Thursday 7 March 1839

Much snow on the ground snowing hard and wind whistling at 7 40/60 and ever since till now 8 35/60 at which hour Fahrenheit 33 1/2 inside and 29 1/2 outside

Breakfast at 9 and sat reading alternately Ann and I from page 21 to 77 volume 2 Murray's Summer in the Pyrenees - his account of passing the Cambriel to Gèdre and his ascent of Mont Perdu - I had read the first 21 pages of this volume before breakfast

Came upstairs at 10 10/60 - had Riley the little tailor from the new bank to measure George Wood for stable suit - to be done next week - making 24/ or 25/- stuff, beaverteen, at 1/8 per yard

Then had Booth brought me back the Nelson-papers I gave into his charge yesterday - Nelson very much dissatisfied would have his father over and remeasure today - wanted Booth to meet them - Booth thought this unnecessary unless I particularly wished him to go - no! I think he ordered enough by going yesterday - Nelson said Mr. Harper's settlement and prices would not pay the men's wages - it was like robbing on the highways, &c. &c. Nelson going to have a trial at York with Mr. Carr respecting the new part he built for him at Godley - wants £50 more than he ought to have and Mr. Carr resists

Mentioned to Booth taking down cutting away roof from the housekeeper's room and maids sleeping room above so as to leave the upper kitchen gabel clear - Booth agreed with me in thinking £5 or £6 would do the job; and then upper Kitchen window and the whole gabel might be repaired - mentioned my idea of a plinthing all along the front of the house 5 or 6 inches above the flagging - Booth much approved this

Booth went 11 or 12 times to Butterworth end - but the roof turned out so bad, and the job so exceeded what he expected (cost above £100) that he charged only £3 for all his trouble - which in fact as he had a horse every time did little more than pay his expences - told him he ought in future on these occasions to charge 10/- a day for his time 5/- for his horse and corn 1/6 and his own dinner 2/- = 18/6 a day

It had struck 12 when he went away - then wrote the above of today - then had Ann till 1 10/60 with her Sunday Schools' accounts - and wrote her copy of note to Miss Wilkinson Poor Ann! I believe she is now heartily glad to get rid of the business

Then on a 6th. 1/2 sheet making long extract respecting Egyptian Greek and Roman carriages from page 350 - 356 - till 2 10/60 having had Ann again in the mean time for a few minutes - to shew her note written - shall send back tonight volume 1 Wilkinson received Wednesday 27 February - dedicated to the duke of Northumberland.

'Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians, including their private life, government, laws, arts, manufactures, religion, and early history; derived from a comparison of the paintings, sculptures, and monuments still existing with the accounts of ancient authors, Illustrated by drawings of those subjects By J. G. Wilkinson, F.R.S. M.R.S.L. &c. author of a general view of Egypt and Topography of Thebes &c. In 3 volumes volume 1 London John Murray, Albermarle Street 1837.' 'London Printed by A. Spottiswoode, New-Street Square'

Wrote to the foot of the last page and sent off Wilkinson volume 1 (received on Wedneday 27th ultimo) and volume 1 Murray Summer in the Pyrenees - then till 4 reading over last Quarterly Review the very favourable article on Wilkinson's work, and skimming the review of Lord Lindsay's travels in Palestine, and lighted my fire which had gone out while I had Booth this morning

Then with Robert the joiner and about in the house till 4 40/60 when George brought back volume 2 Wilkinson read the 1st. 84 pages and made several notes till dinner at 7 5/60 - Ann read French - coffee

Read the newspaper till 9 55/60 vide page 6 column 6 (above) at the middle Ure's Dictionary of Arts and Manufactures very well spoken of the 7th. notice published

Note tonight from Mr. Parker - Mr. Abbott will sign the paper respecting the window blocking and would be glad to make a drain at his own expence in my ground to carry off his cottage sink water - yes! yes! but I must think about this drain-making

Till 11 read and made notes to page 109 Wilkinson volume 2 - Snowy day with short gleams - Fahrenheit 34 inside and Fahrenheit 26 1/2 outside at 11 5/60 p.m.  

WYAS: SH:7/ML/E/22/0135 & SH:7/ML/E/22/0136

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