| Description | Particular references include details of a new East window dedicated at St Nicholas church on 16 August; Charlotte's stays in London during which she visits an International Exhibition in May, and enjoys a private viewing of an exhibition of 'China and objets d'art' at Kensington on 5 June. The diary is dominated, however, by Frederic Bagot's proposal of marriage to Charlotte, delivered whilst taking a turn around the 'plantation walk' on 8 September. Visits soon follow to Harpsden Church and rectory, and Charlotte recounts details of the now almost daily meetings with 'dearest Fred', and correspondence with friends and relatives.
In addition to Charlotte's choral activities, there is also mention of her playing 'the harmonium in chapel', 26 September. Fred and Charlotte are married on the 29 October in a 'crowded' church with 'lovely roses strewn before' them. Their move into the Rectory is undertaken on 12 November, and on 2 December they plant an ?arancancia 'in commemoration' of their marriage. Charlotte's parish activities include taking the children for singing lessons, 27 November.
Reading matter includes Thackeray's 'Four Georges', 'Hours with the Mystics', 'Life of Queen Hortense', 'Lives of Archbishops', 'Les Miserables', Blunt's 'Parish Priest'. |