With Lady Michel to Dorchester. Train to Poole. Bus to Bournemouth to look after quarters on Colin’s account. Fanny Albemarle and P. Cust kind and obliging. Took lodgings and returned to dine. [Sidenote: Jan. 18.] Was to have hunted with Digby, Vale of White Horse. Fancied frost too sharp. [Sidenote: Jan. 19.] Although a sharp frost, went out with Michel to meet Radcliffe’s hounds. Heard that the Vale had had a good run yesterday! Have greatly enjoyed visit to Dewlish, so kind and good to everybody. [Sidenote: Jan. 20.] As there was no Minterne visit, horses had to return to Bishopstoke. Rode one of them to Dorchester station, wife and Colin following, where I had taken lodgings. [Sidenote: Jan. 21.] Found niece Augusta North here with her children. Dined with P. Cust and Fanny Albemarle, meeting Tom Pasley, Lord Winchilsea with pretty wife, late F. Rice, Cust’s son-in-law and daughter, the Kennedys, a Mr. Hay and wife: agreeable party. [Sidenote: Jan. 22.] Bitter cold; church reported High Pusey. Let wife go alone. [Sidenote: Jan. 23.] By rail to Bishopstoke; cottage snug and comfortable, but dull without the wife and kid. [Sidenote: Jan. 25.] Snow, and barometer falling. Dined with the Dean. Felt my way home with a bull’s-eye lantern--pelting rain! [Sidenote: Jan. 28.] Preferred walking to station to having horse roughed. Train to Christchurch. Bus to Bournemouth. [Sidenote: Jan. 30.] By bus to Christchurch and train to Bishopstoke. George Deane called with invite for me to shoot with Chamberlayne. [Sidenote: Feb. 2.] Wife and Colin came by 3 P.M., looking all the better, and most welcome, as I had enough of being alone. [Sidenote: Bishopstoke, Feb. 3.] This morning’s post brought further information with regard to the Straits Settlements. At 2.40 telegram from Prince of Wales, stating that they would be passing at 3, and proposing we should bring our boy to the station to meet their Royal Highnesses. Obeyed command and enjoyed a too short interview. [Sidenote: Feb. 4.] Meet of Hambledon at Marwell; wife and Colin there. Killed one fox, and a fast but short run after another. Henry West arrived by train to dinner. Atkins sent us some excellent snipe. [Sidenote: Feb. 5.] H. West and I to morning church. Sister Caroline staying at Rectory: there since Thursday. Visit from Standish, bringing Harry Stephenson from the _Bombay_. [Sidenote: Feb. 6.] Willie Standish having given Henry a mount, meet at Crab Wood; we drove to Hursley--best run of the season. Lamed “Balloon” by falling into a road--a drift of snow tripping him on landing,--a badly-cut knee. Walked to Winchester; horse from Tubbs; led “Balloon” home. [Sidenote: Feb. 8.] Meet at Hambledon at George Deane’s. Carried Colin up to see meet. Rode “Canteen,” sending Dawson on Tubbs’ mare to Cams. Dennison from Portsmouth came in for cherry brandy. [Sidenote: Feb. 9.] Vet. Retford to see horses; mare still stiff and lame; “Balloon,” ugly wound, but doing well.