The Diaries of Sir Ernest Satow, 1912-1920 - Volume Two (1917-1920)

By Ian Ruxton

The second volume of Sir Ernest Satow's diaries, 1912-1920 sees the publication of his seminal 'Guide to Diplomatic Practice' in 1917, and preparations for the publication of 'A Diplomat in Japan' in 1921, while he continues to lead a very full and active life in Ottery St. Mary, Devon. This volume includes the index to both volumes, maps and photographs of the town. The foreword by T.G. Otte, bibliography and Satow family tree are in Volume One. This is a world first publication.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9780359026562

Book preview

The Diaries of Sir Ernest Satow, 1912-1920 - Volume Two (1917-1920)

The Diaries of Sir Ernest Satow, 1912-1920 Volume Two (1917-1920)

Edited by Ian Ruxton

The Diaries of Sir Ernest Satow,

1912-1920

Volume Two (1917-1920)

Edited by Ian Ruxton

All rights reserved. Copyright Ian Ruxton, 2018. 

Crown copyright material in the Satow Papers (PRO 30/33) deposited in the National Archives of the U.K. is reproduced by permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (H.M.S.O.). Copyright material from the letters and diaries of Sir Ernest Satow is reproduced by permission of the National Archives (U.K.) on behalf of the Controller of H.M.S.O.  

EBook (EPUB):

ISBN: 978-0-359-02656-2

Printed Paperback (8.5 by 11 inches)

ISBN: 978-1-387-74457-2

Publisher: Ian Ruxton via Lulu.com

For other Satow-related publications see the author’s storefront at  http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/ianruxton  or search for the author’s name on amazon and other retail websites.

Part of an 1896 Ordnance Survey map (No. 326) of Ottery St Mary and the East Devon coast, including Sidmouth, Honiton and Payhembury. Ottery is centre left of the map.

(Reproduced with permission from Alan Godfrey Maps.)

Ordnance Survey 25 inch:1 mile map of Ottery with Beaumont House in the top right corner, c. 1903. (Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.)

Beaumont House from the Ridgeway. This and the following photographs are copyright Ian Ruxton, 2015.

Paternoster Row, Ottery St. Mary, between Beaumont House and the church. 

Paternoster Row. The church tower is visible in the centre of the photograph.

Ottery St. Mary parish church (St. Mary’s) 

St. Mary’s church interior

Commemorative plaque for Satow in the church which reads: 

In Memory of the Right Honourable Sir Ernest Mason Satow, G.C.M.G. Hon. LLD. Camb. D.C.L. Oxon. Born June 30th 1843. Died August 26th 1929. For Twenty-three years a member of H.B.M. Consular Service in Japan, then H.B.M. Minister at Bangkok, Montevideo, Tangier and Tokio, and at Peking, 1900-1906. ‘Mentis subtilitate curiosa sicco lumine ingenii praestitit.’ This brass is erected by some of those still resident in China who recall with abiding pleasure the days when he lived and worked here and worshipped in this chapel. 

Under the plaque a separate small plaque has been added: The above tablet was in the chapel of Her Majesty’s Embassy in Peking, China, until closed. Then re-erected here in 1960. The late Sir Ernest Satow, a devoted and generous supporter of this church, lived the last years of his life in this parish.

Table of Contents

The Diaries of Sir Ernest Satow, 1912-1920 Volume Two (1917-1920)

1917

January 1917

February 1917

March 1917

April 1917

May 1917

June 1917

July 1917

August 1917

September 1917

October 1917

November 1917

December 1917

1918

January 1918

February 1918

March 1918

April 1918

May 1918

June 1918

July 1918

August 1918

September 1918

October 2018

November 1918

December 1918

1919

January 1919

February 1919

March 1919

April 1919

May 1919

June 1919

July 1919

August 1919

September 1919

October 1919

November 1919

December 1919

1920

January 1920

February 1920

March 1920

April 1920

May 1920

June 1920

July 1920

August 1920

September 1920

October 1920

November 1920

December 1920

Index

1917

January 1917

Jan 1    New Year’s Day. Mild and damp. Proofs all the forenoon. After lunch we took the train to Tipton and walked home by Coombe Goyle, Claypitts, Waxway, Rill and Butts. Did 1 page of de M [de Martens].

Jan 2   Mild, and clouds all day. Forenoon occupied with the quarter’s bank accounts, after tea proofs. We walked to the station, and thence by Coombe Lake and Gosford.

Jan 3   Proofs most of the day, and finishing preparation of the Index. Advisory sub-committee, after which Ellis, Vinnicombe and I went down to the sewage works to view breach in the bank through which dirty effluent discharges into the canal from the mill and so into the river close by. Our walk was to Chineway foot and along Under the Hill, home by Rill Lane. I was today elected by Quarter Sessions to the Standing Joint Committee for the Honiton Police Division, on the nomination of Captain T. A. Hill-Lowe.

Jan 4    Very fine day, ending with a cloudless sky presided over by a 3/4 Moon. Shiner came up about removal of the Wellingtonia on the S.E. of the lower lawn, and 2 men, one of them old Sellick, who is an expert, started work after the midday dinner, Jerred having previously cut off the lower branches and removed part of the iron fencing. After lunch we walked up West Hill as far as the Lanes, and thence across to the Exeter road: fine views. Sent off index this morning and did a bit of proofreading with Sam’s aid, so after tea had a little leisure for Russia. Urban District Council. I urged that we ought at once to take steps to appoint an acting sanitary inspector; also a committee to be held just before next council meeting to decide what Whicker’s duties with road shall be, and the amount of his remuneration. Sir Edward B. Tylor’s death on the 2nd is announced in today’s Times; he was an old friend of mine ever since he went to Oxford. The last few years he has been failing sadly; 84 in October last.

Jan 5    Brilliant morning, with hoar frost and a cloudless sky, but it became overcast about eleven. Mrs. Tindall sends me a message from Lady Tylor asking me to the funeral, and offering that John Tindall should pick me up here tomorrow at eleven to motor to Wellington, to lunch at 1.30 at the house, and attend the funeral at 3.15. I have declined. The Wellingtonia measured to length on the ground about 11, and the workmen proceeded to saw it into pieces, which Jerred split up into logs for the fire. Walked with Sam to the station for the 12.4, and after lunch as far as Easthayes and back. Rest of the day until 5.30 at proofs. A letter from Mrs. Ham[ilton].    Currey telling me the details of her husband’s illness and death; apparently a violent fit of colic or indigestion. Despatched a box full of books on Jesuits for the new Louvain library to H. Guppy of the John Rylands library at Manchester, who is collecting books. Invitation from the Governing Body and Director of the School of Oriental Studies to be present at an informal inspection on January 16, which I have declined.[1] They have made the astonishing appointment of H. Bonar[2] to be head of the Japan section; he is not a good enough scholar; but he is to have a native Japanese to help him.

Jan 6    Brilliant cloudless morning, slight hoar frost. Happily no proofs. Read Epodes 2 to 4. After lunch borrowed Mary D’s dog Dan, and walked past Knightstone and Owl’s Roost to top of East Hill and back by Rill Lane; finished two pages of de Martens after tea. Sent off amended list of potato seed, including some for Jerred, and a cheque for the amount to Dobbie & Co.

Jan 7    Rain began about 2.30, but in spite of it I walked over to Cadhay to see the Whethams.[3] After tea finished reading Lucian’s Nigrinis in the original. The Fowlers’ translation is excellent, tho’ free.

Jan 8    A bitter cold wind from the N.W. and threatenings of snow. Read Epode 5, 10000. Hospital Committee on the report. Only Fred Williams, Middleton and myself with [Charles] Ranken. Went down to the station and brought up Professor Oppenheim. Too cold for a walk.

Jan 9    High wind continued from last night. The forenoon was sunny. We talked a great deal about questions of international law, but I nevertheless managed to read three more epodes. After lunch we went to Sidmouth, walked up Peak hill and along Mutter’s Moor, cutting across the tail of the golf course without going to Salter’s cross, came down the Bickwell valley, past Cottington and up the Station road, finally getting in about 5.20. We had on the whole a good walk of two solid hours, ending up with a splendid sunset.

Jan 10   Hard frost. Went to Luxton and told him I am liable for occupation tax on the field from Dec. 25, and afterwards sent him a cheque for Income tax and House tax. Did some Epodes. After lunch we walked up to Rill Head, along to Chineway head, and so home. Ploughing finished today, also extraction of Wellingtonia roots and covering in the cavity. Sent off list of vegetable seeds to Dobbie & Co. Thaw midday. O. says that T. E. Holland[4] tried to push Jas. Brown Scott as his successor at Oxford, and the electors did not approve of him, as being American, and yet did not like to choose one of the numerous English candidates. Then Davidson of F.O. suggested offering it to [Henry] Erle Richards, who asked time to consider, and then accepted with the condition that he should be allowed to continue his practice. He has to deliver two lectures a week; so he gives one on Saturday and one on Monday, and the rest of the time he is in London.

Jan 11    Rained during the night, much milder. Walked down to the station with Oppenheim. He has hardly ceased talking throughout his visit. His eyesight is too bad for reading by candlelight, so from tea time to eleven o’clock it was a continual stream. He is a Jew, but by no means strict, for he eats bacon and ham. His wife is a daughter of Cowan, who was sheriff of London when he married her, a sugar-refiner and soapboiler, the sugar-refinery business was ruined by cheap foreign sugar. Finished the Epodes, which are easier than the odes, the order of words being more straightforward, and did some Russian. After lunch wrote a few lines to Reay, who it is reported in the Times is confined to his room as the result of an accident. Walked by King’s School to Pitt Farm and back by Cadhay. Sanitary committee interviewed John Streat, and agreed with him to be provisional Sanitary inspector at the same salary as that assigned to Finister @ £50 a year.

Jan 12    N.W. pretty violent, mostly fine, but some showers. Four sheets of proof read and sent off to Sam. Then began Horace’s Satires, read about 50 lines of 1. After lunch to Middleton of L[ondon] & S.W. Bank to talk about subscribing to the new war loan of which the prospectus came this morning. I can put in £400 of new money, and convert £400 of 4½% and £400 of £5 Exchequer bonds. Agreed that he should make the applications for me. Then walked round by Fair-mile and Escot School. After tea felt rather tired still, but after a good rest recovered and returned to the attack of de Martens. Reading A. Debidour’s Histoire Diplomatique de l’Europe 1814-78 which seems a better account of events than any I have yet met with.

Jan 13    Went to see Dora Martin abt. applying to the War Pensions Local Committee at Exeter for a supplementary pension for Mrs. Short. After coming back, worked at Russian till lunch. It will better to take Russian and Horace on alternate days. Afternoon walked as far as Gunpool and then read Debidour. Two big parcels of books arrived from Oppenheim. Hoar frost this morning, pretty strong, but about one o’c. a shower of snow, which melted as it fell, but all the surrounding hills were covered.  

Jan 14    A black frost last night, but not very severe. A good deal of sun in the forenoon. Instead of going to mattins, looked into my income accounts, and find that I shall have to pay abt. £190 more taxation than in 1916. So I have written to Mary Satow that I cannot afford to give her £150 a year as formerly, and must reduce it to £100. She will continue to receive £30 for Ivan’s education. After lunch walked as far as Higher Rill farm and back. Read a good deal of Debidour’s Histoire Diplomatique, which is very good.

Jan 15    Black frost, pretty hard, sunny forenoon mostly, then cloudy. Wrote letters, sorted papers and finished Satire I, which supplies several stock quotations, and Sat. 2 to the end of the decent part. The proofs of index recd. by the afternoon post, and looked over several galleys. Dined at 7.30 and went to C.E.M.S. [Church of England Missionary Society]. Tozer in the chair, a very small meeting. He read to us a good part of a lecture by the Rev. Hardy, on The Back of the War" and we discussed it till ten o’clock. Hewson, Wyatt and old Geo. Turner and I spoke.

Jan 16     Hard frost. Bright sunshiny forenoon; clouded over afterwards, and cleared again at Sunset. All day occupied with the index. Walked round by Gosford and Coombe Lake. F. Middleton of the L[ondon] & S[outh] W[est] Bank came to tea and brought papers for me to sign in connexion with the 5% War Loan. I convert £400 of 4½% loan, £ 400 of 5% Exchequer Bonds, subscribe £380 of my own money at Parr’s [Bank] and in the L. & S.W. Bank here, and borrow £285 from the latter, making £285 which will give me £300 more, that is £1500 in all.

Letter from Reay telling about his accident, so I replied telling him that I wrote on the 11th to Galashiels after seeing the notice in the Times.[5] Also from E. H. French [formerly a consular official and interpreter in Siam], who has broken up his establishment near Canterbury, and come down to Bath. I received back from Parrs Bank 2 £100 and 1 £200 5% Exchequer Bonds, and handed them to Middleton, to whom also I gave a bearer cheque on Parr’s for £285 and one of £95 on the L. & S.W. Bank here.

Jan 17    White frost again, rather sharp. Mrs. Kassburg came into my room after lunch, looking very ill and feeble. After a little talk I took her back into her own. Walked to Chineway foot, along Under the Hill, and home by Coldharbour Lane. In many places not exposed to the sun the few flakes of snow that fell the evening before last have not melted, which shows how continuous the frost has been, night and day. But somehow it seemed milder this afternoon. The rest of the day I worked at the Index, looking up every reference, and finding a few wrong. The new Bishop Wm. Cecil proposes to come and have a talk when he visits Ottery in March, which will be very interesting and pleasant. 

Jan 18    Frost again, cloudy but cleared about noon, till 3 or 4 o’clock. A slight fall of snow about 9. Worked at that beastly index all day, turning up every reference so as to set right those where I had made a mistake; and so entirely forgot the Boarding-out Committee. Walked round by Four Elms and Holcombe very briskly in 50 min.

Jan 19    Milder, and dull sky. Was able to go back to Russian, and did a page after disposing of my correspondence about the title-page of the Diplomatic Practice, which took a couple of hours. After lunch walked past the Rill farms, down by Burrow Woods and Knightstone to Tiphill, then by Long Dog Lane home, 1 hr. 20 min.

Jan 20    A dull, cloudy day. Did a page of F. de Martens before lunch, after walked up to Chineway head and back by Coldharbour Lane. Everything frozen hard on the top of East Hill and some way down below, 1½ hr. stopping on the way to have a talk with Pares, who was tarring a gate, about ploughing for spring corn, which must be done before February, and the application of Vaporite to ploughed up pasture and artificial manures to potatoes. May expect a crop of 6 tons per acre. After I got back read nearly 100 lines of 3rd Satires before Six o’clock. Mary Satow writes resignedly in reply to my letter of the 14th and says Ethel will help her when she gets the money left her by Augusta, but makes no mention of the income that Charlie gets from the same source. But Sam tells me that Ethel’s share from Henry’s death to July was £10.10.2 and Charlie’s £8.15, for only one month; so between them they have £240.

Jan 21    A bitterly cold N.E. wind all day, and a clouded sky. Walked by Rill Lane and Coldharbour Lane to the foot of East Hill, thence to Chineway foot and so home by Shutes. On the 19th we planted primroses under the holly hedge eastwards from the steps.

Jan 22    Black frost, sky clouded over. Sent my copy of Coutanseau’s French dictionary, which Charlie gave me some 50 years ago to A.T. Davies of the Board of Education for a prisoner in Germany. Finished planting primroses along the other stretch of holly hedge. Stuckey’s mason

came up and went to work to discover the cause of the dampness of the lower part of the furnace, and it was then found that there is a dry well about 12 feet deep close by; but no drain is responsible for the dampness. So then they got Jas. Streat to come up, and he found there was a leakage where one of the hotwater pipes emerges from the boiler. So all is pretty clear now, except a damp depression in the coal cellar, where there are drainpipes full of clay. 

After lunch up to Chineway Head, along watery or Muddy Lane to Westgate common, back across the fields between Higher Holcombe and Holcombe Barton; going and coming by Ridgeway Lane, 1 hr. 35 min. After tea Mrs. Coleridge came in, and sat for quite half an hour, her only object being to ask whether the Urban Council would hold a public meeting to promote war-saving; because if not, she was disposed to start a movement, with the aid of the schoolmasters and ministers of religion. I told her that the Council would not take any steps.  She says it is rumoured that Metcalfe is going to take 3 months leave, being troubled with Senile heart (at the age of 44!), and will try to get a quiet country living. We both agreed that the clergy have to work too hard, having so many services which no one attends but the two old ladies from St. Budeaux [Plymouth, Devon]. Found a large flower-bud on Anemone fulgens.

Jan 23    A slight fall of snow before sunrise, which lay on the frozen ground. Cloudy most part of the day, but glimpses of the sun and blue sky in the afternoon. I did 1½ pp. of F. de Martens in the forenoon. After lunch walked round by Coombe Lake and Gosford. Read and made a few notes on the Wartensleben case in G.F. de Martens Merkwürdige Fälle [Noteworthy Cases].

Jan 24   Froze hard all day, and cloudy sky. Did only 1 page of de Martens, as [Charles] Ranken came in to talk over the Cottage Hospital Report for me to speak on at the meeting. After lunch walked down to the Station to order coal for the kitchen (6 tons) then by Winter’s Lane, Longdog Lane, up Rill Lane, across Leggeshayes and round by Holcombe Barton 1 hr. 25 min. No wind. Went to tea with Mary Dickinson, with whom Mrs. Tuke is staying. We discussed chiefly matters of household economy, meatless days etc.

Jan 25    Hard frost continuing. A letter this morning from Mrs. Jan Mitchell telling me that Lady Reay died on the 23rd, and is to be buried at the kirk at Caddon foot the day after tomorrow. She was a great lady, and a gracious hostess, with many friends. I had known her since we went to the Hague ten years ago. Did a good page and a half of Russian. Discussed with Jerred the removal of lower branches of the larger trees in the fields. Walked up to Chard’s cottage under East Hill, then along to Chineway foot, under the shelter of the hill and so home by Shutes, 1 hr. 20 min.

Jan 26    East wind and frost continuing. Letter recd from Dobbie & Co announcing despatch of seedpotatoes, and a sale-note from Joseph Fison & Co. for 4 cwt. of potato manure. Went to see Middleton of the L. & S.W. Bank about subscribing £58 to complete conversion of 4½% loan and 5% Exchequer bonds to a total of £900, and at his request sent him the Bank of England receipt for 3 certificates for Exchequer bonds. Proofs of Index and title page recd from Clay and returned to him. Also wrote for a copy of the sheets as struck off. Was only able to do ½ p. of de Martens. Walked by Knightstone Lane and Burrow Hill farm up to East Hill foot by the Wiggaton lane, and home by Rill farms and Shutes.

Jan 27    Same hard weather, but a great deal of sunshine up to four o’clock. Did 2 pp. Russian. After lunch walked to Alfington, up Summer Lane, past ruins of Goreton Farm and home by Ridgeway Lane, 1 hr. 20 min. Times announces the death of [Sir Robert] Bourchier Wrey of Tavistock, aged 61, after an operation. He was in the navy many years ago, serving in the Sylvia under little St. John when he was employed on survey duty in Japan, rather extravagant and always neatly turned out.

Jan 28    Joe Salter removed yesterday the remains of Huxtable’s hay-rick at the bottom of the field. This was a very fine sunny day, with a cold east wind. Walked up from Shutes to Chineway head, along the top of East Hill, home by Coldharbour Lane and Rill Lane back to Shutes. Did half a page of de Martens.

Jan 29      A good deal of sun all the morning and early afternoon, but cold east wind and frost. 1½ pp. de Martens. Afternoon Annual Meeting of the Cottage Hospital, at which I took the chair. Then downtown to meet Josephine, and brought her round by Winter’s and Longdog lanes to tea, escorting her back to the Station afterwards. On the way we went into F. Hake’s and bought for her 2 lb. soft sugar, which she has much difficulty in getting at Sidmouth; supplies seem short there, price 6½d the pound. Thus I managed altogether 3 miles walking; hardly enough.

Jan 30    Not quite so cold, but still frosty. Went in furs [?] to Exeter, did some shopping, went to the Club, read E.J. Schuster’s article in the Contemporary [Review] on the imperfections of our naturalization law (he prefers the jus sanguinis to our jus soli), lunched there, and then to the monthly meeting of the Standing Joint Committee, to which I was app[oin]ted at the last Quarter Sessions, G.C. Davie in the chair, very expeditious, so got thro’ in half an hour, and got home by the 3.25. After tea 2/3 of a page of de Martens. Mrs. R. Coleridge came in to tell me how she is organizing a War Savings meeting. Wonderfully energetic woman.

Jan 31    Less frosty than yesterday. N. wind and some sunshine, glass still going up. To Exeter to Blind Institution Committee. Lunched at the Prykes, who had the Rev. R[ichar]d Jenkins of Talaton, and a middle-aged leonine clergyman from Leicester, who is going about as Archbishop’s messenger in connexion with the National Mission. When Jenkins and I talked about the excessive scale of separation allowances, in the country districts we are acquainted with, he intimated that he attached no value to such views, as they were not borne out by his experience in a parish of 15,000 people. He seemed needlessly disputatious, as we had begun by saying that in towns it was probably different. Afterwards to the Medical Services Subcommittee; only 2 cases, which we got thro’ in ¾ hour.

---

[1] In February 1908 a departmental committee headed by Lord Reay met to consider oriental studies in London, and Satow was among the many who gave evidence (on February 27). The committee's recommendations made in December 1908 and presented to both Houses of Parliament (Report of the Committee appointed by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury to consider the organisation of Oriental Studies in London, Cmd. 4560 and 4561, H.M.S.O., 1909, often called 'The Reay Report') led eventually to the foundation of the School of Oriental Studies in 1916, later incorporated into London University. In 1917 the first students of Japanese were admitted. In 1938 the school took its present title, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

[2] Bonar, Henry Alfred Constant, C.M.G. (1861-1935). Appointed student interpreter in Japan, 1880.

Called to the Bar at the Middle Temple, 1894. Appointed consul for the consular district of Kanagawa (Yokohama) and assistant judge of H.M. Court for Japan, August 4, 1898. Employed on special service in connection with the preparation of the case and counter-case of the British, French and German governments in the Japan perpetual leases arbitration before the Hague tribunal, October 1902 - January 1904. Transferred to Kobe, May 1903. Promoted to be Consul-General at Kobe, April 1908. Transferred to Seoul, November 1909. Retired on a pension, April 1, 1912. Made a C.M.G., June 1912. Employed in the postal censor department from October 22, 1917. Died August 5, 1935.  [F.O. List, 1936.]

[3] See Linehan, Catherine Durning. Cadhay and the Whetham Family. Dorchester: The Author (1975) 22p, 8p of plates. See also Whetham, C.D. & Whetham, M. (eds.) A Manor Book of Ottery St Mary. Longmans Green & Co. (1913) 184p. (Information from the Genuki website for Ottery St. Mary).

[4] Holland, Sir Thomas Erskine (1835-1926). English legal writer and teacher of international law whose outstanding work, Elements of Jurisprudence, underwent 13 editions from 1880 to 1924.  Educated at Brighton College and at Balliol and Magdalen colleges, Oxford, Holland was called to the bar in 1863, and from 1874 to 1910 he was professor of international law and diplomacy at Oxford. In 1885 he helped to found the Law Quarterly Review. He was British plenipotentiary at the Geneva Conference of 1906. He was knighted in 1917. (Encyclopedia Britannica, 15th edition, 1986).

[5] For letters from Lord Reay to Satow see PRO 30/33 11/13 (July 1914 – December 1917).

February 1917

Feb 1     The seed potatoes arrived from Dobbie & Co. yesterday, very badly frosted. I wrote to them complaining, and suggesting that they should replace them. A letter (wch he had forgotten to sign) from Sir Thomas Acland, to say that he can no longer serve as diocesan representative in the House of Laymen, and proposing to nominate myself. Replied that I have heard from the Bishop that I am to be elected on the 17th, and that Sir Rob[er]t White Thomson is also unable to serve any longer. Sir Rob[er]t Newman has also been nominated. Did a good page of Russian before lunch. Afterwards walked up thro’ Littlewell to Leggeshayes, and went to see a threshing machine at work for Pares which also arranges the reed. Coming back did 70 ll. of Satire IV, before going to the G.P.C. of U.D.C. at 5.30, from which I got back at 7.30. Tribunal; 3 town members have resigned; I proposed E. J. Manley and Vinnicombe seconded, but the farming clique elected Badcock. The other vacancies (2) left over for the present. There were 17º of frost last night. Today has been very bright, calm and sunny, altogether delightful.

Feb 2     Some plants seem not to mind the cold, e.g. Belladonna lilies, which are everywhere thrusting up the tips of their leaves. Milder today, 6º less frost. Sunny up to 4 o’clock, a warm afternoon. Walked up Swain’s Hill to the top, then along to Westgate common and home by the Holcombe farms and Ridgeway 1¾ hrs. Did a full page of de Martens and finished 4th Satire: Jerred sorting out the spoilt seed-potatoes. We shall know more in a day or two. Sent off subscriptions usually paid this month, and a quantity of corrected sheets of vol. 2 to the printer.

Feb 3     Crocuses generally showing the tips of their leaves. Dull forenoon, but afternoon perfectly clear and warm, in spite of the temperature not being high enough to melt the icy overflow of water in places in some lanes. Did nearly 2 pp. of de Martens. Walked across the fields from Holcombe Barton, up Chineway to the Head, then along to Rill Head in 23 min. and home in 35; 1 hr 40 min. in all. Jerred and his boy sawing up the branches cut off trees in the field. Pinus insignis and Lime hard, but walnut soft, which seems strange.

Feb 4     When we came out of church at halfpast twelve we found the ground covered with an inch of snow; and it was still falling, but stopped about two o’clock. I walked in the garden for ¾ hr. during the afternoon. At sunset the sky cleared, and the night was most beautiful, stars shining and the moon showing brightly a white world.

Feb 5     There fell a little snow during the night, with a hard frost due to the clear sky, and we had a fine sunny frosty day. Finished making notes from G. F. de Martens’ Merkwürdige Fälle, so now the books lent by Oppenheim can go back to Cambridge. Walked round behind the King’s school over the crisp snow to Pitt Farms and back by Cadhay. Mrs. Whetham came to tea. Her cousin Stephen Hobhouse, a man of 33, a conscientious objector, who enlisted in the army in order to befool the military authorities, is now undergoing a sentence of six months imprisonment. Eldest son of Henry Hobhouse. Gets his crankiness from his mother. But the great news of today is that America has broken off diplomatic relations with Germany, sent Bernstaff his passport and recalled Gerard from Berlin. This must almost inevitably lead to war, as the Times says A turning-point in the world’s history. The Dutch are in a quandary, as Germany has massed troops at Münster, not far from their frontier, Mrs. W. says 400,000. What will Spain do? The three Scandinavian kingdoms cannot do more than protest against the German threat to sink at sight all ships, neutral as well as belligerent, they can catch in their new war-zone. After she had gone, did a page of de Martens.

Feb 6     More frost than ever, brilliant sun. Mrs. Kassburg has voluntarily relinquished £5 of her wages, as feeling that she cannot do as much as she used to for me: and indeed she is getting very infirm. We find that it is quite feasible to restrict ourselves to Lord Devonport’s scale of 2½ lb. meat, 4 lb. of bread and ¾ lb. sugar a head a week. Each individual is to get ½ lb. sugar, the rest to be for puddings. I get ½ lb like everyone else, and as I don’t eat it, there will be some for jam-making when the fruit is ready. We have had one meatless day every week for some time past. A loaf weighing 15 oz. suffices me for 2 days. Got thro’ a page of de Martens and the 5th Satire (journey to Brundusium). Walked round by Coombe Lake and Gosford. Attended War Savings meeting which was addressed by Holden of Exeter. Rennell Coleridge made quite a good speech moving the principal resolution. I moved the vote of thanks to Holden. Previously at the institute Holden had addressed abt. 200 women workers of the Hospital Supply Depôt. On the whole he ought to be satisfied with the result of his efforts here.

Feb 7     I sent the day before yesterday to Maurice Pryke as a wedding present a butter dish which Saburô says I bought a couple of years ago for some one else, and today comes a letter of thanks.

Yesterday morning at Exeter there were 16º of frost, and skating on the Canal is reported. Today we have 2º less than yesterday. Brilliant clear sky; the snow is being gradually melted by the sun, but in the shade frost continues.

Cleared everything out of the drawing-room in order to spread out the seed-potatoes. Wrote to Cathedral Dairy to stop sending margarine. With postage it cost 1/3½d a pound, and I can get what will serve me quite well here for 9d. A page of de Martens. Wrote a long letter to Oppenheim about the books I sent back to him yesterday. Frost unbroken. A letter to Dutton asking where I can get potato manure, as the people from whom I had ordered it (Fison of Ipswich) have failed me. Walked up to Chineway foot, along Under the Hill to Swains, then home. Where the sun had struck the snow had melted, in the shade still frozen, as were the running streamlets in the trows. Had just finished tea, when the McLarens of Exeter came in, having failed to find other friends at home, so I had to give them tea, and part of the bread designed for poor old Joe’s dinner. But there was some left, and it can be supplemented with biscuits. Did 70 ll. of the 6th Satire.

Feb 8     Two deg. higher than yesterday morning, slight hoar frost on grass; freezing in shade. Potatoes spread in drawing-room, after being picked over again, rather over 1 cwt. more of spoilt ones. Did nearly a page of Russian, and after lunch walked past Higher Rill Farm by Burrow Woods and Knightstone to Sidmouth Road, into town to inquire when Wright the vet. comes, and home over the fields from Butts. Finished Sat. i. 6. Yesterday began to read again Koch by Schwell, vol.1. Fields, pasture, exposed to the S. are now clear of snow, the arable not quite clear; lanes in the shade still frozen hard. I fear Anemone fulgens may be dead for the most part, so also most buds of magnolia conspicua, and most of the violets, esp. Princess of Wales.

Feb 9     Hard frost continuing. Wright the vet. came over from Sidmouth, and put poor old Joe to death; he was buried under the stone where the Miss Goodlad’s dog was put. He has not been much of a companion for nearly a year past, having given up accompanying me on my walks. He must have been about 12 years old.

I did 1¾ pp. of de Martens. After lunch to Cadhay Pond, saw only Diana Whetham and Miss Elliott. From there round by the King’s School, Winter’s Lane and Long Dog Lane, getting back at 4, so was 1½ hr. in the open air. After returning read Satires 7 and 8. It is dull to be without the company of even a decrepit dog. How suddenly it seems to get cold when the sun sets. No more cake for tea, the loaf only, with margarine and jam. The last of my own cooking apples, one baked for breakfast every morning – today.

Feb 10    Two deg. less frost this morning. More of the seed potatoes gone bad. 2 pp. of de Martens. Went up East Hill by Coldharbour Lane and down by Chineway. Met Whicker and Channon going to the reservoir. They say several people have no water. In 1895 stand-pipes had to be set up in the streets for the townsfolk to supply themselves. Read Sat. 9. A hazy afternoon, but warm and pleasant, tho’ frost in the shade. By 5 p.m. East Hill entirely blotted out.

Feb 11    A dull day, slight thaw. A little chill on the liver kept me at home, and only went into the garden for 5 min. Wrote a letter to editor of the Spectator laughing at him for taking Frederic Harrison’s pretended letter of Dom Pedro to Lincoln in 1864 for an authentic document, but doubt whether he will print it. Wrote several letters. Read a good deal of Les Moines d’Occident vol 1[6] and of the illustrations to Longfellow’s translation of the Divina Commedia.

Feb 12    Dull sky, mild thaw preceding. Cottage Hospital Committee. Subscribed a further £50 to the war-loan thro’ the London & South-Western Bank as part of my loan from it. This reduces the amount required to make even money to £8, and when that is done my holding of the 5% War Loan will be £1600. Did very nearly 2 pp. of de Martens. It is becoming easier. Willock says that the nightly frost continued from 13 January until now. The lowest temperature was 18º of frost. Walked round by Gosford and Coombe Lake. Afterwards read Satire X, and then Koch & Schoell on treaty of Westphalia till dinner. After dinner my reading is Bazin’s Histoire de la France sous Louis XIII.

Feb 13    Only a slight frost last night and thaw continuing during the day. A good deal of sunshine. During the night I was twice got out of bed, the result prob. of eating oatmeal cakes not thoroughly cooked. Went down to petty sessions and helped to enforce the new conditions on Ellis, the proprietor manager of the cinema at Sidmouth. Did a page and a half of de Martens. It would go on more quickly, but for hunting up etymologies, which are a help to the memory. Walked up through the fields beyond Great Well, and came out at the junction of Coldharbour Lane and the Short Lane to Leggeshayes and so home. The snow nearly all gone and the ice beginning to melt. Read Satire 2.1.

Feb 14    Bright sunny day. Not feeling any better I sent for Dr. Johnstone, who concludes that I must have got a chill on the liver, and advises me to keep within for the next few days. So I wrote letters breaking engagements. I had already written to Mrs. Pryke that I shld. not be able to attend Maurice’s wedding tomorrow. Did 2 pp. of de Martens. Workmen pulling the furnace to pieces, as there is a leak in the water supplying pipe and other damages to be repaired. It will be some days before it is in working order again, as John Streat has to telegraph to London for the part he wants. Read Sat. 2.2, a long and rather difficult one. After tea I usually read Koch & Schoell, for the second time. Then Longfellow’s notes to the Divina Commedia, and Bazin’s Histoire de la France sous Louis XIII et Mazarin, which begins to be more interesting now that Richelieu comes on the scene.

Feb 15    A slight hoar frost and a cloudless sunrise. My old schoolfellow and neighbour at Clapton, Walter Kent Capper, died on the 12th aged 74. His father and grandfather carried on the wellknown drapery business near the Monument, and supplied excellent goods. I used to get my linen from there as long as I was in diplomacy. Did 3 pp. of de Martens today.

Feb 16    Dull day, thaw going on, but there was a frost last night. Dr. Johnston came. I am better today, but still kept indoors. Nearly 3 pp. of de Martens. Yesterday 125 lines of 3rd Satire of 2nd book, and today as many more. It is excellent. I wonder why I neglected these things all my life. Afternoon, a little gentle rain from S.W.

Feb 17    Thermometer 10º higher than yesterday morning, quite mild and foggy. The way in which plants have come up during the night is astonishing. Half a dozen winter aconites where only one showed yesterday. Also snowdrops out. I am very much better this morning, in fact almost quite well. Did very nearly 3 pp. of De Martens, and after lunch finished the 3rd satire and 50 ll. of the 4th (on cookery). Matheson’s Epictetus received from the Clarendon press. No rain during the day.

Feb 18    H. Stephens Richardson one of the organizing committee of the Strength of Britain Movement writes asking me to become an Hon. Vice-President. I have replied No; as it is my rule not to become a V-P. of any movement or Society unless I can take an active part which is not the case with regard to the S.B.M. Johns[t]on came to see me and pronounced me alright. My pulse which on the 14th was 84 has become normal again at 72. In spite of some fine rain went into the garden, and found Iris histrioides showing plenty of buds, and the Anemone fulgens which I have been watching for several weeks now open. 

Feb 19    Misty & damp. 3 pp. de Martens. Went down to the post and then round by the brickfields and Holcombe Barton, after sending off to Dobbie a statement of the damaged seed-potatoes, which they will scarcely like, for it is a good half of the whole lot. Came in and finished Satire 4 and read Satire 5, which is much easier.

Feb 20    Rain before 7, apparently from the S.E. but during the forenoon it went round to the West, and the sun shone out at intervals. Did just over 3 pp. of de Martens before lunch. A very mild afternoon. I walked down to the Station to inquire about 2 bags of potato manure sent off from Exeter on the 15th, and learnt to my surprise that they had been delivered at the house the same day. On getting home I sent for Jerred and gave him a jawing for not having told me. He explained that it was only yesterday that he had discovered them in the Stable. No one had told him of their arrival. On inquiry I found that Mrs. K. had paid the trollyman on the 15th and kept the information to herself. So I sent her a message to say that I regretted she had not let me know. After that I read Satire 6, the town and country mouse.

Feb 21    Very mild, cloudy and East Hill obscured by mist. Two yellow crocus buds showing. This [newspaper cutting] is my letter in Spectator of the 17th.

THE EMPEROR OF BRAZIL’S APPEAL TO LINCOLN

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR]

SIR, It seems clear either that President Wilson has been plagiarizing from Dom Pedro, or that Mr. Frederic Harrison has been parodying the President. I accept the latter alternative, but the last of the News of the Week notes in last Saturday’s Spectator shows that the writer takes the other view. One or the other theory can alone account for the words peace without victory and both of you want the same object, ingeniously attributed to the Emperor of Brazil in what is called a hitherto unpublished document to which Mr. Harrison has had access. Until something more in the way of evidence is produced that such a letter is, or ever was, in existence, it will remain for myself a mere jeu d’esprit , and a poor one into the bargain. I am, Sir, O.S.M. [Ottery St. Mary]

Iris histrioides plenty of blossoms fully out. 3 pp. de Martens. Walk by Coombe Lake and Gosford, rather slower than my usual pace. From the 17th Walter F. Thomas divide the Times. He sends up for it in the afternoon, I get it about 11 and have quite done with it by 2.30. Read the 7th Satire, in which Davus the slave is sarcastic about Horace’s habits.

Feb 22    A dull day on the whole, about 2 hrs. sunshine. Grape hyacinths are coming up and showing their buds. More promise of Anemone fulgens. It is strange that there has been no flower on Rhododendron Nobleanum, of which I have 2, this winter. 3 pp. of de Martens. Walk round by Holcombe Barton, Chineway foot, Swain’s cottage, Coldharbour Lane and so home. All the ice which had overflowed the road in places has melted and gone in the last 9 days. Read 8th Satire, describing Nasidienus and his ostentatious entertainment. Afterwards to meeting of the Parochial missionary association and Forward movement collectors at the Institute; the latter, some of them, have been slack. The death of John Lister Beck, brother of Edith Beck and her sister, who used to live in Isleworth, announced in today’s Times.

Feb 23    Quantities of crocus in bud in front of the dining-room and drawing-room. Sparaxis out in greenhouse. Cloudy rain about 12.30. Afternoon too rainy for a walk. Hachette has sent me Louis Maurire’s La politique morocaine de l’Allemagne [The Moroccan policy of Germany], but where is Debidour’s new vol. ordered at the same time? Read Epistle 1. Pyrus coronaria flore-pleno was moved down to its new place where the Wellingtonia was cut down.

Feb 24     Dull and mild. 3½ pp. de Martens. Schizostylis and lily of the valley were rooted up from buds on west side of the kitchen garden, where I am going to put potatoes; and a few put where the Pyrus was and Schizostylis in place of Primula pulverulenta in the N.W. bed close to snowy Mespilus. Walked from Broad St. up to Coldharbour Lane and then across the fields by Great Well, rather slowly, for I get out of breath unless I keep my mouth open. Sign of old age and worn machinery. Josephine came over to tea, looking very well. After she went I read Ep. 2 a short and easy one.

Feb 25    Sky cleared and sun shone out for a while about 11 o’clock, but after that cloudy all day, and a little drizzle in the afternoon. Daffodils are coming up everywhere, and showing their buds, the only ones of their class that do this. Iris histrioides very fine. Unfortunately the east winds that prevailed before the thaw came have scorched many shrubs, Escallonia macrantha[7] and Langleyensis, different species of cistus and New Zealand Veronicas, one white broom turned black. Went to church after two Sundays absent. Took a little exercise in the Garden. Began Vol. II of the Moines d’Occident, which begins to be very interesting, admirable style.

Feb 26    Charles John Irving of Littleham, formerly Colonial Secretary at Singapore, with whom I shared a cabin on my way home from Siam in 1887, died on the 23rd aged 86. He was quite lame, but had preserved all his faculties to the last. Thick white frost this morning and sunshine all the forenoon. Yellow crocuses a gay sight, the snowdrops too, alongside the pergola, and winter aconites are beautiful. Went to Dora Martin and got a form of application for Mrs Bultes [Butler?] of Metcombe to fill up and send it to the Rev. Geo. Every. So I began Russian only at 10.30, and my stint was 2½ pp. Jerred planting onions. He talks of planting some early potatoes this afternoon. The day before yesterday sent a postcard to Turner of Slough to forward 3 trees I had ordered, but on seeing the frost this morning telegraphed to stop them. Pp. 1 to 224 of my Vol. I recd from Clay, those sheets then have been printed off. Walked to Cadhay by the back road to call on Mrs. Whetham, but she was out. Came home and read Epp. 3 to 5, which are very short. Genl. Purp. Comm. of U.D.C. to examine the estimates for next half year. Estimated surplus £900, besides £200 from the County Council, and expenditure only £890 odd. I proposed that we should set aside £300 to renew the metal in the remaining filter beds, which was carried, and Luxton proposed another £300 towards making up the roads when peace comes, carried. We then proposed and carried a rate of 8d!

Feb 27    Slight white frost, and speedy thaw. Dull day. To Exeter by 10.17, to attend quarterly meeting of the Standing joint committee. Lunched at the Club. At the Committee meeting we heard report of the Chief Constable on his visit to Buckfastleigh to interview the Urban Council, who declared that they could not provide Special Constables, and they desired that the German and Austrian monks be removed to an internment camp. There are however 7 French priests among them. The Authorities in London who sent down a special commission to make inquiries see no necessity to intern the inmates. We decided that we are not able to provide Constables to watch the Abbey, as our force is 90 below establishment.

Went to see the Prykes. She suffers a great deal from rheumatism or sciatica, and can walk but a short distance. Came home by 3.25 and finished reading printed sheets. Only about half a dozen errata.

Feb 28     Mild day, but dull. To Exeter by 10.17. Read the Times and Quarterly at the Club, then lunched with the Prykes, and to Blind Institution Committee, which took only 20 minutes, and then Annual meeting of the Governors. We had the Sheriff of Exeter, White but the Mayor, who had promised to come did not turn up. I received great compliments on my performance as President during the past two years. Then we elected Admiral White and Rev. T.M. Bell Salter as President and V-P. for next year. And we got thro’ in about half an hour. The Institution is very flourishing, and will have rather over £4,000 in the new 5% war loan. Also the children’s playing field has been ploughed up for potato sowing. At Bell Salter’s request I promised to join the committee of the Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Society, but I told him I could not promise to attend the monthly meetings regularly.

---

[6] Les Moines d'Occident (1860-77; Monks of the West) in seven volumes by Catholic orator, politician and historian, Charles, Comte de Montalembert (1810-70). The first two volumes on the origins of monasticism were published in 1860. Then followed three volumes on the monks in England. The sixth and seventh volumes were manuscripts published posthumously. He also wrote De L'Avenir politique de l'Angleterre (1856; The Political Future of England).

[7] A fast-growing evergreen shrub.

March 1917

Mar 1     Meeting of the B.O. [Boarding Out] Committee at Mrs. Gawne’s, to elect her as secretary in place of Mary D. who is obliged to give up on account of the pressure of other work. Read 4½ pp. of de Martens. Walked round by Coombe Lake and Gosford. Read Ep. 6 of Horace Bk. 1. Urban District Council; very mild day, with some drizzle.

Mar 2      Mild, but cloudy. Over 4½ pp. of de Martens. Walked past Knightstone and Burrow Woods. From the top of the Lane to the house 35 min., going gently, past Rill and Easthayes. The white wild hyacinths for some days past have shown the tips of their leaves. Read Ep. VII and looked thro’ 15 sheets of my vol. 1. found only one erratum.

Mar 3     A cold S.E. wind and rain early, but it held up from midday. Did only 2½ pp. of de Martens, but in the afternoon 8-11 Epistles’. Dobbie & Co. send a postcard to say they hope in a few days to send a fresh consignment of seed potatoes carriage paid, but there was a frost in Edinbro’. As it was so cold I did not go out for a walk. One Triteleia opening in the azalea bed.

Mar 4    Cold South east wind, dry forenoon, heavy rain the rest of the day. Cleaned up some pages of the Russian reader, and read some of Seneca’s De Ira, also ran over a little book by a Japanese professor named Honaga,[8] the object of wch. is to make Japan better understood by foreigners; he quotes a good deal of German, is very diffuse, and rather dull.

Mar 5 Forenoon rainy, but the wind gradually veered to S.W. and the afternoon was milder, with some glimpses of sun and blue sky. Hospital committee. Then to Exeter by 12.4 to County Insurance Committee. We carried a resolution in favour of a Ministry of Public Health. Quite a short meeting, only 40 min., so I got home at tea time, to find Jerred clipping the ivy, which was very necessary, and then did 2 pp. of de Martens.

Mar 6     S.E. wind, dry forenoon, rain the greater part of the afternoon, but after tea it held up, and a walk round by Coombe Lake and Gosford was possible.

In the morning from 11 to 12.45 at the institute, on committee about National Service for the clergy of this Deanery, Rev. E. Hay, rural dean, Lister James and E.C. Nightingale, J.Y. AMorshead and myself. Five we accepted for general service, and arranged for supplying services during their absence; Branscombe, Salcombe Regis, Harpford, Escot and Payhembury. Then went towards the station to meet Geoffrey Satow on his way to town from the