No. 1200: The winners
Jaspistos reports: Competitors were asked for an extract from the diary of a lesser person who has failed utterly to appreciate the qualities of a great mind on first acquaintance.
An enormous and excellent entry. I express my enjoyment and gratitude by finding space for six winners this week and £48 to be divided equally among them. I was surprised that no one described meeting a boring, drunken, toadying Boswell for the first time, and even more surprised that two of you picked Hitler as a corporal in the first world war as an unrecognised 'great mind': what diarist could have spotted the budding malevolent genius at that stage? Among the highlights were Pat Blackford's comment by a schoolmaster: 'Interesting interview with Wedgwood-Benn, A. He said he had now no wish to become Vice- Captain of Cricket — a sensible decision since he is unlikely to be chosen for the team,' and an embarrassing scene at White's in which Evelyn Waugh failed to appreciate Albert Einstein, 'whose appearance was redolent of a Swiss customs official. This booby fatigued me with a totally incomprehensible discourse on the nature of relativity in the Universe. Why should a Jew interest himself in the workings of a Catholic newspaper?' (David Toley). And from J. Tomlin a nice jotting from the feather-brained Beatrice's journal: 'D tells me idea for a new Comedy, funny in bits but much too long.'
Today we went to Oxford on the trane it was good, Harry coudln't come he has chiccenpocs. We had tea with Mr Doggson who is called Carol and his face is like a shepe. He toled a story he is riting about a Snare it was stupide. Then Mummy and Daddy went to see the Dene and said Be good Amanda I said Yes. Then Mr Doggson took picturs of me, I sat very stil it was said all right, but then he asked me to take171 close off I said No, he said Please I ran away think he is not Nice, he has two many Nalnes' , (Richard Parton!'
Jan 17. Visiting for the first time that great metropolis, London, I found myself in financla, embarrassment. Recalled Uncle's advice that: Mr George Shaw was philanthropically incline' and located his residence for a sub. Sl1341 entertained me with jovial imitations of all Irish accent, and showed me his (rather dray!, collection of postcards, consisting of Ord!, refusals to numerous engagements to which was apparently uninvited. Struck me as sprightly old Tory, but had not a teaspoon:, port wine for stranded visitors. He paid my home, which was jolly d. of him, and remembered me to Uncle, whom he coffee"! recollected as a practical joker. From Ins correspondence, I'd say he was a man of letters, though not in the accepted sense! (Belle R. Welling) The new lad Cook has no faculty for finding' anything — in the shop or the village. Twice had to direct him to the right tallow bin, and 11„e took an hour delivering sugar to Summersell. though L provided a map. If he be pressed like poor Henry, Richard, Isaac and William, to whom he is the poor successor, Heaven help the ship that gets him. It is as if one of the hemispheres of his brain is lacking. He can scarc", navigate about the cat, who is in dread of hint' without blundering on her tail. (George Moor) 25 June 1797. Armed with letter of introduction before gentleman in question appears. Strang' aspect, as though but recently awoken from slumber and it already midday. However, WI mooed the courage to present my verses; thong)' somewhat distrait he studied them attentively but assuring of his poetical pretensions, went as shsaunr ki nsgs mare to cottage rented by one, ",., eridge. Uncouth domestic announces 'T' Pars_,°.'s from Porlock'. Muffled sounds from unslay_ I fear I doubt a true poetic sensibility in him' Owing to pressure of parochial affairs, conk: not stay to entreat return of honours by l'e questing permission to peruse his own poetic ef- forts, forts, fearing only that I may well have wasted ,., precious time since he proffered me no hew anent possible publication.
(Monica G. Ili 29th February 1827. At White's something clear,,- ly was afoot, could not make out what. 0'": Gladstone, ungentlemanlike and very rich, had two sons in tow. Robertson, the elder, a talented and handsome youth, will advance by favour O' the new Minister; I have it from Gosh, who has it from Ellis, that Canning is more epris than ,, can conceal. The other boy, William, is ,e,14; cessively dull and morose, an unnatural pain.' eloquent of how Eton has done its work. rLe shewed animation only when I recounted the Duke's observations concerning self-flagellation among Portuguese friars. If he takes Orders, he may find a Northern living. (J. L. Lord) Sept. 24th 1800. Called on new people in 0Tie Cottage. V. odd. Vases full of weeds. ,_,„ amiable, promised help w. Winter Blanke.ts"; Somewhat a Blue-Stocking (help v/I`, schoolchildren?). Brother Wiliam garrulous about area — as if I wasn't born here! Carl lieve gossip that he talks to fields, hedges etc. /le should have some employment — they are !let landed gentry (tutor to R.'s two?). They say at supported dreadful French Revolution and he ::rites. There must be something else wrong with ,,1111 — she's so very protective. John says he resn't believe that she is his sister! But John hates all new-comers. Doubt if this pair will be an asset to Parish.
(Jane Webb)
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