This Tangled Life: Mere World

JANUARY

Friday 1 January 1886

Christmas day went rather well. I was a little worried because Mamma invited Uncle Dominick so he could see his children, but he was on his best behaviour, and only had a glass of wine with Christmas dinner. Arthur asked Firdaus to attend but he wasn't needed. Dinner was a banquet of heavenly oriental treats created by Dinshaw Mookerjee. Arthur says he's a distant relative from India. On Boxing Day I awoke with a terrible cold from which I am only now recovering. Last night I managed to stay up to see in the New Year, but I fear it may have set me back a day or two. Cousin Albert's girl Aurora got a doll for Christmas, and it made me think of a Christmas long ago, when I was given a doll by Mamma. I was so happy. I used to stand in front of the mirror so I could watch us talk and play together.

Saturday 2 January 1886

Arthur went to watch Highfield FC this afternoon. He was happy because they won. Football is his latest fad. He explained it all to me in great detail and I sat there politely, smiling and nodding my head. He is very enthusiastic.

Sunday 3 January 1886

Nearly late for Church this morning because Mamma's maid Ellen couldn't find the right gloves.

Wednesday 6 January 1886

Called on Mrs Geddes today, it is her 28th birthday. We had champagne. I gave her a silk scarf.

Thursday 7 January 1886

Arthur is busy at present with another of his fads. He gets like this, he throws himself into something for a while, and then forgets about it and moves onto to the next thing. He's always searching. This time it's old books, expensive old books, which he spends many long hours with in his study. He should have taken up a profession, or even gone into business.

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ARTHUR:

I received a letter from Jamie today, he's moved again, he's in Davos now, he sends his best wishes.

KARIMA:

How is he feeling after his journey?

ARTHUR:

As well as can be expected. The last part of the journey was by sleigh which he enjoyed, though it was cold of course.

KARIMA:

He'll have to get used to the cold.

ARTHUR:

No doubt. He's says he staying at the Belvedere Hotel, a place that looks after invalids, he seems to be happy with it so far.

KARIMA:

I expect he will soon make friends, he's a sociable fellow.

ARTHUR:

As long as they can understand his Scottish accent or his durcheinander German.

KARIMA:

Will you be joining us after dinner?

ARTHUR:

Later, Jamie wants me to read this old volume, he wants to know my opinion.

KARIMA:

Surely it can't be that urgent?

ARTHUR:

It's about his health you know, he's worried. I'm worried.

KARIMA:

Then of course you must.

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Saturday 9 January 1886

Mamma's birthday today. All the family gathered and we had a wonderful celebration with cake and champagne served by Ellen and Sarah. Mamma was in good spirits. Mamma invited Uncle Dominick again, since he behaved himself at Christmas. He didn't get drunk but he did speak to me like I was a silly child. Mind you, he speaks to all women like that, except Mamma of course. He groaned when Great Uncle Wadia got out his sitar as well. His manners are frightful. Wadia had written a song for Mamma for her birthday called Zundubi du Rarv. It was splendid, we all clapped politely, and Mamma and Wadia laughed knowingly because they were the only ones who could understand what it was about. Mamma asked Wadia to sing another one, so he sang Zavam Zase U Char, an old folk song from back home, which even Dominick seemed to enjoy.

Sunday 10 January 1886

Cold in church this morning, had difficulty following the sermon. Great Uncle Wadia was a little unwell today, perhaps yesterday was too tiring for him, he shouldn't be exerting himself so much at his age, he must be nearly a hundred by now. I'm worried about him, and I told him. I told him I loved him, and he said I know child.

Monday 11 January 1886

Called on Clara, Mrs Broadbent. Mr Broadbent stuck his nose in for a moment, and muttered something about women having nothing better to do than gossip, and then disappeared. Livia Grierson was also there, she's one of my best friends now. She said that last week a big pond near where she lives had frozen over and two poor boys went skating on it and were drowned. Their poor mothers.

Tuesday 12 January 1886

Rosalind and I went shopping, I bought myself a silk handbag with delicate beading to match my new green gown.

Wednesday 13 January 1886

A most tedious cold day. Spent all afternoon playing patience with Mamma. Boredom was only relieved when Mamma's tabby cat Tybalt jumped onto the table and swept most of the cards onto the floor. Mamma was quite angry, and shouted at the poor animal, but Tybalt wasn't bothered. My maid Sarah was at hand and cleared up the mess. I still share Sarah with Aunt Eleanor but recently Sarah and I have developed an understanding.

Thursday 14 January 1886

Just finished reading The Brides of Kensington by Miss Bridges. Not one of my favourites. Some of it is set on Lake Geneva though, and she makes it seem so charming.

Friday 15 January 1886

This evening we went to a dinner party at Mr Wood's, he's Arthur's new friend. The food was not quite up to standard, and Mr Wood himself was a bore, talking for long periods with Arthur but ignoring me. Mrs Wood was friendly enough. After dinner Mr Wood accompanied his wife at the piano while she sang some frightful German songs. Only I mustn't say frightful because Arthur says that I say it all the time. How frightful of me.

Sunday 17 January 1886

We didn't make it to church this morning because the countryside is covered in the worst snow for years. It looks wonderful outside, but so cold. Arthur decided he was going for a walk anyway, despite warnings, but he only got as far as the end of the lane before turning back.

Monday 18 January 1886

Today is Jamie Stewart's birthday, Arthur's best friend. Last November he went to live abroad for health reasons, and Arthur misses him excessively.

Tuesday 19 January 1886

Mrs Unwin came to visit this morning. Florence is a very dear friend. She didn't really have a good Christmas because her husband Charles was ill with the gout, and her little boy took a fall, but both are on the mend now. Florence is Charles's second wife, and he's a bit older than her, but he's nice and works for the police.

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Lewick Hall

20th January 1886

My Dear Jamie,

I was most relieved to receive your letter and to find you had arrived safely in Davos. The last part of your journey by sledge with the bells tinkling on the horses is terribly romantic. The Belvedere sounds like a capital establishment if it can provide billiards and Guinness. Your new physician Steinberg seems to be a distinct improvement on your last one, a terrible quack by all accounts. I've never heard of the ergotin treatment but from what you tell me it may be of considerable relief. Good to hear you've found some amusing folk to talk to, I was concerned that you'd be forced into isolation for a spell.

Not a lot of news for you I'm afraid. At Mamma's birthday party Wadia played the sitar and sang. I know you enjoy that sort of thing and as soon as you are well enough to return home I know that Wadia will play for you. I hope Steinberg allowed you a small celebration on your birthday. First Saturday of the new year I went down to our new ground at Moss Park to see Highfield beat Southdale Wanderers 6 goals to nil in the English Cup. Your old school fellow Jimmy Hoban was on fine form, and there was a big crowd. Dashed cold it was, though no doubt colder where you are, but I had a flask of Boothby's home made applejack to keep the cockles warm.

I went with old man Marshall to see some councillor chappie by the name of Worthington give a lecture on Land Law Reform at the Schoolroom in Highfield. Bit religious, but generally sound. Too much land is hoarded by too few individuals, said he, and primogeniture and entail should be abolished. He also said that landlords must pay rates, and that owners of unused land must pay rates, which is what I've been saying for years.

I have finished reading Andreaus Latimer's The Art of Xerion, and I believe I can now see what you are driving at. I know you have done a considerable amount of reading on this matter, and that you've been discussing the subject with the Comte de Segur and that other fellow. I also know the state of your health, and I know how vital this is to you, and how much you are relying on it, and I swear that if the cure can be found, we will find it.

By the way, I called on Mr Wood as you suggested, but I didn't get much out of him, rather reserved. I had the sense that he didn't entirely trust me. He practically ignored Karima, and she was not best pleased with me either, I can tell you.

That's all for now, hopefully I will have made some progress by the next time I write, keep your chin up,

Yours ever,

Arthur

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Friday 22 January 1886

Arthur went to see the curling final this afternoon at the Ice Palace, or whatever it's called. Games for boys.

Saturday 23 January 1886

This evening Arthur and I went to the Winter Gardens to see A Mad Marriage, a curious old thing. Frank Harvey was enjoyable as the dashing Count though, and Miss Baldwin and the other ladies looked magnificent in their Parisian fashions.

Sunday 24 January 1886

I gave cousin Arabella a little present for her 19th birthday after church today. The cold air seemed to make her look so radiant, she is turning into a beautiful young woman. I do so hope she makes a good match, so many do not.

Monday 25 January 1886

Arthur and I went to a Burns Night celebration at Mr Buchanan's house, he's a friend of Arthur's, and they share similar philosophical interests. Haggis was served, which I politely but firmly declined because it is disgusting. I tasted the Scotch whisky offered me, but it made me cough worse than physic, but Arthur partook like it was mother's milk. Mr Buchanan recited A Man's a Man for A' That in his fine Scottish accent, and I felt strangely moved by it. I am presently reading Beauty and the Beast by Sarah Tytler, who is Scottish, but the book doesn't seem all that Scottish to me. It starts out in India with Sergeant Will just about to receive a well-deserved flogging when news suddenly arrives he's to become Sir William instead. His sister is acting like a martyr already.

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KARIMA:

How are you feeling this morning?

ARTHUR:

Terrible.

KARIMA:

Where did you sleep?

ARTHUR:

Well, as a matter of fact, I fell asleep in the chair in my study. I feel wretched.

KARIMA:

You deserve it. The amount of whisky you supped.

ARTHUR:

Buchanan polished off a whole bottle.

KARIMA:

He was brought up on it, you never could hold your drink.

ARTHUR:

I wasn't that bad. Was I?

KARIMA:

You tried to dance a Scottish reel, it was mortifying.

ARTHUR:

I have to keep on Buchanan's good side, I need his help.

KARIMA:

How on earth could that Scottish sot help you?

ARTHUR:

He knows a lot about herbs and physic, and he gave me a book about it. I'm trying to find a medicinal compound to help Jamie.

KARIMA:

What does Jamie pay his doctor for if it is you doing all the work? You spend days in that study of yours, doing what I do not know. I don't see you from one day to the next.

ARTHUR:

You are right of course, but Jamie is poorly, his doctors do what they can, but it's a terrible thing and he endures much suffering. We, that is Jamie and I, we believe we can find a radical cure, but there is a lot work to do. It won't be easy.

KARIMA:

I understand poor Jamie's illness, it is a great trial to him, and naturally you are distressed, but Arthur, you are not a physician, nor even an apothecary, how can you know better than his own doctors?

ARTHUR:

We are looking at the problem from an entirely different point of view my dear. These doctors don't know everything you know. They are clever men, yes, but they are sticks in the mud, there are many things they do not understand, and there are many discoveries still to be made.

KARIMA:

And I suppose you are the man to make them?

ARTHUR:

The circumstances, or fate if you prefer, has ordained that this task falls to me. I did not go in search of it. Jamie is ill, and I must do what I can. In fact, he has already been in contact with a number of eminent men here and on the continent. We are going to enlist the help of the best minds, put our heads together, so to speak, and we are going to find a sovereign remedy, just see if we don't.

KARIMA:

I remain to be convinced that the medical establishment needs any help from tyros and dabblers, but I concede that your desire to help your friend does you credit Arthur.

ARTHUR:

I do what I can, my dear.

KARIMA:

Just as long as you don't do too much of it, that's what I say.

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Tuesday 26 January 1886

Went to my appointment with Madame Lefranc, she's going to make me a gorgeous evening gown in blue silk. Seems it will be more expensive than anticipated and will stretch my allowance beyond its limits, but it can't be helped.

Thursday 28 January 1886

Arthur and I went to see She Stoops To Conquer. Amusing and a little naughty. The heroine disguises herself as a maid in order to get her beau, and all kinds of misunderstandings ensue, but true love wins in the end. Arthur told me that he thought Miss de Grey was an excellent actress. He likes actresses.

Friday 29 January 1886

I paid a call on Mrs Wendall this morning. She's a snob and a die-hard Tory, but quite nice once she condescends to allow you into her circle. Mrs Broadbent was there, as was Helena Hobson, who is the biggest gossip in Mereside. I wouldn't say that I myself was a gossip, but I do confess to enjoy listening to it, which I suppose makes me just as bad. Helena was telling us all about Mrs Baxendale, who has returned to Mereside after living abroad for some time. Her husband died some years ago and left her very comfortable. Apparently, she has been seen with numerous male companions but declares she will never marry again. Mrs Wendall refuses to even speak to her, and Mrs Broadbent tut-tutted her way through Helena's narrative like a woodpecker.

FEBRUARY

Sunday 31 January 1886

As we left church this morning Mrs Marchbank stopped me to inquire after my health since we haven't met in such a while. I informed her I was in good health, and then she set to and recounted in fine detail all her various ailments. Fortunately Arthur came to my rescue by saying that Mamma's carriage was about to depart.

Monday 1 February 1886

Sergeant William, now Sir William, promised his late lamented sister Jenny to lay off spiritous liquors, a thing most trying for an old soldier. I think he will end up marrying Miss Iris Compton, the granddaughter of pixyish Lady Fermor, but we will see. I do not like Lady Thwaite one little bit.

Tuesday 2 February 1886

I paid another visit to Madame Lefranc today. Gladstone is Prime Minister again. Arthur is happy and has gone to a Liberal meeting in Highfield Road, but it's at the Methodist Schoolhouse so he won't be able to get all fluffy.

Wednesday 3 February 1886

I persuaded Arthur to take me to see the Chinese Fete at the Winter Gardens. There were acrobats and jugglers doing all sorts of amazing tricks and feats I wouldn't have thought possible. The children loved it. I remember going to the fair when I was little, it all seemed so magical then, so full of possibilities.

Thursday 4 February 1886

Called to see Mrs Unwin.

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Lewick Hall

5th February 1886

Dear Jamie,

I enjoyed reading your letter, all seven pages, even if it was written under doctor's orders. From what you say it seems that Steinberg's Alpine Cure is not exactly a picnic, I certainly wouldn't fancy sitting out on the terrace every day in those temperatures. All that fresh clean cold mountain air is bound to help you breathe easier though. It's a good job you have a decent apothecary in town, but my, Herr Steffen does seem expensive. I know a fellow who swears by laudanum as a cough suppressant, he can't do without the stuff, but you can get awfully fixed on that sort of thing you know. What was it exactly that the German actors were playing? It seemed a bit turgid the way you described it, possibly they'll do a comedy later in the season, but I doubt it.

It was a shame about your new friend Gottfried, he may have had a similar ailment to you but he was older. Bound to make you uneasy old chap. At least with this rest cure you've been able to read more, take your mind off it and all that. The Comte de Segur sounds as if he will be able to aid us in our quest, but are you sure you can trust this Herr Klamm fellow? It's a bit queer him promising to furnish you with this cure, then giving you the potion sans the vital ingredient, even if he did promise to produce it as soon as he was able. Men like Klamm are only in this business for money, they don't care about the importance of the work. Do take care.

I went to see Buchanan on Burns Night, he was enjoying himself far too much for a proper talk, and the amount of whisky that man can put away you would not