Sunday, 1st September.
Grand Mass in full dress, a most imposing sight, 30,000 men presenting arms to the Host, the infantry at the same time dropping on the knee, the bands of the division of cuirassiers played. In the midst of solemnity I caught the airs of Travatore. Defiled afterwards, infantry in quick time, cavalry and artillery at a trot; the cavalry then wheeled up by half peletore and charged, more than 4000 horsemen, an unusual sight. Cavalry loose, infantry steady. Left cards on General Rochefort and Colonel of 7th Lancers and left by 3 o’clock train. Dined at Epernay and changed our carriage; met a very argumentative and dirty French officer. Also a family apparently English. Arrived in Paris about 9 p.m. and went to the Hotel de Lille at D’Albion.
Monday, 2nd.
Visited Napoleon’s tomb and the Invalides. Was also shown the Russian flag that was on the Malakoff, and then taken by the French, “What an awful ‘imposition’”. Left Durrant to stay as long as he could in the tomb. Dined at the Lille at d’Albion and walked and took coffee on the boulevards.
Invalides – L'Hôtel National des Invalides is a complex of buildings containing museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France as well as a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans, the building's original purpose. The buildings house the Musée de l’Armée, the Musée des Plans-Reliefs and the Musée d’Histoire Contemporaine, as well as the burial site for some of France's war heroes, notably Napoleon Bonaparte
Tuesday, 3rd.
Ordered Thiers’ two works, the French Revolution and the Consulate and Empire, 29 vols. Made purchases in the Palais Royal and at Marquis. Knocked about until thoroughly tired. Got photographed by Disderi in uniform, dined at Hotel and went to Cirque.; met Count Nobile and Colonel Mattei of Italian army and went with them to the Mabille. Chatted about “la grande nation” until late.
Thiers – Marie Joseph Adolphe Louis Thiers (1797-1877) was a French politician and historian, briefly becoming Prime Minister in 1833. History of the consulate and the empire of France under Napoleon was published in 1861, translated by D. Forbes Campbell and H. W Herbert
Disderi – André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri (1819 – 1889) started his career as a daguerreotypist but gained greater fame for patenting his version of the carte de visite, a small photographic image which was mounted on a card. Disdéri, a brilliant showman, made this system of mass-production portraiture world famous. He later invented the twin-lens reflex camera but died in poverty
Wednesday, 4th.
Margaret’s letter. Went to Jouvins for gloves and to DeLille’s for silk dress. Bought gloves also along the boulevards and trifles in the Passages. Dined at Richard’s in the Palais Royal, fair dinner, lounged and drank beer. Got photographs and home to pack for starting.
Thursday, 5th.
Back to old England. Left Paris at 7.20 a.m., having expended a franc to get a good place in the train. Crossed about 1 and in 2¼ hours passage to Folkestone from Boulogne. Met Margaret by chance as my letter had not arrived. Returned with her to the West Cliff Hotel. Found Sir Peter looking well, met my fellow travellers of the previous Sunday, Mrs. Meinertzhagan and family.
Friday, 6th.
After breakfast went for a ride with Margaret, Miss M. and her brother round Hythe and Sandling Parks; drove out in the afternoon with Sir P., M. and Miss Scrimgeour round Hythe. Lots of rain.
Saturday 7th.
Rode over to Barham and saw my Aunt looking well. Willie and Henry also with all the young people. Rode back in time for the band at the Pavilion, and saw Lady Florence Paget, with red hat and cloak (scarlet lady).
Barham – The home of his Mother’s sister, Mary Lloyd and cousins, between Dover and Canterbury
Lady Florence Paget – Lady Florence Cecelia Paget, daughter of 2nd Marquis of Anglesey was 19 years old at this time and already recognised as a society beauty, known in her social circle as ‘The pocket Venus’. The ‘scarlet lady’ comment was close to the mark. In 1864 she became engaged to 1st Viscount Chaplin but scandalously jilted him to marry Lord Henry Plantagenet, 4th Marquis of Hastings
Sunday 8th.
To New Church, with Margaret, in Lady C Marse’s pew. Miss Marse very civil. Drove out to Hythe, Sir Peter says the soldiers are small. Mr. N. Laurie came from Dover to tea, just returned from the continent. Met Colonel Lowe late 32nd now 21st at Lady Marse’s where we called in the evening.
Monday, 9th.
Mrs. N. Laurie and Beatrice came to breakfast. Afterwards chatted with Miss Marse and put all into train at Harbour station. Miss Marse not finding room for Mrs. N. Laurie but plenty for me. Good-bye etc. Sir Peter and M. left by 2 o’clock train. To H.P.T. and tailors, dined with Robert, not Weston and Graham a friend of Willie Tatham’s, and to bed about 11½.
Mrs N.Laurie and Beatrice – Mrs Northall-Laurie, the wife of his grandmother’s half nephew, Peter Northall-Laurie and her daughter Beatrice who was to become JWL’s sister-in-law when she married his younger brother Julius in 1869
H.P.T – Hyde Park Terrace, his mother’s home
Tuesday, 10th.
Went to city to see Hunt, and Gratorex about bugle, lunched in Noorgate Street. Met M. and P. at the Worthing station, both looking well.
Wednesday, 11th.
Left cards on Mrs. Pilcher and Mr. Capes, read and rowed and walked.
Thursday, 12th.
Rode with Miss Browning and L. Durrand and walked afterwards.
Friday, 13th.
Walked and read. Dined with the Brownings with F. and M. capital dinner, met Major Blake, Mr. and Mrs. O’Beirne, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon and Mr. and Mrs. Berthon. Whist.
Saturday, 14th.
Church, walked with Capt. Toller.
Monday, 16th.
Captain Toller returned. Rode to Littlehampton in the afternoon with Miss Browning and L. Burnand. Called on Madden, danced at Mr. Browning’s until 2 a.m. Pleasant party. My Father danced also.
Tuesday, 17th.
Drove to Brighton, called on Mr. Sandwith, 6 Percival Terrace and Athenaeum. Met Oliver, Mr. Gridly and Mrs. Clutton.
Wednesday, 18th.
Mrs. Clutton and family came to spend the day. Dined quietly with the Brownings and played whist with Miss Burnand as partner, won 1/6.
Thursday, 19th.
F. went to town at 9½ a.m. Wrote to Julius, Arthur, Colonel Willy, Maunsell, Jarreau, Blyth and Robert; walked, bathed and rode; oyster tea, wind has changed and freshened, last week has been lovely.
Julius - His younger brother Julius Dyson Laurie, then in India
Arthur – His younger brother Arthur Henry Laurie, also in India
Friday, 20th.
Weather most unpromising, strong wind and driving small rain, decided upon going to Portsmouth to look up “the Queens”, got there about 12½, found Thompson, lunched with him and met Gibbs and Lynch at the band, also Rooke and his wife, all the same as usual. Returned by the last train to dinner at 8; fine at Portsmouth and Worthing. Evening walk. Mr. and Mrs. O’Beirne called.
Thompson - Capt. John Thompson
Gibbs - Capt. Charles Gibbs
Lynch - Capt. William Wiltshire Lynch
Saturday, 21st.
Strong wind and frequent showers. In doors nearly all day, the Brownings spent the evening with us.
Sunday, 22nd.
Pouring rain nearly all day, to church alone, walked alone in the afternoon, caught in a shower near turning, walk again in the evening.
Monday, 23rd.
Rain and fine by turns. Sam and his wife arrived. Walked alone in the afternoon. Went to a dance in the evening at Mr. O’Beirne’s in Liverpool Terrace. Thunderstorms. Home about 3½ a.m.
Tuesday, 24th.
Rain and wind, walked in the afternoon. Mr. and Arthur Burnand called, whist at night. Oliver’s children arrived.
Wednesday, 25th.
Rain and wind, wrote to Mrs. Maitland, Stirling Davis, walked on parade, whist at night.
Thursday, 26th.
Fine day. Wrote to Margaret, Madden, Willis. Rode with Mr. Capes and his daughter and Mr. Hollings. Walked later. Showers, after dinner played whist and lost 4/-
Friday, 27th.
Sam and his wife left today. Went to Brighton to see the Sussex Volunteers reviewed, opposite the race stand; fine valley, good style of men, but very slow in movement; display poor, ordered horse from Petherick to meet me at the station, but found none, so went in the carriage with Mr. & Mrs. Gordon, with the latter I had come from Worthing and been civil to in the train. Returned to dinner and walked afterwards. Wrote to May, and saw Knight’s face at the station on my return from Brighton.
Saturday, 28th.
Rode with L Burnand and Miss Browning in the morning. My mother went to Brighton, called on Mrs. O’Beirne and Mrs. Gordon. The latter hoped I would call in London, Hampstead. Went to the train to meet my father, 5½. Rain all the afternoon and evening. Frank and Horace arrived. Received a letter from Peter. Neuve’s photograph arrived. Also invitation from Hamilton Field. Wrote to Trevor and Robert. Tried to read but almost hopeless.
Sunday 29th.
Michaelmas Day. Heard the story of the goose for the first time today. Queen Elizabeth. To church, Mr Power preached; afterwards walked alone. After dinner read and took a walk in the evening. Wrote to Colonel Corté. Day fine.
Monday 30th.
Rode with Miss Capes and Mr. Hollings; a pleasant ride on the downs. Went to the Archery in the afternoon, met allthe Worthing alike. Very tired at night. Letter from Thompson 22nd.