[1]

1881.

Feb 24 — at Bry St—

Mr Blunt to lunch— C. very genial & enjoyed it — also the Ritchies particularly pleasant — (on looking at letters of 41—47— the state of health was so far from suffering than of late years— constant languor sickness & headaches)

In May he much enjoyed Richter's playing, who came down with the Frankes for a few hours—

23rd a mention of heart with unwellness.

[1v]

June 2. to Penrith happy journey. C. in gay spirits—

Two or 3 small expeds w. him one across the lake—

sat about — Hen joined us— Went a drive with Wm also to look for lodgings for Huxleys — The walks sometimes too much for him— I went w. him up the valley & he went on — Also up grisedale — beaut — light on farm—

To Keswick — His anxiety to contrive for me to see the view—

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To How Town in steam boat— walked up the valley!!

The Lushington's visit & Miss North — party bright & pleasant

Happy Cambridge visit — joyous arrival at No 66 [Hill's Road, Cambridge]— admiring the house— pretty well all the time.

Miss Gladstone

Second week in Dec—

London visit C. very unwell—

His pleasure in the kind zeal of the son's in "giving up the study" to him — This remained fresh with him to the last. Lying on sofa drawing room looking at what he called Hen's shrine.

[2v]

I will put down some things for fear I shd forget if I live long — Always speaking a gracious & tender word when I came up at night—

"It is almost worth while to be so to be nursed by you"—

I don't know what he said to which I answered "you speak as if you had not done just the same for me"— Oh that I could remember more — but it was the same loving gratitude many times a day —

2

Constantly suggesting my staying with the others

"I can do quite well without you my darling"— Dr Moore & Allfrey on the 12th cheering him much — but much knocked up the next day & went to bed. Leonora [Horner] on Sunday. C. exerted himself & was most pleasant to her — played backgammon every evg. but one — His tenderness seemed to increase every day — liked being rubbed, George returned from West Indies on Ap 10—

[2v]

C. not up to talking for very long but enjoyed George's news— Dr Moore & Allfrey on the 12th. Their visit was comforting but he was utterly done up the next day & went to bed after luncheon—

On Sat. 16. R. & Hen came— when Ch. had half done his tea he rose & staggered to the sofa & fell half fainting on the cushion — He said it was the same sort of

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shock he had before but worse — he recovered soon but was carried upstairs & soon went to bed—

On Tuesday 18. at 12 at night he woke me saying "I have got the pain & I shall feel better or bear it better if you are awake"— he had taken the antispasmodic twice—

I will only put down his words afterwards "I am not the least afraid of death"— Remember what a good wife you have been to me — Tell all my children to remember how good they have been to me

[3v]

After the worse of the distress he said "I was so sorry for you — but I could not help you" — Then "there never were such good nurses as you (Fr) & Henrietta — Where is Mammy— "I am glad of it when told I was laying down—

"Don't call her I don't want her — said often It's almost worth while to be sick to be nursed by you"—.