Thursday 16th April 1846

“Dragonetti, celebrated double-bass player at the Opera, died at Leicester Square.  He was a Venetian by birth and was born 1761 or 1762 and was aged upwards 84 years.

This day was sold by auction the houses forming the east side of Whittlebury Street for the enlargement of London and Birmingham Railway terminus, the present terminus being inadequate to the immense traffic on the above line. The Company have also purchased the new houses in Birchmoor and Cardington Streets, likewise the ground between Upper Seymour Street and Hampstead Road. An attempt made on the French King’s life by Lecomte, a woodranger, and which he narrowly escaped.”

Sunday 8th March 1846

“Rose early quarter past 6, went to coffee shop in Windmill Street, Tottenham Court Road to read weekly news. Went to church of St Olave Jewry in mistake, intending to go to St Lawrence – found it not out till seated in pew. Fine old church enough but rather dark.  Took walk alone (my companion feeling indisposed) through Marylebone, Lisson Grove, up Edgware Road leaving Kilburn to left to Hampstead over the Heath and homeward across the Fields, between the Hampstead and Highgate Roads, till I got to Taylor’s Alms Houses. A rather dirty tramp of it. Half pint beer and biscuits at public house, Hampstead Road. Made from thence to Gower Street Chapel and there saw poor Old Granny Shepard. — Gave her hint that I might shortly want to draw some money from the bank. — Thence to Tottenham Court Chapel, and took a little walk with Ann. One of the oldest houses in St Marylebone viz the ‘Rose of Normandy’ public house, 32 High Street, between Bowling Street and Devonshire Street, is now being pulled down to be rebuilt. It was a fine old house which stood back from the street and went down some stone steps, two stories high, the back whereof was formerly Marylebone Gardens. Adieu to relicks.”

Sunday 22nd February 1846

“Rose early, 6 o’clock, owing to my physic working me. Went to coffee shop in Little Rupert Street, Soho, to read news of the week. Made for St Katherine’s Church, Regent’s Park, very early, arrived there at half past 10 o’clock. Doors not open, crowd of people waiting. Bishop of Hereford preached in aid of the funds for building the new hospital in Brompton, now building, for consumption and diseases of the chest. The Bishop delivered a rather able sermon: text Hebrews ch13, v16. After service a collection took place.  Church filled before 11 o’clock with people of the upper class. After dinner took afternoon walk accompanied by Ann. Wore half-mourning gown and new straw bonnet trimmed black, first time, in respect to the decease of the late Mrs Burns. Walked through Regent’s Park. Rain threatened, halted, held up again. Proceeded onwards over Primrose Hill and fields to Hampstead Church. Rain fell in torrents, rather wetted. Sat awhile in church; looked over some monuments and tablets. Proceeded homewards raining very heavy.  Ann got very wet, self fared better. — Got across the fields to a narrow lane with an archway over. Sheltered ourselves under arch. Got to wicked tricks. — Rain gave over, hastened home. Had pint beer and two biscuits at ‘St George’ public house in Hampstead Road.  Met old Dicky Andrews in Euston Square, right well looked he. Home and to bed etc.  Old Granny Shepard very poorly. Mr Liston, the celebrated comedian, died this day, in his 71st year, being born August 1775, and on Monday 30^th (corrected to March 2^nd) was buried at a quarter before 10 in the cemetery, Kensal Green.”

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[Editor’s note:  Nathaniel added this note about the death of John Liston, the comic actor, some time after February 22^nd, but Liston actually died on March 22^nd and Nathaniel mentions the death again then. The burial took place on March 30^th.]

Sunday 15th February 1846

“Morning rose at 7 o’clock and went to coffee shop in Windmill Street, Tottenham Court Road, to read newspaper. After breakfast went to the church of St Katherine, Regent’s Park. The church was so full that I was obliged to sit along north side of organ.  After dinner took walk to Tottenham Court Chapel Burial Ground and sauntered about the south ground for upwards of an hour. Went home, tea, and afterwards escorted poor Old Granny Shepard to Gower Street Chapel. From thence returned and met Ann in Tottenham Court Road and took walk with ditto up Hampstead Road to Chalk Farm Fields etc. Returned home though Regent’s Park etc rather lame from wearing a stocking much too large some weeks back, which still affects left foot. Took refreshment at Pump, corner of Newman and Oxford Streets – gratis. Clara Lea, eldest daughter of George and Anna Matilda Lea, this day completes her second year. Two persons whom I knew well by name, though not by sight, were deposited in their last resting place this day. The one was a Mrs Burn, late of Stephen Street now of Tottenham Court Chapel Yard, south side, the other a Mr Suttell, late coal dealer of Bell Street, Edgware Road, now of Paddington Churchyard, Paddington Green. He was aged about 75 years.”

Sunday 1st February 1846

“Morning, went to the Church of St Katherine Cree, Leadenhall Street. Had for dinner an unusual dish viz roasted hare, and I wish it to remain unusual, for it is poor, dry eating when compared with beef or mutton. Afternoon, took walk with Ann Fox up Maiden Lane to Highgate. From thence to Hampstead. — Sat ourselves on a stone in the churchyard. — Returned by Hampstead Road etc. Homeward met George King and his brother Henry in Carlisle Street. He has lately left Nodes and is now in a lawyer’s office. Saw a very aged man at the top of Maiden Lane near Copenhagen House, with a large placard on his breast stating his age to be 92 years. Gave him a penny for the curiosity of himself, for old age was written in his face and limbs. — Paid into bank 20s, making total £16. –“

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[Editor’s note:  Of the four undertakers’ companies by the name of Nodes listed in the Kelly’s Post Office Directory for 1846, Nathaniel is referring to Henry Oliver Nodes, undertakers, 7 Chapel Street, Tottenham Court Road, where he had formerly worked until his dismissal, which is related in the diary on April 20th]