At Leamington. Dined at Lady Farnham’s: grub good, but seven ladies!! Saunders and self only gentlemen. [Sidenote: Mar. 11.] To Coventry races. Racing good as far as horses being well matched. Rough attendance. [Sidenote: Leamington, Mar. 18.] Sported phaeton and pair of horses for the three days’ racing. Delmé Radcliffe, Gore, and two Skipwiths to dine with us. [Sidenote: Mar. 19.] Steeplechase Day. Leamington full of ’legs and all sorts of rogues. Party of six to dine. “Grand, for us!” First-rate steeplechase. [Sidenote: Mar. 21.] Acted as chaperon to Amelia Williams; she riding Wood’s horse. Warwickshire meet at Stonleigh, afterwards steeplechase at Southam. [Sidenote: Mar. 22.] Bury came to us from London to go to the second ball: he dancing mad. [Sidenote: Leamington, Mar. 23.] A good steeplechase at Warwick--country heavy--“Pioneer” winning--a splendid horse. [Sidenote: Mar. 24.] Mounted J. Wood to see the meet at Ladbrook. [Sidenote: Mar. 25.] Dining with Stephenson, Fox Maule, Lord Ebrington, Maria, and brother Edward. [Sidenote: London, Mar. 27.] Dined with the Duchess of Inverness; large party. [Sidenote: Mar. 28.] Talk with Lord Francis Egerton about Brooke and Borneo. _Constance_ frigate offered to Walker, who appears undecided. Dined with the Hawleys--family party. That beast “Chow” dying. [Sidenote: Mar. 29.] Went to Woolwich to look for lodgings for my studying steam. By Frank Collier’s advice closed with a Captain Dwyer--not much; however, the best. [Sidenote: London, Mar. 30.] Took leave of Fred Horton at the club, lucky that he has not more than a year to run in _Cygnet_ on the coast. Dined with Ralph Brandling; Adelphi afterwards. [Sidenote: Mar. 31.] By express to Portsmouth. Dined with the Hyde Parkers in Dockyard; Admiral in great form. [Sidenote: Leamington, April 19.] Dined with the Gores, who have been very kind to us. Fare-thee-well Leamington. With horses and money I should find you more agreeable. [Sidenote: April 23.] Took departure for London. Letter from Brooke, and news from Borneo not pleasing to Wise. Government slow in acting for him. To Droxford by 3 P.M. train. [Sidenote: May 1.] Took our departure from our snug little Droxford. In London by 2 P.M. Got Mrs. Rowley her pension at Admiralty. To Woolwich by steamer. Took up quarters in Captain Dwyer’s house. Wife not taken with our new abode. [Sidenote: May 3.] To church in a sail-loft in the Dockyard. Went to Greenwich in the afternoon: looked at houses. [Sidenote: May 5.] To Greenwich. Decided on No. 17 Croom’s Hill at £150 per annum; nice situation, looking into the Park. [Sidenote: May 6.] Letter from Commander Dwyer refusing to let me off under three months’ rent! Unlucky dog that I am, £36 thrown away. So much for having to deal with a gentleman. [Sidenote: May 8.] To see the Horse Artillery exercise. Edward Coke and Sir E. Poore to call; they going to West Indies in June for amusement. [Sidenote: May 9.]