No Ordinary Man. Lois Winslow-Spragge

August 31st.

      I was packing up my trunk to go away this evening, when papa and Anna came in quite unexpectedly we went for a walk towards the glen and back by the harbour. Almost immediately after dinner we started to go up to the train, taking a sight of some pretty gardens on our way <and> papa thinking it would be best {for me} to go right on to Edinborough with him and Anna. We arrived in Edinborough about five and spent the Evening in doors.

      Friday September 1st.

      In the morning papa and I and Mr Bell went to the taylors and to get orders to see the regalia. <and> When we got home there was a letter from mama waiting, After taking a little rest Anna and I with Ellen and Margaret drove to the Castle and saw there the regalia &c, we then walked to Holyrood Palace,³⁷ and saw all that was to be seen there and then drove home We meant to have taken a drive round the Queens drive in the evening but it was too wet so we stayed in amusing ourselves with games &c.

      Saturday September 2nd.

      In the morning after breakfast, we along with Ellen and Margaret went to the Botanical gardens, and when we had seen the gardens with the palm house, the greenhouses, &c., we drove to the railway station and after waiting in the gardens for a while, near the Scot Monument we started for Dalkeith, we arrived at Aunts in time for dinner, and stayed with her till six; amusing ourselves in the garden with Croquet &c, at six we started for Musselbourgh, and stayed there till nine, when we returned to Edinburgh

      Sunday September 3rd.

      I did not go out to church this morning though papa and Anna did. Alfred, and Charles Primrose were here for dinner. In the afternoon I went to Church with Christena, and in the evening Anna and I had a walk in the garden.

      Monday September 4th.

      This morning Papa and I went to the taylors, and then to the College where we met Christena, and Anna we went through the College Library, and the Industrial exhabition , afterwards we went, and I bought a pair of vases and then drove home leaving the rest to complete their shopping. In the afternoon we were packing up our trunks and in the evening we took a walk in the garden.

      Tuesday September 5th.

      We started for Liverpool this morning at ten, most of the Bells, and Alfred Primrose were down at the station, we had on the whole a pleasant journey, and arrived, at Liverpool, about six, (nearly an hour late) we got a cab and went to Mr Crows office and he got in, and drove down to the ferry, we got into the ferry steamer, and then took another Cab on the other side and drove to Mr Crows house. After tea we had a walk in their garden.

      Wedensday <August> September 6th.

      Anna and I went out this morning to gather blackberries, with the Children and papa went into town, he came back about one and after a lunch he and Anna started for Birmingham. In the evening I went out for a drive with Mrs Crow and two of the children.

      Thursday September 7th.

      I stayed in reading this morning and in the afternoon went over to Liverpool with Mrs Crow we went to the Egyptian Museum³⁸ and then walked down to the wharf again shopping as we went. In the evening I was reading and walking in the garden.

      Friday September 8th.

      I got a letter from papa this morning I spent all the forenoon in the house and garden, as likewise the afternoon.

      Saturday September 9th.

      This morning, I had a letter to poast so I had to go away about 3/4 of a mile for stamps for it, when I came back there was a letter from papa, and, anna for me with one enclosed from Canada After dinner I went out for a drive, with Mr, and Mrs Crow, and three of the children we went to Parkgate, on the Dee, and back which is 16 miles, it rained a little as we were coming home; when we got back Anna had arrived back from Birmingham.

      Sunday September 10th.

      I went to church this morning with the rest, and stayed at home in the afternoon and evening

      Monday September 11th.

      This forenoon I occupied myself with reading, and walking in the garden. In the afternoon we went out for a drive, we first went to some quarries which are, about a mile and a half from here, and got some heather, we then drove to Birkenhead Park, we took a short walk in it and then drove home.

      Tuesday September 12th.

      I stayed in the house and garden today all day, reading &c. In the evening papa arrived from Birmingham.

      Wedensday September 13th.

      We started this morning after breakfast for the town, we walked down to the ferry, and got on board

       The diary ends with George’s embarkation for Canada.

      ²⁴La Malbaie.

      ²⁵Strait of Belle Isle.

      ²⁶Belle Isle.