William Allingham’s diary, 1872

Bright, vernal. To C. at 3. We walked to Hyde Park. He spoke about a curious old Scotchwoman Susy, a blacksmith's daughter. She could do quadratic equations in her…

C, dictating to his niece introduction to the Saga — Heimskringla, Norse chiefs.

Warm. Sit in Carlyle's room while he is punctuating the Saga translation. We walk to Hyde Park, dodging the carriages some- times, at risk. (He may catch his death…

Death of Mazzini.

Carlyle's at 3 — friendly. ' Poor Mazzini ! lying dead there — all done, all over. What a bright young man when he came in here in 1836 and sat on that sofa! He got…

to Carlyle at 3 — with him to London Library : Ruskin's books, W. H. Brookfield, Thackeray, etc. etc. ; the idle classes ; few pro- ductive people. I had…

To Cheyne Row — 3. C. in lower room writing behind screen, calls out ' Are you there ,'' ' He has been reading Fifine at the Fair, and saying every now and again to…

Returned from holiday at Lynmouth ; go to Cheyne Row at 3, and find C. — friendly. We walk to Kensington Gardens — sunshiny but cold. Saint Elizabeth, Marbach, etc.…

'Suicide of Justice .' C, as usual, speaks of suicide in a matter-of-tact and rather sympa- thetic tone : ' the Roman death — Venio, Proserpina ! etc' C. looks…

To Carlyle's. We spoke of the ' Immortality Dinner,' otherwise Metaphysical Society. Fraser — paper on the stars. C. — -' It seems the stars are racing along at an…

To C. at 3. Found him dictating to Mary about Schiller ; description of S., — long nose, long neck, awkward. C. said, ' The veritable living Emerson was with me…

Note from Edward Emer- son, ' Father at 1 1 Down St., hoping to see you in the evening.' Walk to Down St. Emerson and his daughter Ellen. He said, ' Carlyle called…

Carlyle's. Drove to Athenasum Club. Natural scenery : ' any part of Nature is wonderful.' His first view of the river Annan, ' running solemnly down with a slight…