Journal 48, page 58

September 17, 1393

I read awhile-rising late. Went for a walk in the Priory Grounds & saw the beautiful home that Isabel is preparing for her son.

Who knows what my Mother may be preparing for me? Cardinal Newman's Apologia is most interesting-but-I find it "hath nothing in me." Anna Shipton's books I looked over because she is coming to the Priory by Lady Henry's invitation. She is good & true no doubt but far less to my mind than she would have been in 1877 when I worked with Moody and used McIntosh's commentary! She is a "Plym" and if I "feel led" away from any formula it is from that of the Plymouth Brethren.

September 18, 1893

All day trying to correlate the mass of typed pages that the three stenographers have hatched under my auspices! So thin-blue- milk without cream. I'm aweary & can only suggest that I should have meant something if I'd had "time & opportunity." Cossie had to go to the city. What a warm, tender, rich nature is hers! How good she is to me & she says she feels sure my Mother puts her in mind of much. How's little Nan I wonder? It would be mighty "homey'' to have her back.-This is Mary B Willard's birthday. I sent her a gift & loving remembrance. How long & various our paths since we first met in 1858!

September 19, 1893

Went to Dr Holman with Isabel-He gave me solemn lectures on my food & exercise. If I had my way would drop everything & put myself for 6 months in charge of a trained nursewoman who was also an athelete [FEW'S sp.] & would teach me swimming, the bicycle & trapeze! We always reach for the impossible! We kept our engagement with Mrs. Jane Couder Unwin (daughter of Richard Cobden) who is greatly exercised about Kate Marsden whom she looks upon as wholly fraudulent which I fear she is but probably as a consequence of brain fever. We went to W.T. Stead with his bright [entry continues on in space for 9/20] wits, kind heart & lack of balance. He is now on track of Lady Brooke[?]-mistress of the Prince of Wales-who admits that "the little fat man in red" has written her a letter every day for 6 years! She professes to be tired of him & wants to leave off her ways, so turns to WTS as her "next friend!" He says she "writes with his hand!" He is determined to ally himself with her fortunes. Lady H. warned him but you might as well warn a comet. We have tried to tone him down on spooks but no use, he is a law unto himself & so kind & smart & I fear unreliable. He is forsaking liberalism [entry continues in space for /9/21] and taking up the House of Lords. Hon. Reg. Brett's influence over him is bad I fear. Poor Stead! Miss Holdsworth (the dear little [?] writer) said, looking at him, "I don't believe a word he says