Diary of Anne Elizabeth Fisher, vol IX

Written from 14 York Place, Portman Square [London], with, at back: list of books read, 1858, and letters and notes written and received in 1858 and 1859; short list of books recommended at front. Also includes pressed flowers, newspaper cuttings, part of a letter to 'Miss Fisher' from an unknown writer, July 1859, re wedding outfits, entry for 10 Jan 1858 and a scrap of paper in later hand. Includes various visits to the Crystal Palace, theatre, opera and Royal Academy. Notable entries include: (5 Nov) changing celebrations for 'Guy Fawkes day' - fireworks and church service; heard Charles Dickens read 'Little Dombey' at the New Rooms; (22 Nov) description of having her photograph taken by [Antoine] Claudet; (1 Dec) saw [Frederick] Robson in a number of farces at the Olympic Theare; (14 Jan) desire to help blind girl on her street, Margaret Murphee, by trying to obtain admission for her into one of the Asylums [Annie presumes this may be met with opposition by her parents - news later of her entering Miss Gilbert's Institution, 29 July]; (27 Jan) Miss Van Noorden's concert at St James's Hall, with description of the interior decoration; (3 Feb) description of watching Queen Victoria in the Royal Gallery, House of Lords, on her way to open Parliament; (15 Apr) description of Lola Montez's lecture on 'Strong-minded Women' at St. James's Hall; (3 May) Mr Ellis, Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, visited her father to discuss setting up a Rifle Corps in Cambridge in preparation for defence against Napoleon; (7 May) memories of the death of her mother [Jane, nee Tyler] on that day, 11 years previously; (1 Aug) visit to Mr Adams re steel supports for curvature of her spine, which had been troubling her.