An Autobiography of an Ancient Athlete & Antiquarian

106 AUTOBIOGRAPHY little better, less badly than usual, two long shots at driven partridges. On Christmas day I recorded that a parson was a nasty slimy beast. On the 26th December, Rev. Chute of Moulton, drove us over to Forncett and then by rail to East Dereham, whence I took a dog cart to a new manor, where there vi.as a gorgeous lunch and some weird Irish lords and ladies. On the 27th, I called at J essopp's, and afterwards railed to St. Ives and drove to Heriots at Hemingford Abbots. During 1898, the only book I printed was my History of Caw. ton, which I hoped was going to be longer and more complete than my History of Cromer, but circum– stances stopped it from being finished. In the early part of the year, 1st and 7th January, 1899, I had two rides by Barnet, Halford, and St. Alban's, where the "Peahen·• was rebuilding, and by vile roads, nearly all stones, to Elstree. On the 13th I rode byWestminster Bridge to Carshalton on to '' Swan and Sugar Loaf'' to a point near to see the S.L.H. meet, and then back to the "Greyhound" to dinner, about 32 miles in all, and the next day came back through the ''Rye" in pouring rain without a stop. On the 2rst I rode over to Hemel Hempstead to see my sisters through very high wind, which so blew across Hendon Lake that it lifted my rear off wheel off the ground, an experience I had never before or since-and don't want to have again, though I was once taken off my feet by the wind whilst walking in \}\Tales. I had a very cold and slow ride back. Ou the 4th February I rode well with the T.H.H. out– lying nm to the ·•Bell" at Moulsey and on to the "Mitre," Hampton Court. Sadler's sister turned out to be the widow of Jimmy Brewster, the old C.S. sprinter. A vile, cold, and miserable ride next day. When I got home I had new of the death of Mainwaring Jones, an old friend and client of mine and my father's, and a very good athlete in his day. He was a prominent member of the London R.C. and the Honourable Artillery Company, in the rank of which my youngest son fought as a private in the War. He wa buried on the 8th at the West London Cemetery. Dnring February I suffered from weakness of the heart, which the doctor said arose from gas-stove fires,