| Description | Particular details include the arrangement of a school feast for members of the children's choir, 1 January, the school inspection during which 'K. Gibbens got the Bishop's prize', March 23, and plans for new school buildings. Charlotte also describes the affairs of her husband, Fred, who has an altercation with Mr Hodges, 'his first painful and stormy vestry' meeting on 13 April, and she continues to chronicle the development of her eldest child, Cecil, who measures 2ft 11.25 inches on the 1 May. In August the family go to Weymouth for their holidays. Outings include visits to the Pier, Chesil Beach and the Weymouth races. Fred even rides to see 'a Roman camp', 24 August.
Fred continues the diary for the period in October when Charlotte gives birth to their third child, Mary. The remainder of the diary provides details of Charlotte's persistent health problems. On 16 December, she visits a Dr Read for an internal examination. The verdict is a 'relaxation of muscles and distension'. Outings now necessitate her travelling by means of a 'B: Chair' [bath chair].
Reading matter includes 'The Retreat of Moscow', 'Carter on the priesthood', Baring-Gould's 'Myth of the Middle Ages', Smiles' 'Huguenots', 'Impressions of Italy', 'Impressions of Florence', 'The Pulpit and the People' and Alford's 'How to Study?'. |