12 October 1863 – 18 October 1863

Finish twelfth and last chapter of Bloomfield and post it.

Fine evening. New Forest. Holmsley, Wilverly Post, heath and woods in front, russet gold ; rest by a rivulet, thick beech woods, cottage — the woman says it is unhealthy and very lonesome — Under the shade of melancholy boughs. Two woodpeckers, green as parroquets. The setting sun, the fiery ferns, the gold beechen-leaves. Lynd- hurst, bed at Crown.

To Rufus's Stone, moorlands under heavy sky, thick embossment of russet golden beech-woods filling the vales, blue distance — showers. How many days of my life I pass without a word of conversation. But am I not as well off as I deserve to be.'' O days of youthful gladness ! When I, a happy fool, Thought failure, sickness, sadness, Th' exception, not the rule.