Days ― idle days. ― Rose at 7 ― & wrote 2 or 3 letter notes. After breakfast (gas=coffee room!) went to the Rail, & at 10 off to Huyton ― there by 10.20. Ellis Ashtons ― all as kind & good as 28 years ago. I set to work to pen out & drew till Lunch. With Lucy & Mrs. A. ― Afterwards, at 2 ― went with Mrs. A. & Mr. A. in the carriage to ――― to Hugh Hornby’s ― hoping to catch the Cortazzi ― but all were away. Then to Miss [Colquhitt’s], ― one Aunt there: ― a curious elder Liverpool house ― portraits, ― busts &c. ― a Mercury of J. Gibson &c. &c. ― Returned by 5. During the drive Mrs. A. told me many things of Lord Derby. Curious to contemplate. Παράδοξα πράγματα νὰ ἀκουεῖ.1 Dinner very good & pleasant ― not to speak of grouse & champagne. Afterwards I sang. The kindness of the dear good Clergyman ― just 70 now ― is ever the same. ― He would make me take a copy of Leipsius, & a cast of Gibson’s Mercury. ― I must send them some good things of Palestine. ― At 8¾ I left them, & returned to Liverpool by 9.20. ― Found letters from Mrs. Edwards asking me there tomorrow, ― & from Mr. Cracke’s agents ―. 12th package not arrived, & only 7 just ashore. ―

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

  1. “Strange / curious things to hear” (Denise Harvey). []