1920
January 3rd
What a blessing to have Christmas week over. I get no news of my leave.
We got over into the Cecil Hotel on Wednesday December 31st, and went to Fancy Dress Ball at Club to see new Year in. Quite a nice time. Daisie wore her Swedish costume and I wore my French uniform.
Is it restful being in this nice hotel, and one has a little time to think. Took my last parade on January 1st, the usual salute and feu de joie - my borrowed horse was unsteady and hated my word of command. I nearly came off at the three cheers with sword in one hand and helmet in the other, and the horse trying to run backwards and sit down. I had about 50 medals also to present. The march past was not bad.January 10th
My leave is granted at last, but only till March 31st, when I either retire or go on unemployed pay. The book is to be published at last by Arnold. I get 20% of sales and £250 in advance. Book is to be called "The adventures of Dunsterforce" and not "From Baghdad to Baku" as I had intended.
Last night's farewell dinner at the Club very nice and enjoyable - about 90 people present and speeches were short - it was a very genuinely friendly and unofficial affair. Another milestone in one's life, but we journey onward and do not sadden ourselves by looking back. We have had a happy life together in India, but we have no regrets, we feel the possibility of just as much happiness ahead.
January 12th
We left Agra by the mail train at 12.41, and got into Gwalior in the afternoon. Our train was two hours late in leaving which gave us a double farewell and was rather tedious. We were garlanded with the usual marigolds and roses by the Indian Officers of the 2/6 Jat. Regt and Mr. Janki Pershad.
The Residency at Gwalior is a magnificent palace that cost over £20,000 to build. It is quite by itself as peaceful. Mr. W.E. Jardine, C.I.E. the Resident is a bachelor and a charming host.
January 13th
The rules here are a big breakfast at 10.0. no lunch, and tea at 3.0., so we skip a meal and are all the better for it, and it gives one a quieter day. What joy and peace here after all the turmoil of Agra, where I was deluged up to the last moment with work and perpetual visits from Indian gentlemen. So nice of them, but a great worry when one is packing and in a hurry. There is a heap of kindness in the world, everyone was so good to us, and Mrs. Hotz of the Cecil Hotel, insisted on charging us Rs.12/- a day for the best rooms instead of Rs.20/- which means a lot to poor people. Drove round the picturesque city with beautiful stone carved balconies and bought some brass pots as souvenirs.
Attended meeting of Lodge Gwalior. General and Mrs. Pennington came to dinner, old friends his father and mother, Colonel and Mrs. Pennington of the 14th Lancers were old friends of mine when I joined the 24th Punjabis in Sialkot and I remember Pennington as a young subaltern when in the Border Regiment and her father and mother, Col. and Mrs. Hutchinson were in Lahore in 1889 when I was there with the 20th.
January 15th
Our host is charming and leaves us lots of leisure - we have never been so comfortable. This morning we got up early and drove to the fort at 8 a.m. where we found an elephant waiting to carry us about, saw all the sights and had a picnic breakfast and drove home about 12. Then in the evening we bicycled round Morar and drove to the lake which looked very beautiful at sunset.
January 19th
Left Gwalior after a very pleasant, restful 7 days at the Residency with Mr. Jardine, Sir John Marshall arrived on Friday with Mr. and Mrs. Wilson and we all came up to Agra to-day. We are staying with Miss Key in St. George's school. Yesterday we went out to see some old site for Marshall's archaeological work - motored 36 miles, then 7 miles on elephants, then walking - an interesting day. There is no peace on earth, though I certainly entertain feelings of goodwill towards men. Still it is rather exasperating to be met on arrival on the platform by several Indian gentlemen to each of whom one has to murmur oriental politenesses, while simultaneously engaged in saying goodbye to Sir John Marshall and the Wilsons, and how-d'you-dos to several others who have come to meet them, and getting our kit out of the train and bicycles and boxes from the brake-van - it is a dreadful thing to be "met".
January 20th
In Agra I feel like a dead man come to life again. I kept quiet most of the day, but had to get around a bit for business purposes. My morning was wasted in interviews with Indian gentlemen. As I sneaked about the roads I saw people looking furtively at me as if I might be a ghost. Dora Ducat came to tea, poor widow, looking very well and bright. Poor darling Susanna is very seedy but cheerful, with a cold and jaundice.
January 21st
Left by the 8.15 train to Jaipur, arrived 6 p.m., went to the New Hotel, which is nice and quaint.
It was a pleasure to meet Sir Arthur Barrett, but I was so hoping for one day with nothing to do. Will that day ever come? He at once orders me to get out my uniform and he and I are to call on the Prime Minister in uniform, and go out to the old city of Amber the next day - Daisie and I meant to be quite quiet at first and do all these things later.
January 22nd
Went in a State carriage to see the city, palace, stables, observatory etc., and in the afternoon on elephants to see the Pass through the hills and the temples at Galte, a few miles the other side of the city. Interesting crowds and monkeys and hideous and vile Hindu worship of beastly gods.
January 23rd
With Sir Arthur Barrett by motor car and elephants to see the deserted capital and palace of Amber, 7 miles away. Feebly interesting as structures, but very interesting as a phase of feckless Indian life. A horrible temple to Durga, where a goat is sacrificed daily, the human sacrifice being prohibited.
January 28th
This feeling of being quite out of debt, owing nothing to anyone in the world, is very wonderful and leaves me sort of stunned after 36 years of debt. God is very good to us. We are thoroughly enjoying our perfect rest here and have done no regular sight-seeing since Sir Arthur Barrett went. We just bicycle for an hour or so or walk, morning and evening. Occasionally we drop into the museum which is very good, or potter about the splendid public gardens which are far better than any I have seen in India.
The Maharajah is a bad old man, who hates the English and loves women. He has no legitimate children, but heaps of illegitimate. To each illegitimate son he gives Rs.10,000 a month, a pretty heavy charge on the revenues, and they spend their lives joy-riding drunk in motor cars.
The tameness of wild animals is delightful, on our evening walks, jackals let us get within 10 yards of them, black buck within 30, hares abound - a wild pig let us get within 20 yards - unexpectedly and I didn't at all like it - however he trotted off. Monkeys and peacocks, doves and partridges abound.
February 1st
We are having the most reposeful honeymoon we have ever had. We have tea at 7 a.m. Get up at 7.30 write letters, bath etc. breakfast at 9.30. Write and read 12.30 to 1.30 walk - 1.30 lunch, 4.30 tea, 5.30 walk till 7.0. 7.30 dinner, 10.30 bed. It is very much the simple life and we both enjoy it immensely, it will give us fresh vigour to take up our new life at home which will probably be a rather hard struggle if I keep alive and very difficult for Daisie if I don't. In 5 years from now both boys will be out in the world, and Susanna will be 13 - so Daisie can get along. If my book sells well we may make a nest egg out of that which will be as good as if I had saved money.
February 2nd
I am trying a course of only one dish at each meal - it is really quite enough, but there is the boredom of sitting through the remainder of a silent meal.
February 4th
My entire day's eating consists in all meals totalled of 2 eggs, 2 pieces of toast, about 3 oz. of curry, 1 slice of meat and vegetables, with 3 cups of tea and 2 whiskies and sodas. It shows what an unnecessary lot one eats, as I am not hungry after this light diet - still I believe in the full feeding that gives a reserve of energy and keeps one cheery - People with good figures are never genial.
We walk about 3 miles in the morning and bicycle from 12 to 15 miles in the afternoon. The roads are beautiful and we amuse ourselves stalking the herds of black buck which always let us get within 50 yards.
February 7th
The cold is extraordinary. It must be a belated result of the abnormal position of the planets all on one side of the Sun in December - an effect would take about as long as that to reach us.
I feel no ill-effects now, but it is strange to think that my big body keeps up its strength on less than little Susanna's tiny body. We not only bicycle and walk now but we run half a mile every evening. Coming home down the road in the dark, after watching the wild animals and stalking the herds of deer - it is such a pleasure to stalk them without having to advertise one's skill by shooting them. We got within 20 yards of a herd of 40 yesterday, and spent some time watching 2 pretty foxes, a married couple, playing after sunset.
February 10th
To Agra to take over command for one day to alter my leave conditions. Daisie stays here alone.
February 11th
Commanding the Agra Brigade again for one day. I get more pay if my privilege leave precedes my war leave, but if you take them combined the first part counts as War leave. So I said all right, undo the combine. I'll take them separately and take my privilege leave first, so I score. Yesterday terminated my privilege leave and tomorrow begins my war leave.
February 12th
Returned to Jaipur with Susanna - it's been a dull time for Daisie. I've had to give in over the meal business - one cannot play tricks with one's food unless one is alone. Here Fernandez, the butler, is nearly in tears and keeps cooking special dishes - and at the Macauslands in Agra it was very uncomfortable.
February 13th
Took Susanna to see the city and the pigeons which are more of a crowd than at St. Marks in Venice. Afternoon we walked in the country to see the black buck and make them jump.
February 14th
Susanna to see the deserted capital of Amber, she was hugely delighted at a long ride on one of the Maharajah's big elephants.
February 16th
We went to church last night in the beautiful little Church here built by Sir Swinton Jacob. To-day Susanna's holiday comes to an end and Daisie returns with her to Agra leaving me alone here.
February 18th
Daisie returned safely on the evening train. It still keeps cool and at night we are glad of an eider-down. Got news to-day that passages have been ordered for me in P.& O., but no idea as to when we shall get them. It is exasperating having to kick our heels like this out here when we might be at home with the boys. Yet there is much to be thankful for and we are happy in our quiet corner here.
February 21st
The Resident here is Colonel Benn with Mrs. and Miss B. very nice people and I knew her as a flapper in 1892 at Mian Mir. We went to their tennis at home to-day, band and everything in great style.
Mrs. Savile, in the hotel, keeps 4 dogs and 2 cats and, of course, one of the dogs went mad, so she had to go to Kasauli for enquiry, but as she was not bitten they did not treat her.
February 23rd
Dined at the Residency. This morning I got a letter telling me that I was not to have further employment, so I retire with a grateful heart and become a free man. To quote W.S. Gilbert's Bab Ballads: "for years I've longed for some, excuse for this revulsion. And now my chance has come, I do it on compulsion!". None the less it is a shock. From Aug 23rd 1884, when I first donned a red tunic, till today I have never had a bad report, and in the last 12 years they have been glowing. I am fit and healthy in body and mind, and consider myself head and shoulders above many who remain on - and it's nice to have a good opinion of oneself - it is nicer still to have constant proof of a similar feeling openly expressed on the part of all officers and men under my command - my troops have always had the fullest confidence in me.
My Baku outspoken criticisms of the War Office and Baghdad have caused them to label me "insubordinate" and to that I must plead guilty.
Although I am honestly glad to go and have the choice taken out of my hands - it feels rather like a cold douche and it is big thing after 36 years of soldiering to suddenly become a private citizen again. Let's say hurrah! for the new, free life!
March 4th
The Holi festival is on and very interesting to watch. It corresponds to the Saturnalia and the Carnival. No news at all of our prospects of getting home, it is a horrible nuisance. Can't get my pay either until orders for my leave are issued. Army Head Quarters are slower than any created thing, no comparison is possible.
March 7th
We dined with the Benns at the Residency last night and found he was a Neuenheim boy. Met Lady Weldon there - a most unusually interesting old lady of a bygone age with an ear trumpet. She must have been 100 I should think, but a mind as clear as crystal.
March 12th
We leave Jaipur to-night or rather to-morrow morning at 1.51 a.m., a beastly time to get into a crowded train.
I got a wire on Wednesday to say we could have passages on the S/S Bremen, sailing from Bombay on the 19th, so we are off at last. Our time in Jaipur has been a very quiet and happy one and we have had just enough society with the Residency, Col. and Mrs. and Miss Benn, who have been very kind to us.
March 14th
We had a very decent journey from Jaipur to Agra, with a carriage to ourselves, and arrived up to time at 7.50 a.m. I went to the Cecil Hotel and Daisie to Miss Key. Sweet Susanna, looking very well, and getting on wonderfully with her lessons - she seems to be very quick and intelligent and likes her work. Miss Key has done wonders with her.March 16th
Good-bye for ever to Agra with the immortal Taj the most beautiful thing in the world. We leave to-night or rather to-morrow morning by the train at 1.10 a.m. An awful time to start, but it arrives Bombay more conveniently than the mail - Susanna leaves another milestone in her life. Rose died in Murree two years ago, now she is separated as much as by death from her beloved Miss Key who has loved her and done so much for her these last 8 years.March 18th
A carriage to ourselves all the way, very comfortable and not hot. Arrived Bombay 7.30 this morning. What a struggle. Without Major Long R.A. to help us we should have never got anywhere. He turned up with a car and drove me round and round the hotels till we at last got a room at Watsons - not too clean, but very grateful to have a room at all.March 19th
Mahomedan strike in protest against terms of peace with Turkey. No carriages running, so took a long trip to Victoria Gardens by tram, all through the Mahomedan part of the city. Gangs marching with flags drilled like troops shouting vicious things, looked rather nasty and I was glad to get the family back to the hotel without incident.March 21st
Got on board the S/S Bremen, formerly Nord Deutscher Lloyd, now P. & O. old, built the year we were married 1897, 23 years. A good omen - tiny cabins but we can manage. Daisie and Susanna amidships on the Promenade deck inside cabin, but they have an electric fan. I 2 decks lower forward on the star-board side, main-deck, a port-hole opening on to deck. A hot night. What a job it was getting on board and finding all our kit, the ship is of course frightfully crowded - we arrived at Ballard Pier at 2.30 p.m., got on board at 5.30 p.m., after endless queues getting on and off the tug, etc. Searched whole ship for our 20 things, found everything and turned in at last all dead tired at 11 p.m. thanking God for many things.March 22nd
Sailed from Bombay before day-break, 5.30 a.m. A last goodbye to dear India, glad to have met, not sorry to part, and no wish to meet again. India, from my point of view, is a played-out country. The real India I still love, but the vile political scum make everything hideous.March 23rd
The Bremen is quite a nice old boat, but cabins are very small, I have one to myself, it is 8ft high, 6½ long and 5 ft broad - about the size of a large packing-case. A nice North breeze and it is cool. I go to bed perspiring, but soon fall asleep and wake almost cold. Daisie and Susanna are feeling the motion. It is almost calm, but the ship has a long heavy roll. Plenty of porpoises and flying fish to amuse Susanna.March 26th
The weather keeps fine and not a bit too hot except the first hour of the night in one's cabin. We are running through from Bombay to Suez 2888 miles - ships seldom do this and I am sorry not to be able to say goodbye to Aden, all these places are full of memories and we are seeing them for the last time. I saw Egypt first in 1884 and Aden in 1885 as a pink-cheeked subaltern. We have about 350 first-class and 130 second class passengers, quite a nice average lot. For the last time I am, as usual, President of the Sports Committee, I have a very good Committee who do all the work.
The Bremen is an echt deutsch ship, the saloon is a mass of pictures of Bremen, and fat cupids, who look as if they had been brought up on sausages and sauerkraut, and allegorical figures depicting Germany as leading the world in Science, Art and Shipping. Poor old Deutschland.March 30th
Getting along all right. The head wind continues and is almost a gale, so we keep beautifully cool and I feel that we have left prickly heat behind for ever and ever. We got up a concert last night which was not at all bad.April 1st
April Fools' Day, to Susanna's great delight! It is very cold in the Gulf of Suez with a strong North wind. Got into Suez about 3 p.m. Medical examination. Started into canal 11. p.m. Kept Susanna up to have her last look at the Canal by night.April 2nd
Arrived Port Said 3 p.m. Passport worries. Went ashore 4.30 p.m. and bought books and sweets. Ship coaling, very dirty - Left at 8 p.m.April 3rd
Woke up to find a beautifully calm sea like a lake and not cold.April 7th
Still beautiful weather, but getting cold. Yesterday morning we passed through Straits of Messina and then within half a mile of Stromboli, which was just smoking. On Easter Sunday we had very nice services. We had a great evening for a wind up as a large number are getting off at Marseilles. Fancy dress Dinner and Dances, etc.April 8th
Arrives Marseilles 7 a.m., went ashore 9.30 and took Susanna to the Cannebière and the Church of Notre Dame de la Garde. Both she and Daisie have awful colds and didn't enjoy themselves much. Left at 6 p.m. in a stiff breeze with the ship rolling a good deal.April 9th
A good many sea-sicks and I was not very sure of myself, but we both pulled through and Susanna took no notice of it.April 10th
Quite calm. Later blew a gale and some people were sick, but the ship was very steady.April 11th
Arrived Gibraltar 7 a.m. Went ashore 8.30 a.m. came on board 1 p.m., left at 5 p.m. A last goodbye to Gibraltar.April 12th
Very rough off the coast of Portugal, and ship rolling badly, crockery smashing, and a bad night, impossible to sleep.April 13th
Susanna keeps off sea-sickness, but looks a little yellow at times. Weather better at lunch, but bad enough.April 14th
Crossing the Bay of Biscay, not too bad, it is blowing a gale but behind us.April 15th
Arrived Plymouth in very bad weather 2 p.m. and left at 5 p.m. A regular storm out-side and fearful smashing of crockery which delighted Susanna. Rolling 32o - Anchored at the Nore at 4 p.m. on Friday.April 17th
A most beautiful spring morning and England looking wonderful. Arrived Gravesend 9 a.m., struggle with customs etc., arrived Liverpool St. 3 p.m. Another struggle with luggage. Henry met us. Cab and Taxi to London Bridge. Train to Sydenham, cabs to house, arrived 77 Mayow Road 5 p.m. nice greeting from Triss and May and a charming little house. Tired and happy.April 24th
A week of endless turmoil, shopping etc., Nobody is ever in. I missed the publishers, Mr. Arnold, "Never in on Mondays". I missed Colles, but got him later. Have seen Nora, the Dunsfords, Emily Vincent and James Conrad. Last night, St George's Day, Dinner in Connaught Rooms with Henry. Kipling made a very good speech.
Monday we leave, thank God!, for Devon. Trissie is very kind and this small house is very nice, but servants only from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and they do a minimum. We make our own beds and don't mind it.April 26th
Left Sydenham. Left Paddington 11.30 arrived Teignmouth 3.46. No one to meet us because we said the wrong time. Met Leo and Galfrid at the ferry looking very nice - Dora at the cottage, Southwood - a ripping place. Mardie and Fardie [Daisie's Mother and Father] in rooms close by - a great reception and health drinking. Mardie is determined that I shall not retire. Awful English weather, very cold, windy and rainy.April 28th
It still keeps very cold. A lovely walk to Labrador and tea there with Dora. All the wonderful wonders of the English spring. A fat blackbird and a robin came to tea with us and almost took the cake out of our hands.May 4th
The Keyworths are quite determined that Daisie and I shall not be allowed to live our lives our own way, so I suppose we shall be driven abroad, probably to France. We would have liked this Cottage very much, but the perpetual criticisms of my mother-in-law drive Daisie mad, while her general rudeness and dislike to me annoy me and make me angry. My only occupation in life is to love Daisie and my children, and this is what riles Mardie more than anything else - poor Fardie, what a life he must have led! Yet in a general way she is very kind. My writing is bad because I've just come in from rowing Susanna up the river. The pain over my heart is annoying and gets worse every day, I hope it doesn't mean I'm going to leave Daisie a widow. Leo and Galfrid return to school on Saturday, 8th, after being delayed by mumps.May 8th
Taken very bad with a heart attack at midnight and Dora had to bike into Teignmouth for Dr. Little. I nearly went out. [Note in margin: "3rd time, see Vol II pages 145 + 251"]
May 9th
Cloudy and rainy, but a little warmer and less wind. We all went over to see dear Leo off to Clayesmore by the 1.17 train. Immediately after lunch Daisie and I and Galfrid and Susanna walked out to Bishopsteignton, Green was looking very beautiful, and I cannot understand why my mother-in-law prefers to stay in poky little apartments - the charms of Nature are nothing to her, and the beauties of Green of small account against convenience for Bridge parties etc. Walked back to Teignmouth and did some shopping. After dinner we all rowed out in the small boat to beyond the pier and back again.May 10th
Galfrid went reluctantly back to Sherborne by the 1.58 train and we only just caught it. We are enormously pleased with both the boys, each charming in his own way, hitting it off very well together and yet very unalike - they both inherit from quite different ancestors - I feel sure they will both make their way in the world as the best type of well-born gentlemen and there is nothing higher than an English gentleman, they have both acquired the difficult art of "happiness" without the modern "jazz" touch of excess and they are both clever. I am very proud of my sons and thank God for them. We had a farewell dinner and a bottle of champagne with Fardie and Mardie, who have been very kind indeed to us. Sorry to leave Sheldon and the nice little Southwood Cottage.May 11th
To Buckingham. What a journey. Up at 6.30 finished packing. Breakfast at 8.0. Ashton took the boxes at 8.45. I went over the ferry to Teignmouth and Daisie and Susanna went round over the bridge in the dog-cart. Such a lot of luggage, 200 lbs over-weight! Only just got it all into the train in time. Left at 9.43. Arrived Exeter 10.12. Changed into the slip carriage at Exeter. Slipped at Westbury. Got out and into the Oxford train. Arrived Oxford 2.23. Changed over to the L.N.W. Station. Two hours to wait. Had tea in the Cadena Café, met the Allens. Left Oxford 4.40. Arrived Verney Junction 5.25. Changed again. Left Verney Junction 5.54. Arrived Buckingham. Lou to meet us - 6.6. p.m. Barham House is very nice, beside a mill-stream and we have excellent rooms with space to move in, the first time since Jan. 1st that we have been able to spread ourselves and the sensation is delightful.May 16th
It is still fairly cold, but sunshine now and then - such a restful sleepy hollow, we are very happy here.May 22nd
We still remain very happy and comfortable, but have hard times ahead of us, visiting etc. I had no idea England could be so cold in May - we sleep with blankets and quilts and the sun is not very evident by day. I am trying to get bicycles for us all including Susanna, and then we shall be able to get out and see the country. We have taken a house in the Isle of Man for the holidays, from July 15th to Oct. 1. at 4 guineas a week and we shall probably settle down in Kirk Michael altogether if we like the look of the place. There are nice people round Buckingham and the county is pretty and not too far from London, but it is too far from the sea to suit us, and we think it would be wiser to be further away from out relations whom we love very much, but we realize that family affections flourish best when there is some distance between the various members.
My book has been well reviewed and is selling well. I hope we shall make something out of it, as we are desperately hard up and it will cost us £1000 to furnish a house.
Susanna gets music lessons here and a governess is also coming to give her an hour a day from next Monday. I am going ton Tuesday to visit Edie at Newbury for a week. James Brough is 78 and has been very ill.May 25th
Wonderful weather. England can really be hot. Left for Newbury (Woodhay) at 11.50 arrived 4.27 and found Edie waiting to meet me - looking very well. James has been very ill and looked aged, but he is 78, and we have got to grow old whether we like it or not. Had a very quiet restful week with Edie, doing walks and drives in the most beautiful country. The house is charming and a nice garden, but they are getting too old to work in the garden, and if you don't work it loses half its charm. Several tea-parties, nice people, and met the Hawkes whom I knew in India. The visit was a rather sad one and I felt it might be for the last time. James is very dicky and I always get my beastly pains which will probably finish me off soon after a happy life for which I thank God.May 31st
Returned to Barham Lodge and found them all well. Daisie and Susanna looking very smart, to meet me at the Station.June 5th
- where has the summer gone? Lunch at Royal Automobile Club with Gurland, tea with Muriel.
Left B'n yesterday to come to London, staying with Beatrice. What a vile climate! Just frozen to death, and to-day is colder and quite miserable. The Maximum yesterday was 54oJune 10th
So tired of this awful London rush with endless engagements and no time for pleasure of any sort - a very good dinner at the Oriental Club with my publisher, Arnold, a brother of Mrs. Humphrey Ward - Cazalet, Cunliffe, many old friends - but it's all such a rush.June 11th
Went down to Etchington to say with the Kiplings - they were just alone and I never enjoyed myself more. Batemans is a very beautiful place and the Kiplings are quite unchanged and unspoilt and as good friends as ever. She seems to me to be a very sound inspirer of much of his work - as regards general lines, only.June 12th
Daisie arrived Army and Navy Residential Hotel, staying with the Watts - No 1. Queen's Gardens, Lancaster Gate. Pouring rain - returned to Sydenham.June 13th
Lunch with Daisie, then on to see Mabel Howard-Vyse at Slough - home to dinner. On Tuesday I am taking Daisie to the Alhambra to see George Robey. It is the custom to give a wife the cheapest dinner, bus and tube and the cheapest seats, and to give a mistress or some other fellow's wife, the best dinner, taxis galore and a beautiful box at the theatre - as Daisie is both my wife and the person I love most in this world or the next, she is to have the nicest expensive treat that is the due of one's best "girl".June 14th
A typical day of rush. Left house 10.40 walked 10 minutes to station, train to London Bridge tube change at Bank to Lancaster Gate walk to Praed St., bus about 600 yards, walk to Blomfield St. to see Emily Vincent, walked to Warwick Avenue, thence tube to Trafalgar Square, walked to Army & Navy Club, lunch with Col. Fernie, thence walk to Piccadilly Circus tube to Warren Street, to see Fortnightly Review, not there, moved to Garden Square, walked to Garden Square not there, but in his office, Henrietta St., Covent Garden, rushed to Russell Square, tube to Covent Garden, walked to Henrietta St., saw him, then back to Russell Square, tube to Piccadilly Circus met Daisie, tube to Earl's Court tea with the Cunliffes, tube to Lancaster Gate, change at Notting Hill Gate, goodbye to Daisie, then tube to London Bridge, change at Bank, train to Sydenham and 10 mins walk home tired. Poor Daisie in agonies of toothache - a miserable day for her and she ought to have it out.June 17th
The rush goes on and I get home every night by the 12.30 train - last train - dead tired. A taxi refuses to take one to London Bridge because there's no return fare - the brute pretends his engine breaks down! tubes and busses stop running, but I generally get as far as the Bank and walk from there, The Alhambra was not very good and our "style" was spoilt by the impossibility of getting a taxi after the theatre is over - so we had to tube which was rather an anti-climax. However the dinner and the wine were good. Yesterday we dined at Surbiton with the Draysons - trains crowded and our first class had 15 in it. Came back motor, a free lift all the way to Lancaster Gate.June 20th
A quiet day at Sydenham.
So this vile London life ends with all its beastliness and its appalling expense. I never wish to see it again, from the depths of my soul I cry out for the Isle of Man!
How can people afford this London life? Take yesterday, for instance. I took Daisie and Triss to the theatre, only dress-circle, and then home again - no great extravagance. Cost - railway 4/- seats in theatre 35/- two bunches of violets 2/- a few carnations 5/- tea at Criterion (a bad tea and badly served by a dirty Italian waiter) 7/6 - taxis 7/- a little over £3 for just an ordinary matinée afternoon. If I add £2 for a hotel as it would usually be - and £2 for dinner, £1 for lunch = £8 for a quiet day = £2500 a year!June 21st
The Nuttalls' car called for us at 3.30 and we had a beautiful drive for about 20 miles to their place at Tadworth. They are interesting people and I am glad they are alone, on can never study people in a house party.
I am always being urged to write, but hope I shall continue to refrain. Arnold said they would publish anything I cared to write which was rather a practical compliment to my efforts.June 23rd
I don't like motor cars, but they are wonderfully convenient things, we see such a lot of beautiful England in a short time. Yesterday we were taken to Box Hill through Reigate, a most wonderfully beautiful bit of country with magnificent views. To-day we drive to London to a matinée of the "Young Person in Pink". It was a very good piece and a very enjoyable drive.June 26th
Left 11 a.m. in motor car for Sydenham - lunch there, thence taxi 21/- to Euston and home to Buckingham. A most enjoyable time at Walton-on-the-Hill and the Nuttalls have been most kind, although we have been made to do all sorts of things we never do and never want to do - no quiet all day, Bridge at night, and golf in between - what a strange life for us - the weather has been beautiful throughout. It's lucky I booked first class from Euston. In the 3rd class people were sitting on each others laps. Daisie had a huge basket of roses which helped to make us look like an elderly honey-moon couple, and we felt like it too, only we felt young and not even elderly.June 28th
Beeloo and Rosamund arrived to spend the day - very cheery. Nellie is also here with her two boys, Harvey and John, the elder badly bitten by a bear in India (Harvey's wife, my nephew).June 29th
Henry Dimmock arrived.June 30th
To Oxford to May to spend the night. Called on old Sir Charles Roe, saw the book-sellers, Gadney, and Stein came to dinner.July 1st
Called on the Allens, returned to Buckingham, poured all day and quite cold.July 6th
To-day I am to lecture here in the Town Hall in aid of the Ambulance that Lou runs. It never ceases to pour and it is very cold. Daisie and I and Susanna went to Oxford yesterday to see the Giles, it poured the whole time. Giles and Mrs. Giles and Agnes seemed well, but families leading such concentrated lives in lodgings, become insane and they are not far from it. But it was a pleasure to see them. Each of them should go away from the others for a whole year and that might restore their sanity. Daisie and Susanna stayed the night with her cousin, Nora Howard, I returned here. They came back to lunch to-day. Susanna is not much use on her bicycle yet, she learns very slowly (not even able to ride in July 1922!) [pencilled note: "learnt finally in October 1922"]
Wednesday July 7th
Left for Winchester, change at Oxford and Reading - arrived 5 p.m., and found Leo looking very well - Clayesmore is a beautiful place.July 8th
Daisie's toothache is frightful, so we went into Winchester and had it out. Leo and I ate the most enormous tea. It rains always and the hay is ruined.July 9th
We attended chapel in the morning and left at 11.0 after seeing the Cathedral. Change at Eastleigh and Salisbury, but they never said Romsey as well, so we got over-carried to Andover, but reached Sherborne in the end and found Galfrid waiting for us. The Digby Hotel and very nice, but expensive.July 10th
Pouring rain. Saw physical training the in the Gym. Made the acquaintance of Major Davis commanding O.T.C., Mr Tyndall, House-Master, and Mr. Nowell Smith, Head Master. Afternoon, the great inspection of the O.T.C. went off very well, Galfrid was my orderly. Met young Walker, P.G. Walker's boy, also Vickery, who was with armoured cars in Persia with me.July 11th
Service in Chapel, evening in the Abbey, tea with Mr. Fox, G's new House-Master. Galfrid and Colmer to lunch, also to tea and G. also came to supper. A fine day for once.July 12th
Returned home 7.30 p.m., changed at Basingstoke and Padbury. I forgot to say I was very pleased to meet Alex Devine Leo's Headmaster, Father Irish, Mother Greek, a quaint character and original.July 15th
Packing and saying good-bye. Luggage costs a great deal, I have paid £6 for our overweight! It still rains nearly all day and every day.
We left Buckingham by the 9.45 train, had to wait 2¼ hours at Bletchley and reached Liverpool at 5.25 p.m., staying in the North Western Hotel at the Station, very good and convenient.July 16th
Mc.Cormick came to see us off on board the King Orry - such a queue and such a crowd! I never saw anything like it! I sat on the deck and Daisie and Susanna on the small parcels, we had 17 things on board as well as 3 bicycles. It rained all the time, was fairly rough and everyone was sick over everyone else. Poor Susanna succumbed just before reaching Douglas, and I don't wonder at it. Arrived Douglas 2.30 p.m. left by train 4.30 p.m. arrived Kirk Michael 5.30 p.m. General Buchanan met us very kindly and we found tea ready in the house. The house is at the end of a long terrace - it touches the railway station and is ½ mile from the Sea. It seems incredible that we are really in the Isle of Man at last, and on our own, instead of being guests in other people's houses - however nice and kind they may be. I like the Island very much indeed and feel as if I ought to own it.July 17th
Over to Ravensdale to lunch with the Wikeleys - a beautiful place - then on to Ramsey for shopping - not much of a place at first sight.July 18th
Met Crellin our proposed landlord, lunched with him and went over Orrisdale. Not a bad little house, but too remote and Daisie will not face the prospect of a winter in it possibly without servants, and no gardener. I said I'd take it first and then wired to say "No". it is a little too gloomy and far away. We could bear that if we were certain of good servants, and the rooms were splendid - but they are tiny and Daisie will never like a tiny bedroom. So that's the end of Orrisdale.July 20th
Exploring the Island. Train to Peel Road, walk 1½ miles to Peel, saw castle and Abbey ruins and climbed hill. Walked to St. John's 3 miles, train to Douglas, shopping and home.July 21st
We have a cook who comes by train from Ramsey every day. Her daily ticket costs 1/8d, she arrives too late for breakfast and leaves too early for dinner - so she just cooks one meal - which is the best we can do and we are glad to get even that amount of help. Susanna and I bathed - it was positively Arctic, but she thoroughly enjoyed it. It never stops raining, we never see the blue sky - rain, rain, rain, and as cold as December.July 22nd
We were unable to go exploring to-day as it poured with rain and bitterly cold. Susanna has not quite recovered from yesterday's bathe.July 23rd
Pouring again but we started off and it cleared off into a beautiful day. To Balla Salla and the ridiculous ruins of Rushen Abbey, where our poor stomachs accepted inferior strawberries with a measly water-ice called ice cream - some nice greengages consoled us, but worried the tummies. Then to Port St. Mary, climbed the big hill and had view of the Calf of Man, splendid up there, then down to Port Erin, and saw the usual holiday couples hugging and kissing on the beach - back to Douglas an hour's shopping in the town and then home. What a climate! I had forgotten England was so cold. I took the letters to the post at 10 p.m. and came back with my fingers just aching with the cold, like January in the Punjab.July 27th
Walked over hills to Ravendale, tea with the Wikeleys and back by train.July 29th
It rains every day and the cold is bitter, there have been frosts in England. Out all day hill climbing. The heather is beautiful. Left 11.30 climbed to top of Slieu Dhoo (1000 ft) then down to Sulby Glen and home by train sopping wet - a long day 7½ hours for Susanna and about 8 miles.August 2nd
Oh for the English summer! We don't get steady rain now, but perpetual grey skies, half gales and April showers and it is cold.
Went into Douglas to see the August Bank Holiday crowd.August 3rd
Rain, pouring rain: Went to Port St. Mary and chose a house. Such crowds in spite of the rain, 18 of us in a first class carriage coming home.August 4th
Rain all day, deluges and a howling gale - is this summer? Tea at Ramsey with Mrs. Waller and saw a house I could buy for £700, but we don't like it. 10 bedrooms, but all small.August 6th
Rain and a gale - the boys will have a rotten crossing, poor things. Met them at 3 p.m. at Douglas it had been very rough and people had been sick over them, but they did not succumb. Cleared up and fine.August 7th
Clouds, but no rain, a jolly day at Gob y Deegan on the cliffs. Anthony looks very washed out and Leo is thin, but Galfrid looks well, I prefer to call him Clement.August 8th
Rained all last night, most of to-day and it is raining again to-night.August 9th
Clouds all day, but only little rain. Out all day picnic from 11.0 a.m. to 7 p.m. with all the family. In the clouds all the time on the hill top - then down Ravensdale to the Wikeleys, walked on to Ballaugh and home by train. A cheery day in spite of clouds.August 10th
Anthony and his new gun! He shoots every miserable bird that shows its beak in the neighbourhood, oyster-catchers and see-gulls. Bicycled with Daisie into Ramsay and back - saw Major Browne an old friend of 47th Sikhs now hopeless crippled from the war.August 11th
Dollie and Darbyshire arrived what a house full 8 of us and 2 servants - Poor Daisie.August 12th
Called on the Miss Brodricks at Ballaugh, walked to Ravensdale, Daisie, Dollie, Self and Susanna and then home over the hills.August 13th
At last a real fine day, air still and hot sun. Buchanan, Wikeley and self called on the Governor.August 15th
Leo with us to early service. Bitterly cold. Since coming to the island a month ago I have bought one bottle whiskey and one brandy, and half of each are now left, so I am fairly moderate.August 16th
Cold, cloudy day, but no rain. All of us to Port St. Mary to see our new house.August 17th
Daisie had a bad accident, caught the tips of fingers of both hands in the falling sash of the window and nearly lost the top joints. Other accidents. Galfrid came a cropper with his bicycle down hill and Leo on top of him. Former badly cut about the knees, face and hands and bike smashed, latter only knees cut.August 18th
Why I want to get into our house and settled is so that I may die nicely - I dislike the idea of dying in a lodging house and I keep on getting these fits of staggers and intense cold after walking.
The bloody revolution seems very close to us now, but everyone is heedless - they always are, and that's how revolutions get through - nobody is caring.August 19th
A beautiful day but windy. I bicycled to Glen Helen, St John's, and back, such a crowd of trippers passed 19 charabancs in ¼ hour! Evening walked to Bishops Glen and Orrisdale. We would have loved Orrisdale, but it's too dilapidated, no water etc.August 30th
Yesterday we all bathed in the sea - it was horribly cold. To-day Buchanan and I to Cronk House (our new home in Port St. Mary). Susanna is going through a course of systematic thieving. What queer things children are - they represent all the evolution of mankind. She is now passing through the cave-dwellers age, from which I hope she'll soon emerge! Leo is improving enormously in his "sense of responsibility" and will soon be a great help. Galfrid follows well and I have no fear of him with good common sense and, like all my children, "nice" feelings. But children are wild things and they lose and destroy things all day.September 1st
A little rain last night - Fine but windy and cold. The boys went out fishing and caught 104 mackerel in 2 hours.September 3rd
We are certainly blessed with nice children and are happy not to be able to like one more than another - they have the common, natural faults of all children of all ages - but they are distinctly "nice". Leo is becoming quite a man, and a good one, and understands "responsibility" - Galfrid is younger, but he, also, can be trusted to "do things" - Susanna is a joy and very loving, but her character has not yet developed.September 7th
Daisie and Galfrid went to see the house at Port St. Mary and both had their eyes tested. Galfrid will be useless for the Army. Rather a blow, but it is God's will that he shall take some other line in life.
Dollie and the rest of us picnicked on the Curraghs and floundered about the bogs. There was one jump too big for Susanna and I could not jump it with her weight, so Leo threw her to me. He only threw her half way and she landed wallop in the stream, which, luckily, was not too deep - a deep cutting, but not much water - I fished her out in a horrible mess.September 8th
A glorious day - the day of the great picnic on Michael Brows - ourselves 7, the Wikeleys 7, the Rectory 3 - total 17, and no servants and no cook! How Daisie and Dolly manage it I don't know.September 9th
Grey and windy. Attended auction. Dear Leo's 18th birthday and the first we have spend with him since he was 7 years old! A happy one, I hope, but not very restful. He had to get up and light the fire at 7 a.m. to start on. Daisie and Dollie prepared a very nice "fest essen zum geburtstag". Gale at night and the many aeroplanes on the roof all went mad. One started screaming like a fog-horn and continued all night to the annoyance of the entire village.September 10th
Picnic all day at Gob-y-Deigan and along the beach. Susanna found some pretty stones. On the way home she swallowed one and was so terrified that she threw the rest violently away.September 12th
Up at 7 a.m., my turn to light the kitchen fire. Leo, Daisie and I were the whole congregation at the Holy Communion. It is sad to see the emptiness of Churches, but we like the service to ourselves all the same. I read the lessons at the 11 o'clock service.
We are happier than ever without servants and get along splendidly. Hard work for us all especially Daisie and Dollie, who both work all day except when we take our food out all day. Yesterday I and Galfrid and Anthony cooked the dinner - first rate - round of beef roast, potatoes and carrots, suet pudding. Anthony is quite a chef.September 15th
A glorious fine day. Train to Ramsey, all of us - walked up Snaefel 2070 feet, 7 miles. Ate havresack lunch on top (General Buchanan came too). Then walked down to Sulby Glen by Tholt-y-Will, a very beautiful spot, then climbed over the hills to Ravensdale - had tea there - with the Wikeleys, then walked to Ballaugh station and train home. A ripping outing.September 16th
Day and I lunched at Government House with Sir W. and Lady Fry. Galfrid left for school. We like the Frys - she was a Miss Goldie Taubman - the leading Manx people. A fine day, more or less, but a howling gale and rain all night.September 17th
Howling gale and grey sky. Finances are getting very difficult - Daisie has £2 a day to feed us all, pay rent and clothe the boys and she pays out a good deal more. The children are a fearful expense, what with smashing things, ruining their clothes and chucking everything about - they've had five new suits between them since we came home. I do not see how we can continue to live at this rate, and the cost of bringing the furniture from London is enormous. First they said one van, then two, now four! (eventually 5!!) (£190)September 23rd
Out all day. I get up at 7 a.m. to light kitchen fire fetch in coal, pump water etc. - I don't at all mind the job - it has a sort of Alice in Wonderland feeling and I am quite good at it - certainly better than any servant. We save at least £.10 a week in having no servants. With servants you have (1) wages (a small matter) (2) food (a bigger affair) (3) their powers of wastage (a very maximum).September 26th
Fine. Morning routine. Up at 7.0. light kitchen fire, rake out and clean. Fill kettles, pump 200 times, fill coal scuttles, black boots, bath, breakfast 9.0. After breakfast more pump and odd jobs till lunch. Daisie and Dollie spend all their time in the kitchen and washing up.September 27th
We have now been three weeks without and servants except an occasional visit from the charwoman Mrs. Christian - and we have never lived so well or so comfortably and peaceably.September 28th
A long walk from Ramsey up the Sulby river, through the woods, past Milntown, up to Glen Auldyn - then up through the gorse to the Ramsey road and back to Ramsey.October 1st
All packed up and ready to leave in the motor lorry at 11. a.m., we all sat on the furniture and enjoyed the view at the back. Arrived Cronk House 12.45 and from then on it just poured. We felt grateful to have done the journey without mishap and dry. Our farewell with Mrs. Christian, the charwoman, was very touching and she presented Daisie with a horseshoe for luck and 2 eggs. A quaint, good soul. Our rooms, Mrs. Shimmins, here are quite nice but expensive, 3 bedrooms and a sitting room for £4.10.0 a week, for the rooms, baths, lights and attendance only.October 4th
2 vans of furniture arrived - great excitement and hard work. One big wardrobe had to be hauled in through the window. I smashed a huge mirror. The men were very good. Dollie staining floors with great zeal all day long. Maples stuff is good, but we don't think much of Oetzmann.October 5th
Dollie is going to remain on to help Daisie. Pouring heavy rain, finer in afternoon. Hard work all day in the house.October 6th
Rain and fine alternately, no wind. Working all day in the house. Dollie very busy polishing, staining and varnishing.October 7th
A little rain - fairly fine. Hard work in the house. Enough done now to manage to live in.October 8th
A magnificent day - calm and glorious sun. All in to Douglas to buy things.October 9th
Different weather every day. To-day a heavy fog, but the rain kept off. Over to Cronk House at 11 a.m., and slept our first night in the house. Macausland turned up which was a great pleasure, though we have no servants.October 10th
Opening my father's library. It is indeed a white elephant and has cost me at least £100 - still I suppose the books are worth as much as that - much rubbish, but some good, none old or rare - mostly books of reference. It took a whole van to bring it up.October 11th
Cloudy but no rain. House in such chaos - impossible to write - all in arrears, no servants yet. Coal arrived. Sick of the smell of paint, paste and varnish.October 19th
Servants arrived. Two sisters, Roman Catholic Irish from Balinasloe.October 20th
Macausland left. Gardener began work (Crebbin). Steamers have dropped to one every other day. [pencilled note: Coal strike] What a change of scene from the ridiculous to the sublime. I look out of my window and see the gardener hard at work, while maids flit in and out and we have no washing up to do! I lit the fire for the last time this morning, so as to give the maids a morning in bed.October 25th
Fine.October 27th
A beautiful, sunny day and clear nights. We came home from a walk about 5.30 p.m. and glorious and most unexpected sight, found our last van at the door beginning to unload. So now all our things have arrived with few breakages and no losses. It is very wonderful - Agra to Port St. Mary - and we are in a thanksgiving spirit.October 30th
A real, happy, luxurious morning. The servants went off on a week-end to Ramsey, so we had the house to ourselves. I stayed in bed till 9.0. when Daisie brought tea - the up and a lovely bath, hot and right up to my neck and no hurry. Breakfast and lunch combined at 11.30.November 6th
Dollie left us, I'm sure we never had a three months' guest we were sorrier to part with. I don't know what we should have done without her.November 7th
For the first time in our lives we find ourselves under what we may call our own roof with our own property and furniture (though not paid for) and temporarily cut off from all ties but our own. It is a selfish pleasure, but most pleasures, like love, are selfish. It will indeed be a happy time when the boys are here and we are all gathered together for a real home Christmas - we have so much to thank God for.November 8th
My prayers to God have never been left unanswered - never. In my present financial straits I have just prayed for help and to-day I get a letter from the Insurance Company which means an unexpected £440 for me and which just keeps my head above water when I literally knew not where to turn.November 11th
A beautiful calm, sunny day. I inspected the O.T.C. at King William College as it was Armistice Day. Day and Susanna came and we lunched with the boys. I liked the place very much. What a Masonic night it was last night and how they love speechifying. 20 speeches at least, but a nice evening.November 29th
Left for Cambridge 7 a.m., Steamer from Douglas 9 a.m. a small boat, the Moria 1100 tons. Fairly calm, but a lot of people sick. Bitterly cold on board. Arrived Liverpool raining at 2 p.m. Sein Feiners have been burning the place down, but everything seemed quite calm and normal. Spend a rather weary day up to 10 p.m., when the train left. First I had lunch in the refreshment room, a glass of stout and 2 buns cost 1/2. The tea with 2 ham sandwiches cost 1/4. and for dinner I had 6 small Osborne biscuits. I was extravagant in going to the theatre stalls for 3/6. The acrobats were good, but the comic songs were as dull as ever. A sleepless night. Arrived Crewe 11 p.m., change and wait till 1 a.m. Arrived Bletchley 4 a.m., change and wait till 7 a.m. Arrived Cambridge at 9 a.m. in Dorothy's nice little house - quite comfortable. I got a decent cup of tea at Bletchley in a workman's shelter for 1½d and at Liverpool I had a long talk with a porter who began by saying "was you a ranker in the war?" I said "Yes", and he continued: "I thought you was by your voice". Sort of 'Right-turn, Left-turn, 4 days to Barracks!' sound, I suppose.
A quiet lunch at home, then out to tea with the master of Downing College (Seward), Engledew to dinner and a great gathering after dinner of young fellows who had been in the war. One sees the effect of the war here more than anywhere else, because of the contrast. Wounded professors and dons and maimed undergraduates - wonderful fellows!December 1st
An excellent lunch at St. John's with 5 members of Dunsterforce - Trott of the Devons. Afterwards round the College and the beautiful library. Dinner with Giles, Master of Emmanuel and Vice-Chancellor of the University. Met Gen. Sir F. Maurice, who was Director of Military Operations in the war, and Capt. Carpenter R.N., V.C. of Zeebrugge. Lecture went off all right, about 100 people.December 2nd
Dined with Colonel Yates' son, and afterwards with him to the 25 Club, all nationalities where I gave an address on "Bolshevism" and Revolutions which naturally, as I wanted, provoked a storm of controversy. Several people spoke and a Servian Bolshevik, very ardent, argued long with me, putting forward the brighter side (if there is one) of Leninism.December 3rd
Left 9.55 a.m. for London and put up at Miss Mc.Leods, 4 Ilchester Gardens, a nice room up 84 stairs, but I should not have got any if I had not been an old friend and she pushed out someone else for me.December 5th
Turned away from the Church door because the seats are "paid for", so I went for a walk in the park. Dined with Knightley and Ada.December 6th
Lunched with Sir Percy Sykes. Dined with the Royal Geographical Society, and afterwards lectured on the geography and the adventure. I need not be too modest in my own diary, so I may say it went off very well: The Aeolian Hall was crowded, and people turned away from the door. Such a lot of people to shake hands with, Con, Trissie, Hereward, Betty and her husband, Dollie modestly in the background with Barbara.December 7th
Many congratulations on yesterday. Honestly, I do not like it. I want to get back to the Cronk and never leave the Isle of Man again.December 11th
To Winchester to lecture - left Waterloo 2.30 arrived 4.8. Leo looking well and handsome and progressing on right lines.December 12th
What a day and I a Babbatarian! Left Winchester 11.8, arrived Waterloo 1.30. Taxi to London Bridge. Ran like a hare and caught the 1.45 to Sydenham. Lunch with Triss, train back to London Bridge. Tube to Bayswater - thence to Earl's Court to dine with Knightly, home at 11.0. dead tired.December 13th
Ice and snow everywhere. Lectured to Persia Society about 30 people, including May Triss and Dollie. A quiet evening and bed at 10.0.December 14th
Thermometer has been 23o of frost in London and below zero in the Midlands. I am tried and dull and want to get back to my Daisie, to Susanna and the Cronk.
Bought Daisie a magnificent umbrella. Evening at the Edgware Road Theatre, not bad, but sad, the girls were old and plain and their things were old and darned and not very clean - poor things, what a life, down the ladder instead of up.December 15th
R.A.C. is a beastly Club in every way - mostly fat profiteers. They have some enormous cigars, I guessed about 3/6 each. I meant to buy one for myself for a Christmas present and take to the Isle of Man to smoke on Christmas Day for fun. Asked the price 21/- each!! What beasts people must be who smoke things like that.December 16th
My last lecture, thank God! At the Central Asian Society - it was quite a success. Lord Carnock in the chair spoke enthusiastically and referred to the fact that the Prime Minister in the House of Commons last night had said that it was one of the best things of the War. I do not want all this praise for myself, but I do want it for the force and as a snub from the War Office and India Office who snubbed me. Dollie was there and Triss and May and Knightly and Ada.December 18th
Went over to Ealing to fetch my godson Hugh Elliott, 9 years old, had lunch with Lady Hughes and then took him to Maskelyne and Devant which was as good as ever. Then tea and cakes and home in time for supper. He made a most interesting companion with intelligent comments on everything, and we both enjoyed ourselves very much.December 19th
Went over to say good-bye to Emily and then to tee with Aileen at the Alexandra Hotel - she was very interesting and interested, but she did make me late. I offered to taxi her out to her dinner and she said "wait one minute," and I waited thirty-two. She looks well, but embonpoint, and her mind is very bright and intellectual.December 20th
Lunch with Knightly and Ada and young Knight and his wife Isa - nice people. Tea with Dollie in her dull lodgings in Victoria.December 21st
Bought 6 March 1920, Pullets Rhode Island Reds from Brown, 251, High Street, Stratford, £1 each and 10/- for a taxi to take them to Euston Cloak Room. Leo and Galfrid arrived 12.30. After lunch we went to Coliseum, a very good show. After dinner to Pavilion Picture Palace, absolutely rotten, drivelling American Divorce films. 11.45 met Anthony and started for Liverpool. An awful night, 3rd Class, sitting up. Arrived Liverpool St. at:
6.15 a.m.December 22nd
Wash, breakfast, and on board - very rough and a small boat, the Douglas, and we were all four most frightfully sick, and are sick still.December 23rd
Getting everything to rights. The 6 new chickens cost me £1 each in London and £2 to bring here, so I hope they'll lay some eggs.
The boys are settling down - football in the garden (front-) 12 ft. square was their idea, but I vetoed it. They did some useful work in carpentering etc. Both Leo and Galfrid have improved enormously and will do well in life in different lines.December 24th
Christmas, the time of chills and bills, and expenses is on us - but let's be merry about it while we can, and it's nice to have the whole family together for the first time.
Went to Douglas shopping - such a crowd - a rather beastly day, drizzle, but no wind and quite warm. The boys are very useful and work very hard at the decorations which are quite smart, but no real holly berries. Thank God for so many mercies in these terrible times.December 25th CHRISTMAS DAY.
Quite a merry family Christmas. Fine and warm. Plenty of presents for the children and some nice cigars for Daddie.
The first Christmas I have spent at home since I was a boy of 18 in 1883 - it was wonderful being all together and all at the Communion Service, though Susanna was, of course, only an onlooker.
House very prettily decorated - and a good dinner with a goose - only a small Christmas tree as a table centre.
At supper we all dressed up in fancy dress, I in my mess uniform, and were very gay. This year, in which I have, quite wrongly, but most fortunately for me, been kicked out of the Army has been a very happy one indeed for me, in fact, one of the happiest of my life. If they had given me command of a Division as they should have done, I should have been better off financially, but would have lost my last chance of getting into touch with the boys.December 26th
A beautiful, calm, sunny day, quite warm. We did not go to Church in the morning, but did odd jobs in the garden - Leo and Galfrid fixing up wire netting for the chickens. Susanna spoilt her Christmas by having toothache, poor child! Dollie sent me one enormous Havanna cigar which I smoked with great relish last night - the nicest of my Christmas presents.
Evening service 2 hours with carols - if you're going to have carols you don't need to start with 4 dull hymns. [pencilled note: Nine carols!]
After we were in bed and going to sleep at midnight, two more lots of carol-singers came, they were very good, but not very welcome.December 27th
Another fine day, bright sun and average breeze - wonderful weather we are having. A quite day of writing and putting things in order.December 28th
Dull, grey, calm, warm. Repairing the ravages of Christmas. Leo and Clement busy putting up the wire in the poultry yard - no signs of eggs yet. Trying hard to get into the mood to write something for the papers, to get a little money for the family. I feel so disinclined to write, but I must make the attempt. I read so many books of which I can say that I could write nothing at all comparable, and that puts me off.December 29th
The boys went into Douglas and crammed themselves with cakes. Leo is getting most useful and reliable - both he and Galfrid are really a help in the house and we shall miss them when they go back to school not only in terms of affection. Susanna has a bad cold and cough and a voice like a man.December 30th
Calm, bright sunshine. Chickens eat heartily, but no eggs!
I am trying hard to make up my mind to write, but I don't know what to write. If I write what I like, it won't sell, if I write to sell I shan't like it. I feel lazy and enjoy the lazy quiet life of the Isle of Man. The boys are getting older and not quite so boisterous as when they were last home for the holidays.December 31st
The last day of the old year - a very happy one for me.
We sat up till 1 a.m. to hear the singers, but they never came. The passing of the Old Year is not, to me, a very solemn event, as I regard the passing of each day in the same light "and our hearts, though stout and brave, still, like muffled drums are beating funeral marches to the grave."
The singers never came round, we heard next morning, because they were too drunk, and had to be carried home. I'm glad they did not manage to reach us in the half-drunk stage.
So ends another happy hear of a happy life, with every blessing God can give me except wealth, which, perhaps, is not a blessing.
[end of Vol. XI]