8 May 1865 – 14 May 1865

Euston to Chester, carriage all to myself, read. At Chester came in a family of foreigners, puzzling people. French } No. They were highly conversable, and proved to be Signer Quaglieni, an Italian, proprietor of a large circus now about to open for the season in Dublin, and part of his company, viz. his wife and several children, married daughter with baby, and his son-in-law, whom he intro- duced to me as ' a great man — enorme ! ' He is the chief equestrian, I understood. They have been at Brescia and other Italian towns, Vienna, Constantinople. We had a good crossing to Kingston, steamer very steady. We stayed on deck. Like most show-folk, the circus people seemed happy enough, and on good terms among themselves. One of the little girls, taking slight hold of a man's hand, sprang on a post with professional agility. I am to be guest of my good friends Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ferguson. They are both out on my arrival, and on their return give me a most warm and hos- pitable reception.