Mrs. Bliss died yesterday at four. Ill little more than 12 hours.
Curious that I should have been saying a day or two before, "What a
difference if any of us had lost a friend or relation by the cholera."
Called upon Dr. Griscome and found him an amusing gentleman; could not
find Burnes' Coffee House to see for Cunliffe's letters, nor Bradnor who
gave me the stick. A beautiful promenade near the Castle garden; visited
the Museum; a large living serpent also an ant hedgehog; a good
collection of stuffed birds besides, and also a cosmorama view of
different cities, etc., in Europe. Saw the two Woods, one a pianoforte
maker and the other a carrier. Went up to Ted's. A suit of black lent me
to attend Mrs. Bliss's funeral at four; did not much like the thought of
going; apprehensive about Mrs. D. who cannot be persuaded to leave the
house; about a dozen attended. Scarves given to the clergyman and
doctor, silk gloves to three or four of us. The coffin appeared to be
mahogany with a small plate with name, etc., the coffin uncovered and
borne to the grave without much order. The service as the Church of
England, excepting omitting the chapter from Corinthians. Eight
carriages besides the hearse; after interment they separated. Mrs. D.
made an effort and came down to tea, and talked over the melancholy
affair. Set off after nine to try the American oysters, but did not like
them so well as ours, being more insipid. Busy packing up.