Title

Jane Bigelow Diary, March 1860 - April 1860

Description

The diaries of John Bigelow's wife, Jane Tunis Poultney Bigelow, make up the majority of the Diaries and Journals series. Just as respected and loved as her husband, Jane was an important figure in the New York literary and social scene. Her diaries detail their life and travels.

Date

March 9, 1860 - April 11, 1860

Creator

Bigelow, Jane Tunis Poultney

Identifier

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transcription

March 1860
To
April 1860 [Blank] London 32 Pall Mall
Friday March 9th 1860.
Have been with Grace to the New Museum
London[illeg] St The East India House and
enjoyed the trip very much. The filagree [sic] silver
work, & carved wood & ivory, the inlaid boxes &
India shawls were as fine as I ever saw. Mary
Wethered [sp?] & Mrs Campbell called this after
-noon- Mrs Crossey [Cropsey sp?] & child - Dined at
McIntosh with Mrs Rich & a Mr Hoggins, the
tallest man I ever saw - The previous day I had
been with the children to Mad Tussaud's wax
works & carried away a very definite idea
of the giant who holds Tom Thumb in his
hand - Mr Hoggins I should think sat
for the giant- he had a perfectly hand-
some face & well formed though too long
a figure - his waist came up to a high
Mantlepiece & we all looked Lilliputian beside him.
Saturday March 10th. Have been with the
children to hear the band play in the
Court of St James's Palace, which it does at
11 every morning for about a half hour. visited the National Portrait Gallery & saw
some very fine pictures, all were interesting,
a beautiful Nell Gwinn [sp] by Lily wondrously ^like
Lily Greenough [check], a charming Mrs Siddons
in a quaint trying [?] costume. Sir William
Pulteney by Reynolds, one of the handsomest
portraits there. Mr B had a letter from
Clark, who is appointed in Wilbur's place.
His removal I fancy is occasioned by his
affair with Chase Barney's wife! Wednesday
evening went to a smart stupid little party
at Mrs Garvey's Mr. S. I was half sick
with a cold & came home in an hour.
In the morning I went in the Park & saw
the Queen & Prince Albert drive past on
their way to St James's Palace to receive
the "Volunteers" She has a good Motherly
sort of face but the momentary glance I
had of her scarcely entitles me to an opinion.
All day Pall Mall was as gay as possible-
crowds of people & carriages staring at the
Military as they hurried to & from her
Royal Highness. I enjoyed the scene & mourned over not getting to the ball in
the evening. Miss S[illeg] the landlady's
daughter was more fortunate & as I lent
her four bracelets & she did not return until
near 7 [or 1?] the next morning I feared much
for my finery. Mr Delane [?] of the Lines [?]
sent Mr B a ticket but feared there could
be too many lady volunteers to admit of
going with propriety. I am sorry he was so
fastidious.
Sunday March 11th Mr & Mrs McIntosh called
yesterday afternoon & a Mrs Gezelee [sp?] & daughter,
friends of the Gurney's [sic]. Dined at Thackeray's
at 7 1/2 was taken down to table by Sir Henry
Havelock- son of the Hero of Lucknow.
He is a gentleman[l]y agre[e]able little fellow -
next [to] him was Lady Shynne who sang at
Mrs Freake's, affected creature but quite hand-
-some. I was astonished to find her foundered
& very badly. Mr Thackeray was beside her
at the head of the table, Mrs Caulfield whom
Mr B took down was next. She is very
pretty but had her bosom fearfully exposed There was a Mr Oliphant, some distinguished
painter, a clever but tiresome [illeg]
Dr Quinn, homeopathist [sic], Mrs Dickens, who
does not look like a woman of much mind -
but affectionate & good natured - real, fat &
forty. She said everything that was polite
about America as if to assure us she took no
part in her husband's notes. [crossout] Said she
was very glad to meet us & hoped I would
come to see her. Thackeray spoke of the pleasant
day at Forest Hill where he first had the
pleasure of meeting me a blooming lassie - the
very pretty Miss Townsends (Alice & Lizzie) the
fine old house, capital dinner, the good kind
people & so on. He took my hand in both of his
on coming away & kissed it very graciously.
Mr B says he thinks he was a little drunk.
he had been drinking immensely to keep off
the shivers [sic]- He says Mrs Billy Bukell is in
the BL number of Lovel & that Lady Esmond
is the woman he loves dearly & would like to
Marry though she would be rather a jealous
wife - this he told to me & Mrs Dickens. Have sent[?] all the children in long wollen [sic] stockings -
their father prefers it, though I am not sure
they require them for the house- However they
have a comfortable look & neater I think than
their white socks which scarcely kept clean
a day. We have been to hear Spurgeon, an
"elect" sermon with which I was not at
all pleased - the hall was packed in every
part as full as it could hold-
Monday March 12th. A long call from Mrs
Hornthauer yesterday afternoon - dined
at Sterons's with a Mrs Hamilton - ugliest
mouth I ever saw but intelligent - head -
the upper face projected like a roof over
the lower & was skewed to a a deformity. We had
a good dinner, quite American - corn
& tomatoes, hickory nuts & other home-
like dishes. I had a good satisfactory talk
with Mrs S about matters at W- Mrs Myers
told her some lies about me I am sure
but she has a great contempt for the
trite woman as I have and sees through
her entirely. Letters from Home Nurses &
husband have both been sick Tuesday March 13th. Yesterday afternoon called at
Mrs Campbells [sic], Gazelee's & Paulson's - in the evening
went to the Olympic & saw two very dear pieces
admirably acted- "The Head of the family" in which
Mrs Stirling played Cousin Charity the widow,
was perfectly inimitable. "Uncle Zachary" was the
next piece & Robson as Uncle Zack kept me
alternately laughing & crying till the curtain
dropped- it was again upon Alfred the
Great a stupid extravaganza redeemed only
by Robson's part of the King. He is a tiny
little fellow but good honest face, beautifully
small hands. Tonight have been to the Hay Market
to see "The Overland Route" a new comedy by Tom
Taylor. Mr & Mrs Charles Matthews, Buckstone,
Miss McTernan & Mrs Wilkins & Old Chippendale
all do their parts well & the piece draws a crowded
house every night. Mrs Matthews was divorced
from Mr Davenport owing to her too great
intimacy with Matthews who afterwards married
her. I remember letters passed between the two
men which were published in New York & if
I am not mistaken the lady appeared to be much in the wrong – She is a beauty & the image of Libby Townsend. Mrs. Wilkins too is very handsome &
Miss Ternan also pretty & refined looking -
She reminded me much of Lizzy Pleasants.
I believe she is the girl who occasioned the
Dickens['s] difficulty, & for her or the sister was
designed the unfortunate tell tale bracelet.
Baby & Nurse went with me to make some calls
this afternoon – everybody out, excepting Mrs
Rupert who was out of spirits as usual & fearing
She was in the family way - poor soul, I pity her!
A letter from Mrs Morgan who is delighted
with the purchases I made for her in Paris – both India shawls and sunshade cover arrived
safely. She sends for lace flounces etc.
The children all show the greatest fancy for
drawing – a slate or pencil and paper will keep
them contented the entire day. Poultney ever
is careless about his meals if engaged at his favorite occupation. He is a sweet boy, the most loving tender heart but a [illeg.] tongue when
he is angry. He always bursts out with "you're a dirty old woman" this is the worst language fortunately that his vocabulary can boast, & he

uses it in all desperate occasions. He talks
plainer than Sonny and is faster altogether, though
the latter has much improved & is as lovely &
lovable as his little brother. Baby has not a
tooth yet, but crawls & stands by a chair & pushes
on in the world well for her age. A week ago
she was weaned- it seemed the best time to
do it though I never parted a child from my
breast so reluctantly - I cannot, I do not love
her more than the others, but there are reasons
why she has seemed more dependant [sic] on me than
any of them [crossout] & so far she has seemed more
precious. Grace is my companion, my little
friend and adviser - myself, my childhood, my
all of happiness has come to me with her.

She will have all my bad & good traits- God

grant her many better ones. She will think &
act very much as I have done - her heart & head
will alike commit errors, but the good father
who watches over all, to his keeping I am not
afraid to trust her. We can do but little for
ourselves & less for others in the way of changing
our destinies, but we can all pray & all [steire?] to be doing better instead of worse, in
so doing he fulfills our best & [illeg] destinies.
Wednesday March 14th. Have been to the
Dulwich Gallery, especially rich in Murillo's
& Cuyps - The flower Girl & two pictures of Spanish
Boys by the former artist are particularly fine.
[Illeg] Rembrandt & Rubens each have some
good things there. We walked on about two
miles to the Crystal Palace at Sydenham -
Mr B walked about extensively but I was too
tired to enjoy it at all. It is an immense &
beautifully constructed building the flowers
fountains & trees the most attractive features in
it. Long lines of shops of every variety. I bought
a quantity of Asian Ware [?]. We got home to
a late dinner, found Stevens's & de Brunsun's
cards with Mr Robinson's & the gold bracelets
I ordered at Geneva for New Year's day -
They are much lighter than I expected
but very pretty. Mrs de B wanted us to
go there this evening & Mr S[?est] invites
us to lunch on Friday. Children were
all in the Park this morning. Friday March 16th. Yesterday had a shilling
dag[uerro]type taken of myself with baby on my lap &
Grace by herself. All poor but as good as we
could expect for the price. Jenny does not look
nearly so pretty as she really is yet I am glad
to have even the smallest resemblance to
her, for at her age it is impossible to get a
really satisfactory likeness. Mr Robinson dined
with us & Friend Foster, Mrs Buyton & Mr
Parker called in the afternoon. At nine
in the evening we went to de Chatelaine's &
saw two charades Pen - i - tent and
[blank space left - 14 characters] the C's a Mr Calderon & two
young ladies taking the principal parts
& acting very well. We had ices on hand
between the two performances & considerable
talking, chiefly with a Hain Friswell [?] who
works on the Literary Gazette & other
Magazines. I rather liked him he has a
sensible face but wondrous fine opinion
of himself. An old lady ______ [sic] had much
to say to me but I did not hear her name.
There was a very old Mrs Wood with an immense frizzled wig, the oddest old dame
I ever beheld. Most of the company were
queer looking but intelligent & I quite
enjoyed our visit. We left at 12 before
the concert or supper but I was sick on
the subject of staying out of bed any later.
Lovely morning.
Saturday, March 14. Lunched at Mr.[Lerosts?]
50 Cleveland Square ^ yesterday with the Hargreaves-
Kind old man with a delightful bachelor
home. We had a capital dinner. I scarcely
wanted anything more to eat the rest of the day.
He has sent me his book of travels in the States –
the most fair & flattering view of our Country
& its institutions that I have ever read. Went
to the House by order of Mr. Buyton at 4 1/2-
4 benches in a little room behind a grating
being all that august body could afford
to the gentler sex desirous of penetrating the mysteries of the secret chamber. Women's
rights have evidently not made much progress in Parliament or that little dark dungeon would soon be exchanged for a wide
spacious gallery where the Mothers & daughters of England might at least listen to their law makers if they did not take part in law making. Mrs Rich sent me some tickets for the Botanical Gardens - an invitation from Mrs Lucos & some cards.
Sunday March 18th. Have called at Thackary's & Russell's - the former wanted us to tea next Thursday & to an early dinner same day with the children. They know Mrs Norton very well but she is now in great grief from the loss of her son & I fear I shall not meet her anywhere. Mr R has an inflamed nose & would not see any ladies - Mr B stayed some time with him & Grace & I with his wife & Alberta - Mr Thackeray wrote Grace's name with his "profound respects" in the Original Poems she bought with his two shillings. Russell has had an offer from some publisher in America to come over for a few months & make a book about us.He thinks strongly of accepting the proposal.
Yesterday by appointment called at Dallas's Saw Miss D & the Mama - the daughter I liked the letters of the two - They were very gracious & polite when they found I had sufficient finery with which to make a suitable display at the Drawing Room - Mrs D has been handsome possibly but never pleasant or attractive looking - No independance [sic] of character in terms of Miss Grundy under whose iron rule we all suffer more or less - A party at Cropsey's in the evening nice enough in all respects only I am tired out with new faces & new names & dont any longer make an effort to remember them - A Homeopathic Dr Herring I talked with most - & liked very well - Louisa is out walking with the boys the afternoon was lovely & as Grace had been out with us I offered to mind baby awhile the others went for a little change of air - I have not felt well for some days, and have a good deal of pain in my womb today -Mr Gurney has sent us tickets for the Special Service at St Paul's this evening, but I scarcely feel able to go. Mr B had letters yesterday from [Preston King Van Alen?] & Mr Bryant & Mr Parsons - The latter & family were unusually fortunate having a smooth sea during the entire journey. We are to be presented to Her Majesty Queen Victoria Saturday next, my dress just now occupied my mind a good deal -

Have been out with nurse & children since 11 o'clock - to a Miss Franey, dressmaker 72 Bond St,then walked all the way to the South Kensington Museum & enjoyed the Pictures [illeg] more than the other night - We stood watch 3 1/2 & then took a bus home. Parker has called - what a tiresome man he is, he comes often, stays long, & it [neres?] gives me the least pleasure to see him.

Tuesday March 20th Have lunched with the children at Paulton's - left a card at [Ererest's?] - Mr Hargreaves had sent me a beautiful engraving of Beatrice -Note from Miss Bird, hoping to call to see me tomorrow - Long call from [Tegrim?] yesterday - we asked him to dine today but he left for Liverpool at 5 o'clock - [Robinson?] dined with us & has just left. we had promised to go to Mrs[Gagehee's?] but Mr B was so disinclined I gave it up. Sent by Pegrim the children's dagtypes [daguerreotypes] & Aunt's lace veils, also some letters.
Thursday March 22d
Have been out with the children, boughts [sic] some feathers & remnants for little frocks - Mr Hargreaves has just called - he & his wife took tea with us at [crossed out] Lucas's last evening - Mrs L is a sister of John Bright, nice good sort of woman with quite a pretty daughter half grown & a deaf & dumb son nearly of age. We had a grand sit down tea - boiled [focsls?] as usual which are always very welcome - Went to the Botanical Gardens a little while in the afternoon - Saw quite a crowd of people dressed in their best & rivaling the exhibition of spring flowers; Made a few calls & did some shopping before coming home - Horrible New York weather for some days - windy Showers & disagreable [sic] - Baby was nine months old yesterday - bought her her first pair of shoes. Friday March 23d Mr Russel called late last evening - Mrs R & Alberta were not well enough to come & [Gras?] the day as promised.
Thursday March 24th.
Have been to the first Drawing Room of the season this Morning - short white plumes & black [?all sashe in my hair, - [??] I yielded to Mrs Grady & had a man to dress my hair at [5] which he considered a great seduction - My [?ats] cost me [?] more, & were not becoming. My waist & [tria?] were Pink [?oise] Antique gracious folds of the same ones the bosom below which [fist?] some exquisite black chantilly lace the same was seen around the train & [te?] deep [?hanced] entirely covered a white [tarleton?] skirt - white satin slippers with white & black lace [bustelles?] - pearl ornaments - We [hired?] a carriage [stall?] 4? for the day & got into it a little before one, after being assisted at our toilettes by the landlady Mrs Cooper & her daughter [Neece?] & [Nio?d?] & inspected & admired by his sisters, Aunt, Mrs Shofner & Stevens - We drove to 24 Portland place where the Dallas family in general seemed entirely satisfied with our appearance & condescended to say they were quite proud of us - Mrs D wore a [?let]-silk & made [Meghoush?] when she was glad Wine (pink) went with it so well - it was true? enough sensible enough but so like Philadelphia & the [Miffkins?] - who like the Miss D's have as long as I can remember devoted themselves to matching colors instead of getting matched themselves. We drove through St James's Park & the common [lesd?] of which I was one at the last [?erce?] into the court of St James's Palace & here where [?] into a small room to [Uncloak?] - among the carriages most conspicuous was a likeness of [Barneum?] what a sight to see! The soldiers stationed along the stairway & occasionally along the [?oons?] [chose?] the old Elizabethan Costume such as we saw in the [lores?] - As a spectacle it was very inferior to what we Saw at the Twilleries - the "Cent gardes" We united perhaps a half hour in a large Salon [chisely?] for the diplomatic Corps The Master of Ceremonies as Lord Chamberlain ("Sir Seward Casty?] came up & asked Mr Dallas present him to Mrs Bigelow - we talked a few moments when he proposed introducing me to Lady John Russel - who of course like every body she asked how long we had been in London, how we liked England & such like interesting queries She is a handsome lady like woman dressed in black, otherwise her dress was not striking. Mr Dallas presented the Archbishop of Canterbury in a powdered wig - a tall pleasant old gentleman - who made himself as polite & agreable [sic] as ten minutes would allow. Just then the State Carriages entered the court & all the ladies of the corps took warning & commenced preparing to enter the presence of Her Most Gracious Majesty - I followed immediately behind Mr D - taking care not to tread upon her train - Made my curtsey [sic] (upon which Mr D afterwards congratulated me) & passed on to join the line stationed along the wall - the wives of the Ambassadors - for an hour at least we watched a stream of people going through the same ceremony - bowing or kissing the Queen's hand passing before her, Prince Albert the Princess Alice, [Daher?] of Cambridge & then down the side of the room where we stood & so on out into the reception room adjoining. At the end of all this the Royal family went quietly into a room behind this & we all collected our trains & descended without further parade to the cloak room - A few moments more & we had exchanged this regal atmosphere for that of our Nursery at 32 Pall Mall where the children were [hinching?] & chatting about this walk in the Park & their sight of the Queen &c &c - Louisa took them out - they seemed to have enjoyed the trip. Old Mr D said he heard a great many compliments paid me my dress was decidedly elegant but I by no means looked my best - [?hueres] I was glad the D's had no reason to feel ashamed of this country people for I fancy they are very fearful lest people they present have not an [?ri?] of [Lout ton?]. The Queen has good features & expression very sensible looking but rather A German flushed complexion not an elaborate courtly manner but a plain steady looking Matron with a [hand?] that would [outnei?] ^that of the pretty Surprises of the French [?ran] when [cromet?] with his [?oriept?] Jane [?]