Among friends I always received kind welcome on board Sir Thomas Whichcote’s schooner yacht _Enchantress_. Towards the end of the season I was with him at Cherbourg, where we had gone to witness the Naval Fêtes, and the inauguration of the new railway. Her Majesty and the Prince Consort arrived on the 4th August, accompanied by Lords of the Admiralty and a brilliant staff. Received by the Emperor Napoleon III. and Empress Eugenie. The next morning, at breakfast time, I took up the newspaper and read the sudden death on 30th July, at the Earl of Fife’s Seat, of my beloved brother-in-law, Stephenson. To be alone in my grief, I landed and strolled by the side of the road up the hill to the high ground. As if to distract my thoughts, I met a French cavalry regiment marching up, their brass band playing “Rule Britannia.” Was off by the 4 P.M. steamer to join my poor sister Mary, who with her children was staying at Folkestone. The death had indeed been sudden, heart complaint, while sitting up in bed. [Sidenote: Sept.] September found me shooting with Sir Thomas Whichcote at Ashwarby in Lincolnshire. [Sidenote: Ashwarby Park, Sept. 28.] Beautiful day and lots of birds--wild, of course, they always are. With our four guns bagged 180 partridges, 18 hares, 1 rabbit--making 199 head. Whichcote did things well; as kind a host as man could have. A good hot luncheon. Ditto dinner. Very jolly. [Sidenote: Sept. 29.] Another fine day. Same party; bagged 204 partridges, 18 hares, 1 rabbit. Haunch of venison for lunch and other good things. [Sidenote: Ashwarby, Sept. 30.] Dirty weather with rain. Held up late, but high wind. Same party; 131 head of game. Much pleased at receiving a letter from Lord Palmerston stating he had recommended me to Her Majesty for the appointment of Groom-in-Waiting. [Sidenote: Oct. 1.] Better weather, but high wind. Still lots of birds. Same four guns; 200 partridges, 17 hares, 1 rabbit--218 head! Finish to four good days’ sport, to say nothing of the evening meal. [Sidenote: Oct. 2.] Party breaking up. Freke and I in dogcart to Lincoln. I to London. [Sidenote: Oct. 16.] Up from Portsmouth. Put up at Westbourne Terrace. There had been some cases of smallpox near my chambers. Wandered about. Tabooed for fear of infection. [Sidenote: Oct. 18.] By 11 A.M. train to Bishopstoke. Found sister Caroline and family at the Dean’s. Forgot all about the smallpox and embraced the children! [Sidenote: Oct. 19.] Busy rearranging Bishopstoke. [Sidenote: Oct. 23.] By afternoon train to Southsea. Received by George Lennox at Bleak House. Party to dinner. The good George Greys, etc. [Sidenote: Oct. 24.] Went over to Ryde by 12 o’clock boat. Back with George Lennox to see the Michael-Seymours before dinner. [Sidenote: Oct. 25.] By 11 A.M. train to Bishopstoke. Dean off again to Rooksbury. Sleep to-night in our own cottage. [Sidenote: Oct. 27.]