Sunday, September 27, 1835

 1835

September

Sunday 27

7

12 1/2

Attempt at a kiss last night, Ann’s manner leading to it, but she called out in the middle of it that she was too weak, and I stopped immediately.

Fine but hazy morning, F 54° at 7 55/.. – Breakfast at 8 – Ann off on her pony at 8 1/2 – I stood talking to Marian 1/2 hour – and then off at 9 –

Walked through the walk – About 1/2 hour at the school – Ann and I walked back and came in at 11 1/4 –

Ann had been uneasy about her deeds – knew not where they were – Mr. Parker had sent word there would be a parcel ready for her at 7 a.m. today, but on George’s going on returning from the school, and getting for answer merely that the parcel might come by Matthew in the afternoon, Ann got impatient and wrote note to ‘Messers Parker and Adam’ saying the servant had orders not to come away without the parcel –

I went in to my aunt to see Mr. Jubb who was with her then at 12 1/2 read the morning prayers shortened to 20 minutes –

George not being returned, drove off to Halifax about 1 3/4 – Met George in the new bank – The parcel contained merely Mr. Parker’s bill joint to Ann and the Sutherlands – Ann more uneasy than ever about the deeds, about which there was no mention in Mr. Parker’s note by George. 

Drove to Mr. Parker’s house – alighted – there perhaps about 1/4 hour or 20 minutes – Mutually Explained – Mr. Parker read the copy of his letter of last night to Messers Gray, saying (sent off before the receipt of Captain Sutherland’s note from here) the Sutherlands went on Tuesday, and supposing that Mr. Watson had taken away the Surrender that should have been signed by Captain Sutherland, and that Mr. Watson must come over again –

Mr. Parker seeing Ann’s apparent mistrust (at first), brought down the bundle of deeds, Captain Sutherland’s and hers, which he said somebody must keep and which he (Mr. Parker) or Messers Gray must get registered – I merely said I saw how the mistake had arisen – Captain Sutherland had thrown all blame on Mr. Watson.  Ann left the deeds with Mr. Parker.  Said the civil thing, and we took our leave –

Drove along the Lower brea road and at Lightcliffe church (in about 25 minutes) at 3 – En passant told the Sunday school girls the class to be confirmed to assemble at the school after Church – the Sutherlands came into church after us – Mr. Wilkinson did all the duty – preached 16 minutes from Ecclesiastes v.4. – The Sutherlands and we very cordial after church – Ann went to the boys’ school, I to the girls, where, having sent the carriage back for her, she took me up after I had examined the girls for an hour –

At Cliff Hill at 5 55/.. for 1/4 hour – Mrs. Ann Walker evidently not in good sorts – the Captain looked grave – Mrs. Sutherland very smiling – Ann’s luggage being taken out of the carriage, I left her, supposing she would have to stay till Friday, and came away –

Home at 6 35/.. – Wrote to Norcliffe – On returning home this morning, found a letter from him dated Langton, Friday 25th September, to say

‘I am sure you will grieve to hear my beloved mother expired this evening at ten minutes past five in Charlotte’s arms, surrounded by all her children and by Rose and Ellen.  She went off as in a sleep and I think did not suffer – I have not time to write more – Poor Isabella and Charlotte are in great affliction –
God bless you –

your affectionate friend,  

N. Norcliffe’ –

Wrote in answer –

‘Shibden Hall, Sunday 27 September 1835.

My dear Norcliffe,

I am indeed grieved and shocked – I had no idea of the melancholy termination being so near  at hand – I was in York on Monday night, and for a few hours on Tuesday, and heard from Mr. Duffin that your mother was better –

I grieve for you and with you very sincerely – I have lost one of my oldest friends and one whose kindness had never varied – we better and better understand the greatness of such a loss in proportion as our own accumulating years remind us that we must by and by slip away ourselves or at shorter and shorter intervals grieve for those friends whom we have known longest and trusted most –

What a loss your mother will be to you all and to everybody around you! I can hardly bring my mind to think of it –

I take it very kind of you to have written so soon, and I thank you with all my heart – I do indeed condole with you all – I am very glad you were all at Langton at the time –

Do give my love to all, and tell Isabella I will write to her tomorrow –

Affectionately and very truly yours,

A Lister’

Sent off my letter to Major Norcliffe, Langton hall, Malton’ –

Dinner at 7 1/2 – had coffee in my father’s sitting room, and stood talking to Marian till 9 35/.. – then with my aunt 1/2 hour till 10 1/4 – Then till 11 40/.. wrote the whole of page 197 and the 1st 15 lines of page 198 –

Very fine day,  F 57° now at 11 3/4 p.m. –

WYAS Finding Numbers SH:7/ML/E/18/0104 and SH:7/ML/E/18/0105