16 August 1880 – 22 August 1880

Helen and I walk to T.'s. Blackdown now purple with ling and heather. Lawn : Mrs. Tennyson in invalid chair. Mr. Edward Lear coming on Monday — one of twenty children — drew birds at fourteen to help his family. Improvises on pianoforte. A. T. and Hallam — Browning's Dramatic Idylls. T.- — ' I wish he hadn't taken my word Idyll. I said the other day and you took it as a jest, but I meant it seriously, " if the pronunciation of the English language were lost. Browning would be considered the greatest of modern poets." ' W. A. — 'A basis of good sense is often wanting In him.' T. — ' I don't perceive that.' W. A. — ' What do you make of Fifine ? ' T. — ' I couldn't make anything of it. I tried it several times, and took it in my pocket on a walk — that's the best way to try,' W. A. — ' " Clive " is simpler. But why was Clive afraid once in his life, as he confessed ? ' T. — ' Because he had a pistol put to his head.' W. A. — ' Not at all. When his friend thought so, Clive swore at him furiously. Clive was afraid that his antagonist might make him a present of his life — in which case there would have been nothing for it but suicide.' Hallam. — '■ No doubt that's it.'

Hallam and Lionel Tennyson, with Miss Ritchie, call on us after church. Helen and I walk up to T.'s. At dinner, talk of Ireland. The Church of Rome — I speak of its singleness of aim but flexibility to circumstances, and variety of resources. Miss Ritchie began — 'They embrace so wonder- fully ' — when T. cut in : ' Did they ever embrace you ? Were you ever kissed by a dozen priests ? ' The young lady laughed. Miss Ritchie played Beethoven's ' Aurora ' Sonata finely. T. came in and listened. ' I wish I could understand it — I could perceive a rushing as of a torrent — and flashes of light.' Miss R. — ' I think it's exactly like sunrise — and very like your poem too, " Out of the Deep." '