The diary begins with Ward's arrival in London, 17th June 1813 and his entry into lodgings on Cecil Street. He describes visiting the British Institution and the retrospective of the paintings of
Sir Joshua Reynolds. In many entries it is clear he is copying pictures at this exhibition at in other collections. The diary contains several sketches in both ink and pencil of painting he is studying. Early mentions of
H.P. Briggs. He describes several visits to James Northcote, then a journey from London to the north of england, where he sketches the landscape. Finally lists works by Titian and Rembrandt in the Louvre.
The prevalence of short-hand in this volume makes reading very difficult. See Fond record for more information on Ward's use of short-hand.