Friday
Had a good night, not so much pain. Ate breakfast, watching the pigeons flutter
about in the yard. They live in a
pigeon-cote fastened to the gable of the old “turnpike stair”.
Finished reading Katherine
Mansfield’s Journal. Very dull
indeed. Strange that a good story writer
should write such poor stuff.
At the office found a letter from
Meg MacDougall, without stamp or postmark, and a censor’s label on it. Luckily its contents were harmless.
When in Culver Street for lunch
noticed that another emergency water-tank is being put up, against the cellar
of the old house. Went down the cellar,
through a hole in the ceiling, and found it still in good condition. Can't think what can eventually be done with
it.
Back to Dedham
at 6.30, then called at Stratford “King's Arms” only to receive a final answer
that there was nothing doing. On a
sudden decision went to the Talbooth, Mrs Roper’s dreadful place, and without
any trouble got a room - £3 a week. I
can afford it now that I am getting £4-12-6.
6 comments:
Catherine
How curious Rudsdale's description of The Talbooth in Dedham given it's reputation today!
In todays values his rent was £112.56 out a weekly wage of £173.52.
Regards
Mike Dennis
Thanks Mike and for the information on the cost of Rudsdale's rent. The Talbooth had been quite delapidated in the 1930s and Rudsdale had been part of a team of conservationists who had campaigned for it to be restored. The new owner, Mrs Roper, undertook this restoration but rather overdid the 'olde-worlde' atmosphere much to Rudsdale's distaste and hence his comment that it is a 'dreadful place'. It is certainly very upmarket today! CP
Catherine
Thanks for the additional information. Interesting that ER didn't go in to more detail in his journal about why he was negative in his view of The Talbooth.
Mike Dennis
Hi Mike,
It's because the restoration of the Talbooth took place in the 1930s, prior to the war, and Rudsdale discusses his views on its conservation in those earlier journals. CP
Catherine
Of course!
But as you have noted, by this time he was seeing his journals as more of a historical record rather than a personal diary.
It does seem that there are some subjects he likes to write about at length!
Mike
Hi Mike,
Yes indeed! He does have his favourite subjects and leaves us in no doubt about his likes and dislikes! CP
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