May 1846 (part 2)

Sunday 17th May 1846

Had very indifferent night last night, Mother being very ill, which broke my rest.  Rose about half past 6 o’clock and met Ann corner Rathbone Place and Oxford Street.  At half past 7 sent her onwards to Paddington whilst I breakfasted at coffee shop in Oxford Street.  Overtook her in Edgware Road and went to Great Western Railway station and took place for Ealing at half past 8 o’clock.  Arrived there quarter before 9, walked from thence to Hanwell, first round the back of asylum by canal; afterwards made for Greenford where we arrived about 12 o’clock and after service dined in the church porch as the doors were left open (bread and beef).  Afterwards cut initials and date (NB 1846) on the paving of the same (paved with red tile) very distinct.  Kissed Ann on every stile.  She afterwards same to me.  Returned through Hanwell and whilst walking thereabouts met Richard Bond junior with a young woman in gig opposite asylum gate.  Left Hanwell half past 4 for Ealing Station and started from thither to Paddington where arrived 6 o’clock and walked home by the New Road etc.  Weather very cloudy in morning.  12 o’clock some rain.  After 2 cleared off and remained fine.

Monday 18th May 1846

Took 2 rooms on second floor, 9 Richmonds Buildings, for self and Granny from this day.  Rent commences at one florin per week, hence I commence paying rent.  Hitherto I have never paid any towards it so that I may say I commence having a home of my own from today.  Old Granny Shepard sleeps at her lodging tonight, the room not yet being in readiness for her, though mine is prepared for me.  Slept in it for first time this night.Wednesday 20th May 1846

The first stone of the north wing of the University College Hospital, Gower Street, was laid by Lord Brougham, President of the Institution.  The expense of completing the edifice which has been just commenced is estimated at £4,000.  Shop opened next door to top of gateway at Wharf, in the business of cheesemonger and butterman, this day.  Reading Watt’s Buildings finished at last, having been in operation upwards two years.  Granny Shepard slept at her new lodging in Richmonds Buildings first time.

Thursday 21st May 1846

Saw sight never saw before - the charity boys of St Margaret’s Westminster beating the boundaries of their parish.  Met them at Elliot’s Brewery gate, which is shown to be one of the boundaries by a stone there fixed.  There they formed a ring, and after singing a hymn they all set up an hurrah! beating the stones with long canes, which they carried whilst those outside beat their canes over those inside, some with violence (though all in fun), which they inside endeavoured to return, which amidst sticks flourishing, boys hallowing, and masters chiding, presenting a novel scene.  After which they marched in procession, three beadles with maces and cocked hats taking the lead, preceded by men with ladders to get over any walls where necessary.  After came the master and teachers of the several schools carrying rods and canes, then the Green Coat boys, the Black Coats and the Blue Coats, followed by divers schools in the said parish, all carrying long canes.  I followed them to the boundary in William Street, Knightsbridge, which separates Westminster from St Luke Chelsea, where I left them, having already exceeded my dinner hour.  Met Billy White, a former playmate of mine, in St James’s Park, whom I have not seen for nearly two years before.

Friday 22nd May 1846

Mother very bad all last night.  Poor old Granny Shepard called up to assist.  This evening took walk with Ann about the Strand etc and purchased Ainsworth’s ‘Latin-English and English-Latin Dictionary’ dated 1761 (not having money sufficient in pocket, gave Ann one florin to get it me tomorrow) at old booksellers in Holywell Street, Strand.

Saturday 23rd May 1846

Edward Heskett discharged from his situation as assistant clerk at Eccleston Wharf with week’s wages in advance.  Took dose of castor oil for first time in my life.  James Burton taken on as apprentice to lighterman, this being his first week.  The said James is son of Ben Burton that brings the craft from the lock to the several merchants.

Sunday 24th May 1846

Rose between 6 and 7 and after putting room little straight and having breakfast, went to St Luke Middlesex.  Went round to Shoreditch to see Mrs Skirriker, but was too late.  Dinner cold beef and lettuce and salad.  Took walk in afternoon alone to St Pancras Churchyard and there took down few epitaphs.  Spent evening with Ann at her lodging in Stephen Street and accompanied her to Dorset Place, Dorset Square, on an errand.  Had pint cider and biscuits in High Street, Marylebone, and returned home.  Queen Victoria completes her 27th year this day.  Thomas Paver, Wright’s carman, also completes his 27th year today being born same day as the Queen, May 24th 1819.

Monday 25th May 1846

Paid rent today for first time.  Richard Latham is clerk in private office as successor to Edward Heskett.  Her Majesty Queen Victoria safely delivered of a princess at five minutes before 3 o’clock this afternoon at Buckingham Palace.  Her Majesty is since doing well.

Editor’s note:  The birth recorded here was that of Princess Helena.

Tuesday 26th May 1846

Received a letter from Mr Ballingall relating to the present illness of my mother in which he hits me very hard, calling me an undutiful son with a heart harder than stone in which he is perhaps not far out, and begs me to immediately relieve her and my father-in-law.  I can only answer that it is next to impossible to exchange a law of nature.  When a child is born into the world it partakes of those passions, grows with its growth and strengthens with its strength.  In me were born the passions of selfishness and viciousness which cannot suddenly be changed but by a great power above.

Wednesday 27th May 1846

Grand Derby day at Epsom.  Saw plenty of company returning therefrom down Grosvenor Place, which was each side thronged with spectators shouting out and hurrahing, which immediately fronting St George’s Hospital I thought improper.  Mr George Lea absent all day, no doubt at the races, though much more quietly done than last year.  Winning horse ‘Pyrrhus the First’ the property of Mr Gully, formerly a celebrated pugilist in the prize ring.

Editor’s note:  The trainer of the ‘Pyrrhus the First’ was John Day, who was later accused of malpractice in the 1868 Derby by Admiral Rous.  The winning jockey was Sam Day, the great-great uncle of Lester Piggott.

Friday 29th May 1846

Made a sad mistake by loading wagon from East Hettons instead of Hettons.  Saw Mr William Lloyd, brother to Thomas, collecting coals at Wharf.  Restoration of Charles II – Chelsea pensioners each wore an oak apple in their caps in commemoration thereof.

Saturday 30th May 1846

Henry Waters completes his 18th year today.

Sunday 31st May 1846

Rose at 6 o’clock and breakfasted.  Afterwards went to Globe Coffee House, corner of Worship Street and Square, kept by a Mr Stacey, and read some news of the week.  From thence to King’s Head Court Chapel to see Mrs Skirriker.  Met her on Cumberland Street.  She differed a little in dress since I last saw her by wearing a shawl instead of a cloak and a white bonnet instead of a black one.  Waited half an hour after service to see her, but she did not come out, so I made best of my way homeward.  Afternoon went with intention of going to Paddington Street Burial Ground, but could get no admittance, so went in Old Marylebone instead.  Went home to tea and stopped the evening till 8 o’clock.  Had Ann up in own room, but there got to naughty tricks on the bed.  After which took walk with Ann round about Hyde Park and returned home by Piccadilly.  Had some cider and biscuits corner of Great Marlborough Street and Poland Street.

The weather this month has been very beautiful, especially the latter part, which has been a continuance of fine weather without any intermediate rain for the last three weeks.

Nearly all this month my mother has been confined to her bed with acute pains in the back, which, with a wound in her breast, renders her helpless, and at present there is no sign of her mending.

Coals sold at Eccleston Wharf: 1353 tons.

Nathaniel's adventures continue in June