boys. Lin & self went over to see them. Lovely evg. Lin & self walked to end of Pier, met Mr Weigall & shell lady. Mr Weigall came to tea. Letter from Mother. Lin & self sat in drawing room after dinner.
Tuesday 8 December Fine morg, heavy later. Letter fr. Thomsons about carriage, going over to see it Thursday. Letter fr. Mother & Edgar. No hot water at 8 o/c. Maudie seedy with stiff neck. Lin v. angry let her sleep in Nurse’s bed, row with Nurse in consequence. Mother came, called on Mrs. Banks with 80
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 me. Saw Chapple, called on Gerty B, better. Mrs. Burnand sent books & cards for chicks. Mr Hicks came to see Maud. Coming tomorrow, only slight cold & stomach. Hurt finger in window.
Wednesday 9 December Westwood. Lin went up, nearly missed his train. Lovely day, frosty. Carriage came for me at 3.20, found Mother v. seedy indeed & very low.
Thursday 10 December Amateur theatricals. Mr Thomson’s man to see brougham morg. with Mr Bligh. Don’t anticipate any trouble. Tassel saw them, & I after. Tassel had horse roughed. Little Lamb, Conny Hicks & self went to theatricals. Hard frost. Great success performance & enjoyed it immensely, but feet & legs like ice all the time.
Friday 11 December Hard frost, lovely morg. Mother’s cold still bad & she looks seedy. I went after lunch to Townley, Vinten & Twyman going thro’ inventory. Laurence going to see about breakages, done scuttles beautifully & all looking very nice. Roy rampageous as usual, Maud painting. Stayed an hour & returned to Westwood. Mr Bligh sent small brougham last evg in place of huge “shandredau”(?) Letter fr. Lin & paper about “Water Babies”, Pall Mall. Glorious evg. but v. cold.
Saturday 12 December Westwood. We all return home & hope Mother will go with us. Altered again, go Monday instead. V.v. cold. Leave this morning. C. coming today to Mother’s. Lin & self go to Mrs. Bank’s theatricals 8.30. Pd books with Roy. Went to Station about luggage. Went in, saw Mrs. Banks. Mad wire fr. Waters for saddlery. Laurence gone off about same lot! Fire in bed room. Lin cold. (illeg) about stick, found. Man had 2/6 for nothing. I left my jewels at Mother’s. Lin & self went to see theatricals at Mr Banks, v. good indeed.
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Sunday 13 December Packed box morg. Mother & Charlie came over morg. I went back with Mother whilst Con & Lin walked. V. muddy. Delicious lunch, Mother v. low & seedy. Lin & self returned in carriage & Charlie outside. He drove, & as badly as Waters, jerked along, cd not make out what was the matter with horse. Quiet evg, fire in room.
Monday 14 December Left Townley Castle. Mr Vinten & Twyman in morg. again, damages in gas etc heavy, nearly £10. Mother came with us. Found all beautiful here. Sp came in. Expences coming up £4.0.0. Broken little vase self. Laurence had bottle of wine broken & breakfast dish silver spring.
Tuesday 15 December Lovely day & warm. Lin gone with Queen’s hounds. Judy called, stayed till after one o/c. Spencer came in morg & afternoon. Lin dining out. Miss Penn came for first time after holidays. Lin met Mr Roscoe. Miss Penn came & talked with Mother & self. Mrs. Baines called. Sp sent list of investments, £30 in Buenos Ay. & Rosario 7% stock.
Wednesday 16 December Mrs. Coward asked Maud to tea. Judy called & went out with me shop’g. Saw about jacket for Mother. Mother & self sat & worked, had tea dinner. Lin at “Punch” dinner. Nellie called with Mrs. Tweedie, sent me fern. Ordered materials for mincemeat & puddings to come tomorrow fr. Stores. Jane out.
Thursday 17 December Mrs. Twiss’ at home 4 to 7. Mother went out early shop’g. New carriage in stable. Went after lunch with Mother & Lin to see it. Dear gees well & glad to see them. Mother & self went to German Reed’s, capital. Saw Mrs. Reed & little girl. Furzicotts & Mrs. Phillips called morning. Lin’s cold little better. Long letter fr. Mrs. S. Mrs. Evans called.
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Friday 18 December Lin very busy. Went out morg. shop’g. Aunt Linda & Ethel to tea. Horrible hurry scurry all day. Lin v. late with work, after 9 with dinner.
Saturday 19 December Mrs. Lehmann’s at home 3 to 7. Mistake about carriage as usual, think Lin cannot have sufficiently explained. Drove for first time in new brougham to makers, pd first installment. Left Lin at Pictorial World. Lin went to “Faust”, grand first night. Judy came to tea. Mother too seedy for dinner, sat upstairs, no coffee. Maud to Mrs. Coward’s. Bob here.
Sunday 20 December Mrs. Lehmann’s at home, 3 – 7 o/c. In bed till 12. Lin rode Folkestone to Wimbledon. No one called. Dear Mother v. seedy & low. Judy came to tea. Laurence out.
Monday 21 December Musical party at Mocatta’s 9.30. In bed till 12. Nurse took Mother’s boxes in cab to Vic Sta. I drove in brougham with Mother. Very low, wish she wd stay. Conny & Mary Burnand called. Close warm evg.
Tuesday 22 December Went in brougham at 12 to see if Judy or Nelly could go with me to Stores at 9.30 tomorrow morg. Wire fr. Tabby asking us all there for Xmas. Wire fr. Mother. Letter fr Edgar. Mrs. Frith, Mrs. Spofforth & Mrs. Stone called.
Wednesday 23 December Wretched dull day. Went to Stores in brougham with C. Price. Ordered Edgar’s ivory etc. (illeg). Con called at luncheon time, looks v. well. Spencer called whilst I was out. Dressed tree evg. for chicks tomorrow.
Thursday 24 December
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Sp & Ada. Con & Effie. Invite for chicks to Mrs. a’Beckett. Came to Elmley. Mrs. B. v. angry. Con called. Lin wrote Mr Boehm.
Friday 25 December We dine with Mrs. Boehm. Tabs Ham & self to Church. Lin & Ham took long walk after lunch. Tabs & self had baby down, sat over fire & talked. My letter arrived for Tab which she ought to have had Wed, 1½ stamp on!
Saturday 26 December Tabs & self drove at 3, pd one call. Lin & Ham out hunting. Lin returned almost at once finding horse too much for him. Mr Green (Master) had fall. Ham home before tea.
Sunday 27 December Tabs & self to Church. After went in to Vicarage. Mrs. Rhodes seedy with cold. Lin & Ham went for long walk. Tabs & self had baby down after lunch whilst Nurse went to Church. Letter fr. Mrs. S.
Monday 28 December Ham & Lin going shooting. Lovely morg. 2 pin cushions with bobbles(?) arrived for Tabs fr. Miss Clarke. Drove after luncheon, pouring with rain.
Tuesday 29 December Lin & Ham out shooting. Very cold. Tabs & self went to tea at Mrs. Rhodes.
Wednesday 30 December Lin & Ham out shooting. 3 Miss Bagnalls came at 12 to help with tree, stayed tea. Tabs & Ham dined at Mr Green’s. I had tea alone here & wrote letters. Lin went up by 1.30 train.
Thursday 31 December
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MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1885 Very cold morg. Xmas tree to village children. Mr Barry arrives at 2.
3
Miss Bagnalls, Mr & Mrs. Rhodes & son & Mr Barry to dinner. Most amusing seeing children’s delight. Great success.
Memoranda. Notes for1st to 12 January 1886, later copied into 1886 diary.
Lin. Reading candle. Plush for table. Mat for feet working. Chicks. Paint box Mother. Dressing jacket Mrs. Sambourne. Prayer book, night gown case. Emma. Money. Nurse. Dress or tie or velvet to trim dress. Laurence. Dress. Jane. Money or print or cap & apron. Waters. Tie.
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