Sunday 6th September 1846

“Started quarter before 8 o’clock for Hendon by Primrose Hill and Hampstead. Had lift in carriage box above a mile beyond Hampstead Heath by offer of the coachman. Got to Hendon Church half past 10 o’clock. Picked and ate a quantity of blackberries in the lanes there, and took down some inscriptions from the tablets and tombs within and without the church. Interfered with by a policeman for not keeping the footpath and annoying the congregation by walking about the grounds. Dined at the ‘Greyhound’ Public House close to burial ground. Commenced cutting my initials and date on burial ground gate, but only completed ‘N B 1’ when I was interrupted by the sight of two policemen approaching, upon which I made off, leaving my job unfinished. Left Hendon Church about half past three and dawdled away an hour eating blackberries, when I made for home at a smartish pace, arriving thither soon after six, walking four miles per hour. — I tried to paw up Ann but she evaded me somehow, but I saw her comfortably seated in Tottenham Court Chapel where I let her remain unmolested, for which I am not sorry. — Very warm, distant thunder throughout the afternoon accompanied with a few large drops of rain. Had tea in coffee shop in Dean Street, opposite Little Dean Street.”

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 1st March 1846

“Rose at 6 o’clock. Went to coffee shop, Broad Street, St Giles’s – read news of the week.  On my way thither met Jack Richardson in Oxford Street. After breakfast made for St Mark’s Church, Kennington Common. Though there early, yet so crowded I could get no admittance, so bent my steps to St Mary Newington and there stayed. Sat in free seat, west side of church and north end, close against pew 34. Afternoon, made a fool of by A F, after waiting about Soho for an hour returned homeward. Had visit from Mr Guest who did not stop long but took M Ward to his place of residence (King Street, Snow Hill). After tea took walk with A F through Camden Town etc. — Round Albert Road. Turned up road to the right leading to a wayside cottage through a private road leading through Hampstead. Overlooked by two policemen kissing. — Returned same way homeward and arrived thence a quarter before 10 o’clock.  Mother taken very bad with pains in the back, supposed to be rheumatism.”

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[Editor’s note: No entry on 2 March]

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 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]

Sunday 18th January 1846

“Wore long gaiters, with drab breeches, for first time.  Went to the church of St Jude, Turks Row, Chelsea. Sat in pew opposite No 13 South Gallery, and about the centre of the church from east to west (a very plain church – economy seems to be the thing studied by the builders thereof). From thence made for St George’s Terrace, Chelsea Bridge, and dined with George Palmer and his wife, weigher and horsekeeper at Eccleston Wharf, and had a very nice dinner comprising roast pork, potatoes, greens, and plum pudding and gooseberry tart. Left at half past 2 o’clock for Soho Square, and proceeded from thence accompanied by Ann Fox to Paddington churchyard.  From thence to the Edgware Road through Kilburn to Hampstead. — Seated ourselves on a seat in one of … a breach of the peace.  Got a shade nearer to committing a capital offence. — Thence homeward through Hampstead Road … Town where Ann met a female acquaintance viz … place where she works ….”