| Description | This file features a typed compilation of extracts reproduced from Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury's personal diaries during the late nineteenth century. The document is extremely useful in providing an insight into aspects of Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury's life during the years before and shortly after her marriage to George Cadbury which she may have identified as being of particular significance. The first six pages of the manuscript contained within the file feature typed extracts relating to the period July 1880 to May 1882 which have been annotated by Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury who has added additional pencil comments in some places. The subsequent twelve pages are left blank, followed by an additional typed document four pages in length dated January 1895 to March 1895 which is enclosed loose at the back of the file. Varying in length and detail, the extracts include references to family activities and participation in philanthropic activities. They also provide an insight into Taylor Cadbury's early involvement with the Cadbury family during visits to her aunt Caroline Barrow and brother Wilfrid Taylor in Birmingham. For example, Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury's entry for 2nd March 1881 reads:
'Packed - went to station - Matron came for girls - arrived Birmingham, found Wilfrid better, had tea with him; went to Miss Morgan's Dorcas for Aunt C., found Mary Westlake there; returned, went to Candia Cadbury's - very kind.'
Entries also provide detailed accounts of Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury's experiences on foreign holidays during the 1890s. For example her entry dated 9th February 1895 reads:
'Start by 8.10 for Pompeii, intensely interesting, most wonderful insight into the life of the ancients. Lunch at Hotel Suisse, funny little place, take carriage up Vesuvius, young American with us, tremendously long ride, became very misty as we went up, at last reached little railway - shot up into drenching mist - then as we began ascent, fearful, penetrating, blinding storm - crater in mist - American frantic to get down - all soaked - got partially dry at little Inn - then drive home, 2 1/2 hours!'
This compilation of typed extracts which have been further annotated demonstrates Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury's active presence in collecting and preserving a legacy of her experiences and activities. |