Friday, August 3, 1821

1821

August

Friday 3

8 1/4

2 1/2

Not thinking of its being Friday and no London post, wrote 3 pages and the ends of a letter to Isabella Norcliffe to thank her for hers received last Friday.

Went out about 2 for 1/2 hour into the town – Went to Smith’s, and bought Stackhouse’s Theophrastus, and Nicholson’s ‘Student’s Instructor in Drawing the 5 Orders of Architecture’ (4th edition bound; published at 10/6) for 15 shillings the 2; the 1st 10 shillings, the 2nd 5  shillings –

Then sauntered a little past Steph’s house towards the canal, and returned for the children to take them to a shop and buy them some gloves.  Near an hour washing Rose’s hands, getting her nails clean, and cutting them in Mrs. Steph’s bedroom, she looking on. Then took the children to Timmis’s and gave each two pair gloves at thirteen pence each –

Felt lonely this morning in my walk and thought I should not be caught here again in a hurry.  I am almost tired of staying here.  Harriet means to be very civil, but she is no companion for me. She is not thoroughly ladylike and I perpetually feel that nothing but my connection with π [Mariana] could have induced me to come here –

Harriet very poorly all the day, and worse towards night on account of not taking her dose of Epsom salts this morning to carry off the Calomel etc.

Steph a good deal better – Much the better for a good dose he took in the course of the morning of Syrup of columba – He is giving M- Jamaica pepper (cubebs) an old medica, much given now, ‘to stop discharges’ – astringent –

He is an advocate in his practice for saline draughts, anything that causes decreased action – a great advocate also for purging as well as bleeding when proper – Calomel not to be played with – When improperly given, much more likely to bring on a liver complaint than cure one – In a case of water on the chest, mentioned giving digitalis – Recommends Hooper’s medical dictionary – Has a high opinion of Dr. John Mason Good, has ordered his system of physic in 4 octavo volumes, and will tell me what he thinks of it, whether or not it will suit me –

π, said I, has the best judgement of all the family, tho Lou the most talent. His father might have judged better once or twice in the asylum business.  Mrs. B [Belcombe] very hot, nearly quarrelled with Anne about Peter Acklom. Once quarrelled with π.  L [Charles Lawton] alluded to it in his memorable letter to me.  π and I had nearly never spoken any more.  It was about L, about her not having him.  I thought she gulled me a little and I now sometimes joked her about it –

Very kind letter this morning from Mrs. Norcliffe (Burlington quay) – Began to think it an age since she heard from me, and wishes me to write soon –

Very kind Letter this evening from Emma Saltmarshe (just arrived at Cheltenham), wishing me to fulfil my 1/2 promise, and go over to them for a short while which, however, I cannot do –

Fine day – Came upstairs at 10, soon on account of Harriet being so poorly – 1/2 hour looking over Theophrastus and the architectural instructor – Then got ready for bed and wrote this journal of today, which took me till after 12 –

In the morning begged of Steph, and thus rescued from the most ignoble of purposes, the number of the Critical Review for July 1774.  After writing this journal of today, went downstairs for Egan’s ‘Life in London’ and before getting into bed read the 2 first numbers –

Feel a queer, hottish itching sensation tonight about the pudendum –

 

WYAS Finding Numbers SH:7/ML/E/5/0048 and SH:7/ML/E/5/0049