Diary of Anne Elizabeth Fisher, vol III

Written from 14 York Place, Portman Square [London], with 'miscellaneous memoranda' and list of books read 1854-55 at back. Includes unidentified dried flower in used blotting paper, small sketch of preacher, several pressed leaves and quote from Leigh Hunt. Notable entries include: (6 May) reflections on developments in the [Crimean] war; (9 and 16 May) visits to the Royal Academy, with detailed descriptions of paintings seen; (20 May) description of the French Ambassador's 'bal masque' at Hudson's House the previous week [ Annie did not attend in person] and the first appearance of the Princess Royal at the Drawing Room; (23 May) Don Giovanni at the Drury Lane Opera; (10 June) visit to the opening of the 2nd Great Exhibition, Sydenham Crystal Palace ("The Queen looked very flushed, cross, ungracious, and most unqueenly") - more detailed description of the building on 17 June; (23 June) visit to Benedict's 'grand concert' at Covent Garden Opera, including Lablache, [Guiseppe] Mario, Roncini, Tamberlick, [Guilia] Grisi, Mlle Bosio and Mme Viardot etc; (27 June-18 July) visit to Tatton Park to see [her first cousin] Mr Carter and family; (4 July) visit to the home of Mr [Wilbraham] Egerton at Tatton Hall, including a description of paintings in his collection; (18 July) on to the Lake District, including Windermere and Keswick, where they stayed with Abraham Fisher [her father's cousin] at Seatoller House, where her grandfather was born; (29 July - 3 August) stayed with 'the Vicar', the Professor and Isaac Fisher's brother, in Kirby Lonsdale [this entry and 27 August confirm that Professor William Webster Fisher was not a close relative, after all, but 'their intimate friend']; (15 - 19 August, 22 Sept) Cholera epidemic in London, which appears to be attacking the higher classes of society more this time - Annie's absence from London is well-timed and they continue from Seaton to Harrogate and then on to Ben-Rhydding to delay their return further; (23 August) death of Isaac Fisher the day before at Downing; (22 Sept) news of the Crimean War, although contradictory accounts in the press; (25 Sept) marriage of the Professor [William Webster Fisher] to Kate Woodham, visit to the Pump Room in Harrogate; (2 Oct) dinner with Mr Wright at Ben-Rhydding who had spent 11 days with Emperor Nicholas at Magdeburg and described his fears of assassination and measures he employed to protect against it, (false) report of Sebastopol being taken; (3 Oct) returned to London by train (still 700 deaths per week from Cholera), with sketch of 'a double passenger - just a personification of one of Punch's fat old women'; (10 Oct) news of the battle of Alma and taking of town of Balaclava, cholera is 'making dreadful ravages in our army'; (14 Oct) subscriptions being collected - one day's pay/income - for the relief of soldiers in the East and their families at home; (6 Nov) reports of considerable allied losses in the war and (18 and 25 Nov) further updates of 'great doings in the Crimea'; (1 Dec) visit to the Panopticon [on east side of Leicester Square, later the Alhambra and Odeon cinema]; (3 and 17 Jan) visits to hear Mrs Fanny Kemble read 'King John' at the Literary Institution and 'Merchant of Venice'; (18 Jan) their box for the Crimea, containing bandages, lint, ointment, plaster, scissors, boots etc, sent to the Admiralty; (24 February) parts of the Thames frozen and [on 19th], 'the Queen and Prince drove round Hyde Park in a sledge'.