Enjoyed Christmas at Newbold, sitting down twenty all told. Sir Grey presiding. Eight sons, five daughters, two husbands and wives and ourselves. The younger son--a nervous boy, studying for Holy Orders--was called on to say grace; after hesitation got up and said: “For what we are going to receive, the Lord have mercy on us.” A more cheery Christmas could not be. Having business in London, and hoping for employment, left my poor invalid under care of the celebrated Doctor Jephson, at Leamington. [Sidenote: Dec. 28.] To my second home, the Stephensons in Arlington Street. Dinner off Norfolk turkey, and a hot devil by sister. [Sidenote: Dec. 29.] At Hockham shooting, with the Partridges, Charles, George, Paterson, and self. Shot with my new Westley-Richards. Much pleased with it. CHAPTER XXXVII SHORE TIME [Sidenote: 1847. Jan. 2.] As brother Tom could not, with increasing family, come to me, I went to his parsonage at Creake in Norfolk, where we were joined by my other clergyman brother Edward. Creake only a walk from Holkham. This entailed visits to other dear friends; but as these have not much to do with the promised sailor’s life, must not detain readers. [Sidenote: Jan. 3.] _Sunday._--Both brothers preached; I suppose the elder had choice. Reserved opinion. Recollect some time ago, when brother Edward preached at Quidenham, venturing to remark that his sermon was rather lengthy. He replied: “It now lies at the bottom of a heap and you won’t hear it again for three years.” [Sidenote: Jan. 5, Holkham.] Went out, fifteen guns, 1085 head. [Sidenote: Jan. 6.] Drove back with Napier, rector at Holkham, elder brother of Brooke’s Singapore friend. [Sidenote: Jan. 7, Holkham.] Shooting the end of the park in the direction of Warham; twelve guns, 973 head. [Sidenote: Jan. 8.] Another good day’s shooting; 1073 head. [Sidenote: Jan. 9.] News of the safety of Edward Coke, who had been buffalo-shooting in the United States. Never once doubted it. [Sidenote: Jan. 11.] Tom and I drove to cousin Fred Keppel’s at Lexham, about eighteen miles. Hearty welcome. No better fellows than Fred and Edward Keppel, “the Cheeryble Brothers.” [Sidenote: Lexham, Jan. 12.] Went out to enjoy the best shooting Fred had left. Six guns: Fred Fitzroy, Derrick Hoste, Fred, Edward, Tom, and self. [Sidenote: Jan. 13.] Wife improving at Leamington under Jephson. Fred Keppel and brother Tom doing magistrates’ business at Litcham. [Sidenote: Jan. 14.] Party breaking up. Fred Fitzroy dropping me at friend Rev. C. D. Brereton’s. [Sidenote: Jan. 16.] Took leave of Brereton. Drive of eleven miles to Creake. Bitter cold. Henry Coke arrived from Holkham. [Sidenote: Jan. 18.] To Bobby Hammond’s, now a rich banker; change from a mid’s berth. [Sidenote: Jan. 22.] Fred Keppel drove me to brother Edward’s. [Sidenote: Quidenham Parsonage, Jan. 23.]