Monday, 31 December 1860

Irritation. Rose at 7.30 ― packed: & at 8½ looked at rooms below ― & fixed to take them ― for [it’s] waste of all real & chance to leave the Masadas & Cedars. At 9.15 to Rail ― cold & foggy: at Foords ― sending down 2 men to move the pictures. Called on […]

Sunday, 30 December 1860

Pouring rain, & hot!!!!!!! τι καιρὸς!1 Rose ― & wrote through the day ― some 15 letters. Callen on Mrs. Davidson ―nice old lady. Just after ――――― dire confusion. The great cistern had burst, & the rooms were being flooded. Had to pack like lightening ― & did so. Dined. Then, perceiving how fearfully damp […]

Saturday, 29 December 1860

Masada 14 day Letters from Ann, W.N. ― & Wyatt ― wrote to all them, & later to Drummond, W. Gush [] C.F. Cold truly horrivle. Ill. Yet I worked on the Masada ― but until 1 or 2 P.M. not at all well. Got Miss Dent to nail list on the doors &c., & […]

Friday, 28 December 1860

Lady Hornby is gone. Most horrible deadly cold ― & deeper snow. Then, at breakfast ― letters from Col. H. & Jamie, that “Aunt Maria” had died on Xmas day! ―― ―― A strange feeling ― & not to be reconciled with reality. ― Dear kind good wise Lady Hornby! ―― There are no words […]

Thursday, 27 December 1860

Masada 13 day Horrible cold ― & deeper snow. Indigestion & deadly cold. I do not think I can bear it after all, but would fain start off south. Scraped the Masada ― & painted the sky: ― then drew myself γυμνὸς1 ― & got more cold of course. Then painted the 2 figures somewhat […]

Wednesday, 26 December 1860

[Perfectly] awful cold. Left after breakfast ― & rail ― (Mr. Robertson in carriage ―) to London by 11. Called at Drummonds & then to Stratford Pl. ― & back to Waterloo by 12.30 ― then ― rail to Weybridge, & at Hotel by 2. Arranged all ― a beautiful letter from W.H.H. ― to […]

Tuesday, 25 December 1860

Rose ― dark & cold ― at 6. Coffee & breakfast: at no house is there better caring for guests. ― Rail at 7.20 to Lewes. Bitter cold ― sunless. ― Most dreary “buco”1 is Lewes! & that black damp cold garden! ―――  At 2 ― to 4 ― Bern & I walked ― & […]

Monday, 24 December 1860

X10? Rose at 8. Very bright, ― cold frost. Walked on Beach=parade. Am to stay over tonight, & to go by early αὒριον1 train. Breakfast. Wrote to Bright, Huish, & Wyatt afterwards. Then called on Mrs. W.Scrivens, ― the elder Mrs. S. ― (84 years old!!) & the Norths. Saw Mr. N. & Marianne. ― […]

Sunday, 23 December 1860

Awful cold but bright & sunshine as on the Nile. Breakfast at 9 pleasant: & after=talk. ― Mónos, talk with Mrs. S. & about the illustrative picture for Mr. W. ―― At 12 (Mrs. W.S. having called,) I walked to V. Crakes, & found his leg was better ― he out. Back at 1 & […]

Saturday, 22 December 1860

Rose very early & packed. ― At 10, Foords’ people came & took away the 5 pictures. Widdrington ― Fortescue, Bright, [&] the 2 Huish’s. At 12 came to London Bridge. Great crowd of people. Mr. Whitman. Slow & cold travelling to Hastings starting at 2 ― arriving at 5.30. Dinner at Scrivens, ― very […]