XX2

Snow on Salvador.

The “bore” increases. ― All day long ― preparations for a gt. dance are going on ― above ― dragging furniture &c., & even the sleeping room above mine is to have the musicians! So I go partially mad. ―― Place 2 more tracings the 9th & 10th on canvass, & work at the Firenze. Aubrey de Vere & his brother Major de Vere come in. ―

Wind changes to south, yet black & cold. I go & draw at the Temple below Ascension ― but it soon gets too cold. ― Walk to One Gun, where I am absorbed by Woolff & a Col. Rose ―& walk home.

Dine. But the Noise upstairs is horrible ――& I really turn over all sorts of ways to go ― or be quiet. I imagine I must sleep out. ― At 8 ― unable to bear more, went out to Boyds, but they were dining out. Returned, & called on Mr. Craven, the 2nd padre, on the 3rd floor ― he having called me today. Found that Mrs. Craven had just been confined. The Paymaster of the 4th was there: ― after sitting till 10 ― came away. The Maud ―or Maudit ball had begun, & sleep belowstairs was out the question ― so I packed a few things in a knapsack ― & taking G. with me to Turlock’s, got a bed there. Pouring rain & south wind at last.

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