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.]