1892 A SONNET 277 



is well provided. The students at St. Hugh's Hall 

 decorated the font, and as the boy's second name is 

 Hugh, he is a special proteg^ of the little Hall. 



April 1. — We spent a week at Malvern, in com- 

 pany with the Walter Hobhouses, and then went on 

 to Denton Manor,^ where a company of the wise, inclu- 

 ding EayLankester, Professors Poultonand Shadworth 

 Hodgson, and Mr. Sully, were. Also others, including 

 Xiady Cecil Scott Montagu, who walked abroad with 

 a divining rod, a real act of courage considering who 

 were among the party. 



At Malvern Mr. Eomanes wrote a sonnet which, 

 in the light of after years, was a sad prophecy. 



MALVERN 1892 



' To doze upon a sunny hill in June, 



And hear the lullaby that Nature lends ; 



To drink the cup that sweet contentment blends 

 With sweetlier love of those whose hearts shall soon 

 Beverberate with joy, as they attune 



Their praise to praises that achievement sends : 



This is to feel that bounteous Nature b^nds 

 A mother's smile on manhood in its noon. 



But when the shadows of the twilight come, 

 And high Ambition needs naust fold his wings, 



While voices both of hearts and hills grow dumb, 

 Can she still bring the smile that now she brings ? 

 Yea, by the memory of brighter things, 



I'll trust her in the night that calls me home.' 



Journal, May and June 1892. — Had a dehghtful 

 visit from the Butchers and Mr. H. Graham, later on 

 the Comptons, and Mr. Edmund Grosse, full of witty 

 and wise sayings. Lord Compton sang more divinely 



' The home of Sir William and the Hon. Lady Welby-Gregory. 



