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28 August 1894 — Branksome Dene, Poole, Dorset | |
Tuesday. 28th [August 1894]. Richard returned to town & Alice also by an early train. I breakfasted in bed & got up by 11. Got a fly & drove over to see Mr Henry Reeve at Foxholes near Christchurch. Ruth accompanied me. There was a sea fog in the early morng which eventually cleared away. We got to Foxholes in abt ¾ hour. Mrs Reeve was out but Mr Reeve received me. He was quite taken by surprise at my appearance & the tears came into his eyes & for a few moments neither of us could speak. At last I began to talk of my movements & we recovered our composure—then we went on to talk of Henry’s memoirs & discussed what should be done– We agreed that much too much detail is published now a days—& he said he thought a small cheap volume nicely written with a brief description of Henry’s Life would be far the best thing. But who was there to write it? That is the difficulty. He promised to think it over & to write to me should anyone occur to him. He said he was now reading Henry’s early books & he is more & more in admiration of the wonderful things he had done—& what a wonderfully varied life—so many sided– The man who writes the life must be one who understands archeology, politics, diplomacy, literature & art– It is not so easy to find—& above all it must not be long—or heavy. After an hour’s talk I took leave of him. He said he was now 82—& could not walk much but he looked well & said he was going up to Scotland this week. He accompanied me to the door & walked well tho’ with the help of a stick. We were so late back to B. Dene that lunch was over—& we had to lunch alone– Sat with Mama & after tea I took her for a walk up & down in the garden– Then when she went in I took a turn with Arthur & Betty Murray, the children– Wrote some letters. Maria returned abt dinner time & Evely Eliot came abt 10. Besique & bed– | |
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