W. N. P. Barbellion’s diary, 1909

My programme of work is: (1) Continue German. (2) Sectioning embryo of (a) Fowl, (b) Newt. (3) Paper on Arterial System of Newts. (4) Psychology of Newts. (5)…

To C---- Hill. Too much taken with the beauty of the Woods to be able to do any nesting. Here are some of the things I saw: the bark on several of the trees in the…

On Lundy Island Frankie is blowing Seagulls' eggs in the scullery. His father, after a day's work at the farm, is at his supper very hungry, yet immensely…

Our egg-collecting with the Lighthouse Keepers. They walk about the cliffs as surefooted as cats, and feed their dogs on birds' eggs collected in a little bag at…

After a glorious day at the N. end of the Island with the Puffins, was forced to-night to take another walk, as the smell of Albert's tobacco, together with that of…

The governess is an awfully pretty girl. We have been talking together to-day and she asked me if I were a naturalist. I said "Yes." She said, "Well, I found a…

Dr.----, M.A., F.R.S., D.C.L., LL.D., called in the office to-day, and seeing Dad typing, said, "Are you Mr. Barbellion?" Dad replied in the affirmative, whereupon…

Walked to V----. As usual, Nature with clockwork regularity had all her taps turned on--larks singing, cherries ripening, and bees humming. It all bored me a…

A cold note from Dr. ---- saying that he cannot undertake the responsibility of advising me to give up journalism for zoology. A hellish cold in the head. Also a…

A transformation. After a long series of drab experiences in Sheffield, etc., the last being the climax of yesterday, an anti-cyclone arrived this morning and I…

Had an amusing letter from my maiden-aunt F----, who does not like "the agnostic atmosphere" in my Academy article. Poor dear! She is sorry if I really feel like…