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26 April 1886 — Inwood, Henstridge, Somerset | |
Monday. 26th [April 1886]. Easter Monday. Breakfast at 9. Monty left & returned home to Bere. At 9.30 we went off in the Wagonette to see the meet at Stourhead, Richard & Maria, the twins & Luff & Dr Wiblin & I went. Henry alone remaining at home. Merthyr & Theo hunted. It was a lovely warm day & we drove through a beautiful country & reached Stourhead abt 11. Went to the Inn most picturesquely situated near the church & put up the horses. We found the hounds & a very small field there. While waiting for the Master to arrive we went in to see the church & then on coming out we found the hunting going to begin. Our party followed the hunters a little way thro’ the Park & Dr Wiblin & I sat down on a stone bench to await their return– I sketched while he smoked & we chatted. The place belongs to Sir Henry Hoare & most beautiful the grounds are. Where we sat I began a sketch of the lake with woods fringing its edges—an ornamental bridge at one the near end, & a temple on the further shore. There soon came news that they had “found” but that the fox had gone to earth & a spade was in requisition– We were glad to find the poor animal finally was let off as being too far in to waste time over. When the Du Canes & Luff returned to us we got into the waggonette with fresh horses & started off to King’s Settle a tower on the edge of a hill put up by a Hoare in 1750 in honor of King Alfred. I sat & sketched it, the rest went up to it but did not ascend it as there were a great many Bank holiday makers & they were rather noisy. We drove back to Six Wells to what is said to be the Head of the Stairs. I made a little sketch & sat & talked to Wiblin while the rest went down the little valley. Meanwhile the hounds reappeared & we left them & the red coats there & drove back to the Inn, glad to get our lunch as it was much past 2. We found excellent ham & eggs, watercresses & tea & bread & butter & rather hard mutton. After lunch Maria & the twins went back to Stourhead to pick Lent Lilies in the park in front of the house. We had seen that they were out in great yellow masses & they returned with their arms full of them. We made some into parcels to send to London– At 4 we started for Inwood & had a lovely drive back arriving at ¼ 6. Had some tea. Dined late as Merthyr was not in. Played whist with Luff, Wiblin & Henry in the evening. Lady Westminister has a cold & is invisible. Goody ditto! We were told that the fine Library & Pictures were all sold from Stourhead last year the present owner being a spendthrift & mauvais sujet & all the place is going to rack & ruin & is for sale. | |
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