April 30th, 1847 (Friday)

Mr De la Motte brought the designs which we set him about, – some of them most successful, – especially the Stancheon and Finial for each Cubicle, – and the upright for the boys benches, surmounted by a cluster of oak-leaves and acorns, with a serpent half-concealed, most appropriate and beautiful. Some of the others required improvement.

Had a long consultation with Mr Underwood about our buildings, and settled many points of difficulty. He has been absent and ill, and therefore done nothing as yet, but is now ready to proceed at once. We met Mr Pollen of Merton College in the street, who was delighted at the idea of the College, and mentioned that we had a good chance of the fittings up discarded in their Chapel, – for that the proposal had been some time back to burn them, not liking them to fall into secular hands.

Mr Hobhouse called on Sewell, and mentioned that the President of Magdalen had just been speaking to him about Radley and our scheme, – saying that it seemed well deserving of his sister’s attention, – but that he hoped to hear some more particulars from Sewell shortly. Sewell is to all upon him tomorrow, and explain the cause of his delay in drawing up the statement for him: – viz. the length and care it required, – and the necessity of having it printed, as mentioned earlier. It is now finished, so that it will be in his hands early next week. Sewell says he will ask permission for me to call on the Venerable Head.¹

Sewell proposed to me this evening that instead of giving books as prizes to the boys, (which after all, I believe, no one reads, while they cost a great deal of money,) – we should have a magnificent blank book, in which the names of the successful candidates should be written with great ‘pomp and circumstance’. – and also a black one, for those who have been seriously idle, or misbehaved, during the preceding term. This ought clearly to be a very grim, horrid-looking affair: a register of evil cannot be black enough. We also thought of a superb book, for the names of those who, on quitting the College, had entitled themselves to the dignity of a place on its pages, by a course of previous virtue and good conduct. These are important thoughts.²

I forgot to mention in its proper place that I yesterday purchased a very finely carved cabinet, or Wardrobe, for the Warden’s room, from Mr Mallam, opposite Christ Church. By the way he has 4 small panels, exquisitely carved, which he picked up for Sewell. They were covered with paint, which he has managed to remove completely. All these things will tell wonderfully, not only in giving dignity to the College, but also in exalting the tastes of its members and Alumni. Sewell says that I must not pay for the Wardrobe, as it is being secured for official effect, Domus must be at the cost of it. While my sitting-room will be very handsome, I intend that my bedroom shall be very simple, so that the individual and the Functionary shall be separable ideas. The bedstead of iron, no curtains, – deal furniture, – no carpets, – but a strip or two, where I must stand, – neither luxury nor asceticism, but the manly comfort, of which I hope the Christian need not be ashamed.

I also bought a magnificent proof of Chalon’s picture of the Queen in her robes, which I got by accident at less than half-price. Also Strange’s print of Charles 1st in company with the Duke of Hamilton; and its match, Henrietta and her children. These are the best impressions, taken out of the book. Also another print of Charles, a Bust view, purchased in Paris by an Oxford dealer. All these will give a loyal air to my sitting room, and help to teach the boys to honour the Crown, and to pay especial reverence to it, when worn by a Martyr.

Ordered furniture for my bedroom, and same for Mrs Burky’s, only giving her wood for iron in the bedstead, and the luxury of a pretty chintz curtain, the only one among the members of the College. Also two sets for servants, to be ready at any time we may require them.

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1: Martin Routh, who Sewell visited on the 22nd. At the time of writing he was 91, and had been President of Magdalen for over fifty years. Venerable indeed.

2: Two of these three books – one with silver binding and one with gold – survive at the college, though they did not begin to be used until 1855 and 1863 respectively. The “Black Book” was in active use, and is mentioned in the earliest letters from boys, but has since been lost. Internal college pages: the Silver Book; the Gold Book.