With the Hambledon meet, West End; found in Allington Wood. Sharp but short run, the greater part to myself. [Sidenote: Jan. 4.] Rode “Balloon” with the Hursley meet, Farlay Down; found two foxes. A long day, and no run. Willie Standish driving me home from Hursley. [Sidenote: Thursday, Jan. 5.] Letter from Knollys with kind invitation to Sandringham for Saturday next till Thursday following. By steamer to Hythe; shot with Charlie Scott, and put up at Beaulieu. Everything in the rough, but so comfortable. Shooting not much. Simpson, Clinton, and Morrit. Posted to station, and by rail to London. Put up at Bristol Hotel, Cockspur Street. [Sidenote: Sandringham, Saturday, Jan. 7.] By 10.57 train from Shoreditch. Arrived at Dersingham 3.20; carriage to meet us. Prince most kind. Dinner, whist, loo, etc. [Sidenote: Sunday, Jan. 8.] Party here--Woodward, the librarian from Windsor; Frederick Leighton, artist; George Grey and Lady Morton in waiting; Miss Knollys, etc.; Lord Hamilton. To morning church. The Prince gave me a gold pin. The young Prince’s birthday: one year old, fine little fellow. Walked to see Brereton. [Sidenote: Sandringham, Jan. 9.] George Grey and I to meet Villebois hounds--H. Seymour, Mrs. Dugdale Astley, Hammonds, etc. No scent, back early. Prince and self planted first apple and pear trees in new kitchen garden. Duchess of Cambridge arrived, attended by Lady Somerset and Purvis, also Lord Harris and Helps. [Sidenote: Jan. 10.] We went, some nine guns, partridge-shooting, with over thirty beaters to drive. The wind high, and birds fast for me. Great function was the hot luncheon in a barn. Sat next the Princess at dinner: the most charming of all Princesses. [Sidenote: Jan. 11.] Hounds met near. A large party from Sandringham, Lord Harris, P. Feilding, and self being mounted as well as the staff, Princess driving Duchess of Cambridge. Mrs. Dugdale Astley, Mrs. Villebois, and others out. Fox killed; bad scent. [Sidenote: Dewlish, Jan. 12.] Lord Harris and self took leave of their kind Royal Highnesses. At Lynn station joined by Lord George Bentinck. In London by 3.50. Had time for chop at club. By train to Dorchester. Midnight before I got to Dewlish, Field-Marshal Sir J. Michel, G.C.B. [Sidenote: Jan. 13.] Owing to Lord Ilchester’s death our visit to Minterne postponed. Horses had, however, arrived there. Large party in house, Radcliffe’s hounds meeting near. Rode “Canteen.” Dry, cold, snow on ground; bad scent. Lost first fox; short run with second. [Sidenote: Dewlish, Jan. 15.] To morning service. In the clergyman found an old friend at the Cape in 1828. He then in army, son of old Blair who kept the hounds. [Sidenote: Jan. 16.] To a near meet with Radcliffe’s hounds. Michel, his daughter Rachel, very pretty, and Miss Kelyar, also pretty, with us. Two scrambling races; one fox killed, another to a drain. Much taken out of “Balloon.” [Sidenote: Jan. 17.]