Wednesday, December 27, 1826

1826

December

Wednesday 27

8 10/60

11 40/60

Fine frostyish morning Fahrenheit   38 1/2         at       9 1/4         a.m.

                                                          42 1/2         –      4                  p.m.

                                                          41 1/2         –        10 1/2        p.m.

In my salon at 9 1/4 – Finished dressing – Ordered breakfast a few minutes earlier than usual and sat down to it at 9 50/60.  Had done at 10 20/60 – Then wrote the last 5 1/2 lines, and went out at 11 10/60– Talked a little to my aunt – She slept very well last night, but her hands and feet much swelled – She can scarce walk – her limbs not quite so well this last day or 2, but she is well of herself – Complains that her head has been very bad lately –

Went to the butcher’s – Observed what a great difference between their weight and mine – Madame Rollaud wisely said nothing, but gave me very good weight this time.  Went to the paper shop opposite – Had not what I wanted – Took the arms to Mellerio – Thence along the rue Neuve St. Augustin Passage Choiseul to No.12 rue Ste. Anne – Looked at work-boxes for my aunt to give McDonald –

Thence to Madame Huchez – Can send gowns quite well to London – Will get there in about a fortnight – Duty 30 per cent.  That and carriage and expense compris from here to London about 35 per cent – A gros de Naples brodé 250/., the broderie very dear – Plain gros de Naples 100 and some francs – The 2 fashionable colours monstre vert (a sort of chrisophraes green) and l’oiseau de paradis ‘jaune très léger, says Madame Galvani, avec un teint rougeâtre’ neither of which colours, she added, will suit your friend – Bronze colour would suit her; and it is très à la mode aussi –

From Madame Huchez, returned to No. 12 and bought the workbox at 11/., for which they had asked me 13/.  But it is à bon marché, and I think they are honest people – They have bonbons, and only asked 6/. for what all the other people asked 8/. a pound.

Got home at 1 40/60 – My aunt well satisfied with the box – Had the meat (leg of mutton) weighed – Paid for 3 14/60 lbs. pounds and it weighed 4 lbs. pounds – The woman was right to say nothing – Many would have made excuses, – Said I was mistaken etc. etc., and lost my custom – Madame Rollaud is no worse than all the rest, and she behaved so properly, I am satisfied –

Expected the papetier rue de la Paix, No. 11 to be very dear, asked for paper at 5 sols the cahier, and got at that price just what I wanted – I shall make this my shop in future – English people – have been there 6 years –

Then, seeing an affiche on the other side after coming out of Mellerio’s, inquired – a premier the size of our apartment, 800/. a month ! –

Went out again at 1 50/60 into the gardens just to take a turn while Madame Galvani came – On turning off the terrasse d’eau, espied Mrs. Barlow and Jane – Joined them – Foolishly took a little turn with them, went to their new porters, and they left me at my own door. Mrs. Barlow said I had Madame Galvani twice a week, and went to see her, Mrs. Barlow, once in ten days. We argued it.  She wished she could be indifferent, could feel like me, etc. etc.  Has been ill this last week, her liver – Thought I to myself, she would distract me with her jealousies.  She would have it she was not jealous, she only loved me too well.  She had seen me on Monday.  Yes, but she was not satisfied with that.  Thought I, I will join you no more.  I will always slink off. I shall learn how to manage better by and by.  She does not go the way to get my society.  I see I shall be tired to death of her before I have done –

Got home at 2 3/4 – Found Madame Galvani ‘ennuyée a crevet crever’ – Promised not to be out when she came this day week, and very sorry at heart I had been goose enough to miss her so long today – She staid till 3 20/60 – I will manage better another time –

In returning from rue Ste. Anne, I had asked the price of a copper kettle in the rue Dauphine – Moderate size 18/. – Too dear, said Madame Galvani – From 12 to 14/.  Ask the weight (the copper should be 2/50 a pound) and then you can judge what to give for the façon – Got one ‘avec un four’ at the bottom, that is, a continuation of the kettle-side below the bottom for it to rest on –

Wrote the last 30 1/2 lines, and had just done them at 4 3/4 – Then washed and changed my linen – At 5 1/4 sat down to write a little to Mariana.  Wrote about 1/4 page 2, very small and close –

Dinner at 6 10/60 – Came into the drawing room at 7 40/60 – From 8 1/2 to 10 25/60, wrote the latter 3/4 page 2 and 5 1/2 lines of page 3 – Went to my room at 10 1/2 –

Very fine day –

WYAS Finding Numbers SH:7/ML/E/10/0036 and SH:7/ML/E/10/0037