26th.--Got up at eight, began work at half-past nine. Worked till twelve at the head of Shakespeare; did nothing fit to be seen. Went out--wretched weather. Lucy came back and dined with me. About half-past six I set to work at drawing heads, but could not work: drew one: worked little better than two hours. I have been reflecting seriously about my large composition, that I had better paint the middle compartment small for next year’s exhibition, and recompose it for the large one on a grander principle. I have been reflecting on the subject, and have almost made up my mind to do so. I have sat up thinking of the new composition, to see if I could make a better one, so as not to risk sacrificing the present one to no purpose, and I believe I have succeeded to my satisfaction--(two hours’ work, two hours’ thought: three wasted). 27th.--Got up I know not at what time. Have been thinking about my change, and have decided to go and order the small canvas.... 29th.--... Thought of a subject as I went along: Wiclif reading his translation of the Bible to John of Gaunt, Chaucer and Gower present. Arranged it in my mind. Called on Lucy; saw Martin, in a precious stew about the Free Exhibition. Dined, came home: made a slight sketch of it (three hours’ work). 30th.--Got up at quarter to eight. Went out to see about the Museum for consulting authorities; called on Mark Anthony; went to the reading-room of Museum; saw Lewis’s _Life of Wiclif_, Southey’s _Book of the Church_. Met Lucy there in search of documents for his Landing of Puritans in New Plymouth.[24] Came home, dined, and sketched a little at the subject (three hours’ work). 1st December.--Got up at eight; went out to the print-shops and to the National Gallery. Then to the Museum; read Godwin’s _Life of Chaucer_.... 2nd.--Got up at half-past seven. Went out to the British Museum; got there by ten; made a drawing of a Gothic alphabet; read Knight’s Chaucer. Dined, called on my aunt Brown. Set to work by eight, worked till twelve, the sketch.... 3rd.--Got up at eight. Went to the Museum by half-past nine; finished the alphabet, and consulted Pugin on Furniture. In the evening worked at the composition till half-past twelve (five hours--six hours Museum). 4th.--Went to Highgate and to Gravesend, to see my sweet child. 5th.--Slept at Gravesend, and drew a little head of my beautiful babe; it is to-day eighteen months since the death of my poor dear wife. These are thoughts that I must banish; it unnerves me. I have dedicated the day to my child and the memory of her mother. Yesterday I brought her fuchsia down from her grave, and have given it to Mrs. Lucy to take care of for the winter. I left Gravesend by the five o’clock boat, and have come back, intending perhaps to do some work (two hours).