15 June 1868 – 21 June 1868

Lymington. Coach to Freshwater, Mrs. Cameron's ; long wait for lunch. Mrs. C. and her household take no note of time. Meet girls going up- stairs in fancy dresses, Mrs. C. has been photographing a group, and appears carrying glass negative in her coUodionised hands. ' Magnificent ! to focus them all in one picture, such an effort ! ' Enter Sir John Simeon with Mr. Austin Bruce (M.P. for Merthyr-Tydvil). Sir J. presses me to go back to Swainston with him. I hesitate, then agree, and we walk off over the Downs. Dine at 8 — they talk of Parliament behind the scenes : Dizzy often vinosus — one evening he spoke in such a state (keeping his legs with much difficulty) that Sir J. S. feared a public scandal, and was in pain for the credit of the House. {N.B. — Simeon is no scandal-monger.)