Monday, January 1, 1827

1827

January

Monday 1

7

11 1/4

Very fine     Fahrenheit   47               at       8                 a.m.

morning                         48               –                           noon

                                       47               –        6                 p.m.

                                       46               –        10               –

In my room at 8 – From 8 1/4 to 10 1/2 making out last week’s summary, read the whole of this morning’s paper, and making divers calculations –

Found that including journey and all sorts of general expenses, my general day-book averages for the last 24 weeks, since our arrival in France, about 263/. per week – Add about 50/. more for private expenses during this period (627/.25) and additional rent to pay, which will make the whole expense per week about 313/.  No clothes have been bought for my aunt or myself or George, and the carriage not used –

Breakfast at 10 1/2 – Finished dressing – Making memoranda of 2 apartments to look at this morning – Wrote the above of today – Dawdling over 1 thing or other till now, 11 35/60 –

Went out at 12 – 10 minutes talking to my aunt – Went out of doors at 12 10/60 –

To the butcher’s – Thence to the English pastry cook’s, rue St. Honoré No. 355.  Directed to apply there for an apartment of dining room, drawing ditto – 3 bedrooms kitchen, servants’ rooms – Coachhouse for 2 carriages and stabling for 2 horses at 300/. a month – rue Verte No. 45 or 42 – Too distant –

Thence through the gardens to Mr. Barlow, meaning to take her to look at the apartment Place de la Madeleine – Mrs. Barlow out –

Thence to Madame Galvani – Got there about 1.  Staid till 3 50/60 – She doe not like that quarter – Does not like to be near the boulevards – But the apartment must be à bon marché, if sufficiently furnished – Will meet me tomorrow in the gardens at 12 1/4 or 12 1/2 to go and look at the apartment.  Said she told Mrs Barlow everything.  Did not like to have them both with me.  Mrs. B would not like me to consult Madame G and not her.  No, Madame G agreed, that would give her pain, she was so jealous.  She would have it I used to want to corrupt her to say Mrs. B  was both jolie and spirituelle.  I owned she was neither one nor tother.  Madame G  must think my ardour cooled a little.  She promised not to say a word to Mrs. B about knowing anything about the apartment. 

Speaking of not liking English women to marry French men, she said how foolish Miss Middleton was.  I remarked that was a different thing.  She said both parties were deceived. Miss Middleton marrying for a name and he for money – I said not much – But we both seemed sensible that each knew the real story –

This led to the mention of Miss Harvey – She has information and judgment and is excellent, but there is a good judgment that she wants, and she is vieille fille, an old maid –

Miss Myers had called and staid some time – Brought bonbons, and a little bronze grenadier inkstand – Has been abroad since her youth, thinks she speaks French very well – Almost every word incorrect – Has a German accent in French – and a broad Irish accent in English – Observed this and that she was not distinguée –

Thus chatted away the morning – What waste of time.  I will not do so in future.

Called again on Mrs. Barlow – She was just going in a fiacre to the Drozs, to go with them to see the grand couvert at court – Got into the fiacre with her (at 4), drove to the Drozs’ – Set down Jane –

Mrs. Barlow and I went to see the apartment – I thought there was no entresol – I was mistaken – ’Tis in fact on quatrième – too high – Have almost given up the thought – Will be with Mr. B- early in the morning.  Said I could not give my answer till 1 instead of 12 tomorrow –

Went with Mr. Barlow to the Drozs door –

Thence home at 5 – Told my aunt I feared the apartment was too high – But she is for having it never-the-less – 1/2 hour talking to her – Then went to my room.  Dawdling over 1 thing or other till dinner at 6 5/60 – Left the dining room at 7 40/60 –

Afterwards wrote all but the 1st 6 lines of today and settled my accounts – Before going out this morning gave the postman 1/50 and he left, as is customary, a small sheet almanack for the year – Gave George 10/. and the porter’s wife 20/. 1/2 would have been enough for an etrennes, but I gave her the rest in consideration of her evening visits, of which I mean to have no more – I can better employ my time – I have not sent my card to the Drozs or the de Noés – It is customary in France to send this card to everyone you know , on New Year’s day –

Very fine day – Came to my room at 10 5/60 –

WYAS Finding Number SH:7/ML/E/10/0040