William Allingham’s diary, 1888

Dry but clouded, and distances dim. Mr. and Mrs. Forbes,^ with Edith and Waldo, by 12.50 train. Garden, luncheon. Walk, Haslemere Lane, copse crowded with…

On common. At home. Find Webb,"^ come over from Cranleigh. Together to Guildford. See Almshouses — which he likes.

To London. National Liberal Club. Terrace, and saw Prince of Wales unveil statue of Sir B. Frere (looked most appropriate when standing before the public in its…

Irish Exhibition. To Queen Anne's Lodge. James Knowles's house full of fine things. J. K., wife and daughter, Lucy Taylor, Lady Pollock, Helen. Tea. Portrait of…

To Whitley Stokes's ; W. S. cordial. To 40 Kensington Square. Sir John and Lady Simon. Dinner. Marcus Aurelius — Lady S. prefers ' that old- fashioned and despised…

To 29 De Vere Gardens — Up- stairs, tapestry, bust of E. B. B., one of R. B. (young). Enter R. B., friendly and vigorous. He asked me, Did I often come up to town ?…

Train — Witley 5.20 ; all well, much the better for my trip to London.

Sandhills. Walk by Park Lane and steep wood to Hindhead, touch Cross at 4 o'c/ock precisely ; two boys and a girl selling ginger-beer. Cold wind. Hennessy and F.…

Waggonette to Hindhead — Helen and I with Mrs. Flight. I walk up steep wood — the Cross, schoolgirls running about. Distance misty. Drive to Mrs. Clifford's —…

Hire pony from Luff, of King's Arms. Wet — wet — wet, with a gleam now and again : almost literally June, Without a sun or moon ! July, August, Many a raw gust.

Ride round by Sweetwater Pond — pick chantarelles. Have not had a ride for sixteen years !

Ride Jenny to Aldworth. Party in flower garden, T,, Hallam, Miss Ritchie and friend. Tea, talk of Clifford— his mathematical paradoxes. Tennyson goes in with Miss…

Mrs Humphry Ward visits us, looks at drawings — asks us for Sunday week.

H. and I drive to Borough Farm, heather bloom. Tea-party at door, outside, Mrs. Humphry Ward, Mr. Ward, Miss Sellars (tall and beautiful), and Mr. Henry James. The…

Ride to Blackdown, in lane meet Tennyson carriage. He with Miss Boyle and Hallam, who says, ' we were going to you.^ I ride after them. Find Miss B. seated in our…

Reading Troilus and Cressida to H. Shakespeare's hand in it, but not his play : poor in some parts, loaded in others : a re-cooking of familiar matter, with…

To Haslemere by train, walked up to Aldworth among the yellowing trees ; met Mrs. Tennyson driving F. Palgrave to the station. Up to study, and found T. leaning…