MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
Lists on front pages of diary List taken August 1911 of Best china dinner service & contents of tin boxes Best dinner Service 13 dishes (2 well) 2 Fish strainers Soup tureens & one cover 1 Salad bowl 14 Vegetable dishes & covers 3 Small tureens 1 Cheese dish 17 soup plates 53 large plates 21 small plates Permanent Store ticket 98125 List of boxes tin No 8 Box. John Bull’s coat No 9. Hoods & smocks No 10. Two Austrian uniforms No 14. Shawls, properties & Britannia clothes Box D. Boots No 12. Roy’s F. Roy’s 13. Roy’s List taken August 1911 of best china, dinner service & contents of tin boxes. Tin boxes in Bathroom 18th August 1911, with Marie. No 12. Roy’s theatre programmes No 13. Roy’s letters only Box A empty (Boxes B, C, D, E, F, H, J, all empty) Outside bathroom No 15. Blue blanket travelling rug, key No 16. Empty, no key Outside small bedroom No 4 Shooting & ordinary clothes 1 Best clothes 1
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
2 best clothes 5 Shooting & ordinary 6 an air cushion, 3 flags & a number of classic silk robes These packed by Toula & self some months ago Loft top landing Nos 8. Empty (9, 7, 10, 11, 14, all empty) Noticed in French women Beautiful hands. Many rings, marquisite. Shoe grey, brown, white or tan for walking. Feathers & flowers & smart large ribbon bows or velour in hats. Generally moderate sized hats. No needlework out of doors Sundays, but always other days. Poor women never idle as ours are. Much taller men & women. Increasing outdoor sports, tennis & golf & bowls. Very fat women. They take tea & toast. Less polite than they were years ago, especially if they speak English. Lovely work & embroidery. Children dressed badly, boys ridiculous. Gardens, new flowers. Trees 40 years old remained. Bottling of water. The beautifully fitting necks to women’s dresses. Nurse management of children. Irish story, Mrs Denny. Official to man with pipe in his mouth in railway, “No smoking allowed”. Man, “I’m not smoking”. Official, “You’ve got your pipe in your mouth”. Man, “I’ve got my feet in my boots but I’m not walking”. Oliver: I was so excited Mother I was sick & Anne was naughty in her drawers!
Sunday 1 January Balcombe. Very sorry too wet to go to Church, pouring, cold & raw. Darling Mrs Gibson & Lennie to Church near Nymans. Fitzroy & Mr Marriott & chicks to Balcombe Church. Chicks looking bonnie, much grown. Dear Roy arrived after lunch, had whole chapter of accidents coming & drove in fly fr. Three Bridges. Little Linley down to dinner. Roulette after dinner. Sorry to see it on Sunday, & little Linley to be present. Gave my 1/- earned to Fitzroy who promptly made it 4/- by betting.
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Monday 2 January Vy cold morg. Dear Roy left early for Mr R. Doherty’s funeral. Hohlers left early. Fitzroy & Mrs Gibson by 4.30 train. Maud with chicks to party. Lennie fished! Bitterly cold. Hard frost. Only Mr Marriott & self remain. Lennie goes up tomorrow for 3 nights. Tuesday 3 January Lovely morg. Little snow. V. cold. Chicks vy happy making snowman on lawn. I called to enquire Mr Outram, little better. Maudie in bed till luncheon, looks v. seedy & tired. Mr Marriott left. Maud with chicks to Mrs Lester Reed’s party. Cozy evg. alone with Maudie, worked after. Sent off postal order 8/- for nightdresses. Bed 10.45. Wednesday 4 January My dearest’s birthday. Vy wet & damp, raw. Wrote & worked morg. Maudie’s sewing class girls made wonderful progress. Maud, Linley & self to Miss Hodgkins old peoples tea Village Hall. Gramophone excellent tea mince pies Xmas cake etc fr. A.N. Stores. Maud better but looks v. pale & pulled down by cold. Mr Secretan to tea full of G.F.S. for Maud to do work in! Little Linley dined with us & charades after. Bed early. Maud washed her head!!! V. unwise. Thursday 5 January Mrs Breitmeyer’s dance. Mr Marriott & Mr Forrester came to stay & went to it. Lennie in London. Walked morg. Maudie’s cold still v. heavy. Wrote to Mr Smith about fire insurance, & to Roy. Great expense & bother about insurance. Friday 6 January Dull & rain. With Maud in Car to Nymans. Great preparations for dance tonight. Marquee. Fetched Gladys Crozier & her luggage fr. Mrs Breitmeyer’s. Maud remained helping at Nymans only returning at 4.30. Lennnie comes down by 4.30 train. Mr Marriott, Mr Forrester, Gladys, Lennie & little Linley to Mrs Messel’s dance, & Mr & Mrs Hayworth Booth who dined here. Darling & self alone evg & to bed 11.30, vy late. Tabbie’s dance, Roy goes to Leweston for it. Saturday 7 January Glorious morg. Slept v. well all night woke 8 o’c in spite of going late to bed. Mr Smith wants a cheque of £4.10.0 for insurance! Walked along new road, enquired after Mr Outram, better. After lunch walked with Maudie, Gladys & Mr Forrester & Mr Marriott to Heyworth Booths. Back to tea. Delightful walk & glorious weather. My darling fell & hurt 3
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
her upper lip. Made her look ill & had to go to bed. Doctor came & put plaster across it. V. anxious about her, such a shock. Sunday 8 January Dull wretched day. Up early & at 10 o’c in Motor with Lennie & Linley to Haywards Heath, good muster of Lennie’s Territorial 30 boy brigade & Scouts. V. good sermon & church crowded. Darling looks v. pulled down & slept badly. Kept in bed all day. Nurse F. read to her. Gladys & Mr F & Lennie for walk. Mr M. & children. Cap. & Mrs Lester Reid (Irish Guards) & Mr Reid to dinner, charming people all 3. Mr & Mrs Heyworth B. to tea. Pleasant evg. v. late, & darling awake. Monday 9 January No letter fr. Roy. Wrote to Mr Smith yesterday, sent cheque of £4.10.0, fire insurance. Showed Lennie letter. Dull morg, much warmer. Mr Marriott & self to lunch at Mrs Keating. Elle parle trop ce qui fatigue beauc. Vy clever woman of many parts. Limoges enamels, paintings, water colours & gold & silver work. Fair lunch. Lovely drive back but lost our way & found we had made a complete circle! Darling better but afraid worries lip muchly. Lennie to drill. Anne, Linley with Fraulein & Mr M. Mr Forrester & Gladys to Mrs Horn’s dance! 8 o’c. We 3 dined at 7. I sat with Lennie during his dinner at 9. Tuesday 10 January Darling’s lip much swollen & the sores on it outside looking angry. I wish she would leave it alone & not keep trying fresh things. Lennie & Mr Marriott left early, Mr Forrester by 1 train. Walked morg. new road enquired for Mr Outram, better. Glorious day. Walked with Gladys & Anne to Mill after lunch. Nurse F. read to Maud, seems better. Gladys & self dined alone. Roy left yesterday for Switzerland. No letter from him. Wednesday 11 January Cold, dull, strong wind. Income tax papers all wrong, they give as much trouble as possible. Darling looks v. thin & seedy. Lip about same, & she was v. flushed evg. Busy with preparations for her girls class in bed. Walked after calling on Lady Frederick with Gladys part way home, then sat with Darling after tea until dinner & fr. after dinner until bed time. Nurse F. read George Meredith’s Evan Harrington. Chicks to tea at Mrs H. Booths with Fraulein. Thursday 12 January Fine. Maudie about same, still in bed, place healing v. slowly. Gladys & self lunched at Mrs C. Worsley’s, was v. amusing. Face ache. Called on 4
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our way back on Mrs Sargeson & to enquire Mrs (illeg). Fitzroy came & dined with us. Friday 13 January Lovely day. V. cold. My face swollen fr. cold in tooth fr. open window motor. Darling breakfasted in my bed. Walked with Gladys to Mill. V. cold. Little Linley dined evg. with us. The Heyworth Booths chicks here, little Oliver’s birthday. Charades in Maud’s room. Darling v. tired after. My face painful. Saturday 14 January Darling breakfasted in my room. Lovely day. Walked morg with Fitz & Linley. Lennie arrived 2.15. Little L. used his gun! Maudie better, in her room on sofa. Nurse F. read “Evan Harrington”. Gladys to Talbots for tea. Hayworth Booths to dinner, my face a sight! Sunday 15 January Lovely day, cold. Mr & Mrs Messel & Muriel to luncheon. Maudie looks very seedy & her lip more swollen. She saw Dr King & has more confidence in him. Letter fr. Mr Smith with more documents. Monday 16 January Lennie to London. Fitzroy left by 4.20 train. More documents fr. Mr Smith! Also communication fr. Chestertons about offer for stables. Telephoned Marie. Emma’s brother died suddenly. Have decided to remain with darling few days longer. Gladys remaining until tomorrow. Tuesday 17 January Gladys left by 10 train. Darling slept with me, both good night, but neuralgia still in face. Dr King came to see Maud, better. Vy raw & cold. Letter fr. dear Roy fr. San Moritz. Little Linley to Paperchase. Wire fr. Chesterton about offer for stables, wired accept conditionally. Wednesday 18 January D.V. I go to Edgar, 4 train fr. Kings X. Unable to go. Remained at Balcombe on ac’t of darling Maud. Maud slept with me, vy good night. X. Wrote to Chesterton about offer for stables. Chicks to Meet & little Linley followed hounds short distance. X. Red Cross meeting here, 2 Miss Loders & Miss Oxley came, several others, Dr Matthew examiner. Tea after morg. Room. Younger Miss Loder godmother to Eve’s new Baby. I dined in Maud’s room.
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Thursday 19 January Chicks to Balcombe Place for tea. Postcard fr. dear Roy. Up 2 night. Maudie slept with me. Looks worlds better all marks gone, scab gone. She dressed & came down to dinner. Lennie came for night. Walked with chicks & Fraulein to Mill after luncheon. Chicks to Lady Denman with Nurse F. to tea. Mrs Child to tea in Maud’s room to see work. I sent off my dearest’s photo to Mrs Hargreaves for miniature. Wrote Marie. Maudie better. Little Linley slight cold. Friday 20 January Letter fr. Emma, important, & Chesterton about Stable key. Very damp, raw & foggy. Wrote to Emma, Chesterton, & Mr Smith about letting the Stable etc, also to Roy. Little Linley in bed all day bad cold. The 2 Denman babies to tea here. Maudie better & down to luncheon & dinner. Miss Hodgkins to tea, delighted with needlework, & Lady Denman also. Maudie slept with me. Lennie away tonight. Saturday 21 January Little Linley with bad cold, throaty. Sad news of death of Cap. Sargeson which occurred yesterday after a weeks illness. Darling slept in my room, seems better. Took Oliver for walk new way to Mill, got a root of primrose in bloom, delightful companion. Walked round K. garden with darling Maud & chicks on return. After lunch with Maud to enquire in Motor after Mrs Sargeson, ill, terrible calamity. Lennie arr. 2.30 & fished. Mr & Mrs Freeman Murray dined here, excitable lady, but both interesting. Another letter fr. dear Roy. Sunday 22 January Vy dull morg, dark & raw. Little L’s cold still v. heavy. Letters fr. Mr Smith about stables. Chesterton found key they had lost, & Mr M. Spielmann about Dearest’s drawing Fisheries diploma for Ex. 1911 in Rome. To Prayers Church, lovely hymns “This the House of Prayer” & had other Westwood ones. Maud & Lennie & self lunched at Nymans. Harold & Nonie there. Major & Mrs Talbot dined here, most delightful couple. Vy late to bed. Monday 23 January Return home fr. Balcombe. All ready comfortably. Horrid morg. My darling drove to Station with me, would not allow her to get out. Groom 2/6, footman 2/6, Mrs Parsons 5/-, Porters 1/-, cab 3/-, Barringer 5/-, Edith 5/-, Beach 4/-. Very lonely without my Dearest. Guard v. attentive & all so kind & attentive. Excellent little dinner morg. room & bed 9 o’c.
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Tuesday 24 January Slept well. Saw Emma, trust she my yet remain with me, should be lost without her. To Mudies, left last book. To Chestertons about Stables, promised to see all thro’ for me, saw Mr Lane. To Gas Light & Coke comp’y to cut off gas stables. To Bank, saw Mr Smith, not sent pass book. Met Edie who returned to lunch & tea with me. We walked to Harrods, bought chocolate 2/7, galoshes 2/11, rubber rings, hair pins, combs. Wednesday 25 January Go to Edgar. No, tomorrow Edgar D.V. Spoke to Emma, most thankful she is remaining on with me, Saw Benions about spare room estimate with paper £2.18.0, 2 coats of paint & all well done. Lunch at Maud’s ¼ to 1 o’c & go with her & chicks to theatre Henry VII, delightful, enjoyed it immensely. Back to tea with her, ret’d 6.30. Nicholas Bosanquet came & sat with me some time, grown exactly like his father, only taller & handsomer. Wish my servants w’d not quarrel amongst themselves but they do in every household so I am not alone in this. Thursday 26 January Finished packing with Marie, her pass book mislaid. General rumpus en bas in consequence. My Darling & Linley came & I gave Maud 2 of Dearest’s drawings to have framed for Rome Exhibition & the keys of dearest’s room. Saw Benions about spare room. Go to Edgar (Grimsby) by 4o’c train fr. Kings X alone. Marie to Station with me. Linley returns to school today. Quite comfortable journey 3rd class. Motor met me Grimsby. Dear E. & S. both well, dined with them. Friday 27 January Good night, woke early & thought of Dearest & how dreadfully I miss his dear letters. Edgar & Sophy to the Meet 10.30. Had walk with the dear dogs, lovely sunny morg & warmer air delicious feel already better. Hounds in full cry thro’ park, v. pretty sight across hill. Sophy lamed her horse & Edgar had to come back 4.45. Played Bridge after dinner. Bed 10.30. Saturday 28 January Glorious morg. Slept v. well feel less depressed. E. & S. off 10 o’c. Had long walk with dogs 1½ hrs. Dearest’s miniature arrived, not quite right. Letters fr. Maud & Roy. Mr Stern had bad accident tobogganing, more than thankful not dear Roy. V. sorry. Wrote Roy & Maud , Sir Isadore Spielmann wants different drawing, dare not spare it. Sophy back 6 o’c, Edgar 7.30 looking v. blue & tired. Bridge after dinner. 7
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Sunday 29 January Glorious morg, warmer. Woke early. To little Church. Walk with dogs & fed horses & birds. Lunched alone. Wrote after to Mervyn, Emma, & Spencer birthday. Edgar & Sophy off 10.30 to Church on bicycles & to lunch at Prettymans, ret’d 4.30. Sup. 8 o’c. Sophy read her Diary impressions of Ravendale when first viewed. Find it immensely improved & charming since my first visit here. Monday 30 January Another glorious day. Huge budget lettters fr. Lee Pemberton, stable contract to be signed. Sir Isadore Spielmann worrying me for Dearest’s Fisheries Diploma. I will not send it to exhibition Rome, too risky. E. & S. left at 12 in Motor. E. looks tired, wish he was stronger. Took dogs for walk to South Ashley Waltham Signpost & enquired price of eggs. Wrote after lunch to Sir Isadore Spielmann, & Maud, postcard to Edgar. Took dogs for walk 4.30. Most beautiful sunset. Tuesday 31 January Lovely day, frost. Another beautiful sunset. Walked for 1½ hrs along Thoresby Rd. Wrote 5 letters. Mended garments, wrote, &walked for ½ hour before tea with dogs along Louth Rd. Worked & read after tea in Hall & after dinner bed 9.30. Wrote Edgar about exorbitant charge Electric Lt, Maud, Roy, & N. Bosanquet & Mr Beale. Wednesday 1 February Slept well. Woke early. Glorious morg. Took “Bunty” only for walk along New Drive & Ground. Huge field all white with hoar frost. No letters. Glorious morg. E. & S. return by 4 o’c train today. Took dogs for walk before tea. Another glorious sunset but v. v. cold, 10 degrees of frost! E. & S. arrived late, 8.30 dinner. They have enjoyed their ramp in London greatly. Wedding Lord Worsley great success. They went to Pantomime evg. Thursday 2 February Dull all day & raw. Took dogs for walk & wrote letters. Drove after lunch 3 o’c with Edgar & Sophy in dog cart. Wonderfully handsome old mare Margery never stumbled once & carried herself so well. Lovely drive open expanse of country, scarcely met a soul. Showed Edgar Assignment of our Stables, thinks I had better sign & return. “Cut throat bridge” for half an hour before bedtime. Letter fr. Maud fixing 21st inst for our tramp abroad.
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Friday 3 February Again dull. E. & S. off 9.30 for Meet. Letter fr. Fanny Nembhard asking me to lunch tomorrow to meet young Douet, long amusing letter fr. Tabbie, but not a word about our Mervyn, am anxious about him, not a line since they left before Xmas for “Oratava”. S. & E. returned fr. hunting to luncheon, horses not v. fit. We all went for walk after in fields & took Hi-flyer great success. S. took E’s photo, & E. hers on their hunters. Bridge evg. E. again looks depressed. Saturday 4 February Again dull. Letter fr. Mr Smith saying they have mislaid & lost the Millers (illeg) div of £48.17.5 sent last August!!! Also he asks me for cheque of £4.10.0 again. I pd this on 9th Jan, feel v. worried & upset, but he hopes after things are settled there will be £11,500 capital which sh’d bring in £500 a year well invested, which w’d leave me £300 after paying Roy’s annuity. I wonder! & doubt . E. & S. off 10.30 to Meet looking v. smart, ret’d 4.30. E’s horse Saucy Box stumbled badly, evidently worried him. I wrote to Mr Smith & to Maud about dearest’s drawing for Rome Exhibition. Sunday 5 February Dull grey day, & raw. Awoke v. early & ‘made hay’ mentally as my dearest would say! E. & S. to Church on cycles. I to the little Church here & to communion, nice little sermon & service. Walked round stables & garden with E. & S. after. After lunch walked with Edgar & lost Lowrie & E. had to go back to the wood for him. Tea & talked. E. has a nasty cold, knew he was not well for some days. He is too thin & ought to feed up. Read after dinner. Monday 6 February Gala day. Lennie has given me £400 invested in 5% City of Buenos Aires Bonds. Ordered Clock & entrée dish to be returned from Amy & Navy stores. Letter fr. Tabs the Mervyns are well & enjoying the glorious sun & warmth of Oratava Canary Islands, fr. Emma about my felt carpet, fr. Mr Smith & fr. Toula, & my Robinson Gold div £10.11.0. Edgar in bed with bad cold as I feared. Cheque to Emma for wages £6.13.4. To Auxiliary stores for my carpet £4.7.8. Dear E’s cold very heavy, up after breakfast. Vet to see “Julia” & “Saucy Box” former to be fired! For drive with Sophy. Saw invalid sheep. Walked part way home. Bridge evg. E. won. Bed 10.30.
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Tuesday 7 February E. has letter fr. Mervyn. Ordered my felt carpet to be put down in my bedroom fr. Army Navy Aux. Stores, & windows cleaned & yard done by Pearks man. Letter fr. Darling asking me to be home in time for the dear childrens fancy dance tomorrow. Alas! cannot manage it. No letter fr. Roy, he sh’d have reached home last evg. Dear E’s cold little better & he looks better for rest indoors. I wrote & worked all morg. in his room. Walked with Sophy to Farm & got 14 eggs 1/4 after packing. Feel side a little. Tea, & bridge after dinner, E. always wins. Bed 10.15. Wednesday 8 February Anne’s birthday & fancy dress dance at Lancaster Gate. V sorry cannot be there. Vy dull morg. Woke v. early thundering headache remembering there is a strike on Gt Northern, fear my train will be v. late, 12.35 fr. Grimsby. No strike. E. & S. go off hunting 10 o’c. Trust his cold will not suffer, feel v. anxious about him. Got off v. comfortably, no hurry. Vy comfortable journey 3rd class & no trouble. House looks vy nice & clean. My new felt most comfortable & the little room v. nice, needs many things still. Roy dined with me & showed me photos of St Moritz. We looked thro’ papers & documents to be signed. V. cold, fires in both our bedrooms, v. cozy. Nice little dinner. Thursday 9 February Slept well. Saw E. Will not forgive M, pity as all seemed to be working nicely together. House v. nice. To Chestertons, Nash, ordered windows to be cleaned tomorrow. To Bank ordered £200 Mexican Lt & power 5% Bonds 95 limit. Lunched at Maud’s. All look tired after yesterday’s party. Gilly there. Drove with Maud to see Ada Sp, 105 Queens Gate, so sorry for her. Maud drop’d me at the Commissioners of oaths where Roy met me & we signed several documents 15/- & registered them at Buckles off to Mr Smith. Roy on to Queen’s club, & dines at home. Wonder what I shall do about settling maids, so tiresome as I go away with Maud on 21st inst D.V. Friday 10 February Hope sale of Stables. Fine but bitterly cold. Walked to Darling’s, saw her. Had bad night on ac’t Crewe House fire. Countess & 3 day old son moved to Ld Rosebery’s house. Maud & Lennie go to Leweston today until Sunday night. I went on to Mrs Nevill’s & arranged about dress, £12½ to 14 gns! Walked across Park to Knightsbridge, saw restive horse, & Arthur Giles & C. Loring. Worked with Marie all afternoon. Roy dined out, did a little business. Mary to Lancaster Gate & shop’d for me.
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Saturday 11 February Mrs Evans comes 4 o’c to tea. Unable to come. Out with Edie in Maud’s carriage to stores, ordered 6 bots Port 10/-, luggage stand 7/6, umbrella mended, lid of travelling trunk repaired etc. Walked home fr. Gardens. Worked with Edie all afternoon. V. glad to have her, Marie in another mood, v. tiresome, such a pity for herself. Flowers 1/3. Roy dined out. Sat with him, in great hurry as usual. Mr Smith at last sent me the £85 owed me. Sunday 12 February Out 10.30 to enquire Sir Andreas de la Rue & to see Douglas at Officers Home, looks v. ill. Cab 1/-, Om 2d. Edie, Herbert & Madame (blank) to tea. Do not care for her appearance. Bitterly cold. Marie’s afternoon. Spencer, Ada & Hylda dine with Roy & self. Quite pleasant evening. Roy at Queen’s Club all day I believe. Bought £200 Mex. Lt. & Power at 96 thro’ Bank. Monday 13 February Neville 11.30. Walked part of way there. Lady Carew there. Saw Benions about fern case 2 o’c. Emma & self looked over cleaned carpet fr. my room. Darling with Anne & Oliver to tea. She looks very thin & delicate. Most anxious about her. The rush of 2 nights to Tabbie’s did her more harm than good, & Lennie not well. Roy dined out & to first night of “Belle of New York” amateurs. Tuesday 14 February Had car & went with Edie to Harrods, ordered blouse, knickers, house shoes, spare room slop pail etc. Enquired for Douglas, better. To Barkers, ordered blouse for dinner 4 ½ gns. Darling & Mrs Bosanquet came to tea. Maud looks pale. Roy dined out, & to “Belle of New York”. Alone evg, bed early. All busy on work for spare room, curtains, carpet etc. Wednesday 15 February Neville 12 o’c. had car. Think dress will be nice. Lovely morg. Pd Barkers bill, Johnsons, Taxes. Mrs Evans came to stay, arrived one o’clock. Marie out afternoon & evg. Roy dined at home but went out after. Roy & I signed. Thursday 16 February Had carriage 11.15 to Post Office sent 2/3 to Stores. With Mrs Evans to Jaeger shop Regent St. Called on Mrs Finlay, saw her. Lunched & out to be fitted with Mrs Evans at Barkers. Dear Midge came when we had finished lunch & walked with us to Barkers. So glad to see her. Told us 11
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
Milly Fraser 64 or 65 going to be married again! Foolish I fear. Mrs E. on after fitting. I ret’d & met Sir J & Lady Lawrence, wanted me to go & have tea with them, could not. Roy dines out. Friday 17 February Neville 11 o’c. Had Maud’s carriage to Nevilles. To see Effie, Bank about Chinese & Mexican Certificates. Left Barkers receipt of Western & B. Ayres to be forwarded for certificate. X. Walked fr. Palace Gds Bayswater, called & saw Lady Hickman & May. Wanted me to stay lunch, cannot, Mrs Evans with me at home. Expected Sir R. Romer & Lady R. to tea, did not come. Roy dined out. Mrs Evans bought him azalea. Marie still waring. (Page pinned in) 17 February X. Friday. Sir Isadore Spielmann had fetched fr. Maud’s 104 Lancaster Gate dear Linley’s 2 drawings for Rome exhibition. Coronation of King Edward VII & the Almanack drawing of Ship & Syrens. Most exquisite drawing. Saturday 18 February Another bothering paper from Lee Pemberton, have to pay £95 for Roy’s money set aside ! Awfully hard lines & but for having been vy careful sh’d be in a tight corner for money. Dear Edgar better, & had another hunting accident. Always dread his hunting season. At 11.15 Nash about drawing room blind mended. Carriage 11.30 with Mrs Evans to Barkers to be fitted. To Christies, Sir John Tenniel’s, saw dear Sir J, looks vy ill. His sis. ill in bed with nurse. At 3 to Ballad concert with Mrs E, Albert Hall, good. Walked home. Roy to dine out, & dance after Savoy! Marie took one of dearest’s pictures to Lennie for his birthday tomorrow. Sunday 19 February Fine day but awfully windy. Packed all morg with Marie. Mrs E. to Church. Roy in at 5 this morg. after dance dinner & supper Savoy, looks puffy. Mrs E. to concert after lunch. Marie & I packed again. Mrs Mivart called. Graham & Mrs Keith to tea. Edie came with my bodice, poor Herbert ill again, w’d like to pay his expenses Brighton. Roy dined at Maudie’s, dinner for Lennie’s birthday today. Sent Marie yesterday with one of my dearest’s drawings. Monday 20 February Packed or finished packing with Marie. Lady Romer & Fanny Nembhard called, did not see either. Mrs Evans left by 4 with me in Motor, saw her to Victoria, & called to enquire after Douglas, going on well, & to see the darlings & Maud. Roy dined with me & to bed early. All working so well for me. Roy wishes bolts on top room doors. Col Hensman died aged 71. Another dear old friend gone. 12
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Tuesday 21 February Leave by 11 Continental train with Maud & Muriel Messel & Kirton for Cannes. Roy went up in cab with me & Marie also to Victoria to see us off. Lennie & Cap. Gibbs also there also. Lady Armstrong in our train looking v. ill. Wrote Mr Richardson to have £10 placed to Roy’s account to pay books. Comfortable journey only rather dull having Muriel who looks in bad temper & Maud straining every nerve to keep her amiable. Unpleasant companion & bad manners. Muriel ill on steamer. Maud w’d sit outside our cabin with Kirton & got wet by choppy sea. Muriel & self in cabin. Wednesday 22 February Bottle St Galemier. Cannes. Cannes! Arrived after most comfortable journey in glorious sunshine 1.30 P.M. The scenery along the coastline to Cannes too beautiful for words, deep gorges lined with pine trees on one side with snow top’d mountains beyond & mimosa trees in full bloom along the railway line, glorious against the deep pines & palms & the deep blue sea with rocks & deep red sand down to waters edge & the beautiful trees close down to sea, a dream of beauty. Mr M. met us & we left Kirton & Valet look after luggage & came on to California Hotel in their Motor. Hotel lies high up in beautiful garden of palms & pines. Mr M. had got us lovely rooms on ground floor, a suite of 3 together one looking over garden & sea. Had tea in hall & dined 7.30. Band after, & talked after to Mr & Mrs Game, cousin of Ethel English, great relief as they are lively. Thursday 23 February Slept well, another lovely day, cooler. Darling had breakfast in my bed! After we sat out with Mrs Messel & Mr Game. Mr Geilgud here. Walked to Cannes with Mr M. & Muriel. We 5 lunch & dine at same table. Maud, Mr M. & Muriel off to Battle of Flowers, Nice. At 2 o’c wrote P’cards Roy, Toula, Edgar & Mrs Evans. Mrs M. & self by Motor Bus into Cannes 4 o’clock. Walked about town, so clean & bright, & along jetty. The sea the deepest blue & many lovely yachts in Harbour, 3 English. Tea at (blank), Mr & Mrs Game had tea at our table. (Page pinned in) Thursday 23rd Feby. View of Bay from Jetty of coast, sea, & Isle of Margarite with its Prison nestled among pine trees. Most beautiful, sea iridescent & the huge breakwater a wonderful sight at end of jetty, great squares of stones & cement. Came back by cab 2 frs 50. I went up to Mrs M’s room most exquisite view & sun setting over the mountains to the right of Hotel. (cutting pinned in: Death of Henry Frank Hensman.)
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Friday 24 February Cannes. Another glorious day but strong wind. Maudie slept badly. At 11 we went for walk up towards Observatory, the sea a glorious blue, the sky the same, & the mimosa trees in all their luxuriant bloom. Never can I remember seeing anything so beautiful & fr. this height overlooking mountains snow capped & all the richness of colour of deep green palms, firs, & brilliant yellow of mimosa the deep blue sky & glorious sea. It felt like being in a heavenly dream & after the grey skies of home & cold, the sun’s warmth was delicious. (Page pinned in) Friday 24th Feby. We only reached the Hotel California just in time for luncheon 12.30 & found Mr M. & Muriel had had an uncomfortable shock during their walk finding a poor man in a ditch unconscious fr. starvation. They got him water & food. He had had no food for 24 hrs his poor young wife did not know what to do with him, wandering about in search of work! After lunch Mrs M. Maud & self to call in Motor on the Brownlows & for drive along coast. Most beautiful, & tea at Nègres where Mr Mesel & Muriel found us. Her manners appalling, or rather her want of manners, she has none. Maudie came back with Mr M. & Muriel. Saturday 25 February Sale of Stables. X. Bottle of St Galmier & bottle Vittel. Glorious day. Darling slept so well. We all 5 went to Mr Game at 11 o’c in Motor along coast past (illeg) St Raphael, Trégus, all most exquisite but v. dangerous winding & narrow roads high up along coast & picniced in a lovely little Bay. Would have been heavenly but for Muriel who again in bad temper which sadly accentuates her want of good manners. We ret’d by inland road along most beautiful hills at great height, the view of the Maritime Alps covered with snow & the blue blue sky & glorious irridiscent sea all beyond my feeble powers of description. (Page pinned in) Saty 25th Feb. We ran dangerously fast round corners, the car seemed weak on left side & squeaked dangerously. Think v. risky & wonder Mr M. does not ask his chauffeur to drive more slowly round these blind & sharp corners. The wind was tremendous in some of the valleys & we had to hold on with both hands to our hats. We had tea at Hotel on our return & felt better for all the air. After dinner talked to Lady Abney & her daughter & introduced them to Mr & Mrs Messel. Girl much like Muriel, modern girl in manners. Bed ¼ to 10. Sunday 26 February Another glorious day, & warm, with refreshing breeze. Darling slept badly. Went into her room at 4 o’c, she seemed v. hot. Maud & Mrs M & Muriel to church & had excellent sermon. Mr M, Mr Game & self sat under palms in grounds basked in sunshine & read & talked. Lunched 14
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12.30. Wrote after. At 4 o’c in Hotel Motor to Carlton Hotel to tea with Mr & Mrs Cecil Brownlow. Pleasant talk. Vy crowded room good band. Met Jean Brown, is at Continental. Home cab. So windy & cold at sunset, glorious sunset. Sat after dinner with Games & up to Mrs M’s room after. Bed 10.20. Bacara. Monday 27 February Heavenly morg, cooler. Maudie slept well, so thankful but she has a rash over her chin & neck & fear chill, but seems bright & better in herself. She & I went by Motor Bus into Flower Market, bought flowers & intended calling on Geilguds but found so late had to return. C’d not get cab, took Motor Bus & tramped up steep hill on foot to Hotel 1.10.PM. Found the M’s already lunching. At 3 for drive with Muriel in Motor to Gougin(?), lovely scenery, & by Antibes, & to tea at Nègres where met Mr & Mrs Messel, Mr Geilgud. Quiet evg, band. Mr Game came down for short time after dinner. Still no letters. Tuesday 28 February Sir J. Tenniel’s birthday, wrote. Sunshine. Cooler. Maudie & self to Hill in flower garden, back to Hotel morg. She sketched. Met Mrs Fair after lunch, spoke to her, same gentle shy little woman, is here with her son & daughter. At quarter to 3 in Motor with Mr Messel & Muriel & Maud to Antibes & over Mr Wylie’s lovely garden. Drive back, glorious drive, met Mrs Messel & Mr Gielgud at Nègres. Gay scene, Dominus & Confetti Carnival. Glorious sunset of blue mauve & pink, most beautiful. Spoke to a Mrs Grand who knows Millais’s, also Mr Fair. Wednesday 1 March My darling bad night, was overtired yesterday, looked so white evg. Up v. early & she went with Muriel to Church 8.30. After at 10.30 we all 5 went for a walk & to see Hotel for Miss (illeg) Richards, née Brigstock. Mad woman threw stones at us! At 3 Maud & self for lovely run in Motor with Mr Messel to Grasse, exquisite scenery. Met Muriel & Mrs M. at Nègres, ret’d in Motor. After dinner Maud & self to Sir W. Abney’s rooms & saw his sketches, charming. Very sleepy all of us & to bed 10 o’c. Thursday 2 March Letter fr. dear Roy yesterday. Glorious morg. Maud & I woke in night & slept v. late. Maud, Muriel & self for lovely walk towards Observatory. After lunch 2.30 Maud, Mr M, Muriel & Miss Stourbridge for long Motor run to Jeanette(?). Home v. late 6 o’c or after. Mrs M & self perilous journey by tram into Cannes standing outside car! Walked along front 15
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Plage & tea at Nègres, I paid 2.50, excellent tea, & returned by tram. Back 5.30, rested, worked & read! After dinner Mrs Fair came & talked to us. They had been to St Raphael. Bed 9.30!!! Letter fr. Fanny Barker asking us to stay few days with them. X. Friday 3 March Seven months since my Darling Lin was taken. Slept well & lovely bracing morning. The Abneys left early in their car. Darling did not sleep well. Letter fr. dear Roy. Wrote morg. to Fanny Barker who wants us to stay there, & to Roy. At ¼ to 3 with Mr M, Muriel & Maud in Motor to dear little village on summit of Hill with dear old Church. Women washing & strange old world Inn. Auribeau name of village. Passed Mougins on return. Tea at Nègres. Cinematograph after dinner. Bed 10 o’c. Saturday 4 March Maudie & self went for delightful walk to left of Hotel alone. At 2.30 with Mr, Mrs M. & Muriel, rather a crush, to Grasse. Glorious views & Maud gave a tea at Carlton. Mr & Mrs Game joined us. Not v. interesting people. Met Daisie Markham & her husband who had just arrived fr Marseilles after an awful voyage! 10 hrs late. Sat with Mrs & Miss Fair after dinner. Bed 9.30. Not in bed till 11.30! Sunday 5 March Clouded. Maud & self to the charming church here close to Hotel, beautifully kept & lovely stained glass windows. Heard touching sermon fr. Prebendary Carlisle on the power of Human sympathy, felt better for it. Little walk after with darling M. alone. Spoke to Mr Denny. Upset tho’ proud of what he said of Darling Lin. Wrote after luncheon Maud & I walked to Carlton where Mr & Mrs M. met us. Muriel had tea with Mrs Storbridge. Mr M. paid. Saw Daisie who lent me “Marie Claire”. Games after dinner as usual & Fairs. Monday 6 March Bill £500.70 frs, with Kirton. Lovely day. Maud & self to Cannes by ourselves. Walked there. To Clarks about money for bill which I pd for Maud. We took cab back 3 frcs after lunch talked to Mr Denny & his wife. At 2.30 Maud, Miss Storbridge, Muriel & Mrs M. in Motor for long run in Motor to (blank) by Grasse. Saw monoplane, looked like dragonfly, came fr. Nice & flew past & back again most gracefully. Mrs M. & self by tram to Mr & Mrs Geilgud’s, Alsace & Lorraine Hotel. Walked to Nègres with them where Mrs M. & I had tea, Mr & Mrs Game there, & sat with them after dinner. 16
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Tuesday 7 March Lovely day, much cooler. Maud & I were awake some hours in night. Morg. M. & self by train to Clarks about money & our return journey engaging salons lits & cabin etc. Maud bought boxes of flowers for Lennie, the darlings & Nana. Letter fr. Edgar. Late for luncheon, cab back. For run in Motor with Mr & Mrs M. who dropped us at Carlton where we had tea with Miss Brown & friend, delightful. Saw Edna May there, & Daisie & Mr Markham who asked us to dine with them at Casino. He had won £32 at Casino. Returned in cab 3 frs. V. good conjuror evg. Sat with Mr Denny, great talker. Delightful day. Wednesday 8 March Letters fr. dear Roy, Mervyn, Flossie Blair etc enclosed. Cloudy morg, cooler. Slept better. Maudie late paid bill £77.60 & walked nearly into Cannes, too late. Met Mr Denny & returned. After lunch talked with Mr Denny & at 3 o’c Maud & self with Mr & Mrs M. in Car for lovely drive after getting our tickets for Battle of Flowers tomorrow. Mine 7 frcs. to Mr M. for it. Maud’s tea at Casino Miss Brown & Miss Russell. Saw Tables & Mr M. won 15 frcs rest lost. After dinner talked with Mr Game on S. Exchange. The Miss Storbridges sat with our party. Muriel had been with the Storbridges all day. Tea bad & service worse Casino. Uncomfortable in Car, wet blanket feeling, cannot understand it. Thursday 9 March Battle of Flowers. Delightful day, fine sunny & cool wind. Read “Marie Claire” finished it & sat in garden. Dr M. arrived fr. England early, went for walk with Mr & Mrs M. & Maud. At 2.30 Mrs M, Mrs Game, Mr M. & self in Car v. prettily decorated with pink stocks & carnations & Boganvilia(sic) to our seat in stand. Maud, Dr. M, Mr Game & Muriel in Car in procession. Most amusing sight, the pelting of small bouquets, three carriages beautifully decorated. After to tea at Nègres. Col (blank) joined our party, & home in Car. Sat after dinner with Fairs & Mr Denny. 2 very good looking woman sang & (illeg) like birds pecking about whilst we were having tea at Nègres. We drove back to Hotel in Motor. Dr M. is a distinct acquisition to our table being a good talker, the awful silence is dreadful sometimes, but for darling Maud’s brightness it w’d be unbearable. Maud & I sat with the Fairs after dinner & Mr Denny who was most amusing. Two v. pretty women sang & recited extremely well, Mother & daughter, the latter very pretty with delightful voice. They made by a collection made after 500 frcs. nearly for the London Waifs & Strays. Mr, Mrs & Dr M. & Muriel joined us at the end. (Page pinned in) Thurs 9 March. Our seats were under an awning op. American Hotel or House, American flag flying, & we c’d see well being 3rd row & not too 17
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close for rough pelting. Maud looked sweet in the M’s Motor passing & I caught 2 big bunches of violets fr her & many fr. others not intended for me. A red carnation & green decorated Victoria & a mauve & pink were the prettiest. A few were beautifully got up but were without any taste & the roads after were a sight with crushed flowers. The M’s motor looked vy nice & people deliberately stripped it of flowers. Friday 10 March Delightful day. Maudie alas! slept badly & woke at 9 after many hours awake. At 12 o’c walked to cab, met Mrs M. & Muriel returnng fr. Cannes in fiàcre. We lunched at Continental Hotel with Jean Brown & Miss Russell in Restaurant there. Charmingly arranged roses in bud & green in X across our round table. Excellent lunch & good talk so bright & lively. After to see the garden, vy prettily laid out, strange humming bird moths flying over flowers. These & black velvet bees seen here seem strange to me. Then to see the 2 bedrooms very nice on 3rd floor overlooking Bay & Old Town, Esterel Mountains. Lovely view. (page pinned in) Friday 10th March. These rooms tout compris they pay 18 frcs a day for. Mr Secher who used to drive the coach between Ramsgate & Cantebury at the Hotel, did not see him. Maudie & self walked short cut to rue Antibes, bought many things. V. expensive gave 2.95 for what one w’d pay 9d for in England. Maud sent off flowers 3 baskets 3.50 each & 7.50 for 7 baskets of oranges, also 3.50 for some flowers we took to Hotel Alsace Loraine for Mrs Geilgud. We took her & Mr G. with us to Nègres where we found Mr & Mrs & Muriel M. v. annoyed about great damage done to Motor in turning the shaft of a cart went thro’ side of Motor, considerable damage done. V. vexing & most thankful neither Maud nor self in Car at time. We had tea at Nègres & Mr M. paid. Back in car. Chauffeur vy upset naturally. Fairly pleasant evg. Cinematograph rather vulgar. Chicken raising good. Maudie tired came to bed 9.30 & I trust my darling will sleep well. Saturday 11 March Another delightful day. Sunny but colder, east wind. Muriel still seedy & only up after luncheon & for short walk with her father. Maud & self for walk & Maud sketched the Gate high up on Hill at back of Hotel. At 4 o’c with Mr & Mrs Messel to Jetty saw gun boat & walked back to tea at Nègres where Mr & Mrs Gielgud & Mr & Mrs Blandford were, Dr Messel with us. Darling remained with Muriel & had tea at Hotel in Mrs M’s sitting room. Wrote 4 letters. Back in train. Sat after dinner with Dr M, Mrs M. & Mrs Game. Darling went up to Muriel. Bed 10 o’c & great fly chase, killed 10 Maud’s room. Hope she will sleep well.
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Sunday 12 March Glorious day. Maudie slept better. Muriel to church. V. silent at luncheon! & they all left early except Maud Dr M. & self. Good sermon (illeg). M. & self for short walk & talked to Lorings before going in. After lunch long talk with Mr Dewey & Dr M till 3 o’c. Head tired. Rested, wrote until 4.30. Mrs M, Maud & self in Motor to Carlton where Mr M, Muriel, Mrs Richards, Col. Curran, met us & had tea. Vy crowded & hot. Good coffee. Saw Mason writer. On return found Mrs & Lola Shannon here, they & Mrs Parrish at Continental. (page pinned in) Sunday 12th March. I talked with them & the Fairs some time. Mrs Game dined at our table, Mr G. very seedy. A great many laid up at Hotel, Mrs Denny, the handsome Baronne & pretty American all seedy. Trust my darling Maud will escape. Muriel in her room & Maud sat with her after dinner. Great draught in Hall. Sat with Mr M, read, & with Mrs Fair whose dau. is seedy. Bed 9.40. Monday 13 March My dear Father died 1884. Another dull day & rain. In all morg. Maudie & self wrote, I in Hall. Sun later in day. Muriel still in her room & seeing doctor. Mr M. terribly depressed. After lunch sat in Hall, then rested & at 3.30 M. & self in tram to Market Place & walked leaving cards on Mrs Parrish & Mr Secher at Continental. Maudie v. tired going up hill, rested in garden as they were out, & to Nègres for tea. Vy happy together. Dr M. joined us & then Mr & Mrs M. Cold water. (page pinned in) Monday 13th March 1911. M. & self to flower shop where M. bought lovely flowers for Muriel & present for Lennie. Back in Hotel Motor. Maudie up to Muriel’s room to take flowers. Concert after dinner. I read. Maud to Muriel’s room & Mrs M. talked to Mrs Game. Wish my darling looked stronger & that we had moved on to San Remo, fear Mr M’s depression getting on my darling’s nerves, it makes me feel uncomfortable & sad also when we have so much to be thankful for. Tuesday 14 March Lovely day but v. cold out of sun. Maud & I walked to Croissé where we sat in sun & were toasted & felt better for it, we were so cold. Mr Messel met us & walked back with us. Muriel still in her room, & M. not allowed to see her by doctor’s orders. At 2.45 in Motor with Dr & Mrs Messel to Grasse where we got out & walked thro’ the old streets & market place. V. narrow & most picturesque tho’ dirty & v. smelly, to Nègres crystalised fruit factory, where we saw the great tubs of boiling sugar. Vy dirty looking stuff. (page pinned in) Tues 14th March. Quantity of oranges, pines & all sorts of fruits, & orange blossom, rose leaves, violets & mimosa all in different stages of preparation for sweets & crystalised. 19
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The violets are first sorted, then boiling syrup is poured over them & very dirty women fingered these to keep them separated & that the sugar permeated them, then they are sugared with mauve powdered sugar & sorted again on trays & then placed on shelves in a room closely together, one shelf on another where it is heated like a hothouse to dry them. Then they are again passed thro’ sugar highly coloured with some violet colouring & dried again. The liquid sugar looked v. nasty & the metal pans like great milk basins only in metal were not bright or clean looking, nor were the men & women employed clean, & the sort of Vaults where work is done were dark & uncleanly. An old woman roasting coffee was a picture. Maud bought a box of fruits for 3.50 frcs quite small, v. dear. We then motored back thro’ lovely country & sunset past Villeneuve & Moujines & up an awful zig zag road which frightened us greatly. We had coffee in our room & were glad of it. Darling M. very nervous & wanted to jump out. After dinner in billiard room for a while & then Mr & Mrs M. went up to their room Wednesday 15 March Up at 7 to find my water bottle had been leaking all night & my nightdress & blanket were soaked! Trust no evil results, v. cold. Darling & I went to Monte Carlo by 10 train, fly to station, pd 16.50 for tickets. Saw Mr Fair, Mr Denny & Dr M. in Hall before starting. No trouble. Snow at Nice & ground covered with it in thin layer, everywhere after Nice to Monaco. Glorious scenery with all mountains covered with snow, lovely blue sky & sea & sun! Sat out in grounds of Casino in sun & then enjoyed our table at Ciro’s, & to Tables where Maud lost a little playing on Manque only. George Dietz spoke to us, he was losing! (page pinned in) 15th March Wed. Maud & I went to lunch & were greatly amused by two pretty smart women & 2 men at our next table, but foolish conversation. After we again went to tables where Maud won about £2 odd. We were only there ¾ of an hour. Back to Ciro’s for tea. Very cold wind & vy cold after sunset at Monte Carlo. Great crowd there but few smart people. Vy ordinary & quiet. A few pretty women & (illeg) men. Ld Bateman with party behind us. Returned by 5.9 train. Heard Muriel had chicken pox & had left Hotel for a Home (nursing). After dinner spoke to Gorings & sat with them, well bred people & seem very nice & devoted to each other. Mrs M. seemed happier & vy well. Mr M. terribly doleful, depressed both Maudie & myself, thankful to be away for a day together. Mr Denny told me a man had buried his wife & the funeral was to cost 8/- The man, a Scotsman, said he would only pay 5/- whereupon the Scotsman said “Another 3/- or up she comes again” when the husband pd. up immediately!
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Thursday 16 March Lovely day but cold wind. Maud & self walked to Croisette, too windy to remain & met Mr Goring, told him of Muriel’s illness. (page pinned in) Thurs 16th March. Mr M. dreadfully depressed, awful at dinner, all right after talking to Lady Bissett. Just like Muriel takes no trouble to rouse himself, utterly selfish. After dinner sat by the French lady, we all sat together. Bed. Maudie thank heaven well so far. Wrote Roy, Emma & Mrs Evans. Friday 17 March Lovely day, but v. cold wind. Maudie seems seedy rather but had good night. I sat out fr. 10 till 11 when we took Motor to Clarks & got our tickets complete. M. bought pins & presents. Met Mr Geilgud. Packed after lunch & had tea in our rooms. Dr M. came & saw Maud who has temperature & seems nervous & excitable, went to bed, & I went alone to dine with the Messels. M. had charming letter fr. Lady Frederick Fitzroy. Cinematograph. Sat with M. after dinner. (page pinned in) 17th March, Friday. Feel vy anxious about her. Has fire in her room. Decided to have Doctor tomorrow, trust may not need him. Muriel going on well. Maud’s temp 102 & pulse 104. Saturday 18 March Dull morg, colder. Maud, Kirton & I leave Cannes by 3.30 train D.V. Maudie fair night & temp down below 100. Got up at 2.10 & went to her room, she seemed asleep peacefully. Woke many times during night but afraid to disturb her by going in. Got hot milk 7.30 & Kirton made Maud some tea & she seems better & no fears, eyes heavy. Mrs M. came to see her early. Finished our packing comfortably & wrote to Mervyns. Said goodbye to Dennys & Fairs & sat when dressed in Hall. Kirton & Mr M’s man with our luggage to Station & had it registered for Charing X. (page pinned in) Saty March 18th. M. & I in Mr M’s motor to Station with Dr M who sat in waiting room with us after buying papers. Mrs M joined us & saw us off. Russian in Holland & blue trowsers & the Russian high boots & astrakan cap or toque, & a dagger stuck across front of his waist belt, fine looking man. No trouble whatever with luggage or own sleeping places. Country looked & is beautiful. We had coffee & dined on train & settled in early. Darling slept badly but I well, poor K. v. unwell. So far most comfortable. Lady Bissett talked some time to Maud before leaving Hotel, pretty young looking woman with daughter of 21 more like her sister, & little daughter engaged to a Naval officer. She gave Maud cinnamon lozenges. We have had a delightful 3 weeks & 3 days in a beautiful country, v. comfortable Hotel & glorious weather &
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yet one is glad to be turning towards Home again, & thankful my darling is well enough to travel, felt so anxious about her. Sunday 19 March Maudie slept only fairly well, I vy well & K. also. Lovely morg. Had bad & dear coffee at Laroche 5.58 & again at Paris 9.81. Little butter. Saw the Fairs & gave her her clock left behind, also Mrs Hudson. Lunched in train 11.15, fairly good lunch. Would advise carrying ones own food, little of it travelling. V. comfortable journey to Dover. Lovely cabin but awful scrimmage at Dover, terribly afraid of Maud who looks pulled down by fever of Friday night. (page pinned in) Sunday 19th March. After great trouble got our places in train, 400 passengers on board & three Boat trains leaving, we got 2nd train. Felt sad leaving my darling, Roy & Lennie met us & Lennie took Maud off at once afraid of her getting overdone, & Roy & I came home in Taxie. Berringer sent me my 2 boxes & holdall by cab, cost 5/6 all together. Roy & I dined at home, all looked bright, & sat in drawing room after. Certain propositions about partnership for Roy but uncertainty of money, must talk it over with Lennie & Fritz. Several tiresome legal affairs, seem never ending over Lin’s small estate. Bed 10 o’c. Monday 20 March Mrs Evans to stay. Slept well. Fine day. Dust drawing room, unpacked with Marie morg. M darling Maud came loaded with flowers & all sorts of things, looks v. white. She w’d arrange flowers for me dear little thing but not remain luncheon. Emma has made carpet cleaned into 2 v. nice rugs, & hot water cover & mats for drawing morning & my bedroom (illeg) look v. nice. X. Mrs Evans came to stay, arr. 5 o’c. Roy dined with Dora. Mrs Keating called 5.15. Sent Marie to Mrs Bradbury about my Darling’s drawing for Shepherds Bush Exhibition. Tuesday 21 March Dull foggy morg. Morg to Tax collector, after papers there. To Barkers & to Bank. Saw Mr Richardson, will arrange Executor ac’t. With Mrs Evans walked across Gardens to Maudie, remained to luncheon. Carriage brought us back. Maudie fairly well. Dear little Anne & Oliver with Fraulein to tea, also Eve Bosanquet & Lady Miller to tea. Roy dined with us evg, came home too late to dress, object to his not dressing v. much. Wednesday 22 March Lady Pontifax, Mrs Rhodes, Mrs Sington called. Fine day. Out at 10.40 with Mrs Evans to order Times, Evg paper, Observer & Referee at Picknells, Earls Court Rd. To School of Needlework, saw Garter Banners 22
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for coronation. Woman with air balls in omnibus looked ill. Called at Mrs Silver’s house, nurse left. To Mr Mayne Tax collectors. Met Archdeacon Brooks & wife. At 4 o’c called with Mrs Evans at Mrs Turners, saw her, & to tea at Lady Romer’s, taxi 1/-, back in bus & to see Cinematograph, not bad. Marie out, after helping me get drawers fr. my Dearest’s room. Roy out to dinner, in early, seems bright. Thursday 23 March Mr L. Bradbury comes to select drawings of dear Lin’s for Exhibition at Shepherds Bush. Came & I showed him some & gave him 2 lists to look thro’. Mrs E. & I went after to Barkers & Harrods & paid tax 6/9 for stable, part payment as it is no longer mine. Mr Gwyer has bought remainder of lease. Emma spoke to me about being with her brother-inlaw, cannot bear idea even of parting. Hope she will remain. To call Dora in my darling Maud’s carriage & to Mrs Keith’s & to tea with my Maud who has to remain in bed for a month, seen Dr Bevan who insists on proper rest. (page pinned in) 23 March. Am convinced it is most necessary & feel happier now she is being looked after. To be massaged twice a day & have a nurse. Gillie was with her & she is to be kept very quiet. Shall see Dr Bevan & ask what he thinks of her. Only remained short time. Roy dined out, dressed here. Mrs E. remained in all afternoon, rain & dull, colder. 2 tons of best Silverstone coals in, 27/- a ton. Friday 24 March My darling Maud lunches here. Unable to come, is to remain in bed one month & have a nurse. So thankful she is to be made to rest, felt for a long while she has needed great care. Spoke to Dr Bevan by telephone, only absolute rest needed, & massage. Marie & self 2 hours in Dearest’s room, did a good deal one shelf, put all hats caps etc in cupboard outside & cleaned window, good day’s work. Rested after lunch. Mrs E. to see Salting collection. Mrs Pollock to tea. After I walked to Taveners & sent small azalea to my darling Maud, walked back. Roy dined at Harold’s. (page pinned in) Friday 24 March. Sent off cheque £1.10.0 for Fire Insurance on House & £578.18.6 for Mortgage on house, pd off entirely. V. heavy legal expenses of £10.10.0. Sent these to Lee Pemberton. Hope soon all settled in Dearest’s estate. Maudie to be kept vy quiet so did not go as Mrs Hohler was with her. Saturday 25 March V. v. bitterly cold. N.E. wind, squalls. With Marie for one hour in Dearest’s room, did another block of books. At 12 o’c out shop’g. Mr & Mrs Reed unable to dine with us tomorrow. £2 self exb’n. Roy took Dora to lunch Savoy & to Sports after, had to call for fur coat, bitterly cold. I 23
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walked at 4 o’c to Lady Hickman’s where I had tea. The dear old lady well & Lillie with her. On to Darling Maud, in bed but looks fatter & much better already. Lennie there. Dear chicks well. Gladys C. had tea with Maud (page pinned in) Sat 25th March. She ought to be kept quiet. I returned by bus, got flowers at Strudwicks for darling, 4/-. Roy dined with Lennie, to “Follies” after. Mrs Evans to see Miss Dickens & she & I dined alone & sat in morg. room after, warm there. Cold awful & wind v. high. Mary to Sp. to ask them to dinner tomorrow. Sp, Douglas & Hylda coming, Ada in bed with gout. Vy pleased with these 2 days, feel we are making progress in my Dearest’s room, thanks to Mrs Evans scolding & advice. Sunday 26 March Bitterly cold & blizzard still going. Roy not down when Mrs Evans & I went to St George’s, tiresome sermon. Sp. here on our return. Mrs Evans to concert Albert Hall after luncheon. Roy to Queens Club until nearly 8 o’c, looks tired & seedy, wish he would take more care of himself. No one called. Spencer, Douglas & Hylda to dinner, rather dull party. Sp. has more life & go in him than the young ones, & Mrs Evans also. Lennie called at tea time, leaves for Ireland Friday. Monday 27 March Dreadful morg, cold damp & squally. Spent one hour with Marie in my Dearest’s room, made good progress. Had Game 2/-. To Dora’s, 3 Saville Row, where I lunched with her & Paul. D. looking v. handsome. Tommy exactly like Paul. Drove with them to Heals in Maud’s carriage & to Nembhards after, saw Fanny & May, then to Lady M. Watney, saw her & Mrs Buller. Seemed v. pleased to see me. On to my darling’s where she is still in bed & looked tired & thinner. Had tea with her. Lennie came up as I was leaving. Roy dined out. Mrs E. & I alone dinner. Tuesday 28 March Darling Maud to dentist. Mrs Evans left by 11 o’c train. Marie & self spent a good hour in my Dearest’s room, feel making headway there. X. To Bank at 12.30 for list of my securities for the £5000 needed for Roy for his partnership with Mr Pohl. Roy looked for Offices. Mrs Beale, Mrs Rhodes, Blanche Paul, Nellie, Mrs Spofforth called. Was v. weak in speaking of darling Lin to Mrs Rhodes. Roy dined with me evg. Wish he had more energy. Vy late to business & late hours make me anxious. Wednesday 29 March Letter fr. darling Maud who seems better for imposed rest, trust she will have patience & carry out Doctor’s instructions. Dixon fr. Nash here X. 24
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Cleaned out cistern, boiler, saw to water dripping outside lavatory, & tap fish tank. Marie & self for 1½ hrs in my dearest’s room doing books. Had Maud’s carriage 3.30 to Sir John Tenniel’s, stayed some time. Seems well & cheerful. To my darling for tea, looks better. Stayed till 6 o’c. Roy out to dinner. Thursday 30 March Mr Stern ret’d fr. abroad last evg. Roy dined out & was late in coming home & late morg. Marie v. seedy, but we did an hours cleaning out shelves in Dearest’s room, & I dusted it after, begins to look better. To Notting Hill surveyor about House Assessment. Benions here morg about work. Rested after lunch. Roy dines at home at 7 o’c. My securities came last night, only £8000, yet pay nearly £400 a year! in muddley investments, dear Lin’s much better invested. Mrs Bosanquet’s doll’s house arrived Lancaster Gate for Anne. Chicks delighted, a real beauty, v. large. Friday 31 March X. My darling & party start for Ireland. Mrs Bosanquet to tea & Nicolas & Ellie Ritchie & Mrs Reed. Spent 1½ hrs in Dearest’s room with Marie morg, finished top shelf all but last books! V. tired. Hurried to Maud, walked across Pk there, & back to lunch. Sat with her an hour v. happy. No rest after lunch! Visitors. Roy dined at home 7.30 & went to Paddington to see dear Maud & chicks & Lennie off to Ireland. Saturday 1 April Wire fr. darling Maud arrived at Warrens Court safely. Oxford & Cambridge Boat race, Oxford won. List of dearest Lin’s investments fr. Solicitor, shall have an awful bill there. Worked 1½ hrs with Marie in Dearest’s room, getting on well & it looks more itself. After to Bank about dear Lin’s Securities. £5000 wanted for Roy’s partnership. Sat in Gardens after. Rested an hour. Worked & read, & Herbert to tea. Wants to go to Australia again. Asked Mr & Mrs Graham Keith & Mrs Gibson for tomorrow, cannot come. Sp. coming. Roy to Boat Race, dined out. Sunday 2 April Spencer dines with us. Pouring wet morning. In all day. Wrote, read & rested. Evie came to tea, told me of Nellie Grant née Grosvenor husband being bankrupt, she secretary to a Grosvenor, & about young Fisher Rowe proposing to a girl Tues & being married Saty same week, one night married & joined his ship! Vy cosy evg. Sp vy lively.
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Monday 3 April Fine. A model called who had not heard of my Dearest’s death. Marie & self busy in Dearest’s room, gradually getting clear. Marie washed out top part. I walked to Barkers 10.30, & Palace Gds home. Marie & self did the 5 drawings, took them out of frames to put fresh paper at back for Mr Bradbury. Gladys came & caught us. Roy dined out. Letter fr. darling Maud. Only finished pictures at 10 o’c P.M. Tuesday 4 April Fanny & May Nembhard lunch with me at 1.30. 11.30 apt. Mr Smith. Postponed until tomorrow. Bitterly cold, snow. Marie & I worked for an hour in Dearest’s room. All shelves now in order & clean, & Marie emptied the 2 green globes of acid in yard. Went out 12 o’c bought flowers, fruit & cream cheese 3/6, stamps 1/-. Very pleasant luncheon, they left 4 o’c & Mrs Sington & Winnie came to tea. Roy dined at home & went thro’ Lin’s & my securities. My room lovely with flowers. Wednesday 5 April Water Board man. Snow thick on houses & lovely sun. V. cold. Snow melting fast 9 o’c. Letter fr. my darling last evg. Seems better & happy in Ireland & dear little Oliver eating better. Salmon from Lennie. An hour morg. in dear Lin’s room with Marie. X. At ¼ to 11 to Solicitor, cab there & back 4/6. Advises Roy £5000 for Partnership. Ethel E. came, saw her. To tea with Mrs Gibson. Roy dines at home, out after. Bitter day & night, frost & glacial cold. Thursday 6 April Did 2 picture frames with Marie for L. Bradbury. Little Linley & Nurse F. lunch & we 3 go to “Follies” after. Bitterly cold. Mary out. Went by Taxi to “Follies” 2/8. Our 3 tickets 12/-, program 6d. Met Mr Forrester & Gladys who sat in same places as ourselves. Fairly good performance. After little Linley & Nurse F. went in taxi to Mrs Messel’s & I ret’d in Omnibus 3d. Roy dined with me. Went thro’ securities & marked those to be sold. Little Linley much grown. Bitterly cold. Friday 7 April Six of dearest Lin’s drawings fetched by Mr L. Bradbury’s man yesterday for Shepherds Bush Exhibition. Bitterly cold still. Worked hard in Dearest’s room with Marie. Out 12 o’c Kensington only for walk, too tired. After lunch rested & Mrs Gibson & Nonie Messel called. Mr & Mrs Messel returned fr. abroad (Cannes) Wed night with Muriel & went to their new house. I called & sat an hour with Mrs Marcus Stone, felt v. sad, reminded me of dear old times. Met Mrs Guthrie’s sister & Brenda 26
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Coward. Roy dined at home, out after, looks seedy. Letter fr. Maudie, says she feels better. Saturday 8 April Morg. in dearest’s room with Marie, moved “Tall Boy” drawers out first, awfully dirty behind! Got on splendidly. To Harrods 12 o’c om, bought Easter eggs 6/2, sent them to Ireland for Maudie & chicks. Met Dr O. in bus returning. Barkers, chose pigeons, & fruit at Butts 4/6. Called & asked Mrs Spofforth to tea. Her house looking charming repainted. Lady M. Watney to tea v. amusing & Mrs Spofforth, & Rosalind came in later. Roy in great hurry as usual, dined out Mr Pollock. Mr Stern rang for him telephone. (Page pinned in) To my beloved daughter Maud Frances Messel in affectionate rememberance of her unselfish love & devotion during my own & her dear father’s long illness I bequeath absolutely the half of money I have saved. By my dear Father’s will she is entitled to one half of the money I have from him which is in Trust. My brother Major Edgar Herapath D.S.O. & my old friend Frederick Huth Jackson being my Trustees. (Page pinned in) See to Silver & jewellery. Will look thro’ Bank silver. Leave instructions wardrobe & personal linen. Toula, Emma, Edie, Herbert. Spencer, Edgar, Mervyn. Special to Edgar. Lennie. Little Linley, Anne, Oliver. Dear Roy . Keys where to be found etc. Put all straight & in order. My darling Maud. (Page pinned in) Nellie K’s story of man & wife’s 3rd marriage & bath incident! Wife informed butler. Midge’s: “Yes sir, quite well up to Tuesday”. Nellie K’s £5 note story, girl in train etc. Sophy’s butler wrote her after she had ordered some veal “Madam, Having met with a calf, I am sending you a vy nice fillet of Veal! Yrs etc.” (Page pinned in) No 8 Box, John Bull’s coat. No 9, Hoods & smocks. No 10, Two Austrian uniforms. No 14, shawls properties & Britannia clothes. D, boots. F, Roy’s. 12, Roy’s. 13, Roy’s. Ask E. about Boots. (Cutting pinned in) Letter to The Times re Mr Linley Sambourne & Punch. Sunday 9 April Harold & Nonie dine here. Vy pleasant evg. Dear Fritz Jackson to tea with me. Came 5.45 remained some time, looks well but older. Wretched 27
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morg. Walked to & from Christ Church Vic. Rd to hear Prebendary Carlile, less impressed by him than at Cannes. Wrote after luncheon & short rest. Roy played billiards at Queens Club & won by 100 points, has to play again for final. Marie & self did 2 pictures after dinner, cleaned & gilded! Monday 10 April Lunch 1.30 Lady Margaret Watney’s. Letter fr. darling Maud, with funny story of Anne & Linley! Had 2 hrs with Marie in Dearest’s room, did “Tall Boy” looks much better. Just time to go by bus to Berkeley St. Lady M. in bed but Vernon, Sylvia, Oliver, Mad’lle & Rosalind to luncheon. V. lively. Sat with Lady M. who showed me bridesmaid’s dress, veil & tiara & gold purse etc etc. Walked & called on Mr Reid (Peter) sat some time with him. Had tea with Mrs Warrington Hayward & left cards Mrs Thelfall, & called at Mrs Messel’s. Sat with them & went over their charming house with Mr M. Taxie home. Roy dined with me, went out after. Tuesday 11 April X. Paid £10 to L.C. &W. Bank allotment of 5 Cent Arg £10 shrs. Roy to Solicitor about £5000. Vy tired on waking. One & half hours in my Dearest’s room with Marie, getting on splendidly. Susie à Beckett came morg, had long talk with her, her boys doing well. Herself well off! Only Mrs Felton (Mary Hickman) called. Lovely day. Roy dined out. I dined in drawing room. Marie & I finished two pictures & put them up. A great success. Vy neatly done by Marie. Wednesday 12 April Lovely morg. Slept well. Wish dear Roy would give more time & thought to serious things, work etc, always in a hurry bad for his health nerves & work. Hard at work in Dearest’s room. At 12.30 to Bank only £68 vy little to carry me on till June. Only £11! coming in next month. Obliged to take up above Cent Arg. Shs, too good to lose. Sat in gardens & walked home with Miss Neaves, always amusing. Rested & wrote & worked afternoon & evg. Letter fr. my darling, better. Roy dined at Mr Pohl’s. Marie read to me 9-10. (page pinned in) Wed 12th April 1911. Mary out, her father v. ill. Roy & I signed paper from Mr Smith sanctioning the sale of £5000 stocks, & more for Roy’s £150 etc, & Solicitors expenses, £200, enormous. Leaves v. little capital, over £5000 for division. Roy home early from Mr Pohl’s.
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Thursday 13 April Tabbie asked me for Easter. Slept well. Lovely day. Dear Roy looks seedy can’t imagine why. Liqueors upset his liver feel certain. Marie & self in Dearest’s room getting on nicely, still choaked with things. At 12 o’c to bank about £5000 for Roy, will lend at 4% on securities they are to call. After rest leave cards with Archdeacon & Mrs Brooks. V. cozy there. She had just ret’d fr. seeing Maundy gifts St Paul’s Cathedral. Roy dined at home, looks tired. Friday 14 April Our dear parents wedding day. Dear Conrad died. Lovely day. Dreamt v. vividly & v. tired waking at 5 o’c. Roy goes to Tabbie’s. In bed all day. Mary had telegram fr. her Mother to go at once to Infirmary, fear her Father worse. He only went there yesterday. Marie read to me. Felt vy achey in back. Wrote list of securities to be sold for Mr Richards & Mr Smith. Mary away night. Saturday 15 April Cole did dining room window. Mr Peark’s man. Sent list of securities to be sold for Mr Smith (£5000). Lovely day. Roy to Mr Smith & to Mr Richardson S.C. & W. Bank. Letters fr. darling Maud, Midge. Mary only returned at lunch time fr. her home, her father vy ill. Marie busy in drawing room. I alone in Dearest’s room, standing & looking thro’ important papers etc. Out 12.30. Soap 3d. At 4 o’c to Lady Mead’s & Lady Bergne, both vy kind & stayed long while with each. Had tea at Lady M’s. Tray dinner morg. room. Sunday 16 April Lovely fresh morg. Spending day in bed. Letter fr. Darling Maud last evg, better, & got up! Trust not too soon, mistake. Edgar & S. with her Warrens Court, Co. Cork, & Edgar had killed a fine salmon. Marie read after tea. Emma out afternoon evg. & Mary who remained until tomorrow, her father vy ill & left Infirmary. Restful day. Wednesday 19 April Busy morg dearest’s room. To Bank about Roy’s loan, £5000. After rest to Mrs Adlam, stayed some time. She looks terribly ill. Fighting as usual all round her poor old lady. She had a pretty little black & tan puppy, v. restless. Marie out. Mary vy bad at laying a table & has no idea of doing things with any style or care, just anyhow. Roy out to dinner.
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Thursday 20 April I go to tea 4.30 with Major Welman, Jun’r United Services Club. Busy all morg. with Marie Dearest’s room, finished room. X. Roy’s securities sold by Bank. X. Letter with list from Bank Manager W.N. Richardson. X. Roy earlier morg. to business! Edie came as I was starting for Major W’s, went with me to Piccadilly. Mary out to see her Father, still v. ill. Roy dined out & to see Pavlova after. No longer dances with her companion! Friday 21 April Roy looks v. tired & worried. Off much earlier to City. Lovely day, dull later. Started middle of Dearest’s room with Marie, it looks clean & nice now. Bills & papers later. Good news of darling Maud’s improved health fr. Nurse, Edgar & Sophy. Edie to luncheon & after rest she & I went by Motor Bus to National Gallery, only one Anton Mauve there & not nearly as good as ours. 6d day & closed 5 o’c, so only had a rapid walk round. Gave Edie mauve Tabbie hat, hers dreadful, pity. Roy dined at home. Saturday 22 April Roy off v. early. Marie & self v. busy dearest’s room morg. & afternoon. It looks beautifully clean now tho’ over loaded with furniture pictures etc. So happy to have it nearly done. To Bank 12 o’c about what Roy thought wrong re securities sold, all right. I slept v. badly, fearing my fault. Fanny Nembhard called, did not see her, lying down v. tired. Roy dined out. Mary did spare room after tea as Toula comes 8 o’c Monday. Sunday 23 April Slept well & later. Roy off to Club earlier. I walked to Mrs Knowles, in America, saw Phene, growing stout, still pretty. Called Dr Orton & asked him to dine tonight, rec’d no answer! Not coming. Called & saw Mrs Joachim, enjoyed talk with her over old times. Dolly Joachim dined here. Roy won the Billiards tournament at Queens Club!!! today. Roy dined at home, looked tired. Monday 24 April Toula arrives 8 o’c AM fr. Germany. Looks well. Marie & self in Dearest’s room. Out with Toula at 12. Telegram fr. Darling anxious lest we have touched drawers, have not. Wired back. To Bradleys about dress. Paid Electric light bill. X. Edie lunched here & tea. Roy dines out. V. delightful day having Toula. Tuesday 25 April To Miss Gordon Barrett’s about ground rent, solicitor again wrong. Letter fr. Edgar & Nurse Smith. Darling dreadfully upset about Dearest’s room, 30
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fear wrong telling her anything as her dear nerves still weak. Wrote her & Nurse. Anxious vy about her. Roy’s money to be paid into Pohl & Sambourne firm! £5150. Letter fr. solicitor enclosing Table of my income. Toula helped Marie & self morg Dearest’s room. (illeg illeg) Hilda baby boy! Harrods, stays & shoes. Roy out to dinner. Lady Orchardson & Mrs Finlay came. Wednesday 26 April To Bank early about Roy’s money & signed about it, to be handed over to him. In Dearest’s room with Marie & Toula on return, finished room with M. afternoon. All now beautifully clean there. Toula left after lunch, sorry cannot stay longer. Three post cards fr. Spencer fr. Vernay les Bains Hotel du Parc. Roy dined Harold’s. Thursday 27 April Out morg with Edie early to Woollands. Did thoroughly morg. room corner wine cupboard with Marie. Edie helped. To Bank changed cheque for £7 for journey. E. very tiresome over (illeg) fear expense with three, must see how we get on. Edie left 3.30. Herbert going to Turin in a Bank, better prospects. Mrs Evans arrived 5.30, vy well. Roy dined out. Packed some of my things with Marie. Friday 28 April Packed with Marie. Out at 10 o’c Barkers. Sent telegram to Maudie, wedding day. Private View Academy. Mrs Evans went with Sir John Tenniel’s ticket & took Lady Hunt. Miss Tenniel died at mid day today after long illness. Busy mending. Two letters fr. Lee Pembertons filled with documents. Roy dined at home & went to Station with us 7.30, late night after! Pavlova. Feel very nervous travelling with Roy, fear he cannot manage. Saturday 29 April D.V. Roy & I leave for Ireland 8.45 Paddington. Packed morg. Sewed afternoon. Mrs Evans left 2.30. Went morg. to enquire after Sir John Tenniel who seems quite well & thankful his sister is released from her trouble of mental illness. Marie left my keys on sideboard instead of returning them to me, consequently left without them!!! She left her umbrella in rushing off to telephone for my keys at Station Paddington. Roy dined at home & went to Station with me. My keys left behind! Sunday 30 April Most tiring journey. Could not sleep during journey, Roy absorbed in self, no compassion or thought for me but no doubt tired as he was not 31
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home until 5 o’c Saty morg fr. Mr Stern’s dance at Carlton. Vy bad for him the theatrical element, makes him selfish. Lovely morg, fine passage & lovely country, gorse & fresh green. Fares £5.5.0, sleeping comp 7/6 each. V. expensive journey. Due Cork 12.30. Long stop Waterford. (page pinned in) Sunday 30 April. Splendid passage & most comfortable cabins, vy nice stewardess. We seem to be only people on the large steamer. Lovely morg, reached Rosslare in brilliant sunshine. Most beautiful & the country lovely, all hedges ablaze of yellow gorse, deep with yellow, & the rivers so wide & full of water, the whole country v. lovely. Quantities of glorious yellow gorse everywhere & the fresh spring green & blackthorn white blossom & rich dark fir trees. Quantity of brown and brown & white cattle grazing, sheep, & fewer pigs than I expected. White neat cottages & red roofs & all beautiful in morg. sunlight, think even more lovely than South of France in this sunshine. Lovely morg, fine passage & lovely country, gorse & fresh greenery. Mr Hoare who travelled in our train discretely kept away fr. us, joined us at Cork where Lennie’s Motor met us & we drove 25 miles to Warrens Court where tremendous party met us at the door. Lennie, Mr & Mrs Mickelham, vy pretty young woman, Mr & Mrs Cokayne, Edgar & Sophy, Fitzroy, Mr Forrester, the three dear chicks & Fraulein met us! Saw my darling still in bed but looking sweet & better & her Nurse. Sat down 18 to luncheon! Had bath. Cannot open my boxes!!! & rested. At 4.30 had tea with my darling who was allowed to sit up for an hour, looked v. pretty in her charming mauve Kimono. Mr & Mrs M. left 6.30. Fitz came to my room & we watched some of party fishing in Lakes. Dined in bed. Edgar sat with me before dinner. Monday 1 May Slept wonderfully well. Dull morg & raining after a glorious day yesterday. Mrs Cokayne had to go to bed yesterday after lunch, is only 20 & expecting, already had one miscarriage! Edgar & Roy to my room before starting for river. Colder. House party Edgar, Sophy, Fitzroy, Mr Forrester, Mr Hoare, Mr & Mrs Cokayne (she had miscarriage at 12 o’c last night!!!) Roy, 3 chicks, Fraulein & self . Mr & Mickleham left yesterday. My keys arrived 6.30. Maudie had tea in Sophy’s room we 3 together, M. back to bed after. Read to her & to bed again self for dinner . Lennie got 2 salmon. (Page pinned in) Stories Ireland 1911. Roy having held a rod 3 times asked gillie who he considered the best fisherman, “Sure yer Honor, & it isn’t yourself.” Mr Rye, pointing out a marsh in Co. Cork, Ireland, to Lennie said “It was here the last wolf was killed in England”. Maud reading to the three children came across the word commit. Anne, “What does it mean Mother?” Linley (aged 11) “How stupid you are Anne, why don’t you know Thou shalt not commit 32
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adultery?” Poor Anne crushed. Housekeeper, “Oh Master Oliver you really must not allow that dog to bark, you know how it annoys your Father. “It’s the nature of a dog to bark & if it was Father’s nature he would do it!” Tuesday 2 May Dear little Linley, Fitzroy & Mr Forrester leave 4.30 for London. Glorious morg, sat with Maud, looks tired. Nurse to Cork to telephone doctor about Mrs Cokayne, much better, in bed. Maudie down to drawing room tea, too much for her, Fitz so noisy. For walk with chicks after. Sophy sat with Maud, I later. Darling v. tired. I dined down stairs 9 o’c. 6 salmon killed, Mr Hoare 2, Mr Cokayne 3. Roy trout, Edgar & Lennie nothing. Watched Poker after dinner, bed 11.10. Wednesday 3 May Edgar witnessed transfers. Dear Edgar’s birthday. Wet horrid stormy morg. Fishers unable to start. Lovely afternoon, had walk with Roy & Edgar after tea. Maudie still looks vy tired, came down to tea again, tiring for her as all gentlemen here, they fished lakes after tea, & made flies. Roy & I signed 13 transfers & registered them to Bank, also wrote enclosing signed cheques to solicitors (Smith). Poker evg, Roy won. Thursday 4 May Lovely day. Morg wrote to Toula about Rosalind’s book “Being & Doing”. Sent another transfer to Bank witnessed by Sophy. Wrote to Mr Thorburn Nova Scotia, Roones Bridge. Maudie sat out for ½ an hour. At 3 o’c Sophy & self in small car to river Lea, Beamish Water, glorious scenery. E. joined us for tea, caught salmon on Sophy’s fly!!! & stayed with us some time. 6 salmon brought home, Lennie & Edgar each one, Mr Cokayne & Mr Hoare each 2, & 3 trout. Roy nothing. Poker evg, v. late. Friday 5 May Edgar fished Beamish water yesterday, Lennie today. 4 salmon killed today. Fine & warmer. Darling sat out morg. & was down to lunch & tea but feel v. anxious about her. After lunch rested. Poor Mrs C. cried with pain, feel these little young things need more care, so bad being disturbed by husbands so late at night. Walked with darling after tea & we both sat with Mrs Cokayne. I wrote 5 letters. Roy got 2 salmon but did not hook them! Mr Cokayne got one & dear Edgar one, his fifth. Poker till 11 o’c. Maud having her bath then, far too late. Feel v. worried about her.
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Saturday 6 May Warmer, slept fairly well, anxious about Maud. Walked morg. with Sophy by Lakes, fed swans or tried to! Mr Murphy came with basket filled with empty jam pots. Maudie looks better. Roy returned early fr. river, & left for London by 4.20 train. Maudie, Sophy & self had tea with him before he left, looks worlds better. I walked with Darling round the Lake after & then sat with her & Mrs Cokayne who is better tho’ in bed. Edgar caught only salmon killed, 8 lbs! Poker after, Sophy won 12/6 second time. Sunday 7 May Dull & v. windy. Rained all day, did not go out. Read & wrote. Maud down to luncheon. Mr Fisher Dilke arrived 1.30 PM for luncheon. After lunch Maud & Lennie to see 2 houses for the fishing next year as Warrens Court is let for 3 years to the Fletchers. Bad day for Darling to go out. Maud rested on her return until 7 o’c as she came down for dinner for first time!!! Much livelier table. M. & self upstairs directly after & bed earlier. Sophy v. lively. Mrs C. better, sat with her twice. Chicks for long walk with Nurse & Fraulein. Monday 8 May Again dull & rainy. Slept well. Lovely afternoon. Sat working morning with Sophy library, rested after luncheon & had walk with Darling after tea. Maud did not come down to lunch or dinner, glad, as she looked v. tired yesterday. Mrs Cokayne better but has neuralgia poor little thing. Much fishing talk dinner as usual. Went round garden with Sophy, lovely garden, morose men. Poker evg. Tuesday 9 May Lovely tho’ cloudy morning. Letter fr. dear Roy, his cup arrived, Billiard tournament prize, & letter fr. Midge fr. Coburg, arrived Southampton Saty. Wrote & worked morg. Small car broke down. Chicks with Fraulein & Sophy to Weasel Hunt. They got home to late tea. Maud & I had a lovely walk to woods, a perfect Fairy Land of blue hyacinths & yellow gorse. Lennie got the only salmon 15 lbs. Poker. Sophy won. Wednesday 10 May Glorious day, warmer. The spring tints across hills & by lake & a copper beech by first Lake beautiful. Sat out with with Maud morg, rested after lunch & sat with Mrs Cokayne. Mrs Rye to tea & walk after with Maud, lovely evg. The outside cart & horse arrived in place of Hospital Car! A blank day. No salmon. Poker. Sophy & Edgar again won. Mr Hoare the city gentleman with bad cold. Mrs C. on sofa for dinner. 34
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Thursday 11 May Most glorious day & the lovely greens of all shades making the scenery around more beautiful than ever. Sat out with Maud & Sophy & the chicks at 11.30. After lunch we walked to Lake & fed the quarrelsome swans who were more savage than usual, & the ducks. After Anne found a pheasants egg on the lawn close to the wired in space where the young ducks are. Heard sounds of guns for over an hour when resting, continual peal like thunder. Chicks with Fraulein & Nurse for picnic in car, outside car! Friday 12 May Maud, Sophy & self left in Motor at 12 o’c for Nettleville Water. Perfect morg. Walked fr. gates of Nettleville thro’ the loveliest scenery & picniced in woods carpeted with hyacinths, campions & primroses, & on to River after, glorious. Hills & lakes “Oak Grove” standing high up above river Lea woods & lovely open spaces with yellow gorse & on to “Wendy Hut”. We met Lennie just before getting into Wendy wood. Here we lay on grass reading whilst Lennie fished & caught 10¼ lb salmon which we watched with glee! Had tea after & then a heavy storm which had been long threatening came down torrents of rain. Vivid flashes of lightning (Page pinned in) Friday 12th May. & terrific thunder. We all took shelter in Wendy’s hut where Mr Fisher Dilke joined us. He had been fishing op. bank. We waited until past 6, rain too heavy to venture the long walk back to Outside Car with Beach awaiting us at Lodge. At last we went, Mr Fisher Dilke going on with Sophy, & Maud & I following soaked by long wet grass. At Lodge Maud changed stockings & boots & we had our coats. Sophy, Maud & self sailed off in Outside Car, we two vy nervous of the ossilating(sic) of car. & free horse. V. anxious about Maud as we were so hot & wet fr. long walk, & it was cold driving. Motor with the men came up to us when half way home & we got in to Motor & they on to Car. Met the dear chicks in a donkey cart with Fraulein & Edith (housemaid) who had taken shelter in storm after their picnic at (blank). Great rush to get dressed for Sophy & self! it being 9 o’c before we were home. Poker evg. Edgar lost. Sophy won 12/6. Maud straight to bed on our return. Festival of Empire at Crystal Palace, King George & Queen Mary & Prince of Wales opened it. Mr Cokayne salmon 16½ lbs. Lennie 10½ lbs. Mr C’s a long straight fish. Saturday 13 May Letter fr. dear Roy, he goes to Mr Stern’s brother at Worthing for weekend. Dear Edgar & Sophy leave at 4.30, also Mr Fisher Dilke & Mr Hoare. Glorious morg. Sat with E. & S. whilst they packed. Maudie better. Awful thunderstorm during luncheon, worst I ever remember. E. & 35
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S. went to Station on their bicycles, Mr H. & Mr F.D. in wagonette, ordered in place of Outside Car! Chicks had donkey for 1½ hrs in grounds. Oliver rides wonderfully well & sits so well. Maudie & self round lake, dull & heavy. Mr Cokayne killed 9½ lb salmon, one fish only. Mr D. Rye to dinner. Maudie down, left after. Lennie, Mr R. & Mr C. played Poker. I watched, vy even all. Sunday 14 May Dull & sunny alternately. E. & S. arrive in London with Mr Hoare & Mr Dilke. Roy goes for week end to Mr Stern’s brother at Worthing. Lennie said Roy’s firm had had a big deal with Messel firm, I hope good for Roy. We go to tea at Mrs Rye’s, Lennie Maud & self. Charming place & lovely garden. Mr Rye went on to see a place with Maud & Lennie whilst I went round garden. They returned to tea, & Mr B. Rye & Mr Bullough (Maudie Darrell’s husband) & his secretary also to tea. Mr D. vy nice young man. Mrs Cokayne down to tea drawing room. Felt seedy after. Capt Gibbs came in time for dinner. Monday 15 May Woke during night several times. Wrote morg 5 letters. Took short walk alone round lake, nests! Raining slightly. Sat with Mrs Cokayne after lunch then rested, & needle work. Was to have had walk with dear chicks after schoolroom tea in drawing room but Lady Bandon came so c’d not go. Doctor Cumming came to see Mrs C. & she may get up & walk about a little. Doctor came to see little K. maid who scalded her foot, is to rest it. Help in K. so she gets little chance of it healing quickly. Capt Gibbs got a 9 lb salmon & Mr Rye a 10½ lb. Poker v. rapid with 3 only. Maudie down to dinner & bed directly after. Tuesday 16 May Fine early. Again woke in night 2 o’c. Lovely & warm & not too heavy. Maudie left at 12 o’c in wagonette for River to meet Lennie & on to see a house (Linseys) which they like v. much overlooking Beamish Water where Sophy & I met Edgar! Maud not back until 7 o’c or later. I wrote & sat on lawn morg. Mrs C. down to lunch & tea. Mr G. (blank) arrived 5 o’c. I went for walk with chicks alone. Vy pleasant dinner, Darling down, to bed directly after. Wednesday 17 May Glorious morg & view fr. my window getting more beautiful every day. Last evg. the whole hillside as I dressed for dinner was lighted up by a golden light & then an exquisite red. Turner never saw anything more lovely. Unsettled day, rain & sun. Lovely morg. Wrote & walked alone 36
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morg. Broke my darling’s sunshade! X. Mr Cokayne had to leave on business 4.30, ret’d to luncheon. Mrs C. down till 8 o’c. Maudie looking tired, dined & remained short time after dinner to teach Mr Godman Poker. Late to bed. Thursday 18 May I slept v. badly, feel worried about Maud being so late at night. Wrote Roy, Emma & Mr Lehmann about my Dearest. Maud & self to river 12 o’c. Vy unsettled weather, glorious after & hot. In Motor to Murphy Cottage & to riverside, peaceful & quiet for one hour when at 2 o’c Lennie & Roy came & fetched us in boat, commotion Lennie in temper about our being late. Uncomfortable lunch in boat. Hurried all along river & saw Lennie hook one fish which jumped twice into the air & got away. Warrens Court water, Russell reach, Island stream. Ivy rock & slate quarries & C(illeg) before one in the sunshine. A perfect day but for the sense of hurry & restless rush. So bad for my darling. If only we could meet at one place & rest there quietly. We enjoyed drive home in wagonette, Beach driving, but could only rest a few moments after dressing for dinner, & to bed after. Mr Godman got 2 lovely fish 11 lbs & 12 lbs. (Page pinned in) Thursday 18th May. Most beautiful scenery all along river, so varied & wild flowers most beautiful. Lennie hooked his fish by Island stream where we had tea, all spoilt by a sense of hurry scurry & poor Lennie’s unhappy mind at bad luck, could rest nowhere. Longed to sit quietly as we had done alone together before being fetched, the sense of greatest peace alone by the river so perfect. Jim said he found it very difficult to keep up with Lennie he walked so fast, indeed he does everything so fast! The yellow broom lovely where we had tea & on the slate quarries where the rocks look like great velvety antlers jutting up out of the water with their black velvety covers & tops the banks on either side & steep hills covered with wild hyacinths, crimson orchids, Star of Jerusalem, London pride!!! The rocks covered with this. Moss all sorts of lovely ferns & pink nettle. I never saw anything so beautiful & the glorious river rushing below between the rocks then opening out in the undulating slope & C(illeg) Castle & village a perfect scene of beauty. Friday 19 May Slept well, but feel head tired & back achey. Glorious morg. again. Maud, Lennie & Anne off in Motor alone. Cap. G. & Mr Godman preceeding them as Lennie’s neuralgia so bad. To river, Warrens Court. I had restful peaceful day with Mrs Cokayne alone as Oliver, Nurse & Fraulein also went to C(illeg) for day. Glorious day. Sat out all day except for hour after lunch. Walked along narrow Lake path v. dirty & sloppy with Mrs C & I sat in boat until 7 o’c. Saw Cormorant sitting on little jetty, staring at 37
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landscape! Only disturbed by Barringer rowing towards it. Mr Fletcher came to see over house for 6 years lease! Lennie got salmon 9 lbs & Mr Rye a 10 or 11 lb one. Saturday 20 May Slept well. To bed early last night. Another lovely day. Oliver’s donkey here. Morg. both chicks rode it. Maud & Oliver to river to meet Lennie. Very warm. Wrote & sat out with Mrs Cockayne, rested after lunch. Anne with Nurse for long walk & met Maud & Oliver on their return. Mr & Mrs Hayworth Booth arrived early morg & went straight to River fr. Cork!!! Fished all day! Capt Gibbs got a 10 lb salmon & Lennie a 7 lb, & lost one. Mr H.B. also lost one. Had tea on lawn with Mrs Cokayne & Fraulein. Walk after along narrow strip between Lakes. (Page pinned in) 20th May Saturday. Mrs Cokayne came down to dinner for first time & sat with the Hayworth B’s. Darling looked tired & she & Mrs Cokayne left directly after dinner, but Maud was not in bed when I came up at 11.30 after watching the rest play Poker. V. late for her. A rather curt letter from Mr Lehmann, longer fr. Edgar fr. Langham, & Toula. Sunday 21 May Slept badly, woke v. often. Glorious morg & view fr. my room & bed exquisite. Vy hot. Mr & Mrs H. Booth off at 11 o’c to River, fished all day, & a Blank day! We were not up to our rooms until 11.30 & darling not in bed last evg. when we came up. Mrs Cokayne dined & remained up late tonight watching Poker. Maud up earlier but not in bed when we went up! Lennie fished for trout in Lakes, got one. Cap. G. & Mr Godman for long walk. Tea in Hall. Chicks picniced out. Monday 22 May Mrs Cokayne came to my room 1.30 this morg. in great state. Lennie & Cap. Gibbs up & about, thinking men about. Mrs C. got into my bed & remained all night. Glorious morg. Mr Booth leaves today at 4.30. Letter fr. Roy & transfers to be signed & sent to Bank. Sent these off registered, witnessed by Mrs Cokayne. Maud, Fraulein, Nurse & 2 chicks off 12 o’c to river. Mrs C. & self alone, glorious day but colder. Wrote morg, had tea on lawn & lovely walk after with Mrs C. Poker evg. Lennie got a 7 lb salmon. Bed 11.30. Mr Warren here & Mr F. to see over house. Tuesday 23 May Cold & dull. Slept well. Letter fr. Sir James Whitehead & Edie F. Vy windy. Sent off list securities at last to Fritz Jackson! & wrote to Edie F. Mrs C. Maud & self & the 2 chicks to tea Mrs Rye’s & met nice clergyman & a lady visitor there. Mr Godman 2 salmon. No one else 38
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anything, 14 lbs & 8 lbs. Maudie looks tired. Maud & self watched Poker until 10.30. Mr Booth & Lennie wining. Lennie won 12/6 last night also. Throat & ear painful, sharp pains thro’ ear & throat sore. Wednesday 24 May Conrad’s birthday. R.I.P. Wretched wet blowey day. Ear ache, shooting pains. Mrs C. went with rods early! & did not return until 4 o’c, & she had to leave at 4.30 with Nurse for London. She looked wonderfully well. Three Miss Mathews to tea. All seem nice girls, left ¼ to 7. Mrs Ivor their sister with them. She married Mrs Warren’s brother. Colder & fear Nurse & Mrs C. will have a rough passage. Maud looked v. tired but played poker evg. until 10.30 when I carried her off to bed & saw her into her nightdress. No fish. Thursday 25 May Cap’t Gibbs got a 9lb salmon. Dull raining & blowing. No telegram or news of Mrs Cokayne or Nurse. Sat drawing room with Maud writing all morg. Parcel 5/2 fr. stores for poor children, chicks undid it & skipped with S. ropes in Hall. Happy little lunch waiting ourselves with chicks. My throat & ear better, must be neuralgia. After rest & my darling slept for walk with dogs & chicks, & got ferns & wild flowers. Fishers home earlier rather. Poker. M. & self to bed 10.45. Friday 26 May 3 salmon killed. Mrs Booth 7½, Cap’t Gibbs 10, Lennie 15¼ odd. Dull morg. Throat vy choaked up morg. Feel tired without reason, slept so well. Think long walk not good last evg but so enjoyed it with my darling & chicks. Maud & self after half hour’s rest with Oliver to Nettlesville in cart & walked fr. there to Wendy’s Hut where we met Lennie who after tea killed a lovely salmon 15¼ lbs. Oliver & ourselves greatly excited & delighted. Oliver v. interested. He & I walked some distance along riverside to a little pool where he got some weird water insect, a water boatman etc. V. cheerful evg, 3 Salmon!!! Poker & bed.11 o’c. V. tired. Come up now with Maud as nurse gone. K. does not sit up. Saturday 27 May Wrote Spencer, Edie, Evie. Cap’t Gibbs fine salmon 10 lbs. Vy good night but back achey & head ached, think long drive & walk too much, cart jolts my side too much. Heavenly morg. Still no letter fr. Roy. Maud & Anne off at 12 o’c to join Lennie river. Lovely day. Fraulein, Oliver & self lunched alone. Fed ducks & hens after, saw tiny pheasants. After rest tea & to Lake with Oliver & Fraulein. Sat on bank whilst O. paddled.
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After walked round Lakes. Laundry horse ran away! Poker evg. Maud lost 4/- & quite happy. Looks flushed & tired. Sunday 28 May Glorious day. Sat out talking to Mrs H. Booth, later Darling & Lennie etc. Lunch & I sat out reading whilst rest went round garden. Tea in Hall. Cap. G. & Mr Godman for walk & L. & Mr G. fished, latter got 2 fine trout & missed 3. Darling packed up 3 packets of books, too much for her. Watched Poker evg. Glad Maud did not play & we two left at 10.30 for bed. No letter fr. Roy. Monday 29 May Sir W.S. Gilbert was drowned at Grims Dyke in Lake in trying to save a lady who was bathing there with him. No salmon. Glorious morg. Letters fr. Midge asking me there 1st July, Alice Linley & Emma. Mr Godman left at 4.30 after day on river. Glorious day. Maud packed books etc & went with 2 chicks after lunch to join Lennie at River. I & Fraulein got Lake insects for chicks in Lake. Morg. chicks & self took toys to poor children, disappointed they were at school & left them with woman. Poker. V late to bed. Maudie v. white & looked ill at dinner. Tuesday 30 May Glorious day. No letter fr. Roy! Fr. Mervyn long letter, & post card fr. Toula. Packed morg with dear chicks in my room, vy good & amusing. Maud joined Lennie at River after tea, left in motor at 6 o’c. Chicks to tea Miss Mathews. Quiet peaceful day. No trouble packing, must be stronger. Again slight sore throat. Maud remained to lunch & tea with me & at 6 o’c in motor to river, after packing up books all morg. etc. (Page pinned in) 30th May. Tuesday. Far too much for her but have no control over her & it worries me v. much. All later than usual fr. river, dinner later. No fish. Lennie sad last evg. No Poker, & darling overtired. Bed 10.30. Mrs Booth equal to strongest man, never tired. Maudie a little over strained & Lennie also. Heard Sir William S. Gilbert drowned in his Lake at Grimsdyke, Harrow Weald, after being in London, feared from heart failure after fatigue of journey. How I pity her. Wednesday 31 May Glorious day. Up 5 o’c, breakfast 6 o’c. All ready good time. Lennie, Cap’t Gibbs, Mrs Booth & Kirtin in hired open motor, & Maud, chicks, Fraulein & self in Lennie’s to Cork. Chicks & Fraulein in carriage next to us but we 5 rather too many in our comp’t. Maud & self lunched off cakes & coffee. L, Cap. G. & Mrs B. in restaurant car. Boat St George. Lovely passage we were on deck all time fr. 1.30 jusqu’à 5.30, reached 40
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Fishguard. Welsh scenery not nearly so lovely as Ireland. Had dinner in train & dear chicks too (Page pinned in) Wed 31st May. who were as good as gold, read a great deal. Arrived Paddington 9.30. Home 10.25. Derby Day. “Sunstar” Mr Jack’s horse won & Roy c’d not meet me at Station as he was with Mr Stern at Derby. Nurse F. met the chicks at station. Cab home 2/6, Edith 7/- Barringer 5/- porter 6d. A very delightful visit of 4 weeks & 3 days. Wish my darling looked stronger & better, more energy than strength & too unselfish & does too much altogether. Spent from £6.0.0: 7/- Edith, 5/- Barringer, 2/6 cab, 6d porter 1/- stamps. Thursday 1 June Lovely morg. Marie unpacked, she had kindly put flowers & plants in my bedroom window boxes, so pleased to see them on waking, so thoughtful of her, & Emma most kindly planted flowers on first staircase & had aquarium beautifully done. Up at 12, read letters & papers. Roy came in before breakfast, looks vy seedy. To Bank, found account not so low as expected. Vy hot & ordered 2 plants & got flowers Barkers. My darling sent me lovely flowers also. (Page pinned in) Thurs 1st June 1911. Arranged flowers with Mary drawing room, & a large fern in Roy’s lovely silver bowl in his room. Edie arrived 4 o’c, looked vy nice evg at dinner in pretty black dress, & well. Roy dined at home. Edie’s boxes a little large for the (illeg) room. Mervyn came in after dinner, so glad to see him. Roy left directly after dinner, seems v. absorbed but is no doubt tired. Wish he looked stronger. Hankers far too much after great wealth & wish he c’d be happy with what we have. Severe self reproach, gave tongue & regret outspeaking. Sharp discipline for many days. Wisdom waits. Friday 2 June Sir H.S. Gilbert cremated & interred today. Lovely day, slept well. Saw Emma who looks very well. Both Emma & Marie had put pretty geraniums & ferns on staircase, fern case & my bedroom, most kind welcome. Edie to Bushey for her lessons for day. I on goose chase to find poor Douglas who is laid up at nursing home, went up & down Queens Gate. Sp. Gave me wrong address, so c’d not find it. V. x. as it was vy hot. Marie & self turned out dress to be dyed loft. Read & worked. Darling & Lennie to Balcombe. Roy dined out seems better. Edie played to me all the evg. (Cutting pinned in) June 1, 1911. Death of Sir W. Gilbert. Saturday 3 June Dull day. To Barkers with Edie, asparagus & biscuits & sardines. Sat in gardens, felt close & thundery. Edie at 3 o/c to meet Mervyn & Ethel 41
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Hurlingham. Polo match. Roy out all day expected him to dinner & waited till 8.15 but he did not come or telephone. I tidied some drawers, worked, looked thro’ my Dearest’s photos with Marie for an hour after tea in his room, astounding, no dust here after 4 ½ weeks. Edie played. Late to bed! Letters fr. Spencer (Barcelona) & Midge & Edgar. Sunday 4 June Tabs & H. at Harrogate so Roy’s holiday spoilt, so sorry, as he ought to get out of London. Glorious morg, woke early. Roy out all day but dined with Edie & self. Edie & self to Miss Rose Innes & asked her to dine, engaged. Sat in Gardens after until 1 o’c, too hot for church!! At 3 o’c to Mervyn & in taxie with him to Hurlingham with Ethel & tea there. Saw 2 of the California Hotel people at Cannes. Good band & delightful afternoon with E. & Mervyn. Home by Distrct Rly. Roy home & Edie played after dinner. Wrote to Darling after dinner. Sorry dear Roy in London. Monday 5 June The dear chicks with Nurse Francis to tea. In all day. Edie to Bushey for her pupils, away 11 till 7.30. Poor Roy’s holiday spoilt by Tabs & H’s going to Harrogate. He went on River punting all day & came home to dinner, delighted to have him, & Edie played. Morg. wrote, rested after lunch, & Toula came 4 o’c, Miss Innes later. Vy happy afternoon, we all played card games after tea & they walked home at 6.30. Peaceful day & quiet. Tuesday 6 June Edie gave me some lovely lilies. Mervyn lunched here. My Darling returns with Lennie fr. Balcombe. Glorious morg. v. hot. To Bank about Executor’s ac’t. Letter fr. Mr Smith saying all settled!? Mervyn & Edie here luncheon. No one called. Looked thro’ Dearest’s nude photos, no good to Mervyn. Vy hot day. Roy dined out. Edie self alone. 12 geranium plants 3/6, planted them with Marie in garden. Wednesday 7 June Emily Fraser to tea, did not come. X. Edie left early 8.30 for Bushey. Roy later to breakfast. Emma told me of her intended marriage in Oct, am dreadfully sorry, & cannot imagine what I sh’ll do without her. Wrote morg & went to my darling 11 o’c in taxie & on with her to Jays. Neville & Rossiter about 2 dresses & mantle. Lunched with her & the dear chicks & Fraulein & went fast asleep on her bed after, she by my side, & left her off to dressmaker & dining Mocattas, too much, she looks so delicate.
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Tea at home. Maud’s lovely carnations look lovely in drawing room. Sat with Roy who dined out. Edie & self dined alone. (Page pinned in) 7th June 1911. Marie & I put away travelling rug & blue blanket from my bed in No 15 tin box over bathroom door. Mary out afternoon & evg. Edie had long letter from Herbert who seems unwell & disappointed now with Italy & Italians, ways so different fr. ours! etc. Vy much dearer than he expected, fear he cannot be well & Edie will worry. My dearest’s two Pass Books from the Solicitors. I think things are really beginning to be settled & I shall know what my income is & what I can do with it. Very nice having Edie so far, feel less lonely as my dear Roy out so much & my darling has too much to do to be here much now, & she needs great care. The chicks already look paler. Thursday 8 June Off at 10.30 with Edie to A.Ny. Stores. 4 combinations £1.17.6, sunshade 8/6, black chain bag 10/6. Total £2.16.3, our fares 1/-. X. Mr Rudolph Lehmann came 2.30 about Dearest’s biography. Found him family papers, Coronation number & Birthday number of Punch 70 years! Dearest saved this extra strain. At 4 o’c with Darling Maud in Victoria to call Emily Fraser, saw her, vy well & handsome. To Lady Pontifex, out. (Page pinned in) Thursday June 8th & several of Maud’s friends & left her at Mrs Reid’s at home, & to see Evie, occupied with a visitor, saw her chicks, & on to Desirée, saw her & her pretty group of children & Col.Welby. Charming talk with him & Desirée, & they will dine with us Sunday quietly. Maudie brought me home. Roy dined at Mrs Hohler’s, Winnie Walker there, dull after. Edie & self dined alone. Bed early but read late. Roy in early. Friday 9 June Ethel & Mervyn dine here. Edie to Bushey. Edgar leaves Ravendale on visits. To Maud in her Victoria ¼ to 11. To Park, saw chicks there, meet of coaches, went wrong way, but vy happy with my Darling & on to Neville & Rossiter to see Maud fitted. Waited ages, & Wilsons after, & to lunch at Maud’s. Gladys, Fraulein, Charlotte Loring there. Back by bus pleasant talk directly after, fruit & flowers Barkers & some peonies fr. Balcombe, lovely scented ones. (Page pinned in) Friday 9th June. Rested for an hour & tea in my room alone. After with Marie looking thro’ photos Dearest’s room. Toula came & went on with me sorting photos, seems an endless job but we have found many family photos I sh’ll value greatly, & many of Dearest Lin, Maud & Roy, am so glad to have them. Toula stayed until 7. Edie ret’d fr. Bushey & Roy dined with us, making 4. Sat in morg. room after, on account of Ethel’s knee, which is better. Vy pleasant evg. 43
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Saturday 10 June Darling goes to Balcombe & returns Tuesday. With her morg. to be fitted at Wilsons, Russian fitter, & to Courtauld Thomsons after about Maud’s bed etc, huge place. Maud left me at home 1.30. After rest Edie & self at 4.30 to see Douglas at Nursing Home 99 Cromwell Rd, looks fearfully ill, but so patient & good & cheery. Stayed some time. Late leaving 6.15, got fruit at Butts, 6/4. Edie & self alone. Roy out. Sunday 11 June Pd fruit Butts, 6/4. Bad night. Morg. with Edie to see Douglas at 99 Cromwell Rd, looks better. Took him some grapes. Saw doctor, satisfied with his progress. Sat in Gardens after. Rested after lunch & slept, felt better for it. Midge came to tea, saw Edie & did not seem to mind. Midge looking vy handsome, & well & smart. No one else came. Col Welby, Mervyn & Desirée dined here, & Edie. Vy sorry Roy out. Miss my Dearest more then ever as one now forgets the long illness. Monday 12 June Dull morg. Edie to Bushey. I by bus to Woollands about Alpaca coat & skirt, awfully expensive, nothing under 10½ gns. Emma’s fiancé here! Emily Fraser married today. Rested after lunch, worked on my skirt, & after tea in my room called walking as unable to have carriage, on Miss Neaves, Palgrave Simpson, Miss Webster, stayed some time here, Mr R. Wallace & Mrs Rawlinson remained an hour. Vy pleasant talk, her youngest dau. aged 40 living by herself in country. Roy dined out. Edie looked v. tired on return fr. Bushey. Read to me evg, bed rather late. Tuesday 13 June Lovely morg. Mary out afternoon & evg, goes out a great deal. Morg. Edie to Lancaster Gate, I to Westbourne Grove, Bradley Wallace & Whiteley about alpaca coat & skirt. Strawberries. Edie to tea Douglas & took him “Petsey” Maud’s book. A Mrs Dugdale fr. church called & Miss Bastard & my Darling came with some lovely flowers, returned fr. Balcombe today. Roy dined at home. Edie played. Man fr. Barkers about taps. Put in new tap. Wednesday 14 June Toula here lunch & dinner. Edie to Bushey. Roy off early & home late to Ascot, sent for his evg. clothes to Oxford Cambridge Club. Marie out. Mary & I packed them off in Taxi! Maud’s carriage 11.30 to Marshall & Willatts ordered new boots & Marshall Snelgrove ordered alpaca morg. dress £5.2.0. Toula brought me some lovely flowers & we had a happy peaceful afternoon & evg, she helped most with my cloth mantle & put it 44
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in order for me to do. Wonderfully quick & exact, wish I was like her! Edie played to us after dinner. Thursday 15 June I lunch with Lady J. Ferguson 1.30. Wretched lunch, wee rissoles & microscopic stuffed tomatoes, 3 bananas & few cherries, no coffee or sweet! Om. there & back. Mrs Pohl, Effie & Ethel English called, saw them & Mrs G. Miller, was out when they came. Roy dined at Harold’s. Edie & self alone. Got a new leather for pantry. Friday 16 June I lunch with darling Maud 1.30. Geoff’s fiancée going also. Marie scrubbed Dearest’s room & I dusted same, & looked thro’ photos. Cab to Maud’s, 1/-. Beautifully served & delicious luncheon. Mrs Evans, Miss Curtis, Edgar, Miss Davison only. Not impressed with Miss D, neither distingué nor pretty & too old, but seems a nice girl. Mrs Evans charming. Maud & self to Marshalls to be fitted blk Alpaca & to tea at Ritz with Gladys & her charming party. Miss Gibbs, Mrs Breitmayer etc. (Page pinned in) Friday 16th June. Maudie brought me home with Gladys & her pretty cousin Mrs (blank). Edie to Bushey. We dined alone, Roy out. Marie wishing to leave, very sorry. Saturday 17 June Very close & hot. Out 10.30 with Edie, Kensington. Strawberries 2/6, chocolates 1/-. Barkers about Roy’s chair! T. Cook’s about Vittel tickets. 6 new dusters Emma, 4 prs stockings self, & Hat!!! Edie out afternoon, Grove, after tea. Edgar to tea, fear Vittel too expensive. He saw Edie & was vy kind. Roy dined out, seems more cheerful. Edie & self alone. Sunday 18 June Spencer at Jn’r Naval & Military Club Piccadilly to see Douglas. Mr C. Cooke & Miss Bonne Vie dine here. Asked Effie, uncertain. Only 2 former came. Edie & I took some strawberries to Douglas, only allowed short time. Mrs Davison & daughter came to tea, Geoff’s fiancée, she does not not impress me & see no prospects, madness on G’s part. Roy on river & dressed at home evg. & dined out. Vy charming evg, delightful to have a clever man to talk to again. Miss my dearest’s cleverness more & more. Monday 19 June Roy & I dine at Mrs Pohl’s, 8 o’c. Awful morg. Toula here all day, worked with me, & thro’ pass book. Vy pleasant dinner & charmingly
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appointed house. Mr & Mrs Bristow there, sis. of Mrs P’s. Roy off to Adelphi on leaving, great hurry to be there. Edie dined out. Tuesday 20 June Dear Edgar & Sophy come to stay. Busy morg. getting out flag with Marie seeing to Edgar’s room. Edie left 5 o’c. To Barkers morg. ordered flowers, vegts, fruit etc. Fanny Barker & Mary called only, looking vy well & smart. No line fr. my darling. Roy out to dinner. Effie dines here. Wednesday 21 June Our dear Mother died 1895. Edgar to St Peters. Sophy & self slept badly although comfortable each in our beds! Edgar to St Peter’s & not home until late 7.45. Sophy & self in M’s carriage to Haines & Polker. Left S. & on alone to Maud, with her to Neville & Wilson to be fitted. Sophy met Effie in Pk & came on to me at Maud’s for luncheon. I had to walk back thro’ the tents which are thickly packed all over Gardens & park. Vy tired, rested on return. (Page pinned in) 21st June. Wed. Marie had put up our fine flag, Royal Standard, found in one of Dearest’s tin boxes. Rested & Edgar Sophy & self for dinner. Decorations vy elaborate. On reaching Kensington walking fr. Maud’s came upon huge crowds lining Kensington & just in time to see King & Queen with Prince of Wales, Princess Marie & Prince driving towards Olympia. King looked most gracious & was loudly cheered all along route, bunting & flags flying everywhere. We went to bed 10.30. Roy had been Queens Club. Could make no arrangements about fly with Maud as Edgar will not leave here before 11 o’c as we can get into Naval & Military by back entrance. One man asked me £1.10 but we decide to go by tube to Down St. Thursday 22 June Coronation Day of King George V & Queen Mary. Slept badly, raining. Awful noise of taxies all night long. Colder. Edgar off early & engaged taxi for 11 o’c at 7/6 to take us to Naval & Military & we breakfasted at 9.o’c (E, S & Roy did) I as usual at 8.30 in my room. Roy goes to Worthing Mr F. Stern’s. Had splendid places in centre of stand at N. & M. Club. All most perfectly managed, splendid lunch & good band in garden of club, all arrangements perfect. Wonderful sight procession, all the carriages closed. Indians most effective in their gorgeous uniforms. Friday 23 June Dull heavy day. S. & self bad wretched night. Man with telegram next door at 2 AM. banging at door. Had to call him fr. window then he rang for ages. Feel a perfect wreck. S. & E. off at 11 & returned only at 4 o’c. I had my 3 boxes in Roy’s room & packed one for loft, keeping 2 I take to 46
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Vittel. Cap. Shapp & Toula to tea. I had a good rest after lunch. Edgar telephoned Dr Waggett & went & saw him consequently we were late with dinner. Feel anxious about his ear. Pouring rain. Saturday 24 June Dull & wet early. Out at 10.30 met G. Keith. To Bank, got £7 in gold. My account low only £60 odd. Arranged about money. Bought various things for Vittel. Sophy packed & left at 1 o’c. Edgar out to lunch. I packed on return morg. & afternoon with Marie. Mr & Mrs Denny came to tea & kindly asked Edgar & self to lunch at Grand tomorrow, cannot go. Roy home, had been to see Eton & Winchester match at Eton. Roy & Edgar dined with me. Sunday 25 June Packed morg & wrote. Edgar of to meet Sophy at Church. Roy to Club. Marie finished packing with me although her morg. out. Spencer arrived at 106 Queens Gate with Hylda & Ada fr. Hardelot France, awful passage. Edgar & Roy dined at home & to bed early. E. looks v. seedy afraid anxious about his ear. Monday 26 June Taxi 3/- Marie 8d, commissioner 1/3, boy 2d, & book 1/-. Gave dear Roy my keys. Left with Marie in taxi with my luggage 10 o’c, Edgar in another taxi with his, to Vic Sta. Sophy met us there. Brought E. gardenia buttonhole, self 3 roses. Saw H. Dickens on steamer, c’d see how much he feels my Dearest’s death. Had long talk with him. V. comfortable journey E. most attentive & kind, a good manager. V. good lunch in train at Calais of Emma’s. Arrived Paris 6.30, luggage thro’ douane. E. had to pay 19 frs on 48 cigars! Dined & slept Buffet Hotel Paris. Awful noise in streets. Tuesday 27 June Pd 21fr 60, water ticket. Slept fairly well till 4 o’c, up 7.30. Coffee in my room. Left by 11.10 for Vittel. Couple with dog in our comp’t. Lunched restaurant car. Rained hard. Vittel 5.50. Nice room. Walked thro’ grounds drank water! Pd 21fr 60 cents for glass & ticket. Vy tired. Unpacked. E. to Doctor F(illeg) for me, coming tomorrow 7.30. Palmers at Hotel, Palace Hotel. Good dinner but dull hour after. E. looked vy tired & puffy round eyes, hope he is all right but feel anxious. Wednesday 28 June E. had massage to his eye & over body afternoon. Good night. Glorious sunny morg, sun in my room, birds singing & all looking bright. Up ¼ to 47
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7, did hair & awaited doctor in bed, the French one. Doctor came 7.30 AM, v. nice man & seems clever. Regime 4½ glasses before breakfast grande source, 2 after 3 o’c same. Walked about with Edgar & famished, not getting anything to eat before 11 o’c, & alone in sale à manger E & self, rest evidently feed at 12 o’c. Thought I had lost my purse, found it, gave Edgar 2 frcs. Page pinned in) Wed 28th June 1911. After excellent lunch to Etablissement new glass covered place facing garden & had coffee. Good band. At 12.30 to my room & rested & slept. Vy noisy people above me. Dressed & joined Edgar at 3.15 in grounds & we both took our water & sat out, lovely afternoon, good band, vy bright & cheery. Little French cocotte & attendant & dog! With lion’s tail! Had bad & dear tea 1 fr. each, garçon 25 cents & brioche 25 cents each. Total each 90 cents & 50 cents for coffee. Owe Edgar 1.40. (Page pinned in) 8.15.6 English. 26 frc French. Marie 3d. Paid 1 frc Paris maid. Book 1/-. Papers 2d, cab 3/-. Source ticket Vittel & glass 21 frcs 60. Stamps 2 frcs. Pd Edgar by cheque 29th June £7.19.8. 30th boy 30 cents, work 2 frcs, maid 2 frcs & cotton 20 cents. Thursday 29 June Glorious morg. Out by 8 o’c, slept well. Drank 3 glasses g’de source. Walked to my room, rested. Had café simple. Hotel forgot cake, c’d have done without! Made out accounts, pd. Edgar £7.19.8. Good lunch. To casino after, only E. coffee. Rested 1.20 till 3. To take water again, 2 glasses ¾. Met Palmers, fine looking but uninteresting, introduced E, sat talking to Mrs P. & missed him till nearly 5 o’c! Good but dear tea 1.25. (Page pinned in) Thursday 29 June. Sat out until 6. To Hotel, dressed & worked, or rather mended! Tea 1fr, brioche 25 & men 30 cents each. Lovely & sunny & warm all day. No letters. E. seemed tired & not well at dinner. New table in window & new waiter, quicker. Flower girl. All windows open in sale à manger, so warm. To casino for E’s coffee. & band, sat other end near restaurant. Feel v. tired & a little side achey. To bed 9.30. Had bath which leaked all over floor. Little chambermaid obliging but rather dull. No coffee after lunch or dinner as I had it at 10 o’c AM in my room before breakfast. Friday 30 June Letters fr. Roy & darling Maud, Edie & Sophy. Owe Edgar today coffee after lunch & tea. Slept badly, awakened by wall banging. Out later. E. looks better & less livery. After our last glass of water walked to Golf Club House, some distance, but lovely view of fields & hills over course morg. Breakfast 10.30. Gt disorder amongst garçons of Hotel, too many, a dozen to wait on our table & never the same! Vy tiresome. Letter fr. Roy dressing daily at his club, useless 3 maids at home! & high wages. 48
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Rested directly after breakfast & E. went to have his coffee at Casino, met him at 3 o’c at Source. Saw after embouchage of Vittel water, wonderfully done, so clean. (Page pinned in) Friday 30th June 1911. Sat about dull weather sultry & got chilly in wind, some rain. Bought 2 mats to work 2 frcs 20. Sat out till 6 o’c. E. had dry massage & his eye looks better even after 2nd treatment. Dined 7.30 & to Casino after. E. had coffee 2 cups!!! We had tea together at tea place near Source, good, & brioche. Letters fr. darling Maud, Roy, Edie, Sophy today. Saturday July 1 Slept fairly well, tired, awaited doctor, did not come. 8.30 at Source. Walked about with E. & fed fish, too satiated with food! Had boiled milk 10 o’c at Hotel, lunched at 11. Vy few people in. To Casino after for coffee & band, both bad coffee. Rested & ready by 2.45, worked. E. fetched me, talked to Mrs Palmer & had tea with her at 4.30. E. joined us at 5 & had his separately. We talked some time together. Huge trees removed here & bound round with cords. Tea house will be ready tomorrow. Walked with E. to fishing pond, saw one fish caught. Dined, got another waiter & sat in Hall of Hotel after where E had coffee. (Page pinned in) Saty 1st July. Mr Palmer came over & talked, he complains of the icy menthol stuff used after massage sous l’eau. Horrid & cannot believe it is good for E. Wrote Roy & few lines to Marie. Very dull dark day & colder. Sunday 2 July Doctor came 7.30 AM. Increased quantity water taken daily, 4 to 5 glasses now morg. & 2 after lunch. Sat & walked with Edgar. 25 cents for chair, 1 frc church, paper 5 cents, woman 10 cents. To church after lunch with E, dreadfully weak sermon. Rested after till 3, then to drink water, & with E. to Golf club house where we had tea & coffee. E. paid 2 frcs. Met Palmers going golf party there. Good dinner & more people, & E. had 2 coffees at Casino with me, I none, To bed 10 o’c. Monday 3 July Slept well. Out early 8 o’c. E. looks depressed & livery, & feel anxious about him. Walked around as colder & windy. Lunch, rested before E. had massage. Had coffee with E. Casino after lunch. Rested till 2.30. Took water at 3, 5 glasses morg!!! 2 afternoon. To tea at Golf House, good, sat in room, cold but sunny all day. To Casino after dinner. E. looks livery. I to bed early. (Page pinned in) Monday 3rd July. E. took his golf clubs & bought golf balls & left them at club House. E. v. depressed at dinner, worried with waiter, a poor creature but anxious to please feel
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sorry for him, has carbuncle on his neck. To Casino after . E. had coffee left early 9 o’c. Letters fr Maudie & Mrs Evans. Tuesday 4 July Gt commotion Germany sent battleship Panthor to Agadir Morocco. Bath. 1 week. Fine morg. V. cold wind. Had chair 25 cents & again afternoon 2 cents. 5 glasses water morg. Edgar to doctor good report. Talked to Mrs Palmer after lunch, they leave tomorrow. Bought toy 2 frcs 95, 4 stamps 1 frc. Did not go to Casino as E. went to see his doctor. Went before lunch, c’d not see him so hurried off after. E. & self sat in abouné chairs & listened to Band after drinking water 3 o’c & then walked to Golf club where we tea 25 cents, again chair, & Edgar went round course. Sat in Hotel evg & bed at 9 o’c. Wednesday 5 July Palmers left ¼ to 10. Lovely morg. Much in paper about Germany’s action. Bill Hotel 109.85 for week paid to Edgar 11.15 & 7/9 insurance of luggage coming to be pd. later. E. & self to Martigny les Bains by train fare 2.70, tea there 1 frc each. Had coffee at Casino indigestion after! Charming little place Martigny Park opens on to Station. Vy prettily laid out. (Page pinned in) Wed 5th July. Sat & listened to Band & watched Petits cheveaux. Played & drank some water there, seemed to have iron in it. Few shops or stalls. Bath rooms v. nicely arranged with lounge & charming looking Hotel International on the top of hill. E. went in & said it looked vy cheerful & bright. A good many people sitting in groups listening to the Band & the Petits cheveaux close to under trees & Kiosks with papers & Tea place. We had tea under the trees & then took walk round. Saw gentlemen fishing assiduously in a duck pond smothered with duck. (cutting inserted re marriage 5 July 1911): Victor Thomas George Hore to Ethel daughter of the late Edwin John Herapath & Mrs Herapath of Matfield Place, Matfield, Kent.) Thursday 6 July Lavatory woman 70 cents, papers 5 cents. Coffee pd E. 50. Tea Golf Club 1 frc. Lovely day v. warm but breezy Dr Bouloumié came, side ache, kidney enlarged, to lie with knees up & rest. 5 glasses water morg, 2 afternoon, 1 taken at night. Vy regular. Sat out read papers. All stocks lower on ac’t of German gunboat Agadier Morocco, feel v. anxious result. To Golf Club, Edgar one round, lost 2 balls! Tea there. Nice looking English gentleman. E. bath. To Casino after dinner, to bed 9.30. Letter only fr. Mrs Beale.
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Friday 7 July Heavenly day. Hot. No letters for 3 days! fr. home. Atmosphere clearing à propos Morocco. To Casino after Déjeuner. Coffee 50. Wrote Mrs Beale, Emma & Roy. Tea at new tea house 2.50 with garcon 3 frcs, paid E. 2 frcs days expenses! He always pays for our daily paper. Too hot to go to Golf club. E. had coffee at Hotel after dinner & I to bed 9.30. Saturday 8 July Lovely day. Vy hot. Papers full of Morocco affair, fear war. See no way out of it without dishonor! E & self coffee at Hotel in Porch. V. hot, discussed many things! Letter fr. Marie about Emma, gout in eyes, so sorry. Wrote to her, Roy & Maud. V. hot sat in Gardens facing Source & had tea in New Pavilion 1.50 each vy expensive too hot to walk to Golf Course. Coffee after lunch at Hotel. To Casino after dinner till 10 o’c. Many more smart women & vy pretty dresses. Sunday 9 July Cooler a little. Pd E. 1.50 for yesterday. No letters! Pd woman at Source 2 frcs, Paper 5 cents. Noticed no one did needlework out of doors today! Also how much taller the Frenchmen & women are. To Casino for coffee after lunch, too hot for church v. sorry. Sat out after 3 o’c, read. Great crowd of people at tea Pavilion where E. & I had tea at 5. Very dear & skimpy. Gt. trapassing(sic) along verandah when dressing. (Page pinned in) Sunday July 9th 1911. To Casino for E’s coffee after dinner. V. full. Delightful temperature today. Time going at great pace & yet seem to have no time for anything. Wrote to Mrs Wakelin nee Payton, New Zealand. Monday 10 July Lovely & cooler, strong wind. Docter Bouloumié came explained how meat & vegetables are most digestible. Pd Edgar 2 frcs for yesterday & 5 cents paper. Letters fr. Maud & Mrs Palmer, all going well with dear chicks. Coffee after lunch Casino. Edgar seems quiet & depressed, trust not worrying about his ear. To drink water after rest at 3.30. E. just arrived with me also late. (Page pinned in) Monday 10th July. Left again for Hotel & returned at 10 to 5 with camera, to shop about it, only made it worse. E. got it straight later. Walked to Golf club, E. too late to play. Had tea there, dearer! 1 frc each instead of 75 cents, so owe Edgar 1.25 with fee & 50 for coffee, 1.75 in all. Saw French lady & gentleman there, good dresser, like Ethel Mervyn. Vy late for dinner as E. forgot to call me on way down. Eng. papers more serious about Morocco question & fear worst. E. had coffee in Hotel after as too late for Casino. E. seemed more depressed than ever after dinner & am convinced ear is worrying him, 51
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trust no cause. Our fussy waiter bores him & is certainly tiring. I to bed 9.50. Tuesday 11 July Lovely day. Slept not so well. Letter fr. dear Roy. Read papers with Edgar in gardens. E. had bath massage before luncheon, seems much brighter. Vy smart ladies luncheon, charming gowns. To coffee Casino. E. v. lively & happy, returned 1.30 for rest. Wrote to Marie, Roy, Bank about C. Argentine allotment calls must be overdue! To Golf club after tea. Edgar played round. (Page pinned in) Tuesday 11th July. I walked home alone. Spanish people near me talking politics c’d understand nothing. Mr (blank) English clergyman ill. Edgar took him my book, fear little dull for him. Dined 7.45. Great many & some smart people at Hotel. We did not go to Casino & he did not have any coffee at all, thinks it makes him livery. Waiting awful at dinner all hurry scurry. A Moor at table alone, looked v. odd, a Jew Moor E. thinks. E. & self talked till 9.30 when I came to bed. Wednesday 12 July Paid Edgar last evg 5.50 frcs half 3.50 owe him till last evg. V. hot again. No letters! Coffee casino 50 cents. At 3.40 to Contreville with E. felt v. hot & close there fine colonades with mosaique pillars of blue & cream half way up & pump room or Pavilion same all mosaique, fine shops & every convenience in Lavatory & toilets close to the source. Gardens vy prettily laid out, tea place near band. Vy. Primitive, poor & dear, had tea there. (Page pinned in) Wed. 12th July . Toast, bad tea & plenty of horrid cake 2 frcs & garcon 50 cents. Sat out. We each bought a glass 1.50 & returned by 5.40 train. E. had ten shots at target. Paid my bill 107 frcs 65 cents. Thursday 13 July Lovely day. Very hot & close. Pd Edgar 6 frcs for yesterday & today, 2 coffees 1 frc, fare 1 frc Contreville. 2 teas 2 frcs 50 & glass 1.50 total 6 frcs. No news. Letter fr darling Maud wrote to her & to Edie F. Coffee Casino. Tea in Park Pavilion rather late. All flags put up for tomorrow 14th July Republic Anniversary. Sat about & did not go to casino after dinner. E. told me all about Netrels Nek. Smart Lady & Monsieur, do not recognise Belgian gentleman now his wife & child & governess here. Friday 14 July No letters. Lovely day, v. hot. English clergyman & wife spoke to us National Anthem & noticed us standing & E. uncovered! Rather tiresome, but friendly, know Langleys & Fletchers. To Casino coffee 5 cents. 52
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Wrote Sophy & sorted papers etc. National Anthem played Casino. Clap’d ours. At 3.30 to Source, met E. & read, English clergyman talked to me. Had (blank) at Pavilion 1.25. Smart lady! always in new garments (Page pinned in) Friday 14 July. At Casino band played National Anthem & great astonishment E. & I stood up, E. uncovered whilst ours was played & they clap’d ours after. Noticed in the gardens after many people took off their hats & some women stood up when their National Anthem was played. They had not done this in the morg. “Imitation etc” but I like to see it done. Walked after to golf club. E. played one round. New arm chairs there. Walked back alone & we sat in Hotel after dinner. (page pinned in) Irish man enquiring of a horse he was looking at “Can he lep” (Leap, jump) “Sur yer honor, he’s an infallible & indelible leper” Mr (blank) “The last wolf killed in England was killed here (here being County Cork). This said to Lennie. Ld Cowdray & Lennie “I see you have some of my father-in-law’s drawings”. Ld. C. “Oh! ’ave I”. Saturday 15 July Nicolas Bosanquet engaged! Wonder what on?! Slept fairly well. Feel achey in bath & rather seedy. Le Docteur Bouloumié came early, gave me some drops to take for digestion. Had cafe au lait in my room after getting medicine chemist, 1 frc medicine. Late in to lunch. Belgian family moved to window. Smart lady’s companion still scowls. Coffee at Casino 5 cents & rested. (Page pinned in) Saty 15 July. fr 1.30 until 3 o’c. Vy hot in my room. Letters fr. dear Roy & Maudie, so glad to get them, & one fr. Mr Richardson reassuring me about money, I afraid getting short. Bought 12 post cards 50 cents. Had chocolate instead of tea at Pavilion with Edgar who had tea. Paid E. for 2 days expenses up till tonight. 2 coffees 1 frc, 2 teas 2.50, postcards 50. Very smart new arrivals, 2 pretty girls & young man both girls with exquisite pearls!!! Had cafe au lait at 10 o’c in my room. Medicine 1 fr. Sunday 16 July Chocolate in my room 10 o’c. Dull morg. Much cooler. Feel better & slept late. Walked morg. with E. between taking water, saw 2 riders & stables. Many new people. My room not done until 3.30. Sat with Edgar at 3.30 between drinks! Great crowd in colonnade. Tottie No.2 & her own special op. us! Wrote Lady Alexander, Roy, Toula, Edie & cards to Ld Rowallan (Cameron Corbet) & McLaren now Lady Aberconway on new honour. 2 frcs 30 stamps. Walked with E. after tea & chocolate Pavilion. E. & self walked after dinner & looked at rooms Etablissement. Letter fr. Maudie.
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Monday 17 July Lovely day. Walked after lunch & before lunch. To Casino with E. wish the dear w’d not worry so about waiter, it gets on his & my nerves & is not worth it. Packed again until 3, dressed & met E. on way to Source, drank our water & went & saw battle of flowers, rather fun, & to Golf Club after. French lady there. E. played a round & I walked back alone & tried to get glasses, unable. Left note Dr Bouloumié. E. v. late. I lunched alone & vy late dinner. (Page pinned in) Monday July 17. E. dreadfully worried all thro’ dinner by waiter. A little difficult as the man means well & gets stupid & nervous & loses his head. Changed 2 pounds English money. Dr Bouloumié 80 frc. Vy tired, to bed 9 o’c. Tuesday 18 July 3 weeks. Edgar & I leave Vittel by the 2.45 for Paris & sleep the night at Buffet Hotel Gare du Nord. Saw Docteur Bouloumié at 7.30 AM. Paid him 80 frcs. Vy dear! Paid Hotel bill 113 frcs 60 cents. Pd fees 5 frcs maid, 4 lift man, 3 frcs waiter étage, 3 frcs man. Pay Edgar tomorrow rest. To Source 8 o’c & Administration about expediting Vittel water London. Had café complet in my room 10 o’c. Lunched 11.45 with Edgar & Casino after for an hour. (Page pinned in) Tuesday 18th July. All ready easily & comfortably. Great crowd at Station but not over full train, carriage to ourselves. Vy hot but lucky being alone. Good dinner on train, arrived Paris 9 o’c about. Vy comfortable room Buffet Hotel. Vittel water in my room so thirsty. E. off to have coffee at restaurant Vis-a-vis. Self to bed. V. comfortable journey & no sense of hurry. Wednesday 19 July Up ¼ to 7. Buffet Hotel Paris. Bad night, vy hot, vy noisy, dressed by 8 & all ready. Coffee & rolls in my room, gave waiter & maid one fr. each. Sat by window watching crowds of people going along broad streets & boulevard facing my window. Off by 9.50 train, v. crowded, for Calais. 3 Spaniards in our compartment. Had fair lunch in Restaurant Car. Lovely day, vy hot. Got to Calais 1.10 (Page pinned in) Wed. 19th July. Vy good place on boat, dear Edgar most kind & thoughtful. Our 3 Spaniards followed us into our comp’t. Vy tiresome & talked & laughed loudly & seemed to occupy Lavatory freely. E. vy amused. No trouble at C.X. E. put me & my luggage into a taxi & he went in another to Half Moon St & came down later to see me & take away his box & linen. Found all nice & bright at home, lovely flowers, but Roy had gone to meet the later train, E. having made mistake taking earlier train. Roy dined with me & Edie came to see me, & tried over some music. Vy tired to bed 10 o’c. Very lonely without my Dearest.
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Thursday 20 July 12 bottles Vittel for Emma & self arrived this evg fr. A.N. Stores 8/3. Slept badly, v. hot. Rested & saw Emma in my bedroom, so sorry she has not been well & looks pale & complains of pain in her hip, gout. Ordered 12 bottles Stores of Vittel water for her & self, came this evg. Marie unpacked for me. Mary took back Miss Bastard’s music book. Wrote Mr Lehmann & ret’d proof about dearest for National Biography, not good enough. Wrote all afternoon in my room. (Page pinned in) Thurs 20th July. After tea shop’d Barkers c’d get nothing. Edie came to dinner brought lovely flowers fr.darling Maud, at Balcombe, chicks & Maudie v. well, so thankful. Roy dined with (blank) dressed at club. Edie left 9.45, was amusing at dinner. Friday 21 July Better night, another glorious day, over 5 weeks exquisite weather. Tried to get on to Balcombe. Kept me an hour wasting time. Out 11.20 bought silk shirt Derry Toms & pd 19s/11 for it. Pd Smith & Larke 5/- ,Mudie 5/9, cotton gloves 1/6 ½, satin buttons 1/9 ordered for Roy who dined with me alone. Edgar at telephone 8 o’c he returns home to Ravendale tomorrow, the dear wished to see me off at Victoria first, so unselfish of him, alas his train goes first. Marie & self packed all afternoon, no end to do. (Page pinned in) Friday 21st July. Silk blouses sent to try fr. Harrods, none fitted. Emma looking pale. Have had 12 bottles Vittel for her & self fr. Stores 8/3. Hope it will do her good. V. v. hot, 82 in my bedroom. Saturday 22 July 84 in my bedroom! Perhaps go to Mrs Evans. D.V. Go by Granville 3.20 to Mrs Evans Ramsgate. Glorious morg, slept better, finished work & packing by Marie. Intensely hot. Marie to Vic Sta. with me, v. crowded train. Had 3 Americans or Canadians with me in carriage. Fare £1.1.7, cab 2/6, porter 1/-, fly 2/-, paper 1d. Found Mrs E. not looking so well. Lovely air at Ramsgate. Sat out before & after dinner. Letter fr. Maud awaiting me there. Sunday 23 July Good night in my pretty room. Glorious morg & view of sea. Wire fr. Roy coming tomorrow instead of today, glad as I feel achey in my back. Mrs Evans to church in fly with Lady Hunt. Wrote sitting out in alcove facing lawn (now dried with sun) all morg, lovely, & rested after lunch. Mrs du Maurier to tea, looks wonderfully well. Trixie staying with her, been ill & in bath chair. Walked after & saw Cuthbert Burnand & Winnie. C. vy lively. Quiet little evg. Sat out.
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Monday 24 July Lovely morg. Dull later. Up early, but breakfast in bed. Dressed 9.30 & sat out working. Young woman & pretty children fr. Lady Hunt came to see Mrs Evans. Started in tram at 11 for Broadstairs Sta. Met Roy & by tram on to St Peters. Visited our Dearest’s grave together, not as beautiful as I could wish. Our parents’ grave lovely, red geraniums & 2 blue lobelia lines round. Bought plant & placed it. Walked after to Sta. Took tram to sea where Roy bathed & we lunched after at Grand Hotel, bad lunch 10/6. (Page pinned in) Monday 24th July. Sat in Hotel grounds whilst Roy smoked his cigar & then took fly after listening to vy good band & drove for an hour to dear Westwood & got out & looked up drive, it looked v. nice. Many of the fine old trees cut down opening up lawn & some patchy flower beds about, but it looked well kept. The nut walks & back drive all looking more contrasted by trees being so large now. The barn & cottage yard seems converted into farm yard, a number of pig stys & cows & a dark brown pony or cob was being led into yard as we got into our fly. Could find no one at cottage when we knocked. All trees immensely grown & kitchen garden looked v. nice but the lanes & drive so different to dear Father & Mother’s time. Saw Roy off by the 5.7 fr. Broadstairs Station & returned to Mrs Evans by tram. Very tired. Dressed, dined & sat out until ¼ to 10 listening to band, an excellent one. V. peaceful & quiet. Fare 5d lunch 10/6, fly 3/6, paper & woman 3d, plant 9d. Total 15/6. Tuesday 25 July Lovely day, rained in night, first rain for 26 days. Went into Ramsgate shop’g for Mrs E. bought her plant 6d, stamps 6d & met no one I knew. Worked on return in Mrs E’s little workroom with her, she does not seem at all well. Rested after lunch, fête at college, did not go. Both preferred being here. Sat out after, dined, again sat out until 10 o’c, & bed. Letter fr. darling Maud & Emma. Roy with Maud today for Goodwood & sleeps there. Wednesday 26 July Lady Burnand called so sorry we missed her. Letter fr. dear Roy. Dull morg, fine later & lovely day. Wrote morg. to Mr Smith enclosing cheque £1.11.6 for my will. At 11 to dear St Peters got there ¼ to 12, so happy there. Tidied & removed all dead blooms, am not satisfied with flowers Overton’s arrangement. Saw Mrs Locke about wreath, only just back in time for lunch. Mrs Hammond here. Rested after lunch & 4 o’c to Mrs Hammond. Mrs Evans fetched me & we went to Lady Hunt’s for tea. Lady Scott her husband’s sis. there, nice woman, & Mr & Mrs Bertram. Went & listened to band after dinner, met Sir Francis Burnand. 56
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Thursday 27 July Lovely day but v. v. hot. In all morg. felt side a good deal. At 3 o’c with Mrs Evans, Lady Hunt & Lady Scott in fly to Flower Show in the Public Gardens Ramsgate, far better arranged than last year & flowers all beautiful. Met Weigals, Burnands, Bevans & Mrs Murray Smith & pretty niece who had wintered in Cairo. Felt v. sad & hate going about but must make effort not to be selfish, w’d infinitely rather be quiet alone. Sat out all evg with Mrs E, perfectly lovely. Friday 28 July Slept only after 1.30, so hot. To St Peters 10.30. Not at all pleased with our flowers there. Remained some time, removed faded flowers. Saw Mrs Locke about wreath. Saw Mrs Overton told her about flowers. At 4.30 Spencer came to my astonishment, sleeping at Margate, w’d not remain, but comes tomorrow morg. Mrs Hammond with us in fly to Mrs Murray Smith’s garden party, lovely garden. Met a Mrs Heine (nee Rose dau. of Col. Rose) Col of Sp’s Militia Regt years ago, said what a “Heart of Gold” my dearest had & never met any man so universally beloved, so true, & his ready wit & great talent, delighted to meet her. Also met Mrs Nooth, Eilie, etc. Leter fr. my darling evg. Thunderstorm & rain evening! Saturday 29 July Lovely day v. hot & sultry in spite of wind. In all morg. Mrs Paris’s party & chairs & tables etc being arranged facing lawn in shade. Walked & wrote to Mr Richardson about investments, selecting Rio Trams & Gt Northern U.S.A, wonder if wisely. No one to give advice. Rested & ready by ¼ to 4 to go to Miss Stancombe Wells by train. Met Lady Strachey there, had tea on lawn, quite cool there, enjoyed it. Returned rather late for Mrs P’s party. Mrs du Maurier, Hammond, Hunt, Thompson etc there. Violent thunderstorm & rush for house. Played poker patience with Lady Hunt & Heines. Rested on sofa after dinner. Vy tired & side uncomfortable. Sunday 30 July Lovely early. Slept well but side achey, fear kidney drop’t v. low right side. Quiet morg. Mrs E. to church & I wrote in my pretty bedroom. Packed book for Maud to publisher to have her “Initials” put on it. Lunch. Rest & by tram to Mrs Nooth’s tea 4.30, large party there young people, 3 young Nooths, Christie, Bevan, Gladstones etc & I came away with Eilie’s gold chain, held whilst she played tennis. Tram back to Lady Burnand’s, she seemed worried by Ethel leaving home & expense generally, so sorry. Pretty Mrs Hyatt & Trixie Miller came & sat in our garden some time until 7.30! Vy pleased to see Trixie & looking so 57
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young & pretty & amusing as ever. Sat out after supper. Mrs E. quite well again. Monday 31 July Lovely morg, slept badly. Constant thoughts of my Dearest this time last year. To Broadstairs station, waited an hour expecting Chaplet fr. Clarks Margate, did not come, had to return even without visiting my dearest’s grave. Vy tired, hot & vexed. At ¼ to 4 in fly with Mrs Evans to Broadstairs Sta, still no Chaplet arrived, & on to Mrs Brown’s cottage, late Banks Tomlin! Had tea there, Gen. Brown also, fancy a martinet, tall gentlemanly looking man. Charming cottage house, stable making a beautiful billiard room opening onto vinery full of grapes & a large bow window (Page pinned in) Monday 32 July. opposite & charming little drawing room & a pretty good sized dining room. Stayed 1¼ hrs. To Lackes about chaplet if it arrived & left Eilie’s necklace at Dane Court cottage. I went for a moment to my dearest’s grave, & to Mrs Du Maurier after & saw Trixie there, stayed until 7.30! We sat out all evening. Letter fr. Marie, has decided to go to Clysigne at Berne. Shall miss her very much, & Emma even much worse. Were it not for dear Roy would close the house for a year, but thankful I have him at home. Letters fr. Toula, Roy & Marie. Tuesday August 1 Lovely day. Cooler breeze, slept better. Wrote Marie morg, & Maud. Lady Burnand came & remained in the work room talking to Mrs E. & self about Ethel until ½ to 2. Unable to finish my letters. Rested & at 4.15 in tram to Mrs Montefiore’s, garden lovely, Mrs Hammond with us. Saw young Nooth, Christie, Mrs Wyatt & mother, Eilie & Capt Gladstone, Martin Thompsons etc. On at 5.30 alone to St Peters, had to walk to Gladstone Rd for tram. Maud’s 2 lovely Chaplets one of Bay & one of Lavender. (Page pinned in) Tuesday 1st August 1911. Mine of Palms & mauve Statice already placed. Re-arranged them & put some pails of water over flowers & one over our dear Parents’ grave. All looked lovely & our own better & fresher fr. my yesterday’s watering. Lovely peaceful spot & the place generally beautifully kept by Mr Richardson’s interest in it. Had to walk fr. St Peters to Broadstairs, going detained 20 minutes by accident to electric top of a car & road blocked in consequence. Not back until 7.30. Pretty Mrs Wyatt to dinner, v. nice & amusing. Joe the cat brought in a poor little dead sparrow in triumph & laid it at Mrs Wyatt’s feet, too funny as she had been petting & playing with him. Very nice letter fr. Emma, so glad to get it, saying she w’d remain to see me settled with maids & that Marie ought to have left in May as she & Mary could
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have managed. It w’d have saved me a good deal of expense. Mr Edwin Abbey the great American painter died. Dearest Lin was so fond of him. Wednesday 2 August D.V. go to Mrs Nooth for a few days. Shall be glad to be near my Dearest tomorrow, not to be gadding about to parties just now, long to be quiet. Lovely morg. Letter fr Mr Richardson about accounts. To Post Office changed £1.0. Also pd Mrs Evans £1.10.0 as I was short of money. Stamps 2/6, maids 4/-, 8/-. Spencer, Ada & Hilda came morg, want me to be their guest Saint Cloud Hotel Ramsgate. To Mrs Martin Thompson’s party, & came back with Mrs Nooth in her Motor & Jeffrey. My box kindly fetched by Mrs Nooth. (Page pinned in) Wed 2nd Aug 1911. Found Dossie Fox & her little stepson here Upton Lodge St Peters Thanet. Dossie in bed sat some time with her. She has a Chinese maid with her. Sat out after dinner. Very pleasant evg. Thursday 3 August At Upton Lodge, St Peter’s Thanet with Mrs Nooth. Wed last year. Letter fr. Roy. My darling Linley passed away at ¼ to 4 AM a year ago. R.I.P. Slept well woke 6 o’c. Breakfast 9 o’c au lit & sat out morg. After rest 4 o’c tea on lawn & in Motor to St Peter’s, took dear Roy’s lovely flowers & placed them, found Spencer & Ada there & Overton near grave. Spoke to him about flowers. Introduced Sp & Ada to Mrs Nooth & Dossie in Motor & she asked them to come Sunday afternoon. We then went to Ramsgate, left Dossie & on for a lovely drive till 7 o’c thro’ Pegwell, Sandwich, Ash (blank) & Stourbridge & Kingsgate. (Page pinned in) Aug 3rd 1911. Fetched boys from golf links & home. Poor Dossie toothache, looks vy pretty & slight. Not impressed with Jeffrey’s manners, does not rise nor is attentive to his Mother who does so much for her children. Dear letters fr. Eve Bosanquet & Nellie K. Makes me happy to know how universally beloved & respected my Dearest was & is, by all who ever met him. Saw Overton & told him about flowers. (Card inserted: The funeral service for the late Mr Edward Linley Sambourne…..) Friday 4 August Lovely day. To St Peter’s, walked 11 o’c. Loved it going across field. Sat there nearly hour, watered, weeded, & took away dead flowers. It all looked so lovely. Letters fr. Edgar, my darling, Nellie K. & Eva B. Kind dear letters. Wrote Mrs Abbey. At 4 o’c Sp. & Ada to tea, so glad to see them. Young people to a tennis party. At 6 Mrs Nooth & self for lovely drive until 7.15. Called Dossie. Mrs N. & self talked after, boys always disappear. 59
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Saturday 5 August My darling Maud’s birthday. I return home by 5 o’c train. Walked to St Peter’s morg. across fields & gardened there. Watered both & took off dead blooms. Vy happy hour there, lovely morg. Sat in summer house with Mrs Nooth & Dossie on return until lunch time. Little Amber seedy afraid to go near her for fear of contagion for our chicks. Rested on deck chair on lawn after lunch & had ten minutes sleep. 4.30 tea on lawn & Mrs N took me to Broadstairs station in Motor. Maid 2/6, chauffeur 2/6, Boy 1/-, porters 1/-. Mrs N. saw me off. (Page pinned in) 5th August 1911. Enjoyed my two days visit very much, love being near my dearest. Train cram’d but vy polite people no trouble, & far better mannered than many of the so called upper classes. Much struck with their patience under difficulties carrying babies etc this hot weather. Found lovely flowers & fruit fr. my darling at Staf. Ter. & all looking nice. Had fried sole, stewed plums blanc mange & fruit & read letters, & to bed. Roy with H.F. yachting until Monday night. Sunday 6 August Lovely morg. Slept well. Rested morg. Roy away Friday night, H.F.’s yacht. Wrote morg. Afternoon Marie & self unpacked & worked! Mary to enquire evening about Mervyn & Ethel, away. To bed early. Monday 7 August Slept fairly well. Mary out afternoon & evg. Marie & self busy all day, did curtains maids room, packed French books. Another letter fr. maid. Letters fr. Darling M, Toula & Midge. Fitzroy passed well exam. Saw Emma morg. looking much better so glad. Marie & self v. busy all afternoon. Vy hot & close. Roy not back. Tuesday 8 August V. hot. Mary to Bank, took Robinson div. To Water works false charge! I must write. Emma out for me. Met Mrs Mackenzie, going to live in S. Africa! Fitzroy passed exam, letter fr. him. Did cupboard with Marie pantry thoroughly. Antoinette came vy giggly but looked nice & well. Roy ret’d to dress, dined out. Wednesday 9 August Man fr. stores about Electric Lt. V. v. hot. Roy off early to see Mr Stern, off to Canada. Self to Hunt cab. So hot, suffocating out of doors. Marie out afternoon & evg. Strike of Dockmen vy serious no meat about or petrole etc. All fault agitators. After tea to Templeton Place. Mervyn out. 2 peaches 1/-. Roy was to have dined at home, telephoned. Great fire at
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Carlton Hotel, did not come. Mervyn came in after dinner, full of Parliament Bill. Terrible state politically. Thursday 10 August Out morg. Saw unlikely girl, Irish. Marie & self went thro’ all the tin boxes. Fear must part with most of my Dearest’s things, clothes. Heartrending work. Marie & self put up new green blind in Roy’s room after. Good days work. To Archer, left Dearest’s photo to be copied. Bought flowers & grapes 1/-, 8d, man 6d. Mervyn & Roy dined here. (Page pinned in.) 10th August 1911. The Parliament Bill passed!!! tonight by 17 majority. Mervyn rampant. Strikes everywhere & food getting scarce & very expensive. Trouble everywhere. Friday 11 August Cooler morg but hot later. To G.F.S. Went through cupboard in Pantry with Emma & Marie. Awful collection of many years. X. Electrician fr. A.N. Stores. Went thro’ all lights, some defective. Coates doing yard. Tiresome artist called, evidently a begger poor thing. Saturday 12 August Lovely day, v. hot. Out early. Roy in taxie with his luggage 10 to 10 drop’t me at Barkers. He goes to Balcombe for week end. Douglas & Winifred Walker came to luncheon, engaged. Lucky girl, D. vy unselfish & vy kind, cheerful & capable. Afternoon Marie & self did photos, did one half drawer. Shall miss her vy much in many ways. Bed early. Awful estimate for electric light. Sunday 13 August Lovely morg. Slept badly, great heat during night. Door & all windows wide open. Roy at Balcombe. After tea Marie came altho’ her afternoon out & helped me for two hours in my dearest’s room looking thro’ photos. Felt bewildered after, so tired. Monday 14 August Vy hot. Out morg 10 o’c Barkers about electric things. Also about old things fr. cupboard. Thro’ table linen with Marie morg. Through silver with Marie after tea, not good at these things. Geoff Blair & Nellie K. to tea. Roy dined at home, he seems tired. We looked thro’ some of Dearest’s photos together. Mary out. Tuesday 15 August Marie’s wages £1.1.6 gave her £3.1.6. Vy eventful day. Nash’s men here for leaking pipe fr. My bedroom. Nash’s man for coping which fell fr. 61
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drawing room window & piece back of drawing room also. Barkers man for 3 window sashes spare room, maid’s ditto & dining room. Barkers man for bath tap. Marie left by night mail, roses. Gave her £2. Saw new young housemaid, 16, Emma Childs, 2 yrs char. Roy out to dinner. Wednesday 16 August Slept badly. Much colder. Sun v. hot. Out morg. Chose grouse 3/6, beans & muscatel grapes, flowers 8d, etc. Man from Barkers who was here yesterday took away morg Kelwyn tap bathroom to be repaired. Electric light man Stanton fr. A.N. Stores about lights. V. expensive, put new fitting for lamp in Maid’s lavatory, ceiling one. Roy dined in on (illeg) Mary worked with me afternoon. Thursday 17 August Satisfactory character of young housemaid Emma Childs. Cooler. Barkers man here mending another window sashed left hand one in drawing room & rescrewing morg. room window hinges & Roy’s window also. Out morg. Got lavatory paper, gloves, blackberries, beans, soap, blue bell polish, black & white sewing silks, etc, & mahogany stain liquid! Roy dined at home, out directly after. Mary packed with me all afternoon & mended. Friday 18 August X. Most extraordinary experience at Victoria Station. Intended leaving by 4.30 . Mary to Sta. with me & com. carried down my boxes. At Sta. was told the 4.30 w’d not go, great confusion Strike started amongst railway men. The 5.3 was going. Took ticket for Mary to East Clayden where I also have to change. Luckily met Mr Heyworth Booth who kindly promised to look after my things so got Mary’s ticket money back & we travelled 8 in our comp’t & took over 2 hrs on journey. (Page pinned in) Friday 18th August. Maud met me & to my relief found boxes safe. Sodiers in all signal boxes & on platforms & stations & vy few people travelling. Men looking sullen worn out & tired & my porter told me vy few wished to strike but the weak ones were led away by the union leaders & agitators. Never remember anything like it 20,000 soldiers called out in London, & many in Parks. Saw them & horses passing on way to station. Mary helped me pack & got on splendidly leaving all in order at home. Maudie looking better, & dear chicks all 3 well. Seems strange without Nurse F. but much quieter. Maud, Lennie, Mr Cadogan & Cushla Parker all dining at Nymans, so I went to bed early. Vy glad of rest & quiet after exciting day. Dined in my room. The great Railway Strike organised by Man & Tillet the Trade Union leaders starts today following on dockers’ strike. 62
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Saturday 19 August Balcombe. My darling Roy’s birthday. Mary Monk leaves Monday. Wired to Roy. Gave him £10. Lovely day. Sat out all afternoon rested morg. Lennie to South(illeg) fishing, no success. 3 fish. Cushla staying here. Mr & Mrs Hanson Walker & Dorothea Stansfield to tea. D. taken Stone Hall for the Grants. Lennie X first part of dinner so unpleasant but all right after but these tempers make me dislike coming here. Sunday 20 August Lovely day, but close & sultry. To Church with Anne. First lesson singularly appropriate re. the Rly Strike. Poor sermon. M. Messel came to stay. Mr & Mrs Messel gone off to Aix les Bains this morg. Motored to Newhaven. Mr & Mrs Hanson Walker & their son in law Mr Stansfield, Major Oxley, Mr (blank) to tennis. The H. Booths dined here, sat out after. Bed 11 o’c. Maudie in good spirits, so thankful. Rain! Strike over!!! Trains running as usual again. Monday 21 August Heavy rain!!! Strike over, but fear only patched over. Mary Monks leaves today, Emily Childs comes. Lovely afternoon. Rested after luncheon. After tea to Mrs Oxley’s, tennis. Muriel out for luncheon. Mrs Col Oxley there with her children. Maud & I returned earlier. Lennie & Mr Cadogan late, tired, & worried fr. stock exchange. Pleasant talk at dinner & after with Maud & Mr Cadogan on Texas Oil etc, & his engagement. Tuesday 22 August Pouring wet all morg, deluge. Telephoned Emma. E. Childs at Staf. Ter. & all well. V. glad. Sore throat!!! Lennie seedy in bed unable to go to city. Mr Cadogan left early. Cleared up 1 o’c. Dear letter from Roy, fr. Edie & Edgar. Little Linley’s cricket match. Balcombe made only 59. Muriel left afternoon. To cricket field with Ethel Smart, had tea there & watched cricket. Saw Talbots, Schlesingers, Oxleys etc. Ellie Ritchie came to stay. Lennie bed early, not in to dinner. Wednesday 23 August Lovely day. Lennie still here, not going to City. In his study all day. Mad’lle here for day. Mad’lle, Ethel Sharpe, & Barbara & Cushla Parker left 4 o’c. Cricket match again between Balcombe & (blank). Won by (blank). Mr Renton to tea. Ellie, Maud & self to see cricket after. Large party there. Linley made one run. Wrote Edgar giving up my share of Furrell money.
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Thursday 24 August Lovely day. Not too hot. Wrote Emma & sent weekly cheque £2.15.5. For walk with Oliver to Lake to get water insects, c’d not find one. After lunch wet & with Ellie to cricket match. Balcombe won. Linley got one run. Saw the Talbots, Oxleys, Horns, etc. Had tea there. Maudie a vision see nothing of her & never get a moment together ever, except at meals. Lennie to business. (Page pinned in) Thursday 24 August. Mr Marriott came with Lennie to stay. Mr & Mrs Hanson Walker & Mr & Mrs Stansfield to dinner, dear people, & they know the Digbys & some of Lennie’s people. They have stayed at Sherborne Castle & like Mrs Digby vy much. Wrote to Edgar who is coming to London about Fitzroy, funds short for Sandhurst if he goes there. I can only give up the money coming to me fr. Furrell surplus & feel this ought to go to Edie & Herbert if anywhere. Lennie looks much better & we had a vy pleasant evg. Indiscretion on my part morg, must be wiser in future. Friday 25 August Letter fr. Marie. Cooler & overclouded & v. windy. Morg. Maud, Mr Marriot, Ellie to see cottage near mill. Anne & self walked to red road to blackberry & met them coming back. Cricket match again, Balcombe won! Vy windy & colder afternoon. Went up to cricket ground with chicks & Fraulein. Large & smart assembly there. Tennis here after. Lennie vy well again. Only Mr Marriot & Ellie R, Maud, Lennie & self at dinner. Music after. Only wrote 2 letters. Saturday 26 August Letter fr. Lawrence Fisher-Rowe, Eve & little Mervyn ill at Anchorage. Mr Marriott left by 12 train. Maud & Lennie to Mill & on to see the lovely “re done up” cottage beyond Mill. Vy large party to luncheon, both side tables full. Boys, Ann only girl among 8 boys! Mr & Mrs Noel Stoker arrived early for week end & Cushla Parker here to lunch also, about 20 to lunch!!! Edie F. came by 5 train to stay. Maud & Stokers & Ellie to Oxley garden party. The chicks en masse to the Mill to tea. Edie & walked there after tea, it looked lovely. (Page pinned in) Saturday 26th Aug. Mr H. Booth was playing on lawn with all the children. The Lake & garden looked charming, a perfect picture. Mr Campbell & Mr & Mrs Tower dined here, the two last here recently come into a lovely place full of art treasures at Lindfield. fr. their cousin Mr Kemp (stained glass). Vy pleasant evg but vy late for my darling. Dear Roy at Felixtowe this weekend. Am anxious to know how Emma is getting on with the little maid, fear rather tiresome for her. The young Noel Stoker couple charming, she is a dear little thing. Vy pretty & full of soul & tenderness. We met her Mother a pretty woman at the Phipson Beales. 64
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Sunday 27 August Roy at Felixtowe with Mr Pollock. To church with Oliver & Edie. Slight rain. Walked round K. garden with darling & Edie & Cushla, gathered grapes! Large party at luncheon. The Noel Stokers, Cushla, Ellie, little Billy Heming who is staying with Linley & several others, 13 in all!!! Tennis afternoon. Mrs H. Booth, Mr Campbell & a friend, navy man? Nice couple the Noel Stokers. Edie played evg charmingly & Lennie pianola, too loud. Monday 28 August Sat out morg & wrote. Lovely. Mr Stoker left early, he looks v. delicate. She left by 4 train. Edie & Ellie for walk to Lady Frederick’s, rain. Maud & self gardened. M. a raconté les rumeurs(?) dans la maison chere petite, j’en suis si fâcheé. Billy H. & Cushla left. Mr Philpot came by 4 train. He is going to paint Maud & Linley. Bright & lively young man. Played Poker patience evening. (Page pinned in) Monday Aug. 28th. Edie again played charmingly, so quietly. Lennie sang & played a little. Bed earlier. Lennie woke up last night & asked the watchman what had awakened him! Lennie had seen Roy. Cushla left. Roy has spots & his eyes are bad, feel v. anxious, trust he is well & only passing discomfort. Wrote to him to see Critchett, & a doctor. Tuesday 29 August Lovely day. Wrote for little Linley’s slides for magic lantern for his birthday fr. A & N Stores, to Roy & to Emma. Long letter fr. Edgar. Tabbie has come forward & helped with Fitzroy for Sandhurst. Edie chicks & self for walk with chicks before lunch blackberrying. Darling left at 3 in Motor for Harold’s where she & Lennie spend night. She sat to Mr Philpot all morg. & looked tired. (Page pinned in) Tuesday 29th Aug. After early tea 4.15 Ellie & Mr Philpot for walk to Mill & to see cottage beyond. Edie & I went in carriage to Nymans to see Mrs Sington & Popsie. Nymans looking lovely. Mr Philpot painted little Linley after lunch until tea & is delighted with his two sitters. Charming evg during dinner & after. Mr Philpot most interesting & clever & plays beautifully on piano & yet does not know a note, such a treat to listen to him. Ellie & self & Mr P. Poker patience, he won, Ellie did last night. Sorry 10.45 before we came up to bed, wanted to be vy early on account of Barringer who looks vy seedy. Wednesday 30 August Fine but cooler. Morg at 11 o’c with Ellie for lovely drive to call on Mrs Stansfield & Mrs Hanson Walker, dear people, their son just arrived from Montreal. Also to see cottage, not so struck as the rest of them with it. 65
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Letter fr. Emma & fr Mrs Banks Tomlin v. unsatisfactory last. Darling returned fr. Harold’s & enjoyed her night there. She sat again all afternoon to Mr Philpot & after tea he & Ellie for walk & Maud & self alone to Mill. (Page pinned in) 30th Aug Wed. Rained, sheltered in Booth’s cottage, 2 dear little children. Rainbow & glorious sunset. My darling is doing too much & tiring herself, feel most anxious as Lennie is so dreadfully nervy, unpleasant dinner but for Ellie’s wit. Poker patience after, marvel I won! Edie played & Mr Philpot also. Poor darling very tired after her long day. Bed earlier. Thursday 31 August Forwarded weekly cheque to Emma £2.8.5. Dear little Linley’s birthday. Gave him Magic lantern slides, one set wrong, ret’d them for others to Stores. 9/- postage, 1/- postage coming & same returning. Ellie & Mr Philpot left at 4 o’c, Ellie for Scotland. Three tables full at luncheon tea & dinner. Fitzroy came. Vy annoyed to hear he has had measles. V. wrong of Midge to have let him come. V. uncomfortable dinner. (Page pinned in) Thurs 31 Aug 1911. All children & Maud, Edie, Fitz & Lennie dressed up for dinner, fancy dress. Talbot, Oxley, Christopher Warren & Hayworth Booths here for day! Charades after dinner. Edie played. Dear Linley & all his friends & Anne & Oliver & Fraulein down for dinner. Maud must be v. tired. Miss Ellie R. v. much. She & Mr Philpot left together. Felt sad twice today thinking over Dearest, must regain courage. Friday 1 September Slept badly. Peter in my room & woke me at 2 o’c. Morg wrote & mended evg dress outside. Darling with me part of time & Edie. Young Talbot here to luncheon & remaining night. At 3.30 in motor to call, tea at Mrs Faure Walker, saw Baby boy 6 months old. V. pretty child. Lennie home on our return. He & Maud walked to Mill. Edie, Fitz & self to Lake. Lennie tired & nervy. More comfortable dinner than expected. My darling tired, will overdo herself. Saturday 2 September Lovely day. Vy hot. Sat out writing morg with Darling, Fitzroy & Edie after her practice. Little Talbot with Linley. Chicks to tea at Mill & bathed in Mill lake morg. Mr Forrester came, played tennis afternoon with Fitzroy. Sat out after tea & walked to lake with Darling & Edie before dinner. Lennie fishing with Mr H. Booth & Cap’t Kendal. Mr & Mrs H. Booth & Cap’t Kendal (Dum Dum) of Punch to dinner. Vy pleasant evg & interesting talk. Sat near my Maud. Mrs Sington dined here.
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Sunday 3 September Lovely morg. Did not get to sleep until v. late last night, but soundly after. No letter fr. Roy for long time. Anne to Church with me. Fitzroy, Mr Forrester, Maud, Oliver & Linley together. Edie played Lennie’s accompaniments all morg. Beautiful lesson on Charity, want it badly now. Sat with Maudie, Chicks & Edie on lawn after lunch, v. happy. Later Oxleys with Mr Montgomery, Major Talbot with Col. Armitage, Mr H. Booth to tea under tree lawn. Walked after with darling & Lennie & Edie before dinner. Music after. Lennie better but tired. Monday 4 September Slept fairly well. Lovely morg. Glorious day as usual. Morocco France & Germany looking v. black again. Went with Edie to see our dear chicks bathe at Mill with all the others there. Vy pretty sight. How my Dearest w’d have loved it! Little Oliver v. brave. 7 in all. Sat at Mill after watching them return in boat, Mrs Booth rowing. Mr Philpot to paint Maud & Linley. Ethel Smart here for day to arrange bills for Darling. Quite pleasant evg. although Lennie was tired after going thro’ silver with Barringer. Very sorry he is leaving. Tuesday 5 September Slept v. badly, & headache & dusty eye, fear gout. Vy late last night. Letter fr. dear Roy fr. Brighton weekend. The 2 F. Blairs for day fr. Worthing. Edie leaves, & Fitzroy. Fitzroy returned wrong date for Sandhurst! 13th !!! Feel vy limp & tired for no reason. Florrie here all day, took her to Station & walked back. Letters fr. dear Roy, Mrs Evans, Midge etc. Better evg, L. not so nervy. Wednesday 6 September Letter fr. dear Edgar, hurt his leg playing tennis. Slept better but still headache & tired. Glorious morg, everyone feeling fine, no doubt loving unusual heat. Wrote morg. Mr Philpot painting Maud morg. & left with canvasses after tea. Maudie looked v. tired at lunch fr. long standing. Barringer left, v. sorry. Osborne Mr Messel’s man took his place. All as usual. Sat on lawn with Maud after tea, & at 6.10 Lennie ret’d fr. city & they both went over to Nymans to see Mrs Sington & dau. Lennie v. tired but amiable & quite nice talk during dinner. Bed 10.45. Thursday 7 September Woke 6.30. Wrote Edgar & Toula. Vy hot. Sat out mended morg. Darling read. Chicks to Mill, bathed. Mrs Sington & Poppy to tea. Lennie home early with Mr Booth. Chicks for picnic. Mrs Macquoid called. Lennie
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quite nice & pleasant during dinner & after. Bed earlier. Mrs Parsons & Edith packed for me. Friday 8 September If possible go to Edgar’s. Sent telegram about Motor to meet me Grimsby Town. Very painful talk with my Darling, but can no longer stand rudeness I am subjected to by Lennie & his sister & feel quite ill at times from the effort to keep my temper. Will never stay with him again for over a week if possible. My own darling suffers I can see. (Page pinned in) 8 Sept 1911. Friday. Have made a great mistake staying so long but it is so hard to be separated from my beloved Maud, & her dear children. God help me to do what is right & what is best for her health & happiness. My darling & Oliver & Linley saw me off. Fitzroy came up with me & saw me off by 4 o’c fr. Kings Cross for Grimsby. Emma met us Victoria & went on to Kings X. She has promised to stay on & not get married. I am so thankful & do not deserve the peace of mind this gives me. Feel anxious & worried about my Darling but could stand the strain no longer & am thankful to leave Balcombe. Dear Edgar met me at door, vy pathetic but smart even on his crutches & his dear right leg dangling. He wrenched the muscle playing lawn tennis & only felt a severe pain at the time. His leg is black & swollen & the veins swollen, he may not put it to the ground yet, it occurred a fortnight ago! He looks vy well & Sophy also & thinks I look very seedy. I feel it & am convinced Balcombe House is unhealthy. Trust my precious Maud will keep well, & the dear chicks, & Lennie. Saturday 9 September Ravendale. Lovely fresh air coming into my room & feel refreshed already. No sun but air so invigorating after Balcombe. Slept better than I had dared expect, thinking of my Darling last & first thing on waking. Dull morg, cooler. Worked morg. drawing room. Lovely & sunny later. Sophy rode 11.30. I had drive to Waltham, shop’d for Sophy. Mr & Mrs & Miss Hanbury & Mr & Miss Wilder to tennis & tea in summer house. Walked after to gate with dogs. Poker patience evg. V. nice day, air bracing. Sunday 10 September Lovely day. Sophy to church on cycle, sorry I did not go as Edgar busy & c’d not sit with him. Wrote to Edie & my Darling. Sat out reading after. After lunch rested & sat out with Sophy, both she & Edgar had good sleep, he on his bed in Library where he sleeps not being able to get up stairs. Peaceful & restful. Already feel much better & nerves quieter. Had
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tea in summer house. Lovely evg. Supper usual, Edgar eats nothing, vy different to Vittel & Ireland. Monday 11 September Lovely morg. Slept v. well up to 7.30. Bath & did my hair, breakfast in bed 8.30. Sat out all morg. Mended my bodice. Drove at 3 o’c with Sophy to Binbrook. Doctor saw Edgar morg. & he may put his foot to the ground. Tea on lawn. E. seems brighter & walks about on one crutch & a stick only now. Complained of a burning sensation in his bad leg. Bridge after dinner, enjoyed it & sleepy feeling passed off. Letter fr. dear Roy. Tuesday 12 September Dull morg. Sophy goes to Doncaster alone. Edgar hopes to go tomorrow. Midge & H. there. Two letters fr. darling Maud who had a horrid experience Saty by her dogs barking at cows crossing a field fr. Lady F.L’s. Luckily Mrs H. Booth with her & saved the situation. Sat out morg. working & reading. Edgar v. busy with his papers. Lovely day after 10 o’c. Walked to large gates with dogs & had tea with Edgar in summer house. Sophy back in Motor 8.15, told us about races etc & had lost 5/-. H. & Midge there. Poker Patience evg. Wednesday 13 September Great thunderstorm in night. Terrific peal of thunder awoke me, & heavy rain. Dull morg. No letter fr. Maudie. Edgar & Sophy to Doncaster. Lovely day later & lovely sunset. Took dogs for walk along new road to a farm, farm dog made us beat a hasty retreat. Wrote & worked. The gardener’s wife seized with sharp intermittent pains, gave her oil & bromide & took little girl to summer house. Nice little child & v. sharp for her age, (Page pinned in). Wed 13th September. about 4 years old. Cut out paper spoons forks etc for sham meals in summer house & took her back at 6.30 to Cottage. E. & S. back fr. Doncaster 8 o’c having had delightful day. E. none the worse. Both tired & all to bed 10 o’c. Thursday 14 September Lovely morg. 2 letters fr. darling Maud all well Balcombe, & large house parties. Am feeling much better in this beautiful air & the v. restful life & early hours, altho’ I miss my darling & her dear chicks greatly. Edgar & Sophy off at 10.30 for Doncaster. E. none the worse for fatigue yesterday. Took Slater (gardener’s) little girl for walk along drive, his wife a little better. Fed cats after lunch & took Parrot in as wind is cold. Worked & wrote.
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Friday 15 September Midge & Hamilton return from Doncaster in their Motor with Sophy, here Ravendale for 2 nights. Edgar did not go to Doncaster but saw his Doctor, & a masseuse came to do his leg & he felt better after. Vy cold. Had fire in Hall & drawing room. I took dogs for 2 walks, wrote & read. Met Motor evg. 6.30 & Midge got out & walked with me back to house. Vy delighted to see them, both well. Vy pleasant evg. Bridge after, & came to bed 10.30 leaving them playing. Long letter fr. Roy who is taking another man into their firm. Saturday 16 September V. v. cold, want warmer clothes. Dull early. Letter fr. Darling telling of fire in Yard just outside grounds, the grocer’s untidy enclosure caught fire & some Kerosine tubs, & all in yard burnt. Very good thing to have that dirty place cleaned by fire, it ought not to be there. Fear this third shock for my Darling, & Lennie seedy. At 11 Edgar, Sophy, Midge & self to Grimsby, got stamps & needles! & enquired train 12.30 best. Midge & self for walk with dogs after lunch & to farm ordered 10 eggs 1/- for Monday. (Page pinned in) Saty 16th Sep. Ravendale. Found Admiral Allington talking to Hamilton in Hall. Vy charming man. Edgar had masseuse & Doctor came also. E’s leg better but he is not v. careful of it! Very lively party at dinner, H. in splendid form, & Midge as witty as ever, & looks so well. Bridge evening. H. & S. won again. Bed 10.30. Delightful day. Sunday 17 September Midge & H. leave early today 9 o’c AM in their Motor. Hamilton as far as Mrs Foster’s, & Midge returns home. To Church here alone. Sophy to Barnsley, Mr German rector, Harvest Festival. Awful indigestion after luncheon lasted hours! A little bird flew into my room whilst I was dressing & I had to catch it to protect its hurting itself against the window. (Page pinned in) Sunday 17th Sep. We had tea in the summer house, & after I took dogs to Long Drive but Lowrie returned & only Bunty went on to Large gates with me. Weighed by Sophy in Loft. I weighed 9 st. & ½ lb so am losing weight. Year before my illness weighed only 8 st. 6 & last time with dearest Lin at Dumfries station where I was 10 st. 2! & not been weighed since that 3 summers ago when we were on our way home from the Phipson Beales & Antoinette Duval went as maid with us. Dearest felt then the great fatigue of walking & shooting & used to lie down by my side in bedroom on a long chair, was v. anxious about him then.
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Monday 18 September Dear Mervyn’s birthday. I was weighed yesterday by Sophy in the Stable loft & weighed 9 stone & ½ a pound, less than I have ever weighed except just before my illness. Lovely cold morg. Packed. Edgar had his masseuse & Sophy went for a ride. Letter fr. Caroline James. Walked round grounds with Edgar. Got 10 eggs 1/- fr. Parkinson farm. Quiet evg & played bridge after dinner. Bed 10.30. Tuesday 19 September I return home by 12.35, D.V. Sophy’s parlour maid goes with me to station. Fine. Letter fr. Darling in a whirl of visitors & excitement. Wish she could lead a more restful life, cannot be good for her nerves the constant strain. Letter fr. Mervyn, at St Leonards until Thurs. Dear E. gave me grapes & flowers, & port wine. Vy happy visit, wish dear E’s leg was quite well but is much better today & he walks straighter. (Page pinned in) Tuesday 19th Sep 1911. Our motor had puncture just after Waltham & we only just caught our train. Three people in carriage with me! So could only eat 2 sandwiches, smell. Train late at King’s X. Gave Sherbourne (parlourmaid) 3/-, Housemaid Beatrice 5/-, man 1/-, motor home 3/6, porters 1/1. Stamps 3/-, fare return £2.3.4. Total £2.18.11 for 10 days only. Darling pd cab to Charing X fr. Victoria, I fare fr. Balcombe, & porters. Fitzroy pd them for her. Forgot I had my return ticket from Balcombe, so gave it to Fitzroy. Found all looking vy nice at home. Young girl nice manners but knows nothing in waiting etc, may learn. Dear Roy dined with me & enjoyed my evening with him vy much. Darling had sent some flowers fr. Strudwicks, roses & white chrysanthemums. Wednesday 20 September Heavy rain during night. Fine later. Letter fr. darling Maud. To Bank morg. about G.N.Rly (U.S.A.) where to pay Dividend. Paid Dr Kingscote for Roy £53.11.0 awfully expensive. Mrs Bosanquet to tea. Emma II & I unpacked. Emma laid lunch beautifully. Roy dined out, came home to dress. Wrote after dinner. Thursday 21 September Some rain. Woke 3 times in night. About showing Emma II bedrooms, elle sait absolument rien et à l’air bête. In all morg. pottering. Vy tired but laid cloth for dinner with E.II & put out Roy’s things. Sp. came to tea, looks vy well, they are staying 25 Lancaster Gate Hotel. Walked with Sp. to Barkers, saw him into omnibus. Roy dined at home. (Page pinned in) Thursday 21st Sep. Roy dined at home & very nice little evg. together.
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Looked thro’ some of Dearest’s pipes, to be put in his room. Letter fr. darling Maud. Roy goes Saty for week end to Harold’s. Friday 22 September Letters fr. Tabs fr. Aix les Bains, & Edie F. & Mabel Ling, new maid. Busy morg. putting drawers in order etc & arranging a box of flowers fr. darling Maud. Emma II doing stairs. Vy slow but willing if only can teach her to be more thorough. After rest to enquire after Mrs V. Cole, much better, & Maud Cole there with her husband, saw both, & on to Mrs Keith. Nellie funny as ever with good stories! £5 note one! Roy dined at home 7.30 & to theatre after. Saturday 23 September Roy goes for week end to Harold & Nonie. Lovely morg. Hard at work showing Emma II work. Dusted alone my Beloved’s room. Pd Archer 18/- for his dear photos. Roy returned at 2.30, sat with him whilst he finished packing. Much annoyed by new maid “sans savoir”. Rest & slept after he left 3.10 & then walked to see Mervyn & Ethel, depressed feeling always in Earls Court Rd! Poor E’s legs greatly swollen & she is vy stout. Mervyn came in, he vy thin. Little lonely evg, bed early. Canada rejected reciprocity bill. Bravo Canada. Sunday 24 September Canada rejected reciprocity if only a 2nd (?) Chamberlain c’d ride. Lovely morg. rested until 10.30 quietly in bed. Emma II out morg. At 11.30 walked to Ethel M’s, both out at Hurlingham for day. On to see Mrs Adlam, just starting for a little walk, vy seedy with sciatica but plucky & talkative, full of politics. Staunch Unionist. Alone all afternoon & evg. Wrote & read. Monday 25 September Lunch with Sp. & Ada at 25 Lancaster Gate 1 o’c. Roy returned fr. Harold’s. Two maids Caroline James & Mabel Ling come for one month fr. Mrs Banks Tomlin. Met Darling Maud & little Linley up for day at Lancaster Gate & after cheery little lunch with Sp. & Ada & Hylda went with Maud & little Linley to Dentist for Linley & saw them off at Victoria by 5 o’c train. Roy dined out. (Page pinned in) Monday 25th Sep. Roy returned fr. Harold’s & dined out. Maids arrived exceedingly good looking girl Mabel Ling & fine figure. Edie comes tomorrow she has sprained or put out her knee. V. sorry. So glad to see Darling Maud, & looking much better.
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Tuesday 26 September Nellie K. to tea. Postponed. Start getting drawing room ready. Emma & Emma II & Mabel helping. Plus que les deaux nouvelles quoi’que gentilles n’arriverant (illeg) (illeg). Out morg. Whiteley, ordered enamel basin for maid’s room 2/11½ & an enamel brush & soap stand 3 cornered for top landing 1/11½. Edie F. coming to stay. Arrived after tea looking v. seedy & little lame fr. sprain. She & I dined alone. She v. depressed about Herbert not well at Milan. Italy & Turkey disturbing Europe over Tripoli. X. Awful disaster of French ship “Liberté”. (Page pinned in.) 26th Tuesday Sep. Nearly 500 lives lost & many seriously injured. The ship blown to pieces at Toulon early yesterday morg. Roy dined out & to see Melodrama Drury Lane, enjoyed it. Emma out after her tiring morg. in drawing room. Hamilton L. sent me a brace of partridges, vy kind. Wrote to him at once. Wednesday 26 September Ap’t 12 dressmaker. Went by 2 oms & Taxi which jumped fr. 8d to 2/-. Cost 1/6 fr. Baker St to 59B Abbey Rd. Stamp & postcards 2/-, om 3d, total 4/-. Late back fr. Marlborough Metropolitan to High St. Kens. Little E. out. Roy in to dinner. Edie off at 8 o’c to Bushey. No letter fr. Maud since Monday. Little Linley returns to School, hope he will be happy. Roy dined at home. Both he & Edie in 8 o’c. Emma II out. Edie vy worried about Herbert, no letter for 3 weeks. Thursday 28 September Edie & I go to tea at 4.30 to meet Miss Davison, Geoff Con’s fiancée, at Ethel’s. Lovely morg. Emma & Mabel finished arranging drawing room. Edie writing & out. I did Roy’s room & put mine ready, & maid’s room & Edie’s. Rather much for one morg! with young girl E.C. Man doing windows drawing room & dining room. Friday 29 September Ask Sp. Ada & Hylda. Coming Sunday. Nellie Keith to tea. Birthday. Lovely flowers fr. darling & lovely tea cloth fr. Toula. Out morg. shops. Did flowers on return. Emma v. busy all day doing stairs. Petite helped after 12. Curtains up my room. Man fr. Barkers to mend cord window drawing room. Roy dines at home. Edie at school all day. Saturday 30 September Mabel out after 4.30. Little E. managed dinner better & neater. Edie goes to Maud. Not going on ac’t of her cold. She went to Doctor morg. about her knee, better. Shop’d alone. To Bank, ordered fish, 3 lemon soles & veg’ts. Curtain rod mended drawing room by Barker. Roy dined out. 73
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Polished dearest’s room, fresh paper over things & dusted. Emma putting down stair carpets, look v. nice. Edie & self put out drawing room things & arranged lights. Sunday 1 October Sp. Ada & Hilda dine here. Roy at home week end. Walked round Pond with Edie morg. V. cold but bright. Edie out after lunch. Mrs Molesworth & Miss Rose Innes to tea. Latter remained too late as usual & I had to hurry in dressing & putting out glass. Fire in drawing room, v. cold. Edie’s cold still bad. Quite pleasant evg. Roy’s peaches 6 he gave me all used. Cap. Loring, Harolds, Mrs Gibson & Major Talbot at Maud’s Balcombe. Monday 2 October Asked Mrs & Miss Davison to tea 4.30. Only Miss D. came, & Midge with flowers. Morg. out early & for 2 hrs after with Emma doing photos dearest’s room. Edie at Bushey. Roy dined at home & went out after. Wrote to Darling & to Edgar. Letter fr. Sophy. Tuesday 3 October To 59B Abbey Rd to be fitted 11 o’c. Took up entire morg. starting at 10 o’c. Went with Edie by underground 1/-. Do not think much of dress maker, no ideas. We got into wrong train ret’ng. Miss Innes came & stayed till 7. Roy packing for Scotland, goes to Mrs Galbraiths for week by night mail. He left here 10 o’c. Wednesday 4 October Dear Roy arrives 7 AM Dumfries. Slept badly. Letter fr. darling. Miss Stephens to work here for day. Postponed. Mabel out afternoon & evg. Busy with Emma all morg. in Dearest’s room with photos. Not much rest after lunch. Mrs Pohl came to tea. I walked after & called on Emily Trant. She was out with Midge but I saw Mr Trant, & walked home. Bought 2 little 1/- wooden boxes! Edie home in time for dinner. Parlage avec ma chère Vieille elle conseille que je garde les deux nouvelles. Thursday 5 October Lunch with Midge 1 o’c. Dull early & some rain. Slept better, woke early. Worked with Emma in Dearest’s room an hour. Dressed & off 11.30 walked nearly to M’s club Burlington St. & on fr. there to her new club in Dover St. with Mrs & Miss Hamilton Johnson. She paints, pretty daughter. Excellent lunch nice club. To see Fanny Barker & Mary, Brown’s Hotel. Vy busy about Mary’s wedding 24 October. To old masters Trafalgar Gallery after. (Page pinned in) 5 Oct. Met Mr Hanson 74
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Walker at Grafton Galleries who kindly took us round & showed us the lovely old pictures most important to see. Rembrandt’s old man a beauty. Watts group mother & 3 children with a Rubens tint etc. Midge saw me into an omnibus & reached home after 7 o’c. Dear letters fr. Roy & Maud, the dearest I have ever had fr. Roy. Makes me vy happy to know he loves his home & appreciates all the beautiful things which will be his. Friday 6 October Midge lunched with me 1.30 alone. Out morg. for orders early. After with Midge to see her fitted at Sampsons & on to back of Selfridges where she was fitted with black velvet dress coat & skirt. Tea with Midge at her club & home 7.30! by om. Am getting quite brave alone. Edie all day at School & home tired. Quiet evg. Bed early. Saturday 7 October Dull morg. Edie goes to Darling for week end. Mad’lle Jaquinot spends day & evg. with me. Went shop’g & found Nina Davison’s address, out. Read & mended afternoon. Venison fr. Maud. Mad’elle & self played card games & Bridge after dinner. Roy at Galbraiths. Sunday 8 October With Mad’lle Jaquinot to Browns Hotel & sat with Fanny Parker & Mary. C’d not remin to lunch as Mad’lle with me. Omnibus back. Mad’lle remained all day, left at 10 o’c. No one called. Roy at Terregles with Galbraiths. Edie with Darling at Balcombe. Monday 9 October Ap’t 11 o’c Dr Mitchell, Miss Rose Innes’ & Maud’s dentist. Went at 10.30 by omnibus. Vy upset idea of Emma’s leaving, hope will return if only as sewing maid. Edie returned fr. Balcombe. Went by omnibus to dentist, stop’d one tooth, an hour. Mrs Brooks to tea, cousin George seedy. Called after on Miss Neaves. V. interesting talk with her. My darling sleeps at Lancaster Gate tonight. Tuesday 10 October Maud & Lennie dined at Mrs M’s. Private view of Mr Abbey’s pictures for Phyllidelphia(sic) U.S.A. White City Exhib. My darling in London for day. Mrs Brammell to tea. Dear Roy leaves Terregles tonight. He is remaining on until Saturday morg. & goes same day to Tabbie’s. Darling came late for a few moments, does not look well. Edie & self alone evg. Dear old Emma’s last day here, but will I hope come back after a holiday.
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Wednesday 11 October To be fitted by Effie’s dressmaker 11 o’c. Mrs Evans to tea. Mervyn dines here 7.30 & Lennie & Maud. Dear Roy arrives early & leaves by 3.30 for Tabbie’s. Coming Saturday instead. Maudie fetched me 10.30. To Mme Meak(?) fitted Abbey Rd 59B, to Marshall Snelgroves, Ross M’s pearls. Lunched & rested Claridges. Left Darling at Mrs Hohler’s & home after heavenly time with Maud alone. (Page pinned in) Wed 11th Oct. Mrs Bosanquet to tea. Lennie & Maud & Mervyn dined here, my darling depressed. Blunderbus out afternoon & evg. Dear Emma left at 4.30 for her niece’s where she has a room, 3/- a week, & hope after a rest she will return to me. Lennie sang & Edie played. It was much pleasanter & softer than at Balcombe & his voice sounded v. nice. Maudie told me about Mrs Onslow Ford leaving her husband! Too terrible to believe & dearest was so fond of her! Thursday 12 October Mrs Wylie at National Gallery tea, & Mervyn at Studio 14 Cheyne Row. Darling fetched me 11.30. To Johnson’s about Dearest’s drawing, gave Maudie the Water Baby one & having another done for Mary Carter. To Barkers left little candlestick to be mended. Lunched Claridges with Darling & on to National Gallery. Saw Mrs Hamilton Wylie painting there. Darling did not seem well & feel anxious about her. (Page pinned in) Thursday 12th Oct. Left her at National Gallery & went on alone by Taxie to Mervyn’s studio, saw his works excellent portrait in relief of Lawrence, & Lady’s head & others, all very clever, wish I had one of Dearest. Edie & self alone. Friday 13 October Mrs Rae coming to tea. Coming Monday instead. Morg. by Motor bus to Lancaster Gate took Ada’s gold pin. She is in bed at 19 Lancaster Gate. Sat little while with her, gout in foot again! To Darling’s, out. Fetched my paper list. Out to Whiteleys ordered china & 2 glass dishes for entrée dishes. In all afternoon rested well & slept 20 minutes. Wrote to Emma. Edie back earlier. Played our music evg. Saturday 14 October Dear Roy returns early from Scotland (Galbraiths). Edie goes with Darling to Balcombe. Mrs Gibson asked me to lunch to meet Lady Gilbert. Roy arrived, looks well, left after lunch with me for Tabbie’s until Wednesday. Out morg. shop’g. Afternoon to tea with George Brooks. Isabelle & Col. Hall & a clergyman there. Alone evening.
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Sunday 15 October Mary to enquire after Nicola Saunders, little baby girl ar’d Friday. Long talk with Ruby & saw Mr Saunders, asked them to dine next Sunday. Alice Linley dined here, enjoyed having her. Miss Rose Innes to tea, remained until 7 o’c. Started tonic. Monday 18 October Dentist 11.15. Mrs Rae to tea & Mrs & Miss Johnstone, only 2 last came. Mrs Rae ill at Hotel. Morg to dentst, Barkers, first ordered bacon. Ordered papers fr. Smiths fr. tonight, no Times today, only Evg. Standard. Stop’d old paper shop, Picknell. Edie returnd fr. Balcombe we dined together. Ellie Ritchie came to tea also. Vy pleasant afternoon. Letter fr. dear old Emma. Tuesday 17 October Toula comes. Edie goes to her aunt’s whilst Toula is here. Walked morg across Gds to Darlng’s. Found her busy packing with Ethel Smart. On with Edie to Bond St. Mrs Pollock, Miss Gill called. Toula arrived 3 o’c. Roy returned home after dinner. Edis remained until 10 o’c. Roy found things a bit strained at Leweston. Wednesday 18 October Morg out with Toula, to Whiteleys across Gds, met Mrs Boughton. At 3.30 had carriage to Darling’s found her packing. Florence Walford in her room vy serious operation necessary, 2 of her nieces there. Darling v. anxious. Nonie called in to tea and arranged about a maid for her. Ret’d in carriage, saw Lennie. Roy dined at home, out after. Thursday 19 October Go to Mrs Noel Stoker to tea, 4 o’c, 5 Fernshaw Mansions, Chelsea. Postponed. Darling & Lennie go to Germany for 3 weeks by 9 o’c fr. Charing X. Roy saw them off, & breakfasted at his club. Toula & self busy all morg with electric light drawing room, 1½ hrs! Put bulbs tidy in drawer. Afternoon Toula off alone. I went alone to tea with Alice Linley, met Mary Carter & her fiancé & Fanny B. Vy cheery, he seems devoted. Alice walked to Hyde Pk Corner with me. Toula cab home. Roy dined out. Antoinette called, looks seedy. Friday 20 October Pouring rain morg. Roy goes to Mrs Lewisohn’s for week end this afternoon. Toula & self out morg. to Lancaster Gate to see Florence W. & Nonie M. arranging all with nurse. F. looks better & clearer in complexion, her room a bower of flowers. To Whiteleys after. Lady Self 77
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came to tea, stayed a long while. Letter fr. my darling fr. Calais, letter written in train. V. happy. Roy left at 4.30. Quiet evg. Ethel Mervyn here to dinner, full of her travels in prospective(sic). Dear Mervyn not well. Saturday 21 October Toula & self v. busy morg. flowers, & did 2 shelves in my wardrobe in Roy’s room. Lunched early. To Matinée “Bunty pulls the strings”. Haymarket by bus, & in Pit. Vy comfortable, good places!!! Got fruit coming home. Cozy evg. Poker Patience. Enjoyed our outing together. Dear letter fr. Darling fr. Cologne. Dearest & I there 2 years ago together. Sunday 22 October Ruby Walker & Mr Saunders to dinner, & Edie. Strong wind, in all day. Emily Trant & her husband, Spencer, Edgar, came to tea. Rejoiced to see Edgar so well, & in such good spirits. Vy pleasant dinner. Mr Saunders sang 3 songs well, & Edie played. He is a rather commonplace young man with odd ideas! Spencer came in after dinner. Monday 23 October Busy morg. To Bank. Shop’g Kens. Toula to buy dress Harrods at 10 o’c AM. Toula & self did photos in dearest’s room. Eva Bosanquet & her dau. Aylmer & Edgar came to tea. Aylmer left early. Edgar looking splendid. Dear Roy returned fr. week end at Edna Lewisohn’s, enjoyed it, & went out to dine with Mr Pollock. Tuesday 24 October Mary Carter’s marriage with Mr Lowe(?) Brown, St James Piccadilly, 2.30, & at Brown’s Hotel after. Awful day, pouring wet. Had Maud’s carriage, sat with Holdens. Mary looked v. nice & both v. happy. To Browns Hotel after. Mrs L(illeg) Nellie Zimmermann, etc. there & Mr Allen. Roy also. Saw Mary & Mr L.B. off, & carriage left Roy at Club. He dined with Arthur & rest party, to theatre after. I home. Toula & self alone. Wednesday 25 October Edgar & Sophy dine here & Spencer. Out morg shop’g. Walked with Toula to Round Pond.. Chose chicken, fruit etc. Toula to enquire after Ada Sp, better & up. Florence Walford had an operation at Nursing Home, 25 Dorset Sqre. All well. Toula & self by bus to Little Theatre 5/seats to see “Fanny’s first play” by Bernard Shaw. Vy amusing. Very pleasant evg & dinner, they stayed till 11.15 & Roy dined at home. Mrs Bryan came about my blue silk dress which she is making.
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Thursday October 26 Very wet. Toula & self 10.40 to Mde Meak(?) Abbey Rd about my £10.10 failure, silly woman. Went by taxi 2/6 & om back 6d. Toula after to stores, got blotting paper, diaries & envelopes & tail comb for me, 3/6½. Bought lace morg. 2/6. Telephoned Midge, she & Dora going to theatre tonight. Promised to meet her morg. 11 o’c tomorrow. Roy out evg. Letter fr. Darling yesterday fr. Dresden. V. happy & well. Friday 27 October Lady Lockyer 3 - 6. Meet Midge at Henry’s Dover St. Postponed. In all morg. tidying one shelf in wardrobe Roy’s room. Toula & self 3 o’c in Maud’s carriage to 25 Dorset Sq’re to enquire after Florence Walford, successful operation Wed, all going on well. Saw Ethel Smart there. Quiet evg. with Toula. Roy dined out. Saturday 28 October Roy to Mrs Lewisohn’s for week end. Lady Lockyer 3 - 4. To tea at Mrs Stokers, 5 Fernshaw Mansions Chelsea. Dear Toula left 10.20 AM. Out shop’g directly after & worked after. Mrs Evans to luncheon. Mrs Gibson, Nonie Messel & Mrs L. Bradbury called. I had M’s carriage 4 o’c & had tea Mrs Stoker. Edie came to stay, alone we 2 to dinner. Emma II served, Mabel out. Sunday 29 October Wire fr. Darling, Grand Hotel, Nurnberg, Germany. Edie & self to Mervyn’s & took Motor bus with M. & Ethel & walked in Park. Vy nice, but cold. Ethel & Mervyn, Fanny Barker with Miss R. Carter & Alice dine here 8 o’c. Pleasant evg. Monday 30 October Lady Lockyer 3 - 4. Mrs Bryan 11 o’c. Fitted morg. Horrid day, poured. Had Maud’s carriage & went to see Florence Walford. Looks pulled down, operation horrid experience. Roy dined at home. Feel v. seedy, hot & headachey. Roy too looks seedy. Dear letter fr. Maudie. Tuesday 31 October 10.30 Ap’t with Dr Whittiker(?) dentist. To Mrs Nembhard after. Had a glass of excellent port 63 fr. the Wood, A.N. Stores, shall get some. Mrs Marcus Stone, Miss Rose Innes & W. Lockyer called. Edie & self alone. Roy came in early. Edie played. Feel v. tired.
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Wednesday 1 November To ask Mr & Mrs Pohl & Evie & Lawrence & Col & Mrs Fitter(?). Lunch with Desirée. Shop’d early, vy expensive. Roses, fruit, partridges. Had carriage to Col Welby. Lady Ward, Maurice Hewlett(?) & Mrs Stone there. V. pleasant. Harrods more fruit & sweets, carriage fetched me. Edgar came afternoon. Pleasant evg. but missed perfect cooking, otherwise all went well. Thursday 2 November Ap’t dentist 4.30. Had this on Tuesday instead. In bed all day, feel very tired & headachey. Edie to Balcombe. Postcard from Darling fr. Nurnberg. Roy dined out. Came home early. Feel better for rest all day in bed but v. tired & headachey. Mary Monks came about a place, been at home 3 months nearly. Mabelle to Lancaster Gate about carriage tomorrow. Edie with cold, too damp for her in trains. Friday 3 November Mr Richardson about Dearest’s photos, lunches here 1 o’c. Postponed to next Friday. Roy & self dine at Brown’s Hotel with Fanny Barker & go to theatre after, “Marionettes”. Fine morning. Out shop’g, rested afternoon. Had carriage to take us & bring me home fr. theatre, Roy on to Mr Stern’s & home v.late!!! Most delightful evg & charming play, Sir John Hare & Marie Lohr. Saw Alexanders, Fitters, Foxes, Pitts & Gladys Cooper in a box op. to us. Enjoyed play immensely & Roy also. Saturday 4 November Fine, out morg with Edie shop’g. She has another cold. Carriage at 3 to call Fanny Barker Brown’s Hotel & Edgar Langham & Nonie Messel all out, & to see Florence Walford, getting on splendidly. Edie & self alone. Roy out. Mabelle out. Made peppermint sweets & neglected work & writing! Miss Toula v. much indeed. 3 postcards fr. Darling Maud. Sunday 5 November Awful night blew, poured & blew again, could get no rest. Glorious morg. Morocco-Congo treaty signed at Berlin 5 PM last night, discontent Germany! Lunch at Edgar’s, Langham Hotel 1.30. Went with Edie across gardens to Lancaster Gate, om fr. there. Excellent lunch at Pegani’s. Home by om. Mr Molesworth came to tea,. Edie lunched at Sp’s. Spencer & Hilda dined here & Roy in to dinner after tennis & Richmond! Monday 6 November Lovely morg. Letter from Darling from Nurnberg, they are delighted with all they have seen at Dresden, Cologne, Nurnberg, (illeg)burg etc & now 80
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
go to Munich. Called on Mrs Adlam & had tea with her, looks older & has to go on crutches, but brave old lady full of courage & spirits, & taking keen interest in everything. Roy out evg. Edie & self alone. Paid my rates & taxes, v. heavy. Tuesday 7 November Warm & damp. Letter fr. Darling fr. Munich. To Stores morg. with Edie by train, Xmas things. Mr & Mrs Denny (illeg) & Mrs Finlay called. Roy out to dinner. Morg bought roses, 1/6, for Dearest’s photos. Roy not nearly so bright & happy since Mr Stern’s return, fear he envies great wealth! Wednesday 8 November Mrs Mackenzie Davidson 3.30. Go with Miss Rose Innes to Covent Garden to see Russian dancers. Lovely flowers fr. Tabbie. Edie off early. Had Victoria to theatre, great crowd. Mad’lle J. to lunch & drove her to Piccadilly Circus. “Pavlova” perfectly wonderful, dream of grace & exquisite form. Lovely box only Winnie L. besides self. To Rumplemeyers after. Miss Innes saw me home. Roy dined out. Thursday 9 November Lovely morg. Carriage at 3.15. Friday 10 November Mr Richardson to luncheon 1 o’c about C(illeg). Mrs Boughton at home. Tabbie coming to dinner. Asked Harolds also. None could come, Edie & self alone. Roy out. I called on Mrs Walter Crane & saw him & Mr Dolly Story & his pretty daughter. On to cousin George Brooks where I always enjoy myself. Very nice people there & Mr de Courcelles(?) who is so clever. Saturday 11 November Roy goes at 2.30 to Edna May’s. Carriage 11 o’c to Stores, walked home fr. Albert Memorial. Had carriage again 3.30, called Mr Fleischmann. Horrid afternoon, pouring, only went there. Mad’lle fr. Miss White’s school where Edie goes came to tea here. Quiet evg. with Edie. Letter fr. my darling. Anxious about little Anne. Sunday 12 November Edie & I dine at Mrs Denny’s Grand Hotel 7.45. Walked morg to Round Pond & back. No one called. Wretched day. Most delightful evg at Mrs Denny’s 6 officers & ourselves only besides our hosts. Charming table &
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dinner well chosen, & good music after & talk. Our first taxi refused to move, 5/6 spent & for a vy happy time & some good stories. Monday 13 November Kitchen chimney swept. 11 o’c Mrs Bryan comes to fit me. Came. To the stores by train, fruits, apron, bath blanket. Tuesday 14 November Did box loft with Mabel. Roy & I dine at Harolds 8 o’c. Out morg to Bank. Mrs Kendal called, Mr Cooke & Miss Bonnebie(?), Aylmer Bosanquet, Gladys Crozier. Flowers 3/6. Very charming dinner at Nonies’s . Mr & Mrs Fleischmann, Mr Stern & Mrs Gibson, took her with us in Maud’s carriage, & home. Well chosen dinner all excellent feel how much I have to learn & how careless I am getting. Edie out. Plant to dear chicks. Wednesday 15 November Darling & Lennie arrived fr. Germany. I lunch at Mrs Gibson’s 1.30. Darling Maud & Lennie return fr. Germany. Mrs Bryan to fit my day bodice & coat, 11 o’c. Very excellent lunch. Mrs L(illeg), Mrs Miller, Mrs Young, Nonie & self. V. pleasant. Walked to Notting Hill, called on Mrs Messel, Lady Carbutt, in, & had tea with the dear children & 2 Frauleins Lancaster Gate. Called on Mrs Carlisle. 3/- for 2 white heather for Darling & Lennie. Roy out to dinner. Walked home. (page pinned in) Lunch Mrs Gibson. Bread fruit centre scooped out, liqueurs & cherry centre. Small pieces of lobster on daintily arranged salad & tomatoes skinned in halves filled with Russian salad & mayonnaise sauce. Mayonnaise also served apart & delicious (illeg) of soles. Beautifully roasted chicken & gravy carved in french silver dish. Salad & orange ditto served together. Exquisitely done potatoes â la maître d’hotel & beautifully done beans. Cutlets in aspic boiled served on crushed aspic jelly. Delicious sweet of chestnuts looking like chocolate & a sort of rose top of currant sugar & cream in centre. Charming & V. good to eat. Savory little cheese bullets savory. Cheese biscuits & butter. Excellent coffee, cream, milk & liqueur. Fruit, figs oranges apples pears etc, chocolates. All as good as it could be. Thursday 16 November Emily and Mr Trant & Mrs Gibson dine here 8 o’c. Wet. Morg. out shops, fruit, flowers. X, to Bank, left allotment letter & bankers receipt for £33 for eleven B.A. Gt Southern Ex shrs £10 each, £3 pd on each shre. All calls to be pd fr. Executors account. Carriage here 1 o’c.
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Lunched with Darling & remained to tea. She looks so well. Unpacked toys with dear chicks. Carriage home. Fairly nice evg. Roy looked seedy. Friday 17 November To tea with Mervyn & Ethel to wish them good bye. Darling came & took me at 4 o’c to their hotel, Norfolk Hotel, the Trants there & Mrs Church. Out morg. shop’g. Saturday 18 November Pouring wet all day, did not go out. Darling sent me some flowers. Busy in Dearest’s room & worked. Roy dined at home. Mabel out. E. managed better & quietly. Roy only came in at 8.20. Riddles etc. Vy pleasant evg. Sunday 19 November Wet morg. Ethel & Mervyn by 11 train fr. Vic Sta. start for Costabelli. Roy saw them off. Edie & self in om. to Lancaster Gate. Saw Darling & Lennie on way to Church. Saw little Anne in bed, much better, & brought Oliver away in taxi to lunch & tea here. Edie takes him back in taxi. Monday 20 November Maud, Lennie & Miss Rose Innes to dinner, & Roy in. Out morg. shop’g. rested after luncheon. Mrs Pohl called. To Bank morg. X. Left Argentine Southern Land shrs allotted & fully paid, 12 £1 shrs at £1.10.0 each, namely £18. Bankers receipt on this at Bank. Tuesday 21 November Edie gave me carnations. Mrs Rooth to lunch 1.30. Out morg. shop’g. Edie to Whiteleys to be photod. Mrs Boughton & Mrs Rooth sang charmingly & Mrs Cornmell sang & recited. Lady Sutton, Mrs Keith & Miss Brown called. Roy dined out. Dear little Anne to get up. Edie to photographers. Flowers fr. Midge. Mrs Rooth brought me roses & Mrs Cornmell violets. Wednesday 22 November I go with Miss Rose Innes & Lady Heal to Box A St James’ theatre 2.15, Rumplemeyers after to tea. Enjoyed play enormously altho’ plot improbable. Huge box & in good time by Motor bus. Mrs Cox, Chilean lady, also of our party. To Ritz to tea. Saw Mr Villiers. Roy out. Maudie & Oliver came during my absence so sorry to miss them. Thursday 23 November Morg. out 10.10, at Maud’s 10.30 to fetch Edie. Found Darling very worried, Fraulein ill with bilious attack. Stayed some time with little 83
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
Anne after Maud went in carriage, & Ethel Smart with Oliver for walk. Edie & self to lunch with Ada Sp. On to Whiteleys after & to tea at George Brooks. Misses Courtney there. Roy dined out. X. Letter fr. Emma saying she is going to be married. Friday 24 November Roy for week end to Mrs Lewisohn tonight. I had carriage & to Stores 11.30, & on to lunch with Darling. Only Fraulein & Mad’lle there besides dear chicks. Anne lunched in drawing room & looks much better. Oliver dark round eyes. Miss Gill came to stay with Maudie. Mrs F. Cokayne called. I walked home across Gds at 4 o’c. Edie & self dined alone, she had letter fr. Herbert. Saturday 25 November Edie & I lunch at Mrs Rooth, Weatherall House, Well Walk, 1.15. Postponed. Addison Rd to Hampstead Heath station, or Thurs. Postponed. Edie away for week end, left at 2 o’c. Morg. out shop’g. met Dr Orton at Barkers. Fitzroy came to tea, looks vy well & seems vy happy at Sandhurst. Alone evg. Put domes of silence on morg. room chair with Emma II. Mabel out. Sunday 26 November Sp. Ada & Hilda to dinner 8 o’c. Horrible day, c’d not go out. No one called. Vy pleasant evg. Emma II scuttled in late & muddle in consequence, tiresome little person. Monday 27 November I dine 7.45 at Mrs Kendal’s, alone. Most delightful evg. Taxi 5/-. Heilbuts, Morris & Mr Rowe there, exquisite dinner well served & lovely cozy warm rooms. Cheered me v. much. Roy dined here on return fr. Edna May’s, always seems discontented after these visits, & depressed. Mrs Mivart asked me to tea, c’d not go. Edie dined with Roy, she ret’d after week end. Tuesday 28 November Went at 11.30 with Darling shop’g. Woollands & Bumpus. Met Nurse F. & Gibbs baby. I lunched with Maud & she walked back with me to Argyll Rd. So glad to have her & the darlings alone, only nice Fraulein Rippel & Maud. Lady Spielmann & Nicolas Bosanquet I missed but saw Nellie K. & Sylvenia Rose Innes. Edie & self alone evg. both v. tired.
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Wednesday 29 November Lunch with Effie at Lady’s Park Club 32 Knightsbridge, 1.30. Fine. Lovely morg. Paid bills, books again heavy. Felt v. seedy & relaxed throat, had port wine 11 o’c. Walked part way to Effie’s. Fatal mackerel at lunch, felt awfully sick after. Called with Effie on Mrs Stevenson v. amusing but felt so bad. To bed on return. V. sick, temperature, feel wretched all over. Roy out. Edie alone dinner. Thursday 30 November Edie & self lunch at Mrs Rooth’s 1.15. Unable to go, in bed all day, feel v. seedy & hot & achey. Darlng came 4.30, sent for Dr Croft Hill. To remain in bed slight temperature. Edie called on the Spencers, both in bed. Maud too dear as usual brings sunshine & brightness wherever she goes. Made my room so comfortable & brought flowers. Maud & Lennie dine at Mrs Messel’s. Dr C. Hill came. Friday 1 December Dr Croft Hill came feeble creature 2nd visit. Fair night. Cold in my head. What next! My darling came to lunch & tea with me which she had served in my room. She seemed well, brought lovely flowers etc etc loaded as usual good things. In bed all day, slight temp, feel v seedy. Lovely having Maud with me & she stayed to tea. Roy out & did not return to dress. Saturday 2 December Dr Croft Hill came. Darling Maud came to lunch but had to meet Lennie after. Edie read to me. In bed all day. Feel much better but heavy cold still in head, extraordinary sort of old fashioned which comes & goes. Roy out. Sunday 3 December Dr Hill came 4 o’c. Lovely morg, wet afternoon. Good night. In my room all day but dressed at 12 o’c. Darling came morg. with Lennie. Roy dined with Maud & Lennie. Mr & Mrs Stoker & Mrs Sweeting called. Edie gave them tea for me. Saw only Mrs Stoker for little while in my room. Dr H. used carbolic for my gums. Monday 4 December Dr Hill came. Lovely after 10 o’c. Edie wrote letters for me after breakfast. Came into drawing room 12 o’c, feel shaky, c’d not resist cleaning about. Dr H. came & did all round my teeth with carbolic acid & acetic acid (illeg) vy slow. Darling came for short time, dear Oliver
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better. Maudie took Anne to Dr Goodheart, says she is sound. Most thankful. Roy out. Edie vy tired. Mabel sang evg. Tuesday 5 December Emma comes to stay. Came, vy glad to have her again. Slept badly. Maudie came with lovely flowers on her way to lunch with Mrs Gibson. Luncheon in bed. Mr Molesworth, Mrs Cornmell & Mrs Spofforth came to tea. Roy out. Wednesday 6 December Lady Sutton 4 - 6.30. Dr Hill came morg. Had carriage 12 o’c, Emma sat with me whilst I dressed & went for drive with me to Park & past Buckingham Palace. Mrs Bryan came to fit me with stamped velvet. Lady Dewar, Mrs Ledger & Emily Trant & husband came to tea. Roy dined at home, vy down. Emma & self put domes of silence on drawing room chairs. Thursday 7 December Mrs Bram Stoker comes to tea 5 o’c. Lady Self called, paid her 4/- charity vases. Dear old Emma here vy homey with her in the house, busy doing needlework for me & she sat with me morg & part afternoon. Emma left for her niece’s at 5 o’c. She is to be married on 24th inst. Darling M, Lennie & Roy to dine & theatre with Miss Innes. Vy happy day, feel little better. Ethel played to Emma. Friday 8 December Mrs Rawlinson at home 4.30. Lovely morg. With Darling at 11.30 in brougham to Woollands, too cold & raw to walk, remained in carriage whilst M. shop’d. Darling looks v. tired wish she had less to see to. Roy went to Cranbourne Ct, & does not go to city until Monday! Caroline kindly helped Emma II with stairs, look v. nice. Worked all afternoon & wrote, no callers. Edie v. tired after Bushey, & no letter fr. Herbert, too bad. Saturday 9 December Harfield here about Kitchen range, no hot water upstairs. Says boiler choked up. Going to clean out Monday. Morg. walked to Round Pond, cold wind but fine. Ordered apples & bananas at Taylors 1/-. Caroline kindly helping Emma II with drawing room as well as Mabelle. Worked morg. room with Edie after lunch. Darling to Balcombe for day, fear will be vy tired. Roy at Edna May’s, weekend.
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Sunday 10 December Wet morg. E. vy late in my room. Awful day, could not go out at all. Roy at Edna May’s (Mrs Lewisohn’s). No one called except my Darling with little Anne on her way home from St Matthias’ Church, greatly impressed with the service. Quiet evg. Edie & self alone. Monday 11 December Kitchen Range examined by Harfield. Huge hole under boiler, no wonder difficulty with hot water. Must have new boiler, decided Knights, start it tomorrow morg. Cost £6, 10/- cheaper than Harfield’s estimate. With Darling in carriage to Selfridges, Venus’s, & occulist. Lunched with Maudie & dear chicks. Taxi home 1/-. Mrs Carlisle & Mrs Stevenson called. Roy returned & dined out. No kitchen fire or hot water. Tuesday 12 December Dr Hill came, stayed an hour. Out morg. shop’g. Emily & Mr Trant & Mrs Gibson & Ada Sp. & Winnie came. Feel vy tired & seedy. Men here from Knights doing kitchen boiler. Awful mess & upset. Man from Hartfield doing curtain slides dining room. Wednesday 13 December Maud called & I was out, her telephone out of order. Roy dined alone with Maud & to Empire after. Out morg shop’g. Mrs Bryan came to fit me velvet dress. Awful mess. Men here doing boiler & found stoppage in pipe. Lovely chrysanthemums fr. Toula. Edie & self late dinner. Thursday 14 December Out morg. to Hartfields about dining room curtains slides. Vy annoyed men never came as Mabel & I put drawing room ready. X. Men here finishing kitchen boiler & tank. Miss Webster & Mrs Mivart called. Edie to Maud’s. Roy dines at Mrs Pohl’s, met her morg. Friday 15 December Lovely day early, rained later. Out short time morg. shop’g Sloane St. Ordered black morning blouse 39/6. Ordered André Hugo cheveu £2.2.0! Bought 4 jet buttons at Catts & 2 blotters Jones. Emma & her intended Mr Buckingham came to tea. She looks better & happier. Darling came for a second in a whirl of engagements but ever thoughtful, bless her. Roy dined out. Mabelle took his clothes to Club. Edie & self alone. Saturday 16 December Out morg. to Bank, saw Mr Richardson, decided to invest the £100 pd. off. X. San Paolo 5% 1898 (dearest’s money) in Buenos Ayres & Pacific 87
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
Ord’y in view of fresh issue, at once. Also enquired about Emma’s money Barkers. Edie to Break up at school, out all day. Vy tired. Roy out. Worked & read. Dined 8.30. Edie in late. Sunday 17 December Walked with Edie to Maud’s, away at Ruth Parker for week end, chicks out. To Spencer’s, & Spencers dine here tonight & Roy. No one called. Did presents. Pleasant evg. mais table pas gentilement arrangée et trop en hôte en retard. Ma chere petite cygne cassée malheur. Sp left late. Monday 18 December Edie to stores for me. I lunch at Maud’s. Edie at Spencer s & stores shop’g. Roy dines out. Had his clothes sent to club. Delightful luncheon at Maud’s, beautiful cooking. Ris de veau & macaroni, filet of beef & legumes au tour(?), pheasant etc, soles & 3 delicious sweets. Geo Kent, Sp, Mrs J. Cadogan, Mrs (blank) & Gladys. Maud gave me lovely set of furs. Taxi home, walked there. Tuesday 19 December Walked to Harvey Nichols ordered petticoat 4/6 & fitted with blouse at Vernons £1.19.6. Met Mrs Coward. Ordered Emma’s wedding cake 10/6 & bottle of whiskey 3/6. Contract note fr. Bank of purchase of £100 B.A. Pacific Ord Stk at 100 ½ in place of San Paolo 5% pd of Dearest’s 1st Jan 1918. Lady Spielmann, Gerald Ryan & Hilda & Sylvenia Rose Innes & Gladys C. called. Edie & self alone evg. Wednesday 20 December Darling Maud came, going to Three Arts Ball, Albert Hall, she went as Mrs Sheridan. Sent back my presents by her. She looks tired, fear overdoing herself. Edie with her all day. Packed with Mabel who managed vy nicely, being so neat & tidy. Roy dressed at home, dined at Harold’s. Dear Edgar sent me case of 50 Vittel bottles, awfully kind of him. Mr Trent & the Evans boys came after tea, Maudie here same time. Thursday 21 December Had all ready to go Leweston today & decided to go tomorrow as no one there, wired Briscoe. Edie left 4 o’c. Darling came round with little Linley, much grown, looks very well. Roy dining with Tabs Claridges, dressed club, to theatre after. Evie ill. Mabel out evg 6 o’c only. Friday 22 December Leweston. I go to Leweston by 1 o’c train. Shakespears going by same train, taking Mabel with me. Great confusion new Waterloo Sta. & 88
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difficulty in getting place, was in comp’t with 4 men smoking & one lady! Changed Templecombe ½ an hours wait, pouring rain. Came in Motor with Shakespears. Tabs, H. Fitzroy & 2 boys came by later train. Pleasant evg. Played Bridge with H. & boys till 11 o’c. Find Mabel attentive & manages v. nicely. Saturday 23 December Wrote. Good night. To Sherborne in Motor, took Mabel & did shop’g for Tabbie & took her presents to Castle. Saw Gwen & Mr John Digby who asked me to remain to lunch, afraid to keep car. Played bridge with H, Fitzroy & Gareth after dinner. Bed 11 o’c. Tabs has bad cold. Sunday 24 December Lovely morg. Vy wet underfoot or would have gone with the 5 men to Church, no motor out. Wrote all morg with Tabs. Walked after lunch with Olive. Letters fr Darling Maud & Roy. Quiet evg, no cards. H & Mr Shakespear for long walk. Gareth & Fitzroy to Castle, remained to dinner & were not home till 11 o’c. Monday 25 December Lovely morg, warm. Boys to Church & Olive & Dorothy. Read my sevice in Loggia end of Cypress walk with sun pouring in. Hamilton & Mr Shakespear to Anchorage 11 o’c & ret’d in time for late tea. Boys gave me 2 charming scent bottles, Tabs a woollen shawl most useful. My Darling & Lennie furs, etc etc, & the dear chicks black silk bag & pincushion. Very happy day & evg. Dear Roy gave me lovely set of reference books. Tuesday 26 December Dull & raining hard. Went at 10.45 with Hamilton in Motor to Meet Sherborne where H’s hunters met him. Vy pretty sight & great crowd in spite of rain. Freddy looking vy nice & smart. Dora in cart with Simon. Asked me to lunch Thurs & (illeg). Decorated Tree on return, 86 children & parents to tea etc at 3.30. Played Bridge after dinner. Fitz accident hunting, all 3 boys hunted. Wednesday 27 December Fitzroy’s ankle dressed! Dull morg. Not slept so well last 2 days no walk. Letters yesterday fr. Marie, not happy & left her nursing home. Letters fr. Darling, & Sp. fr Bruxelles etc etc. In all morg rained. Mr John Digby to lunch, greatly amused us with funny stories & travels, memory like my Dearest’s, marvellous. Walked after round Pk with Tabs & Olive. Gareth, Fitz & Dorothy dined at Castle. No Bridge Mr S. sang. 89
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Thursday 28 December Dull morg. Slept better. Olive & Husband left by 11 train. Tabs, Dorothy & self for walk. Doctor came to see Tabs, not to go out until Sunday. Unable to lunch at Castle on account of motor. Mr & Mrs McGowall came for the night, arrived before tea. Boys shooting. H. & Fitz to Bournemouth. Bridge evg. Won. Frday 29 December Came up fr. Leweston by 1.53 train with Mabel. Fitzroy saw us off. Travelled in same carriage with Mr John Digby 2nd class. Saw Roy on return just off to Cranbourne Court, Edna May’s! Business bad, am not astonished as work impossible with late nights. Dined alone. Miss Emma v. much, but maids v. kind & attentive. Bed early. Fear Emma II hopeless. Saturday 30 December Slept fairly well only. Paid Caroline books. Pas contente com. la maison a eté tenu dans mon absence. Je verai si c’est mieux avec trois. La belle laisse tout à faire par les autres. Roy’s clock broken!!! Came to Balcombe by 4.20. H. & Nonie same train. Mabel saw me off at Victoria. Ellie, Mrs Gibson, H. & Nonie & Mr Marriott here. Darling well vy busy with fancy dress ball on Monday here, Arabian Nights Ball. Sunday 31 December Very foggy morg. Warm. Slept well. Roy spending week end with Mr Stern. Vy busy all day getting ready for “Arabian Nights” dance here on Monday. To Church with little Anne, walked after with Ellie. Mr Marriott, Mr Forrester, Ellie, Harold & Nonie & Gladys Crozier house party. Sat up to see the New Year in, drank dear Roy’s health. Mr & Mrs Booth here to dinner. Poker after. Miss my Darling Linley more then ever. (Notes on back pages of diary) From Lennie included in this. Received fr. Trust 1909 ditto fr. Private ac’t 1909
£ 413. 5. 8 443. 9. 3 £ 856.14.11
of this Lennie gave me £62.
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Received fr. Trust 1910 410. 3. 1 Ditto Private ac’t 1910 388.10. 6 1910 £ 799. 3. 7 From Lennie 1910 From Trust & private ac’t Total 1911 Received fr. Trust Private
250. 0. 0 799. 3. 7 £ 1049. 3. 7
£ 411. 4. 0 402.17. 2 £ 814. 1. 2
From Dearest’s estate?
1909 Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Trust 49. 8. 0 52. 5. 8 19. 0. 0 41. 1. 4 - - 45. 7.10 49. 9. 1 51.15. 9 18.16. 8 40.18. 6 - - 45. 2.10 £ 413. 5. 8
Private 31. 1. 1 41. 9. 1 54. 4. 8 34. 8. 6 65. 6. 3 16. 5. 7 32.10. 6 9.17. 7 41.10. 4 55. 6. 8 42.16.11 18.12. 0 443. 9. 3
Together 80. 9. 1 93.14. 8 73. 4. 8 75. 9.10 65. 6. 3 61.13. 5 81.19. 7 61.13. 6 60. 7.10 96. 5. 2 42.16.11 63.14.10 £ 856.15.11
Lennie made me out of above £62 Monthly Received during 1910
Jan Feb Mar Apl May
Trust 49. 4. 9 51.11.11 18.16. 8 40. 9.11 - - -
Private 33.14. 6 32. 7. 8 37. 2.10 53. 8. 0 11. 7. 6
Total 82.19. 3 83.18. 9 55.19. 6 93.17.11 11. 7. 6 91
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
Jun Jly Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
45. 3.10 48.19. 4 51.11. 1 18.16. 8 40.14. 9 - - 45. 5. 0 £ 411. 3. 1
17.11. 2 37. 6.10 26. 0. 0 33. 3. 7 65.15. 0 11. 7. 6 29. 6. 9 £ 88.11. 4
62.15. 0 86. 6. 2 77.11. 1 52. 0. 3 106. 9. 9 11. 7. 6 74.11. 9 £ 799.14. 5
From Trust 1911 Jan
Argentine Gt Western 18.16. 8 Antofagasta 6.11.10 Cent Uraguay 23.10.10 January £ 49. 4.11
February Gt. Western Brazil 28. 5. 0 Peebles 23. 6. 1 February £ 51.11.10 March
Cordoba & Rosario
April
Brit. North Arctic Coy 21. 3. 9 Local Loans 5. 5 Illinois Cent. 19. 5. 6 April £ 40.14. 8 nil Canadian Pacific 23.10.10 Lehigh Valley 21.14. 2 June £ 45. 5. 0
May June
July
Argentine Gt Western Antofagasta Local Loans Central Uraguay July
18.16. 8
18.16. 8 6.11.10 5. 5 25.10. 9 £ 49. 4. 9
Trust account £ s d August Peebles sons 23. 6. 1 Gt Western Brazil 28. 5. 0 August £ 51.11. 1
92
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
September Cordoba & Rosario October
Nov Dec
£ 18.16. 8
British & North Atlantic 21. 3. 9 Local Loans 5. 5 Illinois Central 19. 5. 6 October £ 40.14. 8 nil Canadian Pacific Lehigh Valley December
Private ac’t 1911
23.10.10 21.13. 1 £ 45. 8.11 £ s d
Balance from 1910 January Cent Arg.Rly B.A. Pacific B.A. Pacific B.A.Western B.A. Gt Southern Japan 4% Japan 4½ % Mexican Lt.Power January
95.18. 3 1.17. 8 5. 9 8. 0. 1 4. 5. 2 7.10. 8 1.17. 8 4. 4. 9 4.16. 7 £ 34.10. 6
Febry
B.A. Pacific Chinese Robinson Gold Gt Eastern Rly Chinese 6% (sold) City B.A. Trains Hill & Barnsley Midland February
13. 2 2. 7. 1 10.11.10 4. 4. 9 2.16. 6 9. 5 8.10. 1 10. 1. 0 £ 39. 3.10
March
Furniss Chinese 4½% Cuban 5% Japan 5% Waihi 3½ % P & O Steam
1. 3. 7 2. 2. 4 12. 2. 2 2. 7. 1 7.12. 0 4.18.11 £ 30. 6. 1
93
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
March continued 1911 Sons of Gualia Interest on deposit Glas. South West March
£ s d 30. 6. 1 6. 3 2.17. 4 2.16. 4 £ 36. 6. 0
April
Cordoba Rly Brazil Lloyd Barker New York Central B.A. Gt Southern B.A. Western Rly April
1.17. 8 2. 7. 1 1. 3 1. 4. 3 30. 1. 9 1.17. 8 £ 37. 9. 8
May
Buenos Ayres Pacific 2. 8. 7 Cent Argentine 18.17.7 New York Telephone 8. 9. 6 City B.A. Trains 9. 5 May £ 30. 5. 1
June
Waihi Gold Sons of Gualia Nat Rly of Mexico Interest on deposit June
July
Cent Arg. Rly B.A. Pacific
July
5.14. 0 6. 3 4. 6.10 1.18. 2 £ 12. 5. 3 1.17. 8 8.10. 1 £ 9.17. 9
£ s d continued Private ac’t 9.17. 9 B.A.Pacific 8. 8 Western B. Ayres 4. 2. 2 B. Ayres Gt Southern 7. 0. 8 City B. Ayres 5% (new) 9. 8. 4 Japan 4% 1.17. 8 Japan 4½ 4. 4. 9 New York Central 1. 4. 3 Mexican Lt & Power 9.13. 0 July £ 48.10. 3
94
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
August
Chinese Imp 2. 7. 1 B.A.Pacific 13. 3 Robinsons Gold 10.11.10 Gt Eastern Rly 2. 2. 4 City B.A. Trams 9. 5 Interest on deposit nil -- -Midland 7.12. 6 Hull & Barnsley 3.15. 4 August £ 27.11. 8
September Furniss Cuban Chinese P & O Navigation Waihi Japan Interest deposit Sep
7. 1 12. 2. 2 2. 3. 5 4.18.11 3.16. 0 2. 7. 1 1. 8. 7 £ 27. 2. 3
Private ac’t Sep forward Glasgow S. Western Sons Gualia Sep
£ s d 27. 2. 3 2.16. 4 6. 3 £ 30. 4.10
Cordoba united Lloyd Brazil Barker New York Central B.A. Western Cent Argentine Rly B.A. Gt. Southern October
1.17. 8 2. 7. 1 8 1. 4. 3 2. 7. 1 24. 7. 9 39.19.11 £ 70. 5. 4
October
November New York Telephone 8. 9. 6 B. Ayres Pacific 3. 0. 5 Gt. Northern Rly 3. 7. 6 City B.A. Trams 9. 5 November £ 15.16.10 Dec
Argt. Southern Ltd Waihi Gold Coupé Coy
3. 0. 0 3.16. 0 8. 3.10 95
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
Sons of Gualia Nat. Rly Mexico Interest deposit Dec
Trust £. s. d 41. 4. 9 51.11.10 18. 6. 8 40.14. 8 -- -45. 5. 0 49. 4. 9 51.11. 1 18.16. 8 40.14. 8 -- -45. 3.11 £411.4. 0
1911 Private £ s d 34.10. 6 39. 3.10 36. 6. 0 37. 9. 8 30. 5. 1 12. 5. 3 48.10. 3 27.11. 8 30. 4.10 70. 5. 4 15. 6.10 20.17.11 £ 402.17. 2
6. 3 4. 6. 8 1. 5. 2 £ 20.17.11
Total £ s d J. 83.15. 3 F. 90.15. 8 M. 78. 4. 4 A. 78. 4. 4 M. 30. 5. 1 J. 57.10. 3 J. 97.14. 0 A. 79. 2. 9 S. 49. 1. 6 O. 110.10. 0 N. 15. 6.10 D. 66. 1.10 £ 814. 1. 1
Start 1911 on deposit £ 510.0.0 Lennie gave me £400 invested in 5% City of Buenos Ayres Bonds on February 6th 1911 Invested £200 of current ac’t money in Mexican Lt. & Power 5% gold Bonds. limit 95. 10th Feby. Paid £96 for £100. Feby 13th. Placed in current ac’t the £85 owed me fr. my Dearest’s estate, could not use it, & invested it in in Mex. Lt. Power 5% as above. Paid to London County Westminster Bk. 10th April £10, being £2 on 5. £10 shrs. allotted in Cent Arg. Rly. Pd by L.C. & Westminster Bank July 10th £25 call on 5 allotted £10 shrs in Cent Ag. Rly, making £35 pd on £50. Bought 10 shares at 139¼ per 5 shrs Great Northern U.S.A. pref Railway. Total with com. £279.5. 0, 16th August. (page pinned in) Nov 16th 1911. Paid to Glyn Mills Currie & Coy for 12 allotted £1 shares at 10/- prem £18 in Argentine Southern Land Shrs to be 96
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
paid 24th Nov. The Banker’s receipts & allottment letter taken to Bank by self 20th Nov. 1911. (page pinned in) Mexican Lt Power Cent Argt Gt Northern U.S.A B.A. Gt Southern Jardins Botanica
£ 182. 0. 0 33. 0. 0 279. 0. 0 33. 0. 0 199. 0. 0 £ 726.0. 0
1911. 19th Dec. Bought thro’ Bk £100 ord stock of B.A. Pacific at 100 in place of £100 San Paulo 5% Debs paid off 1st Jan 1912. (page pinned in) Bought 16th August 1911 £200 Rio de Janiero Tramways (Jardin Botanique) 5% mortgage Bonds at 99 ½ with com. £199.11.0 & £200 Great Northern Pref. (U.S.A.) at £139 ¼ with com. £279.5.0. Total 279. 5. 0 199.11. 0 £ 478.16. 0 of this £310 fr. deposit account & remainder viz £168.16. 0 fr. my current & executor’s account. This leaves £200 on deposit. Roy’s stocks to be sold April 12th 1911 24 shrs London County Bk at £1 50 Pref. stock Merchants at 95 30 Pref Rickards Cockerell 3 400 B(?) Debs Baltic mercantile 100 160 7% Pref. stk Cent Argt. Rly 158 500 3½ % Second Deb pro 86 400 Pref (illeg) 1¼ 250 Millers Kassel 1½ 400 Sk United Rly 80 450 First Pref Watney Combe Reed 60 400 Hungarian 4% 94 593 Russian 4% 94¼ 540 Japanese 4% 91¼ 300 Finland 4 ½ % 99
504. 0. 0 712.10. 0 90. 0. 0 400. 0. 0 252.16. 0 430. 0. 0 425. 0. 0 330. 0. 0 320. 0. 0 270. 0. 0 376. 0. 0 565.10. 0 492.13. 6 297. 0. 0
These altered April 13th 1911
97
MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
Mrs Hargreaves (miniature) 22 Moss Lane, Churchtown, Southport Mervyn: Risso de Oro, Puerto, Oratera, Teneriffe Toula: Arcis strasse 33, Munchen, Deutchland Window cleaner & odd man rec’d by Mrs Mivart: H. Ritchings, 20 Elthiron Rd, Parsons Green, Fulham S.W. Rugg, House Decorators, 165 Earls Court Rd, & Simmonds, 118 Cromwell Rd. Daisie Jackson Markham, Harland Hall, Chesterfield(?) Mrs du Maurier, 2 Portman Mansions Conrad Cooke Spencer Major Welman Mrs Evans, 121 Gipsy Hill, Upper Norwood Mrs Marton Lapham, Hollow Dene, Frensham, Farnham Lady Margaret Watney, Cornbury Park, Charlbury, Oxfordshire Spencer, 23 Devonshire Street, Portland Place Fitzroy, Royal Military College, Camberley Sir James Whitehead, Wilmington Manor, Dartford Thomsons Model Laundry, Hammersmith Marion Todd, Sydenham, Babbacombe Rd, Torquay Lady Gilbert, Grim’s Dyke, Harrow Weald Mrs Bryan (dresses) 26 Biscay Rd, Hammersmith Mrs Bosanquet, Woodlands, Harefield Mrs St John Ackers, Huntley Manor, Gloucester.
98