Wrote The Above of Today

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[wrotetheaboveoftoday]

1833 Tues. 26 March

6 35/.. 12 10/.. + + +L U U fine morning Fahrenheit 48º at 6 35/.. (ground covered with white ime) and 32º at 7 3/4 outside my window and regular snow - storm - had begun to snow a little at 7 1/2 - what a month of March! - spoke to John to get at Throps as many hollies as he thought good enough and 6 horse chesnuts, and 10 more yews - at my desk at 8 - and an hour making out clearly and arranging the bills of expenses of Mytholm mill to shew my father and ready for settling with George Robinson -

Breakfast at 9 5/.. in about an hour - books from Whitley’s - Ure's geology Scrope on Earthquakes and Digest of Bank Charter committee - looking into these till after 12 - then had Washington - Mr. Saltmarshe only pays 1 1/2 guineas a year and wants to give up the pew - very well - to be relet - all that W- [Washington] had to call upon want the pew rents lowering - very well - fiat - told W- about the coal agreement being off with Mr. R- [Rawson] merely said I was outwitted in saying we had agreed before the papers were actually signed - W- [Washington] thought Mr. R- [Rawson] had on the face of the deeds no sufficient reason to refuse signing

Then near an hour with my aunt till came upstairs at 1 35/.. then reading Ure's geology (could not resist) and read from page 196 to 313 end of Jesse's Gleanings in natural history and making notes and extracts from it till 5 1/2 - Had sent for George Robinson to come to settle our account, but he was gone to Manchester - John brought from Throp's this morning 10 more hollies and planted them in the hedge top of Trough of Bolland wood - ordered the 6 horse chesnuts and 10 more yews to come tomorrow - the latter to be at nurse in the garden - wrote all but the 3 first lines of today and ran out at 5 3/4 (my aunt quite better today) - an hour in my walk - two turns from end to end - but snowing large flakes or small or rain partly frozen (more or less) all the time - 1/4 hour in the hut during the heaviest of the snow - yet this fresh air did me good, and the exercise warmed my feet -

Home at 6 3/4 - changed my clothes - dinner at 7 - afterwards cut open and read attentively from page 88 to 105 Ure's geology Letter from Lady V.C - [Vere Cameron] Leghorn March 8 (went into the and Florence March 10 other room at 9 1/2) - 3 pp. [pages] and ends - Kind letter but tho received my last forwarded to florence finishes her letter in a hurry and takes no notice of my offer of sponsorship tho gives me leave to call her husband lochiel

The Camerons had been a week at Naples and gone from there (to same time!) to Leghorn by steam - instead of ten days  left N- [Naples] at 3 p.m. on Wednesday 6 and anchored off the harbor at Leghorn at 6 a.m. Friday the 8th instant - by the Francesco primo - very good vessel - going to Greece the middle of April for a 3 months tour if can get 50 subscribers at 85 guineas each - each to land at his own expense - 2 ladies going from Naples - did not supper at all from sickenings not economical of money but of time - should have vetturino'd it part of the way if they had gone by land -

3 days from Naples to Rome - then rest there one day for passport and business, and then 6 days from R- [Rome] to Florence per vetturino - N- [Naples]

'like an English watering place in point of society and dissipation - I saw a great deal of our little Paris Waller who is going out with Lord Ponsonby to Constantinople, I had the pleasure of talking of you' -

San Carlos closed - did not attempt Vesuvius 'and Donald had been up before'! saw Pompeii and Baiæ - 'this Leghorn is a nasty cold miserable place the wind whistle's round the house and we are going off to Pisa where the Ussero is said to be the best hotel in Italy, kept by 2 cidevant couriers' - they were not disappointed with it - beg me to note it down - think of leaving

'Florence the 18th which will bring us to Nice (by Lucca and Genoa) say the 30th - and I suppose at Paris by the 15th of April, do you recollect anything of consequence that happened on that day?'

no I forget all about it and not having my journal of that date can make nothing out - must look forward to see me in London in May - 'I think I shall be in and about it till the end of July, when if all goes well I shall hope to be well enough to remove regularly into the country' - finds Florence very cold - large comfortless rooms at 'Les quatre nations' recommended as the best hotel - Schneiders said to be fallen off - more doubts and difficulties than ever with her brother Lord B and his attorney Mr. Jones about the bond for her money in Lord Bs hands  'it is a very great worry to me' - Read the courier - came to my room at 10 40/.. at which hour Fahrenheit 46º - very winterly day - rain and snow - but the latter gone as soon as come - wrote the last 24 lines till 11 1/4 -

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1833 Mon. 25 March

6 1/2 11 50/.. + fine morning Fahrenheit 47 1/2º at 6 1/2 and 35º at 7 1/2 outside my window - snowing at 8 - settled with Cordingley - breakfast with my father at 8 35/.. in 50 minutes - from 9 25/.. at cash book accounts till Holt came at 9 3/4 - and staid 3/4 hour - a new plan about the coal - (told him what I had said to Jno. [John] Oates - making the former plan my own and not Holt's) - to sink a pit (100 yards deep at 30/.) just above the Conery wood at the Park-farm gate into the well field - this would loose both upper and lower bed, all that I want to be at, and might be brought down the old road at the foot of Bairstow -

1 horse would cart down a dozen (12 loads or corves) at a time - but Mr. Norris could get the privilege of driving thro' Mrs. Prescott's land, if he did it for himself - if he could agree with me for the coal - Well! said I, would you (Holt) have anything to do with it? Yes! Mr. Norris would! take him in partner for half - very well, said I, then I am satisfied and I have no great objection to the plan - said Holt, there is the waste to get thro' - Mr. Norris thought (on Friday) I had a right to take it in - but said he would consider the matter - I said I thought I had a right, but Mr. Parker thought differently - however if I had not a right to take it in, I thought I had a right to pass thro' it, and if not we could do without it by passing under the old ash tree -

Yes! but said Holt there would 150 yards more driving and I look at a straight passage for light - that said is nothing - I know enough of that work abroad - where the drift turns we can light it from the top - (said it would be about 40 yards deep at the old ash tree) - he seemed to attend to this - then there would want an engine at Tillyholm old gate (now walled up) into the wood - would it be done for £200 - he seemed to think not - and coals, and one man to attend it, would cost £100 a year which would lessen the value of the coal - But said I 30 foot fall of water would be enough for a water wheel and I think we could get that - well! that, said H- [Holt], would make a difference - it would be easily levelled and seen - this engine would be wanted in about a year - said that (if water could not be had) was the only thing I objected to - this engine and the drift driven would keep 20 men at work as many years but we should have the means of keeping them going for a hundred years - turning the water down Godley old pit (this way done when they gained the last level) would perhaps gain us 5 yards more level, and thus enable us to a hundred yards breadth of coal along side the present last level -

According to Mr. Norris's plan, the coals to be brought out across the vicar's field into the town which he could manage with the vicar - I said it must be understood that all privileges respecting the coal-drifts and roads must be made over to me (in fee-simple) - But said I, what price am I to have - oh! we should not differ about price - well, said I, you can perhaps afford to give me £150 for the upper bed    yes!    and for the ten acres Mr. Rawson was to have I should not like to sell that for less than he was to have paid - the agreement must be the same - all I could do would be to make a return of perhaps £5 per acre not more - H- [Holt] owned this would be the finest colliery in the neighborhood - not to say a word of what was going on - if Rawsons knew, they would  soon be after it again - promised not to name the thing to anyone, not even my father - nor shall I even to my aunt till the plan is more digested -  

H- [Holt] and I agreed, the Rawsons would be right served - the coal would be worth a penny a load more brought out in the town, then pulled at Wellfield corner pit - He thought the coal would be worth (Lower bed) £200 an acre forwards - just saw my father and Marian for a moment said merely that Holt thought it better to consider of the thing and would be here again on Thursday afternoon

Wrote the above of today excluding the 2 first lines with my aunt a little and out at 12 1/4 so time at John Oates's ordering about blowpipe - said Holt had been, but rather advised against the driving I talked of before and wished me to consider about it which I had consented to do - laughed and asked how long I might safely wait - Oh! some time yet, said Jno. [John], and here the matter ended - then a moment at old Charles Howarth's wishing him to get one of the walking stick barometers done as soon as he could - then to Mr. Washington's - left the paper of references to the paper plan, and told W- [Washington] to get it done up for me - then by the Godley road to the Whiskam road to Pickels and his 3 men -

Had just got into [some] street, and getting a little in the waste, that there will be enough for stoning the new road without carting any from marsh delves that P- [Pickels] will have a pretty good job of this road as well as the other - It rained more or less all the time I was out, but especially latterly that I was rather wet - home at 2 40/.. changed my things - at my desk at 3 5/.. - till 6 3/4 at cash book accounts and making out expenses of Mytholm mill - paid by Mr. Briggs 141.2.6 and by myself 355.9.9 = £496.12.3 - Dinner at 6 3/4 - found my aunt in the drawing room having been poorly all the day - too much so to go into the other room either at dinner or tea - a little sickness and bowel complaint - sat talking till after 8 - then read a few pp. [pages] (geology) Sir Richard Phillip's million of facts till my aunt left me at near 9 - to go into the other room to supper - then asleep a little whille - then wrote note to go early tomorrow morning to Messrs. Parker and Adam Solicitors H-x [Halifax]' beginning, as usual, 'Sir' - to beg them to write again to the Misses W- [Walkers] of Walterclough and inform them that if there was no satisfactory answer in the course of a week from the date of the letter they Messrs. P- [Parker] and A- [Adam] were instructed to commence an action without any further delay -

Wrote the last 6 lines and went into the other room at 9 40/.. - came upstairs at 10 1/2  at which hour Fahrenheit 49 1/2º - tolerably fine at least fair till between 8 and 9 then light snow showers and cold wintery day till between 2 and 3, and then wet afternoon -

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1833 Sun. 24 March

6 3/4 11 40/.. U + + L U L finish morning - at least, fair - ground white with snow perhaps an inch deep - Fahrenheit 46º at 6 3/4 just as I had lighted my fire and 35º at 7 3/4 outside my window - read from page 26 to 48 Jesse's gleanings - breakfast at 8 3/4 - talking to Marian till came upstairs at 9 3/4 - read from page 48 to 107 Jesse's gleanings - from 11 55/.. to 12 wrote 3 pp. [pages] and ends and under the seal to Miss M[a]cL- [MacLean] quickly easily and agreeably written - dated 'Saturday evening 23 March 1833' lose no time in assuring not only do not begrudge postage but am most grateful for the letter enclosed (from her Russian friend which I had not read till this morning - useful) - conclude I have leave to keep it - will write immediately to Lady Stuart to inquire of Lord Goderich if the letters from Saint Petersburg and Moscow have been sent to him - should be sorry to lose them; 'for, should circumstances postpone my northern tour to next year, which is yet uncertain still this friends letters would not be out of date; and, I see plainly, would probably be among the most useful I should have - thank you very much for this service you have done me'

Then ask if I can be of use in inquiring about the Retreat - may depend upon my discretion - to keep up your spirits and hopes - a foreign friend of mine attacked at xmas [Chirstmas] same way 'already so much recovered as to give promise of certain, tho' slow recovery' - alluded to Mme. Galvani - express my sorrow at this so great affliction to them all, and my hope of Mrs. Maclean's having already got well over her confinement - interested about Miss M[a]cL-'s [MacLean's] (always begin my dear Breadalbane and conclude 'believe me always very truly yours A. Lister') nieces - 'hope to see them all fine amiable accomplished girls' - thanks for the willow plants - mention having written the other day to her agent to acknowledge the receipt of them and to herself but glad now that I had thought my pp. [pages] not worth her time or postage 'you dont know the pleasure I shall have in looking at these willows, nor how much I feel obliged to you' -

Mention hoping to be in London in May for a day - must go to Paris in the 1st instance - and expect being at Langton in 2 or 3 weeks but letters directed here will find me here or will not lose much time in being forwarded - mention V-'s [Vere's] confinement being expected the middle of June, as Mrs. C- [Cameron], mère, I told Miss M[a]cL- [MacLean] merely June - cannot make out the name of the young Russian but his letter useful - was studying in Edinburgh - talks of meeting his brother in Germany -

Says May best month for Saint P- [Petersburg] the heat troublesome in summer - bad hotels but the London hotel and Demont house the best - Well Kept English boarding houses in the street Galernoy where should English but he never wants to meet his countrymen in traveling - has enough of them at home and should I in such a case - Steam boats twice a week from Lubeck to Copenhagen in 24 hours and once a week to Saint Petersburg in 80 - 90 hours Best booksellers for foreign books at Saint P- [Petersburg] are Messrs. Saint Florent and company where a Saint P- [Petersburg] guide can be had - much praises the Empress's girls'-schools - mineralogical collection at the École des mines one of the best in Europe - to see Cathedral of Cæsar and monastary of Nevsky - Particularly to see Moscow - Saint Basil's church - good Moscow guide in French to had at Saint P- [Petersburg] or at Moscow -

Inns better than at Saint P- [Petersburg] Hotel du Nord opposite to the military governor - road between the 2 capitals 1 of the best in Europe and all but about 40 miles beautifully macadamized - Inns on the road evenly 40 miles (about 10 of these called palaces because the imperial family stop at them) - posthouses all the way - no delay for at every stage not less than 500 houses - postage cheap - whole distance 700 versts or 400 miles (105 versts to a degree) for 210 roubles or £8.15 (1 rouble = 10d.) 'and an additional guinea to the postboys for the whole way will make them quite happy - must take their carriage -

Carriages easily to be hired at Saint P- [Petersburg] for a trifling sum - comfortable stage coach every day between the 2 capitals - 4 insides and 2 outsides - inside place £5 travel day and night - see Novgorod - 1/2 way and from Saint P- [Petersburg] canal that joins the Caspian to the Baltic - 90 miles from Moscow see Iver [Tver] on Volga -

Downstairs at 11 55/.. my aunt and I read the service as usual and I read sermon 35 and last of the volume of Mr. K- [Knight] our late vicars sermons - just looked into the Life of Sir Humphry Davy by Jno. [John] Ayrton Paris M.D. 4to. [quarto] London 1831 brought it upstairs with me at 1 35/.. and reading the 2 last but one concluding chapters and skimming other parts - (writings on Salmonia and Consolations in Travel and elements of chemistry etc.) till 3 35/.. - then wrote all but the 1st 3 lines of today till 4 20/.. - from 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 wrote a full 1/2 sheet and 1 page and ends of envelop to 'The Honorable Lady Stuart, Whitehall' under to 'Captain Stuart M.P. Grenadier Guards, Whitehall, London' - tho' had a pretty good account of her from Lady S- de R- [Stuart de Rothesay] yet it seems long since I heard from her (Lady S- [Stuart]) and, now winter come, anxious to hear how she bears it - 

'surely I shall see you before the end of May - tho' I told Lady Stuart de Rothesay, I should write to you in a day or 2, I think I should have waited a post or 2 longer, in the hope of fixing the day for going to my friends at Langton, had I not just had a letter from Miss Maclean fearing there was some mistake about letters from Saint Petersburg which her friend had probably sent under cover to Lord Goderich, and which, my Lord knowing nothing about them, might perhaps be lost - may I ask you to be so good as inquire if any such letters had arrived, and if they have, to apologize for their being so directed (which I really knew nothing about) and to say, that I should be very much obliged by their being forwarded to me here -

Miss Maclean tells me, Vere had not written to her for a long time, but that Mrs. Cameron had written to announce the event expected in June - Poor dear Vere! I wish she was safe in London - you will be very anxious about her; and so shall I too - Her friends in Mull seem now to doubt whether they shall see her this summer or not - I have no letter from her since that of the 20th of January - I am glad, on all accounts, she is coming home - my own plans are still rather uncertain - now that Italy must be given up for the present (the heat would be too great in summer) I am still doubting between my northern tour, and a ramble in Auvergne - I want very much to see this part of France, and, when I wrote on Tuesday to Lady Stuart de R- [Rothesay], I told her, it was my favorite scheme just now - yet I have fits and starts about Copenhagen, and Saint Petersburg, and scarcely know how it will end -

Should you be writing to Lady Harriet de Hagemann, will you be so good as give my love, and tell her, I have long been thinking of writing not at all ungrateful for her doubly kind offer of potatos and compagnon de voyage and de vie too) but that I am waiting to make up my mind - I really should like to tell you my adventures in Russia; but I have still 1 or 2 potherations that may make it advisable for me to remain within reach some time longer - and this feeling is a disagreeable restraint - so Lady Gordon is coming to her house in London, and meaning to spend next winter at Rome - Has she been all this while in Herefordshire? I fear you have no good political news - the compact, however, paid to the duke of Wellington by the town of Hull, is gratifying - the poor duchesse de Berri! what a shocking dénouement! I do hope to have a good account of you - and believe me always, dear Lady Stuart, very Truly and affectionately yours A Lister - my Kind regards to Captain Stuart, who, I hope, does his parliamentary duties with as much pleasure as can be expected, under present circumstances' -

The above is all the letter but the 1st page of the 1/2 sheet - wrote it all out till 6 - sealed and gave out for the post tonight and dinner at 6 1/2 at which hour gave for the post my letter to Lady S- [Stuart] vide last page and my letter to 'Miss Maclean of Coll, Coll house, Aros, N.B. North Britain' - after dinner till 9 read from page 106 to 196 gleanings in natural history with local recollections by Edward Jesse, Esquire

surveyor of his majesty's parks and palaces to which are advised maxims and hints for an

       angler. --- not a tree,            a plant, a leaf, a blossom, but contains            a folio volume. We may read, and read,            and read again, but still find something new,            something to please, and something to instruct,            E'en even in the noisome weed.

           a new edition London John Murray Albermarle Street 1832.        London printed by William Clowes Standord Street 1 volume 12mo. duodecimo pp. pages 313        from page 309 to the end, on tree planting - worth turning to for his method of moving languish trees in Bushy Park -

from 9 to 9 1/2 reading Sir Richard Phillips's million of facts (mineral kingdom) - went into the other room at 9 35/.. and came upstairs at 10 40/.. having read or skimmed over the courier all as usual but the debates - Lord Graves's estate (came into his possession in 1800), near Exeter (Bishop's court) sold to Alderman Garratt of London for £75,000 - rental about £1400 a year - tolerably fine day till between 2 and 3 and then afterwards a few showers of small driving snow or sleet - Fahrenheit 48º now at 11 40/.. p.m. -

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1833 Sat. 23 March

6 35/60 10 3/4 + + + + + fine frosty morning ground white with a strinkling of snow - Fahrenheit 44º at 6 35/60 just as I had lighted my fire, and 42 1/2º at 8  outside my window the sun out - read attentively the first 14 pp. [pages] Scrope's geology of Central France having read the introduction before - breakfast at 8 55/.. in 20 minutes - then a little while in the library and some time with Charles H- [Howarth] who soon after brought me the library table the old oak one redone up, with 2 new feet and a drawer - from about 11 to 1 20/.. looking over from page 197 to the end (page 621) of Ure's geology that it might go back to the Halifax circulating library this afternoon - made several references - downstairs with my aunt - then read forward to page 20 Scrope's Central France and then out with John at 2 40/.. till near 6 at the Wellroyde end of Lower brea wood cleaning young oaks and opening drain from Wellroyde house well into the drain of the Tilly holm hedge, and there into drain thro' Tilly holm - then took a  turn or 2 in my walk and came in at 6 40/.. - dinner at 7 5/.. - afterwards began and read a few of the concluding pp. [pages] of Jesse's gleanings in natural history and then cut open and read the article on electricity in Sir Richard Phillip's million  of facts - had a little nap and went into the other room at 9 3/4 - finish morning and tolerable afternoon sun out a little between a few flying showers of small snow - Fahrenheit 47º now at 10 40/.. at which hour came to my room - read the 1st 25 pp. [pages] Jesse's gleanings in natural history

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1833 Fri. 22 March

7 25/.. 11 35/.. + L L soft morning Fahrenheit 46 1/4º at 7 25/.. and 39 1/2º at 8 1/4 outside my window - breakfast with my father at 8 3/4 in 35 minutes - till 10 1/4 settling my account with Cordingley - then with my aunt till 11 - then 1/2 hour writing out last 3 letters in business letter book volume 2 - from 11 35/.. to 12 3/4 (interrupted 10 minutes speaking to James Jowitt of High Sunderland) wrote 3 pp. [pages] and ends to Mrs. Norcliffe - chit chat - had she not been so good as ask me to write soon, should have waited a little longer to fix, or, at least, propose the day for being with her at Langton - but on this subject will write again - hope to be at Langton before the end of next month - anxious to hear how Mrs. Best - hear from M- [Mariana] she is out of danger - have thought of her and Mrs. N- [Norcliffe] perpetually

'I really feel for you, my dear Mrs. Norcliffe, very much, and shall not be quite comfortable without hearing of or from you, in the course of a few days - I need not say, that my anxiety, and gratitude, and regard, towards you, and yours, for all the never failing kindness I have received, are too deeply rooted to be easily torn up - From the moment I saw my being here must be prolonged, I determined, if possible, to see you again, and if you are not tired of me, I shall not limit my stay to a few days' -

Inquires after them all - mention M- [Mariana] having had Mrs. Chaloner for a fortnight and the Sympsons being at Leamington - surely IN- [Isabella Norcliffe] will be at home by the end of next month - if not, always so happy at Croft, it would be too selfish in me to wish to hurry her back - dare not read MacGregor's Canada for fear of longing to go there - 'tho' rather cured by various concerns at home, have not yet forgot my old propensity for wandering - having given up Italy for the present - the hot months there would not do - shall hope to profit by Norcliffe's experience - shall decide nothing till in Paris

- from 12 3/4 to 3 3/4 wrote 1 3/4 page to Breadalbane MacL- [MacLean] and then, wanting to find when I wrote and what I wrote last, unable to find it, took up my journal book and made out index from the beginning of this volume 12 January up to 25th ultimo inclusive the day before sending, and the very day of writing last letter to her and made out letter index from 13 January up to day inclusive - then 10 minutes by the upper kitchen fire to warm myself (winterly day - flying showers of small snow or light hail or rain) and out at 4 1/2 having left my letter to Breadalbane MacL- [MacLean] thinking, after seeing what I wrote so lately, it useless to put to the expense of postage just now for mere thanks of which she is assured especially having written to their agent to acknowledge the receipt of the plants -

Some time with John just finishing dressing up the hedge all along the top of trough of Bolland wood - then stood a long while with Pickels having cut more than 1/2 way along the far Bairstow my new road - (settled with my aunt and Marian today to call it Whiskam road) then took a turn or 2 to the end of my walk (a heavyish snow shower for some minutes while there that whitened all around) and came in at 6 3/4 - dinner at 7 5/.. - afterwards reading the article on minerals in Sir Richard Phillip's million of facts - a little nap and went into the other room at 9 3/4 - Letter from Hammersleys to say they had written to order the payment of £5 to Mrs. Tiler -

Very kind letter 3 pp. [pages] from Breadalbane Maclean (Coll house) telling me all about the girls and Mr. Robertsons brain fever and consequent necessity of being now under restraint - wonders if the Retreat near York would be advisable for him - shall offer to make inquiries - says she hears from Mrs. Cameron that V- [Vere] is to be confined in June - encloses letter from her Russian friend (vide 13. 54.) with information for my journey to Saint Petersburg and saying he had written me letters and sent them under cover to Lord Goderich - but for fear of some mistake in their being forwarded to me begged me to write and ask Lady Stuart to inquire about them for me - read over the courier - came upstairs at 10 35/.. - winterly snow-showery day - rain, and sleet, and small snow, and between 6 and 7 regular snow shower large flakes - Fahrenheit 45º now at 10 3/4 -

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1833 Thurs. 21 March

5 50/.. 11 20/.. L L fine frosty morning Fahrenheit 46º at 5 50/.. and 33 1/2 at 6 20/.. outside my window - just looked into last nights Courier, and out at 7 1/4 some time (10 minutes) with John seeing about wood for a doorway from Godley road into my new road - then down the N.G. [new grade] and by the old Bradford bank to Holt's in 1/2 hour - then 1/2 hour - back by High Sunderland and Sourmilk hall - some time with Nathaniel walking up between Godley road and my new road and home along the wood at 9 1/4 -

Breakfast with Marian - staid telling her what I had done at Holt's till 10 3/4 - then 3/4 hour with my aunt - Holt said now that Hinscliff's pit was filled up and there was no competition Mr. Rawson meant to have my coal at half the price he had had agreed to give before for now they had me quite fast - Holt said he had said nothing but thought perhaps they were mistaken - yes! said I, I think so too - H- [Holt] said I could not sink a pit down to them for want of air - and that if I got up to there from Trough of Bolland wood, it would be expensive and I could loose no coal by it - but the best way would be to draw an open tail up all the way from Pump land from down below near Mytholm and that that would not be money thrown away for it would loose all the upper bed left in Pump land, and all that in Upper place land - but then there would be a great pithill -said I should not mind that when it was my own doing and in my own hands - I could manage it - plant it out in something - 'well! said H- [Holt], it will grow nothing' - (thought I I can save the soil from Brierly hill road for it, and I can neutralize the pyrites in some way or other by the help of a little Paris chemistry) -

'You had better consider of it - no! no! said I, I have considered long enough - I am determined to do the job - so put out handbills for letting it - H- [Holt] thinks I shall do it for £200 - this open-tail (or galloway-gate) or large drift cost 8/. a yard but thinks mine may be done at 6/. - then there will be rails to buy, but those are cheap now - there will surely be about 400 yards to drive - thinks I have done nothing but right to Mr. Rawson but that I have been queerly used - H- [Holt] to come on Monday morning - said I had determined to try for water at Lower brea house end - H- [Holt] to see about that too - did not seem inclined to boring, but said Pickels could do it well enough for that little depth - does not think the water will be very cankery when exposed to day a little - will be the same as theirs which having stood a little in the well is covered with green (confervæ) -

Came to my room at 11 1/2 and wrote the above of today - then shewed my aunt the maps and plans to Scrope's central France and out at 1 1/2 - to Charles Howarth’s to order doorway from Godley road into my new road - some time watching the progress of my library table then Washington's young man came to consul[t] me about the plan - had him into the house at old Charles H-'s [Howarth's] then talking to old Charles about thermometer Centigrade and Fahrenheit - one and about a walking stick barometer - he has 2 in hand - shall not differ about the price -

Then to John Oates's to order a blow pipe to be blown by a ball full of air such as affixed to an airgun - long while talking to John, all about the coals, and the agreement being off with Mr. Rawson explained - J.O. [John Oates] - saw no sufficient reason for R-'s [Rawson's] objection to the terms of the agreement - said I was all for driving a galloway gate, had seen Holt this morning, and in fact ordered it beginning - did not say it was Holt's plan, but said he did not seem much against it - J.O. [John Oates] said it would loose very little coal, and would altogether cost a guinea a yard - said Holt was coming on Monday and should talk to Jno [John] about it - well! said J.O. [John Oates] I can take the level, and we can soon see what you can loose that way - better set up a small engine at Tilley holm gate into the wood - but would not be full enough with out letting the wheel be sunk, and the water run down into the works and thus miss mytholm mill - said I could get 30 feet of level, as it was - well! that would do - but said if I applied to the Lord chancellor he would give me an order to go into R-'s Rawson's upper bed works (sure I could make out a case of suspicion strong enough that they might be getting my coal) and it would not cost me above £5 - or if I sunk a pit in Brierley hill just above the pit in the waste just filled up, it would not be above 30 yards to the upper bed, and would be done for £30 -

It was 4 p.m. before I left Jno [John] O-'s [Oates'] on returning saw 5 men at the fish pond - went up to know what was the matter - they were looking to see if they could get stone there for the road! angry - said there was none that I knew of, and if there was they should not get it, if I could help it - it was a very unhandsome thing coming in that way - they should have come to the house and said what they wanted - should learn to do as they would be done by - would break up a persons very garden for that was the next thing to it - spoke very sharply - knew none of them but Skelton, the deputy surveyor - they all walked off as quick as they could and I turned up to the Conery and to Park farm -

Booth's men doing the house [end] up that was burnt - saw a street post that with one at the hall would do for the doorstead - came home - found Charles and his son busy making a wood doorstead - called John from hedge dressing at the top of Trough of Bolland wood, and William put Rose into the cart, and we took the 2 posts down to the spot - then went to the Brierley hill road cutting some time with Pickels - the 5 men were old Waddington, Joseph Hirst and Jerry Scholefield of Southowram -  P- [Pickels] had seen them and gone to them and finding what they were about said 'they would catch it if I happened to see them' -

Home by the Conery at 6 3/4 - dinner at 7 in 1/2 hour - then in an hour wrote and sent 3 pp. [pages] and ends to 'Mrs. Lawton (of Lawton hall) Leamington, Warwickshire' - chit chat - thought she had done right to engage her new housekeeper from Lady Dormer  even tho' a [Roman?] [cast?ls] - if really likely to part with both her housemaids hoped she would remember my protigé Martha Booth - could not say she knew much at present - but she would be teachable, steady, and obliged and I did not think Watson would have to tell her anything twice - only 18 but steady as if 28 - would be thankful to be put in any capacity - might soon make a trustworthy, valuable servant - I would willingly pay her expense to Leamington - glad of me in having a horse - begged her to take care of herself and let me see her looking her best and hoped she would be at home when I was ready to pass that way - never to have any more uneasiness about me - had not for years been so calmly and steadily happy - hoped and trusted I should never again be so ungrateful to heaven as to breath of discontent - longed for M- [Mariana] to see how much I was improved - more and more aware of my own powers and resources and thankful to that reeling power that gave us all more good things than we deserved - She M- [Mariana] saw the last of the old [leaven] when last here - from that time I had set myself seriously to the  work of consideration and had improved ever since - never to think of me but in comfort - 'God bless you, Mary! I am always anxious about you, and always very entirely and especially yours AL- [Anne Lister]'

Wrote the last 41 lines and went into the other room at 9 1/2 - skimmed over the courier and came upstairs at 10 25/.. at which hour Fahrenheit 45º - finish cold day - occasional Night flying snow showers particularly since about 10 a.m.

[In Margin] Letter tonight from Miss Bolland - being a receipt for the 3 months interest (£12.10.0) sum to herself and sister which she would be obliged to me to pay to her (Miss Bolland) -

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1833 Weds. 20 March

6 20/.. 11 + Vc U fine morning Fahrenheit 48º at 6 20/.. and 35º at 7 outside my window the sun shining a little - near an hour in the library - breakfast with my father at 8 40/60 - in 1/2 hour - off to H-x [Halifax] at 9 1/2 and back at 11 10/.. having been down the o.b. [old bank] to the bank - not open only open from 10 to 4 - went to Whitleys for 1/4 hour - bought Sir Richard Phillips's million of facts - then to the bank - got £50 - Mr. Rawson there - only just spoke - looked very glum - did not come as usual to do the business for me - then to Mr. Parker's - brought back the rough draft of the coal lease - paid him £25 for Miss Bolland and Mr. Nettlewood - thinks I have no plan but bringing an action against Miss Walterclough about the water level gained - said I might have the money for Godley of a Mr. Wainhouse but would I deposit deeds - no! none but those of Godley if I made the purchase - then I should give 4 1/4 p.c. [percent] - said I would think about it - thought my bond enough -

With my aunt when Mr. and Mrs. William Priestley called for 1/4 hour or 20 minutes - I very civil - nobody would have thought any thing amiss between Mrs. P- [Priestley] and me - staid talking - off to Cliff hill by my walk and there at 1 1/4 for above an hour - called at Lower brea in returning to take shelter against a shower - tell George - to come settle about the mill - what interest to pay on the money laid out above £200 - then to Charles Howarths junior - from what he said think of trying boring for water just above Lower brea house - the water there as on this side the hill will come off the 36 yards band, and cannot be cankery -

Then to the Conery - 3/4 hour at Matty Pollard's to say that Wilson would have Godley cottage as soon as he could get a house perhaps in 2 or 3 weeks - then across the Bairstow to Pickels and his 3 men cutting the new road there - had got thro' Bottomley's field into the far Bairstow, and soil from the field to the top of the old Godley road would be worth 6d. a share cart load carting - P- [Pickels] would do it all for £6 - then to Jno. [John] Bottomleys - looking about there - told Pickels to give me a written estimate of what he would do the walling up for now since Hinscliff and Walsh's coal pit was filled up - and an estimate also of building a shed - then to the Godley turnpike to look after my new approach road walling up - only Nathaniel there - home by the top of the wood - John had done all the hedge dressing but about 60 yards - home at 6 3/4 - dinner at 7 -

Mr. Brierley R.N. [Royal Navy] with my father and Marian so found my aunt in the drawing room who staid till 8 20/.. - then an hour's nap on the sofa - then wrote all the above of today but the 1st 2 lines and went to my aunt at 9 50/.. the rest just gone to bed - Letter 3 pp. [pages] and ends from M- [Mariana] Leamington Mrs. Chaloner after a fortnights visit had left M- [Mariana] happy to self and liberty - nothing particular - had dined at Dr. Jephson's and met the Eastnors etc. Lady E- [Eastnor] asked after me - the Sympsons that used to live in York at Leamington meaning to settle there if liking it - M- [Mariana] going to part with her 2 housemaids - shall ask her to try Martha? no time to read the newspaper - came to my room at 10 5/.. at which hour Fahrenheit 46º - fine morning and day till between 2 and 3 - then a shower of rain and afterwards a little small snow and rain again flying about but not much -

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1833 Tues. 19 March

7 50/.. 11 35/..

L LL L

fine morning Fahrenheit 45º at 7 50/.. and 45 at 8 1/4 in the case by mistake outside my window and 55º without case (red leather) at 8 3/4 the sun out - breakfast at 9 - did not come upstairs again till near 11 - then with the glazier puttying up the library window and taking out a light from the hall chamber window - then above an hour over the maps and plans of Scrope's geology of central France and reading the preface of the text - a minute or 2 with my aunt and from 12 50/.. to 6 1/2 wrote 1 p. page to Mrs. Tiler [Tyler] a melancholy surprise to me, and sincerely lamenting Mme. Galvani's serious illness - begged Mrs. Tiler [Tyler] to add my name to her list of 16 subscribers of £5 a year each, to date from 1st January last, for Mme. Galvani - said I sent my letter by the post as being the quickest and surest conveyance -

Then wrote 2 half sheets full to Lady Stuart de R- [Rothesay] and then to Hammersleys begged them to instruct Messrs. Laffitte to pay £5 on demand to Mrs. Tiler [Tyler] of Avenue de Paris no. 11 at Versailles, and then wrote to Mr. L- Maclean apologizing for having inadvertently not acknowledged more immediately the receipt of the willow plants on Friday and thanking him for his promptitude in forwarded them -

Kept copies of all these letters that to Lady S de R [Stuart de Rothesay] easy and well enough written satisfied me - thanks to Lady S- [Stuart] for her note and for her letter of 4 December last -

'the news of this most agreeable long letter, is, of course, out of date - but that part, half promising me a visit one of these days, will surely stand over in full force, till I can offer you a comfortable snuggery where you may rest awhile from all the turmoils of the world - How delighted I should be!' -

Had before said I sometimes wished myself and my aunt in Paris again 'for Shibden is not the most comfortable of sojourns, as it is at present' - glad of her account of Lady Stuart -

'I had a little plan sometime ago, of trying to arrange matters comfortably for a tolerably long visit, finding that I should be obliged to remain in England till May but my aunt anxious to keep me here, or near here, that I had said nothing about it, and should be merely backwards and forwards 40 or 50 miles off for the present - .... since being obliged to give up my Italian tour for the present, I have been doubting between per steam to the northern capitols, and a nice quiet ramble in Auvergne - at this moment, the latter scheme is the favorite - I can wander about examining the mountains, and enjoy myself during the hot months' -

Surely I shall be in London before the month of May be gone by -

'my love to the dear girls, and believe me, dear Lady Stuart, very truly yours A. Lister' -

At 6 3/4 sent off my letter to the Lady Stuart de Rothesay' under cover to 'Lord Stuart de Rothesay, 3 Saint James's Square, London' and to 'Madame Madame Tiler, Avenue de Paris no. 11, à Versailles, France' and to 'Messrs. Hammersleys and co. Bankers, London' and to 'Mr. [L.] Maclean, 23 Argyle Street, Glasgow N. B. [North Britain]' - dinner at 6 3/4 - in the little room from 7 35/.. to 8 1/2 - then came to my room, wrote the above of today - then read the courier, and cut open the 2 volumes of Debrett's peerage till 11 - tolerably fine day - some flying showers in the afternoon - Fahrenheit 55º now at 11 p.m.

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1833 Mon. 18 March

7 55/.. 12 50/.. + N rainy morning - Fahrenheit 45º at 8 and 37 1/2º at 9 outside my window - breakfast at 9 in 1/2 hour - and from then to 6 3/4 (dinner from 6 3/4 in 1/2 hour) and afterwards from 7 1/4 to 11 3/4 dusting and arranging books and looking over pamphlets in the great box in the hall chamber - went down for a minutes to John to see him unpack the willows that came on Friday afternoon from Collhouse but left him to plant by himself - beautifully packed in moss and some kind of large rooted sort of water-side plant - Booth sent up Debrett's peerage and the maps and plates of Scrope’s geology of central France this morning - damp wettish evening - but tho' damp fair after 12 - Fahrenheit 44 1/2 now at 11 50/.. - note from the secretaries of the philosophical society to say only 3 shares of £20 subscribed for, so the plan proposed cannot take effect - a new subscription list to be opened for 12 shares of £100 each and the society to pay £60 a year rent for 21 years for the new room - i.e. 5 p.c. [percent] for the monthly for 21 years -

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1833 Sun. 17 March

8 25/.. 1 x L L N

soft rainy morning Fahrenheit 45º at 8 1/2 and 37 1/2º at 9 1/2 outside my window incurred a cross just before getting up thinking of Miss W and of π [Mariana] but at the very moment of π [Mariana] - breakfast in the drawing room at 9 3/4 in 3/4 hour my aunt and I read Prayers at 11 55/.. in 40 minutes and Marian one of Paley's short sermons (on the danger of neglecting warnings) in 14 minutes then staid talking and came to my room at 1 1/2 - above an hour before prayers and all the while after from 1 1/2 to 10 10/.. (except dinner at 6 1/2 in 1/2 hour) dusting and arranging books in the library passage - just went downstairs for a moment but everybody gone to bed -

Letter before dinner from Saint Albans, pranked by Lord Stuart, but put it into my pocket and forgot it till after John was gone - have just read it (at 11 25/..) - 2pp. [pages] of 1/2 sheet [kerned] from Lady Stuart de Rothesay Tittenhanger [Tyttenhanger] (Lord Verulam's) enclosing a letter from Mrs. Tyler (Paris) to herself Lady S. de R- [Stuart de Rothesay] and one 3pp. [pages] whole sheet to me respecting poor Mme. Galvani who had had a brain-fever causing alienation of mind for some time so that she was obliged to go to a maison de Santé much recovered but still not able to teach, nor will she be for some months if at all -

Mrs. Tyler wrote to me last October but the gentleman could not find out my address - 6 months ago Mrs. Tyler brought her project to bear, and got a dozen £5 a year subscribers for the support of Mme. G- [Galvani] and wrote to me to remind me of my promise made in Paris to subscribe - off course I shall write tomorrow and desire the money to be paid at Laffitte's - Lady S- de R- [Stuart de Rothesay] says Vere is to be home in the spring -

'Lady Stuart 'is better than she thinks herself, from being kept a close prisoner except of a morning - I wish you would come and visit her - Lady Gordon is coming to town, to her own house - in the autumn she goes to Rome - my girls beg to be remembered to you and I remain most truly yours' 

Sent note this evening to 'Mr. Booth Bookseller etc. H-x [Halifax]' ordering Debrett's peerage of this year and Volume 3 Niebuhr's history of Rome just published and use's new system of geology and 'A Digest of the evidence taken before the Bank Charter Committee of 1832' published by Ridgeway - Rainy day and windy - wet and windy evening and night - Fahreheit 45º now at 10 50/.. p.m. - went back to the library passage and dusting and arranging books again till 12 1/2 - winterly night - wind high - rain or hailing beating against the window now at 12 1/2 p.m. -

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1833 Sat. 16 March

7

12

fine frosty morning but snow nearly gone - Fahrenheit 44º at 7 and 35º at 8 5/.. outside my window - breakfast with my father at 8 10/.. in 1/2 hour - from then to 11 1/2 in the hall chamber looking over and dusting old gentlemens magazines etc. - then Marian mending bottom of my petticoat while I had it on paid Charles H- [Howarth] 15.5.3 1/2 for wood, oak and deal, all for the library and library passage and armory in my blue room closet exclude £5.18.1 1/2 for store deals, so that altogether this job will cost me above £50 -

Then dawdling about after Charles H- [Howarth] and again out at 1 3/4 with John from then to near 6 planting out spruse firs as a hedge for the oaks (acorns set) top corner of wheat field, and a few medium silver firs far corner of Hall wood - and near corner of paddock and 1 spruce and 1 silver in the garden, and then took up out of the garden and planted top corner coal pit field 12 beeches and settled with Pickels for road in Trough Bolland wood and conery wood doing and acorn planting etc. - Charles H- [Howarth] almost done [impede] work today - dinner at 6 3/4 in 3/4 hour - then till 10 3/4 siding books in the library passage and dusting -

[In Margin] cold rain drizzling day - rather better from about 4 p.m. Fahrenheit 44º now at 11p.m.

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1833 Fri. 15 March

7 11 1/2 L p p more snow in the night - small snow flying about this morning and ground quite white - Fahrenheit 44º at 7 just before lighting my fire and 32º at 8 outside my window - corrected my letter to miss W  leaving out the sentence vide last 3 or 4 lines of yesterday and from near nine in an hour and ten minutes wrote and sent off a letter quite satisfying me  kind but perfectly judicious and proper and she may do what she likes with it at 10 sent off my letter 3pp. [pages] and ends and under the seal to 'Miss Walker at Captain Sutherland's of Udale, Udale, Fortrose, Ross-shire, N.B. North Britain'

Breakfast at 10 in the little room with my father and Marian - staid an hour - then saw my aunt for a few minutes - then shewing Marian the library etc. and at 11 1/2  began dusting and sweeping the library and library passage - had John up at 12 and he and I (with the interruption of about 3/4 hour at one for his dinner) from then to 8 1/2 siding and thoroughly sweeping and dusting the hall chamber closet and the hall chamber - both of us black as chimney sweepers - sent down the rubbish to be burnt, and marvelously will put in order all the wood boxes, hampers, etc.) that could be useful -

Washed in 4 waters and dressed and dinner at 8 3/4 in about 1/2 hour then went into the little room - came upstairs at 10 20/.. - the box of willow cutting from Miss Maclean (Collhouse) arrived this afternoon and also a parcel from Mr. Parker but had not time to open either - finish winter's day - John brought hollies and firs from Throp's this morning - had not time to plant them - Fahrenheit 44º now 10 25/.. - put off my new long flannel waistcoat this morning feeling the heat about my loins even at this season disagreeable and fancying it bad for digestion  at least my bowels have been rather less well by I have been more costive of late -

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1833 Thurs. 14 March

6 3/4 11 3/4 L ground covered with snow - as deep as any time this winter perhaps 2 or 3 inches or not so much - fair and finish at 6 3/4 and Fahrenheit 45 1/2º just before lighting my fire and 30 1/2º at 7 5/.. outside my window - breakfast with my father at 8 1/4  in 1/2 hour then in the library putting the books there out of my own room - Charles H- [Howarth] came about 10 - then with him and backwards and forwards sauntering out old chairs in the hall chamber  2 to be done up for my little antiroom and ordered about the old library table being altered and done up for the library and the folding leaf at the end put up in the antiroom and King James's chair done then for the library - the Table to cost about 30/. doing -

Dawdling in and out the library till 2 - very kind letter 3pp. [pages] and the ends this morning from Mrs. Norcliffe (Langton) - pretty well - knows not when IN- [Isabella Norcliffe] will be back from Croft - Mrs. Best seriously ill - Norcliffe expected the end of April from Rome, Naples, Palermo, Aetna (road destroyed could not go up to the top of the mountain and both houses of refuge buried in the snow), - Malta and Gibraltar - Mrs. Duffin an invalid - Mrs. Belcombe (senior) better - Burnett does not know of any place likely to suit Martha but will think of her - delighted with McGregor's North America at least our possessions there - if England not fit to live in (in consequence of the reformed house of commons) and but for the sea, would go to H-x [Halifax] in Nova Scotia, or Prince Edwards island - 'write to me soon, but come when you will be welcome' -

Off to Cliff hill at 2 40/.. along my walk and by the Lower brea road and there in 35 minutes - sat 1 1/4 hour with Miss W- [Walker] she wrote to her niece Miss W- [Walker] yesterday in answer to her letter of the 2nd instant received on Saturday night - Miss W- [Walker] was to go to her sister as last Monday week - their joint tenant of Hill Top hanged himself (William Hutchinson cardmaker) this morning at the Wellington Arms Brighouse where he had been since Monday - had married a 2nd time was parted from his wife, and could not get over it -

Returned by the Godley road Nathaniel and Dick at the drain across the road to take the water thro' the wood - then to Pickels and his 2 men forming the road along Brierly hill and the Bairstow - sauntered along the top of Trough of Bolland wood - John had done 30 yards of hedge dressing there this afternoon - home at 6 1/4 - dinner at 6 3/4 - afterwards dawdling in the library till 8  -

Then wrote 3pp. [pages] and ends to Miss Walker and went into the other room at 9 55/.. and came to my room at 10 55/.. - read my letter to my aunt except a line or two she could not find out I had omitted 'yet feeling may be quick without being transient and that which has lasted a dozen years is neither the empty bubble of a moment nor the vain imagination of an idle dream' cold winterly day but finish overhead tho' threatening a downfall of more snow once or twice in the afternoon - Fahrenheit 44º now at 11 p.m. -

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1833 Weds. 13 March

5 55/.. 11 1/2 fine frosty morning Fahrenheit 45º at 5 55/.. just before lighting my fire and 29 3/4º at 7 1/4 outside my window the sun just glancing on the glass - from 7 1/4 to 8 35/.. at cash book accounts - Charles and James H- [Howarth] came at 8 - breakfast at 8 40/.. - latterly with Marian - had Pickels about the road along willy hill and Bairstow brow (began this morning by Pickels and 2 men) to know where he should cart the soil to - went out with him at 9 40/.. - told them to put the soil just at the foot of Bairstow near the watering ponds - some time there - back soon after 11 -

Then a little with my aunt then with Charles H- [Howarth] in the library passage - the glazier came to do the library window - glazed up the little opening door-window my father had made years ago, and took out a light more opposite to the door into the room - with Charles H- [Howarth] till out at 1 1/2 with John - planted the 10 double flowering whins and 4 brooms from Tates yesterday in my walk, and the 25 oaks in Trough of Bolland wood just above the new road there, and planted at the top corner of coal pit field Ledgewise round the beeches planted then on Saturday 10 spruce first and ten silver ditto - came in at 5 1/2 - Had Washington - gave him a list of arrears of pew-rents to get in - told him to see if Walterclough mill was going, and if it was to call on Miss Walker of Walterclough and give her notice I should stop the wheel if she did not agree with me about the water -

A large deal box in the hall - happening to say to Marian as she passed there was a large box from Scotland (thinking it must be willows from Coll house!!!) Washington asked if I had heard from Miss W- [Walker] as the box was from her - said no! I expected nothing from her - had heard nothing of it - expected a box from another friend in the Highlands - W- [Washington] surprised but persisted in it, it was the box sent to him with orders for him to send here, in his cart - he gone, had Charles H- [Howarth] to open the box - it contained a round rosewood table, Table part a prettily arranged collection of the Scotch marbles a note appended - had opened and read it before I saw that it was addressed to my aunt dated Edinburgh February 25th 1833

'Miss Walker hopes Mrs. Lister will do her the favor to accept the small table which she trusts may prove a useful appendage to her work - Miss Walker begs to present her very kind regards to all the family at Shibden hall'

- Had the Table in to the little room for my aunt to look at telling her of the note but did not give it her or read it aloud - dressed - dinner at 7 10/.. - wrote all but the above first line of today - musing a little over the table and from 8 1/2 wrote 1 1/2 page to Miss W- [Walker] In an hour then went into the other room at 9 35/.. skimmed over the courier and came upstairs at 10 35/..

read and gave my aunt Miss Ws note my aunt thinks Miss W means not to let me escape her  this I owned would be the natural interpretation of the table if sent by a person knowing the world  but from Miss W I know not what to make of it  she may mean it as a sort of acknowledgement of all my attention and kindness

Fine morning and day till after 2 - then threatening snow and soon afterwards sleety snowy afternoon and evening Fahrenheit 46 1/2º now at 10 40/.. p.m. -

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1833 Tues. 12 March

6 1/2 11 3/4 U L L hazy but fine frosty morning Fahrenheit 47º at 6 1/2 and 32 1/2º at 7 1/2 outside my window - ready in an hour - till 8 ¾ - making extracts from Ure's Geology - between 8 and 9 threatening to snow every now and then - and bits of snow-showers - had Pickels about the drain across Godley road - the rag covers would be 5d. a yard - breakfast with my father at 8 3/4 and latterly with Marian - a few minutes with my aunt - with Charles and James Howarth in the library passage closing up Wilson's lining behind the shelves - had shrunk in 1 1/2 inches -

Came to my room about 11 1/2  and happening to take up in the library volume 1. Moore's journal of a residence in France (published London 1794) read the first 194 pp. [pages] giving an interesting account of the scenes of 10 August 1792 in Paris - then with Charles H- [Howarth] and from 2 to 4 50/.. at my cash book accounts - out at 5 - across the wood to the Godley turnpike - Nathaniel and Dick making the great drain across the road - had pulled up the bit done yesterday - making it larger measured it to 20 inches square then had them take up the causeway of the road and shew me the drain made all the way under it by the commons - measured this last and and found it 2 feet deep by 15 inches broad it's between 4 foot below the causeway and satisfied 24 x 15 = 360 and 20 x 20 = 400 so that my drain will carry off 40 inches more water than the commons drain and any drain dividing into 2 foot-square-drains at the entrance into my new approach road thro' the wood I cannot surely have made too small provision for carrying off all the water that may come -

Then walked along the Lower brea road to Hipperholme Turnpike and back to the far end of my walk, and so home at 6 3/4 - dinner at 7 - afterwards a little nap - and then making extracts from Ure's geology and wrote the last 12 lines and went into the other room at 9 50/.. the plasterer here today underdrawing the hall stairs - Charles and James H- [Howarth] finished tightened up Wilsons deal lining behind the book shelves and put up and lined shelf above his shelves and finished about the doorway from library passage into library -

Civil Letter from Quillacq Calais to say that his commissioner had

'gardé la reconnaissance relative à votre coupé ainsi qu'un passavant à L'embarquement de cette voiture -  vous pourrez, madame, vien en France sans être obligée de payer de nouveaux droits d'entrée - le passavant a été delivré le 26 Mai 1831 - il est encore bon pour quelque temps - Le chef de la douane m'a assuré qui vous n'auriez rien à payer en arrivant en France - devoire à vos ordres, je vous presente, madame mes salutations, respectueuses A Quillacq' -

Civil Letter also from L. Maclean, Glasgow, to say he had shipped on the 9th instant - per Clyde Stram to the care of Messrs. McIver and company Liverpool a basket of willows from Miss MacLean of Coll - sorry the basket sent before never reached either him or me - vide lines 1 and 2 of today for the weather - finish day from about 10 or 11 a.m. - came to my room at 10 3/4 at which hour Fahrenheit 45 1/2º - no fire today -

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1833 Mon. 11 March

6 55/.. 11 20/.. X + fine frosty morning snow gone but ground white with frost - Fahrenheit 45 1/2º at 7 fire just lighted and 37º at 8 outside my window the sun out, and catching the bulb - incurred a cross just before getting up thinking of π [Mariana] and before that speculating on Miss Walker coming to me or not -

Charles and James Howarth came at 8 - the old bookshelves in the library passage having too few grooves for the shelves to slide in, the no. of grooves was with much trouble doubled - moving books from 1 shelf to another till breakfast at 10 in 3/4 hour - then again moving books - the plaster came to fill up breaks in the library and blue room and hall closet - with him and in the library moving and dusting books all the day - went out at 5 - to the conery wood - 2 men [James?] [?] the trenches as before - said they would do no more after tonight - to speak to Pickels not with the 2 men (Nathaniel and Dick) making drain across the Godley road to take the water along my new road in Trough of Bolland wood. the drain not half large enough - told them to pull up the few yards they had done, and make it twice as large or more i.e. 2 feet 6 inches by 2 feet 1 inch at least - sauntered across the fields to my walk - took 2 or 3 turns there and came in at 6 50/.. -

Dinner at 7 - afterwards near an hour in the library skimming a little anonymous 12mo [duodecimo] on education - on the subject of costiveness observed that too soft a bed is weakening and that the too great heat of it about the loins produces stone - wrote the above of today and from 8 1/2 to 9 20/.. making extracts from Ure's Geology - then went into the other room - fine morning - snowing between 1 and 2, but cleared off and fine afternoon and evening - came upstairs at 10 1/4 - Fahrenheit 47º at 10 1/2 p.m.

[wrotetheaboveoftoday]

1833 Sun. 10 March

8 5/.. 12 5/.. + + L very fine morning out by 9 snow showers but not enough to keep my father from church - the ground white with snow not very deep - scarcely a covering - Fahrenheit 46º at 8 10/.. and 41º at 8 55/.. outside my window - breakfast with Marian at 9 - upstairs at 10 - an hour in the library - then making extracts from Ure's geology - from 12 in about 50 minutes read the prayers and sermon 34 Mr Knight - came upstairs at 1 20/.. cut my nails and from 1 40/.. to 6 at my cash book accounts had brought them down (written them out) to 17 November - dinner at 6 5/.. -

20 minutes in the library reading - an old 12mo [duodecimo] anonymous work (Oxford) on a gentleman's education - on foreign travel - starve (i.e. eat less than usual) at the beginning and end of a journey to accustom nature to the sudden change and keep off fever - good advice - Demosthenes could not pronounce the R - rolled pebbles under his tongue to get the better of this defect - from 7 3/4 to 9 1/4 writing out copies of letters in business letter book volume 2 -

Letter from Eugénie acknowledging the receipt of my letter of Monday and the £5 bank of England note - ***......

'Je suis sensiblement touchée de culte marque considération de votre part, madame, et je vous prie de vouloir bien agréer mes très sincères remerciemens - Il me tarde d'avoir l'honneur de vous connaître personnellement; et je me flatte pouvoir vous prouver par mon devouement á vous 'bien servir, combien je desire acquérir votre estime - Les frais de ma dépense me viennent ā quinze shellins par semaine  . . . . . .  will be ready at the time I wish - ma 'soeur n'est pas moins sensible que moi de votre aimable procédé, et elle me prie de vous presenter ses très humble, respects - J'ai L'honneur d'être très respectueusement madame estre très devouée, et très obéissante servante Eugénie Pierre' -

Surely she must be a superior sort of person in her station of life! And will she not suit me? I hope so - went into the other room at 9 35/.. - skimmed over the Courier - came to my room at 11 - repeated snow showers in the morning and snowy wet afternoon Fahrenheit 47º now at 11 5/.. p.m. -