William Allingham’s diary, 1849

Walk along river by Upper Fall to Stonewold. Then Jane, Clarissa, sister Jane and I by riverside, grassy headlands, leafy gulfs, rushing white steam (described in…

A man at table d'hcte to-day, dark, long- haired, notable looking ; as he sat after dinner with wine and cigar a thought flashed — Could it be Alfred Tennyson !…

Leave come — preparations. Steamer.

London — Norfolk Hotel, Surrey Street. Cholera bad. Never thought about it ! Out to visit Vernon Gallery. Drury Lane pit, found The Beggar s Opera very dull, and…

To Cheyne Row, Chelsea. Mr. Carlyle not returned, and may not for another month. Edwardes Square — Leigh Hunt not in.

Lincoln's Inn. St. Mary Axe, Duke's Place, Synagogue. There remains a higher feeling than curiosity in witnessing the religious ceremonies of this ancient Race in…

To Kentish Town and walk to Highgate Cemetery, terrace, catacombs, yews, view of London. Out to churchyard to find Coleridge's grave, locked ; inquire for sexton's…

Dinner at Mr. Patmore's. Dis- cussion on writing poetry — he for consciousness, I for unconsciousness : he thinks a poet ought to know exactly what he wants to do…

Eugene P. calls and we walk westward and into Hyde Park. In Piccadilly we meet .; ^J^j Leigh Hunt and I greet him. As we say good-bye Eugene Patmore says, ' I am…

Unexpected letter : appointed Sub- Controller at Ballyshannon. ;^i2o a year. Ramsey^ October 10. — Walk on shore — into coffee- room : characteristic island scene :…

'Steamer coming ! seen cross- ing the bay,' hurry to boat, with Manx kitten in a basket (G. declares it was stolen from him). Men pull fast, one swinging a lantern…