#harriet belcombe

[skgway]

1825 June, Thurs. 30

6 3/4

12 50/60

Steph, after having called on my aunt, came at 10, to tell us his opinion – He thinks more favorably of her this morning and hopes she will be able to bear a gentle course of medicine – Says her liver is affected – It is torpid, and there is a scarcity, I think he said, of bile – He will try the blue pill, of which Mr. D– [Duffin] approves, and thinks Steph talks very sensibly – 

They both agree we had best try Buxton, after my aunt has taken Steph’s prescription for about 3 weeks at home – After which, and on seeing the effect of B– [Buxton] (which cannot be guessed at under a fortnight) we shall be better [al?] how to decide about abroad or not, etc. etc. – 

Read aloud great part of this mornings York Chronicle – Mr. D– [Duffin] and I went out at 12 – Called and sat a while with my aunt – Then at the Belcombes’ – Where Mr. D– [Duffin] left me to go to Hornor at 2 – Sat talking to Mrs. B– [Belcombe]. Steph and his wife seem to have exceeded their income by five hundred a year ever since they were married in the spring of eighteen hundred and sixteen and she owed nine hundred pounds before out of her nine per annum. I suppose from this they owe between five and six thousands. 

Mrs. B[elcombe] settled the allowance Harriet was to have for housekeeping at forty pounds a month. Steph paying for liquors, servants, wages, coals, house, rent, and taxes and she could not make it do. Why did they enter into dinner parties with ladies? But they might retrieve if they would but manage better etc. etc. 

Louisa sent down a message to say she should be glad to see me upstairs – She told me π [Mariana] was blinded. Harriet Milne had so completely thrown dust in her eyes she now took her part and blamed Mrs. Steph. It was Mrs. Milnes flirting with Mr. Meene that caused all the disagreeables and from Lou’s account I cannot hesitate to think Mrs. M[ilne] the bane of all their comfort, and that her conduct can never be depended on. 

Said Lou, ‘What will become of us if anything happens to my father? I shall go to my uncle.’ I said she was right but in the meantime should watch Mrs. M[ilne] narrowly. Assume the authority of virtue over vice and never let her stir without her, but mamma too is blinded. Her uncle had told her he never [saw] a womans feelings so easily excited as Mrs. M[ilne]’s. 

Lou would not have gone to Hull with her and Mr. Meene, but if she had not Anne would, and this would not have done – Mrs. M[ilne] got up one morning at six and met Mr. Meene downstairs, I fancy at or near the water closet, for Eliza suspecting something had watched. On Steph’s having noticed how early Mr. Meene had got up, ‘yes’ he said, ‘to go to the news room’. And on inquiry Steph found he had never been there. 

Steph thought of all this at first but now his eyes were blinded too. Lou insinuated that Mrs. M[ilne] had committed not only once, or even twice. Said nothing criminal could be proved. Said Lou, I don't know that if one may judge from writing more foolish. She said I to be so unguarded as to trust to paper at all rates. 

A second time she said it was well Mrs. M[ilne] and Mrs. Meene had quarrelled, for if Harriet had gone to the Broms something would have happened. She thought she did not like 𝛿 [Charles Lawton] and was safe at Lawton. Ah said I, I don't know that, The only day she was at Haugh End she rode above twenty miles with Major Priestly and told him she should be most happy to come and stay with them. I hope, said I, for Mary P[riestley]’s sake she will not. 

On this something was said about π [Mariana]. I somehow mentioned the three steps business last September, but one on blackstone edge. Said I should never forget it and hinted that our ever being together was very doubtful. Anne came and interrupted us.

I soon took my leave, but Lou going down with me. We walked up down the passage perhaps half hour. Here I opened on the subject, saying it was a comfort to me to have named it to Lou. That she might remember what I had said. Whatever should happen in future, she was the only one to whom I cared to appear in some degree justified. But I charged her not to utter what I had said, for I knew not my own mind. As yet I had said not a syllable of it to π [Mariana] nor should till I knew myself better, for I might come round again. 

I knew not for on revient toujours a ses premiers amours but I had never felt so oddly. π [Mariana] talked of coming to Shibden, but I hoped the visit would fall through. Lou asked if I should come to the festival. I said I thought not but certainly I should not if π [Mariana] came. Lou said how much she π [Mariana] loved [me]. She had done it at first against the wishes of all her family.

I asked if Lou remembered telling me she was worldly. No, she had quite forgotten. But if she did say so she meant only with respect to her marriage. I said the subject gave me great uneasiness. It was odd enough I had not thought of it abroad, but it occurred to me the moment of my return to Shibden and I had never been able to shake it off. 

Lou asked if it was owing to any preference I felt for any other. I said no. Is it, said she, Mrs. Barlow? No. Is it Miss de Sans? No. She should be sorry that so old a friendship should . . . . . here she stopped. Ah, said I, heaven only knows. For I do not. I never so little knew myself. I know not what I shall feel or do. 

Anne just came to us, but went away immediately and I took my final leave of both. Anne would wonder what had passed, for I felt as if my lips looked white – When upstairs Lou had said in her musing that she knew not what would become of them. What do you think of the lawyer? Meaning Eustace Strickland whom π [Mariana] had told me (in Paris I think) that she had refused. Ah, said, I why did you refuse him? But we both seemed to leave the subject to talk of π [Mariana]. Certainly I thought no more of it – 

It was after 3 before I got to Hornor’s – He was out – Would not be back of 1/2 hour – Went into Micklegate to say, I could not be back in time to dine at the D– [Duffin]s’ – Mr. D– [Duffin] seemed disappointed – But there was no remedy – Met Miss M– [Marsh] and Miss D– [Duffin] walking – They took a little turn with me, and got back to Hornor’s at 3 50/60 – 

Waited a long while – On examination Mr. Hornor found I had five upper double teeth with greater or less holes in them (of which I had not had the most distinct suspicion) and I had them all stopped with gold – My gums in very good order – My teeth requiring very little scaling, but that little was done – Should not use a too hard brush – Moderately hard – Bought 6 of Mr. H– [Honor]’s tooth powder. 

Should have some little mechanical action – The greater the tendency to form tartar on the teeth, the rougher the powder should [be] – The tops of the gums should be well brushed so as to clean away the tartar in its soft state – The tooth powder I use equal parts dragon’s blood, bolammoniae, and dragon’s blood, very good but would be improved by something to make it rather rougher e.g. one tenth proportion of the whole ingredients of powdered cuttle-fish bone (os sepiæ) or finely powdered pumice stone – The former would be rough enough for me – Powdered chalk (simply) a very good tooth powder – 

The scaling my teeth ought to have been 10/6, but I only paid the 5 /. [shillings] for the tooh drawing and the 7 /. [shillings] each for the teeth stopping – It being 5 1/2 when all this was done, went over to my aunt who ordered me a mutton chop which I relished more than anything I had had since our arrival in York –

After this wrote and left for the post office a couple of pages to my uncle (Shibden) to say, I had been detained, and that my aunt and I should post it together tomorrow, hoping to be off at 12, and at home about 7 – my aunt fancying I half said so. I had had the two pounds to pay Hornor from Miss Marsh, gave me two sovereigns. She is always good to me and would give me anything –

Told my aunt my conversation with Louisa about M– [Mariana]. Left my aunt just in time to get to the D– [Duffin]s’ to tea at 7 – Found a note from Louisa B– [Belcombe] and small parcel for her sister Eliza now at Haugh-End – Having heard Miss Duffin say yesterday after dinner she liked caraway seeds, and added Miss M– [Marsh] could eat them by the ounce I bought her 6 oz yesterday evening, but forgetting them brought them home this evening and running upstairs the moment I came in, and put them on her toilet – 

I saw by her manner afterwards she had seen them, but, not being tete-a-tete, she took no further notice of the thing – Yet she was evidently pleased by the attention – After tea we all walked (Mr. D– [Duffin] called to see Miss Day) 1/2 way to Acomb – 

Fine day – Very fine evening – Sat talking till 10 1/2 when Miss M– [Marsh] and I retired – E [two dots, treating venereal complaint] O [two dots, marking discharge] –

[in margin] Told Lou I should always be interested for her should be happy to do anything I could for her in point of advice or otherwise, and when she wanted a friend I begged she would apply to me – 

[in margin] Mrs. B– [Belcombe] gave me this morning Steph’s letter to Dr. Kenny enclosed in a note to myself. The letter open having requested to see it and shew it to Mr. D– [Duffin] who approves – But seems to think not much of anything but the pills – (the blue pill) – Handsome letter to Dr. K– [Kenney] will be glad to hear from him or see him at his house should he visit York –

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Thursday 13 March 1834

6 35

12 ½

Fine morning F56 ½ ° at 7 35 which hour went out – breakfast with my father at 8 ½ - with John Booth moving flowers out of the garden - Letter from Miss W- 3 pages and 2nd page crossed - I have so indulged her she had fidgetted herself at not hearing from me - sends me a copy of her letter to Washington - there is one sentence so much too sharp he will certainly not lay that to me - ‘I am still in the mine about Lidgate’   All she writes on the subject and enough - but poor girl! I am getting over my annoyance -  she wants guiding and I must begin as I mean to go on or give up at once -came in at 1 20 a few minutes with my aunt - Mr. and Mrs. Waterhouse and Mr. Musgrave called at 1 ¾ for about ½ hour - Mr. W- mentioned catalogue published by the widow of all Radcliffe’s (Rouge-croix) letters he had ever received and price at which they might be bought - 2 from my uncle and mine 2 guineas - out again at 2 ½ - came in at 3 and wrote and sent note to ‘Jonathan Akroyde Esquire’ compliments and finding Mark Town who had applied to me for some land was still in Mr. Akroyde’s service should feel much obliged to him to be so good as inform me whether he thought Mark Town ‘a man of high respectability, like to farm well and pay his rent regularly’ compliments in answer and greatest pleasure in informing me that Mark Town had been in his (Mr. A-‘s) employ several years ‘in the course of which time I have found him to be a very sober industrious man’ - no notice taken of farming well or paying rent - dinner at 7 (out with John Booth planting flowers rose trees etc) Marian came to me while I finished dinner and had my coffee - Mark Town came before 8 and staid till 8 ¾ - told him the questions I had asked and read him the answer - only 1 question out of the 4 answered - not enough - very sorry - the poor man very sorry and much disappointed - had agreed for ��10 worth of lime at 16/. a dozen carting and all and had spoken for manure meaning to begin farming immediately - said I would write tomorrow to inquire of his present landlord Mr. Robert Edelstone (brother in law to Mr. Thomas Holmes) and if he Town called again tomorrow evening hoped to have a more favourable answer to give him - from 8 50 to 10 10 wrote and sent in a box with several packages of biscuits and sweet cakes, 1 page and ends of outside envelope to ‘Miss Walker’ and nearly 2 pages of ½ sheet to Dr. Belcombe vide line 16 next pages - went to my aunt at 10 ¼ for about ½ hour – read the newspapers till 11 50 and wrote the last 15 lines – fine day – F57° at 11 50 Thomas too late for the coach office (right mail) but left the box (containing my packet Sarah’s note  biscuits and prospectus  of history and antiquities of Halifax) with Mr Carr who promised it should go in the morning 2 am. - my note to Dr. Belcombe merely  to give the message from M- in her last letter about his writing to Miss Cornwell on the subject of little Mariana’s headaches – to beg he would write by and by and that Harriet would not press Miss W-‘s  going to their great party on Monday - my letter to Miss W- written Tuesday  yesterday and tonight,  5 pages and ends + 1 page and ends wrote tonight  ‘I impatiently waited your answer about Lidgate – it is couched  in less than one line “I am still in the mire about Lidgate” – enough - that incubus, indecisions, must press on you no more - Had I been at your elbow, you would have been wiser - it can’t be just yet; therefore, leave the matter in status quo for the present, and advertise house and land together next  year    your letter to W- was very good; but the remark about the Towns’ books would have been modified, had you been at Shibden’ - not to go to the Belcombe’s great party – had written to beg it might not be pressed – glad she made no apology for not calling sooner in the minster court - to decline [even] visiting there - to being Anacharsis - this work worth a hundred times Croker’s Life of Johnson and Crabbe’s poems into the bargain - ‘Write to me by Saturday’s post without fail - I shall go on being indulgent; tho’ what do you deserve for that sentence quoted in page 2? I had some reason to be annoyed; but we soon relent towards those we love. Good night! Faithfully and affectionately A. Lister.

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

Thursday 13 March 1834

6 35/.. 12 1/2

Vc || N N L L P

fine morning Fahrenheit 56 1/2° at 7 35/.. at which hour went out - breakfast with my father at 8 1/2 - with John Booth moving flowers out of the garden -

Letter from Miss Walker 3 pp. [pages] and 2nd page crossed - I have so indulged her she has fidgetted herself at not hearing from me - sends me copy of her letter to Washington - there is one sentence so much too sharp, he will certainly not lay that to me - 'I am still in the mire about Lidgate' all she writes on the subject and enough - but, poor girl! I am getting over my annoyance she wants guiding and I must begin as I mean to go on or give her up at once -

came in at 1 20/.. a few mins. [minutes] with my aunt - Mr. and Mrs. Waterhouse and Mr. Musgrave called at 1 3/4 for above 1/2 hour - Mr. W- [Waterhouse] mentioned catalogue published by the widow of all Radcliffe's (Rouge Croix) Letters he had ever received and price at which they might be bought - 2 from my uncle and mine 2 guins. [guineas] - out again at 2 1/2 - came in at 3 and wrote and sent note to 'Jonathan Akroyde Esquire' compliments and finding Mark Town, who has applied to me for some land was still in Mr. Akroyde's service should feel much obliged to him to be so good as inform me whether he thought Mark Towne 'a man of high respectability, like to farm well and pay his rent regularly' Compliments in answer and greatest pleasure in informing me that Mark Town had been  in his (Mr. A-'s [Akroyd's] employ several years, 'in the course of which Time I have found him to be a very sober industrious man' - no notice taken of farming well or paying rent -

dinner at 7 (out with John Booth planting flowers (rose trees &c.) Marian came to me while I finished dinner and had my coffee - Mark Town came before 8 and staid till 8 3/4 - Told him the questions I had asked and read him the answer - only 1 question out of the 4 answered - not enough - very sorry - the poor man very sorry and much disappointed - had agreed for £10 worth of lime at 16/. a dozen carting and all, and had spoken for manure meaning to begin farming immediately - said I would write Tomorrow to inquire of his present landlord Mr. Robert Edelstone (brother in law to Mr. Thomas Holmes) and if he Towne called again Tomorrow evening hoped to have a more favourable answer to give him - From 8 50/.. to 10 10/.. wrote and sent in box with several packages of biscuits and sweet cakes 1 page and ends of outside envelope to 'Miss Walker' and nearly 2 pp. [pages] of 1/2 sheet to Dr. Belcombe vide line 16 next page - went to my aunt at 10 1/4 for above 1/2 hour - read the newspaper till 11 50/.. and wrote the last 15 lines - fine day - Fahrenheit 57°. at 11 50/.. p.m. - Thomas too late for the coach office (night mail) but left the box (containing my packet Sarah's note biscuits and prospectus of history and antiquities of H-x [Halifax] - with Mr. Carr who promised it should go in the morning at 2 a.m. - my note to Dr. Belcombe merely to give the message from M- [Mariana] in her last letter about his writing to Miss Connell on the subject of little Mariana's headaches - to beg he would write by and by and that Harriet would not press Miss W-'s [Walker's] going to their great party on Monday -

my letter to Miss W- [Walker] written Tuesday yesterday and tonight 5 pp. [pages] and ends and 1 page and ends - wrote tonight

'I impatiently waited your answer about Lidgate - It is couched in less than one line, 'I am still in the mire about Lidgate' - enough - that incubus, indecision, must press on you no more - Had I been at your elbow, you would have been wiser - it cannot be just yet; therefore, leave the matter in statu quo for the present, and advertise house and land together next year Your letter to W- [Washington] was very good; but the remark about the Town's books would have been modified, had you been at Shibden' -

not to go to the Belcombes great party - had written to beg it might not be pressed - glad she made no apology for not calling sooner in the minster court - to decline evening visiting there - to begin anacharsis - this work worth a hundred times Croker's Life of Johnson and Crabbe's poems into the bargain -

'Write to me by Saturday's post without fail - I shall go on being indulgent; tho' what do you deserve for that sentence quoted at page 2 of my 2nd page? I had some reason to be annoyed; but we soon relent towards those we love - Good night! faithfully and affectionately yours AL-' -

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/17/0007

[adricthemindnimon]

I’ve been reading a lot about Anne Lister lately, and she does seem to have been a pretty awful person, unfortunately (good luck to the TV show keeping her a likeable character without blatantly ignoring 90% of what she did and how she treated even Ann!). However, I am still delighted to have discovered her. Because reading about her means reading about Eliza Raine, Maria Alexander, Isabella Norcliffe, Mariana Lawton, Eleanor Butler, Sarah Ponsonby, Nantz Belcombe, Harriet Milne, Maria Barlow, Vere Hobart, and Ann Walker, amongst others. So many 19th century women who pursued relationships with other women. Whether, if they lived today, they’d call themselves lesbians, or queer, or bi, or whatever, it doesn’t matter. The fact remains that because of Anne Lister’s diaries, we have a rich documentation of romantic & sexual love between women in the Victorian era. That is an amazing volume of history for modern queer women to have access to.

[awhilesince]

Friday, 28 November 1828

6 35/60

11 3/4

making some addition to what I wrote yesterday to Pi (Mariana) about her mother then crossed it out —

from 7 20/60 to 9 1/2 wrote 3 pages and the ends to M— (Mariana) 4 or 5 lines of page 2 the whole of page 3 and 2 comparisons of lines on the 1st end respecting Mrs B— (Belcombe) M— (Mariana) must stay one or two days here on her return and I will help her to settle her array of what she has to do at home — mention Becher’s work and having got plenty of information for her respecting Friendly society — “But to turn to your letter — on the subject of the misunderstanding between your mother and myself, you are quite assured that, had any “choice been left me, your mother (for whose previous kindness I have never ceased to feel obliged) is one of the last with whom “I would have had any misunderstanding at all — Prevented by yourself and Stephen from sending the letter, but still anxious to conciliate “as far as I could consistently, and then sent the written message of which you had a copy; and you find me, on your arrival here “in the spring of 1826, surprised and hurt that your message, however well intended, had not, in spite of my “twice urged entreaty, been deemed worthy the smallest notice — you will remember my saying, any answer “would be better now; for that, if no answer at all was returned, this must convince me that all hope of conciliation “was for ever at an end, and that the not being even on speaking terms must inevitably ensue — this induced you “to inquire into the fate of the message, and thus wrung from you, not Anne, the following answer in your letter from Scarbro’ of 31 March 1826 — “Harriet did give your message to my mother — she read it herself, and returned H— (Harriet) the letter, saying, “ probably Miss L— (Lister) and I “may never meet again, ’tis better we should not” (Anne told me this) — She has never mentioned your name to me, tho’ “I have given her opportunities” — what course remained for me but to keep out of the way, yet, as you begged me “not to let thing be known, to keep up appearances as well as I could? I did do so — tho’ 3 or 4 times in York “afterwards before going abroad, my not calling as usual was either not known, or, in some way, so well excused, that “not even Mrs Duffin could suspect from any word or conduct of mine how matters really stood — I never named “it to anyone out of your own family, except my aunt, till Isabella told me in Paris, she had heard it from Mrs D— (Duffin) when I, of course, in self justification, told my own story, yet still begging her not to mention it, except “to Mrs N— (Norcliffe) and Charlotte — with the latter, I told you, I had talked the matter over the other day at Langton — “The contrast between your mother’s manner of meeting me at the Duffins’ and of receiving me in her own house in “Petersgate only about 2 hours before, did certainly take me by sursprise — whatever of your mother’s kindness I had deserved to forfeit, I had done nothing to deserve to regain — But Mary, from what you wrote me in March “1826, could I calculate upon your writing in November 1828, “when I named the thing to my mother” (i.e. the hope “never to see me again)” declared such an idea never entered her head, that on reading your message she did, “Tell Miss Lister that we shall sometime meet again, meaning by that, her manner when you did meet would “convince you that the thing was forgotten”? These 2 messages are, in fact, Mary, so unlike each other, “that all I can say is, I agree with you, “there has been a great and unfortunate mistake” — Still good accounts of “Miss MacL— (Maclean) Luckily, she can get a good servant in town, that I am at ease about not sending Cameron — “write soon …. Tell me particularly how you are — Have the goddness to take care, and harass yourself as little“as possible (the following written merely that the Bs Belcombes may read it) Do not pother about that foolish settlement — “business — you have had misery and vexation enough about it; and for pity’s sake, trouble yourself no more — I doubt that “you can do any good; and their unavailing anxiety hurts, mortifies, and disappoints me — I am sick of making “friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; for such friends, even when obtained, have no beauty in them that we should “desire them — we know the unstable value of the things of their world better as we use them more — God bless you, “Mary! I am now and always very especially and entirely yours AL Anne Lister” — 

read over and folded my letter — what will M— (Mariana) think of it — will it be a makeup or not I dont care about it had I been very anxious on the subject might have made more advances — Breakfast at 10 — 

went out at 11 to the Cunnery plantation — Throp and the 2 wallers planting and our 3 men and 2 horses clearing away as yesterday — In the afternoon Mosey begged a piece of elm which he said was worth 6 d (pence), and for this felled 4 firs, and for 6 d (pence) to be paid in money felled 5 more larches, and one sycamore — He and his companion all along the upper Cunnery hedge (15 roods) for railing — Throp and the wallers 1 1/4 hour at dinner on Wednesday — remonstrated — so 50 minutes today and yesterday — while they dined sauntered about the upper fields musing upon building a pretty farmstead at the top east corner of the upper Cunnery, or just above the upper will field — fancying how much and how to plant the upper will field so as to form one continuous line with the present plantation and the other side of Bairstow — with the workmen till 5 — returned by the Cunnery — talking to Matty a few minutes — she hoped if their cottage was taken down I should find her some place — a lodge or something — not improbable said I — we are like to find some place for you — she thanked me, and I returned by Benjamin’s and the high road and came in at 5 20/60 

Dressed — Dinner at 6 — afterwards John took to the post my letter to M— (Mariana) (Mrs Belcombe‘s Scarborough) — He brought me from Thomas Greenwood‘s this morning (got for me by Thomas) „Hoppus‘s Measurer“. York printed by and for Thomas Wilson and sons, High Ousegate 1825 price 3/. bound — for measuring wood, stone, glass, etc. — new Edition revised by new Edition revised by  T. Crosby — 

Came upstairs at 8 3/4 and wrote the whole of today (the extract from to M— (Mariana) — copied from the rough draft and what I copied on to it from the letter this morning) — 

On seeing young James Greenwood of the Cunnery in the plantation this evening gathering up some of the fire wood, spoke to him about keeping people out of the plantation, and said I would give him 10/. a year — to be paid by Mr Briggs Xmas and midsummer, the day after the rent day — writing the whole of this day took me till 10 — then went downstairs, and came up again at 10 1/2  — asked my father not allow old Rothero to cut grass in the Cunnery plantation now it is replanted — mild day

drizzly but too windy to keep my umbrella up — high wind all last night before — yet neither my thorn bush nor beech in the Allan Car seem to have stirred —

(SH:7/ML/E/11/0099)

https://www.catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CC00001%2f7%2f9%2f6%2f11%2f99&pos=1

[iredreamer]

we focus a lot on anne lister and ann walker but isabella/tib shows that there are other more masculine leaning women or butches out there at that time, right? do you know exactly how many queer women are mentioned in anne's writings (as in her lovers and lovers of her lovers, possibly)? or just any more information about other lesbians/queer women at that time?

I don’t know exactly how many queer women she mentions (there are a lot tho, she had 11 lovers and then there are women she kissed or that she flirted with and I guess they were not straight). Some names mentioned in the companion book: Elize Raine, Mariana Lawton, Vera Hobart, Harriet Milne, Anne Belcombe, Maria Barlow, Mary Vallance, Sibella Maclean.

Isabella Norcliffe and Miss Pickford probably had a similar sexual identity to her own, she described them as “regular oddities” and, like Anne, they expressed a disinclination to marry and were not “conventionally feminine”.

Then, there are the Ladies of Llangollen, Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, probably the most famous “romantic friendship” example of the 19th century (Anne describes Miss Ponsonby as “odd” and “singular”). Anne hears about them, and then meets them and she’s really fascinated by them and their lifestyle. They had fled Ireland to escape the possibility of being forced into unwanted marriages and they lived together for 50 years. I’m pretty sure there are books about them.

[gntlmanjack-ao3feed]

Only For You

by rockydice

Ann recognizes her as soon as she speaks. Miss Lister hasn’t changed much since she last saw her, which was years ago, when Ann was 18. Her sharp, tan face is as handsome as she remembers and her voice still has that low, smooth tone. Yes, she remembers Miss Lister very well, and she knows that her attraction to the older woman hasn’t shifted in any way. In fact, if her warming face weren’t indication enough, her draw to Miss Lister has only increased upon this miraculous meeting.

Words: 4758, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Gentleman Jack (TV)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/F

Characters: Anne Lister (1791-1840), Ann Walker (1803-1854), Catherine Rawson, Harriet Parkhill, Steph Belcombe, Mariana Lawton, Aunt Anne Lister, Marian Lister, Sophie Ferrall, Elizabeth Walker Sutherland, William Priestley (1779-1860), Eliza Priestley

Relationships: Anne Lister (1791-1840)/Ann Walker (1803-1854)

Additional Tags: There’s gonna be a lot of characters in this, I’m too lazy to put in all the cast names, Horny Ann Walker, but what’s new?, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Anne is a sexy business woman in London, Ann is a realtor, This will have some actual plot but it will mostly focus on the Ann(e)s

from AO3 works tagged 'Anne Lister (1791-1840)/Ann Walker (1803-1854)' https://ift.tt/2PHvSt8

[jaggedwolf]

In the years since 1820, Anne had renewed her vows with Mariana three times, seduced Miss Vallance and Nantz Belcombe, slept countless times with Isabella Norcliffe, flirted with Harriet Milne, Lou Belcombe and Francis Pickford, spent a long time living in Paris with Maria Barlow and then a few weeks with Mme de Rosny. During all these entanglements, Sibella Maclean had been an iron in the fire that Anne Lister sought to heat up from a distance, to forge and shape to her will. In numerous wordy letters, she never told Sibella what she was doing – or with whom – instead trying to initiate a flirt by means of complex rhetorical figures.

Angela Steidele, translated by Katy Derbyshire, Gentleman Jack: A biography of Anne Lister, Regency Landowner, Seducer and Secret Diarist

[randomaldiarytranscriptions]

1836 Wednesday 7 December

7 3/4

12 3/4

no kiss not dressed till 9 40/.. – put on a gown and this made the pother

Fine morning Fahrenheit 48° at 9 40/.. at which had breakfast in 25 mins. – wrote out heads of Little March stone advertisement for Messrs Parker and Adams –

Ann and I off at 10 3/4 in the yellow carriage – stopt for a moment at Mr Parker’s door – saw Mr Adams who came to the carriage door – gave him the stone advertisement wishing the bills to be posted tomorrow – asked for Ann’s bill and mine – Mrs Ferguson’s will not proved yet – no answer as yet received from Mr Graham as to my paying the money - I mentioned Wilkins – coal to be paid for in full before my going –

then nearly 3/4 hour at Mr Gilmore’s – made out every name Ann asked me –

off from Mr Gilmore’s at 12 25/.. and at Mr Stansford Rawson’s Gladholt near Huddersfield at 1 1/2 - all the ladies of the family at home – (did not see Mr Rawson) up at luncheon very glad  to see us – we very civil – sat 2 hours and off to Cliff Hill on our return at 3 1/4 - at Cliff Hill at 4 20/.. to 4 3/4 Mr A W – surprised but glad to see us – left a parcel at the school –

drove round by the Lodge – found the Lawtons had passed at 4 1/2 or before – drove to the White Lion House, then – at 6 1/4 and staid till 9 1/4 – dinner ready – dined with them and had coffee immediately after dinner – all of us very kind and civil and agreeablizing –

Mariana took me upstairs 1/2 hour to tell me the York scandal – Mariana and Mrs Henry Belcombe had come to high words about Ann and me – Mrs Henry Belcome’s abuse had been more than Mariana could bear – Isabella Nordcliff too had not spared us – I took it so quietly Mariana seemed rather astonished – Mrs Henry Stephens Belcombe – declared and Miss Bagshaw too that I had told them (both present at the same time) that I was sorry for Lady Ribblesdale’s marriage for Ann and I were going to spend some time with her but her marriage would prevent it – I simply and quietly answered I could not accept for such a mistake for I really did not know Lady Ribblesdale by sight – the 2 ladies also declared I had said I ordered my letters to be directed to the honourable Miss Lister’- what nonsense! I told Mariana – it was all quite incorrect – but it was not worth a thought – thought I what a set of people! The less we jostle each other the better –

I thought Charles Lawton and Mariana and Harriet Milne vulgar and had no real relish for the sort of play I was making to entertain they all seemed merry   Mariana could not get me to promise to cozy Lawton   I like not the clique

Gave Mariana 5 sovereigns charity for the Misses Salmon who are to give work (black satin blotting book ?) – in return – Little thought that Mrs Milne had been besetting Ann begging for 2 Swiss sovereigns from Lausanne (ill in York) and had got £5!!! out of poor Ann - £10 thus given for people neither Ann nor I know or care about is un peu trop fort –

Mariana had Robert upstairs and formally engaged him as footman on leaving me –

Mariana asked me to say I loved her better than anyone in the world but I fought till at last she made me repeat the words after her she must have seen however that the repetition was not worth much her loving kisses I did not return but took all quietly –

home at 9 3/4 - very fine morning till about 10 – rained when left home and rained almost all the day with high wind – till fair as we returned from Halifax. very high wind tonight – very stormy wet boisterous day –

took the gardener in the rumble with Robert to go to Pontey’s garden – finding the gardener 4 miles from Gladholt sent the gardener off and desired him to get back as he could - + 40° now at 11 1/2  p.m. and fair – very high roaring wind –

[wasalwaysagreatpickle]

Wednesday 13th August 1828

0

10 3/4

Off from Darlington at 1 5/60 a.m. – the mail does not stop at the Inn – the landlord not a partner, will not have the mail stop at his house in the dead of night – stops nearly opposite – merely an office and stable – only 1 gentleman inside besides myself – slept great part of the way – awoke about 5, and the gentleman and I began talking about horses – he apparently a gentleman and Northumberland man – surprised at my being so knowing – said he has tried Briggs of Tadcaster as a breaker – did not much like him – all went well for a while but the job not thoroughly done – 

Alighted at the Black Swan at 6 20/60 – had a room – a complete washing and dressing, and set off to Dr Henry Belcombe’s at 8 – near 1/2 hour before he came down – stood reading – McCulloch’s curious work proving all diseases to arise from Malaria – the gentleman’s library-companion or guide to the selection of a good library etc. – Steph recommends Maccauly’s Dictionary of medicine in preference to Graham’s work, but thinks the last edition of Dr Thomas’s system of medicine would suit me best – Graham quite a quack and old wife – worse than Reece – Steph and I sat talking till near 10 – the governess had breakfasted with us – then went upstairs into Harriet’s bedroom and sat with her till near 12 – 

Then off to the Duffins, and got there at 12 10/60 – they went out riding at 12 3/4, and I sat reading my letters from M- [Mariana] Royal Hotel Leamington, from Marian Shibden and from Miss Maclean (Coll house, Aros N.B) enclosing a letter from Isabella Norcliffe that just arrived after I was gone – M- [Mariana] better for Leamington – Jephson thought by some little better than a quack, and she herself thinks him rather quackish in his manner – 

Thinking it fixed her family would go to Sandbach had bought and given them the salmon sold carriage but now uncertain if Mrs B [Belcombe] can buy the furniture and cannot take her own Lou thinks her mother now living on principal 

My father had not been quite well lately – Marian quite well – Miss Maclean determined to go to Paris, but as if doubting whether she had determined rightly or not – had ordered me a box of short bread from Littlejohn, Leith Street, Edinburgh – 1/2 to be sent to M- [Mariana]. Isabella Norcliffe tells me all about Norcliffes quarrel with his mother and Charles and his having taken the child away from them – 

Warm as usual on the subject wishing Norcliffe may never live to in her it Langton – 

The N- [Norcliffes] gone on a tour into Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Sussex for 6 weeks – do not hope to see me this time at Langton – to write immediately, and direct to the post office Norwich –

Came up to my room at 1 1/2 – wrote 2 1/2 pp. to Isabella Norcliffe - mentioning my letter from Coldstream (sent from Berwick) and my disappointment not to find them at Langton, but do not still despair of seeing them – Mrs D- [Duffin] came and sat with me – went down stairs about 4 1/2 – dinner at 5 – Mr and Mrs D- [Duffin] went out afterwards to walk – 

In the meantime wrote a few lines to Marian to say I should be at home on Friday after by the mail – sent off my letter to Isabella Norcliffe to Fisher for him to fill up the direction (he directed it post office Norwich), and sent off my letter to Marian Shibden, and then wrote 3pp. to my aunt to tell her of my journey and arrival and to enclose a £20 bank of England note thinking this the easiest way of sending her money she having told me she should be in want by the end of the month –

Tea about 8 1/2 – sat talking over my travels – came to my room at 9 55/60 – very fine day -

[skgway]

1825 May, Thurs. 26

7

12 ¼

Gave Hotspur oat cake – Read over sealed and sent off my letter (written yesterday) to M– [Mariana] (Lawton Hall) all the world might see it – Gave a very favourable account of my interview with Mrs. H[enry] S[teph] B[elcombe] on Tuesday the 17th instant – Said nobody could have behaved better – She spoke handsomely of them all – and added she was now, till I saw some stronger reason against it then I knew at present brought back to her former level in my opinion – 𝛑 [Mariana] will not think my letter very affectionate. There is nothing in it the contrary but it is quite commonplace – 

A little before 9, a letter from Mrs. Barlow (Paris) – 3 pages, the ends, and the 2 first pages crossed, very small and close writing – Containing a copy of Mallet the banker’s letter respecting the French funds – Her aunt and cousins arrived on the 7th, beset her about Mr. William Bell. He too is laying close siege. She feels commiseration for him but her affection for me is more strongly marked than ever. She does indeed seem deeply attached to me. I must be serious in recommending her to marry Mr. Bell or make up my mind to have her myself. 

Her letter affected me much. Her aunt and cousins admire my character. She has written to Mr. Handcock in such a way as to leave him no hope. If she had a little more money I should not hesitate a moment, but alas it would be a bad connection for me. But my heart is somewhat won upon – 

Went out to the workmen at a 9 – Got back to breakfast at 10 ½ – Came upstairs finished and reading Mrs. B– [Barlow]’s letter then went to breakfast at 11 – Upstairs again at 12 – Crossley came and was about an hour cutting my hair – Skimmed over the letter again – From about two till four and quarter wrote two thirds of the copy of a page very small and close to Mrs. B[arlow] – 

At 4 1/2 went out to the workmen, and staid with them so late I did not get home till 7 10/60 – Dinner at 7 1/4 – In the evening wrote all the above of today – Jackman began the outside wall the off-garden wall – The outside curved wall to widen the original roadway – From the bridge to the bottom of Lower Brea wood –

Fine day – Barometer 1/2 degree below changeable, Fahrenheit 51º at 10 p.m. at which hour came up to bed – My mind is engrossed with Mrs. B[arlow] – Sat up reading and musing over what I had written to Mrs. B[arlow]

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Tuesday 18 June 1833

7 25

12 40

F61° and fine at 7 25 a.m. wrote 3 pages and ends mentioning my arrival and interview with Jonathan Grey  executors Cecil and John Dalton and Mr Parker and trustees merely nominal Mr Cameron of Achnacar[r]y and Captain Stuart but did not explain the having left a life estate to old John and young John and then entailed forward sent off my letter to my aunt Shibden and then wrote note to Fisher enclosing £1.14.0 which I begged him to pay Rutter for my 2 last pair of boots got just before leaving Langton the other day - began with very good Fisher and ended with you have always my high esteem and best wishes and I am always your very sincere friend A Lister - breakfast at 10 ¼ - and off from my lodging (Mrs. Lyon’s Blake street) where I think I could be comfortable enough if occasioned required – Mrs. Lyon would let me have her house (i.e. all that she lets) 2 sitting rooms and 2 best bedrooms and the room I have slept in for Eugénie – and the one above it for Thomas and a little back sitting room below usually given to servants and that would make a room for Thomas and for men servants to wait in – a large enough lodging for me – for 2 guineas per week, and hearing how plainly I live would board me (I finding tea and wine for myself) and my 2 servants for 20/. per week each -called at Fisher’s - not returned from Langton - left my note for him - called and took my leave of Dr Belcombe he slightly entered upon the subject of the uncomfortableness of Miss (Harriet) Bagshaw’s temper  saying there were faults on both sides her and mamma’s I think he fancied the latter had spoken to me on the subject but I gave him no reason to believe she had  but simply said the duty of a child to a parent was clearly defined  it was his interest to support his wife as well as he could adding that the less little Mariana was at home the better  he said π- had all her own way with her he never interfered and would not interfere well said then I am satisfied - took my leave of Mrs. HS. Belcombe and then about (before) 12 went to Mrs Belcombe’s - Mrs Milne and her son Charles - he at the 3rd Ec. virg. - puzzling over male me galatea petit etc. - very backward boy of 16 - helped him and soon found the boy would learn if he had better teaching - a gentleman came in and .:. Mrs. Milne and I retired to her room till the carriage came to take me up - asked her to go a little way with me and we were off at 12 40 and she sat in the carriage while I went to Mr. Grey’s office - he had taken away I think 4 sheets and added 3 to my will and done it to my mind very cleverly - on consideration, he had left out the trusteeship as unnecessary, the executors being enough - I had every sheet to sing, and signed my name to I think 13 - done up in a parcel ready to be left at Hammersleys - legacies to be named another time by codicil - all this took about an hour - then Norcliffe having sent to say he should like to see me for a few minutes went to him for 10 minutes and then finally off - flirting moderately with Mrs Milne  she thought me cool enough about π- but when I said she had still great influence over [me] she Mrs M- bade me not [to] talk of her  hoped I should always feel towards her Mrs M- as I did at present wished she could write to me but I said I was too uncertain where to be found well  why did I go because said I  the less I am in England the better  for some time to come  kissed two or three times rather affectionately sat down Mrs. Milne at the far end of Drighouses at 2, and took up vol. 1 Mrs. Elwood’s journey over land to India  - richly wooded fine country about Aberford situate at the bottom a little narrow vale, and a pretty picturesque little limestone-built town, with a nice church and [gentlemans’] woods all round the town – White Swann Inn, and the waiter brought very good little thin biscuits to the carriage door – rich, well wooded, undulating country to Wakefield where several long chimneys obscure the atmosphere – Strafford arms – fine drive from W- to Barnsley but long chimneys smoking in all directions – Barnsley a substantial, largeish, stone built, steep-situated trading town – beautiful country (hilly) from B- to Sheffield – the extensive woods of Wentworth house (Lord Fitzwilliam) very ornamental -  Alighted at the Tontine Sheffield at 9 20 - too late for Roger’s shop which is shut at 8 - had tea and cold roast beef – read the last 20pp. vol. 1 Mrs. Elwood having read all the rest except the 1st 26pp. in the carriage – then skimmed over the 2nd volume (except about 70pp. read at Shibden) till 11 ½ - then wrote a line or 2 to Booth to tell him to send the 2 volumes to the library, and made them up into a parcel to go at 7 in the morning to ‘Mr. Booth, bookseller Halifax, per Wellington 19 June 1833’ –fine day till 7pm. soon afterwards a little rain, and more or less all the way from Barnsley to Sheffield – F63 ½° now at 12 25 tonight

[misslisterkeepsajournal]

1826 Sunday 2 April

6 40/60 11 10/60

Incurred a cross last night thinking of Pi [Mariana] had first put up my right middle finger but this never does any good

Read a few pages over again iii de Faublas - wrote the rough draft of the index of the 13th 14th and 15th of last month - Letter 3 pages the ends and under the seal from M- [Mariana] (Scarbro', Dr. Belcombe's, King Street) - ....

'Fred why did you give me leave to act for myself when I had no longer the power I sent my letter to Mr Charles Lawton on Monday it was not decisive but sufficiently so to leave it in his own power to recal me or not I told him Fred 'that my affection was gone my esteem shaken that I had no feeling left which could support me under a repetition of the annoyances I had had to contend with consequently it was not likely that I could meet them again with calmness that thro Stephs and your interference the present disagreement might be made up but that I felt convinced in my own mind it was but for a time for I feared I knew us both too well to expect on either side the bearance or for which I knew it would require to ensure our living together' I also repeated much that I had said before and certainly my letter was such that not one man in a thousand I think would act as I suspect Mr Charles Lawton will but Fred he knows too well the consequences to himself of my leaving him and selfishness will in this instance as in every other occurrence of his life turn the scale his letters are the most incoherent compositions you ever read.....Fred in this business I have not allowed my own opinion to have any weight you said I must return and Steph said so too it was the remembrance of what you had said that made me listen to his arguments that were strong and perhaps as far as the world was concerned convincing but I am no longer a servant of the worlds further than is consistent with religious or moral duties'

Pi [Mariana] goes on expressing herself well on the subject very well for the general eye her letter would do her credit she told me when here if it had not been for me she should not have been with him now but did she deceive herself for is she not now minded to leave him chiefly to be with me I do not think she calculated on my opposition to the world she appears exemplary alas the world knows not our connection or how we have always cheated delta [Charles Lawton] our intercourse is what adultery and when she leaves him it is to come to me I am attached to her she has my heart and faith tho I last night said to myself in bed I would rather go abroad without her wished to be a while at liberty and have my fling in Italy it is a bad business she ought not to have married -

'I think on dits [gossip] would have passed lightly over me as far as regarded merely myself our greatest difficulty would have been with regard to each other and Fred would it have suited you to run the risk of having me altogether to provide for this might have been for as difficulties present themselves at present they might be considered in surmountable were the comforts I decidedly give withdrawn' -

She says of Mrs Milne

'you have been gulled most entirely Harriet certainly was not ill here and I am perfectly convinced the feeling she has expressed for you is neither to your credit or hers it was an excitement which you or anyone else might have awakened for had she possessed one particle of virtuous regard she could not have spoken of you to me in the way in which she did' ......

Pi [Mariana] makes allowances for me and behaves very handsomely.....

'my heart my thoughts have never had a temptation to wander had yours been as little provoked you would doubtless have been equally steadfast' -

Left my room at 9 1/2 (that the housemaid might make the bed and got to church in time) and went into the drawing room and at 10 1/2 had written sealed and directed 3 pages and the ends of a letter in answer said I was glad my last has been too late to do mischief - I repented of what I had written the moment it was gone - 'my judgement slumbered in that bitter moment on the pillow of regard' but I was now myself again I had said she must return and so had Steph and we were right whatever happened all was well done now all things had surely worked together for good I could convince when we met again that she had never so much cause to be happy I should not in future quarrel with the risk of having to provide for her altogether said I saw nothing but sunshine I would bring forward a thousand convincing arguments when we met I could not hint at now bade her take them on trust till then I was as happy as she could wish me to be in her absence she had done me an infinity of good about Mrs Milne hoped never to behold her again but if I should it would not matter Pi [Mariana] herself would soon own that what had happened was for our I should never forget the allowances she made for me and she should have nothing to regret in future that I could prevent in fact my letter was one of comfort said I did not see what could be better than what she wrote on Monday to delta [Charles Lawton] mentioned his letter on Friday as sufficiently consistent and proper and concluding with the hope of my witnessing the return of their regard and happiness for that he seemed to think that Stephs influence would induce her to return it was on all accounts best that he should his obligation due to Steph I think my letter will surely set her at ease and she will perhaps have left him with a tolerably good grace before very long -

'Harriet did give your message to my mother - she read it herself, and returned H- [Harriet] the letter saying 'Probably Miss L- [Lister] and I may never meet again - Tis better we should not' Anne told me this - she has never mentioned your name to me, tho' I have given her opportunities'....

Said I was satisfied on this subject - bade her give my love to them all, and to her mother in particular, and tell her, I was satisfied she had read my message thro' Mrs. M- [Milne] assured that she would now for ever acquit me of the charge of ingratitude for her former kindness, and do me the justice to take as the last and best mark of respect I could now pay her, my complying with her wish in avoiding, as far as I could, the possibility of our ever meeting again -

Gave George my letter for the post to 'Mrs. Lawton Dr. Belcombe's King street Scarbro'' - (my last was directed in this way - the 1st time I ever directed to her Mrs. L- [Lawton]) and went in to breakfast at 10 1/2 - Read my aunt the whole of M-'s [Mariana's] letter except a line or 2 about Mrs. M- [Milne] my aunt behaves very handsomely wishes Pi [Mariana] to go back now but thinks she will perhaps have left him by the time we go abroad and will receive and treat her as her niece and if she has nothing she share with us this was more than I expected and I shall not forget it -

Read aloud the morning service, and the 1st of Polwheles sermons (on the magi following the star, and worshipping our saviour) - inadvertently read the epistle and gospel before the communion service and then missaid the 6 middle commandments alas! my mind was astray - then slept 1/2 hour - then skimmed over the last Yorkshire Gazette, and read a good deal aloud to my aunt -

Thomas Greenwood came about 4 this afternoon and brought his foreman Turner with the plan they have made for building (for about £1100, or £1200) 3 shops at Northgate to let for £40 a year each - It wont do at all - but went as gently over this ground as I could - said we should not like to do much at present - might build up the ruined cottage to let for £14 or £15 a year, and no more - but should change the back entrance to the house - Greenwood would take nothing for his time and trouble so told him I would give his man something, and gave him 5/. -

Had come upstairs for 20 minutes before reading the morning service and also for about 1/2 hour between 3 and 4, then again at 4 40/60 and then and at these 2 times before wrote the whole of this journal of today which took me till 5 25/60 - writing my journal always does me good - I am always more composed - Dressed - dinner at 6 1/4 tea and coffee at 8 - afterwards read almost wholly aloud the 1st 106 pages volume 1 Granby that M- [Mariana] brought us to read - rain during last night - damp and drizling till between 9 and 10 this morning - afterwards fine day - Barometer 1 1/2 degree above changeable Fahrenheit 42° at 9 3/4 p.m. at which hour came up to bed - E..O.. read over again from page 134 to 163 (examining the words) iii de Faublas -  

Reference: SH:7/ML/E/9/0079

[skgway]

1825 May, Tues. 17

6 1/2

11 3/4

Gave Hotspur oat cake. Dawdled over one thing or other – Put on my new pellise, new London hat, and a pair of cloth boots unworn before. Breakfast at 9 – 

Took George in the gig and off to Haugh End to call on Mrs. Henry Belcombe at 9 3/4 – Drove there in an hour – Found them at breakfast – They were going out – Mr. Edwards carriage – Would call at Pye Nest, Shibden, etc. – Stood an hour and then all off – Drove after them – 

We called at Pye Nest – Mr. Butter (called Captain) Butter there – Said a horses foot and had always be washed and picked the moment he came into the stable after having been out, however small the distance might have been – He gave his horses lineseed chiefly on account of their coat – About a quart of lineseed put into a bucket which being filled with boiling water and covered was left to stand till morning – This was enough to mix with the corn of 3, some times 6 horses a day – It was good to mix it with chopped hay, and he mixed it also with chopped oat straw this latter straw being good to keep horses cool –

From Pye Nest, we went round the moor and stopt at the new assembly rooms to see them – Very convenient good rooms – The ball-room a very handsome room – From here took Mrs. H[enry] S[teph] B– [Belcombe] to see the old church – Then to see the piece-hall – I hurried a little in driving home and got here about 5 minutes before them – They got here at 2 1/2 and stood till 4 – Looking at my Parisian costumes amused and detained them – 

Mrs. H[enry] S[teph] B– [Belcombe] and I walked a little tête-à-tête on the terrace – I had gone up into her room with her for above 1/4 hour before we left Haugh End – She apologized most handsomely for not having answered my letter, in fact made the amenda honorable as well as possible – She had been miserable at first at the idea of Steph’s leaving Newcastle – He was getting on so well in the county – She thought it running a great risk – But now did not repent having gone to York, and would do all she could to be amiable to all parties – 

It was the suspicion that Mrs. Milne flirted too much with Mr. Meene that made all the quarrelling. Mr. Meene having to sail along the Humber somewhere below Hull in a joke asked Mrs. Milne and Lou to go with him. Mrs. M[ilne] took him at his word and was therefore from home when Milne arrived. He did not like this and behaved most rudely to Mr. Meene, all which was resented and the M’s [Milnes] and the Petergate party can never be on terms again. 

Harriet thought Mrs. Milne injudicious to go and I said I agreed with her, but really she appeared to me altogether inclined to be amiable to them all and spoke very handsomely and fairly. She supposed and hoped she and 𝛑 [Mariana] had parted good friends. Thought I to myself, one ought to hear both sides. She said there was nobody whose friendship she valued so much as mine and really she seemed to speak truth. She hoped to see me in York, should always have a bed for me and nothing could be more civil or do more to set all right. I told her I had made rather dishonorable mention of her to 𝛑  [Mariana] lately, two or three days ago. But the thing should now blo[w] over and I would think no more of it – 

After they left us (Mrs. Henry Priestley, Mrs. H[enry] S[teph] B– [Belcombe], Miss Salisbury and her brother Mr. Priestley S– [Salisbury] of Liverpool) sat talking to my aunt till after 5 – Went out to the new footpath at 5 1/2 – Got back at 6 40/60 – Dinner at 6 3/4 – My father and Marian called – Just before they came, told my uncle and aunt the three step business with 𝛑  [Mariana] last September twelve month. They at heart take my part – 

A little tired and sleepy in the evening – Very fine day – Barometer 3 1/2 degrees above changeable, Fahrenheit 49º at 9 50/60 p.m., at which hour came up to bed – It just struck me, I had told Mrs. H[enry] S[teph] B[elcombe] I had nothing to send to M– [Mariana], and I ought to send the Chrisophraes [Chrysoprase] ornaments (necklace, bracelets, and earrings beautifully set in gold 850 francs) –

Wrote one page of a 1/2 sheet note to Mrs. H[enry] S[teph] B– [Belcombe] and made up the parcel for George to take at 6 1/2 in the morning – Just wrote on the inside of the paper in which I wrapped the box, that I had not time to write a note but begged M– [Mariana] to unpack the necklace (untwist it) carefully – All this kept me up so long – E [two dots, treating venereal complaint] O [two dots, marking discharge] –

[sideways in margin] Mrs. H[enry] S[teph] B– [Belcombe] brought me a full halfsheet note from Miss Marsh (York) – She is not well and does not go to Winterslow – “Change in life so that I may be better another year or dead” – 

Examples of 19th Century chrysophrase jewelry. Chrysoprase was a favorite stone in England at the beginning of the 19th century, being set round with small brilliants and used for brooches and rings. At the present time it is said to be regarded by some as a “lucky stone.” Unlike emerald which owes its green color to the presence of chromium, the color of chrysoprase is due to trace amounts of nickel compounds in the form of very small inclusions.  [x]

[skgway]

1825 May, Sun. 15

6

11

Gave Hotspur oat cake – From 7 40/60 to 9 1/2 reading aloud to myself from page 42 to 50 (very carefully) volume 1 Rousseau Confessions – I read this work so attentively for the style’s sake – Besides this, it is a singularly interesting and surely unique display of character –  

Letter from Mrs. H[enry] S[teph] Belcombe (Minster Yard York). 2 1/2 widely written pages, but enough (beginning “Will you listen to the voice of a suppliant praying for pardon?”) to oblige – To induce me to excuse her never having my letter of last July – She begs me to drive over and call on her at Haugh-End next Tuesday; and it is my intention to do so – “I could explain all these things to you so much better if I saw you ....... you cannot think the heartfelt pleasure it would give me – I long to talk to you and tell you how we are going on in every way – I have so much to say to you so do oblige your ever affectionate friend” – She addresses me “my dear chère” – but twice in the letter calls me Miss Lister – If I have an opportunity, I shall be candid – 

Went down to breakfast at 9 3/4 – Off to the old church at 10 40/60 – Too late. They were just finishing the psalms – Mr. K– [Knight] the vicor) preached 1/2 hour from Isaiah xxvi 4 – Exhortative – Got back at 1 1/2 –

Meant to have written to Mademoiselle de S– [Sans] but took up the last number (22) of the Retrospective Review, and could not leave it till 4 ½ when I wrote the above of today – Read the latter part of the article on Lithgow’s Rare Adventures, the whole of that on Fynes Moryson’s Itinerary, and part of that on Patten’s History of the Rebellion in 1715. All very interesting – 

Vide particularly page 359 Lithgow’s sufferings from the Inquisition at Malaga .. “we believe the story to be perfectly unique . . . . . no other individual has survived to publish so minute our account of his sufferings to the world. It is surprising that this most extraordinary narrative has not been made better known” – vide vide – 

At 5 went down stairs – Read aloud the evening service – No sermon having got a little cold, but above all feeling my chest a little delicate – Yesterday and Friday mornings spat a very little blood, and felt a soreness as if my chest had been rather strained – I think or fancy it may arise from holding the yard wand to put my shoulders back for five or more minutes every morning, for this is worse than my umbrella which i used to substitute for it in Paris. I have lately felt a sensation as if my chest had been too much stretched open. I shall cease this plan a little. I had better have a round back than a delicate chest – 

Dinner at 6 35/60 – In the evening read aloud to my uncle and aunt many of the passages I had marked in reading no. 22 retrospective review this afternoon – Very fine day – Barometer 2 1/2 degrees above changeable, Fahrenheit 57 1/2 at 9 3/4 p.m., at which hour came up to bed and wrote the last 8 lines of today – E [two dots, treating venereal complaint] O [one dot, marking discharge] –

[skgway]

1821 Jan., Tues. 9

9

1 1/2

Had two kisses of Anne last night, by two struck. The last pretty good, the first little or nothing to me. She was not near enough. And besides, had such a nervous shaking –

In spite of the damp, rainy, disagreeable day, went out (alone) at 12 – Sat an hour with Miss Marsh – Another [hour] at the D– [Duffin]’s and 1 1/2 hour with Mrs. Anne, who made herself very agreeable – 

Miss Balfour came in while I was with Miss M– [Marsh], daughter of General Balfour, a friend of Mr. D– [Duffin]’s from Edinburgh and who has taken Mr. Robert Swann’s house in Mickelgate for a year – Not struck with her – She is well enough, I should guess. Tho not au fait in tip top society. Not all vulgar, but not the easy polish of finished society – 

Did a few commissions etc. and got home at 4 – Nobody but ourselves with, either yesterday or today – Mrs. M– [Milne] and Anne went off to bed before 10, on account of their colds – 

Talked principally to Eli[za], which Anne afterwards found fault with, but I made my peace by assuring her of my judiciousness. Closeted with Mrs. B[elcombe] a good while. Consented to write her an anonymous letter about Toty’s drinking – Talked to Eli[za] about Arthur Heywood’s seducing the serjeant sons’ governess. The woman herself chiefly in fault, and about Harriet and π [Pi - Mariana] – 

Sat up talking to Eli[za] till very near 1 – Damp rainy day –