The files listed here comprise transcriptions of Sarah Mason's diaries, together with footnotes supplied by Tom Lester and an introduction to the diaries written by Tom Lester. The diaries were transcribed by Hilary Goy.
In her diaries Sarah Mason talks of school [the North London Collegiate School, including references to Miss [Frances] Buss], church, music, singing, dancing, theatre, walks, exhibitions and shopping trips to Shoolbred’s [a department store on Tottenham Court Road in London]. She refers regularly to her brother, Harry, and her aunt, Mary Anne Fisher, with whom she lived. There are trips to Coventry and Northampton to visit other family members. There are many passing details of London shops, theatres and churches and of well known actors, musicians and artists of the day. Full cast lists for theatrical productions are often included in the later volumes of the diaries, together with comment on the performance. Destinations for exhibitions, theatre and music include the Albert Hall, the Royal Academy, the Crystal Palace, the Athenaeum, Covent Garden, the Lyceum and the Aquarium.
Sarah Mason’s Girton years are covered by the later volumes of her diary (GCPP Tebbutt 2/4-6) and diary entries are generally more detailed from this point. Her Girton and Cambridge activities include debates, drama (including informal theatricals and charades), racquets, tennis, church [although ‘about half of the college are atheists’ - diary entry for 20 October 1878] and singing with CUMS [Cambridge University Music Society]. She sees the beginnings of a number of Girton clubs and societies, including the Fire Brigade (see diary entry for 3 December 1878) and the Girton College Dramatic Club (see diary entry for 6 May 1880).
She continues to receive visits from Miss Buss while at Girton and in London. Girton friends and acquaintances who are regularly mentioned include Katharine Ballantyne, Sara Burstall, Mildred Drew, Florence Tebb, Olivia Harcourt, Hannah Lister [later Mrs Binns, known as Charley - see diary entry for 7 December 1879], and Sarah (Toby) Julyan. Other Cambridge acquaintances include the Tillyard and Wetenhall families. Encounters with the Mistress (Miss Marianne Bernard) are mentioned from time to time, generally for misdemeanours such as ‘walking beyond the gates without your hats - - ‘ (see diary entry for 5 March 1880).