| Description | Several diary entries concern Mary's health problems. She continues to be treated by Dr Webb, and has an operation on her nose on 25 January. Two days later, the doctor is 'quite satisfied' with her progress but Charlotte notes on 31 January that her face is still swollen, and the doctor visits every day. Further surgery is required 'under cocaine' on 15 February. Mary goes to convalesce at Bournemouth on 25 February for a week. The doctor visits on 10 March and finds 'great improvement in her eyes' but her nose still being treated as late as 24 May. Mary is reported as suffering from lumbago on 22 October. Charlotte also gives details about her own health. She notes that she begins taking gl[ucose?] syrup 3 times daily on 23 March and she writes that she is suffering from piles and eczema on 19 May. She also continues to be treated for her prolapsed uterus.
Charlotte's time is spent socialising with Cecil, Ethel and the grandchildren, and with her brothers, writing letters, visiting other friends, and hospital visiting. She also regularly attends church. Mary is involved in committee work. Details about the running of the house are occasionally included. Charlotte 'interviewed Annie Parselow and engaged her to come here as a good plain cook' on 18 September and she writes that 'Anderson's men' are cleaning the cistern and gutters on 30 September.
Charlotte and Mary take a holiday near Frome on 5 June. They see Sidney, who bicycles over to where they are staying, and Charlotte mentions a discussion about a living for Sidney on 6 June. She refers to his 'difficulties at H'[orningsham?] on 9 June. Charlotte also visits Shiplake on 19 June and on 22 June makes the journey to 'dear old Harpsden church and my darling husband's grave, then to see the beautiful lych gate'. The summer holiday is spent in Folkestone and Charlotte and Mary hear the band in the Pleasure Gardens on 10 August, visit Radnor Park on 12 August and walk on the Lees, sit on the beach and on the pier. Charlotte often travels in a bath chair. While in Folkestone, Mary goes to see 'The Englishman at Home' on 25 August.
Reading matter includes 'Sladen on Egypt', 'Life of an Empress', and the usual sermons and religious material.
The diary contains loose enclosures: a letter to Charlotte from Father White, her confessor, dated 22 April 1909, sent from Florence; and a newspaper cutting dated 1900 reporting the conferral of Oxford university degrees, including Sidney's MA degree. |