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8 May 1882 — Aldermaston Court, Aldermaston, Berkshire | |
Monday. 8th May [1882]. I got up soon after 7. Read & wrote before I dressed for 9 o’cl breakfast. Arthur Burr went back to London by 8 o’cl train. After breakfast I went upstairs & had my hair washed by Hill & then sat in the sun for it to dry. When dressed again I went down to Mrs Burr’s room & was talking with her while she painted. Suddenly in rushed Miss Scobell & Mr Ross with the papers & startled us with the horrid news that Lord Fred. Cavendish & Mr Burke had been assassinated while walking in Phoenix Park within Lord Spencer’s sight. We were horror struck & I rushed up to Henry with the paper. He has so long been expecting some catastrophe in consequence of Gladstone’s wild career that he was not so unprepared but said he feared it was only the beginning of the end & Gladstones Govt must go out soon– We lunched at 1.30. Afterwards I took a turn with Henry on the terrace while he smoked & he said he cd see nothing to save the country but a coalition Ministry. We then wrote our letters till 4 when the carriage came round & we started to fetch Mrs Burr at the school. Just as we drove off there was a thundershower of rain & hail & we had to wait under the stable arch. We went on in a few minutes & Mrs Burr joined us. We drove to Wasing Rectory & left cards on Mr & Mrs Burns the ex parson of Aldermaston. We went on to Beenham & called on Mrs Waring who was at home & gave us tea. She allowed Henry to write a note for the post to ask for newspapers from London– She knew nothing more than we of the horrid affair wh took place on Saty aftern. We got home abt 6 & Henry & I went up to my room to read– I read thro’ Forster’s speech on Thursday when he left office—& his predictions are fatally verified. The Scobell girls & Mr Ross left & went their several ways today. We dined at 7.15 as the Squire went out to the Village Cooperative meeting. There was only Mr Higford at home– Henry & I played cribbage in the eveng after he had recd the papers wh had come for him from Reading. We went to bed at 11. Mrs Burr sat with me while I undressed. | |
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