September 11.—This day sat alone clearing out the dust traps, refitting up from kitchen to garret, working myself like a galley slave, removed between two and three thousand volumes, cleaned and varnished thirty pictures, washed all my old china and knick-knacks, worked with my servants and the char-women for three days successively. Talked much to the two char-women—such misery!! Told them how to make a bouilli instead of eating salt bacon, when they did get meat. One of them, a half naked creature, was a sentimentalist. I heard her say, in her slang brogue, to her comrade, “Kitty, dear, did iver ye read Caroline and Lindor? its an illegant story!” This must be Caroline of Litchfield. One of the painters said “Did you get a sup of ‘By yer leave, Charley?’” (read whiskey!)
September 12.—Went to Portran (Mr. Evan’s) to get rid of the smell of the paint.
September 14.—Returned to town; house finished and beautiful. Received a splendid present from the Baron Gerard, of his picture of Henry the Fourth entering Paris, the Tomb of Bonaparte, and Cupid and Psyche, all framed and hung up along with my other presents from eminent artists.
September 25.—Received my first invitation from Duchess of Northumberland. Received a deputation of weavers in their misery; they presented me a petition to assist them. I wrote them an answer.
September 24.—Dinner party at home; little
soirée
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September 30.—Begun my new work on France—out of materials in journals; don’t in the least know what I shall make of it; interrupted by a cours de toilette; an hour bien sonnée in my dressmaker’s hands. She is making up a fine tabinet dress for the Duchess of Northumberland’s party on Thursday.
