27th October 1942

Tuesday

Had to see one or two people at Dedham, so left early and called at Sisson’s.  Showed Mrs. Sisson “Inman’s Journal”, and took her some old corn samples to feed her chickens.

Some of the entries in Inman’s and Carr’s [18th century Colchester] Diaries are of considerable interest, especially Carr’s description of the arrival of the Stadtholder [of Holland] at Colchester in 1795.  Inman tells us Queen St. was so called in 1765 (perhaps after Queen Charlotte?), that there was a lamplighter in 1777, and street lamps proper in 1783.  This last compares with the remark of Celia Fiennes that there were sidewalks in the town in 1710. [Later note: 'Now known to be 1698 – new edition, 1947'].  One of his most interesting notes is that about the man and horse being drowned in Bourne Pond in 1763.  My Mother has so often repeated this tale to me as her mother did to her, as a warning to keep away from the Pond.

If I am spared, I intend from material such as this, to build up a picture of old Colchester such as has never been done before.

Mrs. Sisson had a letter from the Penroses [in Canada].  Mrs. Penrose seems very glad to be where she is, where low clouds don't mean Heinkels or Focke-Wulfs.

The papers seem to be preparing the public for another disaster in Egypt, and tremendous “combings-out” are threatened for all men between 25 and 30 and for all “black coat” workers.

Lovely night.  Searchlights all over the sky.