1826

28 May:  I devoted this day to calls and it was an agreeable day I walked to Greenwich where I saw my old friend Mrs Hays – she has been ill and bears marks of disease but she is recovering. I had not time to call on the Kays but I went to Benecke’s – There I met with the Sievekings and I chatted an hour pleasantly but B: has also been an invalide – I continued my walk towards Camberwell – Called there on Foss – and on Hundleby and with him on the Curtises – where I dined by invitation – I cannot say that the afternoon was remarkably agreeable – yet the sight of a happy and amiable family is always gratifying. Mr & Mrs ------- sister of Mrs Curtis were the rest of the party – I had a fine walk home – lost my way in a reverie by turning into a road that led into the Greenwich Road. Read Goethe’s Kunst am Rhein in the forenoon and a little of Wordsworth in the latter part of the walk – Both furnished me with ample matter for meditation – but all in favour of the English philosopher.

26 November:   As soon as I had breakfasted I walked to Greenwich – the day a fine hard frost. There I called on Miss Hayes and walked with her and left my card at Jos: Wedd’s – Miss H: I found less querulous and in better spirits than usual – Called at the Kays – they were not at home – Then called at Benecke’s and on Will: Benecke & his lady Miss Souchey a very amiable and sweet woman and very like Mrs Stock. They married in October – They are a respectable pair and from the respectability of their connections set out in life under the most promising auspices. I staid but a short time with them. Then I walked back – just in time to dine in the Hall – at the Bar Mess – After dinner I called on Charles Lamb – played picquet with then till late – a smart young man stepped in – Arnold, nephew of Ayrton and Moxon there – Home late and read in bed Mad: DeGenlis Memoires – the first vol: but a dull book.