Diaries, 1807-1821

Holograph diaries of a year in Clifton, and journeys to Hanover and Germany. The first volume, a diary dated at Clifton in 1807-1808, details the child author's daily social and educational activities. She studies French verbs and reads Roman history as well as practices her dance steps each day; elsewhere, she arranges her doll's clothes and buys accessories for it; goes out on walks with other young ladies; plays cards; and describes and often criticizes her meals. She also mentions the social activities of her mother, the names of visitors to the house, and the daily visits from a cake-seller. Inside the front cover is written, "Susan North. Clifton. Given me by my dearest grandpapa who beged me always to keep a journal."

The third volume is a travel diary dated 1821, in which the writer records her journey from England to Hanover with her son John. She describes the landscapes, the quality of the horses, the price of travel, and the state of the inns in which she stays, as well as her opinions of the attractiveness of the towns and inhabitants she sees. She says of Liege that it "is the oldest, ugliest, dirtiest, & poorest town I ever saw, & filled with beggars. The women less handsome than in any place I ever saw," while she praises Dusseldorf for its cleanliness, good houses, and large shops well-supplied with goods

The second volume is an undated travel diary from Hanover to Gottingen, Cassell, and Marburg. Written in pencil, with a few corrections in ink, the writer primarily discusses landscapes and buildings; she says of the town of Munden that its situation was the most beautiful thing she ever saw and calls Leibenberg Castle "very curious--old painters, old furniture." The volume contains about 24 sketches in pen and pencil, primarily of landscapes and buildings, but also including profiles of several women. At the beginning of the volume are several pages of travel expenses