Some eight miles from the dockyard residence was the ever cheery and sporting Johnnie Bulteel, with his pretty wife and large family; when all together it was difficult to say which was mother. In another direction, at Maristow, a beautiful place, was Sir Massey Lopes, with a lovely wife, to whom I was “Uncle Harry.” Nearer to the harbour was Pole Carew of Antony, now represented by Colonel Carew, C.B., of the Coldstream Guards. Colonel Coryton, a good and hospitable sportsman, had a beautiful castle, Pentillie, on the banks of the river, to which his good sister has succeeded. Lady Ernestine Edgcumbe is now sole occupant of Cotehele, St. Mellion, Cornwall: the same as it was three hundred years ago. All these western landowners preserved as well as game. On a visit to Warnham Court to my friend Lucas, I was taken by one of his younger sons to see their sheep. On our way I noticed a lark’s nest, hardly discernible in the grass. Something presently caused a stampede. The flock, apparently a thousand, took to its heels and trotted along the park we had just traversed. I was alarmed for the fate of the lark and her eggs, and expressed my fears to Lucas. “Oh!” he said. “I don’t mind betting you a fiver that not a foot has even touched the edge of the nest. Come and see.” We went back. It was as he said. Though the footprints were within half an inch of it, the nest was undisturbed. A lesson to me of the Power which guides the instinct of animals to preserve smaller creatures from harm. [Sidenote: 1876. May 11. Return of Prince of Wales from India.] Telegram--_Serapis_, with royal standard, passed Portland, 8 A.M. To station to meet Waterfords and Dowager Lady: breakfasted at Government House, Portsmouth. Some 8000 troops to line streets and form guards. Our party admitted into dockyard by tickets. Progress of _Serapis_ imposing towards the end; salutes, ships dressed and yards manned. As soon as _Serapis_ secured alongside dockyard we went on board. Duke of Cambridge there. Nothing could exceed the kind and cordial reception I got from H.R.H., as well as from the most charming of Princesses, she looking so happy. Returned to London by Royal Express. Dined with Duke of Grafton, meeting Strathnairn, Barrington, Jim Ryley, and Ashburton. [Sidenote: June 9.] While at Torquay seized with some internal disarrangement. Wife in a fright. Doctor Pollard sent for. Two visits within two hours. Chloroform and laudanum, morphine and other poisons. [Sidenote: June 14.] My birthday. Miss glorious Ascot. H.R.H. expected. [Sidenote: June 27.] An interview with the great Sir William Gull. Was bundled off to Vichy, where I met Lord Chesham, whose daughter had married Leicester. Had been there before and knew how the ropes led. Never enjoyed myself so much. We messed together; he had a charming Newfoundland dog. Chesham a general favourite. Frenchmen named them “Urbanité et Fidelité.”