OR2244/7a

Volume III Detailed Diary of Frederica Orlebar. stuck in front : Programme of welcome of Sir Charles Henry Rouse-Boughton and Lady Rouse-Boughton to Rouse Lench Court 23 July 1863. Newspaper cutting from Evesham Journal reference above 25 July 1863.

July 1863- July 1864

From: 1863 To: 1864

Diary itself (a) Feeling faint and weak, therefore did not go to church runaway with in a Pony Carriage at Alderman’s Field, Podington, carriage upset. Pony rolled on top of Frederica. (rough sketch of it) lucky escape 9 August 1863. sketch of her falling out of bed discusses proposed trip to sea – wants to go Welsh resort to avoid ‘smart’ people. Barmouth giving balls, so could not get in there. Aunt Fanny got them lodgings at Aberystwith ‘ a stupid place but bracing’ ‘House’ people (i.e. Orlebars senior) returned from Southsea. 18 August 1863. (b) Frederica and babies set off for Aberystwith via Acton Scott escorted by Mr Robe and Mary Orlebar 24 August 1863. describes visit to Acton Scott go by train as far as Borth, where railway ended. effect of embankment on increasing flooding in the area so now the line is finished. (c) Arrives at Aberystwith, lodgings arranged by Mr and Mrs Blore, friends of Aunt Fanny top (drawing room) floor Four guineas a week, so move down to ground where only Three guineas (dining room floor). Frederica had last been in Aberystwith when she was seven years old (i.e. 1845) Mary Rouse-Boughton (“Tom”) later Hopton joined her there. Small sketch of Beauchamp Orlebar as a baby wrapped in nurse’s black shawl. describes holiday there including bathing reading Silas Marner and “Round the Top” by Mrs Gaskell donkey rides paid for by Mary ‘for I only allowed myself the things, I could not, for health’s sake, do without” visit to Llanbaddow Church (sketch) visit from Sophie Thruston of Penall Tower, four miles from Machynlleth 8 September 1863. sketch of Frederica dressed in a crinoline, riding on a donkey. trip to sea had cost ever so much more than they could afford despite gift of £5 from Aunt Fanny and Mary paying own Board. Difficulties wth nursing – still weak purchased 8d. and 2 sixpenny dolls to dress in Welsh costume as present for Uncle. leaves Aberystwith, move on to Penall Tower (described) 18 September 1863. Sophie Thruston had a daughter called Marion (NB. Sophie was a Russell of Ashford and an old friend of Frederica’s) Frederica presented Sophie with “the book she had done for her of our fortnight in Wales” (see OR2244/1) (d) arrives at Wenlock, Shropshire, to meet Theresa Wayne, her sister and baby 21 September 1863. and then on to Larden Hall reluctantly starts weaning Beauchamp 23 September 1863. details ‘improvements’ in garden by Catherine Rouse-Boughton visit to Myttons, Aunt Fanny looks at the Library Rouse recognises photograph of his mother 25 September 1863. Christening at Shipton Church of Herman Francis Milford Wayne (son of Theresa) Aunt Fanny gave him £100 (as she did to Rouse and Beauchamp) (e) returns home 28 September 1863. weaned Beauchamp 30 September 1863. old school friend Gurney Gow comes to stay 15 October 1863. House people take them to ‘opening’ of Higham (Ferrers) Church (probably after Restoration) 22 October 1863. Gurney and Frederica set off for London (Frederica taking lessons with I. Fielding nephew of Copley Fielding in watercolours, paid for by Aunt Fanny. stayed with Aunt Fanny at her lodgings in Wilton Place attends dinner given by Benthams: guests included Sir Charles Lyell, Professor Thompson, Augustus Franks etc. ‘highly scientific party’, ‘mortally dull’, ‘a shot above me’ 26 October 1863. Aunt Fanny and Frederica have lessons with Fielding, not as good a master as they had thought. Aunt Fanny takes subscription for quarterly hiring Ackerman drawings for copying. Aunt Fanny pay half; Maud and Frederica a quarter each. sees Murillos at Stafford House bought photograph books for Richard Orlebar and little Edward, staying at the House. 6d each. met in London the Parrotts also Alice Gleig, schoolfriend. dined with Sartorises in Queen’s Square, strangers to them since they had gone to live in London. returns to Hinwick 3 November 1863. (f) mentions visiting poor and farmers Maud and Frederica copying Ackermans Richard out hunting for the first time 9 November 1863. visit of Aunt Fanny – Frederica’s visit to Mr. Harry Thornton at Goldington. Richard shooting visits Bedford, Timaeus doing binding for book of ‘The Children’ done by Frederica for Mrs. Orlebar visit to Willington to see Augustus Orlebar Arkwrights, living at ‘pretty old gabled house near the Thorntons' 20 November 1863. Aunt Fanny had read novel ‘Good Ghost of Woodstock’ to Uncle William Augustus. Hunt at Colworth - Aunt Fanny only goes so she can see ‘a great many of Mr. Magniacs treasures’ some had been in the loan court of the South Kensington Museum 23 November 1863. goes to see journal of tour to Ilfracombe prepared by Fanny Magniac 25 November 1863. Frances goes to stay with Frederica to help her sort out her clothes 7 December 1863. (g) Visit to Lamport for Ball, visits Doctor Francis at Northampton 17 December 1863. lists guests staying including Hogge, St. Johns saw fountain in middle of Dining Table, designed by Sir Charles Isham, ‘a tiny fairyland’ given ‘Tyrant of Cuchullin Hill’ written by Sir Charles Isham for Northampton Bazaar meet at Clarke Thornhills at Rushton went to Kettering Ball 18 December 1863. (h) returns to Hinwick 21 December 1863. visit to Melchbourne, saw Laura St. John’s ‘Scotch sketches’ 22 December 1863. Christmas Day, reflections should we rejoice so much at birth of a Son for whom there were such agonies in store . . . tinges her greatest happiness. Portrait of a Spaniel given to the two sons of Richard Orlebar by their grandfather details of picture 1763 onwards, nearly always owned by the ‘little ones’ little description of William Augustus Orlebar going to leave enough room for Rouse’s children and grandchildren in 1963, if the world lasts as long. visit to dentist 28 December 1863. Not inserting reminisces of children, They are going into another series. visit to London shopping after staying with Boultbees for Bedford Ball. 6 – 11 January 1864. looks at Mrs Boultbee’s sewing machine (had seen Mrs. Harvey’s when at Goldington) Comments on Richard as ‘deep feelinged and totally undemonstrative’ buys new sewing machine for £12 from Pain, agent of Wheeler Wilson’s machines. 18 January 1864. Richard goes on his own to stay at Melchbourne for Kimbolton Volunteers’ Ball. Frederica not well enough to go. 19 January 1864. (i) Describes going to Rouse Lench for the dinner in thanks of the welcome to Sir Charles Rouse-Boughton (see front of book) 2 – 10 February 1864. stayed at Rouse Lench Court – described; Sir Charles added recently a new dining and drawing room, describes Sir Charles’s children Richard reads her some of “Ingoldsby Legends” ‘feudal’ aspect of Rouse Lench estate, extraordinary devotion of tenantry to the family. Describes Dinner. drawing of Mrs. Pocock, Rector’s wife. long discussion on Marriage. visit to Rugby Castle 4 February 1864. comments on Boughtons’ hooked noses sketching at Rouse Lench. Mrs Pocock’s lunch at the Rectory 6 February 1864. Catherine Rouse-Boughton stays five months with Macleod in London 8 February 1864. one of sketches of Sir Thomas Rouse-Boughton’s Bower, done by Frederica, hanging in morning room at Downton Hall describes Rouse Lench Church and monuments of the Rouse families Charley would like Edward eventually to be Rector of Rouse Lench (j) “whole heap of work on hand, accounts, needlework, poor people, drawing unlimited” on return to Hinwick. Her back improved. 11 February 1864. rides new pony for first time. Riding again for first time in 18 months. Pony too expensive at £16 so returned 18 February 1864. new nurseries prepared, wants children brought up in gentlemanlike ways and be accustomed to see things clean and tidy. wants light and clean papers on wall, carpets etc. went up to plantation near Wollaston 40 Foot to take up young firs to plant near the House. 14 March 1864 death of John Westley of Podington from gangrene (he was one of the people visited by Frederica) long discussion reference death and judgment 16 March 1864. digging up primroses in Odell Wood to plant in the grove down by the Island. Maundy Thursday new nurseries occupied. 17 and 24 March 1864. goes to meets of the Hunt on a pony borrowed from Mrs. Tucker (of Pavenham): Eaton Wood, Warrington Toll Bar. Charles Rouse-Boughton gets her pony from Shropshire. “how I should enjoy hunting if I had no moral objections” “unwomanly and especially bad in a married woman and a mother” Hunt breakfast at Colworth 9 April 1864. picnic at Knotting Fox with Orlebars of Hinwick House, Mitchells and Sartorises of Rushden. picking oxslips They go on to dinner at The Cottage, Rushden. taken first volume of ‘Bleak House’ with her 11 April 1864. Visit to Mr Robe at Biddenham (Biddenham House) Frederica makes nosegays of primroses, hemlock and violets. mentions Kitchen Garden: Morris cabbages Smith, Vicar of Biddenham, and wife come to dinner. does sketch of house from other side of the pond which she presented to Mr. Robe 12 – 13 April 1864. Lunch at 2 at Colworth, visit Toft, just taken by the Salusbury Paynes. (they walked the four miles over to Hinwick), likes her. Frederica’s birthday. go to Riverside House, Sharnbrook; nurse of Mrs. Bettington had helped Frederica when she had had her babies. visit new clergyman at Odell [Hunt] not at home 15 April 1864. rode over to Melchbourne, the ‘field’ way 16 April 1864. visit by Paynes to Frederica 21 April 1864. Mrs Hogge and Gertrude Magniac dined at Frederica’s 23 April 1864. see Mrs. Orlebar’s point lace Captain Boultbee gets a pony for the Hinwick House Orlebars Lunch at Pavenham at the Tuckers. Mention of Miss Peacock, Mrs. Tucker’s invalid sister row on the river down to Radwell Bridge 29 April 1864. Adult Baptisms of Miriam and Mary Bates and Ann Pettitt Miriam, Frederica’s housemaid to whom she stands Godmother. done with much jeering and opposition from some sources. 5 May 1864. Volunteer Drill Day at Sharnbrook. Frederica rides over to Toft via Souldrop Wold and Colworth Thick mentions “magnificent property of Colworth” ‘the people are as natural and easy as people under a glass case can be’. drill took place in a field of John Gibbard’s description of John Gibbard including rough, shaggy beard grown, wore spectacles. describes Stileman. children played croquet 6 May 1864. sleep at Melchbourne for another drill day and Review at Kimbolton Castle – Eleanor digs up white wild hyacinths 10 May 1864. Review at Kibolton 11 May 1864. visit to London with Aunt Fanny goes to New Watercolour Exhibition and Royal Academy. visits Boys Home in Euston Road 13 May 1864. Richard and John Gibbard rook shooting 21 May 1864. Mrs Orlebar’s Wedding day, delighted with ‘The Children’. drawings by Frederica. rode to Castle Ashby to see Horse Chestnuts, mentions laburnums 23 May 1864. visit of Mary Rouse-Boughton (later Hopton) 2 June – 5 July 1864. visit Melchbourne read ‘Book of Nonsense’ (by Edward Lear?) 6 June 1864. Boultbees stay – visit Toft for a croquet party 9 June 1864. read ‘Miss Gushington’ 9 – 10 June 1864. (k) Mary and Frederica go for a week to London. Mr. Robe organised lodgings in Harley Street. long description of how dreadful these lodgings were. go to Old Water Colour Exhibition 14 June 1864. go to theatre to see plays called ‘David Garrick and Lord Dundreary’ at Haymarket visit Royal Academy return to Hinwick 18 June 1864. visit of Miss Longley (Frederica’s governess when she was ‘a little sad child of eight years old’ at Rottingdean) ‘it was she who first lead us to God and first taught us to love as well as fear him’ William Augustus Orlebar takes her to see Church and lace making and gives her a handsome piece of lace 20 – 23 June 1864. Augustus Orlebar comes to stay to preach at Farndish, Bettingtons and Hunt from Odell. Came at various times 25 – 29 June 1864. Dance and Croquet party at Melchbourne 1 July 1864. visit to Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire 4 July 1864. visit of Pauls 5 July 1864. Croquet party at Harry Thorntons at Goldington – ‘rather dull’ Frederica does ornamental poem as anniversary present for Richard Richard playing cricket at Howbury 7 July 1864. bad behaviour of school boys in church especially James Bettles and Charles Rivett (Bettles gets worse – Rivett one of best boys in the class in the end) 10 July 1864. (l) Richard and Frederica trip to Machynlleth (railroad through to Aberystwith now) meets up with Mary going to see Theresa and the Russells (this time the previous year Theresa had nearly died producing Frankie) go by coach from Machynlleth via Dolgelly to Barmouth tells story of hospitality of the Vaughans to Aunt Fanny mentions “Uncle Augustus’ as one of those ready givers, too ready sometimes” mentions Lechmere in India. meets up with the Waynes at Barmouth, who take them to their house Caenest (eight miles from Barmouth). Aberatro, nearby belongs to Herman Wayne’s father (let to a Mr. Kerr) Katy and Gertrude Russell also of the party. good description of Caenest. Total covered 9 August 1863 – 12 July 1864.

Published copy available in searchroom as MIC 301

Published as a microfilm by academic publishers Adam Matthew.

item

Orlebar, Frederica St.John,
Rouse-Boughton, Charles Henry,
Orlebar, Mary,
Orlebar, Fanny,
Rouse-Boughton, Mary,
Hopton, Mary,
Thruston, Marion,
Wayne, Theresa,
Wayne, Herman Francis Milford,
Magniac, Arthur,
Orlebar, Richard,
Russell,
Sartoris,
Gow, Gurney,
Rouse-Boughton, Catherine,
Fielding, I,
Fielding, Copley,
Tucker,
Bentham,
Lyell, Charles,
Thompson,
Franks, Augustus,
Orlebar, Augustus,
Orlebar, Richard Rouse Boughton,
MacLeod,
Robe,
Parrott,
Gleig, Alice,
Thruston, Sophie,
Orlebar, Beauchamp,
Magniac, Fanny,
Arkwright,
Francis,
Hogge,
St.John,
Isham, Charles,
Clarke Thornhill,
St.John, Laura,
Orlebar, William Augustus,
Boultbee,
Harvey,
Pocock,
Boughton,
Rouse Boughton, Thomas,
Westley, John,
Mitchell,
Smith,
Salusbury Paynes,
Magniac, Gertrude,
Peacock,
Bates, Miriam,
Bates, Mary,
Pettitt, Ann,
Gibbard, John,
Stileman,
Longley,
Bettington,
Hunt,
Paul,
Thornton, Harry,
Bettles, James,
Rivett, Charles,
Vaughan,
Wayne, Herman,
Kerr,
Russell, Katy,
Russell, Gertrude

personal diaries, newspaper cuttings, PODINGTON, Wales, railways, drawings, Shropshire, Hinwick House, Hinwick Hall, Higham Ferrers, CHURCH, London, hunting, shooting, BEDFORD, WILLINGTON, COLWORTH, Ilfracombe, Lamport [Northamptonshire], Northampton, Rushton, MELCHBOURNE, Christmas, Rugby [Warwickshire], baptism, BIDDENHAM, riding, balls, SHARNBROOK, ODELL, Castle Ashby, GOLDINGTON