| Description | Particular entries concern the health of her family. Fred, along with Mary and Sidney becomes feverish and unwell in the middle of May, and Charlotte is under great strain nursing them. Fred in particular is seriously ill and the doctor visits on several occasions. He 'spent the day in great pain in the Boudoir', 17 May, is given sleeping draughts, 19 May, has a weeping abcess, 21 May, and it is not until 25 May that he is able to sleep without opiates. He still has a high temperature and requires a mustard and linseed poultice for his lung on 1 June. Fred and Mary make their first outing since the illness on 6 June, and shortly afterwards the family travel to Brighton where they stay for over a month in order for them to convalesce. Fred has to use a bath chair to get around as he is still very weak. While there, they see 'part of a terrible carriage accident' outside the windows of their lodging house on 18 June.
Charlotte continues to teach Sidney, and to take a class at the school. She takes on a new pupil, William Johnson, 27 February. She is also involved in the usual parish visiting and managing the Clothing club. It seems that the family keep cows, as a cowman is engaged on 16 February and she mentions that she 'named the cows and calves' on 6 March. Cecil finishes at Radley College on 19 December, after winning prizes throughout the year for Latin prose and grammar - noted on 27 Mar - and for Greek prose. He also wins the Golden Medal and VI form prize. Harold is still at school at Haileybury.
Other events include the visit of Mrs Alloway 'to attend to my feet, also did darling Fred's', 2 February. Fred goes to a cricket match at Lords on 19 July and they attend an 'archery and croquet gathering' at Greys Court on 4 August. Fred goes to Oxford to 'vote against Norton' who is apparently challenging the 39 articles and rudiments of faith in the Church of England. Charlotte writes on 13 December that he is defeated, with nearly 400 votes against him.
Reading matter includes 'Mozley on the Miracles', 'Trench on Parables', 'Westcott on the Resurrection', 'Wilberforce's Life', 'Historic Faith', 'Diary of an Idle Woman' and 'Elements of Religion' |