William Allingham’s diary, 1886

Gladstone cooking his Irish Stew.

To London. Japanese Exhibition, etc.

G. and E. to church v/ith Elizabeth. G. said ' I read all the " I beli'^ves " and I didn't believe any of them.' Thev said 'church was nice.' 'Would they like to go…

Diary not touched for more than two months. Mrs. Paterson at Sandhills. Visits of Carrie, of Arthur, of Basil and Clara Martineau.

To Busbridge. Hungarian Band. Mr. Ramsden, Mr. Stone, Mr. Molyneux, etc. To Miss Jekyll's — round her garden (I always like to be with Miss Jekyll). Her studio, and…

Miss having frequently failed to come on the appointed days to teach . the children, we bring the arrangement to an end, and I intend to take up the teaching for…

Mrs. Tom Taylor and Wycliffe come — Saturday to Monday. Gerald and I at station — fine day. Gathering gooseberries, Wycliffe, Henny, and I ; Mrs. T. and H. on seat…

Our Wedding Day — twelve years ago. Bless my dear wife and children.

Lucy Toulmin Smith, meet her at train. Garden — grammar, British Museum, Petrie's music, etc.

Tc Aldworth. Tennyson on lawn with Dr. Grailey Hewitt, who has taken a house down here. Ghosts — T. said, ' My grandfather, one night sit- ing up late reading, at…

Gathering plums and green- gages— warm again. To Godalming with H. and three children, to Wild Beast Show. Camels on grass. Lions, African elephant fanning herself…

To Aid worth. Hallam. Show him letter from Miss Barnes about her father's death. T. tells the story of a Dog, lost in St. Petersburg, finding its way to its master…

To Aldworth. Tennyson spoke gloomily (as usual) about the future of England — war, etc, I said, ' We could escape from nearly all chance of War by a bold and honest…

Thick snow, dazzling. Trees broken, laurels bowed to the ground. Our children shovelling in the garden. Snow man.