from Rosemary Bailey
This article was published in the August 2024 edition of Soul Search, the Journal of The Sole Society
Ed: this is the final instalment of the journal, although it does continue further. Sadly, unless Elizabeth Weiser in the USA ever finds the journal, this is all we have.
Sunday 15th September 1833
Another lovely morn. Papa offered to take us a long walk to Bruhl where there is a market today, but finding I had a little cold I declined his offer, he took E[dward] on a fishing excursion on the other side of the Rhine, to the same place where we walked yesterday afternoon. In the mean time I went with Annette beyond the Rheininsel(?) and afterwards to the xxxxxx expected to hear fine music, but when we once arrived there, it was just over and we had to trudge back among a crowd of people which was by no means agreeable.
Papa and Edward did not come back till after we had finished our soup. After dinner we went to the borllinades to bespeak Mr Schlmeyas binding, namely the binding of his Vauma and to Mrs Bachern to pay for the book itself. A little walk on the bridge whilst the steamers arrived finished our days excursions.
Sunday 22nd September
The whole of last week has been very bare of incident. The weather has been very cold, windy and ocassionaly showery. On Monday I procured myself some more worsted work and Annette begun to work on linings. On Wednesday Papa took us to the museum to show us a large collection of minerals which are kept there in an old outhouse, evidently spoiling for want of the slightest care. Thursday arrived her a Mr Ed. James from Carlisle with his family, whose acquaintance we m ade and whose eldest little girl I took on Friday afternoon to the Dom. They went off on Saturday morn to Neuwice (?) where they are going to spend the winter. This morning my cotton dress came home from the taylors. The being some festival today, we heard the great bell ringing and I wanted to be near at the next ringing, I went to Mr Schlmayers to wait there. We were however disappointed as they did not ring it again, but of it we had a little music on a most miserable instrument, and his daughter and some other girl were singling. In the afternoon we were more fortunate for as soon as the bell began to toll, we set off as fast as our legs could carry us to the Dom, where we caught the pretty dear in the very act of talking, and it spoke so loud that the very ground upon which we stood vibrated. It was delightful.
23rd September
All this morning I went about trying to get some merino for a dress for Annette which suited all parties. AT last I believe and I hope we found what we wanted. After dinner we went out to the taylor to have her measurements taken and he promised we shall have the dress home on Thursday. We next went across the bridge to xxxxxx, and then to the right side into t he country. The weather was beautiful today, but I was very tired so we threw ourselves on the soft grass, the sun shining delightfully warm. On our return we saw the steamer come in, and when we wanted to leave the bridge, they opened it to let some vessel pass through, so we had to wait for some time.
September 24th
After making sundry small purchases this morning we took a walk beyond Nicholaus Tower in the company of Milord the old house dog who was mightily pleased with this country expedition. Annette had asked permission to go after dinner to Mad. Schlemeyer’s to play upon her instrument, if we should find it tuned. But as ill luck would have it the tuner had never been, but came after she had played for about half an hour, so she had but a very short time.
September 25th
Milord took us another walk this morning, across the bridge along the banks of the rhine toward Michaelshoven (?). The weather was once more quite warm, almost hot. A call upon Mr Schlemeyar for some pills and a walk on the bridge finished the day.
September 26th
This morning on taking our walk we were much surprised to find the Rhine considerably higher, and many parts which used to form part of the gully(?) all under water, on enquiry we learnt that the river had risen 4 feet in the night owing to some heavy rains which they had had at Strasbourg. In the afternoon Edward and myself took a bath, but we found the water very muddy.
September 27th
Brought fine large purple clouds.
September 28th
Went to Bacherrus for german pocket books but found nothing worth taking.
September 29th
A gloomy day, a short walk towards boder kitchen(?).
September 30th
This morning I went buying gloves, a stock for Edward and ordered tow for my new bag etc. etc.
October 1st
The Coblenz steamer which was to have left here this morn at six did not go till ten, owing to a very severe fog. I went to pay for another book Mr Bachern had sent us to look at and which was certainly better than any we had yet seen. After some more shopping I called upon Mr Schlemeryar, whose advice I asked about Annette’s headaches. After Dinner I called there once more to fetch some medicine, and then took a walk towards Old Nicks Tower. Just before tea Edward had the pleasure of watching the sight of an immense float through the Bridge.
The remaining page is very unclear to read. It seems to refer to more shopping including lining for the girls’ bonnets, some comments about the weather and perhaps eating of dinner on the bridge. It then states that:
…Papa gave the order for packing, and that the author called upon Mr Schlmeryar to take leave.
It restarts:
Sunday 6th October
Went to bed last night without the slightest hopes of my being able to rise in the morning, however after a sleepless night I rose and at a quarter past 6 we were off.
Ed: we leave the family about to travel elsewhere in Europe. Sadly, unless Elizabeth Weiser in the USA finds the journal, we will never know where!