272 A Century of Family Letters [CHAP, xix 



DOWN [Autumn, 1885]. 



I went and sat in the Stony Field to take my last look of 

 the autumn lights. There was only one swallow for Dicky, 

 so he sat on my lap watching. 



Oct. [1885, CAMBRIDGE]. 



I do not like Grant Allen's book about your father. It 

 is prancing and wants simplicity. I am reading his Journal 

 after a long interval. It gives me a sort of companionship 

 with him which makes me feel happy only there are so 

 many questions I want to ask. 



THE GROVE, Thursday [Nov., 1885]. 



I am relieved at your account of L. I was horridly 

 vexed when I heard how unwell she was and kept thinking 

 '' poor Henrietta," putting myself in mind of Judge Alder- 

 son's joke that if he broke his leg all the aunts would say 

 " Poor Caroline " [his mother-in-law Mrs Drewe]. 



I am so pleased to find how comfortable I can make this 

 baby. 1 She is so placid and spends her time devoted to the 

 gas: but answering any attention by a smile and gather- 

 ing herself up in a lump with both fists in her mouth. . . . 



I took Dick across to call on Mrs Skinner, and a dog 

 attacked him and muddied him and made him squeak. 

 He came up to me for pity and protection. I don't think 

 he was really hurt, and when we returned the dog was still 

 there and Dicky kept his tail up with great spirit, though he 

 kept very close to me. 



I find Bonaparte's correspondence very interesting, 

 though his dreadful wickedness in Italy, and cruelty in 

 Egypt, is almost too worrying; I think Lanfrey was only 

 too lenient. 



In 1886 there are many entries in her diary of fatigue 

 and other health discomforts ; but whenever she was a little 

 better her spirit was as elastic as ever. 



1 Gwendolen Mary Daiwin, eldest child of George, three months 

 old. 



