18 July 1887 – 24 July 1887

Dine at Busbridge. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsden — Lady Galway, tall, in black. Catches my hand in both hers, thanking me for lines on her Brother. (' Farewell, dear Yorkshire Milnes,' etc.)

Miss M. Betham Edwards. G. and I meet her at train. She republican and Home ruler. I drive her round by Brook, Lea, and Witley Village.

Very fine and breezy. Miss B. Edwards on garden seat with children. Gerald and I to Portsmouth by 12.5 special — empty at first, then fills. Station — crowded street, tramcars, flags. We walk to Southsea Common — burnt up. Shingle, people, sparkling tide, boats, etc. Line of Fleet not distinct, but numbers of big ships at Spithead and along the Solent — masts and flags. Long wait, watching the people, girls and children, soldiers and sailors, bands, fruit-sellers, etc. etc. Salute, like taps on a huge drum, followed by rolling white smoke, which gradually drifts towards us. As time went on we saw Fleet better, but nothing of Royal Yachts. Return by back streets, dull. Station — crowd ; sit on board and eat ; no train for us till 8.8. Out again — Witley about 10 o'clock.