4th.--Breakfasted in bed; set to work about ten. Recomposed the chair, and composed the lectern, and began painting it. Worked till half-past four. Walked round the Park. Set to work again at seven, when Thomas and John Marshall came in, and I did no more work. Thomas accused Marshall of having spoken about our London University project,[32] at the College. Marshall denied it, but said that he had heard that another body of artists had proposed the same thing about a year ago. Thomas stopped till eleven, and we drank two glasses of grog each (six hours’ work). 5th.--Breakfasted in bed; set to work about half-past nine. Worked at the lectern: altered it, painted at it till four. Dined etc. A wet day; did not go out. Began work again at seven till eight, and from nine till half-past eleven, painting at the lectern--what snobbish work! (nine hours’ work). Forgot to go to Highgate--alas my poor wife!... 7th.--Got up at quarter to eight; breakfasted, and went to Highgate. Had iron stakes put to the standard roses. Called on Lucy; went to London University, to see about Capbell’s bust of Potter.[33] John Marshall, on behalf of the Committee, commissioned me to make a drawing of it, for [which] I am to receive five guineas. Dined; set to at my accounts. Thomas called in to know if I would accompany him to-morrow to a meeting of the Freemasons of the Church, to hear a lecture on Beauty by a Baronet M.P. He for the first time explained to me his views on beauty, and the explanation thereof. Wonderful fellow! I hardly know what to make of him, his talents are so wonderful and varied. Stopped till half-past eleven. 8th.--Got up at half-past eight. Went to the British Institution; saw a wonderful piece of light by Inskip,[34] a beautiful marine by Danby (calm after a storm with a heavy ground-swell). I stopped one half-hour looking at this picture. Lance, Frost, Copley Fielding, etc. Afterwards I went to the University, and began the drawing of the bust; came back after two and a-half hours’ work, dined. Sam Bamford[35] called in, then Thomas; when we went to hear a most absurd lecture by a Bart.--beside whom was seated the Duke of Northumberland; after which some antiquarian controversy.... 17th.--Breakfasted in bed; Miss Ashley called in. Composed the chair of John of Gaunt, and began it. In the evening went to hear Leslie’s[36] first lecture on painting: twaddle (six hours’ work).... 21st.--Got up at half-past seven, walked over the Park. Set to work about ten, painting at the arch. Got a letter from my Uncle Madox,[37] asking me to go and speak to him in the City on business. Left off about two; went to the City. Found he wanted to sell his one-eighth of the Tan Yard, and, if I would sell mine, he would get me £700 for it, £200 more than I thought it worth: no unpleasant news. Decided to sell it in order to buy a house....