Sunday, 1st June.
A lovely day but wind too strong. Walked with the R.As., dined at Mess. Home early.
Monday, 2nd.
By train at 6.30 a.m. to Brookfield. Rode to Stewiacke to see a Horse, handsome but with large splint. Coming back my Horse knocked up, had to lead him the last two miles of the 44. Stayed at Brookfield, a poor putting-up place. Looked after my own horse, washed him, etc., myself. Very tired to bed.
Tuesday, 3rd.
Came up by the morning train. Got in late to town so did not get to the office before 12½, to get on with clothing arrangements. To Lady Mulgrave’s at four to keep Lady Laura’s birthday. Met no end of Haligonians and away at six to dine with the Cogswells. Met the Admiral and Lady M., General, Colonel Dunlop, etc.; home to bed utterly and thoroughly tired out.
Wednesday, 4th.
Our excursion to the mines went off well altho’ we had a sample of Nova Scotian civility in a party of men falling upon us and abusing us in such language as I never elsewhere heard made use of, before ladies. We shewed a bold front whilst clearing out and that cowed them and they took shelter the more readily in words. Nevertheless we had a fine day and a pleasant ride. The Miss Dawsons were in high feather and Miss Collins looked well; all did their best to please and be pleased. Got home to prepare for my start for Cornwallis.
Miss Collins – This is the first reference to Frances Collins, whom he was to marry on 2nd September 1863
Thursday, 5th.
Getting up soon after five and leaving with the Sheriff by the 7.15 train. Got to Windsor near 11 and drove through a beautiful country to Wolfville. Lunched and on to Kentville, put up at Lyons Hotel, met by Leiut. Clarke who asked me to put up with him. Inspected 11 men of the Cornwallis Company, afterwards met C. Tobin and as he was to show me horses and did shew me civility, I put up with him. Met Mrs. Tobin and daughter, a nice plain gentleman farmer’s family, the young lady promising to be pretty and not deficient in brass. I desire no better welcome or accommodation than I received and my notice of the hospitality of the N.S. people will receive a practical rebuff.
Friday, 6th.
Left soon after 7, late for me. Looked at some horses, but non to suit. Drove through Cornwallis Township, well worth the visit. Back and parted with my hospitable entertainers. To Windsor over a dusty road, passing Wolfville, where the College anniversary was being celebrated. Got to Windsor rather after five and wonder of wonders, because I was late, the first time in this country, the Volunteers were punctual. Saw them, fairly dressed, but poorly commanded, the C.O., a man of some influence, being deaf. Dined with Dr. Fraser, met a pleasant party and to bed.
Saturday, 7th.
Home by the first train. Dined at Stewart’s and admired the sailors ashore afterwards.
Sunday, 8th.
To St. Luke’s a.m. Walked with Field after lunching with Langley and Mrs. Dined at R.A. Mess.
Monday, 9th.
Appeared in Garibaldi to give it a tone a.m. at office. Danced on board H.M.S. Agamemnon and afterwards dined with Judge Bliss. A pleasant party, sat next to Miss Collins, whom I like much, unaffected and simple, yet shrewd. Home with Morris and Cairnes. Tired.
Tuesday, 10th.
Office a.m. Saw Lord Mulgrave, shewed the new Militia uniform to several swells, General and others, all very pleased. Lunched at Government House, dined with the Mayor, took in Miss Almon pleasant enough girl. A pleasant evening. Afterwards to a dance at the Kenny’s, up till all hours.
Wednesday, 11th.
To a bazaar at Windsor in uniform, guard of honour etc., a pleasant day. Dawsons, Sinclairs etc. Home about eight to such a bee – capital singing from Elliott R.N., and Irwin, R.N.C.
Thursday, 12th.
Mail day. Wrote to Secretary for Warrant passage allowance. Sent home box of Indian work to my Mother. In the evening to a dance at the Admiral’s, rather a nice party. Danced with Miss Oakes, a first rate dancer.
Friday, 13th.
Wrote to Alexander Laurie, and Captain Blanchard about horse (not sent till Sunday). Dined with Nugent, met the Evans and Colthurst.
Saturday, 14th.
Rode with the Hills and Miss Collins, the latter I really like much, a clear headed sensible girl. Dined at R.A.
Sunday, 15th.
After church went across with Childs to call the other side of Jordan. Dined with R.A.
Monday, 16th.
R.A. games; plenty of ladies, some dust and a little rain. Dined with Mrs. Langley, met usual lot, Capt. Hope, Ewart, Sinclair, etc.
Tuesday, 17th.
To the Governor’s ball, very fairly done but much too crowded. Home about 3½ a.m., very tired.
Wednesday, 18th.
Went out yachting with Capt. Lyttleton called on the Hugonins at McNabs Island, back in time to go on board the Cadmus to a dance, Mrs. Sinclair’s party. Home from Captain Helyar’s cabin about 1½ a.m.
Thursday, 19th.
Our poor picnic could not come off because of the weather. Lunched with the Hills, and put off the ride till Friday. Dined at Mess and went to hear the minstrels afterwards, a poor affair.
Friday, 20th.
The accession of our Queen. Rain again, so no picnic came off. Rode with the Hills and Miss Collins. Dined with Colonel Dunlop, the Johnsons and Careys, coming the ladies both rather nice. Very tired, out of sorts feeling as if I could settle to nothing and I do not know how to conquer this – if I had but a strong will.
Saturday, 21st.
Halifax natal day. Morning over clouded but looking as if it would hold up. Rode Colonel Dunlop’s horse which bolted and exhibited to the Haligonans public in, at best, a peculiar light. My hat (cocked) stuck to me somehow or other, well behind. Broke curb, bent check of bit and afterwards, I hear, festered horse’s jaw – pull, ..., pull Baker, I know I did. Not all a bad turn out of the Volunteers. Afterwards there was a very pretty show of the firemen, the school children also mustered and looked well. To the gardens after lunching at Government House, band playing and young ladies flying about. Dined at 6½ officially with the Mayor and Corporation, returned thanks for the Volunteers, about 11½ p.m. Home tired and late, walked with the Mayor.
Sunday, 22nd.
To St. Luke’s church, afterwards crossed, lunched with the Sinclairs, cousin and all. Conversed with Mrs. Sinclair whilst the others went out for a walk. Home to give last word about the pic-nic, dining at R.A.
Monday, 23rd.
The Pic-nic so long expected came off with a beautiful day, the only contre-temps being that Field and Brother arriving after everything was packed complained that they could get nothing to eat, or drink, which was a libel as I gave them beer and cake galore. Home by the last boat after teaing with the Sinclairs and riding with Blanche Dear. Wrote a long letter to my Mother this being her birthday and quite weather after her own heart.
Tuesday, 24th.
Very warm in the early morning but clouded over towards the evening. Attended to inspect the Scottish Volunteers but they were late, so rode on. Went to a public meeting in aid of the Half Holiday movement; afterwards to a Masonic dinner where I returned thanks for the Army Masonic and got away from P. Archibald about 12½ to 1; tired.
Wednesday, 25th.
Very careless in writing up my diary, some days behind. Started by afternoon train for Windsor with the Cogswells, Hills, Miss Collins, etc. Had a very pleasant evening, dining at the Clifton House, prayers afterwards. Hard rain.
Thursday, 26th.
Breakfast at 8½ with all our party, afterwards walked through the steaming air, in uniform, to the College (King’s). Attended the service, afterwards present at Kings and home by the evening train, conversing with Miss Collins, who I like more and more.
Friday 27th.
After office to the band, thence to inspect the Mayflowers who were very late, and drilled but poorly.
Saturday, 28th.
Inspected the Chebucto Greys a.m. Poor Howes 16th who was drowned from the Pyramus Hulk was buried today. Afterwards rode and lunched with the Langleys, and rode the skeleton with them, dining at the Artillery Mess.
Pyramus Hulk – HMS Pyramus was a 42 gun 5th rater, launched in 1810; refitted to transport convicts in 1833 and moored in Halifax NS as a convict hulk from 1835 until disposal in 1879
Sunday, 29th.
Lunched with the Langleys after church, then walked to Dartmouth and back with Captain Hillyear in time for mess.
Monday, 30th.
Busy all the morning about the boating picnic which managed well. Called on the Hickmanns, at G.H., and Admiralty.