Favourites of the past—Siamese cats—Sir William Gregory—A feline
tragedy—A dog’s last farewell—Chinese dogs at Goodwood—A reluctant
swain—Mr. Mallock’s epitaph—Sandringham—Riding and driving—Anecdote
of a parrot—Strange diet of a stork—My choughs and their
nests—Disappointed hopes—An unwelcome arrival—Mr. Darwin’s interest
in my garden—Mr. Cobden’s letter from Algiers—His interest in my
silkworms—Garden books—Some pretty verses by Mr. Lowe 226