Wednesday, February 20, 1833

1833

February

Wednesday 20

7 40/..

1

Rainy morning. F 49° at 7 3/4 in my room and 42° at 8 3/4 outside my window –

Breakfast with my father at 8 3/4 in 1/2 hour – Then had Sowden with a bill for stones for Dumb Mill etc. that should have been settled at the rent day – Asked him to take my note to ‘Mr. Carter, Giles house’ which I came upstairs and wrote while Sowden took his beer and sent by him at 9 50/.. – Explained the whole business to him and read him Mr. Carter’s note and my answer – He thought I had some reason to think myself oddly used – Better never to have mentioned the tree at all –

Out at 10 with Charles and James Howarth in the barn cutting up oak boards to finish the library – then went with John for a couple of young oaks and a sycamore to Trough of Bolland Wood, which he afterwards planted in the Lower Brook Ing and the sycamore in the Upper ditto for single trees – Heavy shower sent us home –

Met Thomas Greenwood coming about the hay at Pickersgill’s – Pickersgill not satisfied with Washington’s valuation – Wanted 6d a square yard more – Said I had in fact nothing to do with it, but advised Greenwood to split the difference or come to terms quietly if he could – To have another valuation and then an umpire between the 2 would only be pother –

Had John Pickels and Dick – Making 2 holes in the wood field just behind the barn for 2 largeish sycamores from Trough of Bolland wood – Sledged them to the place – Pickels had picked all the boles of Earth off – Grieved at this – Hesitated whether to plant the trees or not – Had not got the largest reared when dinner time at 1 25/.. for the men, and soon after heavy rain came till after 3, that John Pickels and Dick came no more –

I had gone down to Wellroyde and Lower brea wood – took shelter in the wood some time – then, when a little fairer, got to the moss house, and near an hour there and still came home in heavy rain at 3 – Some time in the barn with Charles and James Howarth, then came in at 3 20/..and changed my things –

Came down to Marian who mended my pelisse a little till 4 – Then read till dinner at 6 1/4 (some time just before talking to Charles Howarth), and afterwards, having had 40 minutes nap till 9 1/4 [read] from page 234 to 318 end except index of ‘Principles of Geology’ being an attempt to explain the former changes of the Earth’s surface, by reference to causes now in operation. By Charles Lyell, Esquire F.R.S., former secretary to the Geology Society, professor of geology to King’s College, London.  ‘The inhabitants of the globe, like all the other parts of it, are subject to change.  It is not only the individual that perishes, but whole species’.  ‘A change in the animal Kingdom seems to be a part of the Economy of nature, and is visible in instances to which human power cannot have extended.’ Playfair, Illustration of the Huttonian theory, §413 in 3 volumes, Volume 2, 2nd Edition corrected, London, John Murray, Albemarle Street 1832. London printed by William Clower, Stamford Street – octavo volume 1, 1st edition, pages 511, then said to be in 2 volumes, volume 2, 2nd edition, pages 338. London 1833.

Came into the little room at 9 1/4 – Read the Courier and read aloud my anonymous letter signed a Townsman and professing to be my well wisher, from Halifax postpaid, and giving me advice respecting the Northgate property, the writer having heard from Daniel Ramsden that I have thoughts of opening a street from the top of Broad Street to the bottom of the North parade and that he is wishful to exchange with you for his plot in Broad Street.... ‘He wants too much breadth’ – Advises me to ‘offer him the price his has cost him.  He gave 12/. per yard and there is an useful cellar sunk and the interest upon 12/. since the purchase’...... ‘I believe you might obtain 15/. per yard for 20 yards backwoods on each side of the street, sold in lots to suit purchasers, binding them to build upon one uniform plan.  I understand the trustees of the Keighley Road intend to renew their powers by act of parliament in about four years, and have it in contemplation to improve their line for Lee Bridge to Waterhouse Street.  Now it is probable if you make this new street, they may consider there is no necessity for their alteration. I am, madam, your well wisher,’ a Townsman.

Sat up downstairs in the little room (after my aunt went at 10 20/..) till 12 10/.. writing out the journal of yesterday and today –

Rainy morning till about 10, then fair till about 11 – Then fair again from about 11 1/2 to 1 1/2 – Then heavy rain till after 3, and afterwards fair and pretty fine – Went upstairs at 12 10/..

WYAS Finding Number SH:7/ML/E/16/0019