24 May 1869 – 30 May 1869

Lymington. Invitation from Mrs. Tennyson for to-day to meet ' Mr. and Mrs. Fields and Miss {Biglow Papers) Lowell.' 3 o'clock steamer, I find them on board and introduce myself. Low water, land in boat, show the Americans the old George Inn, and the quaint little lock-up ; their delight in old houses, ivy, etc. pleasant to see. Dinner 6.30, brisk chat. Mr. F.'s stories of Thackeray in Boston — ' all the Lecture tickets sold. Then I can't do less than put my feet out of the cab window,' and he did so. Big oyster — ' feel as if I had swallowed a baby.'

Farringford. Lovely view from bedroom window, over the trees Hurst Castle, Solent, and England. Birds singing. I had the great pleasure of accompanying Miss Mabel Lowell in her first walk in English fields. There were only us two. A Daisy was one of the first marvels, and while she gathered it a Skylark sprang up singing into the bright clouds. But an old cottage almost covered with ivy surpassed everything. She stood gazing upon it, lost in wonder and delight. They have ivy in Mass^"^ as a potted plant only, taken indoors in winter. Mrs. Cameron photographs M. L. I cross to Lymington and return in the afternoon. After dinner, a discussion on Ireland. A. T. as usual, while grant- ing and liking the lyrical and humorous qualities of the Kelts and their pleasant manners, calls it ' that horrible island,' and will not allow that it has any history of its own worth the least notice, knowing in fact not a whit more of its history than does the average Englishman — who knows, as nearly as possible, nothing. To him, as to A. T., the very name of ' Brian Boru ' is a joke. I try to make Brian be seen as a real and important historic personage, and win audience from the Americans, and perhaps some attention, but A. T. plays his part of the deaf adder, and we have to wind all up with a laugh.

Cross to Lymington with Miss Lowell and the Fieldses. M. L. said Tennyson offered her her choice among his books for a gift, and she chose Maud — ' I found it was all right, he thought it a good choice.' IVednesday^ June 9. — Lymington. Letter from ' Annie Fields,' dated from ' Gads Hill Place,' thanking me for ' Touchstone,' ^ which she asked me to send her in autograph. It seems it was much talked of in America because Emerson recited it in his funeral oration for John Brown : most of the papers gave it as his. Bed 2.30. 'Hear the lark begin his flight.'