Two sections of the Autograph Diary of Mary Jane, wife of Congreve Lonsdale, Attaché to the British Legation at Munich, describing domestic and political events in Bavaria, beginning with an eyewitness account of King Ludwig of Bavaria's abdication.

A total of 36 pp in 8vo. First section (12 June 1847 to 22 July 1852): 16 pp, at around 30 lines per page. Second section (1 January 1862 to 29 December 1864): 20 pp, at around 40 lines per page. All text clear and complete. Good, on aged paper, with minor unobtrusive repair to last two leaves of first section. Both sections unbound, in separate sewn gatherings. The diary is unsigned, but the context establishes the author beyond doubt as Lonsdale's wife Mary Jane, daughter of Mary Littledale (1779-1855), widow of Anthony Littledale of Bolton Hall, Yorkshire. (There are a couple of descriptions of visits home to her ailing mother at Bolton Hall, and to family members including grandparent's on the mother's side, the Dawsons of Hornby Castle.). Several references to 'the Milbankes' and 'Loftuses' (British ministers to Bavaria). One entry indicates that the diary was written up at the end of each year: '1864. being my last entire year with Lonsdale at Munich I give almost each day as it passed - comprising also the last visit of my sister Lizzie during his life'. Casting valuable light on the activities of the British diplomatic class at a time of upheaval in nineteenth-century Bavaria. Short, but detailed entries, giving an interesting mixture of the personal and historical, including social visits and balls with members of the British and Bavarian governing classes, rides, drives, railway journeys, visits to the theatre, the wedding of a servant and a trip to the Bavarian Alps. The diary reflects the life of an affluent family, holding soirées: '[Oct] 22 [1850]. Began to receive every Tuesday evg. 9. in all. Very well attended | Nov. 12 [1850]. The Bridgemans left for Engd. having had a sale & broken up their establishment. We bought their new Brougham & sold our old one. Our footman Sebastian dismissed for pilfering Cigars - & finally Cigar case fm. our friends in Anteroom'. The first section begins with the author staying at the Chiemsee, followed by a move to 9 Brienner Strasse, Munich. The first page mixes references to a wedding breakfast, a death in confinement, and a presentation of potatoes by 'the country people' ('they now were rained down in plenty fm. the clouds. Like small roots washed up by the rain.'), with information about the general unrest: '[9 February 1848] Great disturbances in Ludwig Strasse with Lola Montes. University closed &c. She took refuge in the palace | Feb. 10 Crowds waiting the Deputation fm the palace. Gt. efforts to get to Lola's in the evg. in the Barer Strasse. Some by the gendarmes. The Ministry resigned. | Feb. 11. Gt. disturbances & Lola dismissed fm Munich. King Ludwig wounded by a stone. University re-opened & Ministers returned to office. | Feb. 27. News of Louis Philippes abdication arrived - & rumour of much fighting that the K. was made prisoner - republic formed &c &c.' [p.2] 1848 March 2. Riots in the Ludwig Strasse fm 7. p. m. till 2 in the mg Gt cries all night, & the windows broken of the Ministerium & Bereks House. also his door. | March 3. Saw the havoc made. | 4. A gt. riot all day & revolution expected. The Dult Platz occupied by Troops & artillery & the Princes at the heads of their Regts. The chambers convoked in 1 days & order returned - | 6 March. The K. signed the required deeds & the Crown prince arrived. The Troops swore allegiance to the Constitution in the Dult Platz - Saw all fm the . [...] | March 16. Fresh disturbances [...] 20. Report that the King had abdicated. | 21. The Crown Prince proclaimed King. as Maximilian II. & the army sworn at 7 in the evg. - The old King will live in the red palace opposite. | 22. At Taschers to see the King pass for the opening of the Chambers. pouring rain, & King Ludwig stood in the crowd with an umbrella over his head.' References to unrest continue over the first few pages ('Augt. 21. Disturbances at night on pretence of the Crown & Treasure being missing 4 men killed by the Military -'), mingled with domestic news. At the beginning of 1849 the author is presented at a court ball to the new king and queen on their accession. On 10 July 1849 she is in England, and 'Roused early by telegram to go to Bolton to Mamma who had brain fever Found her insensible - Sent for Mr. Turner to Manchester - Given up - but took a favorable turn on the 12th. recovered slowly - Left her Sept 16 for Bentham'. The mother recovers and within two months the author is back on the continent. On 26 April 1851: 'occupied with the Tableaux at Duke Max's chaperoning the Thomsons. The gt. performance on the 3. May. all the Court present. Supped with the actors at the Hirsch '. In June 1851 she leaves Munich 'with L. on three months leave', and sees 'Mrs. Hemans &c at Aix'. The second section begins with a meeting with 'the Queen, & later the King, who both stopped to talk - much to Nelly's satisfaction'. On 9 February 1862: 'The Prince of Wales & Suite at Church with Bonar also & Manley'. On 10 March 1863 attends 'A dinner of 24 at the Legation to celebrate the marriage of the Prince of Wales. All English but Lizzie.' Three days later she holds 'A party of nearly 80 at home & the Loftus's [the new ambassadors] here for the first time in the evg.' The entries for the final year, 1864, especially detailed (see her explanation for this above). They include the following (26 April): Pss. Luitpold died unexpectedly at 4 a.m. Went to see her as she died on her bed. The color of saffron pr. liver tho' the Dr. had said it was consumption she suffered fm.' The following days she sees the princess 'laid in state in her palace. Like a small wax doll.' From the diary it would appear that Lonsdale Congreve contracted tuberculosis. On 7 May 1864 he is 'unwell & not at tea', and by 6 June his room is 're papered'. On 24 October he is 'not well all day' and she writes for him. In November she and her ailing husband leave for Nice, passing through Zurich, Berne, Lausanne and Marseilles, where they see Lady Milbanke and other acquaintances. On 9 December she 'engaged a Bath Chair for the season for L.' Last entry, 31 December 1864: 'We began our year alone together.'