WOMENS LANGUAGE AND EXPERIENCE, 1500-1940

Womens Diaries and Related Sources

Part 4: Sources from the National Library of Scotland and the National Library of Wales

Extracts

REEL 1

Adv Ms 32.4.4 Letters of Elizabeth Collace, Covenanter, c 1650-1697, 1704

“Letters written by Mr John Walwood while he was Preaching up & downe Scotland, in ye years 1675, 1676 & 1677.

Letter 1st To Mrs Elizabeth Collace Kilbrag July 22 1675

Mrs
I Hear of your Solitude, But it is well that the Lord is with you. If he moves away, all the best Company would not fill up his room: But He can fill up the room of all other Comforts….”

Adv Ms 34.5.19 Letters of Katherine Ross, Elizabeth Collace and Jean Collace, Covenanters, c 1650-1697, 1704

The Life of Mr John Livingstone minister of the Gospell. January 1666 Some observations of the Lords [?] towards me during my life written for the use of my Children.

My father was Mr William Livingstone first minister at Monyabusch, where he entered in the year 1600 and ys after was transported about the year 1614 to be minister at Lanark where he dyed in the year 1641 being 65 years old….

Having at home learned to read & write I was sent in the year 1613 to Stirling to a latine School, where Mr William Wallace a good man & learned humanight was schoolmaster where I stayed till Summer 1617….

REEL 2

MS 980 Lady Nairne Correspondence, 1763-1876

“September 14 1763

Were my Dear Sister to send the finest Neclace ever came from the Indies I could receive it with no more pleasure than the pretty one of her own making, I lined it with white and have been wearing it everyday as you desired. I’m sorry you made so little use of my Ruffles, I wore yours on some extraordinary occasions.

…. Pray tell the Miss Oliphant I’m very much at her service and am extremely fond of having a Letter subscribed by such a Fine young Lady.

As this Hood is mad of course beauty I think it will wear very well with a brown Linsy-woolsy gown, at home for they are both becoming and consequently suits well together… whatever your opinion my be of this reasoning, I know you’ll have no doubt of my being

Dear Sister

Your most Affectionate
humble Servante
Char. Robertson
it gave me no small satisfaction
to hear of poor Susan’s welfare,
I hope she’ll deserve to be
taken care of in her old Age Adieu”

REEL 3

MS 982C Journal of Mrs Stewart of Bonskeid, 1802

“Tuesday Feb 2 …. At dinner we had Major Campbell of Inverawe of the Scotland Fancibles & his Lady, Major & Mrs & Philip Moure of the Perth Shire militia & Major Craigie of ditto, Mr & Mrs & Philip Stewart? - they were talking of the Irish Cronacks which are sung at the Funerals—a terrible howl it is - always ascending & descending as they cry and why did you die - you had plenty of [Piretes? ](Potatoes) why did you die—plenty of pigs etc & it is a custom in the south of Ireland to expose a corpse upon the Street with a plate to receive alms—which the Priest takes & burys the body as cheap as he can….”

REEL 4

MS 983 Journals of Mrs Steuart of Dalguise, 1789-1808

“Thursday 12th March 1789 V 3

The snow near 2 inches deep in the morning went almost quite off the ground before night - a little falling snow & then thro the day did not lay.

My Dear Father rested very well - his leg almost quite well & he walks perfectly easily. I read a little History before breakfast & ended the 2 vol of Smollet. Nothing remarkable but that the Barons have got the better of the King & obliged him to do what they please.

I work from ten to twelve mostly in the dining room - play’d a little before dinner….French in the evening….

Friday 13th Snowing all day with a very cold wind. My Father pretty well. I read before breakfast of an engagement at Lewes between the King & his Rebellious Barons in which the latter gained the day & made afterwards a most extravagant use of their victory….”

REEL 6

MS 3758 Autobiography of Eliza Fletcher, 1770-1817

“I was born on the 15th of January 1770 at the village of Oxton near Tadcaster in Yorkshire. My father was descended from a respectable race of Yeomen….

In the winter of 1789 and 1790 I paid a visit to my friend Mrs Dr Harrison at Ripon - and there became acquainted with Lord Grantty. He was then I should think bordering on fifty a man of insinuating address, and of cultivated taste and accomplishments. He distinguished me with marked attention: Invited my Father to accompany me to visit him and his Mother at Grantty, and show’d me a preference that had my heart been untouch’d and my faith unpledged, he might by flattering my vanity have made some impression on my heart,— But happily I had nothing of the Coquette in my disposition, and the attentions of this nobleman though flattering were indifferent to me. - I had besides no good opinion of his moral character and in all the partialities and friendships I have had in life either to my own sex, or the other I never could found friendship on anything but solid esteem and moral approbation….”

REEL 7

MS 6491 Meditations of Anne Lady Halkett, c1650-1699

“Expostulations aboutt prayer

My God my god why dost thou withdraw thy presence from mee; thou knowest without thee it is impossible I should have one good thought & since all the good I doe desire is butt to make mee acceptable to thee why did thou reject my prayer & make itt to become a Snare unto mee….”

MS 6491 Meditations of Anne Lady Halkett, c1650-1699

“Occasionall Meditations upon the death of my dearest Child Betty who died of the small poxe upon Tuesday the 13th of November 1660 in Convent Garden & buried in that Church

How many variety of ways is the Lord pleased to try mee with and now this is a new one which I have never knowne before.

This child was dearer to me than any other & shee hath beene most visittid with sickness & weakeness. Both might have beene a Continuall preparation to mee to have Looked for death & yett the outtliving many hazards made mee even att the very last hope….”

REEL 9

MS 6498 Meditations of Anne Lady Halkett, c1650-1699

“Monday January 24 1686

Meditation is the life of action. And noe act can be well performed that is not duly considered and the advantage or preiudice represented, which may be the result of there performance.
According to this rule what need have I to be very serious in reflecting upon what I am now intending…

Monday 21 of May 1688

Having so often mentioned the advantage I have found by fixing my morning thoughts upon some pious Meditation, I need nott insist further upon that. Only reflect on the reason I had to make this day the date for beginning this booke. For it was the Evening of Monday the one & twentieth of May 1649, that I was under the greatest Perill that ever any now Living I believe hath met with. The particulars & the person that occationed itt I desire ever to conceale Butt while I live (and as ever since so) I intend to continue with the Lords assistance every Monday to commemorate the deliverance with private adoration…

This day it is 48 yeare since that time and yet it is fresh in my memory… as if it were butt yesterday performed….”

REEL 12

MS 6659 Essay on Female Conduct by Margaret Monro, 1739

“Of Commerce with Men

…. Any Man who says undecent things in your Company, tho wrapped up in ambiguous lines, those who attempt frequently freedoms; Those who take all occasions to flatter you on your Person or Parts, Those who decry and argue against Decency and Discretion, and commend Gayety Freedom and good [?]in Women; Those who undertake the defence of Vice, are none of our Friends…. They are dangerous Companions who ought to be shunned. The Man who entertains a well-grounded Esteem for a Woman is sparing of Compliments to her; If he sees her do wrong, he endeavours to convince her of her Error in a private tender Manner; He approaches her with Awe himself and he is offended at the least Appearance of any thing that tends to the Debauching her Minder Person….

Books of Housekeeping

That the Books may be improved and that the Husband may be sensible of the Wife’s Care and Regularity, she ought to ask him to assist her in controuling and examining them. If he declines this trouble she may designedly put them in his way when alone, Curiosity may prompt him to do her Justice by inspecting them.

The Wife who keeps regular Books ought to preserve them, they may serve as a Model of Management for her Daughter, and if her Husbands Affairs ever go into Confusion, they bear testimony for her being blameless….”

REEL 14

MS 15904 Diary of Elizabeth Ramsay, 1891

“16 January 1891 Went to Port Ellen to-day with Pappy & Miss S…. I tried in vain to get small plush purse in village. Only very ugliest & commonest leathers ones. Came home in time for lunch. Went for a walk with Pappy before tea….”

MS 15905 Travel Journal of a Young Lady, 1790

“A Journey to Scotland
August 16 1790

Mr Mrs Baxter brother and self set off at half past six o clock in the morning a small [? ] but very pleasant breakfast at St Albans 21 miles from London. A very good Inn and civil people - changed Horses at Wooburne [? ] changed again at the Bull Dunstable bought a D— Hat
[? ]stopt at Newport Pagnall to dine took a walk and saw the Church yard which was neat and pretty an old Town (noted for nothing but the making of Lace) had everything very good the people very attentive. Slept at Northampton a Capatal good Town…. From Leicester we proceeded to Nottingham a most charming ride, a ridge of fine cultivated Hills, on one side, on the other a fine Champaine Country - about a Mile before you enter the Town you pass over the River Trent. Nottingham is a large Manufacturing Town for Stockings, but indifferently paved, a handsome square Market Place, with some good houses in it, a Noble Building calld the Castle belonging to the Duke of Newcastle from which you have a very fine view of the Town….”

REEL 15

MS 20243 Diary of Elizabeth Haldane, 1915

“ November 22 1914 …. Everyone amused with Joffre, French and the “entente”, but so many are sad. Still wonderful spirit prevails specially amongst sensible people not carried away by spy-craze and rumours. 3rd Club was quite nice. W Bughclere, Marie, Mrs Leo Rothschild, who as Austrian feels Germany has destroyed her country, but who knows the power and strength of Germany, Lord Crewe who has come out so much and talked of Kultur and its meaning, Russian books etc. But no conversation gets off war at present, and no wonder. What is fine is the way people are acting, and people one thought quite frivolous are coming out so wonderfully and showing self-sacrificing spirit. The women’s vote and the prospect of immensely increased taxation is hardly noticed, and the War Loan is said to be subscribed twice over. Saw Ian Hamilton; he wants me to write of the Hospitals, which certainly are splendid….”

REEL 16

MS 20244 Diary of Elizabeth Haldane, 1919

“Jan 4 1919 All together as a Family. It is strange how frequently this has been the case as the years go by. Saw the New Year in. One wonders what it will bring: the last has surely been one of the most wonderful in the history of Europe.

We have had times of extremest anxiety and most wonderful relief. The result of the Election has been an extraordinary surprise. The Asquithian Liberals are practically demolished—Coalition triumphant. Asquith out by 2000 in E. Fife which is almost incredible. Who is to lead a way in the Opposition? Are the Tories to lead in fact as they do in numbers? What of all L G’s promises?

R brought the Evening Paper from Carstairs after he went to London to be present at Banquet at Buckingham Palace to President Wilson. He thoroughly enjoyed his time there. Talked to President W and at once spoke of League of Nations after referring with appreciation to the P’s Sabume speech dealing with the Convention….”

Acc 9756 Medical Journal and Related Papers of Lady Clementina Malcolm, 1822-1831

“Friday Night

My dearest George

I write in case I do not survive the operation I am about to submit to tomorrow, to bid you farewell to tell you since the hour of your birth you have been my chief happiness and while I have the power of thinking you will be in my thoughts. I pray the Almighty to bless you to enable you to grow up a pious good man to give you strength of mind to resist Vice and be moderate in your pleasures May you prove a comfort to your Father a Guide to your brother Accustom yourself to raise your thoughts to your Great Creator at all times and when you pray let it be with your whole heart Through the mercy of our Saviour your prayers will be heard. God Almighty bless you my Son if I thought I shall not get over this I would delay the operation and send for you but it seems wiser to let things take their course. Willy is not aware of what I have to suffer I wish him to have my watch you your Father’s miniature the ring I always wear with a Seal and anything that I possess that you fancy I am sure your Father will give you a remembrance of the last wishes of

yr affectionate
Mother

In case I have to submit to another operation I have nothing to add to what I wrote two months ago my dearest George but that to my last hour you will be in my thoughts God Almighty bless you and prosper you.”

Sources from the National Library of Wales

Reel 17

NLW MS 4340 Copy Book of Katherine Thomas, c 1660

“A Prayer against Sensuality

O Eternall father, thou that sittest in heaven invested, with essentiall glories & divine perfection, fill my Soole with so deep A sense of the excellencies of Spirituall & Heavenly things, that my affections being weaned from the pleasures of the world, & the false allurements of Sin, I may with great Severity & the prudence of a holy discipline & strict desires, with a cleare resolution & a free Spiritt, have my Conversation in heaven & heavenly imployments; that being in affections as my condition, a pilgrim & a strainger here I may covett after & Labour for an Abideing City & att Last may enter into & forever dwell in the Celestial Jerusalem with the mother of us all through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.”

NLW MS 5950 Sayings of Miss Sparrow, 1751

“…. From the time I gave up Housekeeping to my going to board with Mr J B I paid £20 p Ann for my Diet, and always lived (ie eat and drank) as the Family with whom I resided did. But having not my Linnen washed in Mr J B’s House I intended paying him £18..5.. a Year finding my own Washing Candle etc which I thought ample pay (in a cheap and plentiful Market) for his Table, being very sensible I was not likely to eat better, nor indeed so well, as other Tables I before had done. Now when a Boarder sits down to a Scanty Table as I did (I call it Scanty because I found it so, having never as a Boarder lived so bare, nor never will do again as long as I am able to pay for what I eat) yet if he eats as the rest of the Family does, he has no great reason to complain, because he Fares as they Fare; and had this been the Case here, I should have been for ever Silent….”

REEL 18

Peniarth 416 I, v1 Diary of Elizabeth Baker of Dolgellau, 1778

“…. New Year’s day 1779
Friday. I had the comfort of hearing before rising from bed that the Revd & Mrs Owen of Carnarvon a fast friend was come to see me & we breakfasted together - and agreed upon every topick past- as well as in our future Hope - that I may justly say the beginning of the year is very happy - and if my friend Mr Vaughan will in future quit his obstinacy of temper, which has originally occasioned this distress of fortune to himself, and anguish to his friends….”

REEL 19

Peniarth 416 I, v5 Diary of Elizabeth Baker of Dolgellau

“…. Returned Mrs Betty Kenny her Snuff-box that contain’d the Rappee, she gave me on Wednesday last; & the messenger return’d with the information my good Friend was in health.
Saturday 15. Wrote to Mr Vaughan: when my letter was folded & directed I went downstairs to seal it; where sat mine Hostess ironing , her daughter helped me to a candle in her usual way that’s to say, with a good natured manner and readiness….”

REEL 20

Peniarth 416 I, v8 Diary of Elizabeth Baker of Dolgellau, 1784

“Bryn Adda 1784
Wednesday April 14. An hour and more after I had breakfasted came Owen Jones’s wife with three Pikelets, which denoted she came to breakfast, as tis the custom of the country - I gave her choice , & she preferred my coffee to Tea; paid her for a pound of Souchong - she sat a little time and Betty interpreted for she, Owen’s wife, speaks no more English than I do Welch, but she’s not so ignorant of the former as I am of the latter - before the remains of coffee were cold Dav Robt’s wife entered - gave her two dishes they both commended my coffee….”

REEL 24

NLW MS 22242 Journal of Ellen Sophy Rendel, 1890-1905

Sunday 23 August. The whole family went to church & exercised their lungs vigorously on behalf of the choir which has marvellously improved under Fishers leadership. A wet afternoon….”

REEL 26

NLW MS 11096 Diary of Hester Lynch Piozzi, 1797

“…. Thursday 16 March. We dined at Miss Thrale’s, and went at the Play House, Drury Lane.

Saturday 18 March. We dined at Mrs Maddox and all the evening. John the footman lost the Bird Clock of Mrs Piozzi Value fifty Guineas….”

NLW MS 11102 Diary of Hester Lynch Piozzi, 1811

“Tuesday 2 June. Got easily to Worcester. Saw Salusbury & went with him to buy China. Left Worcester & arrived late at Shrewsbury. Salusbury had been in waiting for me 48 hours.

Wednesday 3 June. Drove away to old Shrewsbury Lyon, walked in the Quarry – very fine. Dined by Invitation at Longpore; a full table. Saw Condover Park as we drove back to our Inn.

Thursday 4 June. Went with Salusbury to Brocus’s…. Left him going back to Longnor. Went on and dined with the Ladies of Llangollen.

Friday 5 June. Breakfasted with the Ladies - very good Literary Chat. Never saw such fine China….”

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