An Autobiography of an Ancient Athlete & Antiquarian

108 AUTOBIOGRAPHY On 20th and 21st to Norwich,aud bought St. Leonard's Priory for £1,100, and other houses for £800. 24th, rode over to Hemel Hempstead to ruy sisters', but slept at the "Bell." The amusing "Wrestler" had gone! 25th, Doubleday called about the projected Victoria History of England, which he wished me to edit for orfolk. On the 27th Murie and Bessy went to Eyre's for Henley Regatta. Miss Griffith joined them on 5th. Just then it was very hot and stormy, and of course it affected me for five days. The 11th of J nly was said to be the hottest evening for 40 years! On the 12th I talked over the projected Victoria History at the Bath Club, with Doubleday, J. H. Round and 0. Barron. Next day I went down to Ficklin':, specially for his dinner party, and the following day I completed the purchase of St. Leonard's Priory. Returning to London, I found the 18th to the 22nd the very hottest week I remember. On the evening of the 22nd I rode over to the Hale for an alfresco supper, and just as I had begun it, I noticed that one of Tom Gill's hay ricks was on fire and gave the alarm, and formed a chain of buckets from a very muddy pond to the rick, and we eventually got it out. While I was on the errand of mercy, a disgusting little Jew cad devoured my supper and drank a nice pint of Roederer I had just opened, leaving my table neatly tidied up and my knife and fork crossed, I presume, "iu despite of Christianity," over my empty plate. This was a warning to me not to do any more charitable acts, the more especially as Tom Gill hardly thanked me for my exertions. dryly remarking ·' that all his stacks were insured for their full value ! " Early in August I was at P.B.F., and went with him to Flordon and :saw Caister Old Hall, occupied by Colonel Burton, who used to live at St. Leonard's, which I bad just bought. F.G.R. and I attempted rabbit shooting wit? unusually disastrous results, which I dare not, even at this date, specify. About this time my wife was at Brighton for a cure, for some time at a very superior pleasant boarding house. On the 19th I saw my late partner, A.F.W., for the last time. He wa biking but I beat hiru easily up Barnet Hill, and be was nothing like the man be was a few years before. The autumn I begau my holiday as usual