more strange words from a copied document from the 1830s

[fiddlerslass]

I think you have got it. Walking turn is a bit strange for modern usage but I can't think of anything else that fits. They used to use the expression " taking a turn" for walking  in the 19th century eg. in Jane Austen's books.

With regards to Chopperton, this is a very unusual surname and a quick look on "Ancestry " shows only 2 entries. I wonder if it could be refering to this explorer...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Clapperton

There is an entry in his book about an ugly widow!

https://archive.org/details/journalofseconde00clap/page/80/mode/2up?q=Widow+

He goes on to talk about the widow Zuma in Wawa who may be the same person?

https://archive.org/details/journalofseconde00clap/page/84/mode/2up?q=Widow+

Could Zarra in your text be Zuma?

[AlanBoyd]

“dulciana” may be a reference to Don Quixote who fixates on a lady whom he renames Dulcinea del Toboso.

[JanSeifert]

I think you have got it. Walking turn is a bit strange for modern usage but I can't think of anything else that fits. They used to use the expression " taking a turn" for walking  in the 19th century eg. in Jane Austen's books.

With regards to Chopperton, this is a very unusual surname and a quick look on "Ancestry " shows only 2 entries. I wonder if it could be refering to this explorer...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Clapperton

There is an entry in his book about an ugly widow!

https://archive.org/details/journalofseconde00clap/page/80/mode/2up?q=Widow+

He goes on to talk about the widow Zuma in Wawa who may be the same person?

https://archive.org/details/journalofseconde00clap/page/84/mode/2up?q=Widow+

Could Zarra in your text be Zuma?

That is a huge step forward. Thank you. The trouble with personal diaries (of one of which this is a copy) ist the wealth of information and musings of the writer. There you can find the influences on his background, be it books read or opinions heard and shared. The trouble is, that a lot of that is contemporary and not usually known or of importance today. Sadly I have very limited background for Pemberton as there are neither cadet nor military papers traceable.
Here something from a book he (at the time: recently) read (but seemingly not fully retained) is used in the story. It is of no importance for the text in itself but another small snippet of background information on the guy.

[JanSeifert]

“dulciana” may be a reference to Don Quixote who fixates on a lady whom he renames Dulcinea del Toboso.

Thank you Alan!