7 August 1865 – 13 August 1865

Steamer to Ryde, Spithead, ships of war. Ryde pier, rich idlers, white shoes, yachts' boats. Steep streets, photographers, libraries, fruiterers, hotels. Old town, country road, man mowing barley. Sun Inn, old fashioned, cold meat and ale. Portrait of Ellen Terry on the wall ; I say to girl who waits (the landlady's daughter), ' I know who that is.' Says she to me, ' Yes, it's Mrs. Watts — she's staying here ' ; which much surprised me. It seems she used to put up here in old times, when playing at the Ryde Theatre, and now, being married — and separated — she goes about by herself from place to place, and has come for a while to her friendly old quarters. She gave them this likeness on some former visit. I was in hope of seeing her fair face again, but she was gone to Sandown for the day. Mem. — The privileges granted to Pleasure Yachts appear to me utterly absurd and unjust. They pay no lighthouse dues, no Port or Harbour Dues, no fees on engaging or discharging men, all of which must be paid by every merchant vessel. They are allowed to have their 'stores' of dutiable goods, wine, tobacco, etc., free of duty. So are merchant vessels, but on over-sea voyages only, and in restricted measure. Why should the rich owners of Pleasure Yachts be thus favoured } The only reason I have heard given is that yachting is a ' nursery for the Navy.' Is it .? There are at least 7000 men and boys, all picked, engaged in Yachts. From all I have observed and heard here on the Solent, the most Yachtish piece of water in the world, nobody that can possibly help it ever goes from the idler and better paid Yachting into either the Navy or the Merchant Service. The gentlemen in livery who abound in Rotten Row and elsewhere might almost as well be supposed a nursery for the Army as yachting a nursery for the Navy.