Elizabeth Spence Watson's 'Family Chronicles'

'I have been married more than a year, & a very happy year it has been to me, & now I have a little daughter to make my happiness complete.' 1

'We were married on the 9^th day of June in the year 1863 - a very happy day for both of us - My home had been a far happier one than that of many girls. I had kind parents whom I dearly loved, although I am sorry to confess I often acted very ungratefully towards them, & plenty of dear brothers & sisters, & all outward wants supplied, so that most of my troubles were of my own making, & are deeply & heartily regretted now.' 3,5

'Our Wedding Tour was in Switzerland & North Italy, & was the most glorious & the happiest journey I ever made' . . . 5

'We paid very few visits, having made up our minds to decline all invitations except those of our very nearest relations.' 9

'My life at this time was a very idle one - It was hot summer weather, & the temptations to loiter in the garden, & to eat gooseberries with Emily, were too great to be resisted.

'The garden was delightful, & delightful too the long rambles I often took in the country, often with one or other of my sisters, most often quite alone. Through the Ravensworth woods, or by the fields to Lanceley, or down beside the Leams - these were the most frequent walks, & very beautiful one, all of them.' 9,11

'Soon after our return home the meeting of the British Association was held in Newcastle . . . Then my husband was one of the Secretaries in the Geographical Department & I liked to go there, not alone to hear the interesting papers, but also, I must confess, to hear him read in his clear manly voice, & to sit where, among all the crowd, I could still see his dearest face.' 11,13

'Then came a time of trouble & sorrow. The sad death of poor James Hack which happened at South Ashfield was quickly followed by that of my dear Father. He had been out in the cold a few days previously, & had taken a chill which brought on, worse than before, his constant cough, & he became speedily worse &, on the 27^th of November, early in the morning he suddenly sank, & died with little pain, & saved from the bitterness of parting. I had seen him the day before, & had thought him looking very much changed, but had scarcely thought the end was so near.

'George & Emmie & Allie were at Gilsland, where we had hoped that our dear father would be able to join them as soon as his cold had left him - but it was not so to be. My poor brother & sisters were recalled to the house of so much mourning & our dear Father was buried in the Westgate Hill Cemetery on the following 4^th day. It was indeed a great loss to all of us - He had always been to us a truly kind father, & was much beloved by us all. To our dear Mother the loss was the greatest, but she bore up, as she still does, with a brave spirit, for all our sakes, & makes us feel how doubly precious she is. In times of trouble she is always strong, & never gives way to a selfish sorrow. I was taken ill just after my father's death, and was not able to attend his funeral. In about a fortnight, I was well again, & able to go about; the first time after this that I went to South Ashfield it was very sad to miss the dear kind father who had always given us such a loving welcome; only when we remembered the suffering of which he had so much on earth, we could not but rejoice that now he had no pain nor sorrow, & that the things which had so often troubled his sensitive feelings of right could trouble him no longer.

'Our Christmas was a sad one - so many either ill or gone from amongst us. My father-in-law was very much out of health, & he, with several of the rest of the family spent the Christmas week & the early part of the New Year at Matlock.' 19,21,23

'But with the New Year came rather brighter times. The travellers from Matlock returned with health restored, & having had much enjoyment. Nellie & Herbert went back to school, & the days sped quickly away. Then came Anna's illness - haemorrhage from the lungs, followed by long continued weakness. She first went to Sheffield for a change, as soon as ever her strength would allow, 7 afterwards, with Mother & the girls to Heugh Folds, where she gained much benefit. Although still not strong, she is comparatively well again, & able to go on with all her former occupations.

'In April my brother John was married, after a short engagement, to Marianne Thöl. Emmie & Allie & Edward were at the marriage - which took place in London. The newly married pair made a tour in North Italy, & then stayed at Tynemouth until their house in Rye Hill was ready. They are now happily settled there.

'To her dear grandmother, my mother, this child is a great pleasure, & her Aunts make so much of her, that there is some danger of her becoming a spoiled child. 31

'First my poor brother George fell into ill-health, & after trying various remedies, he at last went with D^r White to America for a complete change. Even this did not have the effect we could wish.' 34

'George went to Oxfordshire to work a little at farming there for the winter, & he is now a good deal better.' 34-5

'In April my husband & I were separated for the first time since our marriage. But the cause of separation was a joyful one, & for me, at least, the time was necessarily a very pleasant one. Our dear & long absent Carrie came back to us at Heugh Folds, whither I with little Mabel, had gone to be among those to welcome her. Her long sad illness was over at last, & with health restore, she came back to us once more. It was indeed a time for great joy & deep thankfulness, & a fortnight with dear Mother & Anna & Allie, & our long lost Carrie was a truly happy time. Little Mabel was a great pleasure to all, & Carrie, who had for so long taken such a warm interest in her, was devoted to her. Ever since the day of its birth my little baby seemed to be a source of interest & comfort to Carrie - she knew when it was born, all before she was told, & said afterwards that she saw me lying pale in bed with a little nestling child beside me.

'When afterwards a friend told of Mabel's birth, & gave the wrong day by mistake, Carrie said no it could not be for she had seen me the day before. The beautiful things this kind Aunt made for our pet were without number, & her tasteful hands could make them as few others could. I was delighted with Anna's house, Heugh Folds - so complete in all its arrangements, & so simply & prettily furnished.' 36-8

'I was obliged to return home on the 1^st May, which was a Monday, but Robert came to my great joy on the Thursday so we spent three very happy days together. One day we walked over the Stake Pass, & through Borrowdale - another, with Allie, up Helvellyn, & the third a delightful ride together to Coniston. On Sunday we drove to Hawkshead's quiet little meeting, & in the evening walked with Carrie & Allie up the beautiful valley of Easedale. I must not forget to mention that one afternoon we took tea at Sir John Richardson's at Lancrigg, when Robert had much interesting talk with that fine old Arctic explorer, since our visit taken so suddenly away.

'Well on the Monday my husband & I, (leaving little Mabel with her nursemaid) returned home by way of Carlisle, & paid a pleasant little visit on the way to Grandmama & Anna Mary at Newton House. 38-40

'Two things I forgot to chronicle in their proper places., one was in February the birth of John's little boy Philip - the other Robert's temporary blindness in the early winter. For a fortnight he was unable to go out or do any work, but it was such a pleasure to wait on him & read to him, that, selfishly I fear, I had not enough regret - & he was so good & patient that it was a true pleasure to have him in the house all day.' 40-1

. . .'our last year's trip into Wales . . . It was in September we went away, taking our little three months old Mabel with us. We started on my birthday the 12^th of September, on a fine bright morning, destined alas, to be the last of its kind for two whole weeks. Chester was our first resting place, & Capel Curig the next . . . In spite of the rain & the wind & the cold, we twice ascended Snowdon . . . 41-2

'However our journey was, after all, a very pleasant one, & the last two days, after leaving the mountains, spent at Conway & Carnarvon, were perfect as to weather, & I might almost say the same as to our enjoyment of them.' 43

'This journey to Wales was our one journey of that year, but in the January of this present year when I wished to wean little Mabel, Robert & I went for two days to Richmond in Yorkshire, a very interesting old town & surrounded by a beautiful country.' 45

'Mabel had . . . quite easily got over the trouble of weaning - much more easily than her mother did.' 46

'I must now go on to our journey of this year which was in July, & into Switzerland once more. We were a party of five H.J. Mennell, our former pleasant companion, my two sisters Emmie & Allie & ourselves.' 46

'Robert & H.J. Mennell ascended Mont Blanc - & came down like conquering heroes, so greeted were they by all the village, & such firing of cannon & drinking of champagne as there was. I had longed to go up with them, but the weather was too uncertain, & after the fatigue of the Col du Géant the day before, it would have been unwise.

'We came home the beginning of August, & on the 10^th Emily Watson, my sister in law, was married to Henry Richardson my first cousin. The day went off very satisfactorily - the bride looked lovely, & spoke well, the bridesmaids looked very pretty in their light floating white muslins - the breakfast was excellent, partaken of in a tent in the field, & the afternoon drive to Gibri[...], & evening party very enjoyable. The young couple went off to Derby, thence to Devonshire. They are now settled in their pretty home at Forest Hall near Benton.' 48-9

'We have just been a two days excursion into Teesdale, intending to make it three, but the change came, & we returned yesterday. . . . O^ct 10^th'65' 50

'Then we had a pleasant New Year's gathering at South Ashfield when everyone contributed some poem or charade, some of which were very good. There was only a small but a very pleasant party at Sunderland at Lucy's as she was not very well. About the middle of the month she had another boy - the fifth. One could wish it had been a girl, but both parents are well content. Etty Clapham too has another little boy, making a nice little group of three. 53

'My little chronicle only purports to be a family one, or I might tell of much that has passed in the outside world - most of all of the fall of Slavery, & the end of the four years' strife in America - then of Palmerstone's death, of the new Russell-Gladstone ministry, & many other things . . . Jan. 31^st 1866.' 56

'In the spring of the year I had a severe attack of bronchitis, & when I was sufficiently recovered, I was invited by my sister Anna to spend a few weeks at Heugh Folds taking little Mabel with me. This was in April . . . Still the three weeks I spent there passed pleasantly enough, although I do not like to be away so long from my husband, & find it impossible to have full enjoyment without him. Our little party consisted of Anna & Carrie & Mabel & myself for the first two weeks, when to my great joy, Robert came for a three days visit, bringing Allie with him, who stayed a week, returning with me at the end of that time.' 57-8

'I left Mabel under the ever kind care of her two Aunts, to remain with them while we made our little journey to London. This journey had been long looked forward to, but when it actually came we feared it was to be all a disappointment. R. had not been well, & felt quite unequal to all the fatigue he would have to go through, but as there was business which must be attended to in London, we resolved not to give it up. The change did wonders, he soon grew quite strong again, & we spent one of the pleasantest weeks I ever knew.' 58-9

'We found the Charing Cross Hotel a very comfortable one, but sufficiently expensive.' 60

'After one week's city life, it was very pleasant to return (resting one night at Lancaster) to the quiet & rest of Heugh Folds, & to see our darling child again. One day there was only far too short, but R. could not spare more, so the next day our little family all departed by coach to Keswick, & then on by rail to Carlisle & Newcastle. There is little to tell of the quiet happy months that followed - except our sister Emmie's engagement to Gregory White - a great pleasure to us all. At the end of July my dear husband had a severe cold which left him ending in an attack of pleurisy, which left him very weak, so by the Doctor's orders, we set out for change of air & scene. We left the dear child at Ashfield where she is always happy, & it relieves us from anxiety on her account, & we spent 10 days very pleasantly in Yorkshire. . . . Most of our time we spent in Wensleydale, which we traversed from top to bottom . . .' 60-1

'We both came home much strengthened & refreshed by our little tour, & a week after our return our dear sister Emmie's marriage took place. We had all long known & liked Gregory White, & there seems every prospect of a very happy union. The Wedding Day passed off most satisfactorily - the meeting was a particularly impressive one, & the ceremony very well gone through. Allie Nellie & M.F. White were the three bridesmaids. Very pretty indeed they looked in their graceful white dresses, while the Bride in simple muslin attire looked lovely. The bridegroom's men were D^r Compson, D^r Baker & our cousin Joe Richardson. The breakfast was beautiful & excellent, & the evening pleasantly spent - the bridal pair departing for Edinburgh at half past four. So although we are to lose our dear Emmie who must dwell far away at Woodstock, we rejoice in her happiness, & in the joyful fulfilment of long secretly cherished hopes. They are still away on their wedding tour, & have fallen in with our other sisters who are making a tour in Scotland.' 62-3

'So now we seem settled down quietly for the winter, & if only dear Lucy was well again (she is now ill at Hendon) our family happiness would not have much to mar it. We trust she is recovering, although her progress is slow, & it is a sad thing for her poor husband, & five little boys. . . .Sep. 6^th 1866.' 64-5

'After much suffering & weakness I am strong & well again. On the 24^th of October at about one in the morning my little girl was born. Immediately afterwards I was very ill, & for some hours life & death seemed equal in the balance. I thought I was dying, & it felt very hard to go - to leave those who were so dear to me, & to part with the life which had been such a happy one. I had thought beforehand that I was resigned to whatever God might will, but when the test came it seemed so hard to go. My great fear was lest my little Darling Mabel should forget me - a weak & selfish fear, when I ought to have believed in the promises of God, which & looked beyond the short life here to the joyful reunion in that far better country. Of course I had no fears of this kind concerning my husband who was with me in all this time of trial, but it seemed very terrible to leave one who loved me so dearly, & whom I, in return loved with passionate love & admiration. But God in his great mercy spared my life, & the skill of my kind Doctor caused me speedily to begin to recover. A month of much weakness followed, yet a happy peaceful month, where my thoughts returned again & again to all my many blessings, & to the Infinite mercy which had spared me still for my dear husband & children. For I had now two children, Mabel & the little Ruth. My love for Ruth came gradually - her crying tormented my weak nerves, & it was long before I could believe it possible to love an other child as dearly as the first. But better thoughts came, & when the nurse left, & the helpless little baby became more exclusively my charge, then my love grew & increased until I wondered how it ever could have been otherwise.' 67-70

'Our Christmas would have been a very happy one, if the shadow of poor Lucy's illness had not constantly been there - & now Emily is very ill, so that sorrow is busy making her rounds. In a large family circle there is always some household on which the shadow rests - Illness or death, or trouble of some sort - how seldom are they entirely absent from the family group . . .' 70-1

'Our brother John & his wife have removed from Rye Hill to Wingrove a very pleasant & commodious house on the West Road. . . . Jan. 15^th 1867. 75

'June 30^th To morrow night we start on our Continental journey. We live the dear dear children & our happy home - for what?' 76

'On the 4^th of July we hope to be at Lucerne to meet our dear Mother & sisters & George who have been there some weeks. To London, to Basle viâ Paris, to Lucerne, to Venice, to Verona, to the mountains. . . . June 30^th 1867.' 77

'We travelled straight to Lucerne, only spending one night in London en route. The few days spent at Lucerne with Mother & the rest were most enjoyable - it had been a pleasure long dreamed of, now at last fulfilled. It was with great regret we left beautiful Lucerne, even for scenes at least as fair. Carrie & Allie went on with us to Chur, over the Splügen to Chiavenna, down lake Como (exquisitely beautiful) to Milan, & after a day's rest there, on to Venice.' 78-9

'From Venice, from which Carrie & Allie returned previously, we went to Verona . . . and began our walking . . . Then . . . the journey home . . . We stayed 2 days in Paris to see the Exposition, but after the free, bracing life among the mountains we were soon tired, & came home a day sooner than we had intended.' 79-80

'The dear bairnies have been very well & happy - a fortnight was spent at Newbiggin with kind Aunt Anne & Uncle Robert, & that was a delightful change for them.' 81-2

Jan. 21^st . . . Robert had been much overworked, & was far from well, so as business called him to London about the beginning of last month, he decided to take me with him, that together we might enjoy a little change of scene. After all we did not travel together, for I wished much to see Emmie at Woodstock, & he had no time to spare for that - so I went by day to Woodstock, while he followed by night, direct to London. I had a charming little visit - only one whole day & two nights, but still long enough to let me see Woodstock & the beautiful Blenheim Park . . .' 82-3

'Next morning we went down to Witley, where the whole afternoon was spent in exploring the wonderful treasures of Birket Foster's home - the most perfect house in its way, surely in all England. Everything is unique - bookcases, piano, china, wine glasses, all beautiful, & all quite different from what you see in any other people's houses. For instance the wine glasses & finger glasses, instead of being in sets, are all different. Agreeing only as to size, they are each of some distinct & beautiful design, many of them after the patterns of the old Venetian glass with lovely colour let in in spiral or other forms. But I will not stay to describe this wonderful place, for I could not do it justice if I did.' 85-6

'After all our hospitable entertainment at Witley & all the lovely things to feast the eye & mind were were quite loth to return to the smoky town, but our time pressed, so we left in the morning, & after passing a rather gloomy day in London, while R. was attending to business which prevented our getting to Staines as we had intended, to see the Waltons, we left in the evening for York. We stayed very comfortably at the York Hotel, & the next day (Sunday) after meeting we had Herbert & Gertie & Robin Spence to dinner at the Inn. After a sad, but still encouraging visit to the Retreat where dear Lucy was most affectionate, we took tea at Cousin Henry's, & came home in the evening.' 87-8

'Since all this there have been all the usual family parties &^c of Christmas time. There was a Christmas tree at South Ashfield, a very pretty one, & a great success in every way - the only fault I had to find was that I & mine got far too many presents. Then the Xmas ship at Bensham, also very pretty, & sailing in a sea of pretty things - the sea itself being represented by great tissue paper. 89

'Now my dear Robert is about to set forth for London again, & this time he has to pass very near Woodstock, so he will stop there, & Allie who is going to stay some time with Allie Emmie will be his companion. . . . Jan. 21^st 1868' 91

'We have within the last six weeks got another little nephew & another little niece. My own sister Emily, D^r White's wife, has a son, whom they have called Douglas, & John & Marian have a little daughter, named Ernestine. The two babies were born within a day of each other.

'My other sister (sister in law) Emily lost her little baby, born about a fortnight before these others. It was a very great trial both to her & her husband, for the first little baby had been born dead, & now to lose a second, when all had gone on well apparently, & when the child lived for three days, did seem very hard. But Emily bore it very well & bravely, although for the second time she had to lay aside all the carefully, beautifully prepared baby clothes, which to ever mother's heart, have such an indescribable charm, & with them to bury all the bright hopes so long & fondly cherished.

'In the last few weeks, I have not been very well, having been much troubled with cough & rheumatism.

'Often I have been much discouraged, not about my physical state, but because I seem to make so little real progress in anything that is good, & because I find the "being faithful in little things" so very hard. Ill temper so often given way to & excused to myself under the plea of being tired, or not feeling well - indolence, & neglect of what I choose to call little duties - how often all these sins beset me. And yet if I cannot be faithful in the little how can I be faithful in much? & how unless I myself strive more earnestly can I expect to teach the children to be gentle & patient? But what I want is not to reason or talk about these things - I believe I am conscious of many of my faults, & I doubt if a somewhat morbid self-analysis is likely to do good. . . . April 6^th 1868.' 95-8

' . . .7^th of July . . . The children & I were at Grasmere in April & the beginning of May. They spent a most happy month there three weeks of which I was with them & although the weather was not very favourable, we had great enjoyment - & most of all the last 4 days when Robert came over to see us.' 98-9

'Anna & Carrie were for most of the time we were at Heugh Folds the only members of the South Ashfield family there, but for the last few days Mother came, with Uncle Robert & Aunt Anne. Every one was very kind, & no children could have more devoted Aunts than ours. Little Philip too was there, which was a great additional pleasure for Mabel.

'Now we are talking of going to Norway, a very formidable journey in prospect.' 100

'Soon after we came from Grasmere Robert's brother Joe was married to Lucy Fenwick, after a long six years engagement. The meeting was a very solemn & impressive one with a beautiful sermon from Thos. Hodgkins, & a fervent prayer from Isaac Sharp. After the wedding breakfast at Lucy's brother's J.G. Fenwick's, the newly married went off to Edinburgh, thence to proceed to the Orkneys. They are now settled in their nice little house in Seymour S^t' 101-2

. . . 'We have made a flying visit to Leeds to see the Picture Exhibition there . . . We enjoyed our two days outing extremely, & were only reluctant to leave so many beautiful pictures unseen or unexamined. Allie & Nellie were with us, & when we came home they went on to Ackworth to the General Meeting & to join Mother there.' 104

' . . . Norway now seems so much a thing of the past that it requires only a passing notice, especially as I have jotted down our doings day by day in a little note book I had with me.' 105

'Bergen, where we first arrived . . . Christiania too . . . Gudvangen, Rönnei &Rodsheim were the most delightful places we made any stay in . . .' 106-7

'After our return from Norway we became acquainted with a German gentleman to whom we had been introduced one day at Wingrove before our journey. His name is D^r Merz, & I can only say of him that the more we know him, the more we admire him & value his friendship, & we have had time to get to know him now, for we have scarcely missed a Sunday visit since the middle of last August. He has been at some chemical works here, but we fear much lest he will have to leave & live in Glasgow. He is a great student of philosophy, & we are at present engaged in translating a book that is to be, on philosophical subjects - & in the process of translation I am brought to feel painfully my own ignorance concerning all the great domains of thought. Perhaps if we can ever satisfactory accomplish this task, I shall be somewhat wiser at the end, but I see more clearly than ever how entirely I have neglected in my younger days all really mental training, all habits of thought, & of steady application, without which no one can possibly be said to be well-educated, even leaving out of account actual knowledge & information.

'Robert undertook in the spring of the year to take the English Language & Literature class at the Literary & Philosophical Society. This involved for him a great deal of work, but he has had a class of between 30 & 40 ladies & gentlemen, & has given so far about 18 lectures. There are to be 25 in all - too many for one who has hard mental work all day, & who is not satisfied with any second hand or indifferent work. His lectures have been admirable, all agree . . .' 110-2

'On Christmas day our dear little Ruth took the scarlet fever, then I took it, & Mary (the nurse) & then when we had recovered . . . Robert took it. He had, like the rest of us, a mild attack of scarlet fever, but gastric fever followed, & he was ill a long time. We had 7 weeks of sickness altogether - a long time, during all which we were separated from our dear Mabel, who was sent away at the first outbreak to Ashfield, & has happily escaped the fever altogether. D^r Wilson attended us, & was kind & attentive as ever, & to me it was such a pleasure to nurse my dear, patient husband, to have all day long to read to, & talk to, & do everything for, that I am afraid I was almost selfishly happy, so long as I did not feel any real anxiety about him. Now we are all happily quite well again, & thankful, I trust for the blessing of renewed health.' 112-4

'We have been to Cullercoats for change of air, where dear little Ruth stayed a month, (while R. was ill) - joined, for part of the time, by May, & the last week by us. While there we had frequent visitors, Allie, George, D^r Merz, &^c & much enjoyed the time. Since then Robert & I have been for 4 days to Helmsley in Yorkshire . . .' 114

'Etty Clapham has another little girl, now nearly three weeks old, & Lucy (Joe's wife) also a little girl. My brother & sister at Wingrove also too have an addition this year - in little Maurice. They have now three - so time flies. Anna & Carrie are abroad in Italy whither they went for Anna's health, but it has been very unfortunate year, & they seem to have had colder weather there than we have had here.' 116-7

'In May the children, Mary (the nurse) & I went to spend a short time at Woodstock with our brother & sister there Gregory & Emmie . . . We had for the first few days warm pleasant weather, but just when I left to meet Robert at Kenilworth it had unfortunately changed, & we visited Kenilworth, Warwick, & Stratford in a cold w^h was perfectly wintry . . .' 132

'On his last visit, he had been with Allie in January, & the day was so warm that they sat out of doors as if it had been summer, & there were we in May half perished with the cold. We spent the night at Stratford, & the next day rejoined our children at Woodstock, spent Sunday there, & on Monday again left there & our brother & sister & drove to Oxford to spend a day with Professor Rolleston. We were one whole day & two nights with at his house, & enjoyed our stay very much.' 133

'On the Wednesday morning we left for London, where our sisters Alice & Nellie joined us at the Bedford Hotel & we had a delightful time together, in picture galleries & other delectable places . . . On Tuesday our children joined us, although we had a time of some anxiety first. They arrived safely, with Mary, but a quarter of an hour before the time advertised. We reached the station in good time according to Bradshaw, & waited for train after train in vain. We watched all arrivals, & spent weary anxious hours at that station, but saw nothing of our darlings. At last Robert & Allie went back to the Hotel, leaving Nellie & me to watch. To our great delight in about an hour's time R. & A. drove back bringing the children with them, & then was all the anxiety changed into the greatest jubilation.' 135

'The next morning we took them to the Crystal Palace, w^h they much enjoyed, but soon grew tired of . . . The children & I left in the afternoon for Cambridge, R. could not follow till the morning. Annie Harwood met us at the station with a capital roomy conveyance, & we drove to their pleasant, country home at Shelford . . .' 136-7

'On the following day . . . we . . . returned in safety with our dear children to our own dear home.' 137-8

'Nov. 30^th 1869. . . . The darling bairnies have been well, & the dear Father much better & stronger than he was. We have had a delightful tour in Germany, not alone this time, but a party of five, viz. Allie, Herbert, Annie Harwood, & ourselves . . . We sailed from this place to Hamburgh, leaving our darlings under Carrie's kind care at Ashfield.' 117-8

. . . 'then we went by afternoon train to Lübeck . . . We stayed at Duffche's pleasant hotel . . .' 119

'We reached Berlin in the evening & . . . put up with somewhat inferior accommodation at the Hotel S^t Petersbourgh.' 122

'But I must not attempt to go over every day - & just mentioning Potsdam w^h we saw (& much admired) on Sunday, will pass on to Dresden.' 123

'From Dresden we made a little excursion into Saxon [?Laxen?] Switzerland, with w^h we were much delighted.' 124

. . . 'we passed the night at the little village of Königstein at the comfortable Inn the "blaue Stern" . . .' 125

. . . 'Back to Herrenkretchen & Bodenbach. The next day we went on to Prague . . . thence to Ratisbon where we saw the glorious Danube, then northwards again to Nüremberg . . .' 126

'From Nüremberg we went to Heidelberg, thence to Aberwesel, making a two hours stay at Worms to call on our friend D^r Merz's father & sister, who live there. We had a most pleasant little visit, were received with open simple hospitality & only wished we could have stayed longer to become better acquainted with Herr Merz, & his lovely daughter, with her two sweet little children, Caroline, & Theodore (called after his uncle D^r Merz).' 127-8

'From Aberwesel we went on . . . to Trêves . . . We stayed at the Rother Haus a rambling old place formerly the Senate House. The rest of our journey is soon told. We passed on to Brussels where we stayed one night, & then to Antwerp . . . & then we sailed in the Baron Asg for London.' 129

'We reached home about 1 in the morning (receiving a warm welcome from Mary & Annie) . . .' 130

'Robert is away in London - he has been 12 times since last October, & is quite wearied with so many harrassing journeys. He generally travels at night, & although he sleeps easily, it is a fatiguing process, & he has had far too much of it. Last time, about three weeks ago, I accompanied him, & we had a very pleasant time, notwithstanding that R. was unable to go about with me during the day. But Mother & Carrie were there, having come up from Woodstock (where they had been with my sister Emily after the birth of little Margaret) & I saw pictures &^c with Carrrie . . . Feb 17^th 1870.' 144-5

'Dec. 1^st 1870 . . . In May when all the rest of the South Ashfield family were absent, Allie came to stay with us. D^r Merz was also with us at that time, & we spent a delightful month. The weather was beautiful, & the long bright warm evenings were generally spent out of doors, playing at bowls in the croquet ground, or other pleasant recreation. Delightful talks we had too - & we were all of us sorry when our happy party had to break up. On dear Mabel's birthday, the 23^rd of May, we had a large children's party - & a more successful one could not have been. We all entered into it heart & soul - R. & D^r Merz put up two pretty balloons, w^h were much applauded, & we had games of "blackthorn" "puss in the ring &^c &^c & all thoroughly enjoyed.' 146-7

'In June the bairnies & I went to Grasmere, where we stayed, or rather I stayed, nearly three weeks - the children longer.' 147

'During my absence M^r Cooper & Birket Foster spent a few days with Robert, Allie acting as hostess. They R. & A. enjoyed their visit much.' 147

'I left the children at Heugh Folds with their kind Aunts, & joined Robert in London. We spent one day together there, seeing the pictures &^c then crossed over from Dover to Ostend, Ostend to Cologne, Cologne (by the beautiful Rhine again) to Munich. . . . From Munich we went to Ober Ammergau, & there witnessed the wonderful Passion Play, w^h Robert has described so fully & so admirably in his lecture . . . As I also have partially described it, & given in some detail our adventures all through this tour, in my little journal book, I need not recapitulate them here. . . . Ober Ammergau to Innsprück [sic], Innsbrück to Zell, Krinsul, & other places in the Tyrol . . . to Keiligenblut . . . then prevented by R's being ill for a day or two from following out our plans, back to Innsbrück . . . Thence to Salzburg, a charming place, & the excursion to Berchtesgarden & the Königsee perfect. Here we first heard of the declaration of the war, & most of the English beat a speedy retreat. We however expected letters at Vienna & were not inclined to curtail our journey for imaginary dangers. We took the steamer from Linz to Vienna. . . Not receiving the message we expected from home, we thought there was no alternative but to go to Weimar to see for ourselves whether Nellie would come home with us or not. (She had been some months in Weimar) After some delay we reached Weimar, & here our troubles began. We were a day or two too late, all passenger traffic was giving way to the great military claims - all the trains were to carry soldiers, & our getting home in time for R.'s sister Nellie's wedding, became somewhat doubtful. Our adventures after this were manifold & both amusing & interesting, although the cause of them all was serious enough. As they are all laid down in my journal I will not go over them here. We were much pleased with what we saw of the German people, under the excitement & trouble of preparing for war, & we ourselves, when we might have expected far different treatment, met with uniform attention & politeness. We reached home at last, but not in time for the wedding. All our endeavours failed to bring that about. We were two days too late, & we had to content ourselves with hearing all the panegyrics on the beauty of the bride, the splendour of the breakfast &^c. &^c.. . . . Since Nellie's marriage with John Gurney, they have had a good deal of trouble. First John was ill of gastric fever - then Nellie took it, & they are both so much weakened that all gaieties are to be forsworn for this winter, to Nellie's great disappointment. R.'s sister Gertrude, has also been ill of the same complaint - for 7 weeks - but is nearly well again now.' 148-53

'I had bad cold & headache nearly all the time of the Social Science Congress, so did not attend many of the sittings.' 153

'One of the many entertainments provided for the members was a launch at my brother John's shipyard - a very fine affair & a complete success. Many of the people had never seen a launch before & were much delighted. Robert read a paper in the Educational Section on the "best means of obtaining higher education in boroughs", a paper w^h was highly approved, & w^h we hope will bring forth the long desired fruit - something in the shape of a University for Newcastle.

'Since this my dear husband has been to France to endeavour to alleviate in some degree the sufferings of the poor peasants during & consequent upon this dreadful war. He went out with Thomas Whitwell, an old & tried friend. Their joint expenses were liberally paid by Joseph Pease. They had many troubles & difficulties & ran considerable personal risk, as R's pamphlet "The Villages around Metz" testifies. What I most dreaded was fever or smallpox, both of which are fearfully prevalent in the famine stricken country, but (& I desire humbly to thank God for his great mercy) my dear Robert returned to me safe & well, & very happy in having been made the instrument of much good. He has been at home about a month, but he is still extremely busy with work connected with the War Victims Fund - & just now he is absent, in company with William Jones, another of the Friends' Commissioners, lecturing at Birmingham, Nottingham, & Brighton, in the hope of interesting people in the subject or obtaining a large increase of funds. My poor brother George who had been away for so long returned home about 2 months ago in a sadly invalided state. We much feat he will never be well again, & if is sad indeed to see him in such a weak & helpless state.' 154-6

'July 13^th 1871. . . . My poor brother George died on the 7^th of January, & much as we missed him, we could not but rejoice that his suffering life was ended. He was laid in the Westgate Cemetery beside my dear Father & little Isaac & Maggie.

'In March Robert went off again to France, this time in company with Joseph Crosfield & Ernest Beck, to the neighbourhood of Paris to distribute relief there. He was absent nearly three weeks making arrangements with the maires of the different communes for the distribution of the Funds &^c. Immediately after his return the civil war in Paris broke out, & many of the villages Robert & his friends had provided for, were plundered & destroyed, this time by their own countrymen instead of the foreigners. It was a great comfort that R. was safely home again before the tumults began, for the accounts in the papers were fearful.

'On the 26^th of April our little Evelyn was born. Robert was away in London on important business, w^h was to me a very great trial, for he did not get home until a week afterwards. My kind Doctor also was prevented from attending me through illness, but he made every arrangement for my well-doing, send D^r Gibson in his stead, & I am thankful to say I recovered nicely, & had no drawbacks of any importance. My sister Alice stayed with me, & was my kind & devoted helper all through, while my equally kind sister Carrie took care of the dear bairnies for the next few days.' 157-9

'My dear Mother has had several operations performed on her eyes, & now she can see a good deal with one eye - the other was obliged to be removed. It is a great joy to herself & to us all that she can really see, although she has gone through a great deal of suffering to regain this precious boon. But she is one who bears up bravely in every trial. Joined to a naturally hopeful & cheerful temperament, she has her faith firmly anchored so that storms cannot assail it.

'She & my sisters have been in London to the Yearly Meeting, where Mother much enjoyed meeting & seeing old friends. They have now all returned to Ashfield, w^h is a great pleasure to us, for the house seems strangely deserted when they are away.

'Robert is still very busy with his education work, school board & other. It is a great joy to him that his University scheme has at last been taken up by others, & definitely brought into form, so that it is expected a new college will be opened in Newcastle in October.

'I forgot to mention in connection with my mother & sisters' visit to London that they afterwards went to Bournemouth to see my sister Emmie & her husband, who have removed there from Woodstock. They hope Bournemouth will prove a more remunerative as well as a pleasanter place than Woodstock, & all are so far highly pleased with it. They are at present only in lodgings, but intend to build. We are preparing to enlarge our house, which we find now too small, & especially wanting a nursery.. The ivy w^h we planted 8 years ago, wondering how long it would take to grow, is now up to the roof of the house, &this & the honeysuckle & virginian creeper make our dear little Moss Croft very bonny. It is a sweet & delightful home, & we should never like to leave it - but we cannot help fearing that another 8 years will make vast changes in our neighbourhood. The opening of the Redheugh Bridge (of w^h I hammered in the centre rivet) will bring far more people out in this Direction, & new houses & factories are already fast appearing.' 160-4

'De^c 7^th 1871 . . . now I have to relate the death of Robert's dear Mother - the journey ended, the rest attained. It was on the 15^th of August that she left us - she had been very feeble for many months, but was still well enough to entertain the idea of going to Rothbury, when she became suddenly worse. On Sunday the 13^th we were all alarmed about her, & D^r Embleton was called in. He spoke assuringly but to many of us it was evident she was fast sinking. On Monday morning we were called early, & hastened to her bedside. Soon the whole family was assembled, & all that day, & that night & until ten o'clock on Tuesday morning, we watched around her bed. She was quite unconscious all the time, & we only knew she lived by her regular breathing. At length she was happily released, & so lovely did she look in death, so peaceful & happy that we could indeed believe that Death had for her been robbed of its sting. She was buried in Jesmond Cemetery on the 17^th of August - a large number of friends following her to the grave. Robert's poor father feels his loss acutely - for him the world is changed - but he bears up bravely, & finds some relief in looking over the countless letters w^h bring back all the past. Very soon after this, all the family went to Rothbury where we joined them for a few days, even little Evelyn going too. We enjoyed it much. Robert came up with D^r Merz over the Sunday . . .' 164-6

'Since then we have been quietly settled at home - Robert very busy as usual, & I too in a different way, with my hands quite full. The new college at w^h or rather for which R. worked so hard, was opened in October under the auspices of the Dean of Durham (Dean Sabre). No mention was ever made of all Robert's exertions, which vexed me very much, although it really matters little, & he is far too good to care about it himself.' 167

'Ladies are to be admitted, w^h is a great point gained, but as yet none have availed themselves of the privilege.

'In October my sister Emily's little Mildred was born - at South Ashfield - I was with her at the time, & so take an especial interest in the little babe, who with her mother & Douglas, have now returned to their home at Bournemouth.' 168

'Of course however my time is almost entirely taken up with household work, & I have scarcely any leisure for reading.' 170

'May 14^th 1872. We have just returned from a week's visit to London, & so enjoyable has it been that I feel impelled to make some record of it.' 170

'The very day after this supper, Allie was out riding with Robert, when her horse, a very spirited one ran away with her. She kept her seat grandly, but the horse would not be pulled in, & at the top of Westgate Hill, the corner of Elswick Lane, in nicely trying to turn it round, it came down with a crash. Allie was thrown over it, & received some severe bruises on her face. Robert soon came up in great alarm, & got her conveyed home in a cab. Her face was much hurt, & she had to stay about 10 days in bed, but the wounds healed far more quickly than we had expected, & under our good D^r Wilson's care she soon rallied. My poor mother, in addition to this anxiety, had the trial of Anna's great illness. As soon as Alice was sufficiently recovered, she and Mother went to Bournemouth where Anna & Carrie were, & stayed there some time. Anna slowly recovered, but she is still very weak - she is now at Grasmere with Carrie, & our dear little Ruthie is with them.

'Robert had to go to London on business about a fortnight ago. Allie & I joined him on Saturday the 4^th D^r Merz also came, & we all had very comfortable quarters at our old haunt the Bedford in Covent Garden. Sunday we spent at Birket Foster's at Witley. It was our one really fine day, & we enjoyed it extremely . . . We were most kindly received by all, & in that treasure house of art, let alone outside, it would take long to weary.' 173-5

'One day D^r Merz Robert & I went to Brighton where we spent a very happy day. Mother, who had come up from Newcastle, & Allie, had left that morning for Kreuznach, where they have gone to be with my sister Nellie who has been all the winter at Montauban, but is not I am afraid yet much better. We earnestly hope the baths at Kreuznach may restore her to health.' 177-8

'On Friday night we, i.e. Robert & I returned home, whilst D^r M. went off to Germany to see his father & sister. 179

'My sister Anna, who had been ill for nearly a year, was taken from us on the 5^th of August. My mother & Allie had only been 10 days with Nellie at Kreuznach when they were summoned home again by Ann's increasing illness. I reached Grasmere before them, & was very glad to be any help to Carrie upon whom the anxiety & trouble pressed heavily. I stayed nearly a week at Grasmere, & although, to our great joy, dear Anna rallied from this attack, it was only for a short time. Still we rejoiced that Mother & the my sisters had been recalled, for it was to all a great comfort that they were with our dear one in those last days. After much suffering, she passed into a state of unconsciousness, & at length passed quietly away on the 5^th of August. She was buried in Grasmere churchyard on the 8^th on a lovely summer day, the cloud shadows resting on the hills she loved so well. As she was carried to her last resting place, sweet hymns of payer & praise were sung, which lingered & will linger long in our memories. It was a great trial that Robert was unable to be with me in Grasmere - he was unavoidably detained in London. My sister Anna was one of my earliest teachers, & I owe to her more than I can say. Her loss does indeed leave a wide gap in our already too broken family circle, & even now it is often hard to realize that she, the eldest of us all, one looked up to with admiration and affection by us all, is really taken from us.

'Immediately I left Grasmere I joined Robert in London. He had been much overworked, & suffering extremely from headaches, & was ordered by the D^r to go aborad for a month. We therefore set off at once, spending Sunday in Paris, thence going to Berne, Kandersteg, Ried, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald the Engstlen Alp &^c. At first Robert did not seem to get much better, but at last the air & exercise & complete change had the desired effect, & he returned home quite well. For part of the time we were joined by my brother John & Rosie Thöl, whose company we much enjoyed . . . in spite of much bad weather, & sad thoughts w^h could not be wholly restrained we had a delightful tour, & came home refreshed & strengthened in every way.' 180-4

'The Members of the Life Brigade at Tynemouth have nobly & often successfully exerted themselves at such times, to save life, & Robert has written a spirited little song to the tune of "A wet sheet & a flowing sea", in their honour.

'In the Autumn my dear Mother had a serious illness w^h caused us all much anxiety. She is just now recovering from it, & once more resuming her active life. My sister in law Gertrude has also been ill, but is now nearly well again. The alterations to our house are at last completed. They were begun in July, but were hindered by weather & other things. We have now got a new tiny drawing room, & a capital play room, & another bed-room. Our old dining room we have turned into the "den" - I e the library & smoking room - our old drawing room is now the dining-room, & our old den the a bedroom. We think these changes great improvements, & greatest of all is the addition of a play-room for the children. Their kind Grandmama has given them a fine new rocking horse w^h gives them endless delight, & they have nice cupboards for their many toys. We had a large family party on Christmas Day - 22 children & about as many of their elders. Robert's brother Herbert has come home from London where he has been during the last quarter. He seems a good deal out of health & Robert has gone with him to Ilkley where he will probably stay some time. Robert will be home agin in a day or two, & on Wednesday & Friday he gives his two lectures on Caedmon & Browning - the last I am fully convinced is one of the best lectures that ever was written . . . So far those given [by Merz & Seeley] at the Lit. & Phil. have been decidedly a failure, but these to come will be quite different.' 186-9

'On the 20^th of this month our two little girls Mabel & Ruth are to go to a day school. Their lessons have been sadly neglected lately but I have found it impossible to teach them much myself, having so many household duties & so much sewing, besides the outdoor claims w^h there are always are in a large family.' 189

'Since writing the above, our darling Herbert has been taken from us. His health did not improve at Ilkley, & after about a fortnight's stay there, he returned home. At home he worked away at the Office, & the doubts & troubles w^h had perplexed him, gradually passed away. This was, in great part, owing to Robert's constant help & sympathy; he never wearied, but with unfailing devotion helped him in every trouble. Just when our dear boy seemed to have conquered all his difficulties (which were throughout only those arising from a rare conscientiousness) he caught a cold w^h settled on his chest, & gave us some cause for uneasiness. At this time my dear husband was ill with a very bad sore throat, & Herbert, in his great anxiety to be useful, went out to the office, when perhaps he should have stayed at home. When Robert was sufficiently recovered we left Newcastle, to go to Glasgow for a few days, partly for a little change for R. partly to see our friend D^r Merz who had been very ill of the measles. We left on the 22^nd of March, & had spent two very pleasant days when we were recalled home by Herbert's alarming illness. He had been seized with Inflammation of the lungs, & the D^r said the danger was imminent. We returned on Tuesday the 25^th in time to be recognized by our darling brother. He had been very delirious, & soon became so again, but his beautiful face had a kind smile for everyone who came near him, & even in his wanderings he seemed full of thoughtfulness for others. I had been watching beside him, with some of the others, for a short while, &, as my sister Allie as at Moss Croft, I thought I would leave him for a little & go home to tea. We had only been seated a moment or two when were hastily summoned to his bedside. As fast as possible we ran through the garden, & soon we all stood round the bed, to watch the life of him we so much loved, fast ebbing away. He died in perfect peace & quietness, not a sigh or a struggle to shew the moment when he passed from life to death - from death to life. His last words were "Lord it belongs not to my care Whether I die" then the faint voice ceased for ever, the rest of the verse remained unsaid. Before this he had repeated parts of the Lord's prayer & of some hymns, & tried to sing one verse. It was about 5 o'clock on the evening of the 25^th of March hat he passed away. His beautiful face looked exquisite in death, "the peace which passeth understanding" had come to him. He was laid in Jesmond Cemetery beside his dear mother, on the 28^th a large band of friends & relations following him to the graveside. A very impressive meeting in the meeting house succeeded, Richard Butler relating the circumstances of his last illness & death. In the evening most of the members of the family circle met at Bensham Grove, where a sad & yet most comforting little meeting was held. And now he is gone for ever from our sight, our dearly-loved Herbert - loved not by us only, but by all who knew him. "And he is in his grave, but oh The difference to me". Robert & I had seen so much of him lately, & we had always had such a mutual fondness for each other, that we felt him in some respects almost more like a child than a brother. Poor Father feels it a terrible blow, & for Gertie, who was quite wrapt up in him, it is perhaps as hard as for any one. We have, in all our sorrow, the sure consolation of our darling's being perfectly happy & at rest. Joe was the only one of the family not at home, & on his birthday Herbert was laid in the grave, poor Joe quite unconscious even of his illness - far away in Egypt. And now I must go back a little to explain that we had been anxious about Joe's health, his lungs being somewhat affected, & it was recommended that he should go to Egypt for a few months. He was there therefore when all this took place. Latterly the accounts of him were not very good, & Robert set off to Naples to meet him on his way home, & bring him up to North Italy, where his wife will join him, to stay until the weather is sufficiently settled for him to return home. Robert has been away a fortnight, & has had a great deal of trouble & anxiety, the telegrams w^h were sent to him, for some unexplained cause, failing to reach him, & he being consequently left in complete ignorance as to Joe's movements. Joe left Naples Alexandria later than he intended, & so Robert had a week's anxious delay in Naples, but now we have heard that at last all is right, that the brothers have met, & Joe is better.' 191-8

'I have not yet mentioned my dear mother's illness w^h was a very serious one. She had an epileptic fit in January, followed by another about a month later. The first was extremely alarming, but the last was still more so. The Doctors gave up all hope of her recovery. It was on a Sunday, & we were called to Ashfield in the afternoon. For 36 hours she remained in a state of complete unconsciousness, & most of that time we were watching round her bed expecting every minute to be her last. Contrary to all expectation she began to revive, & it became possible to give her a little nourishment. This was in the middle of the night, & I was with her at the time. I at first thought it was probably only the little glimmer there so often is in such cases just before death, & I had my sisters called. Marvellous to relate however, my dear Mother revived more, & more, & after a few days of great anxiety, we became very hopeful about her. She is now almost as well as she was before her attack, except that her memory is much confused. This however is improving, & we trust, before long, she may have entirely regained her wonted clearness. She is, as ever, active in every thought & deed to help others . . . May 12^th 1873.' 198-200

'Robert returned home from Italy after a month's absence, & as soon as Lucy & others of the family had gone out to poor Joe. The accounts grew worse & worse, & at last Father & Gertie set out. In about 10 days after their arrival - on the 24^th of June, dear Joe was released from all his pain. He had suffered much in various ways, but had throughout borne all his sufferings with the most wonderful patience. He was quite ready, even eager to go, & the last words he wrote in his journal were, "Oh Jesus, come soon"! Growing weaker & weaker, he was at length just able to say "Farewell darling" to his wife who stood by his die, & then he quietly passed away to his rest. On the 26^th he was buried in the Protestant Cemetery at Florence among the dark cypresses & the bright roses. Those of us at home, who unable to be present at that last sad time, had a little meeting here at our house. Several of Joe's friends were also here, & we also had the company of R. Butler who spoke very beautifully & impressively. The little party from Florence returned home at the end of the following week - a sad returning. Poor Lucy shews the greatest fortitude in her terrible loss. May God comfort her, as He only can, & may she find her sweet little children grow up to cheer & help her. They live close by us, at the opposite side of the lane, w^h is very pleasant for us all.

'On the 16^th of August I took the dear children to Suss, where, at Millburn Cottage, we spent two happy weeks. Robert came for the last week w^h of course, doubled my enjoyment.' 203

. . . 'the bathing in the river above the fall was as delicious as in the well remembered times, 14 long years ago.' 204

'Robert & my sister Allie & my brother John & I set off for Switzerland at the end of August. We went by Southampton, spending a few happy hours (Alice & I) at Bournemouth on the way, with Gregory & Emmie & the darling children in their sweet home. We were three weeks away, at Geneva, Sixt, Champéry, Siou, Evolena & Zermatt, & home by Neufchatel & Paris. John had such a severe attack of asthma at Sixt that he left us & went to Geneva, but, rapidly recovering, he happily rejoined us at Zermatt. Robert & he went up Monte Rosa. My feet were too sore for me to do any climbing, so Allie & I contented ourselves with going round by the vallies, while R. took the high passes.' 205-6

'Immediately on our return home, an event took place w^h has given us all the greatest joy. This is, the engagement of our dearest friend D^r Merz to our darling sister Alice. Although we were not unprepared for it, it came with a wonderful suddenness at last, & it still seems almost too good to be true. The engagement gives universal satisfaction & dearest Mother, who is rather better just now, enters fully into the subject, & says she has "nothing but peace in the thought". To Robert & to me it is a joy indeed - that two people, dearest of sisters & best of friends - should be united in the holiest & happiest of unions, is cause for true thankfulness, & our earnest desire & prayer for them is, that the blessing of God may rest upon them, & abide with them always. My eyes are dim with happy tears as I write & my heart too full for words.

'Jan. 2^nd 1874. . . . I must begin with the engagement of our dear sister Gertrude to my old friend Johnnie Edmundson, whom I first knew as a delightful & beautiful boy of 11, & who has retained all his old characteristics with the added graces of manhood & strength. We have but one objection to this happy engagement, & that is that we shall have to part with our dear Gertie to Dublin, & how we shall all miss her, I cannot say.

'Allie's marriage was fixed for the 9^th of December, the silver wedding day of Theodore's Uncle & Aunt, M^r & M^rs Leisler of Glasgow. But as the old proverb so truly says "Man proposeth, but God disposeth" it was not so to be. All the festivities were arranged, the dresses prepared, the guests had long since accepted, & our dear Mother seemed much better, & entered into it all with her usual ready sympathy.

'On Friday the 28^th of November I spent the evening at Ashfield, helping to make the necessary arrangements for the breakfast, & for the disposal of the guests. Dear Mother was very bright, & more than usually affectionate. I never can forget her parting kiss, the last conscious one I was ever to have. The Sunday before, we had, with our guest M^r John Morley (, who was lecturing her, & paid us a delightful little visit) dined at Ashfield - the next Sunday the 30^th we remained at home. All the afternoon I had a strange kind of desire to go over to Ashfield, but I did not go. I neglected this impulse, & much did I regret afterwards that I had done so. On that very afternoon she was taken ill, & when I saw her the next day, she was scarcely conscious. From this time until her death, it was an anxious time of watching. Severe remedies were tried, but all in vain - for the last two days the only sign of life was her breathing. On Friday, the 5^th of December, this grew fainter & fainter, & at about one o'clock, we knew by its total cessation that our precious Mother was dead. Meanwhile Theodore's father had also been taken ill, & after much conflict of feeling, T. decided to go to Worms to see him, postponing, of course, their marriage. Poor Allie during these sad days looked worn with anxiety & trouble, but the course taken was clearly the best one. On the Monday following her death our dear Mother was laid in the grave, in the Westgate Cemetery, beside my Father & by brothers George & Isaac, & my little sister Maggie. Anna lies in the churchyard at Grasmere, & so out of our family circle of 13, six are taken to their eternal rest. After the funeral we had a very solemn & impressive meeting in the meeting house, & in the evening a family gathering at Ashfield, where dear Cousin Eliza read a very interesting short account written by Mother of her own early days. My sister Emily White, who had come to attend Allie's wedding, was with us during all this sad time, & her little baby Hilda proved a great solace to us, all with her happy unconsciousness of all that was passing. Cousin Eliza was then, as ever, an unfailing comfort, & we had the utmost kindness & sympathy from all our friends, both far & near. In With our dear Mother's death, we seem to have lost the centre, as it were, of one side of our family life, the home at Ashfield is necessarily broken up, & all is changed. Truly we have lost one, whose sweet & gentle influence can never be forgotten, & whose wide & generous sympathies made her universally beloved. She had passed through many sorrows, w^h seemed only to ennoble & sanctify her, so that her calm sweet face expressed the peace of her soul. May we, as she did feel indeed God to be "Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope in years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our Eternal Home."' 208-14

'On the 15^th of December Theodore returned to Newcastle, having left his Father still very ill. On the 17^th he & Alice were married quite quietly at the Friends Meeting house. They went through the ceremony very nicely, & after they had spoken the simple, but beautiful words of our marriage service Richard Butler gave an excellent discourse, & T. Pumphrey & Cousin Eliza prayed for a blessing on the newly married. We all adjourned after meeting to Ashfield where the wedding breakfast was provided. Besides our own family there were M^r Leisler & D^r Rottenburg, & Gertie & Johnnie Edmundson. It could not be said to be a joyful time, when joy & sorrow were so strangely mingled. At 2 o'clock the young couple left for London, thence to Dover, Cologne & Worms. They are still abroad, & we have very bright, happy accounts from them.

'For the sake of the little children we determined still to keep our Christmas, & as Father thought he could not stay at Bensham, we had the family gathering at Moss Croft. . . . Poor Lucy bore up bravely, though breaking down once or twice. How vivid seems last Christmas when Herbert & Joe were both with us.' 214-7

'If I have not mentioned in these last pages my dear husband, it is only because he is such an ever ready & constant sympathizer that his feelings & mine become too interwoven to be separated from each other. In sorrow, as in joy, he is, as he has ever been, best of helpers, truest of friends, & I do most humbly & ardently long that I were more worthy of such a husband. E.S.W.' 219-20

. . . 'the marriage of my cousin Jennie to John Edmund Sturge, a very happy marriage except for the obstacle of distance from her friends. They live far off at Montserrat, but extremely enjoy the climate, & the beauty of the scenery, & Jennie gets on admirably with the negroes.' 220-1

'Just before my dear Mother's death, Robert's Aunt Mary Watson died very suddenly of heart disease. For her unmarried daughters especially, it was a crushing blow, & we all miss her genial, kindly ways. Then my first cousin Joseph H. Richardson was taken ill, & died after a short illness & much suffering. They lived in Cork, & the funeral took place there, but his poor wife will return to Plymouth to her mother's home. Poor Jennie at Montserrat would hear the sad news about a fortnight afterwards. My cousin was only 29 years old when he died, & was thus taken in the prime of manhood, & in the midst of a useful career.' 221-2

'Nov. 26^th 1874 . . . We saw early in the year, Alice & Theodore happily settled in their very pretty house, w^h R. & I had had a great share in furnishing & arranging During their long absence in Germany. Theodore's father had a long illness, & died while they were still at Worms, so that they had the satisfaction of being with him in his last hours.

'In July during our children's holidays we spent a very happy fortnight at Grasmere with my sisters Carrie & Nellie. Robert was only able to stay three days with us at first, but he came again for three days at the end of our visit, & I met him at Keswick, when we made a most delightful little excursion to Borrowdale, & Buttermere by Honiston Crag. . . .Our dear bairnies met us at the coach on our return to Grasmere . . . One day we went up (while R. was with us) "the mighty Helvellyn." We had all our three bairnies with us, & a pony for the little one, on which I or one of the others rode, with Evie on her knee.' 224-6

'Another day we spent in going by way of Easedale Tarn up Sergeant Man to Harrison Stickle . . . We had two ponies this time, one for my sister Nellie who was with us - the other for mother & children as before.

'Heugh Folds seemed very different without our dear eldest sisters who had always hitherto given us so warm a welcome but Carrie keeps up all the beautiful old arrangements & works away at the garden just as Anna used to do.' 227-8

'I feel it quite a privilege to have had a glimpse of the fine old lady [Lady Richardson's mother Mrs Fletcher] when taken by my mother to Lancrigg in 1851 when I was 13 years old. M^rs Fletcher reminds me in many ways of my own dear mother, only my mother, from the force of circumstances, lived in a much narrower circle, & was more exclusively occupied with family cares. My sister Caroline has written a very interesting memoir of her, which I have copied, & which is now being circulated among our friends.' 229

'Mabel has several times taken a part in our Shakespeare Readings w^h we instituted last winter at our house. We choose a play, & invite some of our friends, assigning different part so each to read & our own dear May generally takes on or two of the subordinate characters, & she really reads well, & with considerable appreciation. We have now in this way gone through "As you like it", "Merchant of Venice," "Macbeth", "Julius Caesar", "King Lear", & "Richard II" with great interest & profit.' 232-3

'Immediately after this visit, R. & I left home for a little journey into Belgium. We spent a fortnight very pleasantly in that interesting country, & we both enjoyed our tour so extremely that it seemed like a renewal of our first youth. Elsewhere I have noted down each day's doings, so I will only here mention the principal places we visited: Ypres, Tournay, Louvain, Liège, & Namur were the principal cities . . .' 234

'But perhaps the most interesting part of all our tour was the visit to Sedan, Metz & Gravelotte - the scene of Robert's labours during the war. We went over all the field of Gravelotte with sad but thrilling interest. All is so green & lovely now that that are but the innumerable crosses to mark, to a superficial gaze, the place of the fearful fight. We wondered afresh at the determination & valour of the Germans to gain the day with such fearful disadvantages of situation &^c. On our way back to Metz we called at the village of S^t Privat, & there saw the excellent Curé whom R. had made acquaintance with during the sad war-time, & who had so nobly helped the poor sufferers in the church at the risk of his own life . . . But he gave us a most kindly welcome, & was delighted to see Robert again. It was most interesting to me to visit these places where my dear husband had toiled so hard, & to see the appreciation in w^h his labours were held.' 237-8

'We came home, after our delightful outing, feeling all the better & stronger for it; & found our dear children, who had been kindly taken in at their Grandpapa's at Bensham Grove, very well & happy.

'On the 5^th of October our little nephew Charles Hestermann Merz was born. His mother has now nicely recovered, & the baby is a fine flourishing child. My sisters Caroline & Nellie, whose home at Ashfield since our dear mother's death is now broken up - have after spending a few weeks in Newcastle, gone to Italy for the winter. We have good accounts fo them from Florence & trust the warmer climate may do dear Nellie good. They are delighted with all they have seen, so far of Italy, & anticipate much enjoyment.

'We have been once again to London within the last few weeks. R. went up on business, & suffered so much from intense pain in the head that he sent for me. I found him happily recovering, but was very glad I went. . . . Nov. 27^th 1874.' 239-41

'Sunday, May 16^th . . . So much sorrow came upon us towards the end of last year that I had no heart to write, & since then I have been so busy that I have never been able to find the time. When I last wrote my our dear Father in law was in his usual health & spirits, & we were all looking forward to his being with us at Christmas - a thing w^h had not happened since his wife's death. He had bought books for all the grandchildren, & written their names in, but, as if he had had some presentiment of what was going to happen, he said to us, when we laughed at him for being so beforehand, "We cannot tell what may happen before Christmas." He had had a cough & cold, but made rather light of it, going in to work as usual, when, on the 11^th of December he was taken much worse. The D^r said at once there was great danger - he was suffering from a complication of disease - bronchitis, heart complaint &^c. He thought from the very first he would not rally, & he spoke to us all with calm & joyful anticipation of the approaching end. He told of his happiness, of his faith in Jesus, the only Refuge, & of the joy he had in looking forward to meeting with the beloved ones gone before. We all felt it a privilege to be with him in those last sad days when we felt he was rapidly passing away from us. The watching continued till Monday, the 14^th when he quietly passed away. On the 17^th he was laid in the grave at Jesmond beside his wife & our darling Herbert, an immense concourse of people joining the procession. A meeting was afterwards held in the meeting house - very largely attended, when T. Hodgkin, R.B. Butler & T. Pumphrey all spoke very beautifully, dwelling on the special characteristics of our dear Father - his love & tenderness, & child-like faith. We did indeed feel that we had lost one whom we had continually trusted & looked up to, & whose place could never be filled. Robert is now the head of the family, & we feel older by many years. Letters of sympathy flowed in from all sides - there seemed to be but one opinion as to the love & reverence in w^h our Father had always been held - by men of all shades of opinion & beliefs. After much perplexity & doubt it was at last decided that we should move to the old house - it is now being considerably altered & improved, & about August we expect to move into it. It will be with great regret that we leave this sweet home where we have spent 11 such happy years, but there were many things to be considered, & it seemed best that we should go.

'On the 7^th of February our fourth little girl, Mary Spence was born - a sweet & lovely baby. She is now three months old, & a most engaging child.

'On the 24^th of February our sister Gertrude was married to John W. Edmundson. It was a time of very mingled feelings, recent sorrows weighting heavily upon our hearts, & yet we rejoiced in the prospect of her happiness, & of her being safely cared for now, her when deprived of a father's care. We miss her very much - she was is beloved by all who know her - but we know she is happy, & has a husband who will be loving & faithful to her.

'Our brother Willie is engaged to Fanny McAllum, & so he too is happily settled. They are to be married on the 8^th of July.' 244-9

'March 21^st 1876 . . . I wrote last in our dear Moss Croft, & now we are so settled in Bensham Grove that it seems almost as though we had been there for years.' 249

'We did not leave home at all last summer. Robert found it impossible to leave his business - I was much occupied with baby, & preparing to leave Moss Croft, & the summer passed quickly & happily away. We had a charming week end with the children at Alnwick where the profusion of primroses & other wild flowers made Ruthie quite wild. Then later on we spent a few days at Blanchland - a most delightful place.' 250

'After w r returned I was a good deal troubled with a bad cold & cough, & it was thought best I should go to Bournemouth for a little change, & be out of the way of the moving. So I took dear little Evie with me, & we set off - spending a night in London on the way. We spent a fortnight very pleasantly at Bournemouth - at my sister's. It was very pleasant to find Gregory & Emily settled in their own nice house, so charmingly designed by our dear Anna . . . Douglas is at school at Windsor . . . When we returned home, it was no more to our beloved Moss Croft, but to our new (Robert's old) home. Although R. had worked hard to get things into order, there was still much to be done, but he had got so many things beautifully arranged for me that some of the rooms looked most lovely. It was several weeks before we got everything arranged, but now we are completely settled & enjoy the view, & the larger rooms, & the sunshine very much.' 251-2

'The children have all been very well since we came here - dear little Mary now toddles about, & grows daily in intelligence & sweetness, & we say of her, as I suppose we said of each of the others in turn, "the sweetest baby ever seen." We have been busy trying to get up a High School for girls like those w^h already exist in Different parts of London & elsewhere. We quite he may be opened in Gateshead before May. Robert has had many evening meetings this winter - political &^c. He has spoken several times on the Slave Circular issued by the Tory government, w^h has excited so much dissatisfaction all through the Country. I always like if possible to go to these meetings - it is such a treat to hear my husband speak. His last speech on this question was really magnificent.

'Our brother Willy has been very ill since his marriage - he is now at Bournemouth with his wife, daily gaining strength we hope. Harry & Emily R. are also there with their children . . . We are expecting a visit from Johnnie & Gertie & their little boy Herbert Watson born last November. It will be delightful to have our dear Gertie with us again.' 253-4

'It is a great delight to us that our sister Carrie has come to live at Moss Croft - it is such a pleasure to have her so near, & to see her too in our dear old house. Nellie is in Italy, but is coming back soon - to go with C. to Grasmere. I forgot to mention in its right place that in January Robert & I made a delightful little excursion into Cornwall. R. had not been well, & was much needing a holiday when business called him to Huntingdon. He had to go to see poor M^r Burdon Sanderson who was dreadfully injured by the Abbots' Ripton railway accident. So it seemed a good opportunity for me to go join him, - or rather we travelled as far as Huntingdon together, when I went on to London, & R. joined me there the next day.' 254-5

'In the evening we went down to Witley where we spent a delightful evening in that ever charming house - the next day, by Basingstoke & Winchester to Bournemouth, where we spent an evening very pleasantly with Gregory & Emmie.' 256

'We left at 1.30 for Exeter, w^h we reached about half past six. That evening we went to call on my dear old friends & Teachers, the Dymonds, at least Miriam Dymond, & her sister now Josephine Wilkey. It was truly delightful to see their dear faces again & to have a little talk over the old happy times at Lewes. They both looked very well, & gave us a warm welcome - Josephine Wilkey, though aged, retains all her old beauty of feature & expression, with the same marvellous violet blue eyes.

'On Monday morning we drove to Helstone . . . We had very comfortable quarters at the charming Inn at Helstone . . . So on Tuesday we journeyed to Bristol . . . On the Thursday we travelled back to our own dear home, & although we did not arrive till 8 o'clock even dear wee Mary was up to see us, & we had the warmest & most rapturous of welcomes from all our precious children. We found little Mary had become quite independent during our short absence, & could toddle about all over. So ended a truly delightful little tour - one never to be forgotten, for it was really without alloy, with the one exception that we were very anxious about our brother Willy, but we had encouraging reports almost every day of his progress . . . March 22^nd 1876.' 259-61

Volume 2, 1877-85

'Given to E.S. Watson by her sister A. M. Merz - on the latter's return from her wedding tour.

. . . 'to the astonishment of all our friends, & amid the forebodings of some, we actually took all our four children across "to Norroway o'er the faem" We sailed from Hull in the "Argo" on Thursday the 20^th of July & at midnight on Saturday, after a good voyage, & a sail from Stavanger in smooth water, of great beauty, we landed at the picturesque town of Bergen.' 1,4

'I do not know that I have ever remarked upon the delightful rides Robert & I have had together - at one time or another in the course of our married life. Both in the old Ashfield days but more especially since Alice's wedding - for D^r Merz made her a present of a beautiful horse called Rosie, a splendid creature w^h we have been fortunate enough to ride as well as its mistress. In the long spring evenings, & especially in the particularly beautiful ones of last spring, when the woods were carpeted with hyacinths, & everything looked lovely, we had some never to be forgotten rides - finding out new paths & new beauties every day. Now we have a nice little horse of our own called Jessie, w^h Mabel rides admirably, & w^h is also large enough for either Robert or me.' 2-3

'We spent three happy days at Bergen, finding most comfortable quarters at Holett's Hotel . . . All the dear children had borne the journey well - as for Mary she proved a capital traveller, & accommodated herself in a praiseworthy way to all the changes of hours, difference of food &^c. On the third day we left Bergen in the Steamer "Sogn" for Aardal - a long & rather tedious voyage, owing to the wet cold weather. At last however we reached our destination & in our rough but comfortable little home at Aardal, we spent three of the happiest weeks I ever remember.' [5-n.p.; hereafter no pagination]

'After a few days spent at Balestrand on the same wonderful Sogue fjord . . . we set sail again for England.'

'In September the High School, w^h had with much difficulty & after many delays, been organized, was opened, & our three eldest girls all began to attend it.'

[at Christmas] 'It was a great pleasure to welcome Johnnie & Gertie Edmundson, who came over from Ireland to spend a week here - leaving their little boy with Cousin Mary E.

'Since Christmas we have been variously occupied - I have been very busy in forwarding & attending some Cookery Classes - organized by the Edinburgh school of Cookery - but managed here by a local Committee of w^h I was Secretary & my sister Caroline Treasurer. The Classes, w^h were of two kinds, one, a cheap course for artisans' wives, (2/- for 12 lessons) the other rather a higher style of cooking, for Ladies, 10/6 for 12 lessons) were a great success . . . I was glad enough when the Classes were over, as, though very interesting, they were also very fatiguing.'

'Robert & I have just returned from a delightful little journey to Ireland. We went by Dumfries, Stranraer & Belfast to Dublin, spent three days there very pleasantly with Johnnie & Gertie, driving to Powerscourt, the Dangle &c. & visiting Cousin Mary & the many kinds friends settled about Fox Rock. Then we went off for three or four days to Killarney, a little trip w^h we exceedingly enjoyed . . . We had the large Victorial Hotel all to ourselves - & were consequently free from many of the annoyances of Irish travelling in the summer - beggars &^c &^c.'

'We returned to Dublin after three days of keen enjoyment, & left for home the following morning . . .'

'Oct. 21^st 1877 . . . First of all, another little girl, our Darling little Bertha was given to us on the 18^th of May. I recovered nicely, & the new baby, like all of her sisters in turn before her, was much made of, & considered the greatest treasure . . . When she was just a month old, as Ruth had not been very well, we went down to Cullercoats for two or three days. There Ruth rapidly recovered, & I grew very strong, & dear little Bertha grew & prospered. My sister Caroline had most kindly proposed to us that we should stay at Heugh Folds for a month, as we could not go very far afield with baby. So, soon after the children's holidays had begun, - on the 10^th of August, we set off for that sweet home.'

'This month at Grasmere was a very happy time, although the weather was often against us, & although we were by no means so free from care as in dear & happy Norway.'

'We made many delightful excursions, & May & Ruth proved themselves capital walkers, & Mary & Bertha excellent travellers . . .'

'Evie & Mary & Bertha were all capital travellers entering into the spirit & enjoyment of the thing like their elders. While we were at Heugh Folds my brother John sent us a copy of dear Anna's memoir, w^h he had compiled. We read it with intense interest - all her delight in her mountain home so graphically described it was touching to read of there - in the dear home from w^h she had passed for ever. Her letters are full of interest - especially some of the earlier ones to H.M. Peile - & three from Paris. It is a book w^h will be much valued by our children & w^h we rejoice that our brother has so admirably arranged - although it is a pity that some errors have crept in w^h a little more care might have avoided.

'During part of our stay at Grasmere my sister Emily White, & Margaret were with us - a very pleasant time . . .'

'On the 7^th of September we returned home, & soon afterwards my sister Caroline went to Heugh Folds, where she was joined by Annie Atkins. Then the children went back to school, & both they & I have been very busy ever since. What with home duties & cares - sewing (no light matter when 5 girls have to be provided for) much correspondence, & Ragged School & Training Home work outside not to speak of social duties - I find my time completely taken up - & have little leisure for reading, except just the morning's newspaper.'

'Now I have been nearly three weeks alone with my children - my dearest R. having been abroad on a business journey with my brother John. He has been the greater part of the time at Buda Pesth - & I have had delightful letters from him full of interest, detailing all the curious things he meets with. They have necessarily in the course of their business, been brought into contact with several very aristocratic families, & have been most hospitably, indeed royally entertained. Now Robert is on his way home, by way of Vienna, Salzburg, &^c & I hope before this week is over to have him home again . . . Sunday night O^ct. 21 '77'

'March 27^th 1878 . . . Perhaps it was partly owing to our having been all in good health, & freer from anxiety than sometimes & I at all events have grown less shy, & find it less formidable to entertain strangers than I used to do - believing that very often the truest kindness is to make them quite at home, & let them come & go as they like, having the Library entirely at their service.'

'At Christmas time we had the usual large family gathering - we had 5 small Christmas trees up stairs in the playroom, & a lovely sight it was to see them all hung with pretty coloured toys & lights, & lit up with innumerable tapers, while Chinese lanterns illumined the room. The merry little children clustering round made a charming group, & all were delighted with the many pretty gifts w^h had been nestling in the recesses of the trees for old & young.'

'Johnnie & Gertie Edmundson & their two dear children stayed with us, so we were quite a large household. Gertie's little Baby is just about the same age as our sweet Bertha, & the two made a lovely pair.

'Outside of our happy family circle the dreadful war in the East has engrossed much of our attention - happily it is over at last, but oh after what expenditure of life & treasure, & leaving how many widows & orphans in sad perpetuity of suffering. And even yet we do not feel sure that our own England may not contribute to this dire calamity of war, she is at all events making it possible, if not probably, but her vast preparations. When will nations learn that to be armed at all points is just the one step before going to war? It is like giving two children each an open bladed & sharp knife, & telling them they must keep them always open ready for use, but never use them. We can easily surmise what the consequences would be. And - after all the bloodshed & all the suffering & sorrow, diplomacy steps in at the end, & says 'Now we will settle this difference'.

'On the 2^nd of March, just after I had weaned darling little Bertha, we took the 3 eldest children to Saltburn for 2 days. We spent the Sunday there very pleasantly, having lovely weather - & returning home on Monday w^h was the half term holiday. On Tuesday the 12^th R. set out for London, by night train, I following the next morning with little Dora Richardson, who was going to her Aunt's, Theresa Gilman. We stayed at a small French Hotel in Ryder S^t & found it very comfortable. . . . on the whole our visit was rather a disappointing one (to me as R. was so much engaged) . . .'

'We left London on Friday evening, & spent that night at Witley. The beautiful house seemed more full of beauty than ever, & the welcome given to us was kind & hospitable as it always is. Maggie & Ellen Foster are charming girls, while Willy is a delightful boy. Uncle Birket has two very find drawings for the Paris Exhibition - the "Falls of the Tummel" & Greenwich - two of the largest & most beautiful of his I ever remember to have seen.

'From Witley we went on to Ryde in the Isle of Wight on Saturday morning - by way of Portsmouth. From Ryde we took the train to Ventnor where we arrived about 4 o'clock. . . . our Inn the "Esplanade Hotel" . . .'

'This day was one of great enjoyment, & not the least part of it the pleasant rest at the delightful Freshwater Bay Hotel . . . The next morning (Tuesday the 19^th) we left Freshwater by boat, sending our traps round to Yarmouth . . .'

[From Cowes . . .] 'we sailed across to Southampton - leaving the lovely Isle of Wight where we had spent three such happy days, with great regret. We took up our quarters at Southampton at the Railway Hotel . . . After breakfast we took the train to Lyndhurst Road where we were joined by my sister Emily, & Maria White.'

[at Bournemouth] 'We were warmly welcomed by Gregory & all the children - whom we were delighted to see. Charles & Norbert Merz are staying there during their parents' absence in Spain, & we were pleased to find them so well & happy, both of them looking very bonny. On Thursday we wrote letters, saw Philip at his school, had a charming walk in the afternoon, then left Bournemouth, after a most pleasant visit, for Salisbury. Here we stayed one night at the White Hart, driving the next morning to see that marvellous relic of antiquity - Stonehenge. Then, after dinner to London - hastily passing through, & home by way of York, where I stayed on the Saturday morning, to wee the girls' school, with w^h I was much pleased, & where we hope our dearest Mabel will be able to go at Christmas. R. had to hurry home on account of election business - so I followed him in the afternoon - & we were both rapturously welcomed by our darling children.'

Aug. 13^th . . . We had looked forward to & planned another excursion to Norway, where six weeks were so happily past spent in 1876, but this delightful project has not been realized. The election business that I spoke of in my last entry was a business indeed. After lasting three whole weeks, & causing for R. an amount of labour & anxiety such as he had never before experienced, the result was a "tie" - that is the two number of votes was the same for each Candidate.'

'R. was very much knocked up with all his hard work, so in May, having given up Norway, we carried out an often talked of scheme. R. & I went by train to Wetheral, whence the two horses, Rosie & Jessie had been sent on before under Robson's charge . . . We found a pleasant resting place at Kirk Oswald . . . At Pooley it was so cold that a fire was welcome, & tea very refreshing. Next morning we were off early in the fine, but not clear atmosphere . . . then we rode joyfully on to Grasmere. The next day was wet, & spent indoors - the next Robert set off with Alice for the return ride . . . I returned on Friday with Charles & Norbert, having spent at delightful afternoon at Coniston with Carrie, calling on the old ladies, the Misses Beevon, who life at the "Thwaite" - ladies of a bye gone age almost, & with a garden of old fashioned beauty & character like themselves.

'Since our return home we have had lovely summer weather, & the children have almost lived out of doors. We have played at Lawn Tennis a good deal - a new acquisition for us - & a capital game it is.'

'Feb. 27^th 1879. . . . In September we had a fortnight's visit from R's two three cousins Maggie & Ellen Foster, Birket Foster's daughters, & John Foster's daughter Alice. A gay time we had - parties, lawn tennis &^c &^c & charming their sojourn here. Ellen became engaged to M^r Seymour Bell, an engagement that we trust may be productive of much happiness. Soon after this Robert & I set out for our often talked of & now about to be realized journey to Italy.'

'We left Newcastle on the 20^th of September at 2.45 4 p.m. reaching York at about half past 6. . . . We spent a happy evening together, & next morning visited the Minster, called at the school &^c returning to HT's to dine, before leaving at 3 o'clock for London. . . .

'We drove through London to Charing X - & travelled straight on to Paris viâ Folkestone & Boulogne. Reaching Paris at about 9 a.m. we drove to the Hotel du Louvre . . . Then on again - on on till we reached Turin about 9 the next morning.'

'If my children who read these pages wish for the details, they will find them, far more sample & far more worthily given than I could write them, in R's journal letters written at the time.'

'M^rs Fred. Gibson joined us at Ravenna & was with us, more or less, for the next 3 weeks. From Ravenna we went to Rimini, the Republic of S. Marino, & Ancona - then back to Pesaro & across the mountains to Urbino & Gubbio . . . Then to Perugia . . . Here we had excellent quarters at Madame Brufani's capital hotel, just outside the town.'

'From Perugia to Rome . . . here we stayed at Miss Shed's pleasant pension . . . we saw it but for five short brilliant days . . .

'Siena abounds in interest, both architectural & otherwise, & in spite of almost continuous ran, we enjoyed our two days' stay there very much.

'At Florence we stayed at Miss Erle's - the same pension where poor Joe had been in his long illness, & where he passed away to his last rest.'

'From Florence we journeyed to Pisa - thence to Spezia . . . We had still another 10 days of almost unmixed happiness.'

'We stayed the night at Mentona . . . then drove on, after breakfast, to Nice . . .'

'We were much pleased with Nice, but had to leave it, after one night's stay, for Marseilles.'

'Then on to Paris . . . Two days at the grand Continental Hotel, visiting the wonderful but fatiguing exhibition . . . & then once more across the narrow sea & home to old England once more. We hurried straight through London, & reached York at 1 in the morning, where at the new Station Hotel, we found most comfortable quarters . . . then home by later express . . .'

'Christmas was a true old fashioned snowy Christmas. We had our usual large party, with some exceptions. The Edmundsons who were with us last time could not come this - & the Gurneys were also away. We missed them much - but the party was a very successful one - Old Father Christmas in the shape of Uncle Alex - dispensing the various gifts - the playroom being very prettily decorated with holly &^c.

'The winter has been a very sad one for the poor. The depression in trade added to the unusually severe weather, caused much suffering - but all classes seem to have striven to mitigate this distress, & ladies¹ as well as gentlemen² have been very active in seeking out the destitute, & dispensing relief both in food & clothing. The town has been all divided into districts, with Relief Committees for each - so that it has been a busy time.'

'R. & I have now just returned from a hurried visit to Leeds, where R. gave his admirable lecture on Robert Browning to a large audience at the Rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association.'

'Our other dear bairnies are all pretty well . . . Mary bonnie & bewitching . . . The weather has been so severe that they have been out (the two little ones) far less than usual, & have suffered a good deal from colds &^c.'

'March 6^th 1879 . . . I also had some delightful skating with the children - but it took up too much time in such a busy season to enjoy much of it - & as for R. he was only twice, I think on the ice. Hundreds of people skated at night by means of the electric light, w^h seems to have been in that way a great success.'

'To day (7^th March) we have been to a meeting about the scholarship scheme, which Robert originated 2 years ago. . . Dean Lake spoke to the boys. It was a good meeting - but, as usual he who had worked the hardest, & originated the whole affair, got none of the credit. The great name of the Dean is preeminent, & he is assumed to have planned & carried out the scheme. However it matters not. R. cares little about this, so that the thing prospers, but I think it is rather hard.'

. . .'October . . . Again we were obliged to give up thinking of Norway - but in June R. & I took our dear Mabel to London for a week. We much enjoyed the short stay in the great city - lodging at 64 Pall Mall. We . . . had a charming excursion to Windsor, where we took out our little nephew Douglas White, & where Mabel was greatly gratified by a sight of Royalty itself in the person of a plain little elderly lady dressed in black, driving out into the Park in an ordinary open carriage with a pair of horses.

'Later on in July the same little party, with the addition of Ruth, had a week's excursion on the borders. Starting at Rothbury from H. & E. Clapham's comfortable lodgings . . . to Wooler, where we got comfortable quarters at the "Cottage" . . .'

'From Wooler we drove to Yetholm, the gipsies' haunt - a pretty place lying among grassy hills. Our visit in the morning to Esther Faa the gypsy Queen, was very interesting. She is now an old woman over 80 y^rs of age - but still loves to talk of her wandering days - & has the love of wandering & a wild life strong within her - although she lives in the cleanest & neatest of little cottages yclept "the Palace". She much enjoyed a chat with Robert, who was quite a congenial spirit.'

'We had a week of great enjoyment . . . To Robert it was a great rest & refreshment.'

[re High School:] 'Already there are over 60 pupils, & we hope when the new school house is ready there may be a great addition.'

'Now my dear R. has gone off on a long journey - the first pleasure journey I think he has ever taken without my accompanying him - but I could not have managed it this time, so I encouraged him to go alone, for he much needed rest & change. He sailed towards the end of last month for Gibraltar in the "Edward Williams" - the sole passenger. He had a good & pleasant voyage, & is now in that strange country Morocco. . . . O^ct 17^th 1879'

'April 5^th 1880. . . . we have got a bonny wee laddie Arnold Spence Watson - born December 6^th 1879 also to cheer us with promise for the future, & our five dear girls are all well & thriving . . .'

'Mary is an active little thing, always wanting some employment, delighted to nurse baby, or do any little useful office she can. When the new school opens for the Summer term (in May) she is to go to the Preparatory Class w^h we hope will be opened chiefly on the Kindergarten system, for little girls & boys.'

'Our Christmas passed away much more quietly than usual, as I was not strong enough to have much company or to go out much.'

'As the 1^st of March was Ruth's & Evelyn's half term holiday, we took advantage of its being on the Monday to go away - from Saturday till Monday - My sister Carrie, the children's much loved "Aunt Car" went with us - the rest of the party consisted of the dear Father, Ruth, Evelyn, Arnold, (who was still inseparable from his mother) Dorothy, (the nursemaid), & myself.

'We went on the Saturday morning the 28^th February, to Bamborough putting up at the comfortable home-like little Inn, the Crewe Arms.'

'The children had rare fun, & their elders were children too for the nonce, tumbling & rolling about in the sand, & fancying themselves ancient heroes storming some proud Lord's fortress.'

'In the afternoon they played on the sand, Dorothy going out with them with little Arnold - while Robert, Carrie & I walked by the road to North Sunderland & back - a walk of six miles.'

'Then Robert & Carrie, having to be early in town set off on their homeward journey, the children & I following by a later train - all of us much refreshed by this truly delightful little outing.

'Almost immediately after this, came the news of the dissolution of Parliament, w^h brought a fearful amount of hard work for Robert. He undertook the conduct of Albert Grey's election, & after the unfortunate "tie" of 1874 - we were all most eagerly anxious that, this time, he should be successful . . . Here in Newcastle & Gateshead we have had an exciting time. It was resolved to try & return two Liberals for Newcastle, & after in vain trying to get a local man (Robert was pressed & urged to stand) M^r Ashton Wentworth Dilke was applied to, & acceded to the request . . . Then began a great campaign of speechifying &^c. In the first meeting arranged for the Town Hall when Mess^rs Cowen & Dilke were to sink all differences of foreign policy, & to meet as coadjutors on the same platform, the crush was so tremendous that poor M^r Cowen got severely hurt & had to be removed fainting from the meeting. No meeting was speeches were consequently held that night - but amid some confusion owing to the terrific crowd w^h was far greater than had ever been anticipated, the meeting broke up. It was terrible to see the surging multitude - now swaying backwards & forwards like the waves of the sea - now swarming over the railings w^h separated the area below from the side elevations, until there really seemed to be danger of an absolute stampede - but happily there was no other accident that we heard of beyond the that to one of the most important persons in the meeting. On subsequent evenings M^r Dilke spoke often, very ably setting forth his views, & meeting with ever growing support & favour from the multitudes who crowded to hear him. He won his way unaided too - at least so far as making speeches was concerned, although of course his whole course was immensely aided by the Liberal Association & first & foremost by my dear husband. The result was that Mess^rs Cowen & Dilke were returned by a large majority. Meanwhile Albert Grey's canvassing, w^h is conducted almost entirely on the voluntary principle, is going actively on, & he is holding meetings, both in Newcastle, & in all the neighbouring towns & villages of South Northumberland, whilst Robert is working away every night till 9 or 10 o'clock & often later still arranging all the multifarious affairs of the election, & straining ever nerve to make it sure. His cousin Edward Watson, who is helping him, told me there was seldom a day passed without spending a sovereign on postage stamps. But now I must go back & tell of the doings of the polling day. Saturday, the 3^rd of April was fixed by the Sheriff as the Polling day. In the afternoon I though I would take Ruth & Evie into the town to see what was going on. We afterwards decided to go to Willy & Fanny's to tea, & return to the G'head Town Hall to hear the declaration of the Poll. An old friend of Robert's, Gainsford Bruce, a gentleman whom we like & admire much, had been urged to contest the seat so well occupied since 1874 by M^r James. It was a great pity for few people thought he had any chance, in a town so imbued with the liberal spirit as Gateshead.

'About 6 o'clock a large crowd collected in the street in front of the Town Hall in Gateshead. We had expected to stand there too, but M^r France saw us, & kindly took us into the Council Chamber, where we could both see & hear well. Nearly two hours we waited, as did the dense crowd outside, for the declaration w^h was to shew the decision of the town. We were comfortable enough, having nice seats & pleasant company, but the patience of those outside was certainly surprising. At length the exciting moment arrived - the mayor declared from the Balcony that James had 5000 votes (odd)

'Loud cheers burst from the multitude, w^h were echoed & re-echoed - then the numbers, written clearly on a large board were hung out to be read - then M^r James made a beautiful little speech, in w^h he chiefly adverted to the courtesy & honourable conduct of his opponent. Then M^r Bruce spoke in similar terms - & instead of the rioting, hooting & groaning w^h too often greet a defeated Candidate, three cheers were given for Bruce - & the vast multitude dispersed.

'After shaking hands with both Candidates - the victor & the vanquished, we left the Town Hall, & sending the dear bairnies home, Willy & I walked across the High Level Bridge, & were fortunate enough to be just in time for the Declaration of the Poll at Newcastle. It was not expected to be until 10 or 10.30 but the arrangements for the counting had been so admirable that all was ready by about 9 o'clock. We were in a room above Franklin's shop . . .

'When the numbers - in white letters on a large black board - & read by the bright lime light arranged on purpose, were made known, the cheering was tremendous -

'The speeches w^h followed - from the Town Hall, we could not hear - the distance was too great. Young M^r Cowen, M^r Dilke & M^r Beaumont spoke - poor M^r Hammond never put in an appearance at all. After many congratulations given & received, we left the room & Robert & I went up to M^r Dilke's Central Committee Rooms in Grey S^t. Here the scene which followed really defies description - the laughing, & shouting & gesticulating & hand shaking, & congratulating were such as I never saw equalled, & never expect to see the like again.

'In a moment Robert was dragged from my sight by some one hearing the shouts of "Spence Watson" from the crowd assembled in the street below. He was hoisted up to the window (on a dangerous ledge,) & there addressed the people amid tremendous cheering. It was a grand time - but almost too exciting. I had not believed I could have been so excited over any electioneering whatever.

'When at last, after all this, we reached our home, the quiet seemed quite marvellous. A telegram was awaiting R. to tell him, on this day of victories, of another. M^r Dendy, who was in Italy on business, had won his case.

'Now I will finish this history for to night, & in a few more days I hope I shall have to record at least one more victory - that of Albert Grey in conjunction with M^r Beaumont, for South Northumberland. But R. is very anxious, & not at all confident. I wish - oh I wish it were all over. In after years my children will like to read this story of their dear Father's efforts, & of all that took part place in this memorable contest . . . April 6^th 1880.'

'I must now complete the election story so far as our own immediate district is concerned. In North Northumberland the Tory influence of the Duke & his supporters proved too strong from for M^r John Clay, the Tenant Farmer, who made a gallant struggle, but was defeated. In South Durham & in North Durham the Liberals were victorious, & now I have the delight of recording that they also won the seat - so nearly contested in 1878, & finally adjudged then to M^r Ridley.

'It was a long & anxious week - but the polling day came at last. There was a great meeting in the Circus on the Wednesday, when M^r Grey made a very good speech. On the Friday was the Polling - & that night Robert stayed up at Hexham, the place where the counting was to take place - at the county town. The night before he had stayed at the Turk's Head in Newcastle, as he was obliged to work so late - & for several previous evenings he had not returned home till 11 - some not till half past 12. I was growing quite anxious for his health from this continued strain - but it all ended happily at last.

& so the double victory was one [sic] - & two Liberal members returned to Parliament. We were all rejoiced that M^r Grey was so far at the head of the poll, there was great rejoicing everywhere.

'Had I known what time they would return to Newcastle, I should certainly have gone to see the ovation at the Central Station. Afterwards the admiring crowds escorted M^r Grey along to the Chronicle office, & there he & M^r Beaumont - & robert & others all addressed the people from the window. I hear it was a splendid sight - & the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. At Hexham M^r Grey had the horses taken out of his carriage by his ardent followers, & he was drawn along by hundreds at a rapid rate all through the town.

'Delightful letters of congratulation afterwards poured in. One letter of M^r Grey's in answer to mine I copy here, because it shews his appreciation of my dear husband's services. And so ended this ever memorable election of 1880.

'The new Parliament will have an enormous Liberal majority, & hope great things from it, although it has a legacy of ill doing & mismanagement, to deal with. There are, I believe, seven members of the Society of Friends now also Members of Parliament.'

'On the 23^rd of April - Friday - Ruth, Evelyn, Mary, Bertha Arnold & I, with Dorothy the nursemaid, set out for Grasmere . . . We had a warm welcome from our dear sister Carrie - whose lovely house, with its exquisite surroundings, looked more lovely than ever. The following day, Saturday, Robert came, joined Accompanied by our dear Mabel who met him at Darlington with leave of absence of a week.'

'It had been such a great pleasure to have dear Carrie able to go about with us so much, & we had been favoured with good health - & splendid weather - the dear bairnies had all been with us, & all so good & happy . . .'

'Then followed a very busy time preparing for the opening of the new High School at the top of the Windmill Hills. We had been the first originators of promoters of this school, but in the old building, Prospect Cottage, it has not been very successful. We were very anxious to make it a complete success now, & thought a good deal depended on the opening. The Local Committee took great pains - & it certainly was a very good thing.'

'Since this the cooperative Congress has been held in Newcastle & we have had M^r Thomas Hughes (Tom Brown at Oxford) & M^r Holyoake as our guests. The former is a very interesting & delightful man, quite a typical English gentleman, both in appearance & manners - whose acquaintance we were delighted to make. He is most earnest on the subject of Cooperation believing that all business must ultimately be carried on on Cooperative principles.

'The first day of the Congress, the Bishop of Durham presided - the 2^nd day Robert - giving an admirable address at the beginning & making as M^r Hughes said "a most excellent Chairman." May 27^th 1880.'

'In June . . . We had planned a fortnight's tour in Brittany for Mabel, but on the very day on w^h we were to start, R. came home at midday with the announcement that Brittany must be given up. He had to go to Sweden. We were a little disappointed, but still nothing loth to go with him to Sweden instead. So we postponed our departure till the morrow so as to alter our arrangements a little & then set out by way of London for Göteborg. I have written in a separate book a pretty full account of our Swedish tour . . .'

'We also had the great pleasure of seeing & hearing Irving & Ellen Terry in "The Merchant of Venice."'

'Very early on the morning of June we were roused from our slumbers in the Charing X Hotel, & by 4 a.m. were driving through the wholly deserted & quiet streets down to the Millwall Docks.'

'From Göteborg we went by rail (night express) to Stockholm . . . thence north, with M^r Carr & M^r Emblon, a Swedish lawyer to Lündsvall - where the principal part of R's business lay.'

. . . 'in the evening drove to the Hotel where the business was being transacted, where we waited 4 long hours before the gentlemen were ready. It was all very amusing though, & the magnificent supper w^h followed the amicable close of the business was really a wonderful affair. At 11 at night we started in the funny little steamer "Nyvik II" for Nyvik - & what a tossing we had. Poor Mabel was very sick - & we were all of us glad when morning dawned & we landed at 6 o'clock at the close to M^r Carr's pretty home at Nyvik. We were hospitably entertained by this nice family . . . from Saturday to Tuesday - when we all came away - we to return for a few days to Stockholm . . .'

'From Göteborg we sailed - on an exquisitely calm blue sea - down the Sound to Copenhagen, & after a short stay in that beautiful & interesting city of two days, we left for Hamburgh, where we saw my sister Nelly & her husband - thence via Köln & Flushing to Queenborough & home . . .'

'Soon after our return we took lodgings at Whitley for our little bairnies who had been rather flagging - dear wee Arnold especially looking very pale & pulled down.

'After much searching, I at last found a delightful house belong to M^rs Elder, close by the sea, & here with 2 bedrooms & a very nice sitting room the three little ones, Mary Bertha & Arnold with two servants stayed a fortnight. I often went down to see them . . . All the children enjoyed it much, & looked much better at the end of their stay.

'The last six days of their holiday was were spent by Ruth & Evie in delightful fashion. We took them over the Border - a charming but all too short excursion. We set forth on Sep. 15^th in the early morning for Riccarton . . . We were obliged to alter our plans somewhat, & stopped at Newcastleton, a neat little town with a pleasant Inn where the kitchen fire was the most attractive feature.'

'At 7 o'clock in the evening . . . we set forth again . . . & in about an hour reached Caurbie [?] Station. A long dark walk along the highroad brought us at last to the cheerful Inn - w^h was welcome indeed - & we soon sought our comfortable beds . . .'

. . .'we caught the train to Beatlock - thence omnibus to Moffat. . . . we got delightful rooms in a sort of dépendance of the Buccleugh Arms.'

. . .'& then back to our Inn in the gathering darkness, to our funny little box beds, w^h were quite a novel experience for the children. Of course old Campaigners like R. & myself had slept in all sorts of queer places & were easily contented.'

'"Yarrow visited" but us will surely be some day "Yarrow revisited" by the dear companions of this tour - how or with whom, who can say - but with tender thoughts we may be sure of the Father & Mother who walked beside them then, the dear Father with his endless store of ballad & song & story - & never failing goodness.'

'We returned home by way of Hawick & Riccarton, arriving at Bensham about 10 o'clock - & next day began school. The dear little ones had come up from Whitley, looking all the better for their stay there . . .'

'The next few days after our return home we had Maggie & Ellen Foster staying with us - a pleasant little visit. They afterwards went to South Shields to stay with the Dales, & M. Foster is now engaged to M^r J. Dale - & seems exceedingly happy.

'On the 28^th Sep. R. & I set out by way of Barnard Castle for Grasmere, where the first meeting of the Wordsworth Society was to be held the following day. As there was no coach from Windermere when we arrive, so we left our Portmanteau to come afterwards, & set out to walk . . . It was growing dusk when soon after six Carrie came running down the garden to greet us, & we entered the dear home where we had spent so many happy days. The meeting next day was quite successful - although of rather a formidable formal character. The Bishop of S^t Andrews, D^r Wordsworth, presided, & Professor Knight made a clear & able statement of the aims of the young Society - & a Committee was formed, of w^h R. was a member. In the evening Prof. Knight & his brother in law M^r Wilson, with Miss Wilson dined at Heugh Folds, & a very pleasant evening was spent. We left Grasmere with my sister Alice's children & their nurse on the following day . . .'

The following Saturday, Oc^t 2^nd R. & I went by arrangement to Embleton to spend the week end.'

'About 10 days ago I went to York to see our darling Mabel . . . Seven of the girls came to the Hotel to get tea with us - & the evening passed off very successfully, although R. unfortunately could not be back from Sheffield (where he had been to attend some law meetings) in time. He came that night however, & in the morning we had May & Ernest Corder to breakfast. Then R. departed . . . then I home . . .'

'May 1^st 1881 . . . Last Autumn at the half term holiday we took Ruth & Evie to Barnard Castle or rather to Rokeby (the Morritt Arms) for two days - leaving N.c. on a Saturday & returning on Monday. . . . On Monday R. had to leave early.'

'Our Christmas gathering was a very merry one - - Punch & Judy in the Playroom was an intense delight to the merry eager little bairns, & their delight is always reflected on their more sober elders.'

'On the 25^th of February we took our faithful companions Ruth & Evelyn to York, there meeting our dear Mabel, & all having tea together at the comfortable Station Hotel. In the evening R. & I went by invitation to attend the Sheriff's (Richard Thompson) banquet Conversazione - w^h was a brilliant affair. One of its notable features was that all the refreshments provided were strictly teetotal. Usually a great dinner exclusively for gentlemen, is given by the Sheriff - & this Quaker Sheriff preserving the traditions of his Fathers, wished to show that an entertainment could be successful without what is usually considered absolutely essential. And a great success indeed it was - brilliantly lighted & a brilliant assemblage of ladies & gentlemen - all the élite of York as we supposed, but to us mostly unknown.'

'On Saturday morning we proceeded to Scarborough - for the half-term holiday (Monday) . . . We had a long ramble, & back to dinner at 6 - Lionel Clapham joining us from Oliver's Mount School. Sunday was also cold & bleak - & on Monday after a fine morning there came a tremendous snow storm. R. left early with M^r Tennant . . .'

'On the 14^th of April, the day before Good Friday all the dear children, that is, Ruth, Evelyn, Mary, Bertha, Arnold, with Mattie went off to Grasmere. "Aunt Car" had most kindly asked them all to spend their Easter holidays & their cousins Maurice & Ernestine Richardson were to join them. A little later in the day, Robert & I set out in a different direction - to have a little outing all to ourselves & by ourselves. . . . Most delightful has our little tour proved, only all too short - for we must needs be back on the 25^th . . . A long rather weary journey 3^rd class - brought us at 11 P.M. to Birmingham where we spent the night - then on next morning through pleasant country to Malvern where we put up at the Imperial Hotel, very comfortable quarters.'

'On the Monday morning we reluctantly bade adieu to these lovely hills, & took train to Hereford - thence . . . we went on by train to the finely situated town of Ross - thence drove down to Whitcliff, walking thence by Lymond's Yat to Monmouth. . . . We put at at Monmouth at the Beaufort Arms - a comfortable Inn . . .'

'We were so delighted with Tintern that we decided to stay all night at the cosy little "Beaufort Arms" . . .'

'On Wednesday morn^g we left Tintern, & went on to Gloucester . . . Ludlow was our resting place that night - a charming town,& our Inn "The Feathers" most picturesque of old-timbered houses.'

'After dinner we reluctantly left this delightful spot, & travelled on to Shrewsbury - - staying at that ominous bird's "The Raven", w^h however to us brought nothing but good luck.'

'At 5.30 that eve^g we left for Kendal - viâ Crewe, & after a safe & rapid journey reached the pretty little northern town where "The King's Arms" proved a most welcome resting place. Next morn^g we . . .walked from Stavely by Troutbeck to Grasmere . . . But the warm welcome from Carrie & all our dear bairnies was truly delightful, & the happy two days at this much loved home, with our dear ones was a most happy ending to our ten days of I might say almost unalloyed delight.

'R. preceded me home by a few hours as I stopped at Wigton to see Lucy whose little boy Joey was very ill from the after effects of scarlet fever. He is now I am glad to say progressing nicely . . .'

'Now we have little Lucy with us during her mother's absence - & this evening all our dear ones have returned from Grasmere looking well & blooming, & telling with rapture of all their enjoyment & adventure. . . . May 2^nd 1881.'

'But a sharp though short illness of Robert's hastened the departure w^h we had planned for the end of term . . . '

'On the 19^th of July we set sail with out whole family - the nursemaid Mettie, & the housemaid Margaret - in the "Johan Sverdrup" for Bergen . . . We left Newcastle on Tuesday, & reached Bergen on Thursday morning . . . we found excellent quarters at the "Scandinavie" - w^h is in a better situation that Holdt's. We spent 5 days in Bergen & greatly enjoyed them . . . On the Monday at midnight we sailed away from Bergen in the "Fjalir", & after a very stormy passage, reached Faleide at 5 o'clock on the morning of Wednesday. . . Here we spent 4 happy weeks - a time of true rest & refreshment. I have elsewhere noted our daily doings, so I will sum up here some of our delights.'

'The children were all enthusiastic & throughly appreciative - & it was the greatest pleasure to have them all with us - the little ones were so good & happy, & notwithstanding torrents of rain the fine pure air seemed to give them all health & strength. At last the day came . . . & on a glorious morning, the 24^th of August, we . . . sailed away, again in the "Fjalir", from that much loved Faleide. A fine passage brought us back to Bergen, whence, after one days' stay, we sailed away for Newcastle . . . What we should have done on board ship without the dear Father, I cannot tell - at one time he had Arnold both to wash & dress - everyone else being too ill to look after the poor child.

'Soon after we came home, I fell on the floor & hurt my knee w^h became badly inflamed, & I was quite crippled for some weeks. I am thankful to be quite well & strong now. I was most happily nursed & tended, when recovering by kind Uncle Robert & Aunt Anne Foster at their nice little house at Newbiggin by the Sea, where I spent 10 happy days - part of the time with some of the dear children with me. The dear children went back to school on the 20^th September, & are all very happy & making good progress. Dear little Mary & Bertha are sweet little Kindergarten pupils, & are learning to sing so nicely - among other things. The Gymnasium at the High School is finished & fitted up, & the girls have capital gymnastic exercises every week. There are over 200 pupils in the school, which is now a great success thanks to Miss Cooper's energy & tact.'

'Robert & I have just been for a short visit to Professor Knight's at S^t Andrews, w^h we much enjoyed . . .'

'R. was to have been home to take the chair at M^r Dilke's meeting but & for this purpose we left S^t Andrews at 7.30 a.m. but the wind was so tremendous that no steamers were funning on the firth of Forth, & after long delay, all passengers for Edinburgh were sent round by Stirling. So we did not reach home till 10 P.M. after the stormy meeting w^h we soon heard of was over. The following night there was another meeting - a much quieter one, though still noisy at times. R. was in the chair, & was attentively listened to - he made an admirable Chairman, I think everyone must acknowledge . . . Nov. 29^th 1881'

'I must make a note of our Christmas - this Christmas before it gets blended & confused with other Christmases for this has been such a particularly happy one, & the older we grow the more we feel the uncertainly of all things, & the possibility of "the last." With the exception of the Claphams, who, to our great disappointment, were prevented from coming by the sudden death of K.C. Clapham, all our circle was gathered together - with the addition of the Dendys, D^r Baumgartner & M^rs Rendell. Also our friend Captain Kron, who turned up unexpectedly, & who was a great addition to our party. We knew him as the mate of the "Fjalir", a very pleasant gentlemanly man. Our children now take much of the task of entertaining off our hands - Ruth had drilled some of the little ones in representing "Mary Mary Quite Contrary" - Little Bo-Peep & other nursery rhymes, as well as the old ballad of King Wenceslaus w^h was charmingly sung by the little Kindergarten pupils. Our little Mary was quite a leader & carried on the singing with great energy. It was very pretty to see all the sweet little faces, & hear the sweet young voices join in the old familiar songs. Our bonnie winsome Arnold went "round & round the Mulberry Bush" with the rest, & very lovely he looked in his Christmas frock worked by kind M^rs Dendy's skilful hands. Then M^r & M^rs Dendy had helped the older children to get up the Christmas Carol, & a very successful little act it was.

It was very well got up & well acted, & much approved. There have been many Christmas parties this winter; & we have besides been to see the Electric Light works - the glass works at the Leams [?], M^r Davidson's Flour Mill - the old church at Jarrow - & done various other things.'

'Certainly the children are somewhat disappointed to have no skating - but they have been very happy, all of them, & I am thankful to say, very well. . . . Jan. 10^th 1882.'

'At the half term holiday we too our three eldest girls & Lucy (their cousin) to Whitby. . . . we extremely enjoyed our two three days stay in the picturesque town . . .'

'Then at Easter, foregoing any lengthened excursion, we again set forth with our three eldest children, reaching Richmond on the Thursday . . . From Bolton we partly drove, partly walked to Middleham where in the nice little Inn the "White Swan" we found a comfortable resting place.'

'On . . . Saturday . . . to Ripon - where found capital quarters in the "Crown" an old fashioned & most excellent Hostelry in the Market Place.'

'On Monday . . . home by an evening train - after a quite charming little outing . . . The dear little ones were well, & all had gone smoothly in our few days' absence.

'Sleep now threatens to overcome me, so I think I must postpone the account of my visit to London till another night. It was an exciting & eventful time, & needs more attention than I can give it now. R. is still way - his business having detained him. We have thought much of him this quiet Sunday. Ruth, Mary & I dined pleasantly at Wingrove, & since then the dear girls & I have read & talked together very happily - while in the earlier part of the evening the precious little ones careered about us merrily with surprising activity. May 14^th 1882'

'On Tuesday the 2^nd of May, R. & I left Newcastle by the 12.50 train - quickly passed the group of children with their sweet upturned faces at the end of the lane - & sped away to London w^h we reached at 7.30. D^r Merz was at the station to meet us, & drove me off at once to their house in Stafford Terrace, Kensington, while R. went off in another direction to the meeting of the Alpine Club. The house the Merzs have taken for 3 months is a very nice one, in a pleasant situation, very near the Kensington gardens, & easily accessible. I received a warm welcome, & spent a pleasant restful evening. Then followed 9 days of great interest the pictures, the Parks, the riding, the driving, the shops, the people - there is so much of fascination & delight in this wonderful London. Robert was much taken up with business, so that he was not able to go about with with us very much - but when we met we compared notes & found how much of interest the other had to tell.'

'Then, in addition to the pictures we saw the Electric lighting at the Crystal Palace - the Zoological Gardens (where the three little Merzs all rode on the Elephant) . . .

'The Wordsworth meeting was held while we were in London, & very interesting it was to see Browning, & Matthew Arnold especially Browning on whom we looked with reverence & affection.'

'Just after we left we heard the dreadful news of the assassination of Lord Frederick Cavendish & M^r Burke in Dublin - a tragedy w^h thrilled us as it has thrilled all England with horror & has evoked the deepest sympathy for the bereaved wife & sister. Lord F. Cavendish had only been a few hours in Dublin when the brutal deed was done - so that it was quite impossible that he personally could have caused any ill-will. Poor M^r Gladstone must be almost heart-broken - it was he who urged Lord F. Cavendish to accept the Chief Secretary's Office - & it is said he looked upon him almost like a son.'

'Afterwards I went to the Swimming Bath & swam the length of the Bath (70 f^t) not much to boast of, still I was glad I could do even that, considering my recent, (& still felt) lameness.'

'Our sister Carrie was also there - full of zeal for the varied interest of London, & intensely loyal - & in spite of bad headaches eager to go about - many pleasant expeditions we all had together, & never can I forget this delightful visit. . . . I came home nearly a week before R. who could not get his business settled & now I am sitting up (midnight) expecting him home in another hour. He has been a whole fortnight away, & delightful indeed will it be to have him with us again. . . . May 17^th 1882.'

'Then, on the 25^th of July came the long talked of holiday. We all set sail - the same party as last year, for Bergen - Father & Mother & all the children, & the two servants Mattie & Margaret. Our daily life is duly recorded in my journal of that time . . .'

. . . 'Our six weeks' holiday . . . in Faleide . . . The dear girls leaned to swim very nicely & R. had plenty of good fishing through the kindness of friends. In the Alden river he caught one very large salmon, 3ft 10 in length which was kippered & brought home & much approved.'

'We made several excursions to Lodal & Alden & Stryn, besides numerous shorter walks with the children - one of which to Zuringler Saeter Sea, when even little Arnold went with us, must not be forgotten, & another to the same place, when after much fishing, we were benighted in coming home, & dear little Mary walked so bravely on in the dark woods. It was at least a 14 miles' walk, altogether - a good stretch for a little lassie of 7.'

'I should like to tell of the sweetness of the children one & all, of little Arnold's sayings, of Mary's pretty prattle, of Bertha's delight in gathering flowers "for Miss Grady", of the keen appreciation of our elder girls - but Norway is a never ending theme, & I must not linger.

'We reached home again on Sep. 4^th - the six weeks had gone like a flash . . .'

'I should not omit to mention that, owing to a little paper I had written for the Household Magazine on the Liquor Laws of Norway, a paper the materials for which had been furnished by the kindness of M^r Hopstock, & w^h had been translated into Norsk - we were taken the round of the spirit shops, & everything was shewn their working &^c.. The diminution in drunkenness has been most striking since the enforcement of these laws, & the formation of the Company. See Art. In North of England Household Magazine No. 1881.'

. . . 'Jan. 3^rd 1883 . . . But now I must go back to Cambridge, whither at the end of October Robert & Mabel & I spent two or three happy days. Mabel & I went on Friday the 27^th R. to our great disappointment not being able to come till the next day. We were most warmly welcomed by our friends the Holmdens . . .

'Then came the main object of our journey, the visit to Newnham . . . On Monday we went to Girton with w^h w were much pleased. The building is much superior to Newnham - but on the whole we preferred the latter, although it was not decided on for our dear child until after we came home. . . . R. left in the evening - a too short visit - for London. . . . Then on Tuesday morning our happy three days' visit came to an end . . .'

'And now Christmas has come & gone - we had over 70 on Christmas Day - old & young, & a very merry happy part, "Cinderella", got up by Ruth, was charmingly acted by some of the younger ones - Mary being a sweet little Cinderella, Charles the Prince, (acted with great dignity) Ernestine the godmother, Evie & Dora the two unkind sisters, & George the Herald. We had Christmas trees for the wee bairnies beautifully arranged by the dear father in the Library with a bower of evergreen in the background whence the presents issued from the hands of Percy disguised as Santa Claus with long flowing white beard & silver locks. All the nephews & nieces had presents, w^h seemed generally to give great satisfaction. . . . I must not omit to note that our dear little Mary got a prize at the High School - for term work & general good conduct.'

'Today our sister Gertrude Edmundson has her 5th child - 3^rd boy - to be called Cyril - a happy new year's gift.'

'Robert & I returned a few days ago from a little journey in the South of England. R. had been much overworked, & was suffering from sore throat, & so we took a week's holiday together. We went first to London to attend a Conference there . . . We stayed in London at the admirable "Grand Hotel", from Thursday Wednesday eve^g till Saturday.'

'In the evening we went to see "Much Ado about Nothing" Irving & Ellen Terry. Marvellous acting, & still more marvellous play.'

'On Saturday morning Theodore & Alice Merz came to breakfast at our Hotel . . . In the afternoon we went down to Northchurch to visit our friend, M^r' Morton & his family. . . .

'On Monday morning we left Northchurch . . . & travelled with M^r Morton to London. At Paddington station we parted, he to go to his law studies, we to journey to Wells, which we did not reach till between 3 & 4 in the afternoon.'

'The next morning we took the train to Cheddar . . . In the afternoon we went on to Glastonbury . . .

'We came on by way of Bristol, to Worcester . . . Liberalism among the agricultural population of these parts seems almost unknown, & unfortunate Liberal speakers are sure to get a pelting of rotten eggs & other such rough handling.

'I forgot to say we stayed at the delightful old "George" Inn at Glastonbury. . . .

'At 10 on Wed Thursday morning we set out for home . . . reaching our own beloved home about five o'clock . . . I am thankful to think that it has done my dearest R. much good - although he still needs far more rest than he can get. We have just had our sweet little Mary's birthday party - she is 8 years old - such a happy group of sweet & bonnie bairns.

. . .'November . . . Directly the Examⁿ was over, we left home - R. & I. & Mabel & Ruth. We stayed Saturday night in London, & the next day crossed the Channel in the "Invicta" the sea exquisitely smooth & sunshine over all. Then we had a long day & night before we reached Lucerne, w^h looked most beautiful to our tired eyes & minds. We spent 2 or 3 days on the lake of Lucerne. . .'

'We stopped at Göschenen & then went through the wonderful tunnel & on to Faido thence, after two days stay, across the mountains to Fensio . . . Then on to Locarno, Baveno, Arta . . ., Varallo, Arona, Milan, Cernobbio on Lake Como, Monte Generoso, Lugano & back to Lucerne - a most enchanting round. . . . The history of this journey is duly recorded elsewhere . . .'

'In coming home we stopped a night at Rheims & another at Amiens . . . We stayed two nights in London (at the Grand Hotel) on our return journey, & then came home to our dear Evelyn, who was the only one at home - the three little ones having gone a week before with Mattie to Grasmere to their ever kind Aunt "Car".'

'The holidays passed quickly & happily away, & just before they ended R. & I took Evie her promised visit to Scotland. We only had a week, & Evie & I were obliged to set out before Robert - spending that day at Pitlochrie & spending the next day wandering up the fine pass of Killiecrankie . . . Next day R. joined us & we went on to Inverness & Beauly - driving thence to Invercannich w^h we made headquarters for the next few days, exploring the beautiful valleys of Glen Affrich & Glencannich.'

'Old M^r Kerr at the Invercannich Hotel did everything to make us comfortable - for Carrie's sake, if not for our own - for C. Had left golden opinions behind her, & her poem in the visitors' book descriptive of the delights of the Hotel & of the Country, had been "far better than an advertisement". We returned home by Loch Ness, Drumnadrochit & Dunkeld . . .'

'On the 9^th of October R. gave the opening address at the College of Medicine in Newcastle. He was dressed in his S^t Andrews' Doctor's gown, & looked extremely handsome. The address was a very fine one - its aim was to get a more complete college - it will probably be printed shortly.'

'The next morning the 10^th I took my precious Mabel to Cambridge to instal her into her room at Newnham in the North Hall under Miss Gladstone. The first night she slept with me at M^rs Holmden's the next day we spent in putting her room right, & arranging her things & the day after I left the darling child & went on with a sad heart to London, & thence to Bournemouth. I spent three days very pleasantly with my sister Emily & her husband & their sweet children - then went on to Cheltenham, passing two nights with my cousin Jane Sturge & seeing the magnificent Ladies' College - then on to Leeds, where I joined R. who had come to attend the great Reform Demonstration at w^h John Bright was to preside. We stayed with our kind friends the Hewitsons, & very much enjoyed the great meeting - held for the purpose of urging on the Government the importance of assimilating the County to the Borough Franchise, & hearing John Bright speak. I had never heard him before - he certainly was not so eloquent as I had expected, but his speech was a model of clearness, & full of force.'

'Our old servant Elizabeth leaves us tomorrow, having been 12 years with us - she is going to be married. She has been a faithful servant - & we shall miss her much - Margaret, the housemaid, is to be cook, Charlotte her sister the housemaid, & another girl has come to take Charlotte's place. So goes the world!

'M^rs Butler was not able to come to the meeting w^h Prof. Stuart had to address - or she would have been our guest also. It was a small but good meeting. R. spoke most beautifully . . .

'Three months of 1884 have all but gone, & Christmas with all its pleasures seems already far away - before I have written a word in my book. We had a large & happy gathering, although since last year death has taken our kind & genial brother in law Henry Clapham, leaving a gap w^h no one else can fill. Our dear Aunt Anne Foster was also absent through illness - a long continued & sever illness, from w^h however to the joy of us all, she has, at length, completely recovered. The number of our grown up nephews & nieces is now almost alarming - so that, with all the little ones still left, our Christmas parties almost seem composed of three generations, ourselves being the old people.

'The dear father's lovely little book "The Children's Christmas" - the music by Myles Foster - was sung by all the children - exquisite to listen to, & exquisite to see. The pretty little book has been a great favourite this winter as it well deserves to be, & we have sent copies of it far & wide.'

'R. & I spent a Sunday very pleasantly with her [Mabel] & our friends the Holmdens during this last term. We had afternoon tea on the Saturday in Mabel's room . . . Then on Sunday . . . we attended the eve^g service in Trinity Chapel - a most impressive sight. D^r Thompson, the Master of Trinity was sitting almost close to us . . . Near him was the Prince of Wales' eldest son - query, our future king? - an amiable looking youth, but in no way striking.

'I forgot to say that in the day or two we were in London we saw the delightful collection of Sir Joshua Reynolds' pictures in the Grosvenor Gallery . . .'

'In returning home from Cambridge we spent a couple of hours at York, when I went up to the Retreat & saw our dear Lucy Corder, & poor old Colonel Pryziemski - a sad wreck - & a most touching visit.

'In January we had an interesting visit from M^r Morley & M^r Chamberlain. An immense meeting was held in the Circus R. in the Chair. M^r Chamberlain made an excellent impression, & the meeting was a great success. M^r Morley has thoroughly made Tyneside his own, & is always enthusiastically welcomed. As for the Chairman, there is no need I should sing his praises - every Newcastle audience knows there is no one better than he to preside at a meeting, whether peaceful or stormy.

'We had several interesting guests to meet M^r Chamberlain & M^r Morley at breakfast - among others Sir Henry Havelock Allen, the son of the brave Sir Henry Havelock who did such good service in India - M^r Burt, the excellent member for Morpeth, Sir Joseph Pease &^c. There was great talk over the Shipping Bill w^h M^r Chamberlain has much at heart, but w^h as things look now, he seems scarcely likely to be able to pilot safely through the house. The accounts he gave us of profits from over insurance, & the reckless loss of life at sea were terrible - some bill, if not his, must be sorely needed. M^r Morley thinks M^r Gladstone will certainly resign before long - & since he said this, there has been all the terrible Egyptian business w^h must have harrassed him & galled him to the quick. Notwithstanding all General Gordon's influence, events seem going hardly with him, whilst in other directions the loss of life & the slaughter of the brave Arabs have been terrible. Most of the talk (to return) during M^r Chamberlain's visit, was in the library, over pipes & cigars - into w^h sanctuary I did not venture to enter, so that I had to be content with retailed accounts afterwards.

'The capacities of our household were tested to the uttermost during this visit - but everything went on well. As our old & faithful "Ibbet" (Elizabeth) who had been with us 12 years had gone, we had M^rs Turnbull to help Margaret with the cooking - w^h was all very nice.

'At the end of February there was a Concert given by all the High School girls, assisted by several ladies & gentlemen, in the Town Hall at Gateshead . . . M^r Fearon of Durham presided & after the performance, he gave away the prizes. Our little Evie took two, one for term work & one for Examⁿ work, & dear little Mary was "highly commanded" as she innocently said. It was a lovely sight to see all the girls in their white dresses with their scarlet badges & petty flowers - & the sweet fair faces brought many touching thoughts.'

'The dear father has not been at all well the last few days . . . March 27^th 1884'

'It was funny to see the dear little man [Prof. Seeley] plodging through the stream w^h barred the way on the Warkworth sands. Robert took the ladies of the party one by one in his strong arms & carried them over, D^r Merz, the Professor & Herbert Corder more leisurely plodged through afterwards.

'In May we were in London for a few days, & met there my sister Carrie, & our Ruth who had been paying several delightful visits with her Aunt. They had been to Birmingham to the Allbrights, to Leamington to Miss Atkins, to Cheltenham, to my sister Emily White's at Bournemouth, & to M^rs Howard's in London. We went together to several places of interest, & attended the Wordsworth meeting, at w^h Robert read a beautiful paper on "Wordsworth's Relations to Science." The meeting was in the Library at Lambeth, & the Archbishop of Canterbury was there. . . .

'After the meeting, R. & I drove to M^r Albert Grey's, where we had afternoon tea, & a very pleasant visit.'

'Carrie was at the Prince of Wales' Hotel to meet us, & the Heugh Folds garden, after climbing the hill, was a veritable Elysium.'

'Annie Atkins was staying at Heugh Folds. On the Saturday we all went up beyond Nab Scar - a delightful walk, with lovely views all the way. In the evening boating on the lake, & sketching. On Sunday morning when C. & A.A. had gone to early service & Ruth & I were sitting at breakfast, who should appear but Robert. We expected his coming but never thought he could arrive so early. He had left Newcastle, after playing in a cricket match at the Boy's High School, at 7 o'clock travelled to Penrith, & at once started to walk to Grasmere - leaving Penrith at 1 a.m. & reaching G. at 8.20. . . . We had a delightful Sunday, but on Monday, R. had to leave to go to an old scholar's association meeting at York. Carrie, Annie Atkins, Ruth & I drove in the afternoon (June 2^nd) to Coniston to call on Miss Susan Beever - the dear old lady of "The Thwaite" Ruskin's great friend . . .'

'On Tuesday - Whit Tuesday, Ruth & I left this lovely home, & now look back to those three days as a bright episode in our lives.'

'On July 22^nd we sailed for Bergen, our whole family & Mattie. Of the delights of our stay in Norway I have written in another book . . .'

'We left our beloved Faleide to its kind people on the 29^th August, & after an exceptionally fine voyage, reached home on September 1^st.'

'Then we had a . . . visit . . . from my sister Emily White, with her sweet little Mary Gladys. Then Professor Stuart came, & for a few nights we had to let Evie & one of the little ones sleep at Moss Croft, not having room for all our guests. Professor Stuart had been with Gladstone in his Scotch journey, & had many interesting things to tell us about him. He says Gladstone generally gets about 500 letters a week - he has a very systematic way of dealing with them. They are all opened first of all by one of his Se^ies & marked those w^h do not require Gladstone's supervision are not laid before him. The others are, & he marks on the envelope how each is to be answered - having various short signs intelligible to the Secretary. This business generally occupies the morning till one o'clock. Before making a great speech he puts all papers &^c relating to it into a box. Then the day or so before, he goes over all these, making notes of what he intends to use. The last few hours before the time of his speech he reads a novel or some other light boom, & does not think of his speech at all. He makes notes for the peroration, but his powers of language are so great that he does not need to do more.

'Prof. Stuart says the one thing Gladstone seems quite ignorant of is science - that he talks of scientific things as a child would do. He says he is a capital man of business. The enthusiasm with w^h he has been met all through his Scotch journey has been quite unbounded. He red us some most picturesque letters from Miss Gladstone keeping up the record of events since he left them. All the little incidents of the journey most charmingly told. How at one place photographs were being sold of the "Grand Old Man, 2^d each" - "the Grand Old Man with his wife 3^d &^c &^c shouted out in business like tones just under Miss Gladstone's nose. How at Carlisle a great crowd gathered, & Miss G. watched the expression of the peoples' faces & how sometimes even their jaws seemed to move at the emphatic parts, in sympathy with the people - how at one place M^rs Gladstone was presented with a box of soap by a working man, how at another place 20 y^ds of velvet were offered - at another grapes & everywhere flowers. We heard from another source that at Hawick woolen combinations were given - hung up in full view of all - one marked for "M^rs Gladstone, another for M^rs Trevelyan" - It is impossible to reproduce all Miss Gladstone's pretty touches. Had I only known shorthand I should have been tempted surreptitiously to set down a good deal. The guests at Lord Rosebery's - their anxiety about their host had had broken his collar bone - their meeting Sir Andrew Clark, & Miss Powell, a Newnham student staying with them - her fear lest her parents should get overdone, or crushed in the surging crowds - the planting of trees, the graceful little speeches of her father - every little detail brings the whole things vividly before us. The last letter was written at each station as they went along - so that it was really more than a journal - an hourly a record from hour to hour.'

'One evening future Premiers were discussed. Prof. Stuart thinks the Premier must have a strong religious element in his character. M^r Morley & M^r Chamberlain compared - Morley almost has the religious element. Chamberlain not, & somewhat lacking the finer instincts of a gentleman. Gladstone says he is content to leave certain questions - he cannot enter on them now. For instance, Women's Suffrage he knows will come, but he would rather not meddle with it - he thinks it will not be in his day.'

'March, 1885. . . . I wrote last in the Autumn. Since then what stirring times there have been. War in the Soudan - Gordon killed, Gladstone, the hero of the Autumn, fallen in the minds of many, from his topmost seat of glory - threatened difficulties with Russia - fearful stagnation of trade, (except the wicked business of making implements of war) & distress among all classes - it is a bad look out for our country.'

'In November last, our dear Mabel had a slight attack of scarlet fever at Newnham. I went to her at once, & after a little talk with Miss Gladstone & Miss Richardson, in Miss G's pleasant room, I was taken upstairs out to the hospital wing where Mabel was, changed my dress, & hastened in to the dear child. She was never really ill, so that it was not a time of much anxiety, & we both enjoyed the quiet rest together. At first we had a nurse from the Hospital, but after one week I let her go, as there was not need for her services, & then it was my delight to be my darling's sole nurse. Every morning I lighted the fire, & dusted & swept the room & arranged the lovely flowers with w^h kind friends made our little hospital like a fragrant garden. Then there were innumerable letters to write & fumigate before posting; delightful books to read, & various little household duties which made the time pass quickly away.'

. . . 'On the morning afternoon of the 16^th - the day on which the students went down, I went to her room in the College, & packed up her things, ready to start for home the next morning. And so, on the 17^th Dec. we left together the snug little Hospital (in w^h Mabel was the first patient) . . .'

'After much anxious thought, we had decided that Mabel should go to Whitley, to lodgings for a week before coming home. We had taken M^rs Elder's nice lodging, where we were before, Mattie had been down & seen that everything was ready for us. Robert & my sister Carrie met us at Newcastle & were a few short minutes with us before we went on to Whitley & our rooms a joyful meeting indeed it was. Our rooms at Whitley were most comfortable - I settled dear Mabel in, & the next day changed places with Evie, who again changed with Ruth, & at the end of the week we were all - with thankful hearts, together at home again.'

'In February last R. & I went up to London, thence to Cambridge to spend Sunday most pleasantly with Professor & M^rs Seeley, & back again to London.'

'R. & Ruth left the next evening by the early train . . . while I waited till the afternoon . . .'

[at the Marquis of Ripon's reception banquet:] 'R. Spoke admirably to the toast of the "Two Houses of Parliament", but his speech, not being an M.P. nor having a handle to his name, was not reported, greatly to my dissatisfaction. Since that eve^g I have heard so many praises of it, through M^r Morley & others that I am all the more vexed. Sir Chas. Dilke commented on it, defending the Gov^t w^h R. had, somewhat hardly perhaps, but very discriminately criticized.

'We returned home on the 28^th, having much enjoyed our few days in London, & having our dear Ruth so much with us. R. had had a good deal of heavy business to attend to, but still was somewhat refreshed by the change. We came back by way of Bedford, & Leicester . . . the latter a dull town, but comfortable quarters at the "Stag & Pheasant." - to York where we met several friends at a Conference about the war. A very prolonged discussion w^h shewed me more than anything the difficulties of the case. Since then R. has had to go to Derby on the same subject & has had much correspondence & work in connection therewith. There will probably be a meeting shortly of the National Liberal Federation, when it is hoped a Resolution may be carried urging the Gov^t not to prosecute the war in the Soudan.'

'R. is now very busy - far too many engagements - lectures on "Domestic Reforms" "Peace" &^c - & often looks sadly tired & overworked - but I trust a few day's holiday at Easter will be very restful to him.

'On the 7^th of February, our dear nephew Cecil Richardson, my brother John's son, died, after a very suffering illness. He was just 15 when he died, & such a fine, bright boy. It is a great grief to his parents, but they are bearing their sorrow with a noble resignation.

'Little Norbert Merz had a slight attack of scarlet fever in January - & during his illness his brother Charles, who was to go to school, stayed here - a clever, helpful boy. He & Mary became fast friends, & made several expeditions together - often very usefully.

'Our dear Mabel & Ruth have both come home, & we had planned to go all together to Heugh Folds w^h my sister Carrie had kindly placed at our disposal for the holidays. But alas - "the best laid schemes of mice & men gae aft agley" - our little Arnold has taken the measles, & we have had to send the other children off without him . . . The others their cousin Lucy with them, & Margaret & Charlotte (the two servants who are to do duty there) all went off this morning. Robert & I hope to follow tomorrow, if Arnold is still doing well - just over the Easter Monday holiday. The house seems strangely desolate - only the wee laddie upstairs in his nursery, tired & weak, the devoted Mattie who has worked splendidly though she is much disappointed not to go to Grasmere, & Mary the Cook.'

'Evie has been most kindly allowed by Miss Cooper to work her Examⁿ papers at her house ( Mary too). This was a very kind concession, & took away the regret of missing some school days. . . .

'In June we had a most delightful time in Cambridge - the rough notes of our visit here inserted - & also at Witley.'

'Then on July 28^th we sailed in the "Norge" for Norway. The record of the happy six weeks spent in that delightful land, I give elsewhere. I will only here say that we found rest & refreshment & delight - and our pleasure was greatly increased by our having dear "Aunt Car" with us, & by her appreciation of that the land so dear to us.'

. . .'when on the Tuesday morning (Sep 15^th) we walked over the hills & came to our own beloved home, what a paradise it looked. I don't know whether Ørstenvik will ever quite take the place in our hearts that Faleide has done, beautiful though it is, and in some respects even more beautiful.

'And now we have been for nearly six weeks settled in at home, & busy with all the multifarious concerns of home life. The dear father has lectures, meetings political, social &^c w^h keep him out in the evenings far more than we like or he likes either, and he sees little of the precious children. He is busy now for the fourth time with the arduous task of arbitration - in the Iron Trade. It is indeed a heavy task - little do either masters or men know the long hours of anxious earnest toil given to this work, nor the pain w^h a reduction in wages costs him. They would both trust him even more did they know all this - but it is too heavy a burden, & I hope he will never be asked again.'

'The other dear children are all at the High School - Evie in the Cambridge form - Mary in Miss Parker's, Bertha in the 1^st under Miss Bicknell, & Arnold in the Kindergarten under Miss Sewell.'

'Dec. 1^st . . . We had intended going down to Bournemouth to spend Sunday with the Whites, but a slight attack of scarlet fever w^h little Mary White had prevented our carrying out this pleasant project so instead we went down to Virginia Water, stayed at the not very nice inn "The Wheatsheaf" . . . The next morning in cold & fog back to London - Mabel to Cambridge Ruth to Bedford College, I home.'

'And now we have just had the Elections - an exciting time. Robert has been so busy - out night after night, helping every body with his presence & his wise counsels & his stirring speeches - & taking no rest himself. It seemed likely at first that there was going to be a Tory Reaction but here in the North the Liberals have done much to retrieve the losses in the South. M^r James, M^r Joicey, M^r Wilson, Sir Edward Grey - all Liberals, & on Saturday there was the Polling at Newcastle. There were grave doubts & fears because of the way in w^h M^r Cowen had behaved. He has always acted most ungenerously to M^r Morley as he did to M^r Dilke, & his support from the Tories & from the Irish voted made M^r Morley's a hard battle to fight. The counting took place yesterday - M^rs Morley, M^rs Stephens, my three sweet little bairns & I had a room in S^t Nicholas Square, near the Post Office, whence we could see the great crowds collected to hear the Declaration of the Poll - & the board with the fateful numbers at the end of the counting. Two & a half hours we waited anxiously - at one time we feared the excited crowds would do some mischief - the mischief w^h idle hands will find to do. The long waiting was tedious, & as carts with difficulty passed through the crowd, the people seized on a barrel of apples - soon forced it open, sent the apples flying hither & thither, chucked the barrel about on the tips of innumerable hands, &, worse still, got hold of some passing coke & flung it far & near to the great danger of broken heads or eyes put out. However no serious injury occurred, & at last, at 2.20, the welcome numbers appeared, welcome in all except that we should rather have seen M^r Morley head the Poll. The numbers stand thus - Cowen 10489

so that if it had not been for the Tory votes to Cowen & the solid Irish votes Morley would have been head of the Poll.

'How glad I am this election is over - it has been a trying time - the Liberal Association, with R. at its head have had continual opposition & obloquy. It has been a hard won fight, & we rejoice in the grand victory. R. has gone to York tonight to read his lecture on Browning at "The Mount" - he gets no rest when he so much needs it - his cough is very bad, & two days he was mostly in bed just before the final meeting for M^r Morley - at w^h he was Chairman, in spite of his illness.'

[at bedtime:] 'Then Mary sang to me her sweet little songs, & talked of Flodden & Bannockburn, & acted the dear little mother to Bertha & Arnold - & Arnold kissed & hugged me. And we were all so happy. Only the dear father should have been here, & the elder daughters. Sweet Evie was, but not the other two . . . Dec. 1^st '85'

'Albert Grey's Election for the Tyneside Division, if he is successful - on Friday - I must note the result here. A. Grey won by a large majority - over Gainsford Bruce.'

Volume 3, 1886-99

'Elizabeth Spence Watson

Home Records -

Vol. III. 1886

'March 6^th 1886. Monday March 1^st was the half term holiday, & we had intended going to Whitley for a stretch on the sands, & a breath of sea air - but the fast falling snow & strong wind compelled us to give up our project.'

'Even here we were completely snowed up at the back, & had to be dug out before we could get any communication by the back door. No milk came from Whickham for 2 days - a thing we never knew before. The great snow ploughs drawn by 8 horses piled the snow upon either hand in the streets of Newcastle, leaving great walls of snow between which to walk or drive.'

'The Government resigned early in February, & M^r Gladstone once more accepted office. He appointed M^r Morley Chief Secretary for Ireland, w^h necessitated a fresh election here. It was a shame under these circumstances to contest the seat, but M^r Hamond was determined. It was hard work for M^r Morley - he had only a few days before the Polling, & had to go to Dublin in the interval - to Dublin on Monday night after a great meeting here, & back again to speak at a great meeting on Thursday night. The enthusiasm in his favour was great. Thursday's meeting was a splendid one - enthusiastic in the highest degree & unanimous. Robert was in the Chair & did well as he always does. Evie & I went in to see the Declaration of the Poll. We were in an office above Franklin's shop, whence we could watch our our ease the swaying crowds, & all the fun. At � past 11 - sooner a good deal than was expected the lamplimelight revealed on the great board put out of the window of the Town Hall - the thrice welcome result that Morley had a majority of more than 2000.

'Instantly Evie & I fled down the stairs & along through the surging rushing crowds - to the Liberal Club. Tearing upstairs we found ourselves in the top room, overlooking the balcony in w^h presently M^r Morley & his devoted friends appeared, & among ringing cheers, addressed the crowds below. After many mutual congratulations & handshakings, Evie & I left, & with M^r Dendy, found our way to the Station Hotel. There M^r Morley was, looking tired & worn, but greatly rejoiced with his victory. M^r W.D. Stephens, M^r J. Richardson, M^r Havelock & several other gentlemen - of course including the President of the Liberal Association, were all there, & it was amusing to hear the chaff & fun that went on - now that the battle was over - the victory won. At about midnight we left & walked home across the Redheugh Bridge - M^r Morley left N.C. by the 2 A.M. train - for a few days rest before his still harder work began. I forgot to say that directly it was fixed that he should be Chief Secretary, he wrote to R. "I have accepted the post of danger" - "oh for an hour's talk with you." This was two days before it was generally known - we seemed to have be the bearers of a weighty secret, & our hearts went out in sympathy to the man who stood in that post of danger. As he left Newcastle for Dublin his last words to Robert were, leaning out of the carriage window "Ora pro nobis." He feels the responsibility - the immense difficulty of the undertaking. May success crown his efforts - for he is a true man!

'He told us all about his visit to Osborne, where the Queen was when he had to go to "kiss hands" on entering office. He says the Queen did not say one word either to him, to to Lord Herschel or M^r Heneage who were with him. They simply kissed the extended fingers, & then sidled out backwards as best they could. How unsympathetic! It is no wonder that people sometimes say Of what use this pageantry of State - this expensive monarchy with its innumerable radiating branches.

'While M^r Morley was with us the riots in London occurred - a vast meeting of unemployed men in Hyde Park - who had been addressed in a somewhat stirring way - not however incited - by Mess^rs Hyndman, Burns & others, wrecked shops, broke windows, & performed a great deal of wilful & useless damage. An enormous fund has since been subscribed to alleviate the distress - but the problem of the future remains unsolved. Here too the distress has been & is very severe, but much has been done to relieve it, soup kitchens opened, penny dinners both for workmen, & children at the Board Schools - & the greater number by far have free dinners - & various other agencies. When shall we see a better state of things? - trade seems in great measure to have departed from Tyneside - "What will tomorrow bring? Who can tell?'

'On the 4^th of August Mattie took our three sweet little children to Bournemouth - the long journey was satisfactorily accomplished, & the three weeks they spent there were weeks of extreme happiness. Their Uncle & Aunt, Gregory & Emily White were kindness itself to them, & the our children & the troop of merry cousins had a fine time together - almost living in the open air, bathing & boating & making excursions &^c. Then they went to Grasmere to my sister Carrie's kind care at the ever dear Heugh Folds, & here too, although the weather was against them, they had a most delightful time. C. provided so many nice excursions, the crowning one of all being the ascent of Helvellyn, when even little Arnold rode up on a pony.'

'Meanwhile their parents, with Ruth & Evie, left London on Aug. 12^th for Basle - thence - very much wearied with the long journey, they went to Münster (or Montiers) a pretty little town, half German, half French, among the Juras, where at the comfortable Gasthof zum Hirsch, they spent three pleasant days. We - to change the pronoun - then went up to Weissenstein - a mountain Inn of first rate kind at the height of about 6000 f^t. Here, although we had persistent mist & rain for three days, we enjoyed the rest, & the pleasant society we met . . .'

'On the 21^st we came to Basle, & on the 22^nd met our dear Mabel who had travelled from Cambridge. A very happy day was spent in Basle & then we travelled on to Constance, staying at the exquisitely situated Insel Hotel - a most picturesque & beautiful Hotel - formerly a monastery.'

'In the Oetzthal we had three days of rather bad weather, but when from Sölden to Gurgl it was lovely. We were warmly welcomed by the powerful looking, somewhat grimy, handsome old Curé who keeps the little Inn at Gurgl, & found comfortable quarters there. Thence we crossed the mountains by the Ramoljoch to Fend - a lovely little place where we spent three or four days . . .'

'At Vigo we found comfortable quarters at an Italian Inn where the good people did everything to make us comfortable - even bringing 3 great tubs of hot water for our baths. The only drawback was the abundance of fleas, w^h cannot be counted among the good things of life, & w^h tormented poor Ruth above measure.'

'We were off early next morn^g . . . to Paneveggio . . . The Inn at Paneveggio is an old monastery - picturesque & comfortable, & quite luxurious in the matter of food, & most kind & friendly people . . .'

'After dinner back to San Martins where we spent nearly three pleasant days . . .'

. . . 'From Bregenz to Constance, back to the charming Insel Hotel - then to Basle where we spent a very pleasant day with J. & A. Merz & Nellie K., meeting them on their outward journey we - on our homeward - & Basle to London & home . . .'

'Nov. 1886 . . . The Easter holidays brought bright weather, but intensely cold East winds. We made a very pleasant little excursion to the "Marmion country . . . Only the three 4 eldest girls went the walking part with us - Mattie & the two little ones joined us at Canty Bay, a delightful place near North Berwick, & close to Tanktem Castle, where Ruth the three youngest children & I stayed several nights. . . . The Canty Bay Hotel is a charming little house . . .'

'On the 29^th of July the long long school term was over, & we all set sail from Tyne Dock for Christiania. My sister Allie & her children accompanied us in the train to the ship, supplying us bountifully with apples, lemons &^c for the voyage. . . . Cocaine & all other appliances against sea sickness were discarded, & we had the rare experience of a quite smooth voyage to Christiania, w^h we reached on Monday morn^g about 9 o'clock.'

'From Trondheim we sailed in the Haakon Jarl north to Ørnaes w^h we reached on the 4^th of August.'

'R. fished for the party, & kept us so well supplied that we only twice had to buy any fresh meat. It was a pretty sight to see our little Arnold clad in his waterproofs, & carrying the fishing bag setting forth with his dear father, & many a weary tramp did he go without a murmur, many a wetting did he get without complain - always wanting to carry & help in every way he could.'

'Our kitchen was of the smallest - only 2 people could turn round in it - but great were the feats of cooking performed by Mabel & Ruth, & Mattie. One trout pie of huge dimensions contained 5 doz trout, w^h were mostly consumed at one meal - while scones, delicious puddings, fladbrød & grød vanished as if by magic.'

'We left Ørnaes at the end of August, returning home the same way as that by w^h we went.'

'We came from Trondhjeim to Christiania by rail again, & spent a few days very pleasantly there at no 33 Carl Johans Gade - well cared for by the Søstrene Larsen.'

'And then on the 9^th of September on a stormy day, we set forth for the long journey home & after much tossing & misery we arrived in the Tyne on Monday the 12^th at about 2 o'clock - many hours later than we should have been.'

'I forgot to mention that just before we went to Norway R. & I had a very pleasant little visit to Wallington to see Sir George & Lady Trevelyan.'

'My sister Carrie has suffered much from her eyes, but a lengthened stay in Germany & Switzerland has done her much good. She is now again at her home at the Quarries with the Merzs - & next door to our dear Uncle Robert & Aunt Anne Foster, who are both well & take the same kind & active interest in the various branches of the family as ever.'

'Dec. 17^th 1887 . . . We had another very interesting - in a different way - guest a short while since - Commander Cameron who made the only first journey across Africa, from East to West, conquering unheard of difficulties & suffering from fever, hostile natives, scarcity of food &^c. His book & his lecture both gave terrible pictures of the uncivilized natives & their disgusting customs, of the horrors of the Slave trade, of the torrid heat of the climate - the swamps, the vast forests &^c. Shall any of us live to see that great continent civilized & opened out to healthy honest commerce?'

'On December the 9^th Lady Trevelyan gave away the prizes to the successful students at the Girls' High School. . . . Our Evelyn has won the Company's Scholarship, tenable for two years - & Mary had two prizes, one for term & one for Examⁿ work, & Bertha a prize for Recitation - so we felt very proud of our children. R. was in the Chair, & spoke well & sympathetically as he always does . . .'

'July 28^th 1889. . . . Mabel & Mary have spent six pleasant months in Dresden - & met many kind friends - & made good progress in German & music & singing. Robert & I went to Italy in April & had a time of intense interest & enjoyment - in Rome, Naples & Sicily . . . I have written in another book the journal of our tour - so will not now repeat. Most delightful it was to meet our two dear girls at Dresden - after 6 mo's separation, & after a few days in Berlin, with a most interesting visit to Prof & Madame Curtius, to bring them home & have them with us once again - How delightful I really cannot say. Mary is going to York in August, poor little Mary - we believe it is for her good, & that she will, after the first few weeks are over, be very happy - but it is the parting will be a great trial on both sides. She is such a sensitive fastidious little thing that we know there will be many pangs, but she needs a little sterner discipline - a little recognition that her own feelings, her own pains & pleasures are not of all importance - still we know how her loving little heart will suffer - & dread it for her.'

'I have even omitted the second visit to Ørnaes . . . We sailed this time to Bergen, then northward to Trondjheim & on to Ørnaes . . .'

'In November of last year Mabel & Mary went, with Edith Richardson, to Dresden. They spent 6 mos. there, studying German, music, & (Mary) drawing. It was a very interesting time for them. R. & I came up from Italy after our delightful tour there & brought the dear girls home. What a happy meeting it was - after so many months' absence. At Venice we met the Wingrove party - J.W. & M. Richardson, & Ernestine & Dora, & spent 3 very pleasant days together in that fascinating place.'

'In another book, I have written down our impressions of those wonderful lands, & a full account of our climb up Etna - not quite to the top I grieve to say.

'In February of this year, there were some grand meetings in London on the Irish question. There had been a grand huge petition prepared, under the name of the "National Protest" & these meetings were to confirm & strengthen this protest. They were most inspiriting - that in Farringdon S^t where a number of resolutions were proposed, & where my dear husband made - as several people afterwards said "the speech of the afternoon - & then the huge meeting in S^t James' Hall, presided over by M^r Morley, when he & M^r Parnell were received in a tumultuous storm of applause w^h lasted for nearly 10 minutes - all this was magnificent - we hoped for great results, & of course great good was done, but Balfour & the Gov^t still remain in power, & Ireland still denied.'

'In Aug. I took Mary to Grasmere for a few days' visit before she went to York. Bertha & Arnold was already there, & Arnold I took with me. . . . It was very pleasant to find our dear sister Carrie much stronger than last year, & able to walk about far more than then.

'I went to York with many misgivings, but was much pleased with the school, & with the teachers, & with the appearance of the girls. It was hard to leave my sweet little Mary, but she has settled much better than we expected, & writes very happily of her new surroundings.'

'The British Assⁿ has had its meeting here, & we have had, as our guest M^r Francis Galton who was our first guest after our marriage 26 years ago. . . .M^r Galton is full of ingenious theories of all kinds - deducing character from impressions of thumbs handwriting &^c. He is very interesting in conversation, albeit a little deaf.'

'D^r Nansen the intrepid explorer of Greenland . . . He & his charming young wife dined with us on Sunday; they were so pleased with our speaking a little Norwegian to them.'

'Professor Adams . . . was also here - a gentleman who was with us on the Col de la Jungfrau 26 y^rs ago on our wedding tour when we had those remarkable electrical experiences recorded in the Visitors' Book at the Eggisch Horn, & also in the Alpine Journal.'

'Mabel is at Grasmere - & R. who has business at Penrith there also - just for the day. . . . Sunday, Sep 22^nd 1889.'

. . .'the last Sunday before 1890 breaks upon us. I am sitting in the Dining room alone with little Arnold who is just downstairs again (or rather mixing with the rest, for he has been out many times) after the mildest of mild attacks of scarlet fever. I have been sole nurse & caretaker, & very happy the sweet boy & I have been together. Not one grumble has escaped from his lips, although he was left up stairs on Christmas day . . . He & I have played chess (I after the first teaching of it to him, almost always defeated) . . .'

'Evelyn is home from London, & Mary from York (much grown) . . . R. is very busy, with a difficult Arbitration case on hand connected with the North Eastern Railway, besides sending out circulars to people in the Russian cause & various other outside things, in addition to all the heavy Office work. But he is always cheery & bright - the very life of the house - & in spite of all his work, he contrives to get through twice as much - I might almost say ten times as much as any one else. We have all been extremely interested in Stepniak's novel "The Career of a Nihilist" indeed the conditions of political prisoners in Russia has aroused our warmest sympathies & indignation - first of all by reading M^r George Keenan's wonderful articles in "The Century" magazine & then by meeting with Stepniak, who lectured here & stayed with us. He is a simple minded man, extremely able - & devoting all his strength & ability to the cause of his suffering people. Later we have had a visit from Prince Kropotkin who fascinated us with his interesting accounts of hair-breadth escapes & captures & details of prison life. He is certainly a man who has made the most of his opportunities - for he wrote an elaborate scientific work in one prison (this was petitioned for, & leave granted) & in another he contrived by the help of a smith to make some tools out of an old file, & then learned carpentering to such purpose that he now makes many of their own tables, sofas & chairs. He also learned bookbinding, & now takes the greatest delight in binding his books.

'Well, this intercourse with Russian patriots, who have suffered for their country - who can say how much? has led to Robert's (whose sympathies are always practical) drawing up in conjunction with them, a circular to be sent to other sympathizers, asking for signatures & substantial help so that pamphlets & other literature may be distributed, & Russian sufferings be known to some purpose. It has been intensely interesting to see these men, & to be brought face to face with some of those terrible problems, w^h we should be so happy to be able, in ever so small a way, to help to solve.'

'Our Women's Liberal Association had its Annual Meeting in November. . . . I have been to Cramlington, to Ryton & to Consitt, on the two former places giving an account of the life & labours of Father Mathew, the great Temperance Reformer - at Consitt helping to form a W.L.A. in that district. Lately however, owing to my having been almost entirely with little Arnold, I have done nothing outside.'

'In November too we had an interesting visit from Lord Spencer, who, with M^r Morley as Chairman, had a splendid meeting in the Town Hall. Lord Spencer - the "Red Earl" is a tall, grave, & earnest man - with bushy red beard, & blue eyes. After a breakfast party invited to meet him when sitting in the Drawing Room, he told the assembled guests the whole story of the dreadful time when Lord Frederick Cavendish was murdered. Unfortunately the girls & I were not in the room at the time, but R. wrote down from recollection the account, which I here transcribe.

'"6^th Nov. 1889. After breakfast when we returned to the Drawing room, the conversation turned upon Stepniak's new novel, & upon the whole question of the Russian Gov^t & the Nihilistic methods of curing its evils. There was some little defence for assasination on the ground that it was the only weapon left to the Russian people, & that unless they could intimidate the powers there was nothing else they could do. They had tried Reason & appeals to justice & the like in vain. Lord Spencer did not think that the Russian Gov^t could be too heavily condemned but at the same time strongly protested against the idea that Assasination could ever be a legitimate weapon. He said that exactly the same thing had been urged in Ireland & that it was under this idea & from mistaken patriotism that the Phoenix Park murders were committed.

'M^r Burke was not a bigotted Orangeman. He was a warm hearted Irishman of strong national tendencies, but he was the permanent official & represented the Castle Gov^t in the minds of the Irish people. Lord Spence knew him well: He had worked with him for more than five years during every day of which he passed a considerable portion of time with him, & knew him therefore intimately. On the very Saturday on w^h the murders occurred he had his last interview with him. He & Lord Frederick Cavendish had a sort of triumphal entry into Dublin, were received with great & tumultuous enthusiasm. During the morning M^r Burke had an interview of more than an hour with Lord Spencer, & amongst other things said that "he wished to introduce the head of the Police who was to apply to me to release two leading political prisoners. I thought that although they must be released, it would not be well to release them on this day as it would produce the effect of my being in a hurry to do an act w^h might appear to be done simply for the sake of popularity, & M^r Burke earnestly urged me to do it, but I could not see my way. This was the last conversation we ever had. After our interview ended I went out to ride for exercise accompanied by an aide-de-camp & a groom. I rode down to see Miss Burke I think & made a short call upon her, & as I was passing through the Phoenix Park on my way back to the Viceregal lodge, I thought should I take a canter down the grass, or should I take a short cut home? I was very tired & took the short cut. I did not see M^r Burke & Lord Frederick Cavendish, but they were actually walking down the very piece of grass which I should have cantered down, & the murderers were lying in wait for them at that moment. I had stopped to see a Polo match, & had got off my horse for a short time & stood within a few yards of Carey who was on his way to the Ambush. I had gone upstairs in the Viceregal Lodge & was looking out of the window over the Park talking with a member of my family when I heard a wild cry, & saw a man running towards the house & waving his hands & shouting out murder. We all ran down to the door & he came up, & said two men had been stabbed close by. He pointed to the place, which we could see quite distinctly. It was in fact not so far as that chimney off - (pointing to a chimney of Mosscroft.) I wished at once to go out to the place & see for myself what had happened, but my staff refused to have this, as they thought it might be a mere ruse, & that someone might be lying in wait to do me an injury, & in a very few minutes I learned the dreadful news of whom it really was that was killed. I could not but think that, had I cantered down the turf, I should have passed the band of murderers almost at the very time that Lord Frederick Cavendish & M^r Burke reached them, & that the whole thing would have been stopped, for they must have dispersed in the presence of three mounted men. Lord Frederick Cavendish had been in high spirits & was universally beloved. I am persuaded that it was a pure accident that he was killed: the accident of his being in M^r Burke's company. As for M^r Burke's murder, it was deliberately planned & planned by men of education & some of them men of refinement. Miss Burke, not the sister to whom Davitt erroneously referred, but a cousin & a very close friend of M^r Burke's, took a similar view of the whole matter as Lady Frederick Cavendish & she actually visited the condemned men in their cells & spent much time with them. One of them, a young fellow of 21 boasted of the matter. He was an ardent Nationalist, full of patriotic zeal, with his mind stored with patriotic poems & songs, & a man of an enthusiastic & devoted nature & he believed absolutely that he had done a brave & proper act in the direct interests of Ireland. One day when he was in the exercise ground he heard a curious noise, & on asking the Police who were with him what it was, they said that it was the sods being beaten down over the grave of one of his comrades, who had been executed that day. From that moment he was altogether changed. He himself was hanged in a day or two, but he at once began to think seriously of the matter, & he confessed before he died that he had taken part in the matter murder, but that he now believed that the step had been a wrong one, although taken under what he considered the highest motives." (Here ends Lord Spencer's acc^t) "John Morley, when I (RSW) called on him at midday had heard of this. He said to me that he would have given much to have been present for it was a historic incident to hear from the lips of the man who was governing the land at the moment full & sympathetic details of so sad a historic account"

. . .'we have been to London - in March - & seen a good deal of our dear children there, Evelyn & Bertha.'

'Ruth has been in Germany with "Aunt Car" whose eyes gave her great trouble. They stayed for some weeks at Wiesbaden, & it is delightful to think that now she can see quite well, & can both go about & read & write with ease - all of w^h were difficult or impossible to her before. Our cousin Sarah Ann Richardson & Sara, & later Miss Davies joined "Aunt Car" & Ruth at Wiesbaden, & a very merry party they were.'

'"Aunt Car" is at Grasmere - where I went to be with her for 3 happy days - & now the school half term is nearly over - & in another fortnight we shall be off to Norway. For my dear Robert's sake I shall be glad when we are fairly off - so much he needs a holiday. He has worked far too hard of late - so many arbitrations outside of his business - & so much thought & labour on Russian affairs - far more than any one who glances at the pamphlets or the little paper just issued can have any idea of. What conferences - correspondence - thought, anxiety & trouble before these practical steps could be taken. But the work has indeed been full of interest, & I am sure the is thankful that to him it has been given to have a part in so great a cause - to have been one of the pioneers - I might well say the pioneer in this great movement. The correspondence w^h it has led to has been full of interest - letters from all kinds of people - Editors, Barristers, teachers, artisans, authors, actors, artists &^c'

'It is delightful to think that we have been permitted to be of some use to this M^r Hume as the following letter, received soon after he left, testifies. What a blessed thing it is that we - all men I mean - are sometimes permitted to be the unconscious instrument of good & healing.

'" I cannot let another day go by without writing to thank you & yours for all your kindness. With you I have spent the first happy days I have known since my trouble, & I shall never forget them - but you have done more - you have renewed for me my almost despairing faith in humanity by shewing me that it was possible even in this age to live in the spirit of Christ - or in the spirit of the French dogma which they stole from his teachings "liberty, Fraternity, Equality." Honestly you have come upon me like a refreshing shower after a long persistent drought. There are times in mens' lives when the mental & moral machinery seems to have run down & when the only thing to long for, & to look forward to seems to be death, & then He sends some faithful hand to wind up again the clock, to run on until his appointed hour strikes. Yours has been the hand in my case, & I shall be grateful to & love you all as long as I live. Internally now I am an utterly different man to what I was when I came to you - & you have been the instruments - it is your hands that have helped me - unconsciously it may be - as the sun shining shed unconsciously warmth & healing - out of the slough once more on to firm ground. I shall ask you to let me write to you sometimes, & I shall live in hopes of seeing you all again some day - With best love to your dear Husband & Children I remain

'I am sitting in the dining room alone this quiet Sunday eve^g . A bad cold & loss of voice has prevented me from going with R. to Falloden to Sir Edward Grey's . . .

'But I must go back to that June day - the longest day of the year - the 21^st when our whole family set sail for Bergen. It was on a Saturday night - my brother John had sent his steam launch for us & our luggage, & we left the Redheugh pier about 5 o'clock & steamed gaily down the river, the Edmundsons, even dear "Aunt Gertie" waging to us from the bridge. A multitude of friends of the various passengers were at Tyne Dock to bid goodbye & to wave adieux. Among ours were the Merzs - Charles was going with us - Charlie & Alice Spence - Lionel Clapham Pastor & M^rs Dahl, & my brother John who had come down with us on the steam launch, & arranged everything so beautifully for us. The Britannia is a splendid boat, & although the shaking of the screw was very unpleasant, & those with any tendency to seasickness soon ran away from the deck cabins - we had a splendid passage.'

'Almost too soon - so lovely was the sail - we reached Vadheim & at once ordered stolkjoeres to take us across to Osen.

'We had tea first in the pretty Inn at Vadheim, & then set off - a gay company in 5 stolkjoerer for the long ride of 18 miles. It was through a beautiful country & we merrily raced along. The night was nearly as light as day - until at 11.30 it grew dusk, & we drove up before a large imposing home, w^h was to be our home for the next 7 weeks.'

'Towards the end of our stay Hugh & Laurence Richardson came, & our three eldest girls went off with them for a little walking tour.'

'Ruth &I have been taking sketching lessons, & enjoyed sitting in the cornfields trying our hands at the corn-stooks & the trees.'

'Robert is very busy with a paper on the all absorbing Labour question, & he has taken part in several Irish meetings. He works only far too hard - or that I always fear the good he got in Norway cannot last.'

'There has just been great excitement in the town over the visits of first M^r Balfour & then M^r Morley. The latter made, as we think an unanswerable & magnificent speech. The meeting in the Town Hall presided over by M^r Burt was the largest & most enthusiastic we ever saw, except M^r Gladstone's at Birmingham, & there was a large overflow meeting in the Corn Exchange downstairs. R. had to address this, so that unfortunately he missed the whole of M^r Morley's speech - but he did not leave until his part in the great meeting was over, & we had listened to his few trenchant & eloquent words. M^r Morley turned round to me beaming with approbation when he sat down.'

'But the most interesting - in a personal way - part of the very interesting day was the unveiling by M^r Morley of a portrait of my dear husband w^h has been painted for the Liberal Club, & at their desire & expense. Miss Etherington, the young lady who painted it is very clever - she is only 26 & yet has painted about 50 portraits. She stayed with us a few days, & we liked her so much - she is such a pleasant simple girl, with a great deal of power not at first apparent. The portrait was begun at the Office, & the expression when nearly finished did not at all satisfy me - it had that anxious expression w^h belongs, I hope more to the Office than home. During the visit here when the picture was finished the genial home expression was grasped - & I am now quite satisfied, except that I wickedly covet the delightful picture for my own.

'The unveiling was a most interesting ceremony - both M^r Stevenson & M^r Morley spoke so beautifully about my dear husband - & I know so well how all they said was true - & far more - & how for me there is that "other side" w^h is best & dearest of all. Truly I have been blest.'

[single column article from the Newcastle Daily Leader, 21 Oct 1890, occupying 3� pages in this volume]

. . .'to day - Oc^t 23^rd we have just heard of the Liberal success [at Eccles] - a happy augury for the General Election - which surely - surely cannot be far off.'

. . .'now it is the 1^st of April . . . R. & I went to Sheffield in November to a series of important Liberal Federation meetings to be held there. We stayed at the Hotel near the Station . . . The Conference w^h extended over two days, was very interesting - or perhaps I should scarcely call it a Conference, but rather a meeting when various resolutions were brought forward & spoken to. The Irish question was under a cloud, through the misdoings of Parnell, but it was interesting to observe the long programme of social questions & the enthusiasm with w^h they were received. The disestablishment of the Church in Wales, the regulation of the liquor traffic - - land legislation then were especially favourably received - while M^r Percy Banting brought forward the subject of the better government of London in an admirable speech. Sir Wilfrid Lawson, witty as usual, was requested to "disestablish the Church, to abolish the House of Lords, & to abolish the liquor traffic in a speech of ten minutes". Before he had spoken five, every one was convulsed with laughter. Of course it was very gratifying to me to see the honour done to the new President of the Federation. Prof Stuart proposed his election in a speech of singular felicity, followed by H.J. Wilson in similar terms. In the great meeting in the Drill Hall in the evening M^r Morley again referred to the new President, as one whom he had long known, & who had a "heart of gold".

'All the more delightful to me to hear these things that I knew them to be no mere flattery, but true every word. The new President filled his place admirably; no long speeches were required of him, but he spoke well & to the point.'

'There was a meeting on one of the days of the Womens' Liberal Assⁿ at w^h M^rs H.J. Wilson presided - M^rs Byles, Lord Compton M^r Hammond, a candidate for one of the divisions of Sheffield spoke, & I also had to do my little part.'

'On the way home R. had to diverge to attend some Federation meetings at Sheffield. I, after a little détour by Ilkley, came home by way of York, spending a delightful afternoon with our dear Mary. . . . Ruth is in Wiesbaden again with my sister Carrie, & S.AR & Lena Richardson . . .'

'July 10, 1892. . . .The dear father & I had a delightful time in Spain in the late Autumn - going in the "Ormuz" a splendid vessel, to Gibraltar, we afterwards crossed over to Tangier & spent a few very pleasant days in that strange & interesting place . . . where the telephone, on of the most modern & remarkable of scientific inventions exists side by side with the scribe writing, cross-legged, for those who cannot write . . . From Tangier we crossed over to Cadiz, thence to Seville, Cordova, Rouda, Granada, Murcia, Elche (with its palms) Alicante Valencia, Barcelona, Paris & home.'

'While we were absent Mabel worked too hard - then came Christmas time with its many engagements, & Mabel quite broke down. Her poor circulation affected her hands so much that they became too painful & sore to use, & D^r Wilson said it was absolutely necessary that she should go South to a warmer climate. So, in much anxiety, we prepared to go immediately - my sister Carrie very kindly offered to go with us & we decided to take Bertha too. On the 7^th of January 1892 we left home, staying two days in London, to consult another D^r who also said the warm climate was the best possible remedy. The dear father was with us, & saw us off from Plymouth . . . in the good ship "Kaikoura". It was an anxious time but fortunately both C. & I kept quite well. I was able to look after Mabel who bore the journey well, & soon recovered in the delicious warm air of Teneriffe. Our chief stay was at Orotava, a delightful place where riding, driving, sketching, Spanish lessons & other diversions made the time pass very pleasantly . . . We reached Günnar about 8 hours after we left Orotava - between 4 & 5 o'cl. & were welcomed by Miss Edwards to the pretty little Hotel. Here we had a delightful stay of 5 weeks enjoying the lovely garden, the enchanting views of sea & hills. . . . From Günnar we came just before Easter to Santa Cruz & after a wearisome delay of more than a week at the International Hotel, we embarked in the "Mandingo" for Madeira. At Funchal we stayed at the Santa Clara Hotel . . . Madeira is more beautiful than Tenerife, & we especially enjoyed a week's stay at Santa Anna on the north side of the island . . . The Hotel, formerly a gentleman's house is very comfortable, but the absence of any English speaking person is a great drawback. We met in Funchal, & again in Santa Anna a delightful old lady, Miss Arabella Shore. She is a keen politician, with an exceedingly clear, critical mind - a strong upholder of Women's Suffrage. And When she found out who I was, or rather whose wife I was, she was amusingly enthusiastic, & we immediately became friends.'

'Later we returned to England in the same boat, the "Empusa" with M^r Shore - this lady's brother - also very clever & interesting.

'When in London in October, I went down to Orchard Payle to see Miss A. Shore & her sister Louisa . . .'

'In July of this year the General Election took place - a stirring time. To the great mortification & regret of all good Liberals M^r Hamond succeeded in putting out M^r Craig. M^r Morley, who was returned, although with fewer votes than M^r Hamond, was shortly made Chief Secretary for Ireland - w^h necessitated a fresh election. The Conservatives & Liberal Unionists, flushed with victory, brought up M^r Rolli, to contest the seat - but this time the Liberals worked as they had never done before, & M^r Morley was triumphantly returned - a comfortable reversal of the feeling before. We had M^r Michael Davitt, M^r Lief Jones, M^r C.P. Trevelyan, Miss Rowntree, & Countess Alice Kearney all staying with us - & for a single night only M^r Herbert Gladstone, M^r Blake (Ex Premier of Canada) & M^r Henry Fowler. All our guests were busy from morning to night - when, over the supper table, there ware many adventures & incidents to relate. It was the most exciting election we had ever known - & the end crowned all.'

'March 1893 . . . Mary has gone to the School of Domestic Economy at Edinburgh, where she is very happy. But it is strange to have often such a quiet house - & to have no little children to work for now. I remember when a girl, hearing some friend say how often the young were sympathized with, & the old were sympathized with but the middle aged or elderly were left out, & how much they needed sympathy. I little thought then how I should come acutely to feel the truth of those words. The depression that comes upon me is at times almost unbearable. No little ones who must be cared for & worked for - no little feet to come running to meet you one - the work that has to be of one's own choosing with the perpetual sense of "cui bono"? The strength & hope of youth gone & a constant feeling of weariness upon one. Well can I realize that friend's remarks, & could even long to be under some direction w^h would say "do this" & take away the dreaded feeling of responsibility. It is easy to me now to see how elderly people often go into sisterhoods or join the Church of Rome - it is that they may be under the guidance w^h is easier to them than choosing their own path . . . All this may seem morbid - but it weighs heavily upon me at times, even although I know & recognize most fully now much I have to be thankful for - the best of husbands & children - dear home & kindest friends - may God in His mercy, grant me more of His peace!'

'We have had another election in Gateshead, owing to Lord Northbourne's death, w^h raised our member M^r James to the Peerage. After a hot contest between M^r Ralli (a third time candidate & unsuccessful) M^r & M^r Allan, the latter a staunch Radical was elected - 900 majority. This new Gov^t is the best there has been for many a long day - & is doing splendid work. Already the Home Rule Bill, the local veto Bill, the Parish Council Bill (in w^h "sex is no disqualification") have been brought in. There will be tremendous opposition, but the Liberals are a good & solid majority of 40 - & let us trust will carry these splendid measures. M^r Gladstone is more wonderful than ever - 83 - & yet strong to work, & "head & shoulders" as M^r Morley once said, "above every one else. It is an exciting time, & one fraught with progress.'

'Feb. 3^rd 1895. . . . I have actually never chronicled our stay in Wales in the hot summer of 1893 - at a house called Bryn Cothi - in a pretty, but not surprisingly beautiful country in Caermarthenshire.'

'I seem never to have mentioned the happy tour in Devonshire which R. & I made together in the late Autumn of 1892 - loitering at beautiful Lynton & Lynmouth, & visiting Clovelly & other charming places.'

. . .'in the early spring of '94 I took Ruth to Llandudno to stay at Miss Wood's delightful Boarding House. . . .(we had been at Ilkley in the autumn also for Ruth's health - but happily she was much better when at Llandudno - & gained strength daily).'

'At the end of June we sailed for Norway except Evelyn & Mary who joined us later, & Mabel who came later still. It was intensely hot at Skjolden & very relaxing for Ruth, who was not well there.'

'Our cousins C.J. Spence & his wife & family came also to Skjolden later on, & many a delightful expedition they young people had together - learning snow-shoing on the mountains - bathing in the fjord &^c. When the time approached for Bertha & Arnold to return to school, R. went home with them. The rest of us went up to Maristuen - above Laerdal, where the air was far more bracing than at Skjolden, & in spite of cold & rain the 3 weeks' stay there did Ruth much good. We returned in detachments - Evie & Mary first, then Mabel, Ruth & I.'

'And now the long, cold winter of <We were without water - except rain water for a whole month & had the man hole in the boiler out all that time.> 1894 & 5 with all its pleasures & all it sorrows, & for the poor its many privations has passed away . . . It has been a busy time - many guests coming & going - guardian work, Liberal meetings &^c &^c . . .'

'Mary has gained a 1^st class Diploma at the School of Domestic Economy in Newcastle both for High Class & plain cookery, & a second class for Laundry - & well she deserves them for she has worked hard. Bertha & Arnold . . . went with us - their father & me & Ruth & Mary - to Alston over Easter Sunday, & much we enjoyed the few days' rest.'

. . .'many a time I feel that my task is nearly done - that I am no longer needed. But perhaps this is but a cowardly feeling, & I struggle against it - husband needs me if not children - & their devoted love abides with me. R. is sadly tired now, & needs a rest, & if all is well, he & I are going off to the South of France this next week - for two or three weeks.

' . . . our delightful time among the Pyrenees over & gone. Our route was from London to Pau, with a few hours' break at Paris . . . From Pau we went by rail to Pierrefitte - thence by diligence to Cauterets . . . From Cauterets we walked down the valley to Pierrefitte thence drove by diligence to Luz . . . From Luz again by Pierrefitte to Baquères de Bigorre, & thence for a few days to Baquères de Souchon . . . Here we stayed at the Hotel d'Angleterre . . .

'We returned home the same way, by Pau, Paris . . . & London - thence a flying visit to Cambridge to our friends the Holmdens, & to see our dear Evelyn, to York to see Bertha & Arnold, & home once more.'

'Twenty three years ago, this day my dear father in law died. That was a sad time, although he died - his life work accomplished - like a shock of corn fully garnered. Our own immediate family circle has been unbroken since our marriage nearly 34 years ago - but now - oh sorrow of sorrows, our youngest, our dearly beloved Arnold has been taken from us. It is so long since I have written in this book that I have not told of his leaving York, & going to Dalton Hall at Manchester - to prepare for Cambridge. Alas all the bright hopes of his future on earth are shattered now - but he has entered the Heavenly home & the higher service. I can scarcely write for the tears which blind my eyes, but I must try to write a little record of his last days. He went to Dalton Hall in the Autumn of 1896 - & in the report of his 1^st Term - M^r Neild, the then Principal says "His conduct has been all that I could desire." It was hard to part with him, but we believed he would have more advantages for study there than at home, & so we let him go. In February of this year - oh how well I recall it, his father & I went to Edensor near Chatsworth to spent a Sat^y & Sunday. Our dear boy joined us on the Saturday, & we went to Haddon Hall w^h interested him so much. Deep snow lay on the ground, but we had nice fires in the comfortable Inn, & what a happy time we had. On Sunday we went over Chatsworth & then took a walk, through the snow, up a high hill - seeing what to us is a rare sight - frozen waterfalls, glittering in the sun shine. In the evening the dear father had to leave us - we drove down to the station together, & saw him off, & then Arnold & I walked back in the darkness to the cosy Inn - regretting father's departure, but very happy together. On Monday morning early, we left for Manchester - where he & I had lunch with Ernest & Lily Weiss. Then I went to his College room at Dalton, where he made me afternoon tea - never can I forget his tender care for me - nor how he shewed me all the home treasures of his room - & how we talked of home, of Norway & of his work at Manchester &^c I stayed the night at Dalton Hall - M^rs Neild kindly letting Arnold stay with me in the drawing room - then next morning (Tuesday) he drove with me part way to the station - getting out at the nearest point to the College. I have kept the letter which he wrote to me at Sedbergh, when he says he felt so lonely when the cab drove away, & I left him I had a very pleasant three days' visit to Mabel & Hugh - I see I have not even noted their marriage - but I told that happy story in their wedding book. It was a joyful time, a radiant day - hosts of kind friends - & a happy home they had at Havere Bank, Sedbergh - for the 1^st year of their married life. In June I was again there - to welcome the advent of their sweet little baby, who has come like a sunbeam into our lives. Arnold's term was over, & he came to Sedbergh before going home. As there was not room at Havere Bank, he stayed in a house near - & on the Sunday he & I walked down through the fields to the peaceful little Meeting House at Brigflatts, where Peace seemed to reign. After meeting he had a bathe in a splendid pool near at hand. I sitting on the bank above - then another happy walk through the fields - past the school houses - I so proud of my son - & so happy to be with him. In the evening he went with Hugh to the impressive Chapel service. On Monday the little baby came & we thought it best for Arnold to go home. I have forgotten to speak of Easter, when we all went to M^rs Hayes' lodgings at Grasmere. Our dog "Tommy" was objected to, so Arnold had a room outside, & Tommy slept under his bed. How lovely the country was, the garden brilliant with flowers - daffodils, hyacinths &^c & what delightful walks we had. Just before coming away, Arnold & his cousin Ernest Merz & Theresa & Hugh made an expedition to Langdale - Hugh & Theresa returning, Arnold & Ernest going on & making the ascent of Bowfell and Scawfell. At Wastwater they met with M^r J.W. Graham & J.W. Robinson, & with them ascended Great Gable. . . . How fond these dear bright cousins of his were of him & how they will miss him. When they parted, Ernest says they said to each other "When shall we meet again" - Ah when? They went to Germany soon after this, & have never seen him since. Arnold & Ernest went on to Crummock & stayed a night a the house C.J. Spence had taken. Next day they walked to Watendlath - & parted there Ernest walking over the hills to Wytheburn - for Grasmere - Arnold walking with C.J.S. to Keswick - where I was waiting for him. We came home together - how delighted I was to see him again, & so thankful, when he told me of J.W. Robinson's accident that he & Ernest had escaped. How we looked back at the mountains, & down on the rushing streams & the spring woods, bursting into faint greenery - & how little did I think that was the last last time he would ever be with me in that Lake country, w^h we loved so well.

'In August R. & I. & Evelyn & Bertha & Arnold went to Norway - to Skarsenian above Sundalsøren. The drive to it was up a long, steep, narrow valley, at the bottom of which rushed the impetuous Driva river. The first voyage from Bergen to Sundalsøren was quite delightful - especially the part between Christiansund & Sundalsoren, where we passed stretch after stretch of enchanting fjord, with fair hills rising above - with beautiful woods, & happy hamlets - a perfect Paradise to outward seeming. On reaching Sundalsøren R. & I started in stolkjoere - Evie, Bertha & Arnold on their bicycles - up the valley. The 1^st eve^g we stayed at Storjahle - & on the eve^g of the 2^nd day, in wind & rain, we reached Skarsenin - on the last part of the journey the roads were terribly bad, & there was almost constant walking both for those who drove, & those who bicycled. Of the happy Norway times I scarcely dare to speak - the last we had, or shall ever have with our beloved boy. Part Most of the time was spent at Skarsenin, but the last week at Kise, further up the valley, & a much better fishing place. Never can I forget our pride & delight when Arnold caught his first salmon. All through these happy weeks we had him with us, & I cannot remember one cross word, or one selfish action of his - he was always the same, gentle affectionate, loving son & brother.

'The voyage home was stormy, & he caught cold, & was not very well at Christiansund & Bergen, but he seemed to get better at home, & after a few more happy weeks at home, when he had some coaching from M^r Saunderson, he returned to Dalton Hall - on Oct. 4^th & we never saw him again, until called there by his sudden illness. He was making good progress in his studies, & developing much intellectually, when all the bright prospects of his earthly career were cut off for ever. On Friday Nov. 19^th he breakfasted as usual, had a lesson with M^r Pollard - but about noon complained of a very bad headache & shivering. As soon as possible he was put to bed, in the Sanatorium, a nice room at the top of the house - his temperature taken by M^r Graham, (now Principal) & found to be 104^o. D^r V. Brown was sent for, & later, a nurse. We were written to, & on Saturday morning, the 20^th, I started for Manchester. Hugh & Mabel, & darling little Molly, & Mary, wh was staying with them, met me at York - & Lily Weiss at Manchester. She drove up with me to the Hall - where I soon found how ill our darling was. But he knew me at once, & threw his dear arms around my neck, with "Oh Mother I am so delighted to see you." I telegraphed for the dear father to come next morning & he came on Sunday by slow train - on Monday Ruth came & Evelyn from Glasgow, & on Wednesday Bertha from Swanley, Hugh & Mabel from York, & Evelyn from Glasgow. Some stayed part of the time with L. & E. Weiss, but mostly at the Dalton - M^r & M^rs Graham most kindly making room, by sending their two sweet little children to D^r Brown's D^r Harris was called in on the 1^st Saturday, & spoke very seriously of the illness. All the sad days that followed are confused in my mind like some sad & terrible dream - night was generally turned into day with the long watchings by his sick bed - when even in his delirium he seemed able to remember & thank us for any little service done. Once I heard him saying "Help God, oh help" - & he was helped. Another time he thought he was going home, & called to the driver to drive "quicker, quicker - home to Bensham Grove". And he has gone home, but to another home from than ours.

'Once he threw his dear arms round my neck, & said "Mother I have tried to be a good boy to you" - as indeed he was. Many times we had sweet little talks with him, but generally the delirium continued, & all we could do was to try & soothe him. We had the most kind & devoted helpers - M^r &M^rs Graham were unremitting in their care & their kindness Many of the students, M^r Pollard M^r Hill, M^r Hayward, & M^r Dobson took turns in watching - his tutor M^r Pollard too, & Ernest Weiss were most helpful - while our own dear girls & Lily Weiss when they could not be in the room, helped in every possible way outside - in preparing food, &^c &^c. The days wore on - the best skill that two clever D^rs could give - the best care & nursing that our devoted nurse Craig & all of us could give - was given. On Friday when he got, at last, through an injection of morphia, some sleep, there was a gleam of home - but his strength could not rally - & on Saturday morning, the 27^th November, the same day on w^h , 34 years before, my dear father died, our precious & beloved son passed quietly away. The delirium had left him but he was not conscious - he just breathed more & more faintly until at a little after three o'cl. In the afternoon he ceased to breathe. We were all standing round his bed - with M^r &M^rs Graham, the D^r, the nurse & some of the students.

'Some exquisite lilies were laid on his dear breast very soon after he died, & was had been taken to the lower room, & chrysanthemums & violets sent by kind friends. Sunday the 28^th we spent quietly at Dalton - looking over & arranging his things &^c. In the evening D^r Hodgkin came, & we had a little meeting, with comforting & helpful words. Monday was the sad travelling home day - Hugh joining us at York. Carrie & Allie & Gertie most kind & full of sympathy were here to meet us - & on Tuesday - Nov. 30^th our darling was laid to rest at Jesmond - his coffin borne to the grave by his cousins Herbert & Edgar Edmundson, Hugh Watson, Laurence Richardson & Bowman Watson. Many beautiful wreaths & crosses covered the coffin, & the grave afterwards - & many sympathizing friends stood around. But we could not see them - it was as if we walked in a dream. M^r Graham M^r Pollard, M^r Hill & M^r Dobson &M^r Hayward all came from Manchester, & we had our brothers & sisters in the evening. We have had abounding sympathy from friends far & near - about 600 letters & cards - & we have many consolations but our Arnold has gone, & life can never be the same again for us . . .

'I should have said that At the Cemetery, the Rector Canon Moore Ede, & Thomas Pumphrey spoke a few words. At the meeting in the Meeting House afterwards Fielden Thorp who had come from York, spoke very impressively - & my dear Robert was enabled to say a few beautiful words of thankfulness & resignation even in the midst of his sorrow.

'There are one or two things I have forgotten to mention in connection with our beloved Arnold's illness. One is, that on the Friday evening, the day before his death, he when D^r Harris & D^r Brown were going away after their evening visit, he stretched out his hand first to one, then to the other, & said so sweetly "Goodbye, & thank you so much." It was so lovely to see & to hear, but a chill went through my heart when for I thought he knew it was the last time.

'It was so pitiful all through his illness, to hear "Mother, Mother" in a feeble appealing voice, & I stooped down to catch the words he would say, but could not hear or understand. Oh how I longed to be able to help him, & it was all in vain, but a greater help than ours was with him, a very present help in trouble.

'The telegram that J. & G. Edmundson sent us when the heard the end had come was this

'We have been at Alnmouth for the Christmas week, & over New Year's Day - to Nethergrange - the beautiful house most kindly lent to us by J.W. & Helen Pease. We were all there - all but one - & Hugh & Mabel, & their sweetest of babies, little Molly - & Ernest & Lily Weiss - all so kind & helpful. It was good for us, this change. . . And now we are once more entering into the ordinary affairs of life. Mary has to to Leicester, to M^rs Ellis' - Bertha has returned to Swanley - Evelyn is at Manchester. She & Ernest Weiss are to be married on March 21^st & now - we must try, as Tennyson says - to let "Memory be changed to hope".

[Next transcribed is a poem by Stowe] 'To us too, as to the Author of these beautiful lines, Harriet Beecher Stowe, on the death of her son, who was drowned, one whilst bathing, one year after their visit to England (to Beech Grove, amongst other places, the house of my father & mother, where I well remember the joy & excitement of seeing them.)

'Dec. 6^th 1899. Twenty years ago today our darling was given to us - & for nearly 18 happy years he was ours - & surely he is ours still, although we can never more on earth look on his beloved face. From baby up to young manhood, I retrace it all, & know more than ever how much we loved, & how much we have lost.

'Miss Hammerston who is engaged to M^r Gill, one of the students who helped us to kindly at Dalton Hall - writes thus to Evelyn - "When I think of your brother I like to remember that line of Tennyson's "Wearing the white flower of a blameless life". Don't you think it suits our "sweet little fellow?" It originated in fun, but it has since grown almost sacred. Arthur & I at least, never use it without a tender recollection of the fair boy whom the highest King called to the 'Island valley of Avilion before the battle had worn & wearied him."'

(Unbound supplementary pages)

'I have written nothing in my journals since the beginning of 1898 - & it is now 1916. I had not the heart, after the death of our beloved Arnold, to write any more, & now -

'Mabel was the next to go - our eldest & dearly beloved Mabel - then the dear companion of my life - my comrade, my helper, my friend, my husband - then Ruth the last remaining daughter at the old house who was more to me than I can say. Mabel died in 1904 [pencil correction to '1907'] after a long time of increasing weakness - borne with unfailing patience & gentleness. I had fixed to go with her to Glasgow for her to be under D^r Walker, the Osteopathist, & had made all arrangements, when a letter came from Hugh saying she had caught a chill & could not go. So I went instead to York, hoping to be of use in nursing - but alas when I reached S^t Mary's I found our darling very ill, with two nurses already installed. She welcomed me in her own loving way - "My precious, I am delighted to see thee" but these were nearly the last words she said - she sank quietly to rest on the 16^th day of September, her little Esther's birthday, & she lies in the quiet Friends' Burial ground in York. How great her loss to her husband, & her three dear children, to her parents & her sisters, no words can say - Then in 1911 - on March 2^nd my dear husband, after many years of failing health, was taken from us. We had been to Tenerife, to where, after being at the point of death, he had rallied sufficiently to return to England, staying at Lyndhurst for a time before coming north - then we spent several winter months at Ventnor, where Ruth also was with us - & she too was ill. Home was the best for him, & he lingered for several years, & when at last he passed way we could not mourn, for his more than three score & ten years were - in a sense - labour & sorrow, & after years of toil & devotion for others, it was meet that he should rest, though Life, henceforth was changed for me, & for many. In going back over the years I seem only to remember the losses - that there were pleasures I know, but somehow I cannot well recall them. My remaining children & my grandchildren were always a source of joy - & I think, with a thankful heart that

'Molly, my eldest grandchild, is a little baby when Arnold died, is now 19 years of age, & studying to be a Doctor - a sweet girl constantly reminding me of her mother - Colin, a bright active practical boy is to be a farmer, Esther, not yet 15 is one of Dora Clark's exceptionally clever students - Evelyn's three girls Elsa, at the Mount School, York, Erica at an excellent school at Stockport, & bright winning little Mabel Irene, are all charming children, with marked individuality. Mary's four - Robert, so called after his grandfather, Margaret; Caroline, after the dear "Aunt Car" so lately taken from us - & little Ruth, after the Ruth who has gone from among us - & Bertha's three - Lydia Ruth (Dia) Betty & Willy - all three are lovely & delightful children - & a joy indeed to the old Grannie who loves to have them with her. And so the new generation unconsciously, but surely, pushes out the old, whose sands are nearly run out. May their work be better than ours. This terrible war has raged now for two years & who can say what is to follow. If Peace comes - as we all hope & pray - speedily - we must never return to the old paths, & the work of reconstruction will be vast & difficult.

'But now I must tell about my Ruth. My early journals say "a child with more winning ways there could not be." Even then her little subterfuges to hide pain were like the courage of her later years. I tell how when she was disappointed about some toys she only pressed her head against me & said "Doot's eyes so watery". - She was a lovely child with her golden hair & blue eyes - & a prettier pair than Mabel & Ruth would be hard to find. They were devoted to each other - I can never forget the meeting at Cullercoats after a long separation when Ruth had had scarlet fever - the exquisite delight of being together again. They went to their first school together, in Bewick R^d (Miss Every's) & afterwards to the High School. Later Ruth went to Bedford College, where she made many friends - chief among them Lily Weiss. This friendship may be said to be the first step in knowing the Weiss family, & to my dear Evelyn's marriage with Ernest Weiss - & later to Lily Weiss' marriage with Charles Spence. Ruth shewed great aptitude for drawing at Bedford College, & for Literature - She exceedingly enjoyed Prf. Hall's literary lessons, and we all know her love of music; she had an exquisite voice & a very good ear - & her singing has given delight to friends far & near. She had - I am speaking of a later time - a very large répertoire of songs - German & English & Scotch & Irish - Her enunciation was perfect - so clear one could hear every word & she sang with exquisite expression. Into the Irish songs she threw all the fervour of pathos for the sorrows of Ireland - her rendering of "The Arbretus Tree", & "Patrick Sarsfield" can never be forgotten - "Oh why Patrick Sarsfield, o why did you go?" Some of Christina Rossetti's too were most beautiful - "Stay June Stay" & "Who has seen the wind"? Songs for the children delighted them - "Little brown brother" "Molly with her broken toy" & "When a pig wears a wig." But indeed it is impossible to do more than touch on the charm & delight of her sweet singing - which was appreciated not only by those ignorant of musical lore, but by those of real musical gifts who often admired her singing more than that of professional & well known singers.

'Ruth was the beloved companion in many a journey - her eye for beauty in its many forms made her an enthusiastic & delightful one - only want of strength often sadly marred her pleasure. In the summer of 1912 Edmund Gower came to England from Tasmania. An old attachment was renewed - & ultimately Ruth consented - though with many tears - to leave her old house & return with him as his wife to that far off land. On the 15^th of October 1912 she & Edmund were married in the little meeting house at Hawshead. Dia & Betty Morrell were the two lovely little bridesmaids - Bowes & Bertha, Hugh Richardson, Ernest Weiss, Frank Pollard, J.W. & G. Edmundson, Herbert & May Corder, Percy & Nelly C. Sara Renton, Lilian Wise, Margaret White & Miss Innes, Edmund's Aunt, were the guests - some at the Hotel, some in at the lodgings. Evelyn & Mary were unable to be with us. It was a lovely day - the bright colour of October on hills & woods. The meeting was a solemn & impressive one G. Edmundson, & Herbert Corder & M^r Naish speaking words of exhortation & comfort. Luncheon followed at the Red Lion Hotel - a very pleasant company - & after some speeches the dear couple drove off in a motor car for Keswick calling on the way to see dear "Aunt Car" at Heugh Folds, the last time either of them saw that beloved aunt, so lately gone from among us. In November the dear newly married couple sailed for Tasmania - viâ the Cape. We had all learned to love Edmund - who to me has been, & is a very dear son in law. Ruth had been far from strong for many years - had "suffered many things from many physicians" but the Doctors consulted before she left England had given it as their opinion that the climate of Tasmania would quite restore her. But climate is not everything - the conditions of her life at Hobart were very different from those at home, the food not nearly so good - & she missed the care & attention she had been used to at home. Edmund did what he could but of course his school duties kept him much occupied. Even the climate was not what we had expected. In the hot weather cold winds set in the in the afternoon - & no sun ever shined in her drawing room facing South w^h often felt chilly & needed a fire. In March 1913 I set out for Tasmania with Sara Renton my dar & ever helpful companion. How thankful I am that I made this journey, & was able to be so much with my beloved Ruth again. The long posts, nearly 6 weeks, made the parting a very hard one to bear. The voyage was full of interest, & we met with many pleasant companions, Miss Balgarine, an old friend, especially. The ports of call too were very interesting - Gibraltar, Naples, Port Said, Ceylon - then the Australian shores - Fremantle Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne. I can never forget the early morning when I first saw Australia - lights shone on the long pier of Fremantle, & the sky glowed with the "roseate hues of early dawn". Perth is a beautiful little city. When we were in the port of Adelaide M^r & M^rs Robson - quite unknown Friends, came down to see us - unfortunately we had left to go up to Adelaide - (a letter they had written had not reached us - They actually came down again - 14 miles each way - could kindness to strangers go further? They had wished us to go up to their country house - a pleasure we were very sorry to miss. However the Purser gave permission for them to stay & have dinner with us so that we had time for a nice talk. At Melbourne Joseph Haire was looking out for us - he said he "spotted" us directly, though we were just looking over the rail of the ship in our travelling gear. He took us afterwards to the beautiful Botanical Gardens & was most kind in every way. So our first impressions both of Australia & its people were truly pleasant ones. A night - two nights I think it was - at Menzies luxurious Hotel - with real beds to sleep in - were most refreshing - then we sailed on to Tasmania in the Loongaua - a somewhat tedious voyage - for when we got into the river we had to be transferred into another smaller boat - the water not being deep enough for ours. Slowly we steamed up in the crowded little boat, towards Launceston, looking out on the cleared ground & pleasant fields & orchards - & at last - at last, we saw the dear face of Edmund on the wharf at Launceston. What joy it was to see him I cannot tell. After lunch at one of the Hotels, we packed ourselves into a car, & drove away to Hobart, thro' new & beautiful scenes - & at last there was my beloved Ruth standing at the door of Hadley's - to greet us. With what infinite joy I clasped her to my arms.

'Of all the happy times at Hobart I cannot dwell - we met many kind friends, saw much of the beautiful country made ourselves at home in the delightful school, sketched much, made many excursions, & found Hobart a delightful place to stay in, & Hadleys a comfortable Hotel (There was no room for us at the school) We made many calls - & the D'Eurdens, the Stansfields the Barclays, the Halls, & many others proved very kind friends - not to speak of the Robeys, Alice J. Bell, & others belonging to the little meeting. But alas my dear Ruth was not stronger, & I left Hobart Melbourne with a sorrowful heart - the day before Christmas Day 1913 leaving my two dear ones standing on the pier, & little thinking that one beloved face I should never see again.

'My kind companion on the voyage out, Sara Renton had gone home before me. I met M^rs Knox Lyal, & some pleasant Australian ladies but the return voyage was not so delightful as the voyage there - although the landing on old England's shores & meeting my dear ones here again was indeed joyful. Mary & Bowes (always such a good kind helper) met me at Tilbury, & we were soon on our way to York where I stayed over the Sunday, & where it was lovely to see & to be with Bertha & her three darling children & Mary <Mary & Bowes I had seen before> Frank & their three - I stayed at Burton Croft. I received the warmest & most loving welcome from all - & at Bensham too, when I returned to the dear old home.

'But dear Ruth grew worse & on the 20^th of August 1914 after a very long & suffering time, her bright brave spirit passed away. An operation to discover the cause of her continued weakness, had revealed an incurable growth. Edmund had cabled this, so we were in some sense prepared for it, & yet when the end came it was a terrible blow. It was hard to think that I could be with her in those last suffering weeks, altho' I know that Edmund did everything possible for her. She was removed from the Nursing Home into the little house Edmund had taken for them, & only two days - two happy days - was she permitted to live there. She was buried in the Cemetery at Cornelian Bay - far far from the land of her birth.

'Life is changed for me without that beloved child - & changed for us all who loved her so much - most of all for Edmund who had to return last year (after his visit to England), to his lonely home. Now (July 1916) he has left Hobart altogether & I expect him home tomorrow. It is a joyful thought, & yet full of sadness. It is a changed world too into which he returns - for war still desolates Europe - & there are thousands of desolated hearts & homes - ' [Ms ends]

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Elizabeth Spence Watson

Family Chronicles

(extracts)

Volume 1, 1864-76

Volume 2, 1877-85

Volume 3, 1886-99