1889 diary p18 building

[Deskman]

Any help with the xxxs and related text here is much appreciated.

"Col Hughes...
...evidently from what Miss Passey said bitterly set against
building from first & told old Weale that not a penny
of the estate money should they have to pay for it, the
coln it appears has to find Mr Woods more info for him
in most cases Sept 11th at another little dance at the"

The bold text is from the help given here.

Thanks for all the help I have received. The diary is starting to buzz with old news.

[Deskman]

I wonder if the two mystery words on the bottom line are he never. Please feel free to put me right.

[arthurk]

I'm pretty sure that in the first line, the first word is evidently, and the second might be bitterly.

In the last line, is it in most cases?

[Deskman]

Oh arthurk!
Of course you are right. Why couldn't I see it. I'm both shamed and joyous.
Done and dusted. Huge thanks.

[arthurk]

Just wondered if it was 'building firm first' - that second word isn't very easy, and 'from first' seems a slightly odd phrase. Is there anything about a firm higher up?

[Deskman]

Thanks arthurk,

I cant see any relevant preamble to this text. The piece before reads. Tubbs over last week, quite satisfied with work & naturally angry at interference of Jonas, Col Hughes evidently...

There is a from in the line above to allowing comparison.

I cant find a firm in the text but there is a confirmed; attached below.

I think this first is a colloquialism - as in 'I was for it from first off' (rather than the start)

i interpret this as - Hughes is the estate manager and he disapproves of alterations to the big house as it will not improve its efficiency.

I hope this make sense.

Thanks again,
Deskman

[arthurk]

I think this first is a colloquialism - as in 'I was for it from first off' (rather than the start)

On reflection, I think you're probably right. Personally I'd probably say 'from the first' - and in an abbreviated style, 'the' might well get missed out.