Sunday, 9th June, 1822.—Sent a letter to Mr. Hazlitt to remit the money he had promised.
Monday, 1Oth June.—. . . . . Received a note from Mr. Ritchie, to say he would come the next day and explain about money matters to me. Had also a letter from the child. . . . .
Tuesday, 11th June.—Mr. Ritchie came. . . . Told me that Mr. Hazlitt only got 56l. from Glasgow,
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Thursday, 13th June [1822].—Mr. Bell called, and said that Mr. Hazlitt had gone to Renton Inn, but that he would remit me some money, which he showed him he had for the purpose, as soon as the oath was taken, which he said he was to give him due notice of. . . . . Asked if I did not take the oath to-morrow? I said I had not heard from Mr. Gray, but was in hourly expectation of it. . . . . The note came soon after, appointing the next day. . . . .
Friday, 14th June.—Mr. Bell called, and said he was going to Mr. Gray’s, and would come back for me. Returned, and said Mr. Gray informed him he could not be admitted, as he would be called on with Mrs. Bell the next Friday as witnesses. So I undertook to let him know when the ceremony was over. [Here follows the description of the taking of the oath.] . . . . On the whole, with the utmost expedition they can use, and supposing no impediments, it will be five weeks from this day before all is finished. Went down and reported this to Mr. and Mrs. Bell: dined there. They told me that Mr. Hazlitt took 90l. to the Renton Inn with him. . . . . Mr. Bell undertook to send him a parcel that night with the joyful intelligence of the oath being taken, as he would get it sooner that way than by the post . . . .
Saturday, 15th June.—Mr. Bell called, and wrote a
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Sunday, 16th June [1822].—Adam Bell called, while I was at breakfast, to say that Mr. Hazlitt was come back, and had been at their house the night before. . . . .
Monday, 17th June.—Went to Mr. Bell as soon as I had breakfasted. He told me that Mr. Ritchie was to bring me 20l. that day in part of payment, and that the rest would be paid me as Mr. Hazlitt could get it. That he had proposed only ten now, but that Mr. Bell had told him that that would not do, as I proposed taking some journey, and had no money. Said he did not know anything about the child. Went home very uneasy about him, as his holidays were to begin this day; and I fretted that he should be left there, and thought he would be very uneasy if they had not sent him to Winterslow, and feel quite unhappy and forsaken; and thought on his father’s refusing to tell me where he was to be, till I was so nervous and hysterical I could not stay in the house.
Went down to Mr.
Bell’s again at one, as they told me he [Mr. H.] would be there about that time, that I
might see him myself, and know where the child was. He was not come, and
Mr. Bell did not like my meeting him there. I told him
if I could not gain information of the child, I would set off to London
directly, and find him out, and leave the business here just as it was. He then
gave me a note to send him
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They said he was out, but would return at three o’clock. I left the note, and went at three. They then said he would be back to dinner at four. I wandered about between that and Mr. Bell’s till four; then, going again, I met him by the way: he gave me 10l., and said I should have more soon by Mr. Bell. I said I did not like Mr. Bell; I had rather he sent by Mr. Ritchie, which he said he would.
I asked about the child, and he said he was going to write that night to Mr. John Hunt about him; so that the poor little fellow is really fretting, and thinking himself neglected. . . . .
Mr. Bell said that he seemed quite enamoured of a letter he had been writing to Patmore; that in their walk the day before he pulled it out of his pocket twenty times, and wanted to read it to them; that he talked so loud, and acted so extravagantly, that the people stood and stared at them as they passed, and seemed to take him for a madman. . . . .
