Saturday 12th December 1846

“Met Miss Murray, a former servant of Lea’s, just come from St … Hospital, whither she had been to see her father, who has lately met with a severe accident, having had his arms broken with an engine (he is an engineer by trade). Bought large book or journal for forthcoming year 1847 at shop of Miscellaneous Repository, … Street, Soho, near Greek Street, for 1s (very well satisfied with my …). Had it been made to my order, it could not suited me better for the binding and ruling and number of leaves, being 66. The demolition of the ornamental colonnade forming part of the south wing of Buckingham Palace was commenced, from which point the new wing begins. The excavation of both wings fronting St James’s Park are complete and the foundations already laid.

Carried forward …”

Friday 11th December 1846

“Died this evening at his residence, the Foot Guards Suttling House, Whitehall, Mr Brice McGregor in the 65^th year of his age, formerly of the 3^rd Regiment of Foot Guards. He was a native of Argyleshire and entered at Glasgow into the 3^rd Guards 1799. In 1821 he was discharged, receiving a handsome pension and appointed Keeper of the Foot Guards Suttling House. Afterwards appointed Yeoman of the … at St James’s, which place he held till his death. It is … he has left a … not less than £15,000 … liberal … many in … in … country and London. Snow has made its appearance for first time and continued to fall through the morning accompanied by a very sharp frost. The wife of William Filkins, carman, delivered of her first child since her marriage – a boy – about 11 o’clock am. Purchased an old edition of Herveys Meditation 1750 for 1s in Bozier Court, Tottenham Court Road.”

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[Editor’s note: A suttling house provided food and drink to soldiers.]

Monday 7th December 1846

“A trial by jury took place this evening at office by Mr G Lea. The prisoner was young Gray, who was charged with having had the money for one and a half chaldrons coke which he had not delivered, but which he declared he had. He was cross-examined by Mr William Lee, who most strongly interrogated him, but without effect. I was but in as a witness, the lad Gray saying I gave him 3d beer money for shovelling the coke, which I have no recollection of. Appearances were so against him, and the father and son’s statements so contradictory, that it was settled the father should make good the coke.”

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[Editor’s note: No entries on 8, 9 or 10 December]

Sunday 6th December 1846

“Went to the church of St Mary Rotherhithe. Arrived there half past 10 o’clock; copied into scrapbook a curious inscription on church wall, Came through the Thames Tunnel homeward. At home in afternoon looking over Latin dictionary. Mother came down to tea (the first of her getting down stairs for two months), a poor emaciated creature looketh she, almost double, and obliged to support herself on a great stick. At tea she looked like more like her mother’s mother than her daughter, Granny looking a fresh coloured dame of 70 while mother looks extremely aged as approaching 90. — Had Ann up in evening. She hath hurt herself in the week lifting things above her strength. — “

Saturday 5th December 1846

“Mr Kent, plumber, painter, glazer, Crown Court, Soho, died between 12 and 1 o’clock this … .”

Thursday 3rd December 1846

“Planned out for new day book to be made by Harrison, printer, of 17 Oxford Street.”

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[Editor’s note: No entry on 4 December]

Wednesday 2nd December 1846

“Old Mr Herbert buried at St Pancras Old Church yard from the … .”