Windy: the Ardent and the Austrian Steamer came in. We had drill on the Esplanade at three o’clock, old Brown pitched into me, for making some mistakes: called on Colonel Airey, who gave me leave to go to Albania: went to the Opera, & saw Attila performed.
The Greek Christmas day: On regimental and Garrison duty: parade & drill expected Dwyer of the Meteor to dine with me, but he did not come: went to the Opera and hear Attila, which was well sung: thought that the music was very pretty: bottled & stowed away fifteen gallons of brandy & six of Rum.
| The Greek Christmas Day | 6th January was Christmas Day in the Old Calendar for Orthodox Christians. It is also Epiphany or “Lights Day” in Greece celebrating the baptism of Christ and the arrival of the three wise men in Bethlehem and is culmination of the Christmas season. Presents were traditionally exchanged on 6th December, the feast day of St Nicholas, or on New Year’s Day. |
| Attila | Opera by Verdi first performed in Venice in March 1846, based on the story of Attila the Hun |
Parade as usual, and drill on the Esplanade: rode on Sultan to Castrades.
My company marched down to the Lower Fort, which was a change for the better as it was no fun, climbing up to the bell about a dozen times a day: took in bread on board the Vampire and stowed away wine.
Fine: reached Corfu in time for church parade: the Genitas came & lunched with me & then inspected the Yacht: I called on board the Meteor & stayed an hour, did not go to mess: packed up my kit, as my company was to march down to the Lower Fort tomorrow.
