15 July 1867 – 21 July 1867

Lymington. Fine ; hurry to steamer. Excursion to visit the French Fleet at Spithead. At Yarmouth a large Tennyson party comes on board — ^A. T., his brother Charles and Mrs. Charles, Hallam and Lionel, two daughters of Fredk. Tenny- son, from Jersey, and Matilda T. A. T. and I collogue. At Cowes a bustle : the Queen embarking in her steam-yacht. We see the Fleet at Spithead, ' like Milan Cathedral.' Rain comes on. The Queen having reached the French Fleet — Ironclads, huge, black and ugly, — royal salutes thunder, the yards are manned, but we can see very little for the thick weather. Ryde Pier, Tennyson and I land, among others ; the ladies ill and draggled. Pier Hotel. A. T., Charles T., and I go up High Street and out into a field beyond, where we sit on a balk of wood, looking at some cows grazing, and A. T. smoking. He quotes a sonnet of his brother's about elms and calls it daimonisch. We return by lower road and all go aboard again, where A. T., Sir Andrew Hammond and I dine. The weather still thick with frequent showers ; some want to turn homewards without running through the Fleet, etc., as arranged. Captain Cribb will do whatever the passengers wish, — where- upon a debate below. In an interval of silence a deep voice is heard grumbling out — ' I know it's not the least use my saying anything, but I'm for going back,' This was A. T., but the majority were plainly for going on, and soon we steamed in the rain close to the dark sullen row of huge Ironclads. Then fireworks, and we turned homewards. We nestled down near the boiler, A. T,, Lionel, W. A., and the rest — chatted, asked riddles, and so we reached Yarmouth, where they landed and I was left lonely again. Got back half an hour after midnight.

Writing Rambles. Walk, riverside, honeysuckle, scabious, bluebell, ferns, more contented.