Diary sub-note: 4th [Sunday] after Epiphany
Purification of B.V.M.*
Candlemas (Scottish Quarter Day)
1594. Palestrina, musician, died
Went to church. David Scott & I were the only two in the class. Wrote to Anne. Heard she had an operation for mastoid on Friday. Wrote to Mrs Schlund.

B.V.M = Blessed Virgin Mary
The mastoid is the skull bone behind the ear.
Mastoidectomy (mastoid surgery) involves removing mastoid air cells due to being infected or damaged.