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JB'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).

The imminent 3rd reading of the Transportation Bill may mean that Smith O'Brian is finally shipped off (see 51 & 56). Hopes that anarchy all over Europe will not come to England. Complicated tale of getting possession of a property in Halifax Nova Scotia, which he has made over to his grandson. JB has found a new curate (see 58). Changing ways - in their younger days 3 or 4pm was the hour for dinner, but his grandson has just received an invitation for 8.30. The dinner hour at Oxford used to be 3, but now it is 6.

Visits to Monasteries in the Levant by Robert Curzon - maybe a son or nephew of their old friend David Curzon OW (actually David was 1st cousin once removed to Robert). Has no room for new books, so uses a circulating library. His contempt for novels. On the murders at Stanfield Hall. Examinations at Oxford have become tougher - but the clergy of his young day no less effective than clergy nowadays. Has JB's son stationed at Charlemont written of a proposal to drain Lough Neagh, the finest lake in the British dominion ? (Part of a proposal to make the River Hind navigable from Roscommon to the Shannon.) If it happens they may find old arms which HMC removed from rebels and threw in there during the rebellion of 1798. On the excavation of Ninevah.

Shrove Tuesday reminds him of the Pancake Greaze, and Dr Smith's annual joke pan kakon (Greek = everything is bad). Wouldn't be surprised to learn that Liddell has abolished it - no idea where the custom originated, but abolition would hurt the feelings of many. More on the change of grammar textbook and moves to abandon the Latin Play (on the grounds of immorality in the Eunuchus). Smith O'Brien still in prison under sentence - the penal system used to be too brutal, but now seems too compassionate. Cholera continues to scare.

Thanks JB for name of fish (see 52 - ballia?). Other items of interest near Charlemont - hares which gather in herds, Ballyscullion House, Giant's Causeway. Cholera seems to be on the wane in London. His birthday (16th December) is marked on calendars O Sapientia (actually, since the Reformation, 17th December). Tutors at Oxford too lax in allowing students to neglect their studies.

Asks JB to ask his son, stationed at Charlemont, to ride out to Lough Neagh and find out the name of a strange fish which abounds there (perhaps the Dollaghan?).

Remedies against cholera. Smith O'Brien condemned to death, but widely thought this will be commuted to banishment for life, under the pretence of royal clemency, but in fact to protect the jury; the foreman has received a threatening letter.

On the family of Charles Trevelyon, a civil servant recently knighted for services in Ireland - son of George Trevelyon, an old friend of HMC and JB.

Recalls his first meeting with JB 70 years ago in 1778 (actually 1779 according to the Record), when he entered Mother Clapham's house; describes his feelings of apprehension. The elm trees in Dean's yard have been cut down to widen the carriageway between the entrance and the Deanery; he does not approve. Likewise, the screens separating choir from aisles in the Abbey have been removed to enable a larger congregation to sit in Poets' Corner - pointless, since one can neither see nor hear from that position. The Irish rebellion is reviving in the wake of the potato famine. Wonders whether JB took up his living in 1786 or 1787 (1797 according to the Record). Commercial benefits of the railroads - but they have spoiled the countryside. The sale at Stowe (see 49) is raising large sums - but a drop in the ocean compared with the 2 million pounds the duke is said to owe. He borrowed £20,000 just to entertain the Queen. Suspects that at the upcoming trial of Smith O'Brien his counsel will plead insanity, which the government will accept to avoid further trouble.

On the need to relieve the potato famine in Ireland, and the recent arrest of some armed rebels in London. On the universal appeal of the novel Gil Blas, whereas e.g. Tom Jones can only appeal to the English. Has been reading Walpole's Anecdotes.