HEH ST 98. Richard Temple probably kept a regular diary but few volumes survive. The diaries were more than a personal memorandum as Temple notes in one entry when feeling low

Those who will ever see this journal will, I am sure, not laugh at my feelings. (Private Diaries, Vol 1, 84.)

The volumes for 1827 to 1829 survive, presumably because they were selected for publication. 

ST 98 comprises 7 books:

• Volume 1: 1 April to 30 June 1827
• Volume 2: 3 July to 30 September 1827
• Volume 3 (i): 1 October to 31 December 1827
• Volume 3 (ii): 1 January to 29 March 1828
• Volume 4 (i): 30 March to 2 September 1828
• Volume 4 (ii): 3 September to 15 May 1828
• Volume 4 (iii): 15 May 1829 to 16 August 1829

Volumes 2-4 were published in 1862. 

In the extracts below, strikethrough text was marked for omission from the published version by Richard Chandos or the editor. 

Memorandum on Publication of Diaries

Included with HEH ST 98 Vol 2. 11 June 1852. Full transcript.

Copy

London June 11 1852

Memorandum of Agreement entered into this day between M^rs Maberly acting on behalf of His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos on the one part and Messrs Hurst & Blackett of Great Marlborough Street, Publishers, on the other part

The said M^rs Maberly for the Consideration hereinafter mentioned hereby assign to the said Messrs Hurst & Blackett the copyright of seven [sic] volumes of manuscript descriptive of a tour by the late Duke of Buckingham which are to be printed and published by the said Messrs Hurst & Blackett at their expence and for their use and benefit, in any form and number they may deem most advantaged bearing the name of the late Duke of Buckingham on the title page as Author.

The Consideration above mentioned are that the said Messrs Hurst & Blackett shall pay to the said M^rs Maberly the sum of fifty Pounds the receipt of which is acknowledged.

I Witness whereof the said parties have hereinto set their hands this day

Signed   K.C. Maberly

               Hurst & Blackett

N.B. The Drawings are to be returned, and all allusions to the family affairs are to be supplemented in the publication of the manuscript.

Volume 1

This is a leather bound diary, with gold embossed lettering on a red background on the spine:

DIARY
1827
APRIL 1^ST
JUNE 30^TH

The clasp is missing. Its page dimensions are 247mm by 200mm; 65mm thick. The book had been previously set out by a scribe. Each day has a large heading in the scribe’s hand and four pages are allocated to the day. These are not always used and occasionally entries flow over two or three days. The entries are by Richard Temple and are neat and generally lack corrections.

This volume was not published, because it predates the journey onboard the Anna Eliza.

Stowe Temple of Venus and Octagon Lake Cascade

HEH ST 98 Vol 1. 16 April 1827. Extract of entry by Richard Temple at Stowe. 

My work at the Octagon goes on well. Very nearly over for the Season. It will take two years work for 20 men from Michaelmass to Lady Day of each year to complete it [a] Sum of £465 neceƒsary to complete the work in two years.

HEH ST 98 Vol 1. 27 April 1827. Extract of entry by Richard Temple at Stowe.

As I am sitting this evening by the side of the Octagon the water of which was very low, it being a fine evening the fish were playing on the surface. The workmen were retiring home and in paƒsing through the Bell Gate, it slammed through with considerable noise, and every time it did so, the fish over the whole length of the basin of the Octagon struck out, as alarmed. They could not by any possibility see the men on the gate, the water being so low, and their objects above them. Q—are the effect [sic] produced by the fish hearing the slamming of the gate? of by the Vibration of the [?] consequently by that of the water?

HEH ST 98 Vol 1. 29 April 1827. Extract of entry by Richard Temple at Stowe.

The Octagon is filling gradually. I told Browne that the new cascade should be called “Browne’s Cascade”, as the idea of it was his own.

HEH ST 98 Vol 1. 10 May 1827. Extract of entry by Richard Temple at Stowe.

The Water before the Ruin is falling fast and already shews the beauty of what will be, when the whole is finished.

HEH ST 98 Vol 1. 12 May 1827. Extract of entry by Richard Temple at Stowe.

The Temple of Venus is falling down. I must repair it. I shall leave it as it is, but cut out the stone door cases, both in front and rear of the building, turn two arches to correspond with the rest of the Architecture of the building, shut up the aisles with Iron gates, and in the Centre of the building put up a statue of Venus, which my Son brought from Italy, upon a pedestal, on which will be the inscription “Venus Hortenni” and the Walls will be plastered plain, for the present. This will make a handsome building instead of the degraded state in which it now is.

HEH ST 98 Vol 1. 15 May 1827. Extract of entry by Richard Temple at Stowe. 

I determine upon repairing the Temple of Venus which will otherwise come down, and I shall take the opportunity of altering it, by taking away the two door cases, opening two arches, closing them with Iron Gates, and putting Chandos’s statue of Venus in the middle. The Walls I mean to wash down, and ornament some future time. Broadway has for the first time in his life examined the vaults under the Building. They are very exterior and sound, consisting of Stone Arches. There is a branch full of Water which leads we know not whither. I have directed it to be followed up. In this vault was formerly the Machine which threw up the Water, as it is said, of the Lake into the Octagon to supply the Obelisk Fountain which stood in the midst of it, with water. I cannot but hope that there may be a spring or large supply of water & which these vaults conduct, & which I may get into the Lake. I am boring for water at Lamport. I have got 40 feet down, but am still in view of the blue Clay.

HEH ST 98 Vol 1. 23 May 1827. Extract of entry by Richard Temple at Stowe.

I pass the Morning in the Museum and afterwards drive out. The improvement in the Cascade between the Octagon and Lower Lake amuses admirably.

HEH ST 98 Vol 1. 19 May 1827. Extract of entry by Richard Temple at Stowe.

The Bores have got down 70 feet, but no water.

Water Stratford Church

HEH ST 98 Vol 1. 27 June 1827. Extract of entry by Richard Temple at Stowe. 

Broadway inspects Water Stratford Church and finds out it is in no respect necessary to pull it down, and that a slight expence comparatively speaking will put it into a fit condition to have divine Service performed in it. It is plain that the first report made was a juggle between the Arch Deacon’s Surveyor and the Buckingham Builder.

Volume 2

This is identical to volume one, but the leather covers have been cut away, presumably to facilitate transcription. The Memorandum of Agreement mentions drawings but a note with this volume at the Huntington Library suggests there are none with it. Marks in red crayon delineate parts of entries not to be transcribed, items to be footnoted, chapter headings and beginnings of paragraphs. Occasionally the editor made small corrections of sense.

The Volume begins at page 9, 3 July, the same day as the printed Diary. 1 & 2 July appear to have been lost.

The volume has 375 numbered pages but finishes of 377, the inside flyleaf. Then continues with 9 pages to 386. These looses pages are erroneously numbered 278–86.

Battle of Trafalgar

HEH ST 98 Vol 2. 14 June 1827. Full transcript of entry by Richard Temple on board Anna Eliza off Cape Trafalgar. 

The morning is come, and no Algierians, Tunisians, nor Moors of any kind have touched us or come near us. The day beautifully fine; but a fine breeze carrying us across to Cape Spartel. No land in sight. As it at present holds, the wind will be dead against us in the Straits. At eleven o’clock the thermometer was at 74° in the airiest part of the shade of my cabin. All our Sick are recovered. I have given up my Standing bed place, and swing in a Cot which I find much cooler & better. In the evening we made Cape Trafalgar—the action was fought within five miles of the place where we were, and the wind was just the same. Carphy, the boatswain, whom Grace had put on board had been in the action on board the “Britannia.” We called him aft, and made him tell the longest story he had of the action, which he did with much unction and interest; and when I bade him go below and give his mess a can of punch, and drink the healths and memories of his old comrades. The rough sailor’s eyes filled with tears, as he turned round, hitched up his trousers, and walked off the deck. It appears evident to me, from all the conversations which I have had with many who were in the action, Sir Thomas Hardy included, that some inexplicable reason exists for the latter not complying with Nelson's last order, “Anchor, Hardy! anchor!” Hardy told me that many of the ships had their anchors and cables shot away; but still that does not account for the signal not being made—and if it had been made, it could have been obeyed, and most of the prizes would have been secured. The most extraordinary anxiety was manifested to de­stroy the vessels which had been taken, even unnecessarily. That on board of which Carphy had been sent to take possession of had been secured, jury-masts had been got up in her, sail was got upon her, and she made three knots per hour. In two other tacks she would have been safe in the Gut of Gibraltar, when a positive order came to destroy her. I believe Hardy who was a very good straightforward Sailor, was completely bewildered by the responsibility which devolved upon him. Nothing more passed this evening. 

Selling Lace in Gibraltar

HEH ST 98 Vol 2. 24 August 1827. Extract of entry by Richard Temple

I desire Bates to try whether I can get my Buckingham Lace sold here. It is plain a heavier price will be paid upon it here than in London, but the profit would go with the Scorpions pockets and not those of my poor Lace makers. The dealers here will give no order for any, as they are supplied from England regularly and will not break up their connexions for a new one. But I am not without hopes of getting private orders. It Italy it will fetch a great price. But there it is contraband. Here there is no duty paid upon it.