CHAPTER XLIX
SHORE TIME
[Sidenote: 1852.]
To Admiralty.
[Sidenote: London, Jan. 12. Jan. 13.]
At Woolwich; saw _Agamemnon_, nearly ready for launching. _Royal Albert_, 120; will be the finest ship in the world.
[Sidenote: Jan. 20.]
To Lodge, Club, and Admiralty. Death of the good Vice-Admiral, Sir William Montague, C.B., puts friend Walpole on Flag List.
[Sidenote: Feb. 18.]
Went to Brighton, with possession of Rajah Brooke’s lodgings, 6 Marine Parade.
[Sidenote: July 29.]
To Cams for Goodwood. Weather fine. Usual load on Delmé’s drag.
[Sidenote: July 30.]
A jolly week finishes to-day.
[Sidenote: Aug. 8.]
In London. Walked to Twickenham to dine with the Dowager Lady Albemarle, who made me promise to meet her solicitor there on Wednesday for my advantage! Went on Wednesday, but did not see advantage!
[Sidenote: Aug. 29.]
Dined on guard at St. James’s.
[Sidenote: Sept. 3.]
London dull without money! Great idea of applying for the Coast of Africa Station. Early September found me among kind Norfolk friends, within easy distances. Luckily for myself, but hardly so for friend Eyre, Larling Rectory was the centre--besides there was the book. He tried to make me believe that it amused him as much as it did me. Close by were the Birches at Skipdom, Partridges at Hockham, and Lord Colborne, whose keeper at Banham was at my disposal.
At Quidenham with brother Edward, but the blood-stock in the neighbourhood had frightened away the game. Further north had equally kind welcomes. In those days there was no driving, and as some of the turnip-fields held more water than birds, my unwelcome baths were frequent.
[Sidenote: Sept. 14.]
The great Duke of Wellington died.
[Sidenote: Quidenham, Sept. 17.]
Dined with Lord Colborne, meeting Fanny Albemarle, who was staying with brother Edward.
[Sidenote: Sept. 23.]
_Agamemnon_ to be given away. Reported self ready to First Sea Lord. Dined with Hyde Parker at the Admiralty.
[Sidenote: Sept. 24.]
Visited Baldwin Walker, who had nominated me to the First Sea Lord.
[Sidenote: Sept. 25.]
To Reigate to visit Rajah Brooke.
[Sidenote: Sept. 26.]
Busy drawing up a report for the best means of suppressing piracy.
[Sidenote: Sept. 27.]
To the Admiralty at an early hour. _Agamemnon_ given to Sir T. Maitland.
[Sidenote: Sept. 28.]
To friend Eyre at Larling. Book progressing.
[Sidenote: Portsmouth, Nov. 4.]
The following letter raised my spirits:--
ADMIRALTY, _Nov. 3, 1852_.
MY DEAR KEPPEL--If there is employment in the Baltic, or elsewhere, for one of your rank, I will not forget you.--Yours sincerely,
(Signed) M. F. H. BERKELEY.
[Sidenote: Nov. 18.]
Funeral of the Duke of Wellington. After the procession had passed the Club, having ticket for St. Paul’s, tried to work my way, but found I was not big enough.
[Sidenote: Dec. 1.]
By train to Portsmouth and Ryde, _en route_ to Puckaster for wedding of Fanny Vine and Captain Times: happy match. _Déjeuner_ for forty-five persons. Had to propose “Bride and Bridegroom.” Everything went off well. Dinner at Sir John and Lady Harrington’s.
After the wedding my invalid wife was left under the care of her sisters. I accompanied Fanny Albemarle to stay with her sister at Mamhead Park, a charming place near Exeter, belonging to Sir Lydston Newman, who, being in the Guards, left his uncle in the family mansion to take care of his young sister, with whom I was on visit.
There was a lake which ran parallel with the sea, full of wild-fowl--swans, ducks, geese, etc.--a most enjoyable place, with a railway station conveniently near for excursions.