Withdraws 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, 1766-1850Adding his name to JB's in the petition to the Dean of Westminster (Buckland) not to cancel the Latin Play, appreciated as much by town boys as by the scholars (who did the actual acting). (Both HMC and JB appear in the petition A0019/D3FK7.) Quote from Terence Eunuchus. In relation to this asks for address of Thomas Trebeck. Desirable for schools to employ only old boys, in order that frivolous but harmless traditions can be maintained - e.g. Liddell, educated at Charterhouse, has been trying to stop or at least control the Greaze. Pulteney (see 24) visits often, but this will stop for a while as he is visiting a son who has a rich living in Lincolnshire and hunts and shoots - quote from The Chase by William Somerville. Has been reading a Life of Watson, Bishop of LLandaff, father of a KS of 1777 (not so, according to the Record), and also the reminiscences of their fencing coach, Henry Angelo (in a room in Dean's Yard rented from William Pierce, teacher of book-keeping and arithmetic).
Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, 1766-1850Both he and Bull have separately lost an old friend - hence the break in correspondence. Does not expect a list of those supporting the revival of the Play to be published (see 29). On the question of establishing diplomatic relations with the Vatican - had any attempt been made during the reign of George III to introduce a Rothschild or a Roman Catholic into parliament, he would have gone mad much sooner. On Spike Island (see 24) and problems in Ireland - ministers see difficulties arising from arming and fortifying the island and increasing the number of warships stationed there. Increasing violence of the lower orders. Extension of rail network enables more farmers to send produce to London. Mentions Angelo's Reminiscences again (see 29) - he goes to eat beefsteaks at Mother Dawson's (a nearby cookshop in Dean's Yard) between school hours.
Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, 1766-1850Xmas and New Year wishes. He and his wife still suffering from flu. Imagines shock of the Marquis of Anglesey (see 6, 7 and 25) on reading in the Times of a £50 reward being offered for the capture of his son Capt William Paget (OW - perennially in debt) for having obtained money under false pretences.
Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, 1766-1850On ways by which JB may combat his depression. Invitation to stay - books (but no novels), walks in London, the diversion offered by current affairs (e.g. a failed rally on Kennington Green - presumably a Chartist demonstration, but clearly not that of 10th April on Kennington Common), the return of British expats from France in the face of the revolution that year (80,000 estimated to be in Paris alone - the family of the Earl of Pembroke occupied 8 carriages).
Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, 1766-1850