CHAPTER LXX
ENGLAND--GROOM-IN-WAITING
[Sidenote: 1859. Jan. 1.]
Saw the New Year in at the Southampton Yacht Club House with George Lennox, having dined on board Turner’s yacht.
[Sidenote: Jan. 19.]
Received enclosed:--
(COPY.)
BROADLANDS, _18th January 1859_.
MY DEAR ADMIRAL KEPPEL--If you should happen to be disengaged on Thursday, would you come over to us on that day and stay and help to beat a cover on Friday.--Yours sincerely, (Signed) PALMERSTON.
[Sidenote: Jan. 20.]
To Broadlands.
[Sidenote: Jan. 21.]
At Broadlands, shooting.
[Sidenote: Feb. 4.]
Dined with the Gilmans, meeting my old friend Pereira of Dent’s House, Hong-Kong.
[Sidenote: Feb. 11.]
Wife and I by train to Winchester. The good Dean sending to meet us. Party to dinner.
[Sidenote: Feb. 19.]
To Winchester to appeal against property being assessed at £80, when it was £50. Gained appeal.
[Sidenote: Bishopstoke, Feb. 21.]
Augustus Leeds brought over the sad news of Lady Sandwich’s sudden death. Sad indeed! Planted a couple of deodars on bank of river.
[Sidenote: Feb. 28.]
Train to Winchester. Dean entertaining judges and grand jury at dinner.
[Sidenote: London, Mar. 2.]
Dressed at my tailor’s; attended Her Majesty’s levée.
[Sidenote: Mar. 3.]
By train to Sleaford and Ashwarby--Whichcote sending for me. Got two hunters from Percival at Lincoln. Welby to stop.
[Sidenote: Ashwarby, Mar. 4.]
Meet the Duke of Rutland’s hounds at Haverholm, occupied by the Dowager Lady Winchilsea, the beautiful Fanny Rice. Short runs with two foxes. Bad scenting day; ground dry and hard. Got one cropper!
[Sidenote: Mar. 5.]
No hunting. After luncheon another walk. Looked over ground, where some rasping jumps had been taken.
[Sidenote: Mar. 6.]
Marquis of Tweeddale kindly placed his horses at my disposal.
[Sidenote: Mar. 7.]
Hounds met at Glinn, Welby’s place. The Drummonds and many friends there. Killed two foxes; but a bad scenting day.
[Sidenote: Mar. 8.]
Meet at Fulbeck--Reverend Fane’s. Rode Percival’s horse, wilful brute; though a good jumper.
[Sidenote: Mar. 11.]
Meet at Turner’s. Mount from Lord Tweeddale, in addition to my Percival; a short run in afternoon.
[Sidenote: Mar. 13.]
Took leave of Tom Whichcote, etc. He appears to have everything a man could wish.
[Sidenote: Mar. 14.]
Arrived at North Creake for wedding. Miss North and her sister Catherine, and their cousin, Sara North, splendid girl of seventeen.
[Sidenote: North Creake, Mar. 15.]
Party increased by George and Augusta Keppel. Twenty-two to dinner. Everything well arranged.
[Sidenote: Mar. 16.]
Auspicious day arrived--sun shining, fourteen bridesmaids. Edward performed. Stand-up breakfast, seventy or eighty attending.
[Sidenote: Mar. 17.]
General dispersion. Took up abode with Astleys: she charming. Two Miss Lee-Warners and Bobby Hammond to dinner.
[Sidenote: Mar. 18.]
Mounted by Astley with Lord Hastings’ harriers: very good fun. Mrs. Astley’s riding first-rate: she does everything well.
[Sidenote: Mar. 24.]
Train to Diss. Met there by brother Edward. Dogcart to Quidenham; friend Edward and Mrs. Eyre to meet me at dinner.
[Sidenote: London, Mar. 25.]
Eyre and wife taking me to Harling Station. To London. Dressed at Four Swans, and dined at Fishmongers’ Hall. Had to return thanks for the Navy. Put up at friend Dunn’s, Lowndes Square.
[Sidenote: Mar. 27.]
Dined with Clarence Paget.
[Sidenote: Mar. 29.]
By 11 train, meeting Mark Wood at King’s Cross. To Grantham. Walked to Syston. Party, Lord and Lady Middleton, two Miss Reynardsons, Miss Beaumont and brother, Reynardson, Wood, Gibbs, Hillyard and his wife, Cole, Fox, and Whichcote. Jolly. Cook, first-rate.
[Sidenote: Mar. 30.]
A regular fall of snow. Party hunting nevertheless. Grantham Hunt Ball good fun. Went with the Misses Fane.
[Sidenote: Mar. 31.]
Great meet of the Belvoir Hounds; with Thorolds in their brougham. Mounted on a roarer, saw part of a very good run.
[Sidenote: April 1.]
Croxton Park Races. Show of vehicles from Syston. Box seat with Reynardson on his drag. Races fair, and weather as usual. Bitter cold. Picked up £15.
[Sidenote: April 2.]
Finish to an agreeable week at Syston.
[Sidenote: April 4.]
I never had time to attend to politics, but born of a Whig family throw in my chance with kind friend and honest politician, Sir Francis Baring. Stood with him for Portsmouth. After a week’s chaffing and riotous living, I found myself at bottom of poll! The difference between Whig and Tory now: one is dead, and the other extinct!
[Sidenote: May 30.]
At Lord Denbigh’s.
[Sidenote: June 1.]
With Dunne and party to the great Derby race. Won by Hawley’s “Musjid.” Dressed and went to Her Majesty’s concert.
[Sidenote: June 3.]
On return from Epsom found at club telegraphic message of my wife’s sudden illness. Arrived at Bishopstoke 11 P.M. The poor wife had a fit at 6; unconscious since.
[Sidenote: June 4.]
A succession of fits during the day. My true friend Eyre here in answer to telegraph.
[Sidenote: June 5.]
Georgina Crosbie arrived in evening an hour before the sad end.
[Sidenote: June 7.]
What could I have done without friend Eyre?
[Sidenote: June 9.]
The last sad ceremony performed by the Dean of Winchester in the Parish Church. Her brother William and two sisters, my clergyman brother, Edward and Reverend Edward Eyre attended, and the good Rajah Brooke had a bouquet laid on the coffin.
[Sidenote: July 9.]
Welcome to Larling from friend Eyre.
[Sidenote: July 18.]
At Quidenham Parsonage with Edward.
[Sidenote: Aug. 10.]
Misfortunes never come singly. From Bombay hear of Sussex Stephenson’s serious illness.
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