Got up late after lying awake a good lot. At work late. Tried to write out story at night, but got on rather poorly. Went out for walk last thing. Charlie and Mother at the King’s Theatre seeing “Samson & Delilah”1.
Samson & Delilah: Possibly the opera by Saint-Saëns, which was first performed in Weimar in 1877. ↩
Got through work in decent time. Joe received message from Newcastle with regard to the place he applied for. He went to Newcastle and practically fixed it. At night he went to see Dr Todd in regard to a postcard he had received.
Band of Hope Concert1. Very poor house. The social a success from a musical point of view. Pye and Charlie sang all right and Miss Robson was not so bad. Briggs managed all right. I played pretty well. Miss Hunter and the children were pretty well taken with. Mr Morley was good but had poor reception. Mr Chadwick didn’t turn up except for his speech. A lot of excitement at home about it.
Band of Hope: See note on 13 January. ↩
Not very much to do at work. Played at night and went down to the chapel last thing and helped Jim to put up the curtains and things. Came round with Willie Marshall. St Patrick’s social at the Victoria Hall1 and there were a lot of drunken Irish people dancing beside the Palatine2 last thing at night. I went up to Brumwell’s3 and got Father a fiddle string. Joe at Leeds. He wired to say he had taken the place to start on Monday next.
Victoria Hall: See note on 10 January. ↩
“Palatine”: the Palatine Hotel, in South Bridge Street. ↩
“Brumwell’s” (if correct): hardware shop in John Street (or Frederick Street?) with very comprehenisve stock. ↩
At chapel and class as usual. Mr Riddell preaching in the morning and didn’t do it so very badly. Mr Best preached at night. I managed pretty well at Sunday School. Had usual walks. Tried to sell tickets for the social, but not much excitement.
Got up about 8 o’clock. Fine morning. Busy at work. Finished in good time. Walked over to Roker with Joe. Big tide on the sea washing up. Road at seaside last†. I went down to Briggs’ and practised a bit. Had short walk with Charlie afterwards. Mother got wash-leather for the boxing gloves.
Got up about 8 o’clock. Busy all day. Finished about 5.30. Mr Pike in at night. I got Susie Robson’s songs and tried them over. Had short walk last thing. Went to bed about 11 o’clock. The doctor in and he is not coming until next week. Father downstairs in the front room.
Got up shortly after 7 o’clock. Drilled. Wrote a bit. At work in good time. Not much to do. Mr Briggs came at night. We played until after 9 o’clock. Charlie sang a few songs. Went down to see Mr Morley afterwards and arranged with him for a few “darts†”1. Posted letter for Joe last thing about a job at Newcastle.
“Darts” is a possible reading, but being in inverted commas, it evidently had some special meaning at which it is now impossible to guess. ↩
Not very busy at work. Finished early. Played a bit. Went to see Mr Morley with regard to the Band of Hope1 social. He was not in but I saw his wife. Read a bit.
Sunderland beaten by Burnley by 2 – 1. At church meeting whether an invitation should go to Mr Chadwick to stay another year2.
“Band of Hope”: See note on 13 January. ↩
Methodist ministers were appointed, for fixed terms of office, by the meeting of members of their chapel. ↩
At work as usual. Went to choir practice at night. Not much done. Directors’ meeting. I called at the dock and was rather late in getting back. Harry came along for me on Reg’s bicycle. I helped Tom Brake all the afternoon. Rather late in finishing.