Tuesday, January 9, 1827

1827

January

Tuesday 9

8 5/60

11 5/60

Soft, mild morning Fahrenheit 46°    at       8 50/60       a.m.

                                                48               –        12 1/4         p.m.

                                                43               –        10      –

Finished dressing –

Read the whole of this morning’s paper – The Duke of York expired at 9 20/60 on Friday 5 of this month, to the great grief and loss of the royal family, the army, and the nation – Perhaps the army had never had so excellent a Commander in Chief – ’Tis well said of his royal highness ‘he never broke a promise, and never forgot a friend’ – This is just the character I envy – In my small way, I know not that I do not deserve it – But I have many faults to find with myself –

I feel forlorn at present – I have no one with me – no one about me to do anything for me – I cannot endure McDonald – and I perpetually feel that the best of things are nothing worth unless shared by those we love –

I have none to speak to but Mrs. Barlow, and she does not suit me, yet without her I should be desolate indeed.  My best consolation now will be to save my money and have more to spend in better days, and yet shall better come  ‘Man never is but always to be blest’ –

Breakfast at 10 1/2 –

Had just finished writing the above at 11 25/60 when the porter’s wife came – Paid her for the last month – She staid talking till 12 1/4.  Told her I should leave the apartment with regret, however, persuaded that the one I had taken would suit us well – That I should recommend this one to my friends, and hoped she would let it well –

She was afraid I should suspect her of not wishing to let it till after the term of my agreement was ended – Oh! No! Should not suspect her of any such thing – Had beaucoup de respect pour elle – Perhaps I should not quit the house for the last time; for, if in future came to Paris for a few months, I should come and see if this apartment was vacant – Said I should be glad to see her at my new apartment – In fact, I like the woman very well – I have always found her very civil and attentive – I abominate change, and wish the moving was over and that we were well

settled –

Wrote the last 7 lines and had just done them at 12 1/2 – Went out at 1 – A little while talking to my aunt – Went to the butcher’s – Thence to Quai Voltaire –

Found Mr. Barlow in the midst of packing – The carpet taken up – All preparing for removing to her new apartment tomorrow – She was busy for a while at 1st, and I slept over the fire –

Then at 3, they had some cold mutton which I broiled in the fire shovel – Afterwards, sat quietly over the fire till 5 40/60 – Having taken the paper, read aloud to them the death of the Duke of York – The affair of Mr. Willesley’s Mrs. Bligh, summoned before the magistrates by her quondam maid, Mrs. Susannah Scott, for detaining her clothes –

Jane then left us, and we were quietly tête-à-tête for about an hour –

Have not felt well today – Perhaps in consequence of being mistimed these last 2 nights, my bowels were not quite right this morning; and I have been a little out of sorts, – heavy, headachy, my old pain of indigestion or whatnot at the pit of my stomach –

Got home at 6 5/60 – Dinner at 6 20/60 – Afterwards (came into the drawing room at 8), slept till 9 20/60 – Then wrote the last 9 lines –

Fine soft, mild day – Rather frostyish this evening – Went to my room at 9 55/60.

Could not help thinking I was taking my final leave of No. 15 Quai Voltaire – Seeing the apartment so dismantled put me in mind of our going to it – Somehow I felt a little low, as did also Mrs. Barlow –

WYAS Finding Number SH:7/ML/E/10/0043