Transcript of the notes
interim, to pass away the time, Mrs Fry & I being alone, she took up her Work- Basket, & I took up “The stoops to conquer” & read two or three Acts of it to Mrs Fry till my Cousin, returned Home to supper.
Wednesday 30 Sept
After breakfast had a walk down. Garendon Lane, over the Meadows leading to Sheep’s- head, as far as the handsome Road, with long rows of Trees on each side of it, this is the Coach-road to Garendon Park . –
After Dinner, Mr Fry, my Cousin, & I took a walk into the Park, and such a day for Views, I never experienced, the Atmosphere was so uncommonly clear. We stopped a little while at the Obelisk, from which, there is a very
extensive prospect for many miles round the Country. –
On this obelisk there is an Inscription, I think it is engraved on a piece of copper, but the words are scarcely legible, “Erected by Ambrose Phillipps Esqr AD. 1733” The wooden base of the Shaft removed and replaced with cast Iron, and the four Balls re-set A.D. 1801.
We passed on to Mr Philipps House.
Saw some beautiful swans swimming on a piece of Water; between it, and the House, the grass is kept in such handsome Order, that it looks just like a smooth Green Carpet. – On the Grass there were two Muscovy geese. They are very pretty Birds, but have not the appearance of Geese, they look more like Ducks when they are swimming. We then proceeded on to one of the Park-Gates.
Afterwards we went to the chief Game Keeper’s Lodge, as my Cousin, wished to speak to him _ On our way close to this Lodge, the Dog was very angry at our intrusion, and barked tremendously loud at us, not withstanding which, we did not fear him, for he was chained to his House – We had. a little chat with the Game Keeper, at the door of the Lodge – I asked him if he recollected assisting contaminating the Holy Water with a little drop of Brandy last Year when we regaled ourselves. with some cold roast Beef, Mustard, & Bread & Cheese under a tree, after Shooting – “Oh yes, Sir,” says he,” and I remember you, and that Mr Fry had excellent sport that morning, & that it was a was a very beautiful day.
We then passed on to the Temple._
From thence we crossed the Park on our way Home; in our ramble through it, we saw plenty of Deer, some of whom had shed both their horns; others had shed only one horn, the other still remaining_ the Hares were also very busy, scampering about in all directions.
There. were some most beautiful. Groups of Trees, and now & then, over deep Vallies, and through long avenues of Frees we caught distant Views of the High Hills in Charnwood Forest, which were most beautifully, and truly picturesque. I am sure it would have been an admirable Subject, for any of our best Landscape Painters, and if they felt as much pleasure in Painting such Scenery, as I did in seeing it, they would have been most amply gratified.
After enjoying a beautiful sunset, we returned home to tea, pretty well tired, at least, I was so, for I had had a longish walk in the morning, to which I must add our Evening walk, altogether making about 8 miles, this was pretty well, for a Valeturinavian like me._
Thursday 1 October
Did not go out till about 12 oclock, having had to read the last “Act of The stoops to conquer” to Mrs Fry while she was at work with her needle. – Afterwards I took a short walk over Mr Middleton’s meadows.
& through Thorpe Acre, and then returned home to dinner.
Mr Fry & my Cousin went to Loughborough in the Afternoon. –