Charles Morgan's Diary, 1848

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January

1st (Saturday)

A sad beginning of the New Year. My brother George's funeral at the family vaults Biddlesden Bucks. I sincerely lament him on his 54th year, he had been unwell for a considerable time afflicted with double vision. Some three or four years ago, not seeing well tho' partially recovered while fussing himself in alterations about old buildings in the yard, he walked over some old boards covering a well but little used, the board gave way just sufficiently to let him through and he fell some 30 or 40 ft between the pump and the wall to a muddy bottom, injured himself seriously and never quite recovered tho' I learnt of it some two years after it. Taking lodgings at Cheltenham having left his place in Bucks. He grew worse, was badly treated and became unconscious of himself and was advised to get home if alive, unconscious of it he got home and never rallied. Had several epileptic fits of a most serious kind, was strictly watched night and day by his servants Harris and Savage and died unexpectedly Christmas Eve. Hearing of it in Wales in the Monday following late I started early on Wednesday by mail to Gloucester, got wet through and by rail the following morning arrived at 4 Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, London, my mother's. Found Fred, WM and AM, ordered mourning of my tailor, finished just in time, started this morning by 7.00 together by the North Western train for Blisworth, had secured a fly from Northampton and arrived at ill-fated Biddlesden a little after 12.00 when the thrill of the well remembered Chapel bell as we arrived with the remembrance of places of former years and the mournful scene quite overcame me. Never shall I forget it, are not such scenes calculated to do us good and make one reflect with benefit on eternity. God grant my poor brother may find peace and happiness in heaven. There is little of it unalloyed on Earth. How changed is Biddlesden in my eyes, what little interest in it now remains! (Interpolation reads: my birthplace, the first of the family born there.)

3rd

Sunday. Stroll with melancholy about cherished haunts in the garden with sad reflection. Evening duty, sermon a tribute of respect to George's death. Meet many of our old partners with an aching heart and cannot refrain from tears!

Monday. Write home, hear many a mournful tale of poor George's latter days, how shameful we have been kept in ignorance of his real state for months and why?

4th

Give poor old Gibbs 2/6, a cripple, in remembrance of former years, poor fellow, can only wish it a sovereign. Walk to see the farms, how wet and muddy, with WM, EM and HJM. Cut my thumb awfully yesterday carving cheese. How the winter is killed here by evergreens, too many of them. Call on Gibbs, ride in with WM to Shalston, call on Mr Littlehalls and on to Mr Roundell and then on Mr Palmer, roads improved and see first time the line of rail at Westbury. Dine at 6.00.

5th

Return from Biddlesden to London today, the carriage to Blisworth, in it George Oliver executor, WM, self, EM and HJM. Left Biddlesden about 10.00, in London by 3, at 4 Chandos Street before 4. HJM got out at Charlotte Street, Portland Street no. 40 and paid his fare. Find my mother in London pretty well, long may she continue so.

6th

In London, a fineish day with WM. No EM, to his shop and to Hawkesby's about my thumb etc. Meet WM and HJM at Cousins in Bedford Square. Long confab in regard to the will and family circumstances, melancholy to reflect on, most complicated. With WM to the city to pay insurance and see Mr Terrell, executor of Mr Barrett's as to rent of Chambers, to meet on Saturday. Called at Chambers, see Mr Morris tenant who agrees to purchase on my terms at LD 1,300, 600 paid, 700 on bond. Great good luck!!! Meet EM at the exchange and return with him by the Strand and Regent Street. In evening go with him to seek tableau vivant in Leicester Square, very good though not fit for ladies. EM paid and paper of the evening, cost 1/2.

7th

Wet day after 10.00. Early to breakfast with EM, at 9.00 at Mr Longbottoms, secretary at the Polytechnic in Gloucester Crescent, Regent Park, rather late. He is a clever man, paints very nicely and is painting, for EM, Biddlesden from my drawing. Go over the Polytechnic with him and EM, buy pocket glasses, my spectacles left at home. Now to Hawksby's chemist, Berners Street to doctor my thumb, not opened since cut on Monday. Difficult job, awfully bad cut through the nail of left thumb. Going on well. Call on Mr Smith, not well, and write to Carree in Gower. We remain at home, my mother gone to a small party.

8th

Dined with Frank in Bedford Square at 6.30. WM, self, EM and HJM. With EM at Lincoln's Inn, get wet in returning home. Take shelter at Dickens and Smith in Regent Street, cloak etc for Carree not paid. Settle with Mr Terrell executor of Mr Barratt for Lincoln's Inn Chambers.

Sunday. Sharp frost, church in morning with EM to Westminster Bridge and the Palace, park and home.

10th

Sharp frost. At Lincoln's Inn about selling chambers, to call again tomorrow with EM. Walk to east end of Paddington new road to hunt up Richardson's net shop etc, buy policeman's old capes for labourers. In the evening attend the play with my mother and EM. Entered by mistake on Saturday.

11th

Sharp frost, cold and dull in London. Write toWilley in answer to a short letter yesterday. Much talk about the property of my mother's on Bexley Heath, the dividends looked at etc etc. Walk with EM to Lincoln's Inn, sign petition to sell to Mr Morris at 2.00. Make some arrangements with Mr Morris about secretary of the monies, these looked at, call at Lodges in Oxford Street and buy underclothes. My mother and EM go out to Mrs Node's, WM and I at home all evening.

12th

With EM early to Holloway to see Mr Sevier's carpet manufactory. Fly up, walk back, write to Charles, EM and to Bristol. Miss Popham calls. Hear of Madame Merlin and her little boy, they live near Slough. Walk to Lincoln's Inn and settle with Mr EP Morris about sale of chambers. At home all day. My mother gone to cards, EM to polytechnic, WM and I about accounts for my mother.

13th

Call at Bedford Square with WM, HJM comes in afterwards, WM goes to the city. Long confab with Mary Ann, in much better health than usual. Meet EM at the shop, Mortimer Street, order paper and envelopes etc. EM not well, giddy. HJM calls in evening, long talk as to Bexley, Cheltenham, George, poor fellow, secretary. Anna, Biddlesden and accounts in general. Not in bed till 2.00.

14th

Called at 4.00, up and pack and off by 6.00 for Bristol, at Great Western station with EM. With him to Cumberland Basin, see him off and return to Park Street, leave luggage at the basin, Collins, lunch, sleep on sofa. Mrs Morgan from home. Dine in Park Street, WFM alone. Enter accounts and hope to have as good a day tomorrow for the sea as today. Mild quiet pleasant day. Read Chambers Miscellany.

15th

Park Street, breakfast at 10.00, pack up, Mr Morgan drives me to Clifton and sends me in his carriage to Cumberland Basin. Wait an hour and more. Capital passage, wind north east, not ill till we reach the Mumbles. How unfortunate to be ill. Old Benjamin Pr.. on board of Neath. A man on board who thought he was going to Newport creates great fun having only 1/6, his Newport fare, in his pocket!!! Am very ill at Mrs Woodruffe's, meet Carree and Charlie there. Thomas drives home, only 1/6 left in my pocket. Reach home at 2.00a.m, am still very ill, take nothing, quite prostrate.

Sunday. Very mild still, evening duty. Breakfast in bed, get up only in time for church, ill all day. Thomas goes to Penmaen. The Lucas's all at church, leaving Cillibion soon. EKJ dines with us, walk only to church.

17th

Llewellyn sent to Swansea early for box left at Mrs Woodruffe's on Saturday. About home all day thinking of tomorrow, unpacking etc. Quite off hinges.

18th

1st tithe day. No one comes till about one or two o'clock. Wet, wintry and snowy, most unfavourable by most favourable for a lot of unwilling players. Many also liking the 2nd day better than the first, very few come.

19th

2nd tithe day and a party. Rev. J Collins, the Perry's, Mr & Mrs Woodruffe, J Ord and wife and Gape, George and his sister. W Collins does not come. Begin tithing very late and help at it till 11.00p.m. No book made out, give receipts on account by a printed paper. Payments not so good as usual but the people well satisfied with the entertainment. A good day, frost begins. I have no engagement of my company, Woodruffe sleeps here and Ethiopian Serenaders, juvenile performance not so bad.

20th

Fine day, rise late, the Woodruffes leave at 11.00 for the Bank of England. Ride with Carree to Mrs Ord and ride on alone to Oxwich. See Mr & Mrs Collins and return to Nicholaston Hall. Take dinner there and home late. Do not see J Ord, q gone to Mr Perry's? Very cold but fine clear night.

NB. About £80 collected yesterday lost, misplaced, not missed but found unexpectedly in the leg of the dinner table at Caie Forgan 1852. Who could have thought it, placed there for safety, safe enough, locked up and I had no … of it. Found when most wanted, tally ho, hurrah. Found when routing out the house to leave it for a tenant.

21st

Fine sharp frost, mild and calm. I forget all about the day, was about home about money and get out a little to see about work at Cillibion, drains etc. Miss James and the Misses Lucas call PPC. Mrs James and Mrs Ord also called. The day thus frittered away.

22nd

Sharp frost, east wind, dull day. Drive Carree, Henry Newman and CEM to Swansea. Place £50 in bank, see above. Home about 7.00, take Carree up at Mrs Woodruffe's. Called and saw Mrs Farkin at Mr Terry's, spoke to Mr Beor about Cornish Company, set of rogues. Wrote to Frank about Llanelli Bill, Palmer not yet paid, why? Children invited for Thursday to a dance of Mr Biddulph's.

Sunday. Morning duty, fine frost, small attendance and ride after dinner to Penmaen. Tea there, 6.00 duty. Small attendance, no wonder, very dark, very cold. Mr J James has the gout.

24th

Monday. Fine frost, fine day. Miss Lucas calls with Boor(sic), read a paper, walk out to see the skaters on Broad Pool. J Ord a good hand, Mr Hankin gets in and mimes a skate, Charlie can skate a little, Mr Perry looks on. Invited to dine at Nicholaston Hall, walk over after looking round the farm. Play loo, vent-un (sic), lose a little, leave at 2.00 with Perry and walk from Pennyhitch. A beautiful night. Horrid late hours, detest them.

25th

Not up early, by appointment walk with RH to Bryngwas to meet W Thomas, mason and measure work. Get there 12.30, he there at 9.00. Miserable cold east wind. Take a gun, try Cilonnen. Expect to meet Ord and EKJ, meet only Evans who has not had my note on Sunday, find only 2 or 3 woodcocks, no luck. Francis Thomas with us. A snack at Evans, Brynhir, and return afoot in dusk by Howell John's, the Welsh Moor, Parkyrhedin. Home at 7. Tea and go to bed. Sleep miserably. Carree and all the children save Charles and Hy Newman ill.

26th

Slept miserably, influenza about me. Dreamt all night most confused dreams about churches and church property. Get up little refreshed after 12 hours in bed. Children and Carree better, hover over the fire, about home all today. Write to Oxwich and Penmaen, Charlie and Hy N messengers. Miserable ride, old boar killed. Turns out well. Evans calls and buys pigs. Write also to Mr Gape, children go into a ball tomorrow. Walk out to Mr Lloyd, he not well. Enter day account and diary of some days neglected. Do not feel at all well. Carree in bed all day.

27th

Breakfast in bed, not up till 11.00. Fine day, influenza in the house. Better. Charles and Newman off early to a ball. EKJ calls and dines and Mrs. J Ord also calls after skating. RH cuts up the old boar late, 18 score and promises to be good meat. Walk out late to Crickton, do not see C Reese. Sharp frost, very cold fine sunny day, not enjoyed. Carree better and comes down; all children better save Johnny poor fellow; always the great sufferer; has a relapse. Write to Charles at Swansea by EKJ, refuse to dine at Penmaen tomorrow.

28th

Sharp frost, breakfast alone. CEM and Henry Newman at Swansea after ball at Mr Biddulph's. Send ponies for them p.m., met at 5th milestone, they call at post, letters from Biddlesden and Southampton. Post Office order for 35/- for Henry Newman. Cart earth to the garden. Walk early after B(reakfast) to Crickton, cart out lime and earth. Settle accounts of 3 years with Francis Thomas, end of book January. Mr J Collins calls to inquire, dines etc. Account of conviction of Austey and Bowles of Brynhowell, the former wrong, the latter a perjury case on part of the convict. Get account from C Reese in evening and give orders for tomorrow.

29th

Nor go nor send to Swansea save by RH. Very cold, have a bad cold and influenza. Children and Carree better, none of us from the house all day. I read papers and hover over the fire, cannot get or keep warm, unequal to any exertion. No energy. Frosty and some cold rain, a little, clears off and sun shines in the evening. Dull, cheerless all day.

Sunday. Very wet all day. Evening duty, none of us in church, all too ill to go and weather too wet and cold. EKJ up after church wet, has something, we have dined, and goes home to tea.

31st

Wake up in the night with great pain, lumbago. Can't move nor rest. Breakfast in bed, very unwell, influenza no doubt. Rise at 1.00 better, very unwell all day. Read childrens books. Much better towards evening and to bed early, took sulphur and treacle posset at night. Not out of the House, fine day. EKJ over about Mrs Harry's well etc.

February

1st (Tuesday)

At accounts all morning with WM, David carpenter and Thomas Gordon. Ride a little, prevented accompanying Carrie, meet her and Johnny and return to dinner. Perry calls and prevents my riding after till late. Ride to see workmen etc and meet RH on the road at … Charlie not well, Perry prescribes. What did I do with myself for the evening? J'ai oublie. Horses in Swansea as by Thomas Davies since … tithe day, no, the day I went to London by mail.

2nd

Dine at Mr Perry's with Carrie, call at Brynfield, Major Lucas. Walk out early to Crickton and Crickton Hill to see mixture of compos. W and Mrs Collins call, just see them before going. Plant a few privet, drive to Reynoldston and take Thomas. Not home till 2.00, Pleasant party - Rev. J Collins, W Collins, Ord, Pearce. Played cards, whist, lose. Sad work, sad hours always at the Perry's. Pleasanter than usual.

3rd

Fine day, threatening rain, wind south. Rise not early, not well after dining with Perry. A party home late. Expect J Ord to shoot, discovery he is gone to Swansea to send Mrs O to Exmouth by mail or packet after dining at Perry's, what a treat. Shoot with Henry Newman, kill 2 teal at a shot, lose one. Henry no marker, fail to find a hare. Find no snipe. Carree and Charles ride to Penmaen, dine at 3.00. Very tired. Enter accounts in evening, Charles packing to be off on Saturday. Plant a few laurels.

4th

At home all morning, Britannia. Enter various accounts. J Ord and EKJ call with guns. Kill nothing, likely to get killed by wet. Charles put bay pony in harness, goes very quick in her old age. They take pot luck, poor luck, preparing to be off early in morning by packet for school! Dull work, settle some accounts with J Ord, Henry Newman by PO order for 35/- cash. Write to EM, Frank, etc, F W Morgan.

5th

Charles to return to Southampton. Start 4a.m. for Swansea and the packet. WR off early with luggage, there before us. Only just save the packet, company of P Rose. Talk to Austey about shooting. Breakfast at Woodruffe's and lunch. See Miss Rose about lodgings for Carrie. Morris of Pengaervenny in debt.

7th

Sunday. Morning sacrament, wet. Go alone to church, hear duty for 1st time from new pulpit, 2nd time of using it. Two pulpit now in church. Call at Penralt, RH not there. EKJ goes to Penclawdd. Dine early, at home in house all evening. Very sleepy. Read Exodus, plagues of Egypt.

Monday. Wet again, up earlier than usual, mean to practise for breakfast at 8.00. Enter Saturday's account, mend and put lock on the corn bin with Thomas. Talk with George Walker about bricks, David Jones accused of abusing them. To Mr Talbot carters, walk in evening to Crickton. Read Swiss Robinson to Johnny in evening. Enter accounts etc. Mackerel for dinner, very fine ones. Weather clears off at sunset. Star light night.

8th

Morning at home, accounts, Mrs Christopher Batcock, Caie Vorgan mill account. EKJ calls, ride with him on his trial horse of mine, call on Bar Jone, ill. RH not at home. J Grant at the school. Go to the brick yard. Walker a great humbug, should keep him on till after assizes, trial with Cornish company likely to come on. Call at Little Aberlogin, J Davies, for money. Not at home. At Bevan's Wernhalog, ditto. Attend parish meeting in the evening, very wet and very dark and windy. Not home till 4.00. We ought to be paid for attending parish meetings!! Few ever will attend. Most stormy night!!!

9th

Stormy, not out morning. Out early to Cillibion, no one at work there and to Crickton. Home to lunch and drive Carrie to Penmaen, too late for dinner so go without. Rabbit pie for tea. Mr James much better for the gout. Received various letters, home before 11.00.

10th

Call on Mr Talbot. Beautiful morning clouds over. Read Britannia paper, EKJ calls. Some indescribable letters from Epsom. Carrie and Johnny ride with me to the farm and they to Reynoldston, I to Penrice Castle, graciously received. Old Mr and Mrs Dillwyn there. Lunch, take none. Admire the pictures, get leave of Mr Talbot to shoot at Leasonwick. Call on Stevenson about his account, balanced but not paid. Long confab about EKJ and Mr Talbot etc. See all his cattle, his two-year-olds as good as mine at 4 years old. EKJ dines, write to Offey, can't tell what to do. Finish the paper, Dr Hampden's case as Bishop of H.

11th

Rise early, servants late!!! No water to wash. Out before breakfast to Cillibion, pay Philip, work a little in garden after breakfast. Plant a few things with WT and prune some of the trees on the green. Dine early, not hungry and out again. Again to Cillibion drains. Walk to Penralt to see Grant and RH and call at Cillibion on return home. Grant up in evening about road account, go through it, too much set off. No money coming in, make many entries in reference to road and brick account and enter day accounts in day book and diary from night. Sadly in want of money. Mr Crabb writes of Charles arrival.

12th

Drive Carrie and Frank to Swansea, very fine. Wet returning again. Meet EKJ there, Colonel Love and J Bevans. Meant to be home by 6.00, not so till near 8.00.

Sunday. Very wet, evening duty. Go alone to church, ‘Heal the Back Slidings etc'. Very weary all day, read Bible, Exodus, Red Sea.

14th

Wet again, God save us. Not heavy, misty, wet and quiet. Read Cambrian, send Albon to Penmaen, enter accounts, fuss about grocery etc for Carrie. Dinner party on Wednesday, sort some papers. All day in the house about papers of various sorts. George Evans calls about the vessel, account postponed. George Edward thatcher in full 10/-. Wet wet wet, were to have gone shooting at Leasonwick.

15th

Heavy showery morning, EKJ and myself shoot at Leasonwick. RH there and Thomas, have an excellent day's sport, up to our ankles in mud all day. 7 woodcocks, found 30? 5 hares found, not many - 2 rabbits. Not many there. EKJ called to a funeral at 4.00, the 15th today is one day later than Mr Talbot allows for shooting as he informs me by letter in return for 2 woodcocks. Spend the evening in talking over the day's adventure and write letters to send to Swansea tomorrow. Feel little comparative fatigue. EKJ sleeps at Caie Forgan. Very fine day.

16th

A dinner party, beautiful day, read paper and prepare bottles etc. Wine, spirit and so on and sort mixed bottles of things and then walk out to Cillibion, Crickton. Llewellyn sent to Swansea for fish, none to be had. Mr and Mr J Collins dine and sleep, W Collins and pupil Brigstock and Mr Perry and Mr Pearce. The ladies make themselves scarce. Play at whist, no exchange of property, play several rubbers. Not in bed till 3.00, Gower hours very bad.

17th

Mr & Mrs J Collins slept at Caie Forgan, not up early, not the best for yesterday. Was not in bed till 3.00 last night. Show Mr Collins my farm, Cillibion and Crickton, the fat cattle. Sharp frost, bad walking in the thaw, very bad. Mr Collins and Carree look over Cillibion house. We read papers, go over Mr J Collins account, no money passes. We dine early, they lunch & go to Ilston after dinner. Cut and prune willows in garden. Thomas cut whole loads in the morning. In the evening am so tired and out of order can do nothing, go to bed rather early. A very fine day. Moon looks sickly, glass high. EKJ leaves for Penmaen.

18th

Dry and cold, read Britannia and enter some accounts. Ride to Penclawdd and brick yard as to evidence about bricks to the chemical works. Like to be a lawsuit with the Cornish company. Called at Blaenkedy to get rent on account and to see how the carpenter has done his work of windows etc. Very badly indeed, have paid £3 on account, will leave him to his remedy for the remainder. Measure the ground for Evan Jenkins lease and tell him to meet me in Swansea to sign a lease tomorrow. The tithe apportioner at Penclawdd, i.e. the surveyors. Home by 6.00 to tea. Carree gone to Penmaen. EKJ returns with her to go to Swansea tomorrow, bring a pack!! of letters, horrid to receive so many!! besides to have them to answer!!!

19th

Dry and dull. Drive EKJ to Swansea to get Club money to divide 140. Prepare life preservers and pistol for return, not wanted, all quiet and safe. Agree with Jenkins to send in the cattle to kill Tuesday, Cornock's sale. Evan Jenkins to meet me at Beor's about his lease. Send to old David Williams and J Davies of Welsh Moor about arrear of tithes by Beor. Talk to ditto about action Penclawdd company. Home to tea at 7.00.

Sunday. Morning duty, wet, drive with Carree only there. Funeral of poor old Wilkins. EKJ returns from the chapel to Caie Forgan and sleeps. Not a wet day.

21st

Wet again, God save the Mark. Rise early, not wet, out before breakfast to Cillibion. Not out of the house all the day afterwards, sort letters etc. Write to George Oliver as to Llandeilo Rhynys and 1,000 debt of poor George. Old Williams, Oldwalls, here about arrear of tithes. George Walker about brick yard. RH at Bryngwas about the landshares, measure for commissioners and is here in evening looking over map, taking measures of various land and looking over some arrear of tithes and about the fat cattle to go into Swansea tomorrow. EKJ leaves early for Penmaen with his 150 from Swansea for the Llanrhidian club now dissolved.

22nd

Wet again, glass falls woefully. Read a paper and go to the barn, help winnow beans, want exercise, not out of the house all day yesterday. Today to dine at J Collins, Oxwich. Go early and to sleep there. Mr & Mrs Woodruffe, William Collins and Mr Brigstock, the first and ourselves sleep there. Horses sent home. Play at vingt-un, horrid game! Lose of course and so does Carrie.

23rd

Sleep at Oxwich, Mr & Mrs Woodruffe return to Swansea at 12.00. Walk out with Mr Collins, garden etc. Return home by 2.00, fine day, dine in the village, Felons Association. Secretary changed, few attend. Received tithes £5 of Griffith Thomas. EKJ there. Today the club benefit society money has been divided. Home late to tea, enter accounts etc etc. EKJ goes on to Penmaen. French Revolution, Louis Philippe abdicated, republic proclaimed afterwards.

25th

EKJ returns from the funeral and sleeps at Caie Forgan, afraid of the night, very wet. Read the Britannia paper and Lord John Russell's budget. Increase of property tax to 1/- the £, can he pass it! If so I must sell off.

25th

Wet a.m., get out to Crickton, cut a few willows away at home. Expecting Mr Gordon and captain up about the vessel. Tired of waiting, at 12 start with mamma and children for Penmaen and dine there. Drive poor old Valiant in the car over hill. EKJ off early, lucky in weather, no rain going or returning. Wet again just as we are safely housed. At accounts and day book in evening and calculate as to the fat cattle Reese returned home. Saw them weighed, all parties satisfied. Turn out capitally. Write to Bristol, Beynon's bankruptcy. Prepare for the assizes, going into lodgings in Swansea for a time!

26th

Rise early, can't go to Swansea, at accounts about the vessel, Gordon and George Evans, difficult work. Begin at 8.00, not done till 11.30. Walk to Cillibion, Lloyd's, men at stones and mark out drains etc. Dine and go to Crickton, meet C Reese at Penralt. Settle about work to be done during assize week. Plant laurels with WT and settle what's to be done. Enter accounts in evening, Carree busy all day packing and deranging the house. Thomas sent to Swansea, turkeys to sell and eggs etc.

28th

Sunday. Evening duty, the 2 Misses Balls, aunt and niece, at tea after church. They are caught in a shower going home, night. Drive early with Thomas to the Swansea assizes. Summoned on the Grand Jury, sit for the first time here on a Grand Jury. Small attendance of magistrates. Court sits at 10.00, all day in Grand Jury room. Can't get a bed, town very full. Sleep at Mr Beor's. Dined with the judge at Coleridge House, first time of such an honour.

29th

Swansea assizes, Grand Jury room. Vaughan Williams the new judge. Used to go the circuit as council. Grand Jury discharged this evening. Death of Mrs Hussey Vivian.

March

1st (Wednesday)

Swansea assizes, all day in court, dine with EKJ at Mr Woodruffe's. Play cards and lose. Fine weather.

2nd

In court all day, at Mr Beor's with EKJ. Played dummy whist and lose. Children not well I hear. Good deal of wet during the assizes but several fine days.

3rd

Dancing attendance on the court of Special Jury, called on about 3.00, the Duke of Beaufort against Swansea Corporation. Adjourned about 8.00 or 9.00. Mr James and Mr Brown for the Duke, Chilton, Benson, Grove for the Corporation. A dry subject of title grant from the Crown, King John of the Seignory of Gower. EKJ goes home, meets the Ords returning from Exeter, accompanies in a fly. Wet night, rain going home, no umbrella, should be for tomorrow.

4th

In court at 9.00 and not out till 12 at night. A difficult and tedious task, verdict returned at the judges' lodgings, favourable to Duke as to the esplanade Swansea. Ballast bank levelled whether an imperceptible and gradual accretion from the sea. Catch a severe cold in court.

Sunday. St. Mary's Church, Mr Beor's seat. Mr Stacey, sheriff's chaplain reads and reads beautifully. Squire, the vicar, preaches badly, ‘Faith, Hope, Charity', gospel of the day, manner bad.

6th

Sunday. At Swansea assizes. Fine day, Thomas drives in to take me home as by order of yesterday, sent in for physic. Children, particularly Johnny, very ill, fever, bilious. Order seeds of White, nails of Bevan, shoulder mutton, Jenkins. Sunday call at Mr Davies and Terry's ditto, ditto Mrs Woodruffe's. The judge has been two Sundays in Swansea, unusual! Home to tea. about 5.00, cold. Johnny better, God be praised!

7th

Wet corning, fine day after a very wet night, glass rising. A week absent from home, assizes. Much to look after, cut trees about Caie Forgan, walk to Cillibion, men at work there getting off water, preparing for oats. Meet RH and Gibbons there. Tithe apportioner's assistant. Dine and walk to Crickton, Reese gone to Swansea, summoned to help to support his father. Cut willows, Mr Perry calls and spends evening till after tea. Johnny better. Mrs Parker brought on the… Read Britannia in the evening, French Revolution.

8th

Wet again after 1.00, dull a.m. Transplant shrubs to west of cart shed, rain stops us. Place a board on a broken window and read Britannia paper. Interesting details of Paris revolution. Settle with RH about killing the bull.

9th

Thorough wet day again, spring work much impeded, very late, weeks! Bull sent to Swansea for sale. Read Cambrian, am far from well, severe cold. Johnny ill in bed above a week, better today. Perry calls in way to Swansea to fetch a friend. Q if going to dispose of his practice? Get out to the yard and stables. Thomas absent, mend cow stalls with WR. Read new monthly. RH returns from Swansea, sold bull for £17. George Jones called about accounts, lot of bills entered, entered end of book. Post, no money passed, my books in Swansea.

10th

Tolerable dry day, wet threatening a.m., about home all day. Work in garden, transplant shrubs and cut willows etc etc. Place a large stone as a bridge at the ditch, pond head. EKJ calls after dinner, walk to Crickton and thence to Cillibion field to see what has been done and what wants doing at the meadow now ploughed for oats. The ditch ... Read the Cambrian, full of assizes and new foundation school at Llandovery. Wet at night.

11th

A dreadful wet and windy night last night, poor Leicester mare killed by cold, I can't forgive myself or those about me. Cold, windy and showery today, W, SW and NW wind. Carree and two daughters go to Swansea to stay. Left at home in care of Frank and poor Johnny who is better, recovering, God be praised! Walk to Crickton and Cillibion, men working at both places. Cut willows, plant in front garden with WT, put lower stable in order, in order to take in mare and ponies to hay and shelter. In low spirits at losing poor Leicester. Amuse the children and enter accounts and read Blackwood. Mr Perry calls to see Johnny, I do not see him, Carree gone to Swansea.

13th

Not wet, rather fine and cold. Evening duty, write to Brecon and Jones, Bison and Carree who is in Swansea. Funeral sermon, Mrs Jenkins Pengwern. Very sleepy and tired in evening, bilious.

Monday. Very fine morning, about the stables etc before breakfast. Poor rate to Evan John. John Davies a Welsh Moor calls about accounts. Kill a black sow. Showery, hail, cold north wind. Ride to Ilston, dine there, EKJ ditto on return from funeral at Chapel (idiot). Miss Hughes of Tregebe on visit, lusty lady, coarse and provincial. Pleasant night, not home till 12.00.

14th

Beautiful morning, the better for my ride yesterday. Johnny well again. Fine day again, very fine, q if a fox. Walk to Cillibion fields early. Lop trees in garden etc. Haggard fence. Early dinner, walk to Crickton and again to Cillibion. Finish a drain in meadow. In evening attend to arrear of accounts of Swansea assizes etc. Mr Talbot calls, all out. Lucky, I was not fit to be seen and the house out of order. Carree in Swansea.

15th

Drive into Swansea to stay in lodgings, Dynevor Place 10. Take Johnny, just recovered from an illness and Frank and Cathe Cornish. Cold but fine, dry, just in time for dinner, some little rain in the evening. Walk out with Carree. At a party at Mr Terry's in evening, play whist and win against Mr & Mrs Collins. Keep late hours, call at Mr Beor's about Penclawdd Company action, wants to see witnesses, write home for them by Thomas for tomorrow. Lost my purse, left at home I suppose, receive it tomorrow.

16th

In Swansea, very cold. Read Britannia paper, interesting accounts of Paris revolution. Mr and Mrs Thomas Grove call. John Ord calls, trying to sell his pony. Spends evening with us. Mr & Mrs Woodruffe invited to tea and played cards, spend evening. Children sent to walk on the sands, too cold for them by rights. Robert Harry, C Reese and George Walker come in, in matter of Penclawdd account to see Mr Beor as witnesses. I do not see them except Walker. The 14th Regiment of Foot, a detachment, land at Swansea. Inquire for Major Newman, gone to Newport, write to him.

17th

In Swansea, very cold east wind. About all morning with J Ord, breakfasts with us. Loiter about the quay to see captain of Jersey vessel. Dine early, J Ord goes home to keep EKJ's birthday. We spend the evening at Mr & Mrs Woodruffe's, play loo, horrid game. Agnes unwell, Frank ditto tomorrow.

18th

In Swansea staying, out early to Mr Beor's office and call on the Collins. Go to the market for Rev. James, Penmaen, hunting for evidence in lawsuits about to be carried to Brecon. Mrs James of Ship, Penclawdd, Howell John. Thomas comes in with car, fowls and eggs 8 score. 3 score left at lodgings. Running about all day and far from well, rheumatic, rheumatic. Last thing give orders to Thomas to call at post on Monday as to Brecon business.

Sunday. In Swansea, St Mary's church a.m. Lodge in Dynevor Place, family in.

20th

In Swansea in state of suspense as to going to Brecon assizes tomorrow. W Brown in Cornwall writes to Mr Beor that he had paid half the bill to Mr Hearle also will pay remainder and settle costs by same post. All fudge! Wait till late post this evening on the chance, miss mail cart to ride home. Left earlier than usual, send by Mr Perry's cart accompanied in town. Thomas does not bring in carriage and witnesses till 2.00a.m. In consequence we must be off to Brecon early tomorrow to attend assizes and fight against a company. The chief defendant an attorney in Cornwall.

21st

Fine day fortunately, start for Brecon. My own two horses and hire one of McAdam, 10/- per day. Mr Beor, myself and 4 witnesses, RH, Jos Jennings, Mrs James of Penclawdd and George Walker brickmaker. Receive from EKJ in letter £5 tithes on account of Aberlogin, Rev. Samuel Phillips, else have not a farthing. 2 witnesses get on by a Merthyr car to Lamb and Flag. We start about 9.30 and over Hirwaun, up the Neath Vale to Brecon at 9.00, good work. Meet all our opponents at the Storey's Arms, over mountain 9 mile from Brecon. See all seasons of the year in crossing the mountains, very cold on top and all snow. Snow all gone on return, 24th.

22nd

At Brecon, rather wet. Judge not arrived, commission opened, Sergeant Jones. Go to the church in the evening, a Mr Bevan chaplain. Interview with Mr Grove, Cornwall, predicts a non-suit, hard case. Repay RH expenses to Brecon.

23rd

Criminals tried at Brecon, take a walk with Jones auctioneer at the canal side, hunt for books and papers to prepare for cause which nearly comes on this evening but court adjourned early. Dine with Dr P Lucas, his wife and sister and a Miss Rowton. Music in evening.

24th

In court by 9.00. Cause comes on, uphill work, lasts 2 ˝ hours, non-suited because defendant became a partner after the time the debt became due. Agreement to settle it through his clerk in accounts, stated not binding against defendants, the rest having allowed judgement by defendant because defendant was manager and cashier of the company. Have a chop and start on return for Swansea about 2.00. Arrive safe and all well about 10.30. Carree has a party; dress and appear among the remnants have not left. A most beautiful day, an unfortunate day for me! Keep horses at the Castle all night.

25th

Fine day again, in Swansea for lodgings. Horses go home by Thomas. Miss Rose calls about the lodgings. Execute commissions for Mrs James, mistakes on mistakes arise from servants. EKJ slept here, Mr and Mrs Perry, Mr and Mrs Ord lunch with us. Confusion, all day. Can't find Howell John, call and see Mrs James of Penclawdd after her journey. Wet night.

Sunday. In church twice, HW Jones preaches a.m., better than usual but rather frantic. The curate Prees, not audible, in evening. Fine after wet night.

27th

Fine day, cold p.m. Wet night. In Swansea, write to Gower and read Cambrian. Dine early and make calls with Carree. The Woodruffes and Mr J Collins take tea with us and play cards. Am not well all day. Q does the water poison us, all the children and ourselves ill more or less.

28th

A fine day, a little rain only. Take Emma to school, Miss Williams Nelson Place. Commercial rooms to read papers, write a letter, a month's subscription. Carree and I walk with the Misses Lucas who called over the hill to Cross Inn etc, they at Mrs Tenant's. Call at the Misses Loftus, no dinner today, fasting will do us good. Read Blackwood in evening. Receive letter from EM, his son got a cadetship going in the Ganges 80 gun ship, London. Write to Offey and to Mr Morris of Lincoln's Inn as to 139 to Frank M.

29th

Fine spring like day, the Ords come in early, he for Liverpool by steamer. Mrs O tomorrow by mail to Bristol. The dog claimed on board and taken to the station, difficult to get the steamer off, doubtful case of going, gets off. Mrs O spends day with us in Dynevor Place. Mrs Gape and Florence call, talk of Cowbridge school, everybody going there. Think to send Charlie. Mr Wrigglesworth called in to see Frank, dysentery, he has been walking out. Carree not well, Cathe unwell, q if effect of new panelled house? Much illness among children about, so sleepy I cannot keep awake. Quite irksome. Go with Mrs Ord to coach office 10.00 and bid her goodbye at the Castle. Read Blackwood.

30th

Another fine morning, March almost. Get out in dusk. Reading magazines and writing letters at Dancing School, Emma's 1st lesson at Miss Bedford's. At a tea party at J

Collins at a moment's notice. Play vent-un and win 1/-. Rain at night to get home after fine day. Fine spring weather. Write to EM, London, son EM a cadet. Sudden appointment to India by Ganges. Mrs W Collins and Miss Hughes of Tregebe called for a few minutes.

31st

Most beautiful mild summer day. Go with Emma to school, call in Butter Street. At White's garden with Agnes, walking about all day quite tired and heated. Meet Johnny with Carree at school, walk on parade with Mr Maber. At a party at Misses Loftus in evening. Play whist and win, home at 12. Carree meets a friend of poor Jane's, Miss Leach and a Miss Neales.

April

1st (Saturday)

Carriage comes in, EKJ and RH, keys sent for brought in. Leave Swansea at 5.00 for Llandeilo Rhynys with Thomas. At Llandeilo Rhynys 10.00 easily, nearly upset over a heap of stones near Middleton Hall. Back W Thomas, mason, bill 2 months for £16. Very fine day.

Sunday. Very fine at Llandeilo Rhynys. Not at church, over the farm and read map. Write letters, night. Such is Sunday in Carmarthenshire!

3rd

At Llandeilo Rhynys. Read Blackwood, the sale of poor George's scattered neglected and abused furniture of Alltygog and all other conceivable and outrageous places as furniture, implements, carriages and harness at Cothi new mill. Thomas Davies auctioneer, Mr F Green, George Goode, Captain Hughes, Mr Rees of Llandeilo there. I buy by Offey an old cart or two and take a few things at valuation in use Llandeilo Rhynys. Dine at 5.00, read in evening, sent 2 letters off by mail: Mr Hankin as to Caswell, Major Newman 14th Foot at Newport. Splendid summer day, sow oats. Rain in the hills, Cothi risen and muddy tomorrow morning. Talk to F Green as to my debts from George £1,000, to George Goode as to my improvements at the farm.

4th

Hot summer weather again. Read Blackwood, stroll about the farm. Oats sowing, lambs cut, colts housed, led and used in harrow. Dine early. Walk with Thomas to Austey at Killarthy to kill rabbits, all gone. Borrowed guns, kill 2 wood pigeons, home to tea. Read in evening and enter day account. No fish offered yet!! How is that?

5th

Not so fine a day, colder, duller, rain at night. Read Quarterly all morning, send letter to Charlie, Shirley, and Carree. Ride to Alltygog, see Colonel Love who is also under notice to quit. Thence to Llan, Mr & Mrs Griffiths just returned from monthly fair Carmarthen, slack. Take tea there and have some talk of affairs, all grieve about the sale, what a pity, what a pity to disperse such a nice property. In the family above 100 years, but what do the Oliver's care so they have a feather nest, having now the sole management with F Green. What odd things time brings forth!!! Finish sowing oats here except a little bit. No dinner today, some conversation with Offey, read Quarterly, bed 11.30.

6th

Fine morning, showery, return from Llandeilo Rhynys, start at 3.00p.m., in Swansea by 9. Picked up a stray spaniel on road, glad to have it claimed at Pontardulais. Engaged all morning at accounts with Henry Williams, look over the farm with Offey. Very cold this evening driving, brought home 2 skim cheeses 2 fresh cheeses. Horses kept in town.

7th

In Swansea, Dynevor Place. EKJ calls early, I call early on Woodruffe. Arrange to drive Mrs Dr Collins to Longford, Mr W Parsons. Carree and I and Johnny walk to Cadoxton, call on Rev. Mr Griffiths and invited there this day week. Very cold today and showery. The Woodruffes take tea with us.

8th

Everybody complains of cold. Read Cambrian, Rev. J Collins calls, Mr Voss calls, mean to go home. Children see the lion and ride on elephant. An Amazon put her head in the lion's throat, frightful exhibition and risk. Carree, I and Thomas leave Swansea before 7.00, home late, very cold. EKJ at Caie Forgan long expecting us.

Sunday. Evening duty, very cold. Dry day. Body found on the sands, Penclawdd, well-dressed.

10th

Showery and cold. Snow storm 8.00 a.m.from south west, else fine day. Carree rides to Penmaen to dine, I at various accounts and read Britannia of last week. Walker calls, J Smith calls, all with complaints. Walk over the farm, Crickton, plant a few things with WT garden, ride at 6.00 over to Penmaen to tea. and bring Carree back. Mr James in bed, temporarily ill. Detained by wet and home late. EKJ to Penclawdd, an inquest and funeral and parish meeting adjourned to the 17th inst.

11th

Fine morning, settle account with George Jones entered before. Very cold, walk with EKJ early to Cillibion drain, Benjamin Austin. Walk also to Crickton, Reese finishes plough Cross Lane field. Read paper. Drive one horse, Bright, Carree and EKJ to dine at Ilston. Miss Hughes, extraordinary voice, figure etc, some fun about her. Lose at vingt-un 9/-. Not home till past 1.00. Wet again.

12th

Write to Evans of Brynhir by Henry Richards as to a vestry for new curacy of parish. Engaged a.m. as above. Walk with RH and EKJ to Crickton to see cattle for fair 14th, to brick yard with EKJ etc and home. About home all evening. Graft apples, Ilston stocks. At accounts in evening with EKJ, long affair. Write to Jones of Brecon about rate of tithes. Very cold dull day.

13th

Left home with Carree for Swansea to meet Miss Cramer, Rev. Mr Griffiths' governess, Cadoxton by invitation for the day. Fine, dine at 3, the Collins drop in and dine with us. Prevented a walk out after p.m. by rain, play vingt-un in the evening and lose. Evans of Brynhir calls to talk over yesterday's letter about the parish meeting, seems to think I blame him. Assure him au contraire.

14th

Fine day but cold wind, Cross Inn Fair. Ride out from Swansea, borrow saddle and bridle of … and buy hand whip 4/6 not paid. Drive at 1.00 with Miss Cramer, Johnny, Emma and Carree to dine at Cadoxton. By aid of policemen Jenkins get Mr Ord's bridle from publican [Edwards] of Cross Inn. Return home at night about 9.00.

15th

A thorough wet day till evening. Go out early, receive for cattle sold yesterday at Cross Inn £35 of Thomas on account. Return home. Ill, on sofa all day. EKJ calls and goes home in carriage with Thomas. The Collins called and Miss Hughes. Little able to see them, say am so unwell.

Sunday. Not well, breakfast in bed. Dull, dine early, wet, very!!!! All evening read Cambrian and go with Carree to 6.30 church, how wet, what pools of water at church door!!!!!

17th

Wet morning again!! When will spring corn be sown? Enter accounts since Thursday. Wrigglesworth calls to see Frank, I consult him also. Mr Dr Collins calls. Fine about 11.00. Walk with Carree to call on Miss Fanny Collins, not at home. Call on the Terry's, Mrs Farkin better a little. Call on Mrs Popkin, call on Johnny at school. Walk to the top of the hill with Emma, a dangerous place [a quarry] for children. Meet in the street Miss Leach and Miss Williams, called on Mr Leach. At home all evening, read magazines. Fine but cold, wild looking day. Write to tithe commissioner. Carree writes to my mother to 51 Bedford Square.

18th

Wet again and cold!!!!! Wet all today. Sit down to accounts under medical advice of Mr Wrigglesworth. Frankie in bed under physic also. Send 3 letters to post by George Shepperd. In house all day, see nobody, hear of nobody but beggars, under the influence of medicine. Read magazines and make out accounts of labour. W Jone, Bank, discharged but not paid.

19th

Very showery, more wet than not. Heavy showers. Enter accounts and write to Francis Morgan and write home. Out at the bank early, get new bank book. Order meat at Jenkins and walk with children to the pier head in evening. Mr & Mrs Woodruffe call late, read Times lent and read Britannia, full of interest, triumph of government over Chartism. Mr Wrigglesworth calls to see me and Frank, more medicine. Cold day, Benjamin Morris in from Penmaen, sent tax paper and 2 magazines home from Mr Perry by Francis Thomas.

20th

Mr Crabb, Shirley, school CEM £30.

Fine morning, fine day. Confined to the house draft by physic, Mr Wrigglesworth's advice. Read Britannia paper, Carree goes with Miss Leach and Miss Miles to hear school children examined by government commissioner. I merely get out to the bank as of necessity. Meet Mr and Mrs W Collins and stroll to Howells auctioneer about straw had of him and tie sacks … talk of Uplands sale etc, Thomas E Thomas etc, value of houses in Swansea. In evening, instead of going to a lecture dropped into Mr Woodruffe with Carree and Johnny. Miss Williams there. In bed early, Carree with a bad cold. Wet night, and not well all day.

21st

28 hot cross buns. Carree does not go to church, bad cold, not up. I go with 3 older children save Charles [who's at Epsom as we hear by post, George Gibbs of all days in the year calls for rent!!!!!! The better the day the better the deed?] to church. Walk home with Miss Leach, introduced to the brother. Miss Susan and Austance Terry call. Write to Mr Crabb and home, Gower, to EKJ. In church with Carree 7.00, a Mr Lewis preaches, awfully nervous!!!

22nd

Damp dull drizzly day, not dignified by rain, else milder. Inquire at the bank for EM about £18 Irish bill, no. Call on Woolcot, architect, about Bison school. See plans, very smart! Talk about Caswell Bay, offer to let plots to build on. Go to the infirmary and take a bath, first time. Hunt up men to pay tithe, receive a little, more promise to pay. EKJ dines here, Thomas in with Bright and car for grains etc. Walk with Carree, Emma and John to the pier and parade. Tea late, a day of great confusion. Feathers brought in for Mrs Woodruffe. Feel myself much better for hot bath.

24th

Sunday, very dull. Wet again, very wet from 12 to 6.00!!! Fearful weather. At church with Carree and 3 children, sacrament. Some 3 or 400. Not at home till near 3.00. Dine early and can't go to church in evening, wet. Read Britannia paper.

Monday. Dull again and cold but not wet. Rain a little in the evening. Start afoot from Swansea to meet EKJ's gig in Sir J Morris's park at 10.00 and attend the usual Easter vestry at the village. Some talk with Mr Beor in Swansea. W Collins at Caie Vorgan with EKJ, dines with us. Garden much grown, notably wet and cold. Walked to the meeting, poor attendance and rather divided. Expense of new pulpit passed with some difficulty. Mr Ball and Mr Phil Evans returned to tea and grog. Mr Gordon sounding about Crickton, will be sold. Report I offered 1,800, not I, not worth 1,200. Tucker will give 1,500, let him.

25th

A dry fine day at last, will it last? Fine weather sadly wanted to dry the land. Now as the depths of winter, wet and heavy! No barley sown to speak of, oats not finished, a few potatoes. Ice! at Caie Forgan. Go over the farm, Cillibion and Crickton. Ride to Penmaen at one, dine at two there. Mr Nicholls comes to settle church accounts and takes tea. Mr Ball drops in late and does not agree to take grassland on the glebe. Thomas came over on the grey, all 3 return home by Stephensons. Some spitting of rain.

26th

Likely to be a reconciliation between Mr James and his brother James, the only daughter writes a letter, rather good for her age 18, now or never, depart in peace. Fine day tho' cold. Walk with EKJ to Cillibion field and to Crickton Hill to see work. RH and EKJ go to forge, shoeing and docking. Walk over Cross Lane field and resolve not to sow oats. Try green crops, sow mignonette garden. Dine early, drive to top of Killay Hill and walk on to Swansea through the park and at the lodging at 6.00 to tea just in time. Austance Terry and J Woodruffe there. Children's party, read letters and tired all the evening. Cold evening but change in weather at last and seems likely to last.

27th

Very fine morning, cold all day. Call at the Castle to settle a bill, too busy to attend. Get Jenkins the butcher's account, take Emma and Agnes to Mrs Terry for the day. Walk with Carree, write to Penmaen by Mr Dawe and call there. Poor Frank is looking miserable, eye bloodshot and fallen and cut his temple. Mr and Mrs Ponsonby Lucas dine with us. Write to Charles at Epsom.

28th

Dry, fine and cold for the season. Send letter to Charlie at Epsom. Meet Dr Howell, go to Herbert Jones's. Pay for Dr Bird's book ‘Health of Towns'. Talk of value of houses in Oxford Street. By Rees's Bus to the Grange with Emma and Carree. Persuaded to dine at Grange, walk on to the Mumbles, call on Mrs Sylvester, by mistake rap at Mr Harris's door, the artist's, walk in and see his pictures. See Mr Davie' farm and draining. Mr Arthur Jones called, return by the omnibus late on return from packet, difficult to get in dark. Mrs Crole's grandchildren from London there. Get my finger pinched in a door and cut my thumb shaving tomorrow showing misfortunes are never single.

29th

Warmer day a little, off early with Carree after Thomas and the car arrives. RH in town, calls in Dynevor Place, Mr Griffiths of Cadoxton calls for a minute, bothered with several persons calling for money, none to pay money save J Davies of Welsh Moor who pays £3 in part of tithes. Read papers, a confused day.

Sunday. Fine, coldish. St Mary's Church a.m., Trinity at 6.30, Mr … extempore. Not bad of its kind, good voice. Mr and Mrs James, retired drapers, have a good house, Mount Pleasant, very fine to look out!!

May

1st

Fine dry weather but too cold after the late long continuous rains. Take Emma to school, call on the Gower post woman at Post Office. Read Britannia. Dine at 3.00. Carree calls on Miss Williams with Mrs Woodruffe who called here. Write home to EKJ. Frank better, Johnny better, former gets a walk by Finone and home. Carree, I and Emma and Agnes take same round by Whites garden in the evening and home to tea. Read Cobbet's French Grammar and enter accounts. George Jones calls in distress to get a bill backed for £10, 3 months altered to 2, due in July, he to meet it.

2nd

Very fine day, summer. Read Blackwood. Walk with Carree and children to the sands, see steamer coming. Llewellyn comes in for potatoes with our donkey. Write to EKJ by him, has got a kick on knee by horse and can't come in to dine. Woodruffe and Rees Davies dine with us. Ladies in the evening and play 3 card loo, I lose as usual. Dislike round games. Johnny and Frank getting much better. Agreed I am to have 2 fields at Penmaen at £24, about 12 acres free of rates.

3rd

Very fine again, shall soon cry out for rain for spring corn. See 16th. Post. On duty all day. Write to Mr Morris 26 O(ld) S(quare), Lincoln's Inn as to money paid, all right. Read Blackwood, write to Penmaen and run to post car. Dine early, on duty again. Call on Miss Loftus, Mrs Thomas, Terry, stroll to pier head, children there. Mrs Nicholls by packet from Devonshire, see her at Mr Strick's and send seed of creeper to Mrs James by her after hunting in rain for someone going there. Home late to tea. Wrote to EM by today's post Tenby.

4th

Hot summer weather, EKJ comes into Swansea to stay a night about 12.00. Am out early after breakfast to see to raise money, want 200 and more to send EM one and pay up rail shares now losing interest; difficulty to do so, no money in the town. May perhaps by Saturday, the bank won't I know. Meet Mrs Gape and show her Lloyd's the tailors and walk with her to Temple Street, walk all hands after dinner to the pier and sands. Write to EM, Carmarthen. Walk into Clarke's garden back of his cellars, a good hothouse etc. Tired and lie on sofa in evening till Johnny takes to it as his bed here, his uncle EKJ sleeping there. Hot night.

5th

Real summer hot weather. EKJ in Swansea with us, slept here. Out early with him, walk along the Strand and quay, call on Mr Richardson's yard about the vessel ‘Richardson' going to Adelaide. Want to show to the children and take them about 4.00 after dinner at 3.00. Talk to Vaughan about getting a good cow or ox to fat for Christmas market and chances of the mayor's prize. Read Blackwood a little and the Cambrian in evening but the children prevent doing anything quietly. EKJ returns home after tea. See the effect on board the vessel of spontaneous combustion of coal, nearly lost, 1,000 miles of sea, got into Monte Video (sic) and sunk!!!

6th

Real hot! again, July weather! Thomas arrives from Gower pretty early. Read Mrs Ellis ‘Temper and Temperance', go to the market, meat at Vaughan's - lamb and beef not paid. Go to the potato warehouse, Strand. Surprised to meet Edmund from Llandeilo Rhynys. Meet W Collins, Mackworth Lane with EM. Call at Mr Beor's, in comes a quince of a letters last night, more expenses Penclawdd Company, enormous to recover, £36 against a set of scoundrels, must prepare it, can hardly say how! One by perjury no doubt, defeated me. All the lower class of Cornish men, small farmers, miners' etc, a set of lying scoundrels! Place no reliance on them in future, call at the bank about money, on an attorney about raising money. Draw at the bank, £6, feel in a horrid mess, EM too wants help to get out of the overseers officer Tenby. Walk with him to Oxford Street, West End, to see some horses etc. Dine at 3.00. Some Gower people call, Nanny Davy of mill wants money, postponed. Miss Ball and Tim take tea, Mr Collins drops in, walk with EM and to the pier head, parade etc and home late by the old gate. Mr Beor not at home. Talk of London, Chartism, ships, Admiralty etc etc. Read Times, no parlour news.

8th

Sunday. EM here, introduced to Mr & Mrs Biddulph of bank. We all take tea with them at the bank after evening service. Very hot, cooler at night, read Britannia. Twice at church. Mr Squire A, Mr Bowen and the curate do duty. Walk with EM over hill, met Mr and Mr (sic) Biddulph, make their acquaintance through him who was at school with former.

Monday. Much cooler, no sun, why? Cart comes in early for potatoes by Llewellyn. Out with EM, call on attorney's bank. Take children to pottery, no workmen there. Take a long round of a walk, cross the water at Morriston, back by the ferry. Can't see Mr Beor or Jenkins, tried 3 times. Not in bed till 12.00. Write home etc.

9th

This not filled out for a week till next Monday 17th at home. Hear of a terrible murder last night, 2 miles from Swansea, Pondardulais road. Irish navvies implicated. EM drives me home in his pony cart, we sleep there. Look over the farm etc, nothing particular occurs. Give intelligence of the murder and to look out for Irish.

10th

Drive to Penmaen and lunch there, over the hill by Park Mill, Kittle etc to Caswell. See over the farm and arrange for seeding out. By Clyne Common and Woodlands to Swansea, surprised at the improvement in the road. Dine with Dr and Mrs Howell 5.00. Meet Mrs Squire, a talkative woman, pleasant. Spent a pleasant day, can't remember having spent anything, know I have but little money, almost none.

11th

Edmund walks on and I drive, Carree in his pony cart to Mrs Grove's where we call and see her delightful garden and also call on Mrs Davies of Grange, not at home, he in London. In the evening at a party at Mrs Leach's Russell Place. Meet Mr and the 2 Misses Jones, Spitty Works, pleasant people. The ladies sing, a pleasant evening. Swansea in great excitement, apprehension of the Irish murderers, will it be murder or manslaughter, it ought to be the former. Most brutal unprovoked attack, two men stabbed to the heart!!!

12th

Drive from Swansea to the court leet at Bison with Mr Beor. W Strick and young Rees surveyor. Illtyd Thomas chairman. A good meeting of jurors, establish claim to a small piece of land near the beach in front of Mr Llewellyn's house, now sold to me. Walk in the Bison valley, digging for lead and silver. 2 young badgers killed, never saw young ones before. Explore the caves and pits and listen to underground water courses. Natural curiosities. Whisky grog and adjourned to Hancorne's of Kittle to tea. Poor old Hancorne very feeble. Home about 11.30 or 12.00 at Swansea.

13th

Wake in the night very ill and ill all day, most unluckily having much to attend to. Swansea fair also and to make arrangements about expenses of lawsuit of Brecon, some £100, all neglected in consequence of being ill. Make many efforts to get up and fail. Take nothing all day. Rise at last, Thomas comes in. Send clover etc. EM drives us all (ie) EKJ, Carree and self in the carriage late in the evening. I am very unwell but better in cool fresh air, very dusty.

Sunday. Very hot, dine late. W Collins comes to lunch, has three duties on hand.

15th

Very hot, glass begins to fall, fell a little yesterday and blackbirds sing gloriously, a good sign of rain coming though no clouds to be seen. About home all morning and sending twice to Penmaen. Calf sent over etc. Drive at 3.00 all hands to cricket at Oxwich and tea.. A pleasant meeting tho' anticipation was all the other way, some good recruits. W Tall's mare died foaling. EM mends window lines and bell in parlour. Help him etc etc.

16th

Dull day and cooler, rain this evening in a fine gentle shower, beautiful change of weather after 3 weeks drought. About home all with Carree (sic), EKJ and EM walk over Crickton farm and arrange for Penrice fair tomorrow. Very stiff after cricket yesterday. Read Britannia paper and talk idly all day. Spend nothing, have no money.

17th

Pleasant morning, fine change of weather. Penrice fair, send 2 cows and 2 calves and are all to dine at Penmaen. Ride with EKJ early, EM drives Carree to Penmaen and returns to the fair, leaves pony cart at Penrice farm. Mr Collins and son only buyers of cows at the fair. A dull fair indeed, send mine to Penmaen by WR. Mr Evans of Brynhir rides with us to Penmaen and dines there. The house in confusion under paint and paper. Look at the garden and the Castle. Dine at 4.00 and return home about 10.00. A little wet, fine change of weather.

18th

Return to Swansea by EM's pony cart, he walks on, do not overtake him after half hours law through Sir JM's park. Arrive at 1.30, call with EM Trevor Jenkins, sign bond for £200, receive balance of the money (£70 to EM £30 to ditto, £100 to bank) and now call on Mr Beor gone to London. Mrs Dr Collins calls, arrange to go fishing in canal with Mr Woodruffe. goes also, catch nothing, no nibble. Wind strong and cold, glad to get home again to tea.. Very picturesque about the canal but everything about Swansea on all sides so dirty, so unfinished, neglected and out of order. Neatness and cleanliness unknown terms. Get money, no matter how and keep it.

19th

Thorough wet, enter accounts and diary and day book. Carree and EM write letters, Mary Ord and Willey. At home all morning, no dinner but a rabbit for them, 4 children. Too wet to go to market, good excuse for short cash. Walk out with EM to post and quay. Call on J Lucas and ask him to tea, not at home. Inquire for vetches and turnip seed, got wet and return home to tea at 7.00 and read.

20th

Very fine day, out to market early with EM. Wandering about all day looking for money, get none except 10/- for Mr Ord's dog to release it from police. Mr Griffiths of Cadoxton calls, Thomas and RH come in to market. Call on the Terry's. Borrow of EM £5 having nothing, no one from Gower calls for money!!!!!! Mr Worsley dines with us. Take the children in evening to see a vessel [the Richardson] run off the slips after repair, children alarmed by the swell. Walk with EM late in evening towards the pier and home again. Thomas takes home grains.

Sunday. Drive with EM in his pony cart to Mumbles Church. After church explore the hill and mining operations, hunt for spar, return to dine at 3.00. Church in evening. Mr Lewis preaches, can't understand it. May be very good! Walk on sands and on the esplanade in the evening late. Large concourse of oi polloi. Beautiful effects of light, no supper!!!

22nd

Monday. Both today and yesterday very fine. Call with Carree on Mrs Maber as to Johnny going boarder till the holidays, he gone to Ilfracombe. Walk on esplanade, go with Mr Walcott over the new National School in Oxford Street, a neat and commodious building, cost above £3,000. Dine at 3.00, Arrange with Mr Walker to go to Caswell to see ruins of Herberts Houses etc. To take tea this evening at Mrs Williams, Emma's School in Nelson Place. Old Mrs Sylvester and her daughters from Mumbles. Johnny gets a whole holiday [Mr Maber had gone to Ilfracombe] and runs about with young Squire. Read Britannia.

23rd

Splendid weather, write to Frederick in London, posted this evening. Walk out with EM, meet . Dinner all behind hand, fish too late, not wanted, cheap and plentiful. Learn that the Gazelle has gone down channel, put in at Oxwich and not at Mumbles. EM put out. Make calls after dinner, Mrs Popkin, Dr Howell, Charles Collins about the little dog, will take it on Saturday. Am very languid all day and all over rheumatism, why should I?. Soldiers at exercise on the sands. Strawbridge called about his bill for Penmaen Church.

24th

Very fine. EM leaves for Llandeilo Rhynys and Tenby. Read Mrs Ellis, ‘Temper and Temperance', Britannia etc. Walk out with a short time to Wind Street, shop at Richmonds, dine early and start with all servants and children, Maber, George Gape Squire, fellow pupils of Johnny's, shut up the house!!! Cross the ferry to get a picnic tea, provided with everything but teapot, cups and water and kettle!!! Try Colonel Cameron's Lodge, no one at home. Howell the gardener comes [a little …] and invites us, as we are all gentle folk, to Danygraig, the empty residence of the Colonel's, miserably arranged house sadly out of repair and barricaded. Really prettily situated, tis thought of for a lunatic asylum. The garden very fertile and full of rhubarb, fruit and weeds, hot houses full of nettles. Powell, a Welshman, an amusing man, been in nurseries in London and Bristol at Sir W Paxton's etc teaches children botany!!! Though in liquor, he does not forget botanical names. At a loss for some time to find out who we are, succeeds at last. Pick gooseberries for pudding for the children. Give Mrs Powell, a quiet woman 2/6. Borrowed Mr Woodruffe's fishing rod, buy line and hooks at Mrs Brooke's, delighted with the evening all of us. Home about 9.00, Carree and I called in on Mrs Woodruffe and home after 10.00. Beautiful day. Never went near the canal to fish for tench!!!

25th

Still very fine, breakfast late and begin day badly. At 1.00 drive Carree and Mr Walcott our architect to Newton and walk to Caswell. Take measure for purpose of rebuilding the house at Herberts Houses, now all in ruins. Grove the present tenant of both farms being under notice to quit. Over all the cliff land and Mr Llewellyn's new house. Dine on cheese and biscuits with porter on the rocks. Extreme heat. Miss Williams [Ellen] and Mr Woodruffe spend evening with us, disappointed of many invited. Not in bed till 12.00. Music and children sing a little.

26th

Friday. Still brilliant weather! Carree not up to breakfast, ride home and arrange for tomorrow, letter sent by Samuel Phillip to EKJ Caie Forgan. Read Mrs Ellis on Temper etc. Children go bathing 1st time in sea. I get out by myself after all the rest are gone and after writing and sending wild rose in letter to Charlotte in Chandos Street. Call at the Institution about stuffed stormy petrol, on Miss Rose about lodgings, we leaving tomorrow. At a party this evening, Mr Wrigglesworth's. Introduced to Mr Squire the vicar; a pleasant evening, music, Mrs W fine player on piano. Misses Jones sing and play. Mr Leach and I do neither. … amused at the wonders of the microscope, showed the rapid and interminable circulation of blood in a frog's foot! Most wonderful indeed!!!

27th

Splendid hot day, chance of rain gone. Some yesterday at Loughor and Pontardulais. EKJ comes in with the carriage etc. Make sundry farewell calls, learn dog Nipper killed by Dunn's cart. Bryn bought in to go back to Mr Charles Collins, will go home again. Dine 3.30. Talk about Crickton with EKJ, purchase of Llanrhidian living. Dog forgotten, sent word to Cross Inn to Mr C Collins. A little rain this evening, get home late without one drop. What a cavalcade.

Sunday. Morning duty, can't get ready. Sacrament Sunday. Dine early and drive Carree to Nicholaston for 2.30, all right, call on Mr Dawe and drive on to Penmaen, tea and look at the cattle. Old Mr Collins did duty, small congregation!

29th

Very fine. EKJ dubious what to do, wants to go to Swansea and to Portinon(sic), the former a missionary meeting, the latter about sale of Crickton. Goes to Swansea on my pony for 12.00. I stroll to Crickton to see turnip preparations. J Edwards mare falls into my drain, not hurt most luckily tho' stone blind. Call and see him and the mare. Dine early, Mr Perry and George call, a long chat. Garden in the evening. Transplant flowers, not bothered all day, pay no more. EKJ home about 10.00, not much pleased with his tour. Receive letters from Frank and Henry and Charlie. Mr & Mrs James not gone to Swansea.

30th

Not near so hot, wind north west, fine day yet gathering symptoms of wet though the glass is not falling. Ride with EKJ to Port Eynon about the sale of Crickton, by Reynoldston and back to Penrice. Call on Samuel Gibbs maltster, the uncle, the farm has been offered to me about a fortnight ago no price named but 3 times 600, 1,800 intimated being held in 3 shares, co-partners. Sale now declined, one share bought out by the other two, I understand at £500. Dine at 4.00, walk with Carree and EKJ to Crickton Hill to see turnips sowing and back to Cillibion fields. Not bothered by anybody. Feel very rheumatic all day, well in other respects, cannot rid myself of this.

31st

Wet day, beautiful rain for turnips, about 80 rows sown, Crickton Top. Read Britannia. Lay the drawing room carpet, a good morning's hard work. Dine early, rain clears off, Cut Hedges in garden and dig a little ground. A missionary meeting at 6.00, Pinhom. Drive Carree and Emma to church, Valiant, put up at Penralt, very cold. Talk with RH and old David Williams, Common, about road to Wernhalog etc. Enter accounts in the evening.

June

1st (Thursday)

Very showery almost wet day. Drive early in EKJ's gig and Tom Eaton's pony to Swansea with George Shepherd to the Swan to go by mail to Port Rydd. Call on Johnny, well and happy at school. Call on Broder, values piano at £6, to repair £5, £11. Leave Swansea at 1.00 after writing home by George and talking to Mr James at Mrs Davies in Butter Street. Meet EM and Lucy in pony carriage at Port Rydd and another small pony at Middleton Hall on trial. At Llandeilo Rhynys at 4.30 to dinner, cold, order a fire.

2nd

Showery fine weather, walk over the farm with EM and Offey to see what may go on trial to Carmarthen fair tomorrow: 23 cows and heifers in calf, 1 bull, 3 steers, 11 yearlings 12 calves of 1848, above 80 sheep and lambs, 7 working horses and mares, 2 colts sucking, 1 old pony - Moselle, 3 2 year olds, 2 yearlings, 10 pigs, over-stocked. Some of the horses and colts very promising indeed. EM and Lucy dine with Captain Hughes at Glan Cothi at 2.00. Weigh and make calculation on butter, cows same to average per head 1lb per day. Garden a little and clean out tanks, cess pools from the pump, drain choked. Crops of corn promising, clover and hay crops very bad. Order peas cut for green food, full of wild oats.

3rd

Carmarthen fair. Drive there with EM, Lizzie declines going, doubtful day, no rain. Send 3 steers, no offer to think about, very dull fair. Send 2 cows and calves, sell them to Mr Ball and to deliver them in Gower for £9.9.0 and £8. He buying horses has taken the farm of Kilvrough. Horses in shape of ponies very dear indeed and all horses sell well. Many Swansea and Gower people at the fair. Call on Lieutenant Newman, son of Major Newman of Finmere, Oxon, not at home. See George Goode after some difficulty about approaching sale and price of tithes. 26 years purchase he says a good investment.

Sunday. Fine, rain, not half enough for Llandeilo Rhynys and glass rising again. No chance to go to church, Llanegwad Church rebuilding. No service of Mr Green's and know nothing of Abergwili so walk about the farm and walk after dinner to Mr & Mrs Griffiths of Llan and take tea there of course. Walk with EM and Lizzie to Mr Griffiths to see the splendid view top of the hill, what fine corn, so high! on the hills. Talk about sale of Abercothi estate with great regret, find cows in the corn on my return, Morgan of Trecastle driving out. He the cause by cow to bull. Get angry and send for the bull and raise the price to 5/-.

5th

Monday. Hot and fine again, EM and Lizzie drive round by Llandeilo Fawr to see new bridge, dine at 2.00. I remain at home, expecting a man may call about a cow, a Mr Lawrence near Llandeilo, no. Evening spent at Rev. Mr Evans Vicar at Llanegwas (sic) new house. Morning spent cleaning up the yard and forming dung heap. Send a car off to go out to work 2 horses at Crickton farm. Mr Ball's cows and calves and a white yearling bull, little Tom Philip to see his friends and a man to work. To be accounted for Isaac or Tom Williams son of Jonah. Start at 11.00. Write home by him and receive a letter from Carree before they start.

6th

Tank at Llandeilo Rhynys full of liquid manure and mud. Begun to be cleaned out 1st time, poured over garden and over dung heap. In the evening ride and walk having 2 ponies to Ynyswen. Inquire about the farm and take tea at Mrs Prosser's the tenant. Good sort of people. Showery, fine turnip weather. EM walks nearly all the way by choice.

7th

Ride with EM to his farm on a small borrowed pony on trial, he rides his, go by slate quarry, very showery, lucky to escape wetting. His farm, Cwm Raffon, much improved, part lately come to hand, death of man having a lease for life at 1/- and receive £12. Death to one, luck to another. Vegetation by good management, wonderfully fine and soil good in this high elevation. The present old tenant a civil man, a good specimen of Welsh hill farmer as to manners, as to garden, as to house. Falling about, his head propped in all directions in and out, good specimen of life holding!!! Return by Nantgaredig by winding steep intricate roads, dine at 4.00. Stroll about in evening by the river and turnpike and forge and drive Abercothi bull on road to Llanartney etc.

8th

EM and Lizzie leave Llandeilo Rhynys for Tenby in pony car about 10.00. Showery morning, fine day at 12. Send to Alltygog for letters, get none. Afterwards sent down from home only and papers; poor Johnny very ill again at the Maber's school. Carree wants me to return home to Swansea tomorrow, Johnny better, ill owing to dine with his grand papa last week in Butter Street. Read Cambrian and Britannia and stroll about the farm solus. Turnips sown early fail, Offey gone to Swansea for seed, ought to have had it ready. A heifer calved last night, bellowed all day.

9th

Dull doubtful morning, Thomas Davies calls in early with a message from home to return today to Swansea, Johnny being ill and Carree there in Butter Street. Rise before 6.00, can get no hot water and sit down to enter 3 days journal and pack up things, some to take, some to remain here. Ride Lion to Portrydd, send luggage by boy afoot, overtake him and forward him by cart going for lime, get my bag just in time and the last place vacant in the mail. In Swansea before 11.00. Write 2 letters at Mr Beor's, Offey and EM - Tenby in answer about bank etc. Call on Mrs Davies, Carree gone home with poor Johnny yesterday very ill. Dine early with Mr Beor in his new house. Send copy back to Penmaen by mail cart and drive there in the car with J Fisher. Soaking rain all evening. Carpet bag soaked through, how careless!!! How Gower like!!! Sleep at Penmaen.

10th

Fine day indeed, damp and warm after stormy rain yesterday. Slept at Penmaen and walk over to Caie Forgan by 12.00. Poor Johnny ill in bed, better. Frank and Agnes run to meet me on the common. Stroll round garden with Carree and talk over school matters and poor Johnny etc. EKJ and Emma with George Shepherd to Swansea with 16lb butter. They come home and RH about 6.00 to tea, had left home this morning before my messenger arrived from Penmaen. Stroll out before tea to Crickton, ploughing with Agnes and Frank and Nip and again after tea to see turnips on Crickton Hill, all done, with Carree and EKJ. Rye very good, trampled with dogs or ? Enter diary before going to bed.

Sunday. Morning duty, very fine, walk with Carree and 3 youngest children. Poor Johnny very ill but better. Mr Perry calls to see him and again sent for to Pwllybrag, Mrs T very ill. Spends evening with us.

12th

Very fine indeed, rise at 6.00, no Thomas returns from Carmarthen. Breakfast early, walk with EKJ to Crickton to see preparation for turnips, Cross Lane. Fire cooch, what a lot of it. Walk over the farm, preparing for turnips also at Newton. Mr & Mrs James drive over and dine, makeshift dinner. Thomas Thomas tries a new drill, his construction, works creditably indeed. Again walk out to Crickton with EKJ. Mrs J goes! Work in garden in evening, cut trees and sow seeds with Carree and remove geraniums etc with dear little Emma. Hard day's work!! Some symptoms of thunder.

13th

Again at Crickton in evening, beautiful wet morning, mild rain. Fine brisk day, wind strong and cold. Read Britannia, walk with EKJ to Crickton, bonfire of cooch. Ride with him and Carree to call at Ilston. Mrs WC about to be confined, how unfortunate - calculating on a lunch, washing day at home!! Defeated again by calling on Mrs Nicholls who has also a grand wash, friends staying with her. Call at Llythrydd, pony makes a false step and grazes knee, Aurora, the first knee I ever marked.

14th

Very showery all morning threatens almost a wet, day. Brisk wind and clears off. EKJ at Brynhir about Chapel. Mr Perry calls, no confinement yet at Ilston. At Crickton about bonfires and cleaning turnip land. Transplant geraniums with WT and children in the evening. After tea walk with Carree to Penralt to inquire for chickens, none to be had. Detained by rain. Home only to go to bed. Rose 6.00a.m. Thomas returned from Carmarthenshire yesterday.

15th

Fine brisk east wind, tie up plants in pots etc and walk to Crickton, light another fire for cooch. Rose at 7.00a.m. Dine early, poor dinner. Ride with Carree and EKJ and Emma on RH's pony to call on Mr & Mrs Perry. Dine there again on lamb and new potatoes. Return early to attend the parish meeting called by Richard Gordon overseer. Useless trouble, rate resolved at 3/- in the pound. Heavy rain comes on and loud thunder and brisk lightning. Home late to bed tired! tired!! Mrs Collins another baby boy at Ilston.

16th

Fine day after wet night and not at all well, fistula? Great pain, no spirit. Home all morning, read Britannia. Gather and shell peas, very small. EKJ sallies forth to shoot hoppers, sees nothing. Too late for dinner. In evening walk to Crickton to see work etc, home to tea and take a gentle walk to Cillibion barley and wheat with Carree and EKJ after a rabbit hunt on the common. Benjamin Howell of Llanelli called to renew a bill, Story of Leyshon and a man drowned in the dock, not very creditable to his companion.

17th

Drive to Swansea with Carree and Emma. After heavy rain in the morning proves a fine day. Get to Swansea about 12.00, meant to have started early. Take only Bright. Write to Mr Green about 1,000 debt, decline arbitration [Bishop] write to the EM in answer about bill not met £50. Call on Mr C James, unpleasant business. Emma takes last music lesson. Carree pays all odds and ends and lunch, tea and dinner, one meal Davies, Butter Street. Home about 10.

19th

Very fine day, Monday, after a very wet Sunday. Glass rising, EKJ has no morning duty, Mr W Jones at Penclawdd volunteer. Evening duty at village, Carree and I alone go, so wet. Read a little, get out a little in the evening.

Monday. How fine! Rise before 6.00, walk to Crickton and settle work, usual work thrown out, land too wet. Cart stones and drain, EKJ rides to Penmaen, I to George Beynon, Bury Green, get only promise of money. Call on Davies, Penralt, to see his pigs, on RH about road work, carting stones. Dine at 2.00. A bass from Batcock, 6, 7 or 8lbs. Work in garden, weed strawberries, plant mangold, cut hedges etc. Out late, very hot. Enter accounts in evening. Bed late. Charlie does not leave town till today!!! He should 17th. Sawyer here, attend to drain etc.

20th

Very fine day, rather inclined to hazy. Glass a little falling again, rise early, read Britannia? France very unsettled about Louis Bonaparte. Old Rosy tried in harness, EKJ's gig, goes most kindly. Go with EKJ to Cillibion, back to Penralt and about Crickton and home by lane on common with no other accident than knocking down a few stones of my rustic pillar, entrance. Had fears it would all come down about my ears, fortunately my own driving! Mare turning too quick for the stables! Mr and Miss Ball [cousin] call, funeral at chapel. Miss Pene Gape calls to sleep and start for Llandeilo Rhynys tomorrow. Charles comes home from school, landed at Mumbles, Thomas went for him. He is much grown and looks well, arrange for tomorrow.

21st

Very fine, start from Gower at 9.30 in carriage with Carree and Johnny and I, Charlie and Miss Pena Gape on ponies, to ride to Llandeilo Rhynys by Loughor. Arrive at 5.00 without misadventure except Miss Gape's pony kicking up ahead and afore to get rid of forest flies, a little monkey!!!! Miss Gape and Charlie perform journey well indeed. Meet EM at Llandeilo Rhynys who arrives after we have arranged ourselves. No small matter of contrivance with so many in such a shattered old farmhouse. Walk by side of the river to look at the prospects, the corn and calves. Miss Gape highly delighted, never saw a large river before!!

22nd

Fine again, EM and I drive to Carmarthen to attend the sale of the Alltygog and Abercothi estate in the Vale of Towy, late the property of poor George who died at Christmas after much suffering at Cheltenham etc. EM drives me in his pony cart, I pay nothing, return to dine between 5.00 and 6.00, very fine day, dust troublesome and foretells change of weather. In the evening all walk up to Llan to tea. Pena and Charles ride. Old Mr Griffiths very talkative about sale, has bought his own farm for £1250?

23rd

Wet day after 10.00, EM drives early and alone to Carmarthen. We all drive in in the carriage, no Pena and Charles ride the ponies. Ladies have lunch at the Bush. Introduce George Oliver to Mrs … invites her Bramdean, Hampshire, buy Ynyswen and Coedsaithpren, EM Cillarddu etc the property in general reaches 27 and 30 and more years purchase. Home later to tea, call at Mrs Lewis Abergwili, too wet and too late to get out.

24th

Again a thorough wet day!!!! How unlucky for sowing turnips at home!! Not half done! Walk with EM and Mr Simpson to see farm purchases Tynycoed, Cillarddu etc, to Austey's Cillarddu wood. Get wet, drizzly driving rain all day. Dine at 3.00, one hour aftertime. Miss Gape, Charles and EM exhibit antics on ponies in garden all the evening and make plum pudding for tomorrow. Mr Williams, purchaser of farm, calls to look over the farm and say he has guns. Orders to new roof the house. Wet all day, favourable for grass here, over stocked with cattle and horses.

26th

Sunday. Fine, drive Carree and pony cart to Court Henry to Chapel in time for 1st lesson. Mr Nicholls does duty. Walk into the house and send for horses. Mrs G most formal and disagreeable. EM drives Pena round by the Cothi and dine at 3.00, roast beef and plum pudding. Stroll together round the farm in the evening.

Monday. Fine morning indeed, engaged to meet Mr Simpson at Salutation, do so, walk with him and EM to Cillarddu etc Coedsaithpren and Ynyswen. Walk over the two Farms and take note of crops and talk over arrangement of farms with Mr Prosser. The ladies and children come up in the evening to tea. Rain comes on and proves a very wet evening. A great disappointment to our pleasure, all wet.

27th

Wet again, driving soaking mist till about 4 or 5 o'clock in the evening. In the house all morning hoping it may clear off, all in vain. EM walks out after early dinner on lamb to his farm and Dogberry Hall and Llan. Prove weight of lamb alive, the weight is nearly, if not quite, double when cold and cut up. Lamb weight, cut up 34lb. Charles and Pena ride out to slate quarry and to Abergwili. We drive to Abergwili to call on Mr Williams of Bwlth (Builth?) Brother of the attorney Williams of 9 Cloak Street, London, purchaser of Abercothi etc to learn if we can agree for the farm, to learn is not let and referred to London. Begin packing up in the evening to start home tomorrow.

28th

Off for home [Gower] about 11.00. Arrive about 5.00, 7 hours usual journey, proves fine luckily between two wet days. Pena Gape and Charles ride by Llanon, Velinvoel, Loughor, Poundfold. Engaged in the morning at Llandeilo Rhynys about wool, meat, cheese etc with Offey. Home in nice time for tea. EKJ and children quite well. Receive very annoying letters from Mortimer Street as to EM's affairs etc.

29th

Wet day, very stormy wet and windy, no sowing turnips. Read paper, funeral of Mrs Thomas, Pwllybrag, men all half day only to attend funeral. RH calls up to settle a small account. Walk to Penralt in evening with Carree and children. RH in difficulty about Richard Gordon quarrying too close to his property, Hill House, certainly an encroachment, recommend application to Mr Talbot. Receive letter from Frank about Ynyswen etc, purchase to be given up, be it so. Horribly annoying! How different are family feelings and attachments with us than in other families!!!!!!

30th

Fine morning with some showers, to dine at Penmaen. Discharge men on road, can't get rates. Road accounts,… give J Smith by the drain by Lloyd's field, tell him to make application to the Guardian for relief. I discharge him. Drive Carree and all children to Penmaen, one horse, fine day. Read newspapers, French fresh rebellion, insurgents beaten. Johnny sleeps here at Penmaen, the little sleep in carriage!!!! Not late home.

July

1st (Saturday)

Very cold dull day, some rain. Drive one horse with EKJ and Charlie to Swansea. Home about 9.00. Back a bill for Rev. J Collins for £30 at 2 months. Call on Mr Beor about bill for £36, Cornish Company Penclawdd, due. Election for coroner, strong contest. Write to Fred, EM, London, Williams in city and Mortimer Street. Envelops bankruptcy. How cold coming home. Could not get anyone to pair off on the election of coroner to avoid going to Bridgend. See Dr Sylvester, talk of Cowbridge School.

3rd

Sunday. Cathe Cornish, nurse, married to William Lloyd, the children cry. Give a wedding dinner, how unlike a Sunday. Poor Agnes cries sadly and is quite low about it for days. Evening duty, drive to Penmaen after tea to take Mr James to Swansea for Bridgend election of coroner, strongly contested, Overton v Russell. Two men resigned. A fine day, sleep at Penmaen.

Monday. Fine morning, breakfast at 7.00, Drive Mr James to Swansea, rumoured election is over. Russell given in, true. Swansea fair, wool, cattle, horses, nothing done in cattle, colts brisk. Thorough wet drizzly day.

4th

Wet morning, fine at 12.00, warm fine day. Write to my mother at Penmaen where I slept on return from Swansea yesterday with Mr James, intending going to the Bridgend election. Poll closed. Overton returned coroner, Russell beat. Walk with Carree and EKJ after dinner to Crickton turnips etc. Shoot crows doing mischief to turnips, pulling them up. Advanced George Gibbs on account of rent £5. Use pruning hook in the garden to trim shrubs, birds doing great mischief to the front!!

5th

Charles and EKJ ride over and dine at Penmaen. About home all day.

6th

Dine at Penmaen, Mrs Hughes and Miss Cramer there. Fine day, take the children to meet Frank Marcon. Go shooting with EKJ after dinner, kill a rabbit. About home all morning, walked to Crickton preparing for turnips Cross Lane.

7th

At Crickton in the morning with EKJ, take guns, he killed a heron on common this morning. My gun missed fire at the 2nd. At 3.00 go to a parish meeting, review of paupers, go through the list, reduce some a little. Home later to tea, up very late writing letters in regard to Abercothi sale etc, Frank etc. Not in bed till 1.00.

8th

Cold windy day, some wild showers, wild day. Walk early to Crickton and send out guano, begin to use it in Cross Lane today. An acre, the first sowing in the field today. Gather blackcurrants with Carree and EKJ. Tie preserves and pick blackcurrants in the evening with children. Some potatoes sent up by Batcock.

Sunday. Wet again! God bless us! So wet can't go to church. Not out of the house all day. Write to Fred and send by servant to the Brynfield for post about Ynyswen etc.

10th

Washing day, what a wonder. How fine after such a day as yesterday. Most beautiful, gather all the black currants with WT and help Carree pick them, hard day's work. EKJ and Frank Marcon go shooting on the marsh, a heron frightens Marcon who took it to be a great pigeon!! No wonder, he's from Bath and never in Wales! Rose this morning at 6.00, wish I could persevere in early rising. Walk with Carree and EKJ to Crickton late in the evening. Petition, Allen maltster, robbed 1/-. Do not like the man, do not like begging and petitions.

11th

Rise early, Richards of Blaenkedy comes early and pays LD rent. Read Britannia, help Thomas carpenter making a wire division to keep out fowls from thieving in the shed so as to fatten geese etc when required. EKJ dines at Penmaen. Dine early and start with all sorts of vehicles and contrivances to tea at the Beacon to meet young Gapes, young Perrys, Frank Marcon etc. Miss Lucas, Miss Pena Gape, Mrs Perry all absent. Beautiful day for it, go down to the rectory with Carree and Agnes to see Mrs Hughes etc. Home in good time, all the servants up. Enter accounts on my return, walked home.

12th

Rise early, most beautiful hot weather, ought to be about hay not finished with turnip sowing in Cross Lane field. Splendid weather, what a change from Sunday. About home all day, begin to make a seat in the garden with carpenter.

13th

Drive all hands early to Penmaen, dine there. Hay about there, Mrs Hughes, dine on the lawn. Went down to bathe by the Benrick with EKJ, Charles and Frank Marcon. Spend a pleasant day, my cattle doing well, all in good order. Was out early to Crickton before breakfast to see what's the order of work for the day. Some turnips sown again. Very beautiful weather indeed.

14th

Rise early, gather peas for seed. What heat. Walk to Crickton, turnip sowing about finishing, mowing begun, clover not bad crop. Walk to see turnips thinned, hill. Stroll home oppressed with heat and read in garden ‘Memoirs of Lord Exmouth' by Ostler. Listless with excessive heat, read by accident without spectacles and do not miss them, feel better from sea bathing yesterday and profuse perspiration. Busy tying down … and arranging letters etc for tomorrow.

15th

Fine, only less so than yesterday, but there is actually a shower p.m., heavy at Llythrydd, to lay dust and stop hay, establishing old Saints Swithin's prerogative of right to his 40 days but his clemency will forbear for once. Drive Carree and 4 older children to Swansea, one feed of corn only. An extravagant day but avoids debts. Carree orders dress at Miss Walters, home about 9.00, cool.

17th

Sunday. Very fine, evening duty. Charlie rides to duty, Nicholaston and Penmaen. Take a walk on common with Carree and EKJ late.

Monday. Beautiful still, hay making. Penrice fair. Ride with EKJ there. Busy all morning, accounts with C Reese, Batcock and Samuel Phillip. (Accounts include Batcock for corn and mill) Ride to Crickton, hay over-dry, gather peas and seed peas in evening and enter accounts. EKJ sent for to Mr Dunn's, child ill.

18th

Fine luckily, carry clover. Gather fruit for Carree. Dinner party from Penmaen, Mrs Hughes etc and Frank Marcon and John Collins. 3.00 ride Rosy with EKJ to Crickton about hay and to Leason about road. J Harry working there, call at Mr Dunn's, not at home. After dinner walk to see turnips with Mr Collins and to Crickton hay, not half looked after. Glass falling. Stroll in garden in evening, many things neglected wanting attention.

19th

Wet, dull, neutral morning, wet about 12.00 or 1.00 all evening. Hay not well secured, lucky to carry clover yesterday, fine crop. Bad management not to carry more and to have begun on Monday p.m. Read Britannia, scold WT for working indoors, send him out. Walk with EKJ to village, the tailors, to RH. Meet him in the public, nothing done yesterday. Old William Boatman calls about grass, tell C Reese to answer him. Carry rush, EKJ to funeral Penclawdd. Read Lord Exmouth, carpenter a little, plant 100 cabbage and a balm of Gilead, gift of the tailor's, Thomas Penclawdd. Carpenter calls, bill Blaenkedy, refused to pay.

20th

Glass very low indeed, most stormy heavy showers. Fine evening, glass rising. Out early, plant mangold, garden. Go round Crickton and give orders about turnips Hill, all hands, sadly want attention. Work hard about mangold in garden, thin and transplant. Drive Carree, 1 horse and gig, to call on Mr & Mrs Pearce, 3rd child. Take tea there and home about 9.00. Frank Marcon with us and little Frank and Charles.

21st

Rise early, doubtful morning. Out early, transplant mangold and cabbage and dig ground for more. Gather peas, gathered gooseberries, 7lb off one tree. Pick and clean to preserve. Work a little [begin] in Charles garden, driven in by rain about 4.00. Sort potato onions, some for sale tomorrow, 2cwt, small, about 1 ˝ cwt more to keep. Read Lord Exmouth's Memoirs, go through Mary Beynon's account, left our service. Receive letters from Reynoldston and Penmaen. Sunset better, fine tomorrow?

22nd

Drive Carree alone to Swansea one horse, two feeds. Nothing else at Castle. Chiefly make calls. Home about 9 to tea, disappointed in lunch wherever we call. Very cold drive!!!

24th

Sunday. Sacrament. Walk down with Carree and two children. Fine promise of better weather.

Monday. Drive Carree and all the children to the Mumbles. Charles and Frank Marcon ride thro' Sir J Morris's Park, caught in a heavy shower just getting into the Mumbles. Gallop in to save it and call on Mrs Carmichael's about a governess, have … one? Cold ride home, too late for children, home about 9.00, caught in rain again just getting home. All's well that ends well.

25th

Wet again! God save us!? What's to become of potatoes? EKJ and I try to kill a hare in Lower Field, oh pro pudor! Off she goes, take gun again over moor and walk to Crickton and to Penralt, do not see RH, do see J Grant and his garden. Mr Lloyd called about writing to Mr Talbot, I decline to do so. Funeral of old Mrs Evans, Brynhir. Work in flower garden with Carree. Weed and in Charlie's garden. Read Britannia and enter accounts. Send to Penmaen late for Charles. What a dark wet tonight. He stays at Penmaen. Thomas wet through.

26th

How wet, like November, driving rain. In the house all morning reading. Get out a little after dinner with EKJ to Crickton hill and work a little in Charles's garden. In evening rout out nursery closets with Carree, what confusion, what breakage, what dust and filth and mixture of goods and travels. Feel anything but well all day. Do not send to post, weather so bad. Hay spoiling, work in general sadly hindered.

27th

Doubtful morning, proves a fine day. Do not venture to touch hay. Turnips sadly want attention. Rise early, now generally 6.30. Washing day yesterday and only 2 servants, one of them with a scalded hand! Read Amelia Wyndham, take gun with EKJ on moor for peewits, get none. Miss ducks on Broad Pool etc. RH calls up, settle some accounts with him, see yesterday, and send to Penmaen for cattle that grass may grow there. Attend to some strawberries in garden and take guns with EKJ to Crickton to see what is going on. Crows on wheat, can't get at them. Cattle arrive from Penmaen, put earth in Charles's garden, send weeds to pigs, give ball EKJ's horse, no easy matter. Enter accounts etc etc, receive 5 letters to be attended to.

28th

Rise at 5.30 the get out to see who comes first to work and brush gun. Up about hay after breakfast, get to hay field. Halter and lunge Moselle's 3 yr old filly, hot and difficult work, very nice one indeed. Mr and Mrs J and Mrs Hughes call. See after Tucker in garden. Read Amelia Wyndham, shovel up earth brought in by CEM east side of house. Ride EKJ's pony to Penmaen to tea. after Carree has driven over and Charles rode. Write to Mr Ball about buying my short horns. Wet evening, home about 10.00.

29th

Fine, drive EKJ and Johnny to Swansea. Consult Dr H for the latter. Miss to see Miss Clark arrived to go to Mr Pearce's, what a pity!! Home about 8.30 and enter all my expenses offhand. Two feeds corn, one horse, nothing else at the Castle.

31st

Sunday. Wet again, who'd have thought it? Evening duty, walk down with Charlie only, very wet returning home. Miss Lucy Holland arrived at Penmaen yesterday. Carree not very well. Hear children read the Bible and explain to them by the notes. Dine after church.

Monday. Fine till evening, heavy rain late and wet night. New moon too yesterday, awful prospects! Penmaenites send over. (Some words crossed out referring to breaking in Moselle's colt) .. very docile soon, drive after early dinner to Penmaen to see Miss Lucy Holland etc. About home all morning? Awfully wet evening again, escape it.

August

1st (Tuesday)

Ride early with EKJ to Parsey's to see a porpoise, how different a thing from what I imagined. Neat, tight and compact and smooth, had fancied it outrageously ugly. Mrs Hughes, Miss Lucy Holland etc. Return to dinner and work in the garden after dinner, seed peas, did not go to see the farm or who's at work.

2nd

A fine day, very. Most busy about hay; men, women and children. Carry two meadows, very fine day till late p.m. Showers. Hay just up in time. About hay with EKJ in morning Read Emilia Wyndham and on hay rick and with children to carry hay late in evening. Wet came on, Carreed all I wanted, lucky. Bids fair to be not fair tomorrow.

3rd

Fine after wet night, busy about coal to brick yard etc. Richard Gordon calls about hay crop as set off against his debt! Nous verrons, nous avons vu, no-go, too much, £8 for 2 acres only for the hay!!!!! Ride to look at it and call at RH Penralt to give an answer. Mr and Mrs James and Lucy and Mrs Hughes dine with us, all right, an event most important, not for me. Penmaenites stay later than usual, all good humour, prospects good. Has agreed with Robert Morris for lease of Penmaen cotts etc.

4th

Fine again, leave Caie Vorgan before 8.00a.m. in market car for Llythrydd, EKJ and CEM avec moi. Drive to Llandeilo Rhynys with Messrs Tom and Tim Ball by Loughor and Llanon to try to bargain for cattle and sheep. Sale 2 yearlings for £4 each heifers. EM from Tenby arrived just before us, he sleeps at home. We do not see him, gone to his farm Killardu. Mr Ball paid all expenses over. Walked to the wheat field, reaping it. Time in coming over about 7 ˝ hours. No letter received ordering dinner, rough it with salt bacon!!! Were all over the farm, turnips in a horrid plight, neglected and full of wild oats.

5th

Wet again, God save us, almost a wet day. Very showery, very dull unlike summer, again in the vortex of bargains for cattle and sheep. Mr B a hard hand to deal with indeed, buys at last, 2 cows 3 years old picked from the herd for £10 each. Picks a score of best sheep, South Downs, can't deal at 27/6 by a little some weighing 21lb per quarter weighed. Some as low as 12 ditto. Sell him 2 cheeses at 3p lb a £1.0.3 … given in toto 5/-. Lunch and they return home by Swansea. EM and I ride to his farm, how wet, and dine at 7.00. Luckily avoid getting wet, tired with the day, read Emelia Wyndham.

Sunday. Wet morning, not very, dull all day and showery. Not at church, how can we, parish church rebuilding. Read not the Bible, dine early and walk with EM to Killardu etc and to Llan, tea at Llan.

7th

Talked over many things yesterday at Llan regarding the property etc. After dull and lowering day most beautiful night.

Monday. A saving day! Beautiful. 3 Misses Williams and a Mr Griffiths call by appointment to see the farm premises to try to arrange about rent. Giving me the offer, EM waits to see the interview and starts about 2.00 for Tenby meaning to return here on another day!!! With all the children! Having hoping (sic) cough. Meditate on the day's proceedings and nearly to say goodbye to Llandeilo Rhynys. Gather seed in the garden, fit place for meditation. Dine on cold fish! Walk to the wheat field, reaping. Read Britannia in the evening and shell seed peas. Fine as it is will not predict a fine day tomorrow, glass rises. Agreed with Griffiths of Llan to resell land bought, part of this farm, to miller, White Mill.

8th

Rise to see awful heavy downright rain, again river rising, glass falling. 6.00 enter my diary since leaving home, have spent nothing. Fear bad weather for all the harvest!! Most showery day, thunder showers predict wet till full moon of Monday next. Ride Lion to Glantowy, meet near village Mr Evans, vicar, waiting for coach. Ride with Mr Simpson to Twyn and Ynyswen. Hear anecdotes of my new landlord, confirming of my opinion and resolve to give up Llandeilo Rhynys, long confab with Mr Prosser as to his lease, agree to give him £100 lease to have control of possession and the whip in regard to purchase money till that be arranged. See Mrs Griffiths in evening and the miller of White Mill, sell him the two fields and agree for manure delivered. Pack up.

9th

At Swansea, British Association meet. Send luggage and ride to Portrydd from Llandeilo Rhynys to meet mail about 9.00, full. Luckily had not send horse back (i.e.) recalled the boy, repack luggage to send by a van, canvass bought and put on. In a dilemma, consider to send boy on to Ponrtardulais and ride there just in time to overtake Thomas in his phaeton, the hotel keeper going to Swansea. Pay him all expenses. In Swansea by 1.00, luggage comes safe at 8.00, delivered at Mr Beor's. Showery day, dine at Mr Beor's and take up quarters there at his new house for the week. Go to the general opening meeting of the Association in the chapel in Park Street. Grand … Marquis Northampton in the chair, Sir R… etc.

10th

A tolerable fine day for wet season, attend the section on Geology at the Town Hall to see the professors and gain a few ideas. Mr De la Beche in chair, Prof. Forkes, Dr Buckman, Mr … etc gave lectures on Lias, on South Wales coal etc etc. Dine at 3.00 and again at a lecture in Park Street on copper furnaces for smelting by Dr Percy, 2 hours hot work. Hard day's work but very interesting to see so many acknowledged clever heads and hear them. Generally most plain awkward men. Mr Perry dines at Mr Beor's in evening, nothing going on till he is gone.

11th

Again attending lectures, sections. Wrote early to Williams of Llanartney about the farm, decline it, decline making an offer. Farm not defined, leave it him to offer me if he likes but I do not mean to take it. Do not like the connection. Carree comes in by EKJ and with the two boys, very cross to me, did not expect her etc. … a day. Children see nothing and go home disappointed, always the case if Carree is not quite well. Sure she is not, some talk of the play for the ladies, places taken, do not go. All at sixes and sevens, stroll with Mr Beor late in evening about the town to the Institution etc. Excursion up the Valley and to Gower by steam. Do not go to Singleton, open to all associates, comes on wet.

12th

Excursion day, tolerably fine, may say fine. Do not attend the excursions. Thomas in from Gower to attend market. Write to Llandeilo Rhynys, drive at 12 to Bacon Hole in Mrs Robert's carriage with Mr Beor and Mrs Beor, take programme, meet Mr Godwaltz, Dr Falconer, Dr Lancaster etc, botanist go by. Steamer does not land Bacon Hole. Disappointed and also knowing of the excursion to Mr Llewellyn's, Penllergaer. At 8.00 promenade at new school, Oxford Street, and refreshments. Some interesting things shown in gutta purcha etc. Captain E Morgan's models, Lake of Killarney etc. Music got up very well, goes off well. Capital rooms for the purpose, some hundreds there.

14th

Sunday. Wet again, misty rain. Will full moon tomorrow revolutionise the weather. Sermon by Bishop of St. David's for new school, a philosophical discourse suited to the meeting. Drive out and get wet, can't get to the Mumbles. In the evening again in wet to Mary's Church, the vicar. Take tea at Mrs Woodruffe's, Miss Parsons and her brother there.

Monday. Misty morning, fill diary from Wednesday. Expect Carree in, etc, hope she will be in good humour. Too wet to come, attend the sections and dine at the ordinary. Mr Roberts comes to Mr Beor's who does not join me at ordinary. At Dr Carpenter's lecturer on the microscope in Park Street in evening. Very full, very interesting.

15th

At Swansea, British Association. Write to Frederick about land in Carmarthen and attend sections, Menai Strait, iron tube etc. Promenade in evening in Oxford Street School, very full, made interesting with many microscopes. EKJ came in with RH. Stallion. Former dines with Mr Beor. Mutton at Jenkins sent home by Thomas Thomas, drunk and again to come and fetch me tomorrow.

16th

Very wet morning, clears off and the sun shines at last, fine day. Write to WM as to appeal against the tithe apportionment etc etc to Mr Popkin as to Ynyswen lease. Attend Dr Buckland's lecture on glaciers about Snowdon etc and return home by Penmaen too late to dine. Abused all day. Mrs Hughes and Lucy Holland still at Penmaen. Home about 11.00, lucky in weather but sadly out of sorts. Clear night but moon sickly looking. Carree came in with EKJ in a bad humour as usual, very, and provokes me to ill humour all the evening by unfounded suspicion and, should imagine, jealousy, equally impounded as to cause.

17th

Wet again!! God save us, read all morning, wet wet wet! Enter accounts etc etc, weather prevents them coming from Penmaen. Walk out in evening with EKJ to fields at Cillibion, horses … in the … turned in wickedly in my absence. Stroll about the garden etc. Read Britannia in the evening, feel far from well. Weather so bad, stomach … endure it. Promises to be fine evening and night.

18th

Go out to see to the wheat field reaping Stoneyford Acre. Wet comes on about 1.00 from the east, am detained by weather at Crickton. Johnny and Emma take shelter there from the village with plums. We all get wet through going home to dinner. All hope in the full moon gone in smoke and moonshine. Moon changes mid day or midnight, make no difference, all wet. Barometer fluctuating, always low. Season quite alarming for the harvest, about home all the evening, wet. EKJ gone to Penmaen early and stays there. Charles went too and returned before rain. God save us. J Grant called about the road rates.

19th

A morning wetter than ever after a very wet night, fine day after 11.00 or 12.00, thank God for it. Brisk driving evening. Thomas of Pwllybrag calls about repairing wain with WT and donkey to Crickton for onions and apples. All evening gathering peas for seed etc and nets off gooseberries, glad to see the sun, pick peas. Children all go after tea to Whitepot at Mr Lloyd's. Carree routs out shoe closet etc. Very tired by candlelight.

Sunday. Fine day, like a change for the better. Drive Rosy with Carree to Penmaen, children there etc Nicholaston with Lucy Holland, evening sermon against profane words and life's pilgrimage, Mrs Hughes going 22nd. Home late, dark.

(Margin note reads - 20th. Crickton horses break out and fight on common and break my front gate, break donkey cart etc and might have done much mischief, lucky escape.)

21st

Wet morning after a dreadful night, most stormy day, hurricane of wind. When will rain and wind cease? EKJ not over well, a cough, and does not go with me to Mr Perry's. Walk over Crickton early, find rye much grown but little of it. Plant cuttings of laurel and box and ride with Charlie, proxy for EKJ, to dine with Mr Perry, walk over his farm. Mr P called off to Bovil and Gander Street. See little of him. Write letters to Mr Crabb, EM etc in London and home in good time.

22nd

Very showery day, heavy showers, brisk cold wind and Sun. Walk to Crickton to see if harvest can go on. Cut oats. Walked to Crickton with Thomas to turn peas, carry them this evening. Mr & Mrs W Collins call and take a chance dinner, not a bad one luckily. Several invites for tomorrow and Thursday. Talk of a new book club. Collins leaves after coffee and Carree walks with me to see wheat cut at Cillibion. Much shed by yesterday. Carry peas at last!!! Half shed. Land as wet as winter. EKJ returned from Penmaen, went there early and Charles and returns with Pena. Enter accounts in evening and write to Henry Williams, quarry. Receive letter from Fred etc etc.

23rd

Fine day, in the garden a good deal in morning, walk to Cillibion, wheat finished, sow spring wheat, cut peas, … overgrown, badly … Drive one horse to dine at Oxwich round by Reynoldston. Mr Davies carriage of Grange and all his party returning from Arthur's Stone. Do not call on anyone pro pudor! Mrs Wills and 2 daughters at Oxwich, very dark on returning home, borrow lamps. Dry night, how lucky.

24th

Fine brisk cold day, rain again when dark!!!! About garden and to Cillibion, no one there. Carry wheat but see nothing of it. Drive Carree to Mr Pearce's Llanmadock by 12.00, christening of his 3rd child John Prosser. EKJ and I sponsors. Walk to the cave on the cliff to look for hyena bones, all gone. No one there. Mr Pearce's brother George arrives, Mr Perry dines with us, Miss Clark in Cornwall and Miss Voss the elect? of Hankin? Quite a grand entertainment indeed. Wet to come home and dark!!! All ends well.

25th

Very dull cold day indeed. About home all day, work a little in garden. Plant celery, pick stones off. Walk to Cillibion. Meet RH and talk about tithe apportionment and see the effect of drain in the large field. Gather beans for bean pudding. Have dinner, no meat in house. Have caught cold again. Hear Howell John has broken his leg, hope not correct. Received permission to shoot on Cillibion from Mr Price Cameron, unsolicited. Read Britannia and Cambrian.

26th

Misty rainy day all day. Drive Carree and C Teddy to Swansea 2 horses, 2 feeds. Thomas sent with onions and butter. Get to Swansea not til 12.00, call on Mrs Thackeray and lunch there. Call on Mr and Mrs Higgs, too late to dinner. Cards left. Mrs Brooks. Mr Perry there. Home in the dark 10.00 luckily without accident. Cart of Morgan Thomas Llanmadock run against us on Killay, drunk. Order game certificate of Mr Adam.

Sunday. Dull damp morning promises fine after wet night, the last of st Swithins who I hope will not take another parting cup before he leaves us with the cholera; not so, tho' a fineish day, he gives us before midnight a heavier fall of rain than evening, awfully heavy wet.!!!! Carree and I and 2 boys drive Farmer to Penmaen evening duty, long sermon. Harvest ended, dine there, Lucy Holland going off early tomorrow. We are not home till past 12.00 round by Cillibion very dark. House drenched with water.

28th

Fine morning, fine day. May God please to bless us with better weather this change of moon! Glass rising, about home all day. A most bewildering day … remove kitchen grate spoiled by ill usage, can't be replaced. Re-hang parlour bell, mason to help and repair tiles etc, WR trying to stop leaks and broken windows. No regular work done, all job and confusion about ladders, nails etc etc.

29th

Lucy Holland gone, will she ever return to Gower, I doubt. Rise early before 6.00 and go out to Crickton, begin cut barley. About home all day, not shaved because up early. No time. Work in garden, gather peas for tomorrow and seed peas. Neat front and iron hoops for roses etc fixed. Less fussy day than yesterday, write to Mr Beor about abstract etc etc and send him particulars of Abercothi property. Write to Miss Carmichael.

30th

Very fine day, a party of the Collins dine with us and Mr Perry. Busy preparing ride to the village to see draft of apportionment of tithes. Meet RH there, Miss Davies of Reynoldston and Mr Tim Ball - married at last, q if run away? Harvesting peas and wheat at Cillibion. Garden and see garden neated up. Mr & Mrs Collins sleep at Caie Forgan. EKJ returns to Penmaen with Mary, break-up about 12.00. Nothing goes very wrong. Rev. EKJ by Miss Lucy Holland 10/- being the money received for Mr Ord's dog at the police office to be accounted for to Mr Ord by EKJ.

31st

Drive Carree and Charley and Cathe Cornish now Lloyd to Swansea, start at 1.00 to fetch governess Miss Carmichael. Mr & Mrs Collins of Oxwich slept at Caie Forgan and prevents our going early to Swansea. Thunder and lightning and showers of heavy in course of day. Barometer rising. Call on Mr & Mrs Woodruffe coming out … them and engage for a picnic on Monday. Take up Miss Carmichael at Mr Mansfield's. Excessively cold coming home, glad to see a good fire 9.00. Much inquiry about master and matron of Union for Cathe at the Town Hall. County Court for 1st time. See Mr Beor about abstract of the Abercothi property to be ready by Michaelmas and before, will it? I am a bankrupt.

September

1st (Friday)

A most beautiful day after the wet of yesterday. Mr Perry and the Rev. EKJ come to breakfast to shoot, the former not to shoot but to smell powder. Beat Crickton and all way for Cillibion. My first shot on Crickton Hill, two old birds rise on my turnips, I kill them both, one shot! Good beginning! Short middling all day till I am fagged by walking over the outrageous wet farm, Cillibion, no sport. Miss many fair shots afterwards, kill in all 1 land rail, 4 ˝ brace, dine at 6.00. The children for the first time under the care of Miss Carmichael. Lewis John called this morning about poor rate, new survey, tithes raised, refused to pay it, unequal rate.

2nd

Fine, Thomas sent to Swansea for Miss Carmichael's luggage and for kitchen range at Fitts sent to repair. Was not up at 7.00 while I was up at 6.00, do not see him, help WT gather peas before breakfast. Ride to Penclawdd to see the apportionment of tithes, could detect nothing to appeal against. Call at Lower Engine and receive of WR Edwards on account of tithes in arrear £2 gold. Return by Cilivor and Crickton, no one at work at Crickton save J Smith on road. Have ham, cheese and lettuce and porter at Mrs Tudor James, Ship, Penclawdd. No coin, nothing paid. Called at Pencaerfenni to see Mr Phil Evans, much to do on the farm, not pleased with tithe apportionment. Payment of pigs promised on Tuesday in Swansea. Home to tea at 6.00. EKJ drives his gig to Penmaen. Borrow collar and cord.

4th

Sunday. Morning duty, Carree, Miss Carmichael and all children walk to church in the evening. Walk on common to Moor Mills etc.

Monday. Very fine day as yesterday. Drive Carree, Charles and Miss Carmichael to Penmaen, Park Mill etc to meet a Swansea picnic about 40 in number!! Very expensive, take provision of eatables, contribute to wine and music, corn included. Dine on sands, 3 Clifts, Williams harpist, dance on sands and at Gower Inn. Tea for 40 at 1/- a head, very good. Not home till 2.00, a pleasant party. Woodruffe, Collins, Thomas, the Williams, Langdon, Leach etc etc.

5th

Drive to Swansea, Carree, RH, Fitts journeyman, to attend the appeal meeting of tithe commissioners apportionment. Some blustering but nothing disturbed save the woods get free. Mr Owen Commissioner, amicably arranged.

6th

Dull and dry, may say fine. Rise not early, not in bed last night till 3.00 nor on Monday till past 2.00. Shoot by appointment by Oldwalls, Wimmel etc with EKJ and dine at Perry's. Kill nothing. EKJ kills 2 land rails, I get one shot only. Meet Mr J Collins at dinner and do not stay late. Lunch at Wimmel.

7th

Very dull gloomy day and coldish. At home at last, read Britannia. Work in garden, plant strawberry, take up carrots etc. Dine early and walk, Carree, children etc to Crickton. Gather apples but few left!!! Work again in garden and try to get water out of the yard, the drain choked. Failed to succeed. Enter accounts in evening for all the week since Sunday. Some faint trials at rain.

8th

By engagement shoot at Caswell, drive up in Perry's dog cart and with EKJ. Take mutton etc there. Proves a awful wet misty day. Get wet through and can't get guns off. Kill only 1 bird by EKJ. In wet clothes all day. Meet Carree at Ilston in evening with all the children.

9th

To appeal against taxes, armorial bearings fixed. Drive Charles to Swansea, comes on wet there. Leave Swansea late. Servant Hannah Morris breaks her engagement. EKJ goes home early and gets wet, I do not. Write 3 letters, one to Frederick about Abercothi etc and write to Offey, Jackie butcher etc.

Sunday. A most thorough wet day, wet last night. No churches served a.m. Go alone to church in evening.
11th

At Charles Collins farm, Killay, shooting. Drive tandem with Perry to Mr Charles Collins, I to shoot. Fine and dry, have tolerable sport in a small way alone. EKJ calls off, don't come up, too bad! Kill a long tail rail, a bunting P, miss several, killed 12 sparrows. A Mr Harry there, they smoke me out and make me very ill. Perry takes great care of me. Home, get home safe and very ill.

12th

Ill, not up till 1.00. Walk with Carree and EKJ to call at Llythrydd. Meet the Misses Gape on return from Cillibion. Dine early and walked to Llythrydd in the evening. Tea there. Wedding visit. Miss Ellen Carmichael with us.

13th

Drive to Llandeilo Rhynys by Llanelli. Lunch at Falcon. Pack up and start late at 11.00, only stop at Llanelli, arrive easily by 7.00. EM and all his family and servants, wife and children there. How are we to feed. Called on Benjamin Howell, Llanelli, not at home. Wrote to him and to have letters forwarded from Swansea. Find sale fixed for 20th and not tomorrow. The Poundfold and Loughor road detestable, indictable.

14th

At Llandeilo Rhynys. Go around the farm with Offey and take an account of the mows of wheat, barley and oats in each field. Talk to Jones the new tenant, want to be prepared for the sale before the 29th. Turnips in a horrid mess, a crop of wild oats. In the evening all walk to Llan and take tea with Mr & Mrs Griffiths. Talk of the sale and the payment of the moving etc. Fine day, dull, glass rising etc. Cold at night, have a fire and read Cambrian.

15th

Dull, rather misty, not rain. Glass high and rising, strange weather! Enter accounts etc all morning. In the afternoon walk all hands over bridge through the wood blackberrying and explore roads. Write to EKJ and send by some private hand to Swansea and send hand bills there of sale and arrange for tomorrow.

16th

Very fine day indeed, drive to Carmarthen, EM and Lizzie in pony cart. Carree, I, Charles and Emily and Harry, one road and back by Alltygog. Auction sale of Captain Hughes of Tref… at the Bush, market for the sale. See Rees the auctioneer and Henry Griffiths, the Devil, first time. Home to dine at 4.30. Wrote to Fred and Mr Beor about the lots bought here. Receive letter from Fred.

18th

Sunday. Fine, EM drives me and Charles to Carmarthen church to Mr Tardrew's pew. Archdeacon Beynon does duty. Home to dine at 2.30. In evening walk all hands to Llan by invite to tea at Mrs Griffiths. EM and wife, Emily, Gustus, Harry. CM and wife, Charlie and a pony.

Monday. Drive Bright and Aurora to Llandovery to see Mr Bishop and F Green in regard to the money for the land of Abercothi estate, not satisfactory. Half resolved to dispose of Ynyswen again at cost price. Horses manage the journey very well, very good road all the way.

19th

A very fine day. Drive to Carmarthen agricultural show. Send a bull and a mare to the show, no prize. Bull a good one.

20th

Sale of corn at Llandeilo Rhynys, a large collection of people more for beer and beef than to buy. Wheat sells very cheap, barley and oats high. Fine day fortunately tho' threatening a little rain. Stop the sale in the evening, cattle not seeming in request. Postponed for a week. RH and Davies of Llanellen over from Gower. Rev. EKJ came late from Carmarthen visitation and sleeps at Llan tonight.

21st

Drive up all hands early, CM, Carree, RH and Rev. EKJ and Harry, EM, Lizzie, Emily and Gustus and Mr D of Llanellen to Ynyswen. Walk over the farm, long confab with Prosser about his lease, seems resolved to hold on. Tell him tis at his risk, if he is my tenant tis at 230 p.a.! I wish I could carry my … into effect, twill pay 4 ˝ if not 5 per annum. Farm cheap. RH and Mr D and EKJ leave 3.00 for Gower. Walk round the farm in the evening, find cows in the wheat field, mows upset.

22nd

EM's… sale at Killardu Grove. He goes up, about home all morning, tallying the sale and corn on the field etc. Dine early and drive ladies up to Austey's sale in evening. Meet Mr Bateman and invite him to tea and grog. He comes down late. WR and Tom Philip arrived from Gower for corn. 9 hours journey. Plan the return tomorrow. Thunder this evening, vivid lightning all evening and night.

23rd

EM drives me and CEM to Carmarthen, meet the Rev. Francis Leach, a Rugbean. See Henry Williams at Buffalo, getting in security for the sale money. Showery dull day. Interview with Mr Jeffreys attorney about land sold part of Llandeilo Rhynys to the miller, White Mill. Shaving day.

Sunday. Drive all to church at Carmarthen in D… Rees' pew with Carree!!! Good time to make peace. Home to dine at 2.00. Stroll out afterwards.

25th

Wettish morning till dinner time. Drive out in evening to Llanegwad, call on Mrs Davies, Castle Howell. The late Mr Davies brother of Cardiff there and D Bowen's sister. Respectable people, want Coedsaithpran. Call and take tea at Rev. Mr Evans. Dark to drive home and nearly upset over a heap of stones in turning to the turnpike road. All right again and get home safe. Find the cars, wains etc come from Gower and a fresh addition of inmates, John and Emma, how are we to lodge.

26th

Fine weather, quite summer. Read Britannia, EM drives alone to Carmarthen. Walk with Carree and Lizzie to call on Colonel and Mrs Love at home. EM overtakes us on return, children fish for minnows in evening and get as dirty as pigs, particularly Gustus, a dreadfully dirty child. Corn got it in and prepared to get free of this farm. What a lot of mouths now to feed every day.

27th

Dull, rise early and out. Begin to fuss about all outbuildings for the sale. Drive in EM's pony cart to Cillarddu and tried to let Coedsaithpren, ask £100. Call on return on Mr Bailes, Ystrad, not at home. Dine early, Colonel and Mrs Love call, ashamed to see them in such dirt. RH arrives in the evening. Tea at Mrs Lewis's Abergwili. Home in dark. Send letter to Frederick long about Ynyswen etc. Children all to tea at Llan. Drive old Farmer to Nantgaredig, accident at barn door, the upright of door falls on Jackey's wife.

28th

A little rain in course of day, dull, glass up. Rise at 6.00, round the farm with RH. Carpenter comes to saw up odds and ends. No cart started for Gower though ordered. Wagon at Twyn not got sent for yesterday. Send Thomas to Carmarthen for meat etc and to sell lead. Weigh with RH and C Reese and mark cheese. Receive a peremptory letter from Mr Bishop, solicitor, Llandovery, to pay up or proceedings will be taken.

29th

A rather a wet day all day. Up early and see wagon off at 7.00 by C Reese with cheese and butter etc. Ticket things for the sale and begin at 2.00. Ride hastily to see Mr Green at the Salutation and write a memorandum that rent is due and that there is an account with my late brother George and no money now passes. Mr Green very civil, we talk about the property sold etc. Get on pretty well at the sale, no gentlemen present. Horses, particularly colts, sold well. Sale on over of furniture till late. EM etc leaves for Cillardu.

30th

Awfully wet all day, all confusion. Jones moving furniture in from Abercothi, we moving out to the barn. How comfortless, how dirty!! Drive with EM in his pony cart to Carmarthen to see auctioneer and Mr Jeffreys. Dine on goose at the Buffalo. Can't see the manager of Wilkins Bank to get a loan of money on sale bills. Call on Mr Jefferies, order bills left there. Keep EM waiting and get home too late for dinner. Pack up in evening, give Carree as presents for the servants for extra work and want of comfort 10/-. Henry Williams at the Buffalo getting in bills of sale pays me a little ready money.

October

1st (Sunday)

Wet again, do not think of going to church. Read Cambrian, pack up, dine at Cillarddu, EM and family have taken up quarters there. Home in dark and up all night. Nearly met with an accident on road near … Llewellyn … gave way and horse nearly pulled me out but contrive to manage him and replace the accident by rope etc.

Monday. Not in bed last night, lay on sofa 2 hours, hard at packing up to start early for Swansea by 12.00 to attend sale of Crickton farm. Off before 7.00, EM there to find fault with my packing and see us off. In Swansea at 12.00, sleepy and tired and wet. Lunch at the Castle, self Carree and 3 children, beef and beer. Attend sale of Crickton at Cambrian Brewery, D Howell auctioneer, Thomas Gordon, Randall and William Stroud only bidders. Gibbs there, sells dear, bid once only. See Grove of Caswell to settle about his sale of corn etc. Met carts returning to Llandeilo Rhynys.

3rd

At home again, how wet!!! How comfortless!!! Unpack a little. Mr Perry drops into to tea and to inquire of us on our return and spends the evening. Write to Jeffreys, Carmarthen, and EM, Cillarddu by him. Recovered a little from fatigue of Monday and go to bed early. Not wet a.m. but very in evening. Walk with RH to Cillibion to see cattle and sheep brought over, all well. Rev. Samuel Philip and Rev. Mr J Davis shooting there with a posse of men and dogs, how clerical!!

4th

Wet, very, all day. Carree prevented going to Penmaen. About home all day seeing to affairs in the barn etc. Carts arrived after dark from Llandeilo Rhynys, bad weather. Attend parish meeting called about the rate due from Cillibion. No tenant but tacked out, wet and dark, all settled before I got there. Llewellyn of Neath to be consulted.

5th

Ride with RH to Caswell to see William Grove's corn etc. Get wet through. Call at Hancorne's to arrange about a sale of cattle end of month at Caie Forgan. Get a chop at Penmaen, meet Carree there and home before 9.00. Fine night, with RH, plenty of grass at Penmaen.

6th

Drizzly wet all day. Glass rising and rather high. Unpack furniture from Llandeilo Rhynys and change the kitchen dresser. Cut up and send out veal, Ilston, Oxwich and Penmaen. Laborious teasing day. Receive letter from Beverley containing half years interest on £650 at 4 ˝ % Mr Morris of Lincoln's Inn. Write to him to acknowledge and send it tomorrow.

7th

Drizzly wet a.m., fine p.m. Drive to Swansea in market cart. Attend Farmers Club meeting to arrange ploughing matches and appoint judges. Meet Mr Bateman and Mr Perry at Clark's. Home about 7.00.

Sunday. Morning duty, walk with Emma and Charles to church, Mr Williams of Cheriton does duty, far from badly. Ask him to dine on Tuesday, first time of seeing him.

9th

Very wet day, was to have shot with Mr Perry and Bateman, give it up. Clears off in evening, send them our dog, they call and shoot at Crickton. Do not go with them, they drive … to Reynoldston and I dine there. Mr Bateman on his way to Swansea was to have brought me home, alters his mind to stay and dine with me and shoot, he sends me home in good time and well.

10th

Shoot with Mr Bateman as agreed yesterday, try all Cillibion but little there. Have tolerable sport before we get home by Crickton. Late home to dinner. Mr & Mrs Pearce and Miss Clark with us and Mr Williams new curate of Cheriton. Very fine, Thomas with as shooting.

11th

About home all morning, Mr Robert Hancorne calls about the sale of cattle from Llandeilo Rhynys. Ride with him to see them on Cillibion farm. RH and Thomas go over to Penmaen and drive the bull. Bring intelligence that Henry is just arrived there from the packet from the Mumbles.

12th

Parish meeting, Upper Division. Write to Henry at Penmaen to say I should not call and to ask him to attend meeting at Penclawdd about rates of the parish. He goes, RH and I, Carree and Charles ride by the Rhallt, stopped by the tide at Gellyon, the first time since I have been in Gower now 14 years and more!!!! A very large meeting, gain the object of my going there to reduce the rate of the tithes rated to the full amount of the award, agree to be referred to Mr H P Goode of Haverfordwest.

13th

About home all day, plant box with WT. Mrs James, [EKJ returned from Bristol yesterday] and HJM dined with us. Mr Hoare and Brigstock call. RH here about Caswell valuation of corn etc, Grove under notice and about to have a sale.

14th

About home all day, garden. Carree to Swansea with HJM and Agnes, Mr Wood … Charles gets the hare. Walk to Crickton in the evening. Potatoes taking up. RH here in the evening, been to Caswell and Swansea to see Grove and Howell as to Grove's sale at valuation, no agreement. HJM returns to Penmaen, some rain, cold north wind.

Sunday. Evening duty, all go to Caie Forgan late. Dine after on a hunted hare. EKJ and HJM who was too late for church and not over-zealous? He returns to Penmaen.

16th

Some little rain last night, else still fine. Rise before 6.00 and shoot 5 wigeon and teal and nearly 7 of them before breakfast. Expect HJM and EKJ over, latter gone to Swansea, former shoots at Cillibion. No post. Kill a partridge on Crickton. Miss Carmichael and Charles ride to the Mumbles and Grange. Plant a little in the garden, shoot with EKJ in evening, get up potatoes and sow vetches after them. Right to EM and Offey and send carts to Llandeilo Rhynys.

17th

Fine and dry and cold. About home all day, work in garden. Expect Grove and Howell auctioneer to settle about the sale there, does not come. Miss Carmichael and her brother come from Mumbles. Return with him to Llythridd and to show him road through Cwms. Tea with Mr & Mrs Ball.

18th

Very cold sharp frost, wind northeast, some snow. Plant in garden with WT. Bookcase put up, fussy day. Dine at Penmaen, HJM and EKJ drop in from shooting lunch. Drive Carree to Penmaen. Extreme cold returning home late, aurora borealis and lightning, the former in north, the latter in south west. Never suffered so much by cold, quite painful. Glad to fire, have cordial prepared by Miss Carmichael and go to bed. Carts return safe again from Llandeilo Rhynys with corn, timber, implements etc all safe.

19th

Very cold day, not from home but fine. Finish putting up bookcase and fill it with books packed up in lumber room for years. None the worse for it; very dry, unspotted, who would have thought it in Wales!! Write to EM Cillarddu by a tinker. J Grant calls and pays 10/6 on account of road rates. EKJ and HJM dine with us, beef and wigeon. Gibbs calls with Gordon about rent to see them in Swansea, Saturday. George Harry of Castle calls about chief rents and timber and bricks, pro and con. Unpack corn etc from Llandeilo Rhynys. Fussy sort of day, garden a little, neating up for sale.

20th

Very fine dry weather, frosty nights. About home all day arranging books in bookcase etc. Get out after dinner to order for tomorrow and to see what goes on in preparation for the sale on Tuesday. Saddler mending, carpenter ditto, man sorting out things for sale. Give order to Tucker about the garden finishing up for Tuesday cui hono? Write in the evening, very cold. Charles rides to Penmaen post.

21st

Drive Carree and CEM to Swansea. Try Grey Bishop! Hazardous, all ends well. See Howell and Grove, nothing done about Caswell. See Edmunds about money due, can't pay, very civil. Home about 8.00, wet night after we are home.

Sunday. Wet after wet night. Walk to church with Carree and CEM. Sacrament.

23rd

Very wet after 4.00p.m. Ride early with RH by Penmaen, Pennard etc to Caswell, Grove's sale. Buy Joshua Givelin's land for £40. Mr Beor writes contract. Buy but little corn, too dear, not good. Henry and EKJ ride up, what a wet ride home!!! And how dark Cefn Bryn from Penmaen. Wet through partially. Read Yucatan, Stephens, aloud to Charlie.

24th

Fine day after very wet night, my sale of cattle. Prices very low indeed, pigs no price at all. Cheese not bid for, crowds eating and drinking, Tudor James drunk, send him late to the Welcome, a large parlour set of visitors, no use to the sale. Mr Pearce only buying a pig 9/-. Fatigued and dissatisfied with the day's work. EM not well, sleeps on the sofa. Dissertation on draining and Cillibion.

25th

Wet again, lucky in yesterday so far, go through the sale account and deliver some sheep. Walk with RH and EM to Cillibion to see the remnants of cattle. Stroll about at home and see what goes on what should go on. Enter accounts in the evening. Tolerable fine after 12.00. Read Britannia. HJM rides over from Penmaen in the evening and back again. EM returns tomorrow.

26th

Fine day, EM returns early to Cillardu through Swansea, came over on Tuesday only. Rise early to see him off, receive notice from Mr Charles Bishop, Llandovery, to pay purchase money depo.. Abercothi sale. Drive Carree and Frank and Agnes to Penmaen and dine there and home to tea. Write to EM and talk with HJM on the subject. Read Central America Stephens and go through Catherine's account who is going to Bury St. Edmunds on Saturday. Wrote to Mr Ball a.m. to pay money on sale account, also to RH, no satisfaction from either. Glass falling again. Cathe Cornish now Lloyd £7.15. 2.

27th

Very wet morning after breakfast, proves a fine day. Do not go to ploughing match, clear out my lumber room a little with the children who add to the confusion except Frank and afterwards Charles who are very useful. Was up early and to Crickton. Meet RH and receive of him £10, a loan. Am broke down. Help gravel the walk through the pit garden, a capital job!! A Sunday's road to church, so says Tucker and so I thought. EKJ sends for his pony, soon back again.

28th

Far from well, drive Charles to Swansea to see Hancorne, Grove and Howell and do neither, can't meet them. Did not go to the banks tho' much in want of money. Write to WM on the subject and about notice to pay Abercothi purchase. Very cold, lightning and wintry. Home about 8.00 to tea.

Sunday. Evening duty, dine after church, HJM and EKJ dine with us.

30th

Three Crosses fair, nor go nor send. Fine after very wet [unexpected] night, about home all day. Rise before 6.00, get out to see when workmen come out, all after time. Cut chaff and grind corn, make-up for loss of time. Set books a little in order. W Llewellyn about Crickton, fail to see him. Walk to Crickton, set Jone to lane garden weeding. Cart and prune a few trees in front garden after dinner and after reading Yucatan, Stephens. John from Penmaen to arrange about shooting with HJM and EKJ at Llangyfelach tomorrow. Parsey over about beef to kill. Enter accounts etc.

31st

Drive to Llangyfelach parish to shoot with Mr Beor, start at 7.00 1 hour post altered time. Meet EKJ and HJM at Killay finger post, kill 3 hares, 4 pheasants, 1 rabbit altogether. Home to dine in Swansea at 8.00. Start home with HJM at 12.00, near meeting an accident, horse put in wrong, near kicking, prone to kick, won't drive her again. Dangerous, called Lion, Tudor's horse. Passed through Penllergaer grounds, most beautiful. Mr Llewellyn not at home, now at Caswell. A beautiful looking house indeed, surprised at the beauty of the place in such a desolate country, a place beautiful in any country. HJM comes to sleep at Caie Forgan at last. Not in bed till 3.00. A very fine day, wet at sunset, wet night, not very. All's well that ends well.

November

1st (Wednesday)

Beautiful beginning of the month! About home all day, a fussy day about cattle and sheep - turn-out from Cillibion. Tudor James sends for sheep, RH sorts them, difficult job, marks gone. Dine at Ilston, Perry and EKJ there. Some wet in evening, not much at night. Not in bed till past 2.00, how dissipated!

2nd

Mr Llewellyn calls about Crickton etc, show him the map etc and talk about the tenancy and about Pwll y Brag etc. Cut down ash beds to fence garden etc. Walked to Crickton to see what work is in hand. W Jone digging new garden. Robert Hancorne calls about the sale, go through it etc and receive 2 bills of Hawkins sale on account. Dine late, Mr & Mrs Ball and Miss Ball and Perry to tea. Pleasant evening, not in bed till 1.30, what hours!! See Monday and Tuesday.

3rd

A fine day but cold. About home all day, pack and send off 2 calves to Caswell by Offey and Llewellyn. Furniture, plough, bedding, shed, wheat etc, off late! Tudor James calls about his sale purchases, £31.9.0, some things not taken, some lots not delivered. HJM and EKJ shoot at Prisk etc. Kill a cock and a hare. Walk to Crickton laying drain at … of Newton Field alias Mount Pleasant! Dine at 4.00, enter accounts in the evening.

4th

Drive Carree and Emma to Swansea. HJM rides Aurora and pays his corn etc and pays the gate. Receive no money yet at the bank, how is this? Call on Mr Beor about Caswell purchase with HJM etc. Home about 7.00 pretty early, tried to be early, set out to get home early, how can we if we start after 9.00 or 10.00. Not home until 12.00.

Sunday. Morning duty, drive the children in car, ladies do not go, rather wet again. Read Cambrian. Ill spent day.

6th

C Reese starts with cart for Caswell to sow wheat, Offey there. HJM off to Penmaen Burrows to kill rabbits. Carree not ready, write to EM and to Mr Jeffreys, Carmarthen. Dine at Penmaen by invite. Mr James ill in bed under treatment. Approaching marriage and arrangement, cards to be sent for, send to Sanguinetti, new clothes. Receive letters from William and EM in London again about Abercothi Estate and Bishop of Llandovery. Home about 12.00, cold and dry day, lunar rainbow. Can't tell rabbits from ferrets, kill partridge on Burrows. Lose it. Cox not pleased I guess, does he know it? Money advanced for me, have two rabbits.

7th

About home all day. Cold and dry, seasonable weather, fine November! Clean up drains and ditches. Walk with HJM over Crickton, scrape roads and see to garden work, send after lost colts, get no intelligence, q if they turned back to Llandeilo Rhynys? What a bore! Walk to Cillibion to see sheep. Hancorne sends for a pig bought at sale. Dine 3.30, read Farmers Magazine. HJM and CEM ride to Penmaen in evening. Mr James better.

8th

After wet in night, fine cold day, glass rising high. Drive Carree and CEM to Swansea to buy stocks etc. No money yet at the bank, how is this? From Wilkins? Much time spent at Richmonds and at Mrs Hughes about silks etc. Home about 7.15, find Lewis John on return, called for poor rate. Rated at full improved apportionment, refused to pay in full unless £25 from church be taken off agreed at a meeting of the parish Penlan.

9th

Ride grey stallion ‘Grey Sam' with HJM to Caswell by Ilston etc. Call at Mr Hugh Watkins, talk of shooting Alltygog etc woodcocks 60 killed with 1lb of powder!! About Caswell roads etc. HJM shoots, kills one bird. Wheat sowing nearly done there. Leave at 3.00 by Pennard, Park Mill, the Cwms and dress and dine, at Mr Perry's by 5.30. Meet both Mr Collins, play whist, not home till 2.30!!! Beautiful weather.

10th

Sharp frost, splendid weather, cloudless. About home and at Crickton all day, see to having carrots and mangold w secured from frost. Colts are come home safe from Pontardulais and Llewellyn has lost or sold the horse he went on!!!!! The little Perry's spend the day with the children. Charlie brings them in the donkey cart and takes them back. Very tired, little sleep, last night. Enter accounts. Receive letter from EM, expected Swansea tomorrow.

11th

Ride with HJM to Swansea, start at 10.00, meet EM there who loses the mail by landing from the packet and rides home with me contrary to Carree's orders. No blankets, HJM comes home with Mr & Mrs Ball, send for him to Llythrydd, gate paid by HJM. A feed of corn and glass of sherry at the Castle not paid. Home by 6.00. Offey, John from Llandeilo Rhynys and EM, all extra to provide for.

Sunday. Very fine, EM leaves on Lion for Cillardu, calls at Llythrydd to see HJM who slept there. I walk to Cillibion field to see my sheep and to Crickton to see colts. Evening duty, Mr & Mrs Ball coming to tea. HJM returns to Llythrydd, write to Fred in London, we are going to London. Up late to send off early to Swansea tomorrow.

13th

Monday. Thomas sent to Swansea to see after EM's luggage and bring home Miss Hughes to make gowns. Send laurels etc to Penmaen by Charles, help WT take them up, go to Crickton. Get … to Newton Field stoned etc. Reese begins ploughing. HJM write letters and notes to Penmaen. After early dinner plant laurels and see mangold packed. Read Yucatan in the evening and enter accounts.

14th

Rise before 7.00, men all late as expected. Walk to Crickton before one begins. Offey off again to Caswell with chaff cutter and hay. Howell John and Jeffreys called about rent of Cillibion, ask Howell's accounts as set off. Mrs James calls, EKJ calls about a bedstead, Pearce and Williams call. Dine at 3 again and to Crickton before dusk. Some little rain today but tolerably fine. Man calls for land tax late in the evening. Enter accounts, busy before dinner hunting for and sorting bills. Who paid for the bedstead at Henry Lucas's sale.

15th

Rise early, out before broad daylight and walked to Crickton, men all at work today. HJM off early to post at Penmaen. Drive Carree over to tea at ditto. Cut ash down with Thomas in pit garden before lunch. No regular dinner. Receive letter from Fred and answer it to London, EKJ going by packet tomorrow. Home late, not in bed till 12.00.

16th

Ride with HJM to Swansea, dull cold rather inclined to rain. Arrange the bank to advance £200 bill joint with EM, not cashed by Wilkins Carmarthen, sale bills not being deposited by Henry Williams. Draw £25 and on return draw for Gibbs rent. Home to dine at 6.00. Met Mr & Mrs Allen, intended to have called.

17th

Inclined to wet weather, changed windy after a long calm. Wind changed from north to northwest to west. Up early and out to Crickton to give orders, calf cut up, meet RH at Newton.

18th

Fine, leave home at 9.00, Carree, C Teddy, self and HJM for Swansea packet, Captain Rose, sails at noon. Sea far from calm, not ill till at Nash Sands, wonderful for me! Very few passengers, a good passage, altogether. At 15 Park Street after 11.00 and stay till Monday morning. Some rain, Henry went on to Bath.

Sunday. At Bristol, twice at church, extempore preaching, do not like it. Mr Hopper Rector.

20th

Drive to the station Bristol for London at 11.00. Meet Henry at Bath and go to London together. See Anna and all her children at Pangbourne; she goes up, seems to cut Caroline at Paddington; had no time to speak to her looking after a lot of luggage.

21st

In London, fine. Go shopping with Carree and CEM. Drive in a cab with my mother, Carree etc to make calls and shop. Home about 5.00. Alfred dines out, HJM dines with us. My mother out again to cards with Mrs Lancaster who calls for her. We spend evening at home, enter accounts.

22nd

Out early after breakfast with Carree and Charlie to Oxford Street etc. Carree engaged to meet a milliner at 11.00 and return again. Call atSanguinetti's, take presents in a fly to Lucy. Call in Charlotte Street HJM's lodging, leave notes for EKJ. Lucy and EKJ call in evening, drive with them to Gloucester Road and walk back.

23rd

Fine day, off with Carree and Charlie in a Clarence from Newman's to the Gloucester Road, Regent's park, Captain Fowell's to rendezvous for St Pancras Church, the marriage of EKJ with Miss Lucy Holland. Return there to breakfast, meet Captain Harrison, a Sussex man, knows Lewes etc. Home to dine at 5.00 after eating all the morning. Breakfast, before leaving home, coffee at Captain Fowell's, breakfast after dinner again. Drive with my mother to an early party at Captain Warrington's. Tea there, negus and ice ad libitum all the evening. Play whist. Home to bed and nightman at 12.00. Is this a well spent day? I should be sorry to spend many such. Met Mr Blair, son of Dr Blair of Lewes. Played cards with him and win a few points.

24th

Write to Bristol, walk with my mother and Carree to call in Bedford Square, not at home. Return to Soho Bazaar, great temptation to spend morning in a small way. Go to Princess Theatre, Oxford Street, ‘Love in a Village' (dance good) and the vivandiere, Miss Poole chief character. Mr Charles Braham sings in ‘Love in a Village', very good. Hawthorn. Too much singing altogether, not home till past 12.00.

25th

Fine, cold. Receive letter from WM, call in consequence in Bedford Square and Somerset House about tithes of Biddlesden and Gower with HJM. Call on Mr Morris, Lincoln's Inn, law life. Dividend received by WM, call on Mr France, get copies of contracts with George as to Biddlesden and talk of general executorship accounts. Call in Gray's Inn, Mr Rankin for Fred as to property bought in Wales, to see him again on Tuesday before 12.00.

Sunday. At church with my mother, thin congregation, Foley Place. Carree not well, walk with Charles to Regent's Park and to Primrose Hill, not been there for 20 years, now in government hands much improved.

27th

At home all morning till lunch. Walk after 2.00 with my mother and Carree westward. Call on Lady Hesselrig, out of town. Miss Dardis etc. In the evening at the Polytechnic with Carree and Charlie, place much improved and enlarged.

28th

Dine at cousin Franks, 57 Bedford Square with Alfred. HJM says he is not well enough and declines going, have not been with him to the city beyond Custom House to pay a bill for his vessel which he is resolved to sell. Called in at Messrs Hoare's to inquire if he will advance me £200 for 2 months, agrees to do so on guarantee of my mother. Fine day, rains in the night.

29th

Write several letters: Mr Beor attorney Swansea as to money, see tomorrow, EM Tenby, James James Swansea as to bill due for £50, see September 5th, W Strick as to Farmers Club. Stroll out with Carree and HJM to Oxford Street and Burlington Arcade. Card party at Miss Bingham's in Baker Street, borrow of HJM £1. Go up with Carree, my mother and Alfred, win 15/-, what a wonder. Mrs Warrington, Mrs Smilie and old Mrs Pitman aged 84. Fine day after wet night.

30th

Receive newspaper from Torquay, EKJ. Walk early to Fleet Street to get the bond at Messrs Hoares signed for £200. Order sent to Mr Beor's, 190 of it Swansea to be done today. Drive with Carree and my mother to make calls: first Cockspur St and Westminster and then for Sloane Street, Cadogan place and Brompton and end at Bayswater etc. A quiet evening at home for a wonder.

December

1st (Friday)

Walk early with HJM to 51 Bedford Square and to Hoare's bank, leave bond for £200 for 2 months. Return and write to RH draught on Swansea £25 to account for directed to Mr Beor and write to Southover in the evening. With my mother to party 16 Upper Bedford Place, Russell Square, win 5? at whist. Letts diary at Old Castle Street 2/6. Wettish in the evening and night.

2nd

Fine morning, receive letters from Mr Beor and Mr Strick. Call with Carree and Charles on Captain Fowell, 5 Gloucester Road, Regent's Park, and take a long walk [they not being at home] in Regent's Park. What is done all the evening? Do not go out.

Sunday. Fine, morning at Foley Chapel, in evening call with Carree and Charles on Mrs Node's 16 Upper Bedford Place, Mr France 42 ditto and go to the Foundling Chapel and home to dinner. Henry Woodward dines with my mother.

4th

Very wet and stormy, receive 4 letters and a parcel of law papers from Mr Beor, reference to Abercothi sale for Frederick. In consequence, go to Mr Longbourn in Greys Inn with Charles, get very wet. Can't go to the city, write to Mr Beor for abstract and Fred at Willey. Return home. At a party at Mrs Francis with Carree, my mother, play at whist and lose 3/-.

5th

At home all morning, Miss Cramer calls on Carree early, a long confab about Welsh matters and old acquaintance, strange things revealed in confidence. See her off by bus for Islington and take a bus with Carree and Charles for the bank. Back again to Quadrant, Regent Street etc. Balance of account Cathe Cornish now Lloyd paid to Swaffham, Norfolk from Barclays Bank £12. Walked back to the Strand and go with Carree and Alfred to Mrs Mostyn's party, cards in Harewood Square in the evening and lose 3/-with Mrs Stone, worst player in London.

6th

Smithfield Cattle Show, Baker Street all day with HJM and Charles. Meet Mr Owen from Oxford, late triple at Oxwich and of all people Howell John of Gower, the first time he ever was in London. Send down by line a set of whipple trees or in Gower called Batkins, sent to 99 Cheapside Mr Ernest's for H John, 2 gutta purcha taps. A beautiful show of cattle, sheep and pigs!! At a party in the evening in Spanish Place, Miss Hunt's, win at whist 16/-.

7th

Wet again tho' generally pretty fine in London, we hear of nothing but rain and storms in Wales!!! At home morning reading papers and enter accounts etc. A wet day, Mrs Homfray calls, knows Cowbridge etc etc. Walk out with Carree and Charles to shop at Dickens and Smith's, buy towels, gowns etc table cover and breakfast cloths for EM. Played dummy whist in evening with Carree, my mother and Alfred to instruct the former. Enquire for tickets for Jenny Lind on 15th, all sold for Exeter Hall, no chance to hear her.

8th

Wet, a.m., read morning paper. In evening could not find out if the panoramic view of Mississippi River was on view at Egyptian Hall so stop at home, all of us pretend or fancy to be industrious. Very hot for the season!!!! EKJ and Lucy are to reach home at Penmaen and to be received with honours.

9th

Start early with Charlie to Gray's Inn to take abstract to Mr Longburne not in London, wrote to Mr Jeffreys of Carmarthen. National Gallery closed. Walk with Charles round by Hyde Park, home and in the evening go with Charles to the Egyptian Hall to see the Mississippi River. Poor thing, not faithful I think.

Sunday. Sacrament, self and Carree, Dr Pocock, quiet church in Foley Place. Walk afterwards to call on Captain Fowell and to see young husband 144 Grove Street, Camden Town. Evening at home all alone.

11th

Receive letter from home, sheep dying fast, order all to be killed by return. Read paper and draft, trust deed for sale of Biddlesden etc etc to William and Francis Morgan, useless expense. Walk with Carree and Charles to call on Gower Street and Woburn Place after returning papers to 51 Bedford Square. A party at my mother's this evening, upset the ink stand!

12th

A book, Marion, by Mrs Hall (bought) at the station for Charles to read, he finishes it before we leave Sussex, reward him with 6d. Drove early morning with my mother and Carree to see a piano in Golden Square or near it, on sale, 2nd hand. Pack up and start at 1.00 for London Bridge station, at 2.00 for Lewes, arrived there quite safe about 4.00. Meet my uncle and find him and my aunt at 82 remarkably well. May they long continue. Fine day. Mr J Hoper dines at Southover.

13th

At Southover, Lewes, Sussex! Fine again, my uncle M rides alone to Brighton to attend an election at the infirmary but is not successful in his choice. We remain at home. Walk with Charles to the old castle and then go and talk with Mr Thompson the ironmonger about Hampden grates. See his apparatus for heating, very simple, and all his implements very numerous. Most conveniently placed near the terminus or station. A civil man and man of intelligence with rather a strong opinion of himself.

14th

Drive to Brighton in my uncle's carriage. Call on Mrs Trelawny, nearly blind but very cheerful at 82 years age, a kind and old friend of mine in London, 22 Berners Street. She gives Charles a half sovereign. Very wet coming home!! William Woodward, Plumpton, dines at the Priory - what a comfortable house, how quietly and fully established! William Woodward of Plumpton drives over to dine with us.

15th

Southover, Lewis, Sussex. A very wet day, read Morning Herald and enter accounts etc. In the afternoon have the carriage [how indulgent!] to drive to Plumpton to see cousin William Woodward and family, numerous and well. Call also on Mrs Partington on return home. Mr & Mrs and Miss Smith dine with my uncle, he is leaving tomorrow for Southampton or Romney. He promises to let me have some papers in reference to rating, tithe rent charge etc.

16th

A fine day, driven to Uckfield with Carree and Charles in my uncle's carriage to see William on matters of business. Call on Captain Hurdis, not looking well, after …. on him call also on cousin Philip Woodward. Lunch with Captain Croft who is behind William and … living with him!!! On what terms!? Odd arrangement. See William's garden, in a horrible state.

Sunday. Beautiful day, twice at church, hear Mr Scobell, gives a good practical sermon on faith. Mr Hall in evening, not a bad sermon again.

18th

Fine day, my Uncle Mabbot drives myself and Charles to the farm at Dane Hill, all looking well but in a backward state as to work owing to the wet. Mr Scobell and family call on us. Copy, in evening, some papers of Mr Smith's brought me for the purpose of guide to rating tithes rent charge.

19th

Fine day, leave Southover at 10.30, pack up, call with my uncle on Mrs Smith, J Hoper. Talk to butchers etc etc. Arrive at 4 Chandos Street, … Square by 5.00 to dinner. Receive letter from home of getting a silver cup at Farmers Show, Swansea, for a bull and other prizes. My mother goes to a party, cards. We spend evening at home

20th

In London, arrived yesterday, fine day. Enter several days' accounts. Gutta purcha bridle for Charlie. After reading papers etc etc. Walk with HJM to Bedford Square, give Frank a bond for 2,000 received of William for HJM, not at home. At Mr Francis in Bedford Row some ˝ hour or more about the property generally. Call in Greys Inn, Mr Vickerman out of town. Dine at Captain Fowell's, 5 Gloucester Road with Carree and Charles.

21st

Call with Carree and Charles and HJM at Bedford Square, get a solitaire board. Return to lunch and walk to the west to make calls. In evening, I and my mother go to card party at Mr Adams in Baker Street, lose woefully, playing with Sir James Eyre of Buckingham. We held most wretched cards. Sharp frost suddenly sets in as a sequel to extraordinary mild weather.

22nd

Very sharp frost, spent day at the museum with Carree, Charles and HJM. Walk alone to Golden Square about the piano, Mr Morris from home, write a note. Write a short note to my uncle in Southover and send him Swansea paper. Dine with HJM at cousin Frank's, Bedford Square at 6.30. Carree and my mother and Charles at the Princess Theatre, Oxford Street.

23rd

Drive with my mother and Carree to Fleet Street and receive there by draft on Jones Lloyd and so on, Swansea, £45. Very sharp frost, Alfred ventures to London, we at home all day.

Sunday. Sharp frost, glass falling a little, skating. Church, Foley Place, Dr Pocock, excellent sermon. With Carree and Charles call on Mr Hearne, Montague Square, and walk in Regent's park. Very cold east, south east wind. Dust flying, expect snow, most gloomy.

25th

Sudden change, very mild. Excellent sermon, Dr Pocock, Foley Chapel. Pack up all rest of morning. Finish Dickens Haunted Man, mysterious and mistifind (sic). Dine in solitude, Carree, I and Charles, my mother and HJM eat Christmas Pudding at Mrs Heatley's. Large party, Alfred, q at his Club that we may not know he's not asked out. Finish in great degree the horrors of packing. What an odd-spent Christmas Day! The first anniversary of poor George's death! Write to Mr Morgan of Bristol and post it late. Can't get a book I want, difficulties to get change for £5, difficulty to get silver, succeed at Polytechnic.

26th

Frost quite gone, mild and wet. Finish in toto packing up, hurry out on a few errands. Leave London at 3.00, just save the train, not a moment to spare. Arrive to tea at Mrs Hughes, 15 Johnston Street, Bath about 7.00. Write to EKJ, Gower instanter for tomorrow's post. All the luggage safe, what a wonder. Such odds and ends, such hurry in London. Miss Grant with Mrs Hughes.

27th

Bath, a beautiful mild morning. Frank Marcon calls, enter accounts. Charles goes out with him to see Woomwell's wild beast show. Call with Carree on Mrs Marcon and Mrs Scroggs, my old ally Miss Mary Scroggs there, very unwell, a bad cough, decline? Wet comes on, proves a very wet night. Mrs Marcon and Louisa take tea at Mrs Hughes, difficulty in getting home, fly does not come. Chairs substituted, meets with accident at her own door, chair runs back over the footpath to the carriage road. Must hurt, might have been killed, great carelessness!! Unaccountable.

28th

In Bath. Call on Mrs Marcon, hearing from her son Frank of the accident. Walk with him to Scion Hill to see Mr Richard Edwards who called on us yesterday. Called hastily on Mrs Scroggs, not to lunch there! Return home and make Carree walk to Gloucester Road or Place, London Road to call on her cousin of Cardigan at Mrs McCloud's, never seen her before, rather smart! Mr Richard Edwards dines with us at Mrs Hughes. Teaches me a puzzle in figures, very good. Fine day after rain in night.

29th

Leave Mrs Hughes 15 Johnston Street, Bath for 15 Park Street, Bristol. Pack up, Carree and Mrs Hughes enquire about a school for Johnny and call on Mrs Marcon who is better and write a letter home. Call on Mrs Scroggs and meet Carree there. Return home to an early dinner and leave at 4.00. Take Mr & Mrs Morgan by surprise and find them gone out to dinner at Kingsdown, not home till past 11. Read Chambers miscellany.

30th

Fine day at Bristol, Carree writes to Mrs James, Penmaen, read Illustrated News etc. Sally out with Carree and Charles who has a bad cold. Enquire about steam packet to Swansea. Meet Miss Turner at the office. Cold east dull wind. Read Cambrian at Institution in evening and post there the letter. Enter 3 days accounts in evening.

Sunday. Bristol, frost. At St. George's, Park Street. Mr Hopper preaches good extempore, morning and evening. Find my spectacle broken and the glass gone, Charley not well.

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