Diary of John Augustus Milbourne Marsh (1819-1891) 1838
John Augustus Milbourne Marsh
Lady Meek Letters. Milbourne Marsh Diary when a boy living with his Aunt [above], going to office. Dec 1838
December 1838 – Milbourne Marsh at Clifton, Bristol, England
7th December 1838, Friday
Went to the Office in the morning. In the evening Aunt and myself went to Mrs Milwards to a sort of tea and turn out party; wretchedly dull, there were only 7 people and such sticks; there was no music for no one could play, and there we sat, gentlemen on one side, ladies on the other.
8th December 1838, Saturday
Went to the office in the morning, a very fine day, somewhat raw though. I met Anna Maria Houghton with her Aunt about 4 o’clock, accompanied by that “Old Boy” Captain Graves, I soon displaced him and had the pleasure of monopolizing Anna Maria while he put up with the old dame. Aunt had a letter from Dorothea Wemyss mentioning that Mr Spencer Mansel had a son and heir on the 24th Ultimo, who is to be called Spencer. Aunt laid up in bed with a cold.
9th December 1838, Sunday
Did not go to Church at all today. Aunt still laid up in bed with a cold. I wrote to David. A dreadful raw and foggy day, hardly to see a yard before you.
10th December 1838, Monday
Went to the office in the morning. Received the appointment duly signed by my Grandmother. Another very foggy damp day. I met the Old Miss Houghton about 4 o’clock to whom I was uncommonly civil, in order to facilitate intimacy with her niece.
11th December 1838, Tuesday
Went to the office in the morning. More foggy and damp than ever. Aunt had a letter from Aunt Charlotte, terrible account from Jamaica.
12th December 1838, Wednesday
Went to the office in the morning, saw Anna Maria Houghton, her Aunt and mother, I did not join them as Milward was with me: Aunt still confined to her room with a cold.
13th December 1838, Thursday
Went to the office in the morning. Mr Munro called on Aunt. Nothing else worthy of mention occurred today.
14th December 1838, Friday
Went to the office in the morning. Went to see a picture of the Queen, a full length portrait by Sully, the American: it is shortly to be sent to America. In my opinion it is a daube. The Duke of Beaufort thinks otherwise.
15th December 1838, Saturday
Went to the office in the morning. Met the Munro’s in Bristol: also Miss Houghton [the Aunt] and Anna Maria whom I joined and walked home with them; on our way we unfortunately overtook Mrs and the two longnosed Milwards whom we also joined.
16th December 1838, Sunday
Did not go to Church today nor did Aunt Mary Anne: We had letters from Madeira from the Alfred, one from Aunt Sophy, the other from Fanny. Took a stroll with Milward on the Down. I afterwards walked over to the Munro’s where I dined. I returned at 9 o’clock in a fly which Aunt Mary had to my surprise sent for me. It was a very cold night however.
17th December 1838, Monday
Went to the office in the morning. Overtook the O’Callaghans coming from Bristol, walked home with them and as I returned had the pleasure of meeting Anna Maria and Mrs Houghton who asked me in, and with whom I sat talking till 5 o’clock. They had just been paying Aunt a visit and were in great spirits at having received a letter from Mr Campbell off Madeira. Began Skinner’s Overland Journey to India, this evening.
18th December 1838, Tuesday
Went to the office in the morning, a very fine day, a rather cold wind however. Aunt had a letter from David from Gloucester.
19th December 1838, Wednesday
Went to the office in the morning. A very fine day. A bazaar for ladies work held at the top of Park Street, I did not go to it. Met Carter who had been to it, and there purchased a purse made by Carry Munro for 7d.6!! Mrs George and Isaac Cooke called on Aunt
20th December 1838, Thursday
Went to the office in the morning. David came from Gloucester today, when he arrived Sunday last from Cambridge: he has been staying with Major Wemyss. The first subscription Ball took place at the Mall Hotel at which David and I were: I danced with Eliza Faunce, Anna Maria Houghton, Mary Anne Munro and Miss Payne: David clung mostly to the Munro’s. He however, fortunately for him, handed Anna Maria to her fly, while I had the mortification of taking Madame of Milward, that old Miss Houghton.
21st December 1838, Friday
I did not go to the office today on account of having a day [out?] with David; he however, went over in the middle of the day to the Munro’s to stay, where he will remain I suppose the vacation. Met Mrs Houghton today, tried to ingratiate myself with her for the sake of Anna Maria.
22nd December 1838, Saturday
Went to the office in the morning. A nasty wet day. After dinner Dr Riley took it into his head to call for me to take tea with the Munro’s, where he it seems has also asked himself, we returned together at 11 o’clock.
23rd December 1838, Sunday
Did not go to Church at all today, raining very much till about 2 o’clock: at which time I took a stroll on the Crescent in the hope of seeing Anna Maria but was disappointed. I afterwards took a turn with the Milward’s when I met the O’Callaghans, with whom I walked up and down the Mall till 9 o’clock.
24th December 1838, Monday
Went to the office in the morning. A nasty wet day. David rode over from the Munro’s, I however, did not see him. I dined with old Mr Cooke by myself, having come up from Bristol with him in the fly.
25th December 1838, Tuesday
I did not got to Church at all today, Aunt went in the morning, at Clifton Church. Took a stroll on the Down and then on the Crescent in the hope of seeing Anna Maria, but did not. Aunt and I arrived at Miss Drake’s, the first Christmas day I ever dined from home, a very fine frosty day.
26th December 1838, Wednesday
Went to the office in the morning, walking up from thence with George Cooke: very frosty in the morning, pouring rain in the afternoon.
27th December 1838, Thursday
I did not go to the office today: a most beautiful day. Walked about Clifton the whole day. Met the O’Callaghans and Munro’s together with David who walked in, went with them as far as the turnpike on the Downs and then returned with Mrs O’Callaghan and the eldest daughter, seeing these safely deposited at home, I scented the Houghtons out, after a little while Mr Houghton went one way, Miss Houghton [the Aunt] another, so that Anna Maria lost them both, and I had the pleasure of escorting her home alone.
28th December 1838, Friday
Went to the office in the morning, I walked down with David and Henry Munro. I went with Taddy in a fly over to Christopher George’s at Abbots Leigh, on business: on our way met Miss Drake and Mr Partridge riding near the Leigh Woods. Aunt dined at Miss Drakes.
29th December 1838, Saturday
Went to the office in the morning, a nasty wet day. Walked up from Bristol with Henry Milward, on our way had each a glass of Burton ale. Aunt had a letter from Uncle Tom.
30th December 1838, Sunday
Neither Aunt nor I went to Church, it being a wet miserable day. Henry Manning called to see David [who is at the Munro’s] he would not come in however.
31st December 1838, Monday
Went to the office in the morning. Mr Partridge, who has been staying with, and is going to be married to Miss Drake left for London, whereupon Miss Drake with Mrs Judge drank tea with us. A most heavenly day.