Viewing page 10 of 46

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[left side]]

the National Day small and thin and had to be helped out with veal)  Benjamin also made a fruit salad of peaches and pears from the garden, a few grapes and rum - very good - Also we had some raw oysters very meagre - We made the table which was a tight fit with six - look really pretty - had our room too looking its best - but thogh [[though]] all else was ready at 7.30  The fire would'nt light and as I was on my way down stairs with the bouillotte of water to boil at Madame's fire I ment [[met]] one their guests tumbling in at the front door in pitch darkness and had to grope to shake hands with them - Eve turned them into one room and bade them have patience but they did'nt behave well, and we kept them with difficulty out of the kitchen—   Still fire would'nt light and finally we allowed Mr Hoeber to come and try which he did and finally succeeded - after taking off his nice clean cuffs—  Jeanne was agast and wringing her hands and I had to take the potatoes down and fry them at Madame's fire among the cats and canary birds  one 


[[right side]]

5
Article and such and she likes us - of all this more anon—  I hav'nt touched my women again although I stayed this week on purpose the weather has been against it—  Perhaps I shall be able to improve it a little in Paris, but there is nothing more to be got here now.  I have made a sketch of Mr Hoeber which they all say is stunning and I am sorry to say it is better than the Mr Harrison's - but the latter is going to give me one more sitting to morrow, and I hope I shall be able to get a little more snap into it—  I have also done one dear little English swell Lieut Radcliffe of the British Army, in India, but it is not a success—  I am however, going to give it to him and be taken to India whither he is going shortly.  He is here for his health - having got fever from