After a charming cruise we returned to Watergate. Having landed the Crosbies, Hawley and I went round the coast, touching at Dover, where I visited my friends the Rices, at Dane Court, their eldest son Edward having been with me in the _Childers_. Continuing our cruise, we anchored in Holkham Bay on October 24. Landed on the beach and walked up to the house, making our unexpected appearance just in time for dinner. The wind still continuing fresh from the westward, we sailed for Antwerp and Flushing, and anchored the following evening between the two, going on by rail to Brussels, where we spent three pleasant days, meeting the Montagues, Ranelagh, and others. There being no chance of a change of wind, Hawley, who was anxious to get to the Mediterranean, decided on proceeding to Italy through France, and offered to frank me, which I was too much of a spoon to accept. [Sidenote: Dec.] I spent the next fortnight in London, like a man about to do something desperate. One day I walked to the Stud House, fourteen miles, to dinner. [Sidenote: 1839. Feb. 16.] Got my father to apply to the Archbishop of Canterbury for a special license, which he granted, conferring his blessing on me at the same time. [Sidenote: Feb. 21.] The General, with Georgie and Kate Crosbie, arrived at the Brunswick Hotel from Watergate. [Sidenote: Feb. 25.] Kate and I were married at St. George’s, Hanover Square. My father gave the breakfast. We took our departure for Hastings, sitting behind two pairs of Mr. Newman’s greys. [Sidenote: May 25.] We went to the Birthday Drawing-room, afterwards to the Master of Horse’s full-dress official dinner. We were at the Queen’s ball, London. Almack’s was seldom missed. [Sidenote: June 18.] Attended the wedding of Sara Crosbie and Sir Joseph Hawley at St. George’s, Hanover Square. Returned by mail to Portsmouth; went on alone to Plymouth to see my old friend and Captain, Lord John Churchill, just ready for sea in the _Druid_, my old shipmates, George Goldsmith and Jonas Coaker, both belonging to her. [Sidenote: August.] We went on a visit to my cousins the Delmés at Cams. While there, established a friendship with Captain Sir Francis Collier--extraordinary good story-teller. Invited to meet the Duke of Sussex at Southwick. Frank Collier among the guests. [Sidenote: Aug. 20.] Took Henry Coke to Gosport, where he became one of “Burney’s Bulldogs” preparatory to entering the Navy. [Sidenote: Oct. 21.] Took temporarily a house at Wells. [Sidenote: Nov. 28.] Returned to Droxford; arranging future home; thence to London. [Sidenote: Nov. 30.] A day of troubles. On arrival in Arlington Street, found letters from my sister Anne, announcing the unexpected confinement of my wife, whose life had been spared, but not that of the child. Got to the post-office, Lombard Street, as the Cambridge mail was coming out _full_. Told cabman to follow the mail, which he did for three miles before it stopped at the Pot and Flower.