Miss Lister Keeps A Journal

Creating a place to share my transcriptions as an Anne Lister Code Breaker. Completed sets:  May - July 1822 (Anne and Aunt Anne's trip to North Wales), 20 December 1825 - 16 June 1826 (A vist to Langton, Anne inheriting Shibden Hall, and Mariana wanting to leave Charles), May 1828 (A trip to York and the beginning of Anne's trip around Scotland with Sibella Maclean), September - October 1831 (Anne's trip around southern England before her move to Hastings with Vere Hobart). Early March 1834 (Anne is at Shibden and Ann is at Heworth Grange in York). Currently Transcribing: May 1840 (Anne and Ann are in Tiflis, now known as Tbilisi, Georgia)

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

Monday 17 March 1834

6 10/.. 11 50/..

L Vc L

soft, hazyish, finish morning Fahrenheit 54°. at 7 10/.. - out at 7 1/4 - at Charles H-'s [Howarth's] and John Oates's to tell both about having cut hollies too close - breakfast with my father in 1/2 hour at 8 10/.. - came to my study at 9 3/4 - Letter from Miss Walker 3 pages close and crossed and ends. 2 first pp. [pages] copy of Mitchell's valuation-

between 10 and 11 had Mr. Green about the stone in Joseph Hall's land, and about Northgate - will give £8000 but does not want his name or the price to be mentioned - wanted me to throw off £500. no! - to pay in four years £1000 to be paid down, and the rest left on security at 4 p.c. percent - no! said I had asked him only the price of the land - the house was valued at £1200 - he said he had understood the house to be included and we would say nothing about it - it would merely or not much more than pay for pulling down - very well, said I - I will consider about it - but I do not think you will have it (i.e. be the purchaser - I do not at this moment feel inclined that you should) however he said he would call again in a fortnight for the answer - I see he is, at heart, anxious to have it -

Till 12 20/.. wrote 2 pp. [pages] pretty small and close to Miss W- [Walker] out at 12 1/2 - leisurely along my walk to Cliff hill - there from 1 1/4 to 2 20/.. Mr. William Priestley there 10 mins. [minutes] or 1/4 hour, and Mrs. W.P- [William Priestley] there all the while and staid me out - Miss W- [Walker] reproached me for not having told her and her niece for not having written her that Mr. and Mrs. George Fenton had called! and wanted to know if she (Miss W- [Walker] junior) would remain in York during the assizes when she would not stay the one night (16 January) of the ball - on Miss Cliffhill's telling me story of Dr. Belcombes telling his intimate acquaintance Mr. George Fenton that Miss Lidgate would be quite well in a few weeks (Expressed my surprise) Mrs. William Priestley did say she was glad to hear Miss Walker was so much better, and on my asking if she had anything to send to York - no! not till she saw her - but she should be glad to see her at home again -

just called at Lidgate in returning to get the Key to put Miss W-'s [Walker's] velvet bonnet back in the drawer - and home about 3 1/2 (thro' my walk slowly) - with Pickels at the Terrace a new filler today instead of John Pickels - They have just got past the corner of the house tonight -

almost an hour in the little sitting room talking to Marian - about my visit this morning and about Cordingley to get her off if she well can her walking arm in arm with those as already talked of and this sort of thing not proper in a house keeper sadly infra dignitate - with Charles and James Howarth fixing armoire, and doing up about sink in butler's pantry (upper buttery) - dinner at 6 20/.. coffee and wrote the last 15 lines Till 7 20/.. -

then wrote page 3 and crossed the 1st. page and wrote one end and finished and sent at 8 1/2 my letter to 'Miss Walker, Heworth Grange, York' - said the great desideratum in business matters is steadiness and as I was not at her elbow to modify her letter to Washington, I must, at least, Keep her gently to her point - if she writes to him at all before seeing him a few lines would suffice - very civil - something like -

'I have just received Mr. Mitchell's valuation, and, on examination, find yours and his quite agree, so that there can be no difficulty - Tell me what you think should be deducted for Taxes, and then I will agree about the rent - The valuation of the Hemingway Close is £12.4.6 the Tenant paying all Taxes - I shall throw off the 4/6 and set the rent at £12.' -

not to go to the minster yard rout 'your doctor is a very clever doctor and all the rest are very good and admirable in their way; but you must hang your judgement on another peg' - could not consent to her giving the tea-kettle as she wished, immediately, on Steph's birthday - no! no! would not have her do this on any account - mentioned some of the particulars of my call this morning at Cliff hill - think the William Priestleys will call upon her perhaps during the assizes - there is an appearance of jealousy that as things are must make me uncomfortable - I feel a little impatient tho' it does not appear as yet - if I cared for her less the case would be very different - she must really follow my advice must consider fairly what is now the real line of duty -

Had Mark Town and his friend - the former had signed his lease and came to see about a road to his fields at 8 1/2 a.m. Tomorrow - said I would send John Booth at that hour to give possession and see about the road -

[Margin] Mr. Green said the fields in Hopwood lane are above the Town's water but yet will be valuable by and by-

[Margin] with my aunt from 8 50/.. to 10 10/.. - then wrote the last 17 lines - fine tho' dullish day Fahrenheit 50°. now at 10 3/4 p.m. reading the Gentlemans magazine for last month Till 11 1/2 p.m.

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/17/0009

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

Sunday 16 March 1834

8 10/60 11 3/4

x

Incurred a cross just before getting up thinking of Miss W [Walker] very fine morning Fahrenheit 51.° at 8 3/4 breakfast at 9 1/4 with Marian - civil Note from Mr. Waterhouse with the catalogue of Mr. Radcliffe's (quondam Rouge Croix) catalogue of MSS [manuscripts] and letters &c.  now selling at the 'prices affixed by Thomas Thorpe, no. [number] 38, Bedford Street, Covent Garden, London' 1834. the widow is in a madhouse and her scamp of a son (said Mr. Parker yesterday) takes this means of raising money -

from 10 1/2 to 12 1/4 in my walk - delightful morning - read prayers and sermon 2 Mr. Knight volume i. to my aunt and Oddy - my aunt poorly - saw her leg dressed - I think the sore rather larger, but as Oddy thought it much the same glad to withhold my own opinion - asleep for 1/4 hour - came to my study at 2 - wrote out yesterday and so far of today till 2 3/4 - Mr. Sunderland came about 4 p.m. - Told me the wound was certainly rather larger but my aunt's pulse very favourable - again particularly desired him not to come less seldom than twice a week - as my aunt so dislikes taking the anodyne draughts (thinks they prevent her sleeping) thought it would be better to recommend suppositories to answer the purpose of the draughts -

Till 6, wrote 3 pp. [pages] and ends (small and close) to Mrs. Norcliffe copying the title page of the catalogue (25 of my close, small lines) and of the 3 or 4 articles The long article chiefly concerning Mrs. N- [Norcliffe] no. [number] 546, and copying or giving sufficient extracts from articles 638 799 and 839 (Radcliffe, Wake, Wray) - the widow in a lunatic asylum &c. as above -

'I may perhaps be within York of you again before quite the end of the month - it depends upon my aunt's continuing as at present - She suffers a great deal; but I have no fear of immediate danger; but if I have a day or 2 at command, I shall hope to see you again - we talk of going to Duncombe park' -

cannot be long absent - shall not be off (if at all) before after-post-time on Saturday the 29th. instant

'Do pray write and tell me how you are - Come what may, I never do, and never shall forget all your Kindness - I always think with gratitude and pleasure, that you, at least, have done me the justice to believe, I had some sincerity, some steadiness of heart, some deeper and better feeling than many have given me credit for - I have been annoyed, and hurt by those from whom I least deserved, and least expected it; but you have never changed in Kindness, nor I in gratitude, for four-and twenty years, and believe me, my dear Mrs. Norcliffe, always very affectionately yours AL- ' Love to Isabella and all at Croft and to Charlotte too - 'You dont Know the good she did me 2 years ago' -

and wrote to 'Mr. Thomas Thorpe' to desire him to send me no. [number] 467, Lister pedigree, £2.2.0, of the catalogue if still unsold; if not, to inform me who is the purchaser - on receipt of the papers will immediately an order on Messers Hammerleys for the money - 'I am, sir, &c. &c. &c.' -

'no. [number] 467 Lister pedigree. - Abstract of the will of Samuel Lister, of Shipden hall, parish of H-x [Halifax], York, 1632 - Letter of John Pate Neville, Esquire Doncaster, 1812, relative to recording the Genealogy of the Listers in the College of arms. - Ten letters of Miss A. Lister, 1816-17, relative to the pedigrees of Lister of Shibden hall, replete with very interesting notices of the early descent of the family, from their branching off from the Listers of Gisburne and settling at Ovendeyne, now Ovenden, near H-x [Halifax], about the year 1399. -very copious notices, from registers, of the births, baptisms, marriages, and burials of the Listers of Shibden hall, 1554-1771 - Lists of proofs wanting, 1817, relating to the completion of the pedigree - Two lets. letters of Miss A. Anne Lister 1824-25, announcing the decease of several of the family who had died since the completion of the pedigree - Letter of E.C. Lister, Esquire of Manningham, as a subsriber to Radcliffe's Yorkshire pedigrees, 1827. Pedigree of the Cunliffes of Ickley, in Wharfdale, connected by marriage with the Listers. 2£ 2s. shillings' -

dinner at 6 1/4 then coffee - Marian came to me - staid down talking to her till 8 - then wrote the last 20 lines and sent off at 8 35/.. my letter to 'Mrs. Norcliffe Langton hall Malton' yorks and my letter to 'Mr. Thomas Thorpe 38 Bedford Street Covent Garden London Post Paid' - and note with the catalogue in parcel to to 'John Waterhouse Esquire Wellhead' Dear sir - Thanks ('particularly obliged') for the catalogue which I returned tonight for fear of being too late in the morning - much obliged for his ordering the catalogue for me at Whitleys - have written for the 2 guinea lot - united Kind compliments to his family party - 'very truly yours A Lister' -

read from page 508 to 560 end of 'Waldensian Researches during a 2nd visit to the Vaudois of Piemont. with an introductory inquiry into the Antiquity and purity of the Waldensian church and some account of the compacts with the ancient princes of Piemont, and the treaties between the English government and the house of Savoy, in virtue of which this sole relic of the primitive church in Italy has continued to assert its religious independence. By William Stephen Gilly, M.A. prebendary of Durham. 

'Thou small, but holy spot of favoured ground! 'Where'er we gaze, above, around, below, 'What rainbow tints, what magic charms are found! 'Rock, river, forest, mountain, all abound: 'And bluest skies that harmonize the whole. 'Beneath, the distant torrent's rushing sound 'Tells where the volum'd cataract doth roll, 'Between those hanging rocks, that shock, yet please the soul.'

London printed for C.J.G. and F. Rivington, St. Paul's churchyard, and Waterloo-Place, Pall-Mall. 1831.' 'Gilbert and Rivington printers, St. John's square' 8vo. octavo pp. pages 560'

with my aunt from 9 35/.. to 10 35/.. - read the morning Herald partly aloud to her - looking 2nd series Waldensian Researches Till 11 1/4 - very fine day - Fahrenheit 55.° at 10 3/4 p.m. -

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/17/0008 - SH:7/ML/E/17/0009

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

Saturday 15 March 1834

6 25/.. 12

N PL LP Vc Vc Vc L

fine morning Fahrenheit 51 1/2 at 7 35/.. - wrote and sent note to 'Mr. Samuel Freeman comp Brier Lodge' - Compliments and wished him to come about the stone in Joseph Hall's Land - breakfast at 9 5/.. - meaning to go to Mr. Parker's Office but parcel from and letter from Miss Walker Heworth Grange enclosing letter from Miss Atkinson about the two hundred in Mr Edwards hands Should she write to him and what to say? sent her copy of paragraph to Miss A [Atkinson] which shewn to him would be order enough for the payment and she would give a proper receipt when it was applied for the tone of her manner of writing affectionate and proper enough as if she really did mean to submit so said I was quite satisfied the onyx only off her finger at night and to wash hands Miss W- [Walker] quite satisfied to let Lidgate house and land together next Spring - wants me to go to her the end of the month and take her to see Duncombe Park on the 31st. - said I would do my best, but would say more about it in my next - 'Jusqu'aux autels (as far as is right, I would do anything in the world to give you pleasure'...I need not write beforehand unless quite convenient for to remember I was going to my own lodging the writing by parcel made her write at ease from fear of Mrs Bagnold -

my note to Dr. Belcombe returned because of the request that Mrs. H.S.B- [Henry Stephen Belcombe] would not press Miss W-'s [Walker's] going to her great party on the 31st. Miss W- [Walker] thinking perhaps she should not be invited - wrote and sent the same again to 'Dr. Belcombe' vide line 6 last page leaving out the above passage and wrote and sent at 11 25/.. by small parcel per mail 3 pp. [pages] returning the letter from - and the little new Testament sent merely to make up the parcel -

Off to H-x [Halifax] at 12 - down the o.b. [old bank] to Mr. Parker's Office - Mark Town's lease to be ready for signing at 6 p.m. on Monday - gave instructions also for William Empsall's lease - Memorandum of 1 year's rent allowed + £5 for lime on signing the lease to Town he to be bound to lay out this £27 in tillage - 11 DW. [dayswork] or thereabouts (11 DW [dayswork] - 6 perches) rent £22 per annum tenant paying all taxes - same terms to Empsall - 8 DW. [dayswork] £12 per annum reserved all above that measure for sunk fence or any other purpose-

then called on Miss and Miss Mary Briggs - admitted - not at home (no incivility) left my card and wrote Marian's name on it in pencil - then went to Wellhead - met Mrs. Waterhouse near there, and made my intention to pass for a call - then called and sat 1/2 hour with Mrs. Veitch and then walked to Stony Royde (there at 1 40/..) - just sitting down to dinner and some Mrs. Talk there I did not Know so came away - Went into the Lodge, thinking to have Whiskum toll house on something like the same plan - returned by Bailey hall and John Bottomleys and all along the upper land to see about Mark Town's getting into his land with manure - saw George Naylor - told him I had let the land -

home at 3 1/2 with John Booth levelling heaps of H-x [Halifax] brought stuff under the roadwall and then planting out flowers from the Terrace Till after 7 - dinner at 7 20/.. - read last night's paper I called at the P.O. [Post Office] this morning to inquire why my paper had not come the last 2 nights but been sent the morning - and Mrs. Bagnold's son blamed the clerk, and said he should take better care in future - an hour with my aunt till 10 1/2 - read tonights paper till 11 1/4 - very fine day - Fahrenheit 53 1/2° at 11 20/.. p.m.

Letter tonight and my account from Hammersleys - They had paid Jupp and Hutton and ordered the payment of £5 to Mrs. Filer for Madame Galvani Laffitte had not received the plate -

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/17/0008

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

Friday 14 March 1834

6 25/.. 12 3/4

x Vc N N N N

very fine morning Fahrenheit 53 1/2° at 7 1/4 - out at 7 20/.. to Charles H-'s [Howarth's], and along my walk at nine in twenty five minutes incurred a cross in the hut thinking of Miss W [Walker]

breakfast at 9 3/4 with Marian - out at 10 1/2 - with John Booth planting lavender &c. in my walk came in at 11 1/2 - had Mr. Fuller of Horley Green about Northgate house - would like to buy the whole if the Times allowed it - asked £120 per annum rent - said if he thought we could agree on these terms, he had better arrange with Mrs. Scatcherd to give the house up to me - wrote and sent by Thomas at 12 35/60 note to 'Mr. Edelstone, Lee Bridge' compliments - should be particularly obliged if he would inform me if he thought Mark Town a good farmer and likely to pay his rent regularly - apologized for taking the liberty of asking these questions but hoped Mr. Edelstone would do me the favour to give a direct answer - wrote and sent note to 'Mr. or Mrs. Waterhouse Wellhead' compliments - ask if they can let me have the catalogue of Rouge Croix's letters and if Mr. W- [Waterhouse] ordered one for me at Whitleys -

then out till near 2 and then till 2 20/.. wrote the last 24 lines - Note from Mr. Edelston saying he is 'perfectly satisfied with Mark Town both as regards farming and money matters' - note also from Mr. Waterhouse - hopes to get the catalogue Tomorrow and ordered me one at Whitleys - out with John planting out flowers till 6 1/4 - then had Mark Town Told him Mr. Edelston's note was satisfactory and let him the land - explained that there would be no mention of water - his use of the Little field well would be merely by sufferance - the lease should be ready at Mr. Parker's on Tuesday afternoon and possession of the land given by Washington or John Booth at 10 a.m. on Wednesday and gaps made for him to cart manure - told my father I had let the land -

dinner at 7 20/.. and coffee and read from page 425 to 508 Waldensian Researches 2nd series - with my aunt from 9 20/.. to 10 20/.. - fine day - Fahrenheit 53 1/4° now at 11 40/.. p.m. till 12 10/.. looking over papers -

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/17/0007

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

Thursday 13 March 1834

6 35/.. 12 1/2

Vc || N N L L P

fine morning Fahrenheit 56 1/2° at 7 35/.. at which hour went out - breakfast with my father at 8 1/2 - with John Booth moving flowers out of the garden -

Letter from Miss Walker 3 pp. [pages] and 2nd page crossed - I have so indulged her she has fidgetted herself at not hearing from me - sends me copy of her letter to Washington - there is one sentence so much too sharp, he will certainly not lay that to me - 'I am still in the mire about Lidgate' all she writes on the subject and enough - but, poor girl! I am getting over my annoyance she wants guiding and I must begin as I mean to go on or give her up at once -

came in at 1 20/.. a few mins. [minutes] with my aunt - Mr. and Mrs. Waterhouse and Mr. Musgrave called at 1 3/4 for above 1/2 hour - Mr. W- [Waterhouse] mentioned catalogue published by the widow of all Radcliffe's (Rouge Croix) Letters he had ever received and price at which they might be bought - 2 from my uncle and mine 2 guins. [guineas] - out again at 2 1/2 - came in at 3 and wrote and sent note to 'Jonathan Akroyde Esquire' compliments and finding Mark Town, who has applied to me for some land was still in Mr. Akroyde's service should feel much obliged to him to be so good as inform me whether he thought Mark Towne 'a man of high respectability, like to farm well and pay his rent regularly' Compliments in answer and greatest pleasure in informing me that Mark Town had been  in his (Mr. A-'s [Akroyd's] employ several years, 'in the course of which Time I have found him to be a very sober industrious man' - no notice taken of farming well or paying rent -

dinner at 7 (out with John Booth planting flowers (rose trees &c.) Marian came to me while I finished dinner and had my coffee - Mark Town came before 8 and staid till 8 3/4 - Told him the questions I had asked and read him the answer - only 1 question out of the 4 answered - not enough - very sorry - the poor man very sorry and much disappointed - had agreed for £10 worth of lime at 16/. a dozen carting and all, and had spoken for manure meaning to begin farming immediately - said I would write Tomorrow to inquire of his present landlord Mr. Robert Edelstone (brother in law to Mr. Thomas Holmes) and if he Towne called again Tomorrow evening hoped to have a more favourable answer to give him - From 8 50/.. to 10 10/.. wrote and sent in box with several packages of biscuits and sweet cakes 1 page and ends of outside envelope to 'Miss Walker' and nearly 2 pp. [pages] of 1/2 sheet to Dr. Belcombe vide line 16 next page - went to my aunt at 10 1/4 for above 1/2 hour - read the newspaper till 11 50/.. and wrote the last 15 lines - fine day - Fahrenheit 57°. at 11 50/.. p.m. - Thomas too late for the coach office (night mail) but left the box (containing my packet Sarah's note biscuits and prospectus of history and antiquities of H-x [Halifax] - with Mr. Carr who promised it should go in the morning at 2 a.m. - my note to Dr. Belcombe merely to give the message from M- [Mariana] in her last letter about his writing to Miss Connell on the subject of little Mariana's headaches - to beg he would write by and by and that Harriet would not press Miss W-'s [Walker's] going to their great party on Monday -

my letter to Miss W- [Walker] written Tuesday yesterday and tonight 5 pp. [pages] and ends and 1 page and ends - wrote tonight

'I impatiently waited your answer about Lidgate - It is couched in less than one line, 'I am still in the mire about Lidgate' - enough - that incubus, indecision, must press on you no more - Had I been at your elbow, you would have been wiser - it cannot be just yet; therefore, leave the matter in statu quo for the present, and advertise house and land together next year Your letter to W- [Washington] was very good; but the remark about the Town's books would have been modified, had you been at Shibden' -

not to go to the Belcombes great party - had written to beg it might not be pressed - glad she made no apology for not calling sooner in the minster court - to decline evening visiting there - to begin anacharsis - this work worth a hundred times Croker's Life of Johnson and Crabbe's poems into the bargain -

'Write to me by Saturday's post without fail - I shall go on being indulgent; tho' what do you deserve for that sentence quoted at page 2 of my 2nd page? I had some reason to be annoyed; but we soon relent towards those we love - Good night! faithfully and affectionately yours AL-' -

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/17/0007

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

Wednesday 12 March

7 10/.. 12

|| L

Soft damp spring morning Fahrenheit 55.° at 7 1/2 a.m. out at 7 20/.. - Went for Charles H- [Howarth] - met him 1/2 way - a few drops of rain - Mallinson not here gone to open a vault for Mrs. Holroyde of Priestley Green who died on Sunday - only his man and lad here - Charles and James H- [Howarth] making drawers for butler's pantry cupboard and the mason and glazier, Firth's son (had had Firth himself in the morning) set the sink in the afternoon -

Pickels and co. [company] at the terrace - take it out square 5 yards wide and about 2 yards deep and the slope may be altogether 5 yards more and do 2 yards forward per day, so that they shift about 25 yards a day, the 2 carts going between them 50 Times a day - but 25 yards at 8d. [pence] = 16/8 How is this? 16/8 will not pay for 2 one horse carts and Pickels and 3 men and his son George cart driver, and Robert levelling down after the carts -

breakfast at 9 3/4 with my father in 20 mins. [minutes] - backwards and forwards during the whole day but wrote page 4 first sheet and 1 page and ends of envelope and finished my letter to Miss W- [Walker] and had Charles H- [Howarth] to measure and wrote copy of letter to Wolstenholme to go with Horners sketch of the north parlour for W- [Wolstenholme] to give me a plan of chimney piece and doors and finishing of top 4 feet 6 inches square entrance lobby, and to advise me whether to shew the recession of the studding opposite the window, or not -

At 5 1/2 had Mark Town again and his friend Patchett landlord of the Blue Bottle - I am to inquire Town's the character and if this suits, it is agreed he is to have the hanging hey and Flat field 11 DW. [dayswork] - about 6 perches at £22 per annum he paying all Taxes from the time of entering - to have the 1st. year's rent allowed for tillage, and, in consideration of the hanging hey being fallow, I am to give him £5 on signing the lease, the nature of which I explained - Towards buying lime - He is to have a road for tillage carting and cattle driving from the top of Whiskum road straight across into the flat field and all the fences made good - and to have water from the Little field well - I must some how contrive both for him and Pickels - Told Town (as he would like to have a small house, 3 rooms, at the top of the hill and 20 DW. [dayswork] if he could from next Spring) he had better try to persuade Empsall to give up the Allen car - but this must be amongst themselves - I should not quit E- [Empsall] against his will - Town to pay 5 p.c. [percent] for whatever money laid out on building - dinner at 6 20/.. and coffee in 3/4 hour - then wrote and sent the following to 'Mr. Bewsher Baggage Warehouse Custom house London Post Paid'

'Shibden hall - Wednesday 12 March 1834. Sir - I beg to repeat my thanks for your having taken so much trouble, and having managed so well for me about the plate - To save you the Trouble of going to Hammersley's, I enclose a sovreign; and should I ever have difficulty at the custom house in future, I shall be glad to have you to apply to - I am, sir, your much obliged A Lister'

then wrote out my letter to Wolstenholme - meant the parcel to have gone tonight, but Sarah has not sent the biscuits - 1st. 3 pp. [pages] to Miss W- [Walker] dated yesterday page 4 and envelope and ends dated this morning - Counted upon hearing from her yesterday but no letter this morning! 'What in the world is the matter?' Extract from written yesterday a pity I did not receive her letter till Thomas's return from taking the parcel on Saturday -

'But it, (my letter) was, in fact, an answer, by anticipation to the most important part of your last - As I wrote by parcel, under no fear of Mrs. Bagnold, I shall quote the passage to which I allude for the sake of making my present remarks the more clear - 'I am thinking about Lidgate, and will say more when I write next - qy will it be wise to irritate or brave public opinion further just now? for the same reason, ought, or can or can I accept your Kind offer proposition about Shibden' I am not the person to change Tomorrow, without extraneous cause, the opinion which, on mature deliberation, I have fixed today; nor am I at all likely to ask you, in one breath, to do that, which, in another, I immediately agree, you neither can, nor ought to do - I am still, therefore, convinced as strongly as before, that it would not only be wise, but wisest, for you to do that which I have advised - A proper respect to public opinion is due from all; but it is best shewn by paying a proper respect to ourselves; and that is always difficult under circumstances which seem equivocal - You have made up your mind - You therefore have, or ought to have, courage to avow it' - '.....S.W. [Samuel Washington] will lay the non-Taxpaying business all on me - I now advise you so differently, as I have often told you, from what I should have done under other circumstances, that you really must let the real reason be acknowledged - Think of this when you are Thinking of Lidgate - Good night-'

written today - John's son gone to live with Lord Chesterfield - Good of her to set her face against any long journey so long as my aunt lives - I had given up all thoughts of going to Paris so soon as we once intended -

'The distance from here to York is quite another thing - But if you are bent upon persuading me not to irritate 'or brave public opinion further just now', I have as little chance of going to you, as you have of coming to me'.....'I have done my best, and have surely succeeded, this Time, in practising what you preach - (to write nothing that might not be seen) If I failed beyond your patient endurance before, you had better scold than punish me by not writing at all - How fares it with the onyx? Is it constant to its charge, or dwells it now and then à la Pelotte? Does it as if the £20 was thought enough?' given to Miss Atkinson 'Do pray write as soon as you can - Ever faithfully and affectionately yours AL- Anne Lister'

with my aunt at 9 1/4 for about an hour - read the morning Herald - wrote so far of this page Till 11 1/2 - very fine day - Fahrenheit 58 1/2° now at 11 1/2 p.m.

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/17/0006 - SH:7/ML/E/17/0007

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

Tuesday 11 March 1834

6 20/.. 12 10/..

.. + || || +

My cousin had come a little in the night fine morning Fahrenheit 54°. at 7 5/.. writing little paragraph in answer to Miss Ws [Walkers] indecision about Lidgate

out at 7 1/2 - by Charles Howarth's into my walk and an hour there - then with Pickels or one or other till 9 3/4 at which hour breakfast in the little sitting room - my father had printed prospectus of the history and antiquities of H-x [Halifax] by Mr. Edward Alexander the attorney - Letter 3 pp. [pages] and ends and 1st. page crossed (forwarded by Dr. Belcombe from York) from M- [Mariana] Leamington - very affectionate and very judicious answer to my last - hopes I find Miss W- [Walker] better

'is she une malade imaginiare because Steph says in speaking of her to me if Miss Walker was poor she would probably not be sick' 'Has anything passed in reference to the occurrances of last spring, and have you any reason to believe an answer on the same subject, if again required, would be different from that which you received last year - Freddy, since you have been in York, my thoughts have been perpetually full of you, I do love you dearly and fondly come what may my heart is not unfaithful and still as formerly and for ever my joys by yours are known what you say on the subject of making things answer is I doubt not true as applied to you, because you have energy of character to do with your mind what you will, but not one in a thousand could in reality so bend to circumstances - You are one whose practice can be made to accord with their theory, but never the less there is no reason why you, with others, should not profit by the maxim of 'look before you leap' - I know quite well, that it would take much more to make you satisfied than you think, for my own feelings have more than once brought the conviction that even now she who occupied the 'fairy visions of your youth' would have new lessons to learn - You wont allow it, and I know you argue well against it, but your views of domestic life are changed and I am quite assured the people and things that could have made you happy some years ago, would not do so now, without the help of your 'I will make it answer' - that all, and everything you undertake may answer will always, dearest Fred, be my earnest prayer - God Knows what time may bring to us both, but my visions for the future, do not offer a much brighter prospect than the present presents - As the last 18 years have passed, so do I expect will be those to come, and the only comfort I have to cling to, is the circumstance that if I have few individual pleasures, I at least enjoy that of doing good to others There are many who would would have been sadly off with out me, and in having done good, I can, and do, perpetually find my best consolation. Should anything under existing circumstances contretemps deprive me of this solace, life would indeed be altogether a burthen' -

How one false step in early life may blast the whole remainder of our days! Poor Mary! She has disappointed me too cruelly; but her fate, as it was her own making, is more pitiable than mine - The new lessons she would now have to learn, are, how to regain my confidence - it was in losing this, she lost the all she now regrets - and her affection for me now is the forced tribute of Esteem -

Marian, too, had a Letter which she said annoyed her - On inquiry it was from Mr George Brearley rn Terrace Grove Mirfield to whom I wrote for her the f[o]llowing answer

Sir my sister has just received your letter which she has very properly put into my hands as also a copy of her answer of the third of January to your previous letter which answer ought to have prevented your giving her any further trouble I hope you will deem this communication from me sufficiently explicit and that you will see the necessity of forbearing either to write again or to call at Shibden Hall on any plea whatever I am sir &c. &c. &c. A lister -

Marian much pleased and obliged and being just going to Halifax put it into the post herself -

out again at 12 for a little while then came in and wrote all but the last 9 lines of today - out again at 2 and from then to 7 1/4 out with one or other - chiefly with John Booth planting out flowers in my walk and then moving large white rose tree, and Persian lilac, and large Aucuba Japonica from the terrace to the other side the upper Garden door - Mallinson Pickels and his son John and Dick helped to move the latter 2 the mean time Mark Town Mr. Joseph Akroyd's watchman came to take the hanging hay and flat field 11 DW. [dayswork] at £2 the tenant paying all Taxes - will come again about them tomorrow -

Dinner at 7 1/2 and coffee and read till 8 1/2 the 2nd series Waldensian Researches from page 382 to 425. - Pickels and his men at the terrace - Mallinson and his man at the chimney (walled (bricked) in my father's window) Charles and James Howarth at the Cupboard with drawers for the upper buttery and John Booth shifting gravel and soil in the morning and flowers and shrubs in the afternoon - an hour with my aunt - wrote 3 pp. [pages] to Miss W- [Walker] till 11 1/2 - very fine day - Fahrenheit 55.° now at 11 35/.. p.m.

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/17/0005 - SH:7/ML/E/17/0006

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

Monday 10 March 1834

6 10/.. 11 50/..

N +

Windy but finish morning Fahrenheit 55.° at 7 10/.. - went to Charles Howarth's to hurry him here - with Pickels - he began this morning to take away the terrace to cover over the old dry bridge, having with him his son John, and Dick that worked here last year and a carter, whose one horse cart and Pickels's were driven by George Pickels - the carts stand near this end of the stable, and the stuff is barrowed into them from a raised plank -

breakfast with my father at 8 1/4 in 20 mins. [minutes] - Except looking a little at 2 or 3 different Times into my journal of April 1829, all the day with 1 workman or other - Mallinson and his man and boy here - Set up the north chamber fireplace - Charles and James Howarth making Cupboard for the upper buttery - They and our own men 1 1/2 hour putting rails (88 out of 22 twenty-one foot deals) into the barn -

Came in at 7 40/.. - dinner at 7 50/.. - at 9 sent off Thomas with prints, received this afternoon, back again to Whitley's - (merely a small French print I wanted for Miss Walker) and note saying it was a small French print about 3 by 2 inches I had inquired for - if really going to London very soon, to get a St. Rosalie, or choose the prettier - as he had not got Galignani for Miss Walker she would not wait for it - I had seen Debrett's peerage for 1834 in York, and should have bought it but fancied Whitley would have one ready for me - will think about Don's millers Gardener's Dictionary 2 vols. [volumes] published at £7.4.0 boards - Booth will allow me 10 p.c. [percent] on it -

with my aunt from 9 1/2 for 50 mins. [minutes] - wrote the above of today - fine day - Fahrenheit 54° at 11 p.m. Kept the Princess Victoria and the duke of Wellington, marked 2/6 each, on condition of Booth's letting me have them both for 4/.

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/17/0005

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

Sunday 9 March 1834

7 10/.. 12

L L LL

damp rainy morning Fahrenheit 53°. at 8 1/2 8 a.m. breakfast with my father at 8 35/.. in 1/2 hour - fair by 10 1/4 that he and Marian went to church - read the paper and wrote the last 42 lines of yesterday and had Cordingley up for 1/2 hour and dawdling over 1 thing or other till 12 1/4 - then with my aunt - from 12 3/4 in 3/4 hour read the short morning service and one of Mr. Knights sermons and then saw my aunt's leg dressed - the sore looks blackish and not well but not worse than 2 or 3 days ago - she was not strong enough to read the responses this morning - the monotony of my own voice made me sleepy as usual - longish nap in my study - from 2 40/.. to 6 25/.. (then dinner and coffee) and from 7 40/.. to 9 1/2 wrote and sent off by Thomas under cover to 'the Earl of Ripon, Carlton Gardens, London' a 1/2 sheet full to 'the honourable Lady Stuart, Whitehall' and under cover to her 3 pp. [pages] very small and close of 1/2 sheet to 'the Lady Harriet de Hagemann' and 3 pp. [pages] and under seal small and close to 'the Countess de Blucher' and 3 pp. [pages] of 1/4 sheet to 'the Lady Vere Cameron'

nice Kind letter to Lady S- [Stuart] delighted to hear a better account of her - explaining all about having written to Lady Harriet about a month ago, and the package being returned from the dead letter office - could not possibly be so ungrateful as to forget Lady Harriet and all her Kindness - always delighted to hear from Lady S- [Stuart] would write to Lady S. de R- [Stuart de Rothesay] soon - my aunt suffering a martyrdom but may still survive some months -

affectionate letter to Lady H- de H- [Harriet de Hagemann] neither so heartless or ungrateful as to forget her - What I had Thro' life prided myself most upon was that straightforward sincerity which neither Time nor circumstance could change - Explained about having written about a month ago and having my letters returned Refused by Mr. Brownes friend H.D. Scott Esquire of the Foreign Office - my aunt suffering a martyrdom - might still continue survive some months - no chance of returning to Copenhagen this summer but still counted upon seeing them all again and when we met, sure Lady H- [Harriet] would be satisfied with me - Whatever appearances might be would never her regard for me Till she herself desired me to do so, viva voce desired begged her to get me right in her own and M. [Monsieur] de H-'s [Hagemann's] opinion and with Kind regard to him and love to the Children affectionately hers - should be delighted to hear from her - beg her to take charge of my note to Countess de Blucher -

Kind affectionate letter also to Countess de B- [Blucher] did not write to her sister because not quite sure if this note would reach them, and now appearances so much against me, must first appeal to the one whose was Tenderest, at least Towards the English - not to let me lose her good opinion and regard undeservedly - explained about having written a month ago -

'my poor aunt suffers a martyrdom and may still survive some months - It was her arms that 1st. held me - hers was like a mother's care, and to her liberal Kindness were owing half the comforts of my early life - I see her sinking slowly and painfully into the grave; and, at such a Time, the heart even of a casual bystander would not be hardest nor his spirits lightest - I shall feel lonely when she is gone - But I did all I could - my coming made her happy and I am satisfied - Is counte de Blucher's father well? I saw in the papers the other day the death of a counte de Blucher nephew to the famed field marshall - I hope and trust, affliction is not so with you - but if it is, be assured of my very sincere condolence - Is your cough better? I shall always be affectionately interested about you - There seems no chance of my being able to return this summer; but I count upon seeing you all again, and upon our meeting like old friends - I am not likely to forget anybody or anything at Copenhagen - Has your sister abused me much?'

Explain about the letters being returned - Had Told all this to Lady Harriet but if Countess de B- [Blucher] saw Mr. Browne to say how sorry I was my note of thanks had not reached him - would have written again now, but afraid of overweight to Lady S- [Stuart] her (Countess de B-'s [Blucher's]) friend David Markham has one of the most exemplary characters I ever heard of has a good living not very far from York; and one may say his lot has fallen on good ground - Is she moving into her new house .... hope her sisters letter arrived safe at Torquay (for Miss Ferrall at Mr. Cary's) left it with Lady S- de R- [Stuart de Rothesay] for my lord to frank -

'Ask your sister if the fateful steel has cut me out of her remembrance - all we English are not quite so bad as she thinks us - Kind regards to Counte de Blucher - love to your sister and the dear children and believe me affectionately yours A Lister I shall be delighted to hear from you or your sister by the post - It just occurs to me to ask, if you can manage my writing thro' the Danish Embassy - Do remember me to your very agreeable vis à vis, Madame de Bille, and ask if she can help us - I can send my letters to London without any difficulty' -

with my aunt at 9 1/2 for 3/4 hour - told her Miss Ws [Walkers] hesitation about letting Lidgate and coming here and my feeling about it saying it was touch and go with me yes answered my aunt I should not be surprised if it is all off no no said I dont quite know that - wrote the whole of today till 11 1/2 - tolerably fine day and evening from about 10 a.m. Till about 10 tonight but then the wind getting and now at 11 1/2 boisterous again - Fahrenheit 54 1/2 now at 11 1/2 p.m. -

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/16/0178 - SH:7/ML/E/16/0179

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

Saturday 8 March 1834

6 10/.. 12 40/..

|| L

fair and windy - rain in the night - Fahrenheit 52°. at 6 40/.. - out at 7 1/4 - with Pickels - his son John and a labourer to wall up gaps and make other and set posts for John Bottomley and P- [Pickels] himself to raise wall near new dry bridge so as to support a great height of stuff - with John Booth taking him (P- [Pickels]) 2 loads of stones - Charles and James Howarth putting up more wainscot in upper buttery -

breakfast with my father at 8 1/2 in about 1/2 hour - in my study at 9 3/4 - rain came on about 8 1/2 or before likely to continue - till 11 1/2  wrote 1 page and 4 lines to Miss W- [Walker] and copied what she write I would advise her to write in answer to Washington -

then out with John moving large Cherrysuckers from the terrace to near new dry bridge and moving rose tree and flowers to outside upper garden door &c. ready for beginning to lower the terrace on Monday - Pickels went away in the morning on account of the rain but returned at 2 1/2 p.m. with him raising wall near new dry bridge to hold up stuff from the new bank (just below Booth's the shoemaker) and backwards and forwards with Charles and James Howarth in the upper buttery and with Mallinson and his 1 man who got the middle cornice on the chimney this afternoon, and opened hole thro' wall on to the terrace for barrowing out the stuff - Agreed with Pickels to wheel it out to the carts in the court yard, and thence cart it to over the old dry bridge for 8d. [pence] per square yard - he asks Mr. Haigh 15d. [pence] a yard (i.e. about 7d. [pence] per 1 horse cart load) for carting stuff from the new bank (to put it here near new dry bridge) -

Came in at 6 1/2 - settled with Pickels and Charles H- [Howarth] dinner at 7 and coffee and came upstairs at 7 40/.. - wrote 3 pp. [pages] more and 1/2 page envelope and finished my letter to 'Miss Walker, Heworth Grange, York' and sent it off at 9 1/2 by Thomas in a parcel with Washington's letter and no. [number] 2 Paxton's magazine and the small parcel for Mrs. Sutherland to go by tonights mail - Should have sent W-'s [Washington's] letter &c. yesterday but waited to hear from Miss W- [Walker] this morning - much disappointed - strongly urge her to determine about and give W- [Washington] orders to let Lidgate - should always determine as soon as one can, and then the sooner the determination is acted on, the better - a great comfort and advantage to us to have things settled as soon as possible so that our intentions should be clear to all whom they concerned - our position too equivocal -then dated 2nd page this evening - saying it was well to make an excuse of Lidgate but the Truth was, I could scarcely believe it was not a week since my return - it seemed an age since monday and not hearing from her made me dull - Did she wish me to think less of her? She might scold and I should take it patiently -

then took up W-'s [Washington's] letter could not be much Trouble to alter the Town's books - She could not be expected to understand land-valuing, therefore it was W-'s [Washington's] place to offer her a fair rent for the Hemingway Crofts (5 1/2 acres exclusive of plantation and paying £2.16.0 Taxes per annum say ∴ Taxes = from 6/. to 7/. per daywork) unless he hoped to have them as the same sort of Terms as the Lidgate land - but advised her to write briefly to him on the subject merely saying she had made up her mind not to pay the taxes, and as he put it to her to value the Crofts she should have them and Cordingley's farm valued at the same time and write by that post to Mr. Mitchell to let her have his valuation as soon as he could and then she would settle what allowance should be made to Cordingley and fix a rent for the Crofts - As W- [Washington] valued for himself and his brother in law he ought to be glad to call in an indifferent person - Would she write something like the following - 'Miss Walker will be much obliged to Mr. Mitchell to send her, as soon as he possibly can his valuation of the yearly rent of the land on the enclosed plan, specifying the condition of each field, the Tenant to pay all Taxes - Mr. Mitchell is requested to direct to Miss Walker Heworth Grange York' - She could easily sketch the plan, giving nos. [numbers] and measurements as stated in W-'s [Washington's] survey - Perhaps W- [Washington] would be surprised - not give her the credit she deserved but lay it all on me - she had plenty of head, only wanted promptness of decision.....'Heaven prosper you in everything! Doubt anything but the real regard of yours faithfully and affectionately AL- ' will send the dimensions of the North  parlour chim fireplace next Time -

with my aunt from 9 1/2 about an hour - then wrote the whole of this page till 11 - very boisterous windy night -

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/16/0177 - SH:7/ML/E/16/0178

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

Friday 7 March 1834

6 10/.. 12 1/2

|| + + L LL

very fine morning Fahrenheit 49 1/2° at 7 10/.. a.m. at which hour went out - the masons did not come of 1/2 hour met Charles H- [Howarth] coming at 7 1/4 - Till near 10 giving orders about the upper buttery - this to be done up immediately - the 1st. thing - Charles says will be ready for Thomas to get into it in a fortnight -

breakfast with Marian a little before 10 - afterwards all the morning, while Charles and James H- [Howarth] in the upper buttery and till 2 p.m. looking over and burning the papers that were in the large old writing desk that stood there - Mr. Sunderland came between 1 and 2 - thinks my aunt rather her anodyne draughts are morphia - thinks she may get over the summer - an hour or 2 with John Booth while he dressed up about the Lime Tree near farm yard doors, then with Charles and James Howarth hunting out the old oak wainscot taken from the library, &c. and seeing how to use it up in the upper buttery -

Stood talking to Marian near an hour till after 7 in the hall - Laughed and asked which would suit me best, M- [Mariana] or Miss W- [Walker]? she thought the latter - would be more convenient and then agreed with me that she would suit me in every respect the best I said I would rather take her connections than ¬¬ s [Mariana]s yes said Marian and so would I they say in York Mrs Henry Belcombes father was a tea dealer and her first husband a spirit merchant (said I did not know) and Miss Bagshaw got drunk at parties but I was not to tell this both my father and Marian seem pleased about Miss W [Walker] said I thought I should be happier with her than I should now be with Mrs Lawton to which Marian seemed to agree without the least surprise I merely added but many things happen between the cup and the lip as if I did not feel quite sure of Miss W [Walker] as yet -

dinner at 7 1/4 and coffee and reading over it from page 306 to 364 Waldensian Researches 2nd series till 8 40/.. - then came to my study and wrote the above of today - Pickels and his son John finished dry wall at Farm yard doors, levelled a bit along the garden wall, and finished topping and doing up Park wood wall - Mallinson hewing string course for chimney and his one man walling up chimney to be ready for it - read forward to page 379. then from 9 20/.. an hour with my aunt then an hour reading the morning Herald -

kind Letter tonight from Lady Stuart 3 pp. [pages] of 1/2 sheet - and Kind 4 pp. [pages] of 1/2 sheet from Lady V. C- [Vere Cameron] and the envelope Kind 1 page and one end from Lady S- de R- [Stuart de Rothesay] franked by Lord S- [Stuart de Rothesay] all well - Lady S. [Stuart] de R- [Rothesay] wants me to go and shew myself to my 'Granby relatives' -

James brought me letter from Washington this morning letter and parcel for Miss W- [Walker] opened the former he thinks Cordingleys farm well let as it is and better leave it so or else if he (Cordingley) is to pay taxes allowance must be made - very fine day Fahrenheit 54°. now at 12 tonight -

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/16/0177

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

Thursday 6 March 1834

6 12 10/..

L + || L N + + L

fair and finish morning and Fahrenheit 49 1/2° at 7 a.m. Out at 7 1/4 - to Charles Howarth's - gone to the Smithy - dawdling about home no workmen come - breakfast with my father at 8 in 25 mins. [minutes] - Mallinson and 1 man come at 8 25/.. - had been at the Smithy about ironwork for farm-yard gates - then with John Booth setting acorns in Parkwood where the old road was the bit Throp's men missed - Pickels did not come till 9 20/.. - some time with him - to mend up Park- -wood wall - then a little while at Charles Howarth's -

Marian mended hole in pelisse sleeve and James brought me 3 pp. [pages] of 1/2 sheet and the 2 1st. pp. [pages] crossed from Miss Walker, Heworth Grange, sent with some orders to Washington for Mrs. Sutherland who is very busy, and quite accounts for her silence - 'and seems to speak with evident pleasure of the good account of my health - I think all will go well' -

Soon after 10, had Mr. Horner to take a sketch of the north parlour fireplace and room itself to send to Wolstenholme for plan of chimney piece and doors and whether to wainscot the walls straight or follow the beams and inequalities of the studding - then dawdling out of doors Till rain sent me in at 11 3/4 - wrote the above of today and till 1 25/..

wrote 3 pp. [pages] to Miss Walker in answer to her note of this morning and wrote note to Booth to ask if he has any small French prints for albums, and if the books Galignani &c. i.e. his Paris Guide) for Miss W- [Walker] and myself are come - chit chat to Miss W- [Walker] that anybody might see, tho' kindly written - say I wrote to say how pleased I am at her sister's having so well accounted for her silence and that I hope she will by and by be satisfied in spite of all the rest which will be a great comfort to me - I shall not however write to her just now - in better spirits about my aunt and begin 'to think again of what we talked' that is, going to Paris this spring - Looking over travelling writing box (to get all my bills sorted up ready for making out my accounts) till 3 1/2 -

Then out till after 6 - by Charles and James H- [Howarth] and the Masons Farm yard doors put up - John Booth setting acorns along the old northowram road alongside Park farm field - Pickels came at 9 20/.. a.m. and dawdling about - shovelling down soil (thro' 2 holes in the wall) from Halifax on this side of the foot of road wall between approach gates and arch - and John Pickels in the afternoon putting on tops with lime on Park wood wall -

dinner at 6 35/.. and coffee and came to my study at 7 3/4  - having read thro' no. [number] 2 (came this afternoon from Whitley's) for this month Paxton's Magazine of botany and register of flowering plants - Plants in the house should not be overwatered - 'the overplus of water will show its bad effects by the very dark colour and flabby disposition of the leaves; and if the plant receives too little, the leaves will turn yellow, and eventually die......allow the soil in the pot to have the appearance of dryness (but never sufficient to make the plant flag,) before a supply of water is given, which should then be pretty copious; but always empty it out of the pan or feeder in which the pot stands, as soon as the soil is properly drained' the the water to be same temperature as the room by letting it stand all night there or adding warm water - water colder than the room chills the plants - page 40. - take care of the drainage of the pot by putting plenty of potshards at the bottom

wrote the ends of my letter 3 pp. [pages] before and sent it off at 8 1/2, to 'Miss Walker, Heworth Grange, York' and my note to 'Mr. Booth Bookseller H-x [Halifax]' ordered no. [number] 1 Paxton's Magazine of botany (having this afternoon received no. [number 2]) for Miss Walker, and asked if Debrett's of this year would come for myself and for what he could get me Don's Miller's Dictionary with my aunt from 9 25/.. to 10 20/.. - read from page 276 to 306 2nd series Waldensian Researches Till 11 5/.. - from 11 3/4 a.m. rainy day and evening and stormy high wind - a gleam or 2 in the afternoon but not for long - Fahrenheit 53°. at 11 3/4 p.m. Letter from Mr. Bewsher tonight - very civil - Expense incurred 15/. - he directs to 'the honourable Miss Lister'......

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/16/0176

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

Wednesday 5 March 1834

8 12 10/..

Rainy morning and Fahrenheit 54°. at 8 a.m. - breakfast at 9 alone till Marian came in about 1/4 hour - stood talking (she mended pelisse at the hands) of Miss W- [Walker] till near 11 - Marian really behaves very well about it - a few mins. [minutes] with my aunt (she has had a restless night) and out at 11 10/.. - Pickels not here - Mallinson hewing and 1 man holing stone posts, too wet to work at the farm-yard door-heading - sauntered about - spoke to James Smith and William Green - possibly to go on the 1st. of April but the latter to come as usual but on 1/2 wages i.e. £15 a year - had to tell Marian all this -

Came to my study at 1 1/2 - fair from about 11 to after 12 then rain again - from 3 40/.. to 4 wrote 4 pp. [pages] and 1 page of envelope to Miss Walker - mention my call at Cliff hill - her aunt will write to tell her to come home - 'I shall not annoy myself about it, because I am sure you will take it as it ought to be taken, and merely be sorry that some of your friends are not wiser - What would Dr. Belcombe say?'......the Priestleys never inquired after her - .....'What is in your mind about Lidgate? my opinion is a fixed one; because I see, and feel, more and more, that it is right - When have you found yourself wrong in following my advice?' to come here tomorrow if she likes, and if she comes during the assizes I shall not be one of the grumblers - anxious to hear what her sister says - suspect she is no better satisfied than the rest - 'As Things are at present, I shall not write to your sister - Perhaps I have some right to expect, that her great affection for you might give me some claim upon her thanks for all I have done for you - I have at least helped you in the furtherance of a plan which only wants nothing but perseverance; and this alone might deserve some notice from those to whom your welfare is so dear - But tell me you are going on well; and all else will be comparably indifferent'..... It seems an age since having her - Tired of the words goodbye - 'I ate 2 of your oranges just before getting into bed last night, merely for the pleasure of thinking of you' - the P-s [Priestleys] would not advise her coming here - 'In proportion as opposition will be vain, talk will be greater' - will send the dimensions of the north parlour fireplace in my next - may perhaps get Horner to sketch the side of the room -

Then wrote to Hutton to say I had received the pelisses, and wrote by this post to Messers Hammersleys and co. [company] to pay him on demand the amount of his bill £10.6.6 - and wrote to Messers Hammersleys to pay Hutton as above and pay £5 to Messers Laffitte and co. [company] Paris to be paid by them on demand to Mrs. Ann Tiler on account of Madame La Comtesse HenrietteVirgile Galvani and shall be glad to know if Messers Laffitte have received the argenterie forwarded to them on my account from Calais by Monsieur Quillacq and when they Hammersleys have received this answer to let me have their account -

Dinner and coffee at 6 10/.. and then coffee in 50 mins. [minutes] - Eugenie packed the box containing crape bonnet, worsteds, velvet brush and biscuits and my letter 4 pp. [pages] and 1 page and ends and under the seal of envelope to 'Miss Walker' containing printed no. [number] from Huddersfield and 4 half crowns in white paper written 'sent by Miss Lister to Mrs. Burley's 2 women servants Wednesday 5 March 1834' sent off by Thomas at the box to go by Tonight's mail if Taken for 5/. or 6/. or if not by the Highflier and my letter to 'Messers Hammersleys, Bankers, London', and to Mr. Hutton, 114 Park Street Grosvenor Square London Post Paid' and John's letter to his son Joseph Booth (Mr. Scotts white wall corner Malton) that I forgot when in York and so now send post paid -

Reading (to page 276) and making extracts from 2nd series Waldensian Researches London 1831

[Vertically in left margin] with my aunt from 9 10/.. to 10 - 3/4 hour reading the morning Herald - Rainy day and evening except Tolerably fair from about 11 to after 12 at noon - Fahrenheit now at 11 1/2 p.m. in blue room 55°. in my study (fire in the stove all day) 59°. -

[Marginalia] || L LL +

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/16/0176

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

1831 Friday 14 October

7 20/.. 2

Great deal of rain in the night - Fahrenheit 66°. at 8 20/.. and damp small rainy disagreeable morning - breakfast at 8 40/.. - Off from Arundel (Norfolk arms) at 9 1/2 not near so good an hotel as at Chichester, much more Inn like - noisy last night and I had chosen a poky little bedroom au 1er. [premier] instead of a good one higher up - drove for 1/2 hour thro' the duke's (norfolk) woods chiefly beech and oak, and young plantations of beech with fir and larch to draw them up -

At the bottom of Bury hill (4 miles from Arundel) turned left along a narrow lane to Bignor - drove up a field to the Roman villa - found the gate locked - waited 5 or 6 mins. [minutes] till sent for girl who came from the village - 57 mins. [minutes] at at these singularly interesting remains - discovered in July 1811 - supposed to be of the time of Titus 4 straw thatched sheds over fine remains of tessellated pavement and an uncovered remain of a bath - worth going any distance to see -

The Medusa Mosaic at the Bignor Roman Villa [Image Source]

Changed horses at Petworth and Godalming (pronounced godle gōddlemen) and passed thro' Guildford, Changed at Ripley, and passed thro Kingston at 6 5/.. and alighted at Lady Stuart's Richmond Park at 6 1/2 -  Guildford deserved a stay of an hour or 2 at least to see the fine old castle and the town - beautiful country all about it - indeed beautiful drive all today -

Found Miss H- [Hobart] alone - Lady gone to London on business and did not return till 7 1/4 - V [Vere] glad at heart to see me it seems if I had much seconded Lady S de R [Stuart de Rothesay] or even now tried for Italy it might be managed? V [Vere] thought Lady S de R [Stuart de Rothesay] had done it all for my sake I think I convinced her she was the only one considered

Lady S [Stuart] glad to see me but said she was tired and certainly vough [sic]very kind did not make so much fuss about me and on coming to bed tho I turned for a minute or two into her room we did not shake hands to be sure I made no sign of it and the thing reminded me a little of Highcliff I see it is not high bred to be too shake hands and unceremonious at eleven asked V [Vere] to play she said it was late but played above half hour and then sent Lady S [Stuart] and me off before her without a good night at all I sat by her at the instrument she said I was very funny not thinking of the music but yet seemed as if not disliking me or my attention a little word or two now and then betrays the probability of her caring for me I really begin to admire her and feel a little for her she is nice looking and very ladylike I wonder what will be the result of our winter at Hastings -

Came up to dress at 7 1/4 - dinner at 7 40/.. - afterwards read aloud the Herald - times given up - too bad, and violent against the peers for throwing out the bill - coffee - near 3/4 hour's music - all came upstairs at 12 - no stranger now only a little white wine at the bottle of the decanter and Vere asking what I would take I said oh none thank you I have not taken wine lately nothing more was said and I had none - damp small rainy morning till about 9 - afterwards very dark and rain threatening - heavy shower for a few mins. [minutes] at 1 25/.. - afterwards a few drops - cleared up a little between 2 and 3 and tolerably fine afternoon and evening - raining fast now at 1 20/.. tonight at which hour Fahrenheit 64°. -

Found here Letter of 7th. instant and 8th. ditto 3 pp. [pages] and about one end from my aunt - she has had Dr. Kenny - the damp weather disagrees with her very much - but Dr. K-'s [Kenny's] medicine has done her much good § - and kind letter 3 pp. [pages] or there abouts from Mrs. Norcliffe to ask my interest with Lady Stuart de R- [Rothesay] and Lady Hardwicke, for their votes, as subscribers to the national benevolent Institution, to get John Wilson, ætatis 75, elected to receive the benefits of the charity - singular enough Lady Stuart had this evening shewn me a card of the Institution from Lady Bute who would be glad of my vote if I had one - read my letter from Mrs. N- [Norcliffe] on coming up to my room - had read my aunt's before dinner - Mrs. N- [Norcliffe] says not a word of Scott's taking John's son - Mrs. N-'s [Norcliffe's] letter no date - but postmark, Malton, and London mark of 7 October -

[Margin] § my aunt anxious to hear I had got the ring (for Miss H- [Hobart] vide line 3 from the bottom of page 230, and 21 September) which she sent off to Hawkins's immediately on the receipt of my letter of 21 September - Mrs. Walker (the widow of Crownest) has taken my pew opposite to the pulpit of the old church -

[Margin notes] L L

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/14/0136

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

1831 Thursday 13 October

7 10/.. 12 40/..

Great deal of rain in the night but apparently fair at 7 10/.. and, now at 8, at which hour Fahrenheit 64°. - out at 8 1/2 - Went into the bookseller's shop opposite - bought Chichester guide - they did not burn the bp. [bishop] last night in effigy - the police interfered and prevented the burning - but all the people seem reformers, moderate or radical - then sauntered down to the Cathedral stopping as I went to admire the beautiful gothic market place a little below the hotel (The Swan) -

A verger went all round the cathedral with me and to the top of the tower (about 248 steps) from which springs the steeple, within the latter is a sort of scaffollding by which to secure four ladders, of 40 feet long each, hung, as it were, in air one above another and by which the workmen ascend, and, when at the top, if anything is to be done outside (which has happened without accident 4 or 6 times in the time of this verger, a singing boy in the cathedral 40 years ago) they make a hole in the stone work, and put up a scaffolding on the outside of the steeple - too hazy to see Chichester steeple, or the Portsmouth or the Isle of Wight - but good bird's eye view of the town - not large - merely high Street good and another goodish street or 2 the west Sussex and East Hampshire infirmary is a large handsome looking plain building stone or stuccoed - a small part of boulevard or old rampart left, shaded by 2 rows of fine large elms, the only town walk the inhabitants have - the corporation sold all the rest long ago by bit and bit and it is all built upon - Both inside and outside of the cathedral exceedingly plain - round Saxon arches - no ornament - the interior has been lately cleaned and scraped, so that, the white and yellow wash being gone, the natural colour of the stone is left with great advantage - saw no painted glass -

View of Chichester Cathedral in 1833 by Joseph Francis Gilbert [Image Source]

Walked all thro' the cloisters (3 sides of a square remarkably neat and well kept - roof not underdrawn - of the sweet or chesnut eatable wood that, as is the rest of the cathedral, which spiders have an aversion to, and therefore not a spider's web to be seen - thro' the cloisters, and entered by the South transept door - on one side (right) paintings of all the bps. [bishops] - on the other all the Kings from William the conqueror down to Henry 8 when they were done - this transept screened off by the tomb of St. Richard once famous for the miracles done at his shrine in this cathedral - the transepts communicate with the side aisles of the nave and choir which last takes in the part under the tower roofed in the same height as the rest of the choir - instead of tabernacle work, plain gothicized sort of wainscot of deal painted darkish brown with gild gothic mouldings - looks much better than might be fancied from the description - beyond the choir the Sanctum Sanctorum, a presbytery - handsome and spacious - 2 fine columns of darkish porphyry like Sussex marble (from near Horsham) with 4 smaller columns clustering round them - from the east end of presbytery descend by a few steps into the fine large well-aired vault of the duke of Richmond made in 1750 the 1st. duke buried in westminster abbey till taken up and brought here - 20 coffins there - the broad brickwork bench on which they stand is on arches to prevent damp and there are open windows on each side that the place is as sweet as any other part of the church -

Above the duke's vault is what was the Lady's chapel to which one ascends by a few steps - now the library - in a line with the choir, but much lower - small library - the chapter holds its meetings there - some old brass plates (like small bread and butter plates) a chalice etc. and inscription of William the conqueror's time taken from the tomb of the 2nd bishop - (translated by the reverend Thomas Valentine prebendary of Selsea - the organ is of the time of Charles 2nd - the choir screen very plain gothic of time Henry 6 - 3 pointed arches the middle one much the narrowest - no transept aisles - double aisles on each side nave and choir - fine specimen of quite plain old Saxon - church consecrated 12 September 1199 - believes there is an error about this date in the guide book - several errors - records not consulted that ought and might have been - the belfry tower not mentioned save in a note of errata - a large good loking looking square gothic tower, a little distance from the church built for the bells because of the injury they might do the steeple, as said the verger guide -

The choir at Chichester Cathedral [Image Source]

In returning, sauntered along High street in spite of its raining a little bought sponge, and a pair of strong leather shoes at a venture - back at 11 50/60 and from then to 1 25/.. breakfast and read the Times - sad rioting work at Derby - and the mob burnt down the duke of Newcastle's Nottingham castle, to the ground on Monday - Very comfortable at Chichester - the Swan a very good Inn-

Off at 1 35/.. - Goodwood (3 miles from Chichester) plantations (duke of Richmond) stretch along the range of down (down) at a little distance north of the town - the duke getting rich - a good economist - has bought a great many farms lately in this neighbourhood - at 1 3/4 pass road (left) to Goodwood and in 5 mins. [minutes] more get a peep of the house - oblong - south part a pediment in the middle and a round topped little round tower at each corner - flattish all around after leaving the Goodwood downs, and not very interesting drive till alight at the Norfolk arms Arundel at 3 10/.. - wait for my 2 servants -

At 3 55/.. at the castle - stands high, on a chalk hill - the low rich ground (some of it let at 6 guins. [guineas] an acre belongs great part to the duke great to the corporation) about it, supposed to have been covered by the sea at the time the castle was first built by the Romans - (no date of the castle) - In proof of the retiring of the sea, anchors and other marine implements have been found on digging - at present this low land forms quite a basin round particularly in front south of the castle - the river Arun running along it with remarkable windings - but if it was not for these windings - these great détours - the tide comes up so strongly that it would force the water, so back as to make it overflow this low land - the Arun runs to the sea and to the Thames - and navigable all the way, sometimes by canal-cuts - the man who shewed the house said Arundel was originally perhaps Arundale -

Arundel Castle c1880 [Image Source]

Magnificent castle - the old ruins fine - particularly the great old ivy covered round Keep Tower where we afterwards saw the 7 large horned american owls - but the present house built on the old site, partly keeping up the old walls (4, and, in places, 5 yards thick) by the late duke, who spent above 30 years and £600,000 in doing it, unfinished as he died and left it - on entering the court, the building forms nearly 3 sides of a square - or a centre and wings - centre 4 stories high - entrance (rather projecting) with its large windows above and on each side of it, 4 tiers of 2 three light windows = 8 - on entering (right) baronial hall and unfinished chapels - (left) library and unfinished saloon - baronial hall tho' not quite finished very fine - magnificent oak plain gothic groined roof - capital model for the hall at Shibden? - chapel a heap of brick and rubbish within not seeable - ditto the saloon -

But the mahogany lined, beautifully gothic wrought library tower which cost above £30,000 - far the most beautiful library I ever beheld anywhere - from the baronial hall, we saw dining room breakfast room fine drawing room etc. (the centre divided by fine long gallery) but I skip all to get to the library - 130 feet long - gallery round mid-height the room and all the windows above the gallery - the galleries finished at the top like aisles, and the middle part finished likewise at the top and partly for a gallery, library, museum! 3 arcades and a sort of transept. then 3 arcades more at the other end - 6 windows on each side, and one transept window on each side = 14 windows - two beautiful white marble chimney pieces on the same side (north east side) that were bought by the late duke at the sale of the duke of Bedford's house in Bloomsbury square pulled down about 38 years ago - of the 1st. chimney piece the 2 large supporting figures are whole lengths of Socrates and Plato, with a square medallion of Archimedes and his attributes in the centre of the architrave - one of the figures of the other chimney piece is said to be Æsculapius - library walls 4 yards thick - the library windows outside seem large churchlike windows - the lower 1/2 of them lights the library - the upper lights rooms above -

The library at Arundel Castle [Photo by Des Morris]

The castle and its fortifications stands on 5 1/2 acres of ground - the man thought the baronial hall must be 45 feet high - and the drawing room 25 feet high - he recommended me to see Bignall - the fine old Roman mosaic pavement discovered there - 7 miles from here - on the Petworth road - turn off 4 miles from here at the public house at the foot of Bury hill - 1 5/.. hour in the castle - 20 mins. [minutes] at the old round keep tower and 10 mins. [minutes] looking round about the castle - there is a narrow way and parapet wall all round the front towards the town and the south -

Home at 5 35/.. washed hands had hair done etc. - dinner at 6 in 3/4 hour - then till 8 40/.. wrote all the above of today - very glad to have come round to see this castle - the present duke does nothing at it - leaves all unfinished or not just as the late duke left - the present one has lately bought a large estate here of a Mr. Walker - I look everywhere for models for Shibden - I must be contented to do as little at it as possible - my ideas are too apt to grow too large - from 8 3/4 to 11 1/2 at my travelling account and to my great joy brought it down to tonight - oh! that my private account, cashbook and all the rest were equally well done! - but what I have done is better than nothing - I must work at the rest for a day or 2 in London - a little rain while out this morning at Chichester and a little also as I came here but afterwards (from 3 p.m.) fair - Fahrenheit 65°. now at 11 1/2 - Came to my room at 11 40/.. -  

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/14/0134 - SH:7/ML/E/14/0135

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

1831 Wednesday 12 October

9 50/.. 1

Incurred a cross just before getting up thinking at first of Mrs Milne but lastly and mainly of π [Mariana]

Rained all last night and raining this morning - Fahrenheit 64°. now at now at 11 25/.. at which hour down to breakfast and pretty fair - breakfast and reading the Times of this morning till 12 20/.. from which hour till 5 55/.. at my travelling account washed hands etc. and Dinner at 6 10/.. in 1/2 hour  - then at my desk again till 11 1/2 - all the day bringing down travelling account from Sunday 11th. ultimate to Thursday 6th. instant, and (which took me much time trouble) looking over and thoroughly looking over the whole for the year and making out the little check accounts at the tops and bottoms of the pp. [pages] -

Just before and after dinner great noise in the streets going to burn the bp. [bishop] in effigy - parading him about the streets - rabble of a a few men and women but chiefly children - fair for a little while about noon - except this thoroughly rainy day and night - Fahrenheit 65°1/2 now at 11 3/4 - came to my room at 12 -

[Margin notes] x

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/14/0134

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

1831 Tuesday 11 October

7 1/2 11 55/..

Cutting my toe nails very rainy morning Fahrenheit 63°. now at 8 55/.. a.m. great deal of rain during the night breakfast at 9 3/4 and reading the Times of yesterday till 11 when the shoemaker came - gave him shoes to mend and ordered a pair of new strong ones - then the hair dresser to cut my hair for near 1/2 hour - all reformers here - the corporation too - but never till the duke of Richmond turned on account of his losing his bill (for he had then a great deal of wool on hand) against the importation of foreign wool - the duke and all Chichester were always tories before that - and Chichester is and will be just what the duke chooses, reform or no reform - at the Times again till 11 20/.. -

Still raining - thoroughly rainy day - glad to be quietly here - there seems to have been strong excitement but no disorder or disturbance in London on Saturday when the bill was thrown out - a stop put to all business - all intent on taking means to get the bill passed - meetings all over to petition the King to keep the present ministers and the ministers not to resign - some petitions are to be to entreat the King to make 60 new peers - on the news of the rejection of the bill at High Wycombe (Bucks) peels rung with muffled bells and Lord Wharncliff burnt in effigy - the Times gives a long account of demonstrations of regret and disappointment everywhere -

Wrote the above of today till 12 40/.. - then till two and a quarter in two and a half hours stupidly long but well enough done at last wrote 3 pp. [pages] and ends and under the seal to Lady Stuart - a comfort to have received Vere's letter at Southampton on Sunday - hope we do not now need trouble ourselves more than to fix the day for Hastings - the sooner the better

'on account of arrangements about another man servant etc. which we can talk over on Friday, the 14th., if you please - Vere mentions the 13th., and says that, should Lady Alicia not be with you, you would be so good as let me have my comfortable room again - may I, then, hope to dine with you on Friday, (but I entreat you not to put off any engagement) and, if my place is not filled up, to stay with you till Sunday or Monday?'

mean to stay here till Thursday, then to Arundel, and back by Guildford and Richmond Park - Exceedingly pleased with my little tour -

'It will delight me to talk to you about Highcliff for its own sake; but Lady Stuart de Rothesay's attention and kindness would have made any plan more than agreeable - the improvement in Charlotte's looks struck me more than ever - I only regret again and again, that I had the carriage all to myself - I am sure, you would not have disliked the journey' -

3 1/2 days in the Isle of Wight - ....

'we had the news at Cowes on Saturday night - the people seemed to expect riots in London and all over - they are desperate reformers at Southampton and Portsmouth - I was at the docks, all round the ramparts, and Gosport, - all over the King's yatch, and at the court martial sitting on board the Victory - the rain has prevented my seeing the cathedral here, but I saw it from the top of Porchester castle - I shall quite agree with Vere about the Isle of Wight - but I had a beautiful day (Friday) for the chines (Blackgang, Luccombe, and Shanklin) and the undercliff; and not one moment hung upon me heavily - Believe me always my dear Lady Stuart, very truly and affectionately yours A Lister'

Wrote the above of today till 2 50/.. - from 3 to 4 10/.. wrote 2 1/4 pp. [pages] small and close to M- [Mariana] to be sent after fixing about Hastings on Friday - sent off by George at 4 1/2 (to go at 7 this evening) my letter to 'The honourable Lady Stuart Richmond Park Surrey - then from 4 1/2 to 5 3/4 at my travelling account beginning with Boat from the Tower stairs Wednesday 17 August last -

Dinner at 5 50/.. - mutton broth with very little rice in it - chopt cabbage and potatos plain boiled which I did not taste, and boiled bread pudding with currants - and a bottle soda water - very good dinner - at 6 1/2 at my travelling account again and brought it down to 12 August - looking over writing case and writing desk etc. till 10 55/.. at which hour Fahrenheit 65°. - the people returning from a neighbouring fair letting off squibs and crackers in the street and making a great noise, but nothing more than common on the like occasions - Incessantly rainy day, and night, tho' rather fairer towards night - went to my room at 11 -  

[Margin notes] L

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/14/0134