CHAPTER XXXV

ENGLAND

[Sidenote: 1845. Feb. 12.]

_Dido_ paid off. Arrived with wife in London to enjoy half-pay! My father living in Berkeley Square, we knew where to find a dinner.

[Sidenote: Feb. 18.]

Summoned to Admiralty. Gracious reception by Lord Haddington.

[Sidenote: Feb. 22.]

News from Brooke. Labuan ceded to the British Government. Brooke had entrusted me with his private diary, and a _carte-blanche_ to use my discretion about publishing--a more responsible charge than I was then aware of. I had a friend, Jerdan, editor of the _Court Journal_. After consultations it was decided to publish, under the title of “Expedition to Borneo of H.M.S. _Dido_.”

[Sidenote: Feb. 23.]

At my brother-in-law, Stephenson’s, in Arlington Street, always had a bed.

[Sidenote: Woolwich, Feb. 23.]

To Woolwich to see Commodore Sir Francis Collier, in charge of the dockyard, his broad pennant flying on the _William and Mary_ yacht. Visited also George Goldsmith, now married, living there.

[Sidenote: Mar. 3.]

Went to Portsmouth on a visit to my late Chief, Admiral Hyde Parker and his charming family. Remained a week.

[Sidenote: Mar. 12.]

Attended levee with Granville Loch. Presented by Sir William Parker on return from China. Her Majesty said something nice to me, which, in my nervousness, I was sorry not to have heard.

[Sidenote: Mar. 13.]

My Mids, D’Aeth and Jenkins, passed first and second out of the lot at Portsmouth. My father gave me the copy of a correspondence between Lord Haddington and himself about my being the only Captain not recommended for the C.B. Lord Haddington wrote: “Captain Keppel’s ship had not been under fire in action.” Father stated that _Dido_ was not the only ship. Lord Haddington replied: “It is evident you allude to the _Endymion_, Captain Grey, whose name had been mentioned to General Sir Hugh Gough by Brigadier-General Schoedde.” Father could not help thinking it was a hard case, which Lord Haddington admitted, and promised that my name should be down for the first vacancy. I mention this here, as the subject was alluded to years afterwards. Sir Grey Skipwith, recollecting my weakness, offered me a mount with the Warwickshire Hounds, and before leaving town I dined with that distinguished soldier, Sir William Keir Grant.

[Sidenote: Mar. 26.]

Quickly found my way to Newbold Hall. Sir Grey and his large family charming as ever.

[Sidenote: Mar. 27.]

Started from stables, the usual dozen red coats. Meet at Shuckborough, found at Cranborough. Got away with the first flight. Not recollecting the country, found myself with about a score charging the river Leam. Reached opposite bank, which was rotten. Fell back and found the bottom. I believe only two got out safe. My new pink came out black.

[Sidenote: Mar. 28.]

Back to London to dine with Sir Thomas Trowbridge.

[Sidenote: Mar. 30.]

To Greenwich by rail, to dine in hospital with that grand old Admiral, Sir Robert Stopford, his happy lady and family looking so well.

[Sidenote: April 11.]

Templer and I enjoyed an excellent dinner Jerdan gave us at the Garrick Club.

[Sidenote: April 24.]

Mr. Edward Ellice kindly lent us his house, 18 Arlington Street. Admiral and Mrs. Sam Rowley dined with us on their way through London, she informing me I was left in his will, heir and executor.

[Sidenote: May 2.]

We attended the Queen’s Drawing-Room.

[Sidenote: May 18.]

Lunched with the Hawleys, who had established themselves in Halkin Street. He had a charming yacht, the _Mischief_, with a woman for figurehead, which his wife disapproved of. An image of a monkey was executed to replace the lady; but there was so much trouble and legal expense in changing a figurehead, that the monkey was transferred to a box seat over my coach-house door. As I had no carriage the groom was not jealous.

[Sidenote: May 19.]

Archie MacDonald dined with us prior to the Queen’s Ball. On that occasion, although an old Fusilier Guardsman, he hid himself behind a screen till the ceremony was over.

[Sidenote: Droxford, May 22.]

Glad to take possession of our snug little place at Droxford. A four-horse coach running between Gosport and London passed our door twice daily: a great convenience. William Garnier’s place, Rooksbury Park, was within two miles of us.

[Sidenote: July 3.]

In London met Sir Henry Pottinger: had a walk and a talk about China times.

[Sidenote: Droxford, July 9.]

Arthur Cunynghame, our China friend, came to stay with us. Also Fred Horton.

[Sidenote: July 15.]

Met George Delmé at the station. With niece to see departure of the fleet from Spithead. Too late to get out, so took a cruise in the Freemart Fair.

[Sidenote: July 28.]

At Cams. In Delmé’s drag to Goodwood Races. Delmé Radcliffe, Onslow, the two Foleys, etc. My father being of the Goodwood party, wife and I were invited into the Duke’s end of the grand stand. Unaccustomed to racing society, my wife was a trifle nervous. However, observing my father in deep conversation with a light weight in a blue coat with brass buttons, yellow, leathers and mahogany tops, she inquired of Lady Albemarle if that was His Lordship’s jockey. To which this amiable lady replied in a loud voice: “No, my dear. That is the Duke of Bedford.”

[Sidenote: July 29.]

In Delmé’s drag. Ten outside!

[Sidenote: July 30.]

The great Cup Day. Twenty-one horses started.

[Sidenote: Aug. 1.]

Concluded a splendid week’s racing.

[Sidenote: Sept. 6.]

We left London for Quidenham. Glad to be where I had passed my youth. The dear old father, no longer able to shoot, had taken to breeding bloodstock. The park near the river was cut into paddocks, where I saw some promising youngsters for the Derby. I was not sorry when Lady Albemarle inquired of my wife how long we were going to stay. We had some dear old friends in the neighbourhood: Partridges, Surtees, Eyres, and others. Went to Hockham on the 22nd.

[Sidenote: Sept. 29.]

A day in London on business. By rail to Chesterford, and chaise to my friend Alexander Cotton: the same who, as a lieutenant, was capsized with me at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour in October 1830, he having now succeeded to the Hildersham property. Cotton’s house very comfortable; his claret uncommon good.

[Sidenote: Oct. 1.]

Rode after breakfast to Newmarket. In my father’s stables saw “Emperor,” “Smuggler Bill,” “Little Dorrit,” “Sir Rupert.”

[Sidenote: Oct. 2.]

Cotton and self to Newmarket.

[Sidenote: Oct. 3.]

Left Cotton to visit the Partridges at Hockham. Met at Harling Road by my old shipmate George Partridge.

[Sidenote: Oct. 4.]

Out shooting. I killed eleven partridges and one pheasant.

[Sidenote: Oct. 6.]

Champion Partridge came over. With the exception of a couple of days with George Birche’s Harriers had a capital week’s shooting.

[Sidenote: Oct. 12.]

Walked over to Larling Parsonage, where I found my old friend Colonel Eyre, 98th, with his brother Edward the clergyman.

[Sidenote: Oct. 16.]

George Wodehouse, Charles Partridge, and I rode over to Quidenham to see the brood-mares and young stock. Left Hockham for London. I was now in possession of a couple of hunters. Intending to enjoy myself, sent them on to Newbold, having business in London.

[Sidenote: Oct. 26.]

From London by rail, in company with Joseph Hawley, George Payne, Shelley, Greville, and other turf men to Chesterford. They to Newmarket. I to friend Cotton.

[Sidenote: Hildersham, Oct. 27.]

To Newmarket. Racing particularly good. Cambridgeshire stakes won by “Alum.” Twenty-eight started, beating “Baron,” the winner of St. Leger, and Cæsarwitch, etc.

[Sidenote: Oct. 30.]

This morning’s racing good. Backed my father’s colt “Radulphus” in the Glasgow, and lost my money.

[Sidenote: Newbold, Nov. 7.]

Went with Harry Skipwith to Warwickshire Hunt; meet at Stonleigh Park, a beautiful place. Next day to see the Athelstane; meet at the Cross. Some pretty fencing from cover to cover and plenty of foxes.

[Sidenote: Nov. 10.]

Sent horses to Leighton Buzzard. A hearty welcome by Delmé Radcliffe at Hitchin Priory. The Eliot Yorkes staying there.

[Sidenote: Nov. 12.]

Having sent horses on with Delmé Radcliffe, to Brand’s hounds, Delmé having been Master of Hounds was proud to mount “Heki,” and delighted with him, as I was with my “Tom.” The run good for this country. We went and returned in a yellow post-chaise.

[Sidenote: Hitchin Priory, Nov. 15.]

Mounted by Radcliffe. Went with the Harriers on his “Touch-and-Go”; supposed to be the best pack of the sort in England. Good for pastime, but it does not do after fox-hunting.

[Sidenote: Nov. 17.]

With Brand’s hounds: rode “Heki,” nothing particular by way of a run. Pleased with my horse though.

[Sidenote: Nov. 20.]

Harriers met at the Priory. Pretty and fast thing. Radcliffe hunting them.

[Sidenote: Nov. 21.]

With Brand’s hounds. Rode “Tom.” Found at Boxwood. Good run of 52 minutes. Was to the front the whole time. Radcliffe got the brush for my wife in commemoration of “Tom’s” performances. Killed at Yardley.

[Sidenote: Nov. 22.]

A right good run on “Heki” with the Harriers.

[Sidenote: Nov. 25.]

In afternoon rode “Tom” with the Harriers and had an excellent run of 50 minutes, the hare running better than many foxes.

[Sidenote: Nov. 26.]

Sent “Heki” on to meet the Cambridgeshire at Shear Hutch. Sharp run over heavy country. I got the brush.

[Sidenote: Nov. 27.]

No meet. Rode to see the Charles Radcliffes at Halwell.

[Sidenote: Nov. 28.]

With Radcliffe to meet the Puckeridge at Bedlington: a sharp thing. Got a cropper, but was in time to get the brush.

[Sidenote: Gilston Park, Dec. 1.]

By rail to Burnt Mill, where I met Henry Seymour and Brice Pearse, who took us to Gilston Park, a nice old place he had hired for farming purposes.

[Sidenote: Dec. 2.]

Seymour and myself to meet the Puckeridge Hounds at Pelham. Rode “Heki”: a good gallop, leaving off fourteen miles from home.

[Sidenote: Dec. 3.]

With Brice Pearse to a city stable. Ostler brought out an Irish chestnut mare just under fifteen hands. On my inquiring if she could jump, a six-barred gate was placed across the paved passage road leading to the stables, which she jumped without trouble or hesitation. I paid £23 for her, and named her “Ticket” because she cleared the gates. She could not walk, but persevered in a jog trot to the end of the longest day. End of season, sold her for £70 to the Pytchley Hunt for a whip’s horse.

[Sidenote: Dec. 5.]

An idle day; mostly passed in the stable. Rode Pearse’s pony to Harlow with Henry Seymour.

[Sidenote: Dec. 6.]

Henry Seymour and I posted twenty-two miles to meet of Puckeridge Hounds. Had sent “Heki” on; a good run well worth the distance.

[Sidenote: Dec. 8.]

By early train to London and on from Euston Square to Catton Hall. Fred Horton met us at the station.

[Sidenote: Catton Hall, Dec. 9.]

Catton, a nice old place. Pretty grounds--good stabling. Drove with Fred Horton in a dogcart. Granville Loch arrived.

[Sidenote: Dec. 10.]

Four guns. Bromley, Horton, Loch, and self to shoot. Pretty shooting: 42 head returned. I bagged 2 rabbits, 5 pheasants, and 11 hares. Fred Horton shot, as he thought, a hare creeping in a hedge, which proved to be a fox. Gave one of the beaters half a sovereign to bury it!

[Sidenote: Dec. 11.]

Stormy morning. Rode “Ticket” to meet of Meynall Ingram’s hounds at Gorsley Ley. Found immediately; was fortunate in getting well away. Pretty run for some twelve miles in an enclosed country. Long ride home.

[Sidenote: Catton Hall, Dec. 12.]

The Donnington Hounds met near Derby; rode over to Osmaston to dine and sleep.

[Sidenote: Dec. 13.]

Sat with Lady Wilmot. My China boy “Chopsticks” much grown and very spoiled.

[Sidenote: Dec. 14.]

After breakfast rode back to Catton by Twyford Ferry: best road for riding.

[Sidenote: Dec. 15.]

Ingram Meynall’s hounds meeting at Drakelow. Mr. and Lady Sophia De Veux. Rode “Ticket”: bad scenting day, and huntsmen no great things. Ergo no run; though a find at Drakelow.

[Sidenote: Dec. 17.]

Rode “Heki” with the Atherstone. Meet at Warton; much pleasanter having a companion to ride to covert with. Two good runs; though a rainy afternoon.

[Sidenote: Catton, Dec. 18.]

General A’Court to dinner with a handsome daughter.

[Sidenote: Newbold, Dec. 20.]

Took leave of Lady and Miss Horton. I rode “Heki”; groom on “Ticket” to Osmaston. Fred Horton took care of wife by rail. Lord John Russell unable to form a ministry.

[Sidenote: Dec. 25.]

Christmas Day. My first in England for some time.

[Sidenote: Dec. 27.]

The Donnington Hounds met at Cork Park. A beautiful place belonging to Sir John Crewe. “Ticket” fell at a fence and gave me a cropper.

[Sidenote: Dec. 31.]

Wife to Newbold Vicarage. I on to London, _en route_ for Hockham.