Sunday 25th October 1846

“Chillblains getting very troublesome obliged to use onion and salt to them. Wore worsted stockings for first time this season. Went through the Temple and round the church and through the churchyard. Copied into scrapbook Latin inscriptions over door in Farrars Buildings as also one within the railings surrounding the church. Went inside and saw Knights Templars brass effigies. This I believe is the first time I was ever inside the Temple Church. From thence to St Mary Aldermanbury, Bow Lane. Rained very heavy all the way home, at times so violent that I was obliged to put up at different times. Beef sausages for dinner. A duel of an afternoon. Stopped at home translating Latin and taking to paper some particulars of Granny Shepard’s family from her own words, of which she tired and waxed wrath with me for bothering her so. — Had Ann up in evening as usual. — Afterwards took walk — with ditto — through the City by Fleet Street to St Paul’s churchyard and then returned home whence I arrived half past 9 o’clock. White puppy fell overboard in the canal and was drowned. Mr Richard Latham completes his 43^rd year (a fellow clerk at Eccleston Wharf).”

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[Editor’s note: No entries on 26 or 27 October]

Sunday 9th August 1846

“Rose at 6 o’clock, went to Westminster Baths, Charles Street, Oakley Street, Westminster Bridge Road, for first time this season. Home to breakfast half past eight and after ditto went to St Margaret’s Westminster. Very well amused with monuments etc therein; sat on free seats north side. After dinner took walk up Holborn to see the late smash of two houses falling down, 22 and 23 Middle Row, directly opposite Grays Inn Lane. Such a sight I never before saw. The ruins have not been disturbed since they fell (one day last week – Sunday last, 2^nd instant), and they falling straight have carried all the furniture with them, completely burying greatest part, but some few articles may be seen sticking out, of which I noticed a chest of drawers and a chair, and against the wall I saw a print or two hanging, with two looking glasses, presenting a novel sight. One flight of stairs was still hanging. This event had likely to have caused a great loss of life, but they providentially escaped, having just quitted the crumbling fabric. Walked on through the City and returned by Clerkenwell, noticing the damage done by the late storm and the fast increase of buildings in the new street in continuation with Farringdon Street. — After tea had Ann Fox up. After looking through prints got to our old tricks in which I got a little further than ever by just catching a glimpse of the hairs covering her c**t.  She wore a new straw bonnet for the first time. Hope to get on better hereafter in matters of secrecy. — Saw two persons of whom I have not seen a long time, Benjamin Smart and Henry Kitchingman – the former in Fore Street, Cripplegate, the latter in Dean Street, Soho – neither of whom spoke to me, not liking my appearance, being too ancient. At home the rest of evening.”

Good Friday 10th April 1846

“Rose soon after 5 o’clock and took walk to Chelsea Bun House – great bustle. From thence to Wharf till 10 o’clock. Coals sold 21 tons 7 sacks. Money taken £11 7s 0d. Liberated at half past 10 and went and afterwards took walk till dinner time. Had for dinner boiled beef and pancakes. Granny Shepherd present after. After ditto took walk with Ann through the City, Shoreditch, Kingsland, Stoke Newington, Stamford Hill to Tottenham and returned by the Western Road and ate some buns which she purchased, seating ourselves in a field near the four mile stone. Had pint porter at public house in the road upon which is written the following: ‘Queen Victoria halted here 1843’. Proceeded onward home down Maiden Lane, being none the fresher for my walk, my feet … me.”

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[Editor’s note:  The Chelsea Bun House on Jews Row (now Pimlico Road) was mentioned by Swift in 1711.  It is said to have been closed down in 1839 having sold 24,000 buns on Good Friday.]