May

May 1.
Tuesday! — This was a fine and beautiful May-day! — the weather being mild - fair - and quite delightful. —

— I wrote by this days Post to my Uncle Lochbuy that I should certainly obtain Leave and set out for Scotland from London by the 15th. of next month, or the moment the Spring Reviews were over!

I dined today with Mr. & Mrs. Brown at their Elegant House in Russell Square, with a most agreeable pleasant Party. —

May 21.
Monday! — I this day received Letters from my Aunt Mrs. Maclaine of Lochbuy, informing me that my Uncle Lochbuy had been taken ill and most severely attacked on the 11th. Inst. with a Gravellish Complaint - which from that day has confined him to his Bed, and from which he suffers great torment!

May 28.
Monday! — I received by this morning's Post, a Letter from my Cousin Jane, Lochbuy's Eldest Daughter, giving me such very bad accounts of his Health, that I begin to be very much alarmed for my poor dear good Uncle's Life!

— General Balfour gave his annual Dinner and Party this day at Richmond to a Select Party of Friends; amongst whom were Lord & Lady Banbury, Mrs. Scott, Miss Jarvis, Mrs. Doig, Miss Carnegie, Mr. Jno. Forbes &c. —

We spent a very pleasant Day - and did not return to Town till late in the Evening. — I went out and came home in Mrs. Doig's Carriage. — I visited Sir Chas. Price (late Lord Mayor) and his Family, near Richmond, before Dinner.

May 31.
Thursday! — I this day received Letters from Doctor Allan Maclean, who has attended my Uncle Lochbuy since his illness - giving me most alarming accounts of his present Disease - and stating the particular nature of it very fully in order to enable me to take the opinion and advice of the most eminent Medical men in London upon it - which of course I shall do immediately.

Source
MACQUARIE, Lachlan Journal No. 5 [12 September 1801 - 14 July 1804]
Original held in Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A770 pp. 314-317 [CY Reel 300 Frames #214-215].