William Allingham’s diary, 1876

Spring-like. Walk with Carlyle and Froude, Hyde Park, ' School proposed for Haddington in memory of John Knox.' Lord Amberley's death. (To W. A. ) — ' Emerson has…

To C. 12.30, and stayed three hours, examining with him Goethe's Sprilche, the original, and an English translation by a lady. C. said, ' She has rubbed down all…

We walk to Hyde Park. C. helps a blind beggar-man over a wide crossing. We meet Leighton, old King Cole/ and the Hon. and Rev. Byng. Sit on bench in Park, where a…

Helen, Miss Edith Mar- tineau and I walking along Chelsea Embankment, meet Carlyle with Mary. I ask C.'s leave aside to introduce Miss E. M. to him. ' The sister of…

Rev. James Martineau called on me. Tyndall, Haeckel, and modern materialism in general. We went together to 5 Cheyne Row and were shown into the parlour, where,…

Walk with Carlyle and Froude. I ask C. has he read Mr. Martineau on Tyndall in the Contemporary Review ? ' No, I care nothing about it. It is an utterly…

Walk with Carlyle and Froude, meet Longman and Spedding. We speak of Ruskin's Fors (' my pets,' money accounts, etc.). St. George's Society, which C. thinks an…

At Hyde Park Corner meet Browning. ' How odd ! made sure I had just seen you in another part of town and differently dressed. I don't quite believe in…

Browning paid us a visit 3.15 to 4.30 about. He breakfasts every morning at 8, not later, has luncheon at i. He tells me he has no dreams worth remembering — no…

Carlyle called at my house to-day. f Looking into little Gerald's face he placed his hand lightly on the baby's head, saying solemnly, ' May God bless thee ! ' He…

We came back from Margate on Saturday. I called at Carlyle's on Sunday, and again on Tuesday about three, but he was gone out both times. To-day, about half past…