An Autobiography of an Ancient Athlete & Antiquarian

AUTOBIOGRAPHY 8r On 12th April, Kitty was baptized at Hampstead Old Church; she had been registered when born as Barbara Valentine, but as she bad always beeu called Kitty, was christened B. C. V. Rye. On the 14th and 15th I tried a new tricycle, but being weak from influenza could hardly crawl home, and on the 26th I beard that my old friend, E.B.G., had had to execute a composition deed, and on the 30th we sold the Brighton houses (my mother's settled property) for £1,210. At the London A.C. meeting on the 5th May I saw Bredin do two good performances, 50 3/5 and level 2.0. In May went to Selborne with my wife, and agreed with Maxwell to take Selborne Cottage (Dorton's) on an agree– ment, but soon afterwards bought the freehold. See view opposite p. 79. Very early in June I acted for Lacons of Yarmouth as to purchasing all the Grimmer holdings in Norwich, work which kept me employed for some time. By 14th June I was, I think for the first time, badly troubled with gouty eczema. All the summer I was triking, and though 15/5 I still rode up both the Bull and Bush Hills. When at Norwich on 24th June I had my first sail in Harry Brittain's '' Buttercup," of which he was so particular that the story went it was kept in his spare bedroom, running up to Brundall under jib only, and again on the 8th July. By 12th July I had reduced my weight by con– tinual triki11g to 14.12, and I did some good rides (i.a.) up Petersham Steep ! I 7th July was our garden party, about 80 there, and on 21st I rode to the Chertsey Bridge Hotel and back by Walton, riding up Norbiton Hill and the left hand road up Chobole to Roehampton. Ou the 29th rode with G.B. by Richmond, Ripley, and Guildford. where we slept at the "White Hart," and next day, which was very hot, up the Hog's Back, dinner at Alton and on Selb0rne, and on Bank Holiday to Alton, rail to Woking and back by Byfleet, Cobham, Leatherhead, Kingston, and Richmond. Being saddle sore I took the train on, which was very crowded. Weight 14.8½. On 8th, 10th, and r rth August I was again at Norwich settling Grimmer's matter, to the astonishment of the Vendors, who throughout had thought I was buying on G