| Description | Particular entries concern the death of Queen Victoria. Charlotte writes that there are 'very alarming accounts of our dear queen all day' on 21 January and reports that 'our very dear queen passed away.. at Osborne'the following day. At church on 27 January she mentions that the pillars, gallery and pulpit are draped in black, and notes that she is occupied reading accounts of the queen's life in 'The Times'. She also describes details of the funeral in entries for 2 and 3 February.
Charlotte and Mary both continue with their hospital visiting and other community work. Charlotte also helps with household tasks and she engages a new cook on 9 May. Sidney is fully recovered from his illness and continues to work as a curate at Horningsham. Cecil spends a great deal of time at Meopham, Kent. Charlotte reports the death of her aunt Selina (Nina) on 21 October.
Leisure activities include a holiday at Folkestone, 1-10 June. Sidney visits the swimming bath and plays lawn tennis, and they go to hear the Hungarian band on the Lees on 5 June. Mary, Sidney and Bennett take a trip to see the 'beautiful American plants at Saltwood' on 4 June. Charlotte and Mary visit Frome on 26 July and go on to Horningsham to see Sidney on 29 July where they attended a garden party the next day. The summer holiday in August and September is spent in Whitby.
Charlotte gives the usual details about her frequent spells of ill health, and reports that 'both Mary and I were vaccinated by Dr Coates' on 2 October.
Reading matter includes Paget's 'Miracle of Repair', 'Litany of Penitence', 'The Story of Dr Pusey's Life', 'Gospel of the Resurrection', 'History of the Jesuits in England' and 'Wilberforce on the Incarnation'. |