An Autobiography of an Ancient Athlete & Antiquarian

100 AUTOBIOGRAPHY Having lost my train at Waterloo I went to Selborne by myself, and had to sleep at Brickles, having cooked steak and kidneys in the cottage by myself I came back by train, and went over to Lucas to congratulate him on his R.A. On the 12th February I rode over from office to Roe– hampton and met team in the Hook Road, and so on to "Mitre" at Hampton Court, where I slept, and the next day came back by Richmond, Kew, Willesden, etc . On the 17th I went to Jacques Hall, Bradfield, and the next day bad some rabbit shooting, on by Ipswich by rail to Norwicb. The next day on to East Dereham, where I was seedy and cold, but after lunch to Seaming, where I found Dr. J essopp very worn and old, and bis wife's mind clearly going. On the 26th I bad my first ride on the new trike which Wastnage had built me, and found it very firm and strong, but the gear too high, and the next day I had a long ride on it by Artley, and on returning found quite a gathering, including Furnivall, waiting for me. On the 6th I had a long ride with Gray, 24 miles, and in the evening to Quaritch's, where garlic and herrings did not appeal to me. The week after rode over to my sisters' at Hemel Hempstead, tea at Watford, slept at the " Bell.'' I came came back by Redbourne to see the mill mentioned in the legend of "Sancta Puella de Ridibone," St. Alban's, down Brockley Hill in 12.45, about 25 miles before lunch. My wife lost her big diamond ring, but found it again. Having ridden over to Carshalton on the Friday, and rode the next day by Croydon and Shirley, Hayes Common, Bromley, Plaistow, to Eltham and saw Palace, then on by Sidcup (also Rackham), Chislehurst, &c., and by Bromley, Beckenbam, and Elmer's End to Carsbalton, a very wet ride of 35 miles. Next day I came back by Sutton, Ewell, Malden Lane, Wimbledon, Purley, and home, about 24 miles before lunch. The 2nd of April was the T.H.H. run with drag– hounds from the Hale. At Easter I rode over to Cobham and on to Selborne, riding up Hog's Back well. F.G.R. and Winthrop came by train, and J. Matthews. The next day we had pistol shooting in the morning,