| Description | Particular details include the health of Charlotte's daughter Mary. She is vaccinated on 27 February, but then contracts bronchitis. Charlotte writes of her concerns for her full recovery. The division of duties between 'homemaker, head nurse and helping darling Fred' on 7 June explains much of the content of entry for this year. She gives Cecil 'his lessons', 28 July, and takes reading lessons at the school, 14 December, in addition to her domestic responsibilities and Club organisation. Vacations include trips to Leigh, and a visit to Lichfield where Charlotte is struck by 'the lovely cathedral and the truly beautiful reredos', 22 September. She also visits Wolverhampton where she comments upon 'St Peter's fine church and the art exhibition', 1 October.
Reading matter includes 'the whole of Gladstone's long speech upon the Disestablishment of the Irish church', 4 March, various collections of sermons, 'Self-Examination' by Rev. Orby Shipley, 'Life of Lord Lyndhurst', Stanley's 'Westminster Abbey', 'Customs of the Greek Church', Hook's 'Life of Cranmer', 'some of Miss Bronte', 14 September, and 'Recollections of Hursley Vicarage'. Fred 'reads some of 'The Merchant of Venice''. |