| Description | Charlotte occupies herself with the usual socialising, and hospital visiting. She often sees Ethel and baby Helen, either at Cecil and Ethel's flat near Battersea Park, or at her own home. She also gives details about household jobs she helps with, such as overhauling the contents of the medicine cupboard on 19 April and spring-cleaning the bedroom on 30 April.
Charlotte reports on various health problems suffered by herself and Mary during the course of the year. She often mentions her long-standing heart ailment, and Dr Phillips visits on 6 October. On being examined, he found that she had had a prolapse of the uterus, as well as evidence of her heart complaint. Charlotte writes on 26 November: 'my pain came & had to take brandy'. Dr Bland performs an operation for the prolapse on 6 December. Mary is ill on 22 December with a high temperature, and Dr Bland diagnoses a feverish cold, 'not flue., I am thankful to say'. Mary also has her first tooth 'put in by Mr. Hepburn', 15 February.
Leisure activities include a holiday with Mary and Sidney to Folkestone beginning on 14 June. While they are staying in the area, Mary and Sidney visit Dover on 21 June. Charlotte and Mary also take a holiday in Bridlington in August and September. They visit Sewerby on 21 August where they 'saw the v. well kept church...lovely ch.[urch] yard'. They also see the lifeboat being launched on 24 August and visit Scarborough on 3 September. Mary goes to Warminster to stay with Sidney in April and October and Sidney also pays a visit to London on 12 June. He accompanies his sister to the Bishop of London's garden party on 13 June. Mary also attends a Horticultural show in Vincent Square on 24 July.
Charlotte also mentions the occasional event of topical interest, including a 'great meeting in Trafalgar Sq. against the Education Bill', on 27 Oct.
Reading matter includes 'The Supernatural Life', 'Westcott's Victory of the Cross', 'Queer things at Sicily', 'Life of Communion', 'American Cousins', 'Autobiography of the Duke of Argyll' and 'Vision of India'. |