Early Decorative Design, the Property of G. Aitchison, A.R.A.
In the intervals of work Caldecott also made life studies at the Zoological Gardens in London, and anatomical studies of birds.
In September he made a drawing of Mark Twain lecturing in London, for the Daily Graphic, and in October records the purchase by Mr. G. Aitchison, the architect, of a cast of his "first bas relief," a hunting subject; also of "two brown paper pelican drawings," one reproduced on the last page.
In November he writes the following to a friend in Manchester:—
"46, Great Russell Street, W.C.,
"November 16, 1873.
"Dear ——,—I have nothing to say to you—nothing at all. Therefore I write. I don't like writing when I have aught to say, because I never feel quite eloquent enough to put the business in the proper light for all parties. Having a love and yearning for Bowdon and Dunham, and the 'publics' which there adjacent lie, I think of you on these calm Sunday evenings about the hour when my errant legs used to repose beneath the deal of the sequestered inn at Bollington. How are you? I was pleased to see that the Athenæum gave a long space to your book, although I presume you did not care for the way they reviewed it. That is nothing. I have been very busy—not coining money, oh no!—but occupied, or I should say have descended into the country, during last month. 'Graced with some merit, and with more effrontery; his country's pride, he went down to the country.' My summer rambles shall be talked of, and the wonderful works in the regions of art shall be described when next I see you. Till then, farewell! This short letter is like a call.—Yours, R. C."
The last entry of interest in his diary in 1873, is on December 3rd.
"To Graphic office, saw Mr. Thomas. Fixed that I should go down to Leicestershire next week for hunting subjects."