Saturday 2 November 1839

But went to Ann for quarter hour

Very fine sunny morning Fahrenheit 61 1/2 now at 9 1/2 a.m. wrote note to 'à monsieur le baron Bode &c. &c. &c.' complimens et le prie de vouloir bien m'accordance une permission de voir la grande salle de palais des Tzars, et les tableaux paints par Cannalettè - breakfast at 9 3/4

Then had the fur merchant who brought a tailor with him who could not stay here to do the cloak-lining but wanted to take the cloaks home - therefore sent for another man who came himself for a little while and sent 3 girls - of whom sent away one and kept 2 who with Grotza are doing what is wanted paid the man 470/- i.e. 210/- for Ann's Siberian fox cloak lining and mine and 50/- for the 2 collars - then had Mrs. Howard for some time - then talking to Ann respecting money matters - she thought we had spent more than we really have

Had just written so far at 1 40/60 - beautiful sunny day - out at a minute or 2 before 2 - alighted at the boulevard at 2 13/60 and walked 1 22/60 till 3 35/60 - then to Madame Annette for a winter bonnet for Ann all of coloured satins and small - no shade or warmth at all - Ann tried on several bonnets - a Russian countess _________ came in speaking very good French and we came away without deciding upon anything - the bonnets 44/- each

Home at 4 5/60 - sat talking - then dressed and wrote the last 5 lines now at 5 1/2 - so it seems we had only one collar this morning for 50/- is il faut un autre - the thermometer Mrs Howards (Reaumur) put up today outside north, against one of our dining room windows and now 5 40/60 Reaumur -2 1/2 = about 27 Fahrenheit

Very pleasant walking - several equipages - the ladies in little evasé satin bonnets with flowers, and one or 2 with feathers - dressed in silks and satins, and satin wadded shawls - one green velvet shortish cloak - a display of promenade toilette - merely 2 or 3 fur-lined cloaks - thin leather boots - thin gloves - it was fur and big-cloak-muffled up gentries that reminded one of a Moscow-winter - the ladies bonnets must have been, and without veils too, starvation - probably their silks and satins were well ouattés for the ladies seemed to be of size ample enough

Dinner at 5 3/4 in about 3/4 hour or less - then Ann had the Russian girl to teach her Russian letters and then afterwards I had her till near 8 - we were just going to tea at 8 when Madame Fischer de Waldheim was announced - we went to the tea table by and by at about 8 1/2, and sat some time then returned to the salon, and Madame Fischer staid till 10 55/60 at which hour Reaumur 3 1/2 of cold - i.e. Fahrenheit 24 - very fine day - Madame Fischer asked what we had given for our furs the 2 cloaks - 470/- I had said before that the collars were separate - and afterwards replying that we had given 470/- she said it was à très bon marché probably thinking the one collar not included - It seems turquoises are all the fashion here - said she thought we should buy boas cheaper at Orenberg than here as being nearer Siberia! - she recommended Mattison French shop or some such name corner of the rue de Pont des Mareschaux for modes, and bonnets &c. - does not know Madame Annette - did not tell us anything particular - wore a low gown with slight net put handkerchiefwise over her neck, and a silk shawl that clasped round the throat, bound with folirte fur - and wore a white satin bonnet

Very fine day - Fahrenheit 64 1/2 on my table at 12 35/60 tonight - ten minutes with Ann

WYAS: SH:7/ML/E/23/0118 & SH:7/ML/E/23/0119