Thursday, December 24, 1835

1835

December

Thursday 24

7 3/4

11 55/..

No kiss.

Ready in an hour.  F 29 1/2° at 8 3/4 and very fine, hardfrosty morning – the sun attempting to peep out –

Breakfast at 8 50/.. – Sat reading the article on Osler’s Life of Lord Ermouth in the last Quarterly till 10 1/2 –

Then out till 12 with Robert Mann at little field well finding the by-wash drain –Turned the water out at the day – this the drain that made the leakage in the Lower fish pond below the hollies – Then in the farm yard and about till noon –

Then a little while with Marian while she mended 2 little tears in my pelisse – She said she had just sent home William Green on a litter – He had fallen off the hay in the barn and put his hip out – Poor William! Perhaps this last accident may hasten his end –

While with Marian, Mr. and Mrs. William Priestley sent compliments and inquiries after my aunt – Answered compliments from the family – Much obliged – Mrs. Lister rather better –

Then a few minutes with my aunt – She could not bear to speak nor to hear me longer than 2 or 3 minutes – I see no great amendment nor does she – The fluttering still continues –

Then out again for 10 minutes in the farmyard – and came to my desk at 1 10/.., and wrote the above of today – Sent George off to Halifax to pay bills –

Then wrote the latter 1/4 page 3 and the ends and under the seal, and finished my letter to Mariana –

My not telling her of Eliza Raine’s return to Clifton was through inadvertence ‘It was high time to put her under stronger control – Mr.Duffin has so little memory left, he is hardly responsible – but Mrs. Duffin will do the best she can, to remember the circumstances about the will – But if her memory, too, fails her, it matters not much –

Eliza may see me out; and if not, I shall not trouble myself about her temporalities more than may seem [fitting] and expedient at the time -- . . . . . .

I am sorry your own family could think me capable of such unkindness as you hint at – At any rate, your brother knew better.  But the tribunal of your own heart must acquit me; and I am satisfied –

My aunt is much the same today as yesterday – yet my hopes and fears alternate; and my apprehensions that she cannot continue very long, return upon me –

‘Ever, my dearest Mary, very affectionately and especially yours,

A L –

My aunt desired me not to forget to give her kind love’ –

Had just written the above – Folded my letter and went out again at 2 10/60.  No, went to Mr. Jubb – My aunt not quite so well today – Mr. Jubb thinks her weaker –

Then out again – in the farmyard –

Mr. Bates of Sowerby Bridge came about the water wheel – I had by mistake written three foot drainer – corrected this and said the water would have to be lifted 90 feet – he wished to have Holt to meet on the ground the engineer he (Bates) would send – I begged he would do whatever he thought would help him best – He will let me have his specification and estimate next Monday week –

Then again in the farmyard till 3 50/.., when set off to meet Ann on her return from the 2 Sunday schools from giving away buns and clothing – Met her above Lidgate at 4 20/.. –

Home at 5 10/.. – I staid out about and walking on the terrace till 6 – Dressed – Dinner at 6 20/.. – Coffee – Some time with my father and Marian – Read the paper 1 10/.. hour with my aunt till 10 25/.. –  Rather better tonight –

Fine, hardfrosty day.  F 27° now at 10 40/.. p.m. –

 

WYAS Finding Numbers SH:7/ML/E/18/0149 and SH:7/ML/E/18/0150