[Rolleston family, Rydal, Westmoreland. ] Typed transcription of 'Notes made by Anne Rolleston on a visit to her brother Robert Rolleston, Curate at Rydal', with seven 'Photographs, taken 80 years later. By Ellinor, daughter of Robert Rolleston'.

Typed transcript of 21pp., landscape 8vo, followed by six 9.5 x 12 cm. black and white photographs, captioned in pencil and detachable, with the seventh photograph on the front cover. In card landscape 8vo album with green cloth spine. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, except for the cover photograph which is heavily worn. In pencil at front: '1850 | Notes made by Anne Rolleston on a visit to her brother Robert Rolleston, Curate at Rydal.' The location of the original diary is unclear, and there is no record of its having been published. The first entry sets the tone: 'Thursday, Oct. 10, 1850. | Travelled by rail solo - for the first time - from Poulton to Preston, and from thence to Garstang the country is flat, and bleak. But then you get among the hills of Lancashire, and this morning, clouds were resting on some of their extended tops. As you leave Lancaster you have a pretty sea-view across Morecambe Bay - when the Westmoreland Hills gradually open out their glories till you reach Windermere whence the drive to Rydal is beautiful in the extreme - clouds rolling over the Pikes of Langdale and letting gleams down on W. Lake. Rydal is in a lovely basin richly clotted with trees in Autumn's brightest tints. Walked in the evening to Ambleside - and up the Stock-gyhill Torre.' In Lancrigg the following day she calls on Mrs Fletcher, and later on she visits the 'burying place of the Wordsworth family': 'The grave of the late great Poet is marked by a simple black head stone inscribed with his name alone. Adjoining this lies at his side his only daughter "Dora Quillinan." Her grave stone is unique - a stone coloured head stone, the edge carved into a wreath of ivy, and in the arch is the symbol of the Lamb and Cross. [...]' On followind days she makes a wish at the Wishing Gate in Rydal, visits Brathay (where she finds the church 'in bad taste'). On 22 October she 'paid calls on Mrs. Wordsworth, a very kind mannered old lady - the very picture of the old gentlewoman - looked with much interest at Rydal Mount, walked on the Terrace - called on the Quillinans - and then mounted Longbrigg Fell where we wandered a long time going to "Sunset Point" - a spot so named by Dr. Arnold - whence you look eastward on Windermere, and lateral with it Esthwaite.' The following day she has 'one of Mrs. Irving's Lady bountiful breakfasts', before starting another 'pilgrimage', which is described in evocative detail, as are the subsequent days' walks. There are references to 'Mrs. Ridgway (Mrs. Girdlestone's mother)' and 'the Misses Quillinan', with whom she goes walking. On 4 November Mrs Irving (with whom she seems to have been lodging) is moved to laughter by the walking clothes worn by her and her brother: 'Robt. in such boots - they never can wear out. I in my clogs, and some additional tucks in my dress to keep me above water.' On the final day she and her brother jump in to a 'return car from Coniston to Ambleside. "Jump in" says Robt. "the first wise thing I've done since you came." Who would believe that two such hair brains were riding literally riding not I for one, if any one had told me. Robt. said it was a life insurance for me - it was rather pleasant to rattle down hill [...]' She ends with a reference to her 'singing pupils who are very promising - Mrs. Irving pleased with their progress'. The six internal photographs are in good condition, and are scenic views of 'Rydal Church', 'Rydal Water', 'Sour Milk Ghyll', 'Bowness - Windermere', and two of 'Windermere'. The photograph on the cover, uncaptioned, shows men preparing boats on the banks of Windermere.