Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1872

Morning Post

Wednesday 10 April 1872

Whatman - Fuller - On the 9th inst. at Trinity Church, Westcott, by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Winchester, assisted by the Rev. W.H. Kaslake and the Rev. Robert Sainsbury, George Dunbar, eldest son of William Godfrey Whatman Esq., of Kitlands, Dorking, to Frances, daughter of G. Arthur Fuller Esq., of the Rookery, Dorking.

Leamington Advertiser and Beck's List of Visitors.

Thursday 25 April 1872

Clarendon Hotel -

Mrs and Miss Marsh-Caldwell, Linley Wood, Cheshire 

Army and Navy Gazette
Saturday 27 April 1872

The name of Rear-Admiral Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., has been mentioned in connection with the reconstituted Board of Admiralty, but we are inclined to think that unless Lord John Hay be so enamoured with his Hotspur as to be disinclined to give up his command, his Lordship will have the refusal of the vacant seat.

A.R. Heath [Aged 18]

Christmas 1872

A.R. Heath (His journal)

Having received this beautiful book as a Christmas present I must go on with my journal which I have sadly neglected of late.

25^th December 1872

Christmas day but very unseasonal weather, it rained so that we were not able to go to church which, however, made no difference to me as my leg would have prevented my going under any circumstance.

We had a very uproarious Christmas dinner and at the end everybody had to sing and make speeches. Just as May was beginning “Oh what a shame, Mr Wickham,” & etc [PW?] appeared and each [had?] a mince pie out of the window this stopt the festivities and we adjourned to the drawing room.

Then all the party but self and Mamma went to Kitlands and returned with Uncle D. I in the meantime reading Frende’s Essays which I like very much. At tea Denson brought us some Elder wine which we had took with ghost stories.

Captain [Carunie?] and Sir Peter Parker, The Murdered Page (Viviennes Cornwall) The Baker.

After this came songs and [T ronde?] Gerard today favoured The Witch with all the songs in our play.

Thursday 26^th December 1872

Papa and Fred went out shooting. I greatly envied them but of course was prevented from going by my leg. They got two cocks and 4 bunnies. They missed about 10 of the latter between them.

I worked for Matric in my own room which was very comfortable. In the afternoon went for a long walk (for me) down to the White Gate. A carriage of vulgar tourists, drunk I think, came by going at a great pace.

On coming back found the others having a battle royal in the barn which consisted in shoving each other off a ten foot heap of straw. Then came in and did some work. Perused the papers, sat, did not dress for dinner as I felt lazy.

Tasted the new ports and the new sherry, the last very nasty. Then beat b at chess.

Friday 27^th December 1872

Papa went to London so early, breakfast for which I was late. Work all morning until Margaret came. After lunch I went out shooting but we found nothing.

Then Bright and Julia Wickham came, the former very jolly. Then appeared Mr Lawson (Aunt E there before) whose acquaintance I made for the first time. She is rather pretty and very nice though very particular about her grammar. Too particular I think, for a perfect lady.

She manifested a great affection for Wasp, who as usual, slunk into the when he saw visitors. She was so good as to let him sleep on her dress and after[assure?] to let him be taken off.

Note from Hoare arrived to say he would come. Aunt P arrived in the evening with Papa. Their train ½ an hour late.

Saturday 28^th December 1872

In the morning succeeded in shooting a covey, as did F. I sat on a sit and made F and B walk through the stuff to my corner. Then went in, worked and the doctor appeared and said I might do exactly what I liked.  Girls and Mamma came home late from the dancing. After dinner papers, looking out pictures for tableaux vivants, work and dinner. Then I talked with Aunt P while the others danced. I forget to say that in the morning Lady MacDonald sent us a basket of Christmas presents. Mine was a purse into which Aunt P kindly put 1 Sov.

Sunday 29^th December 1872

Aunt P stayed with me instead of going to church, which was very charitable of her. We had service, then to the farm and a talk with Bax [loosed Gem?] we had Wasp and back round the garden.

After lunch Papa, Ada, Fr, B, C, G and I went to Kitlands where we found Angus McPherson. Then, as Uncle D was giving me the cat Gem rushed in, the cat swore, Wasp followed and went behind my chair, cat jumped into Wasp’s mouth and fled followed by all the dogs, made a bolt through the closed window and disappeared. Then Tatters[?] Wasp and Puck all fell upon Jim [Gem?].

After all this we returned thinking we had done enough mischief for one day. In the evening G, Terb and religion with Aunt P.

Monday 30^th December 1872

Work in the morning. Boys went to Kitlands to play football. Then I went out with the girls and just missed seeing the hounds who were in spring copse. Then lunch. After that went out again and found the stag had been taken in the [shire?]. Came in, read the papers until Emma Whatman came, talked, dinner, bed.

Tuesday 31^st December 1872

In the morning, to my great disgust, I found that the [Cayalets?] could not come. It is a horrid pity as it would have been very pleasant to have her in the house.

In the afternoon Fred went to meet his friend Brotherton at Dorking but as B. had come on to Holmwood Fred missed him and arrived back at about half pat six.

This was the night of Mr Mortimer’s hop. I didn’t want to go at all as I couldn’t dance, yet for May’s sake did. When we arrived the Butler inquired after my leg and we entered the drawing room where every body made kind enquiries about my limb.

Mrs Mortimer took me over to sit down by Mrs H. Lee [S bur?] I sat down and remained there talking with different people, among others Jimmy Broadwood who [plunk?] his [matrix?] as much as I do. Then I danced a quadrille and took Emma in to supper where I  [comes?] a pleasant successfully old Lee. He said he remembered my hunting feats on the poney.

Then in to the ballroom again where I had a long and amusing talk with Amy Broadwood who is very pretty. The fly was ¾ of an hour late. We arrived at home at ½ to 2.

File PB130107

Letter to Posy from AMC.

Linley Wood

Lawton
Cheshire

31^st December [1872?]

Dearest P,

Farewell 72. Thank you dearest P [Rosamond Marsh-Caldwell] for your regular chatty letters which I enjoyed very much but have not much to tell in return, for our life has been as usual.

On Saturday L [Louisa] and I took the chaise and called first upon Mrs Tryon to leave money for a rate and pay for the last things I have had from the poor lady whose complaint alas, is a cancer. Alas what a case. I think her helping her own affairs by settling little matters, such an excellent plan and mean to do all I possibly can, in furnishing myself with anything I possibly can for her that can save their own expense.

Things to send to Bazaars when I have to send. Things for little girls. When I have to go [bed?] so on.

Mr Tryon as usual came down. He was looking beautifully well really, quite beautiful. I hope this is not a bad sign as in consumption.

Then to Mrs Spencer who is looking just the reverse and now a bad lot. I asked her and party to come to tea and she engaged for some day next week, it being nearly a [present?] L[Louisa] and G[Georgina] are going to call at Apedale to day for it really is fair. And was yesterday and so here ends our interesting adventures.

The garden is going on very nicely. The farm will if this splash of fine weather will continue. Georgy dear reads aloud about an hour to me every night. Which helps us on wonderfully.

Richard and Fanny, that is the General 1^st R and Richard L.R. left us on Friday. We really have got along tidily since.

Thank dear Mary [May?] for her letter. Did I write to Mary. I had so many letters to write just then I cannot be sure. All sorts of love to her. And every thing affection and warm friendship can say to my Leo.

And tell Arty [Arthur Heath] how delighted I am that he has become a slayer again. No sign of recovery like that, for that barbarous creature man. And love to all the rest. Gerardy, that his frame gave way a little but I have put it all right. And tell a certain Posy my photo of her only excites in me great admiration of her beauty every day.

Your own loving mother.