28 January 1867 – 3 February 1867

Walk with T. to Brook Bay, ship ashore, the Fannie Larabee of Bath, large, three masts, good model. There are people on the shore, but T, doesn't seem to mind. We walked to next point and saw a steamer ashore at Atherfield ; then turned up to downs and came back by a path slanting along the cliff side, like a frightful dream rather, my head being lightish. T. tells of people who have fallen over, and at one place is a monumental stone to com- memorate such an accident. I said (walking close behind him) ' suppose I were to slip and catch hold of you, and we both rolled down together,' on which T. stopped and said, ' you'd better go on first.' We talked of Dryden, Campbell, etc. T. told me he was prevented from doing his Arthur Epic, in twelve books, by John Sterling's Review of ' Morte d'Arthur ' in the Quarterly. ' I had it all in my mind, could have done it without any trouble. The King is the complete man, the Knights are the passions.' Home a little late for dinner. Afterwards T. rose to leave the room. Matilda (I think) asked, ' Where are you going ? ' * To read the Scriptures.' Later in the drawing-room he read aloud some of Goethe's lyrics.