Friday, 1st August.

Drilled the D ... for an hour, making rapid improvement. Then to go over the returns etc. of Colonel Dickson’s battalion which is getting on. Road with Miss Scott and afterwards drilled the Volunteer Company for an hour, also improved. Music and conversation. Jago changing his allegiance from P. to B. – very wrong.

Saturday, 2nd.

Starting at 7½, drove in heavy rain; Mrs. Scott’s carriage with selves, Miss Scott and Miss Cunard to Salmon River. Changed vehicles and drove in my own wagon. Forty miles in five hours, good work; the roan is a noble horse for long work. Dined at Truro, came through by the four o’clock train and starting Mrs. Scott etc. and baggage at the station, dined and spent the evening with Jago.

Sunday, 3rd.

A little writing before church. Afterwards escaped to Dartmouth and spent afternoon with Sinclair, returning to dinner. Jago full of his trip.

Monday, 4th.

Plenty of work on hand. Saw the General who agrees with me that one more attempt must be made to soften the flinty heart of Sir George Cornewall Lewis, and a final resolve to give up and go to the Staff Coollege almost come to, but shaken during my visit to the Hills when the ladies really seemed sorry to lose me. Mrs. Langley highly amused at my regretting to leave the country and sorry to go home, yet I really do feel so to a certain extent, I fear. I cannot quite analyse my feeling, so must await letters and results; time will shew. I trust I am getting over my first home difficulties.

Sir George Cornewall Lewis – Sir George Cornewall Lewis, 2nd Baronet, PC (1806-1863) was a British statesman and Chancellor of the Exchequer in Palmerston’s government, and subsequently Home Secretary. In the Autumn of 1862, while at the War Office, he successfully argued that Britain should not become involved in mediation to end the Civil War

Thursday, 5th.

What with Horse Guards, letters, etc., busy all the morning. Called p.m. on Chief Justice and saw Mrs. Scott whose letters I tried to get but there were none. Nothing like employment for mind as well as body to prevent morbid dwelling upon things best forgotten. Glad indeed as I was to get my letters, I scarcely know how to feel after having read them. In the one case and with the advice received, I am decided; in the other still remain the creature of circumstances. I will not say impulse, but resolves with me are slowly made, and this in such matters I believe to be the wisest course. My mind feels relieved, and now I can at any rate look one matter in the face. Wrote to Willie about orders etc., got letters from Mary, Alfred, my Father, Mother, and Willie. Riley apparently was better, other news as usual. Preparing for fresh start.

Wednesday, 6th.

Up at daylight, packed and to the station with Porter. To Truro, examined some Militia Officers; spurn one for Adjutancy, passed the rest. On to the Albion Mines, raining hard for the last twenty five miles. Strawberry horse doing his work well, but back much galled by saddle and my carelessness (not to speak of Porter’s) in not seeing to stuffing and pads. As usual cordially welcomed at Albion Mines. Dinner ready, all bright, but to bed early tired, missing Dr. Johnstone’s party to which Miss E. Scott and I were asked.

Thursday, 7th.

Started about eleven by road for Pictou in the barouche with the young ladies. At the bazaar making purchases etc. until four; then to the parade, took command and had a field day with blank ammunition. Skirmishing pretty fair. Complimented them and after three cheers rode home. Started the young ladies for Mount Rendell. Went to Dr. Crearar’s, tea and to bazaar, where pushed matters and enlivened the place a little by raffles, auctions, etc. To supper with Dr. Crearar and liquored again with John Crearar and going to boat found her gone before time. Pleasant, put up with J. Crearar, bed and establishment comfortable.

Friday, 8th.

After breakfast got a pilot boat and across in such way to island to follow Porter, horse and luggage, all gone on ahead. Light wind and rain towards night when I got into the dog kennel, and lay quiet.

Saturday, 9th.

After experimenting and looking for Charlotte Town in two large bays, I at last landed in P.E.I. at 7 a.m., having arrived at three. Straight to Government House, found horse and luggage and dress. Porter out. Bath and breakfast, meeting a cordial welcome from the Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Dundas, also the two Atkinsons, the former of whom seems a man of the world. Looked at the range, pretty fair, and walked p.m. with the Atkinsons. Dinner at 7½, meeting Miss Bayfield, Admiral B’s daughter. To bed pretty early, rain impending, congratulating myself I am not in a tent as threatened.

Sunday, 10th.

But little chance of seeing the country owing to thick fog and rain. Mr. Dundas claimed acquaintance with my Father, knowing him well and desiring to be kindly remembered to him. Church, walked later, home by sands and after prayers, talked through a pipe and to bed; preparing for work.

Monday, 11th.

After breakfast and an early inspection of the grounds, went up with the Lieutenant Governor (dress) to open the shooting. Mrs. Dundas also present and A.D.C.s galore in wondrous kit took the high line and to a certain extent the charge of ground, and managed very fairly through the day, gaining experience of competitions and competitors, civil and uncivil. Met Major Bolineau and a Colonel Thrugin(?) from N.B. Thoroughly tired out and rather touched with the sun.

Tuesday, 12th.

Began the competition very much earlier this morning and worked uninterruptedly from 9 until 7½, everything going off very orderly and satisfactorily. Sinclair and Boothby R.A., who arrived this morning, dined. Mrs. Dundas, knocked up by yesterday, did not show. Little horse rather knocked up by wild galloping, which could not be helped.

Wednesday, 15th.

Competition continued all day. Chose the twenty Island competitors. Had a slight “differ” with Colonel Haviland; of course I think he was wrong, but suppose that is not his opinion. He dined afterwards at Government House. N.S. men doing nothing, Islanders and New Brunswickers running ties for the cup.

Thursday, 14th.

After a stiff morning competition, Pte. John Marks of N.B. won the cup by one point, firing from the shoulder and firing well. He fully deserved to win it, and his doing so pleased every body. Even the Islanders themselves were pleased that as they did not win it, N.B. and not N.S. had. What the prejudice against N.S. is I do not know, but N.S. behaved well and made up a scratch twenty to shoot the Island picked twenty, thus being at a great disadvantage. Seeing Sinclair and Boothby off, I felt as if I had been at a wedding. The tension at an end, reaction set in and I felt utterly down and this feeling I believe was shared by all, the weather being intensely hot.

Friday, 15th.

No signs of the Admiral and fleet. Wrote a.m. p.m. started after some calls for a picnic at (blank) an empty house belonging to some of the Havilands. After diner danced till all hours of the night, Crowder coming out strong generally, G. Atkinson with Miss Lawrence, T. Atkinson with the Tremain and Sawyer. Danced till nearly four, then took the young ladies home. Miss Haviland owning to a temper but although, and perhaps for that reason, the Mien, not a chicken, very pleasant.

Saturday, 16th.

Admiral with Nile and Medea in early. Nimble later. Called about one and dined at Government House, a largish official party. Called at Havilands, the Mayor, Colonel Grey, Mr Smith. Very tired.

Sunday, 17th.

Went off to church with Governor and Mrs. Dundas and party on board Nile, looked in on Medea afterwards. Called on Mayor and one or two other places, and quiet. Wodehouse, “Medea”, dined with us.

Monday, 18th. Wrote home a.m. Masonic picnic, the same party of young ladies, Miss Wright, Haviland, L. Haviland, Lawrence, etc and back to dinner at 7 p.m. The Admiral, etc., scarlet function. To bed trying to refresh.

Tuesday, 19th.

Preparing for the grand event, Mrs. Dundas’ ball. Dined first officially with the Admiral on board, and then back to dance; such a dance, till 4 a.m. Then bathed in the sea with Crowder and Porter and to bed, slept until 10 a.m.

Wednesday, 20th.

Up just in time to visit town, see to one or two things. Thence on board The Nimble, up the river ...... returning about night and after tea to a party at the Mayor’s, Mr. Haviland. Danced again till all hours, chiefly with Miss Haviland, a capital galloper and general dancer. Home about 3½, after despatching Porter and horse.

Thursday, 21st.

Telegram arrived from Sinclair, decided upon accepting the Admiral’s offer and taking passage to Sydney for which made arrangement. Had a great bonnet hop, afternoon dance on board Nile; adjourning, had tea at Government House. Dressed and to the Mayor’s; again danced till past three, mostly with my former partner to whom I bade a long farewell.

Friday, 22nd.

The sad day at last arrived. I must leave P.E.I., a place I am charmed with during the short stay I have made in it. Telegraphed to Commanders of Volunteer Companies about Sydney, telling them I was coming, and then took passage in the Nile after drawing a cheque on Cox. For £10 for chance expenses. A lovely evening as smooth as a pond and running a fair pace. Did not make Pictou Island anchorage until morning.

Saturday, 23rd.

Hard rain and then thick weather, so bad that the ladies could not go to the Nimble to go into Pictou harbour where the Admiral went with a large force of middies etc. The Scotts met us in harbour, and took us up to Mount Rendell; my horse and Porter being one of the curiosities first striking me. A capital lunch, back to Nimble, saw Pictou. No letters, saw Miss Tobin and three Miss Davis on shore; to Nile and off by sunset. Swinging in a cot on the main deck but comfortable enough, dressing in the Flag Lieutenant, Jardine’s cabin, and messing with the Admiral and Lady Milne. To bed early in hopes that Sunday, 24th would see me refreshed. Mistaken as during the night it blew hard and next morning we found ourselves with the bluff shoals of Cape Breton under our lee and a strong gale blowing – more a hurricane. After splitting fore and main topsails, and two jibs, got up stream and made along gallantly getting into smooth water later on. I believe most on board were seedy and am told that only five ate their dinner in peace in the ward room, the others being squeamish. Chatted with the doctor, Reader, a right good fellow; Lady Milne and Miss Cochrane appearing when we got into smooth water later in the evening.

Monday, 25th.

Steamed into Sydney harbour. No letters, looked up Captain Crew Read, a good man for his present work but wants an appointment which will scarcely answer. Crossed to the Mines, saw Mr. Brown, a man of business and whose heart seems in his Volunteers. Mrs. Brown a nice person, don’t know what to make of the daughter. Drove to Mines with Admiral and Lady Milne, had tea and back to dinner. Played a rubber and wrote up diary, and to bed.

Tuesday, 26th.

Got a sailing boat and started across to the Bar. Took an early dinner with the Browns at the Mines and afterwards inspected the two rifle and one artillery Company, the latter lately formed. Officer as usual not brilliant, and men sluggy. The artillery however give more promise.

Wednesday, 27th.

Returned with the Browns to the ship. The Admiral and Lady M. cordial. Afterwards inspected the artillery under Crewe Road, pretty fair. The other company a disgrace to the Volunteers, five men of whom three in uniform, Captain and Lieutenant away and only two men in uniform, arms bad order. Dined with Reid, played whist, and sat late.

Thursday, 28th.

Returned to North side, inspected Capt. Christie’s company at little Bras d’Or, a good muster but poor knowledge of drill, all they know taught by him. The view of the Bras d’Or very pretty as well as curious. Returned to tea at the Browns’, read papers and to bed.

Friday, 29th.

No sign of steamer at daylight; signalled later in day. Got hold of Dunlop and Johnson, the former entered into my views with regard to the guns, also to getting some eighteen pounders for a moveable defence. Left in the “Osprey” for Halifax; the wind with us, the steamer a small uncomfortable boat. Feel almost elated at getting back to Halifax, why?

Saturday, 30th.

Wind headed us and all sail taken in. Still getting along fairly, food not bad, but ladies suffering all round made my last night’s rest but poor. Got in about 10½, but after twelve before I could get my things from ship.

Sunday, 31st.

Had a great sleep, really felt like resting. To church a.m. Lunched with the Langleys and afterwards crossed to Sinclairs, had a chat and back to dinner. Quite pleased to meet my old friends, the Artillery, again.