Handbook of London (see 62) quotes Cowper (William OW) reminiscing about his days in the Westminster 6th Form, when he was 'in high favour with the master.' The book refers to a hospital in Chiswick connected with the school, founded in the reign of Elizabeth (a house rather than a hospital - see Lawrence Tanner Westminster School p67). Would be good nowadays - no doctors can agree on the nature and treatment of cholera. On the forthcoming trial for murder of Marie Manning and her husband. On the current cheapness of game and fish. Changes in London. Their old playground Tothill Fields now covered with gardens and villas. A road runs from the school to Vauxhall Bridge (the first one built 1809-16), on the spot where they used to bathe. Vincent, observing all the development, had enclosed Vincent Square (1810). Recalls the Town Boys beating the King's Scholars at cricket (presumably the year HMC left, 1782) - he scored 35. Repeats the story of Dowdeswell (see 62) never sleeping in college.
Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, 1766-1850JB's son moving from Charlemont to foreign service via Woolwich - invites JB to stay if he is going to Woolwich to take his leave. On the death of the Quaker doctor Curtis (William), who had treated him 50 years previously. His grandson is leaving on foreign service, a lieutenant on the new ship HMS Leander. On the execution of Marie Manning and her husband (see 63).
Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, 1766-1850Celebrated his birthday (16th December) on the 17th - more suited to gaiety than the Sabbath. Cannot stand novels. Has just read the life of the actor John Bannister, who used to join the boys for fencing tuition under Angelo, and afterwards for beefsteak and porter at Mother Dawson's (see 31). The Play (was to have been The Andria) will not happen this year because of the death of the Queen Dowager (Adelaide, widow of William IV).
Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, 1766-1850Follows the method of the Duke of Wellington to avoid bad colds - being rubbed down with hair gloves or a stiff brush in the morning. Advice on kit for JB's sons, one of whom is being posted to Newfoundland, and the other to Corfu. HMC himself has gone from England to America to Africa to Portugal to France and finally back to England. HMC's sons Douglas and Rawdon are both dead, so HMC mainly interested in his grandson, son of Rawdon, now cruising in HMS Leander off the coast of Portugal. On the Frenchman Alexis Soyer, chef at the Reform Club, falling through some ice (while skating), being rescued by some members of the Humane Society, and setting up an annual fund to its benefit. Recalls dropping an Ainsworth Latin Dictionary over a staircase on the head of a French master Tavalle or Savalle - there was one of each name) coming up. Brought before Dr. Smith the next morning by a monitor bearing a birch rod, on being questioned about the circumstances, he replied that it was only a Frenchman; on hearing this, the Head Master dismissed him. Smith was too lenient in those days, having become indifferent through having long been passed over for meaningful preferment.
Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, 1766-1850Withdraws recommendation of the oculist Alexander (see 2) - he is rough and brutal. On his own cataracts (including a failed operation) and other ailments - all very expensive. Again asks for JB's translation of Horace (see 3). On the sweeping away of tithes in these days of reform, and on the unfair remuneration of senior clerics - their old schoolfriend Hobart (The Hon. Henry Lewis?) as Dean of Windsor received
Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, 1766-1850Encloses list of the cabinet, members of the government and Her Majesty's household, copied from the Weekly Chronicle. Wonders how John Fawcett (see 7) became Perceval (NB he actually changed his name to Pulteney).
Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, 1766-1850JB has visited, and HMC has been ill.
Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, 1766-1850Further enquiries about John Fawcett (see 13).
Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, 1766-1850New Year's wishes.
Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, 1766-1850Increasingly friends and acquaintances die, most recently George Byng, MP for Middlesex (OW) - well-meaning but not very judicious. Lane (Newton Charles), a remarkably stout lad in Grant's, knocked him down with an Ainsworth's dictionary whilst holding forth in the Sixth Form on the superiority of Mr Fox's politics. Westminster education is improving - one usher has been appointed solely to teach maths, and a Frenchman who is a Hebrew scholar has also been employed. Wonders how much exactly Lady Bath bequeathed to Pulteney (see 20).
Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, 1766-1850