Reference
X928/1/4/1/2
Title
Boots Scribbling Diary
Date free text
1902
Production date
From: 1902 To: 1902
Scope and Content
Boots Scribbling Diary 1902. Entries become sporadic towards the end of the year and stop on November 9th
Describing daily activities, lessons and play. Care of chickens and egg counting feature.
January: New Year's holiday in London, visiting relatives. Playing games including cards such as 'spoof', hoops in the park parties and dancing. A pantomime was seen. The children go foer walks almost every day, often twice a day.
Jan 23rd 'Madomoiselle said good-bye for good she will not come back again.'
Jan 30th The family return home to Picts Hill, where there is snow.
Jan 31st 'Lombard harnessed the donkey to the chair and we had such fun.'
Feb 4th The new governess arrives.
Feb 12th Ash Wednesday 'We had pancakes for dinner'
Feb 17th Boy and Baby both have German Measles, the governess refuses to stay.
Feb 19th Governess and Biddy both have measles. Marigo gets measles
March 10th 'When Miss Quin came she brought a card that her doctor said that I was infectious for a month after. So she went away again and come next Monday.' Marigo's measles does not stop her activities at all.
March 20th Marigo went hunting
March 22 The children go 'violetting' i.e. picking wild violets
April 1st The family go to London, staying at 7 Craven Hill
April 2nd Marigo and Boy have their tonsills out. Aunt is ill and Marigo gives almost daily buletins of her health, which gets worse. Marigo is told Aunt is not going to live long, and she died on May 10th.
June 2nd A new piano teacher called Miss Slater begins. Marigo notes 'Peace with the Boers' today
June 3rd New French governess, Madamoiselle Borde, starts. 'A lot of men dressed up finely came round singing because of peace.'
June 4th Marigo details when the governesses come: Miss Slater three times a week, Madamoiselle Bord once a week on Thursdays and Miss Quin every day except Tuesday.
18th June Mother decorated the outside of the house presumably in celebration of peace.
June 22/24th The family go to London and Marigo describes a top of the bus tour of Piccadilly, St James Street, Regent Street, the Strand, Pall Mall, St Pauls, Bank, Mansion House and Houses of Parliament where all the decorations were 'More beautiful than words can tell. The crowd was terrible....We went to see the park where all the soldiers are camped out and everywhere in a terrible mess. It is not like London, it is like a big fair. The Coronation is put off. We went to see the Canadian Army which was lovely. Coronation of Edward VII postponed because he is ill.
June 30th Hay making. 'Jim Noble is going to help us with our hay and we will help him with his.'
4-6th August Preparations for the Coronation of Edward VII begin at Picts Hill. 'This morning we had to begin doing the coach house. We draped it all with red white and blue and put the tables all ready and put up some Chinese lanterns. Tomorrow we will have the village people up to dance and eat.'
9th August 'This morning we got up at 5 and then had breakfast at 6 and then went to the rooms. It was lovely the coach I never saw anything like it!! The King looked ill.'
Level of description
item