SHORE TIME
[Sidenote: 1847. Jan. 2.]
As brother Tom could not, with increasing family, come to me, I went to
his parsonage at Creake in Norfolk, where we were joined by my other
clergyman brother Edward. Creake only a walk from Holkham.
This entailed visits to other dear friends; but as these have not much
to do with the promised sailor’s life, must not detain readers.
[Sidenote: Jan. 3.]
_Sunday._--Both brothers preached; I suppose the elder had choice.
Reserved opinion.
Recollect some time ago, when brother Edward preached at Quidenham,
venturing to remark that his sermon was rather lengthy. He replied: “It
now lies at the bottom of a heap and you won’t hear it again for three
years.”
[Sidenote: Jan. 5, Holkham.]
Went out, fifteen guns, 1085 head.
[Sidenote: Jan. 6.]
Drove back with Napier, rector at Holkham, elder brother of Brooke’s
Singapore friend.
[Sidenote: Jan. 7, Holkham.]
Shooting the end of the park in the direction of Warham; twelve guns,
973 head.
[Sidenote: Jan. 8.]
Another good day’s shooting; 1073 head.
[Sidenote: Jan. 9.]
News of the safety of Edward Coke, who had been buffalo-shooting in the
United States. Never once doubted it.
[Sidenote: Jan. 11.]
Tom and I drove to cousin Fred Keppel’s at Lexham, about eighteen
miles. Hearty welcome. No better fellows than Fred and Edward Keppel,
“the Cheeryble Brothers.”
[Sidenote: Lexham, Jan. 12.]
Went out to enjoy the best shooting Fred had left. Six guns: Fred
Fitzroy, Derrick Hoste, Fred, Edward, Tom, and self.
[Sidenote: Jan. 13.]
Wife improving at Leamington under Jephson. Fred Keppel and brother Tom
doing magistrates’ business at Litcham.
[Sidenote: Jan. 14.]
Party breaking up. Fred Fitzroy dropping me at friend Rev. C. D.
Brereton’s.
[Sidenote: Jan. 16.]
Took leave of Brereton. Drive of eleven miles to Creake. Bitter cold.
Henry Coke arrived from Holkham.
[Sidenote: Jan. 18.]
To Bobby Hammond’s, now a rich banker; change from a mid’s berth.
[Sidenote: Jan. 22.]
Fred Keppel drove me to brother Edward’s.
[Sidenote: Quidenham Parsonage, Jan. 23.]
Looked over the Quidenham Stud paddocks. Some old brood-mares and four
yearlings. A colt, “Borneo,” promising looking.
[Sidenote: Jan. 25.]
Fred Keppel taking me back to Lexham, sent things to Anthony Hammond’s
at Westacre.
Followed in afternoon. Charming place as well as host.
[Sidenote: Jan. 26.]
Anthony, Bob Hammond, Henry Coke, and others came to dinner.
[Sidenote: Jan. 28.]
Henry Coke and I took departure from Westacre, posting to Brandon, by
rail to Cambridge. Henry having left the Navy had lodgings there: a
quiet dinner with him.
[Sidenote: Jan. 29.]
To London; with Stephensons in Arlington Street.
[Sidenote: Feb. 6.]
Joined wife at Leamington.
[Sidenote: Feb. 8.]
To London. Father recovering from illness.
[Sidenote: Feb. 10.]
Letter from Admiralty requesting me to sit on a Commission to report
on Naval Uniforms--Chairman, Rear-Admiral Bowles, C.B. Committee:
Rear-Admiral Sir F. Collier, C.B.; Captains A. Fanshawe, C.B.; J.
Shepherd; Hon. F. Pelham; A. Milne; Lord Clarence Paget; and W. F.
Martin.
[Sidenote: Feb. 19.]
Poor Thistlewayte quite blind.
[Sidenote: Droxford, Feb. 20.]
Rode to Collier’s new house at Wickham. Nothing more neat, complete,
and comfortable.
[Sidenote: Feb. 25.]
Wife and I on a visit to Southwick. George Delmé came to dinner.
[Sidenote: Mar. 1.]
Walked from Southwick to Droxford, and afterwards to Rookesbury.
Thistlewayte sending wife there in carriage. Good William Garnier
insisted on our all staying at Rookesbury.
[Sidenote: Rookesbury, Mar. 2.]
William Garnier mounting me, we rode to the Dean’s at Winchester.
Sister Caroline out. Called on Walter Longs on our way back. Collier
and Campbells to dinner.
[Sidenote: Mar. 5.]
On Garnier’s hack to see Hambledon Meet. Many friends, but a bad
scenting day.
[Sidenote: Portsmouth, Mar. 6.]
In break, picking up Wickham’s Admiral, Collier, on the way. Lunched
with the Hyde Parkers. _Sphynx_ in harbour after six weeks on rocks at
back of Isle of Wight.
[Sidenote: Mar. 8.]
By coach to stay with Sivewrights, Symington.
Years since Edward Sivewright and I met. At Symington, canvassed for
brother George.
[Sidenote: Droxford, Mar. 11.]
Busy with accounts. How much I want money, and have wanted, for some
time. Still here we are jogging on. One-half the world never knows how
the other half lives!
Visit to Cousin Delmé’s at Cams.
[Sidenote: Cams, Mar. 13.]
Admiral Sir William Gage came to Cams.
[Sidenote: Mar. 15.]
By rail to Winchester, leaving wife at the Deanery. George Delmé and I
went to see sundry blood-stock at Dilly’s and Stockbridge. Expensive
playthings! “Venison” a fine horse.
[Sidenote: Cams, Mar. 16.]
In Delmé’s drag to meet the Hampshire Hounds at Rockwood, Colonel
Greenwood’s. Delmé sending a hack for me. Martin Haworth master. No
finer day, though, to see hounds and horns.
[Sidenote: Mar. 19.]
Delmé sending me a mount with the Hambleton. Good gallop over the
Downs. Lost near Ditcham.
[Sidenote: Winchester, Mar. 24.]
_Fast Day_--Appointed to be kept by the Government on account of the
distressing famine in Ireland and Scotland. Properly and strictly
observed (to all appearance) throughout the country.
[Sidenote: Mar. 25.]
Rode pony over to Campbell Wyndham’s at Exton. Accompanied Mrs. Wyndham
to see Hants Steeplechase. Sport bad, company good, day fine. Good
dinner and party at Wyndham’s; slept there.
[Sidenote: Mar. 31.]
Rev. Mr. M‘Dougal volunteered for Borneo. Good man.
[Sidenote: April 2.]
_Good Friday._--Salt fish and thirst!
[Sidenote: April 14.]
[Sidenote: May 20.]
Letter from Harry Stephenson announcing birth of the finest boy
in creation. Saw in the papers death of the Earl of Bessborough,
Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland--a national loss.
[Sidenote: May 22.]
By rail to London. Friends Crawfurd Kerrs arrived from China.
[Sidenote: May 25.]
Sir Charles Napier going to apply for me as his Flag Captain!
[Sidenote: May 26.]
This day my old friend Jonas Coaker had his little boy christened
Keppel Coaker.
[Sidenote: May 27.]
Hawley’s mare “Miami” won the Oaks, ridden by Sim Templeman. Dined
with the First Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Auckland. Full dress, to
commemorate Her Majesty’s birthday.
[Sidenote: May 28.]
[Sidenote: May 30.]
Mail from India. James Brooke coming home by July mail. Dinner with
Sir William Eden, meeting Admiral Parry’s daughter and Charlie Eden.
Admiral taken ill.
[Sidenote: Blackheath, June 2.]
Took up our quarters in the Blackheath house. Greenwich Park, and
country round, looking perfection.
[Sidenote: London, June 4.]
Dined with Lady Wilmot Horton, meeting Bromleys, Commander Lord Byron,
and others.
[Sidenote: June 5.]
Dined with Charlie Eden to meet Admiral Hyde Parker.
[Sidenote: June 8.]
First Lord’s levée. As far off employment as ever.
[Sidenote: Blackheath, June 11.]
Took the Dalyell ladies to see Review of Horse Artillery. Grand Duke
Constantine. Duke of Wellington in Russian uniform. I dined with
Colonel Parker to meet his brother the Admiral.
[Sidenote: June 15.]
Poor Sir Robert Stopford very ill; sad loss to Greenwich and service.
[Sidenote: June 17.]
Review in Hyde Park. Seen from Mr. Thistlewayte’s house in Connaught
Place.
Dinner to Lord Auckland at Thatched House; well attended. Lift back to
Greenwich with Sir Watkin Pell.
[Sidenote: June 20.]
By steamer, and to Wimbledon by rail to see Ingestre and family. Lady
Sarah as handsome as ever. The little Susan a woman; twelve years since
we met. Missed train. Shake-down at Ingestre’s!
[Sidenote: June 21.]
By rail with Ingestre to London. News from China: Bogue Forts taken,
Canton threatened.
With brother George to dine with aged Mrs. Clavering, wonderful, dear
old lady.
[Sidenote: June 24.]
Called on James Brooke’s sister, Mrs. Savage--pretty, nice person;
strong resemblance to him. Got tickets for Astley’s. It is not what it
used to be.
[Sidenote: June 25.]
At two this morning that fine old Admiral and dignified old gentleman,
Sir Robert Stopford, departed this life!
[Sidenote: June 30.]
Bayley having lent me his yacht _Nymph_, took the Dalyell girls and
Augustus Stephenson a sail down the river to Gravesend and back.
[Sidenote: July 1.]
Dined Thatched House Club. Walpole in chair. Jolly party.
[Sidenote: July 2.]
Attended in full uniform the funeral of Sir Robert Stopford; the whole
ceremony conducted in a manner worthy of so great and good a man.
Dined in South Street with Sir James Kempt; met Colonel Brereton and
others.
[Sidenote: Southampton, July 8.]
Visited Admiral Sir Charles Bullen, who gave me a model of _Dido_.
He had been Captain-Superintendent of Pembroke Dockyard when she was
building.
By rail to Gosport. Dined with the Hyde Parkers. Had a chat with Lord
Saltoun at George Hotel.
[Sidenote: July 14.]
By steamer to Ryde, and four-horse coach to Dudley Pelham at St.
Lawrence.
[Sidenote: St. Lawrence, July 15.]
Rode Pelham’s pony; re-visited Apple-de-Combe.
[Sidenote: July 26.]
Went to Bill Crosbie’s, Emsworth; a jolly party. Goodwood with Bill’s
party, on Delmé’s drag.
[Sidenote: July 29.]
Letter from brother George requesting my presence at Lymington. When I
got to Portsmouth, found this day fixed for the election; Ergo, no use
my going, so rejoined the party for Goodwood.
[Sidenote: July 30.]
Party going to the ball at Chichester; returned with wife to Portsmouth
on a visit to old friends, the Cashers at Southsea.
[Sidenote: Aug. 4.]
Bill Crosbie and two handsome Miss Leithbridges coming over. Made a
party to bazaar at Lord Down’s, Binstead. The Leithbridges dined with
us.
[Sidenote: Aug. 5.]
By steam to Portsmouth. _Cambrian_ given to Plumridge.
[Sidenote: Aug. 6.]
In Lord Hardwicke’s yacht to his place Sydney Lodge, on the banks of
Southampton Water. Nice breeze. Good dinner. Lady Hardwicke singing
delightfully.
[Sidenote: Aug. 7.]
Rainy, stormy morning; strong breeze. Returned in the _Susan_. She was
a yawl-rigged, half-decked, 30-ton boat which his Lordship steered
himself.
[Sidenote: Ryde, Aug. 8.]
Invited by Sir Augustus Clifford to meet Lord Auckland at dinner.
Borneo affairs to be brought under immediate consideration.
[Sidenote: Aug. 10.]
A couple of days at Dudley Pelham’s lovely place at St. Lawrence. Met
Love, brother officer, who danced hornpipe nearly as well as T. P.
Cooke.
[Sidenote: London, Aug. 14.]
Met Admiral Shireff. Offer of his Flag-Captain in case of his getting
_Pacific_; accepted same on conditions.
[Sidenote: Cowes, Aug. 24.]
A sail in the _Pearl_ and dined afterwards with Lord Anglesey at Cowes
Castle.
[Sidenote: Aug. 25.]
By steamer to Southampton. Embarked in Chamberlayne’s _Arrow_, sailed
through Needles passage for Plymouth. Mr. Weld on board--charming old
boy.
[Sidenote: Aug. 26.]
Got into Plymouth. Regatta in full force. Hundreds of people on the
Hoe. Weather fine. Went to the Regatta Ball.
[Sidenote: Aug. 28.]
_Arrow_ sailing for a cup, time race, which she lost by six seconds
only, coming in first. Sailed while at dinner for Cowes.
[Sidenote: Aug. 29.]
Lucky in our fine weather. Came close round the Bill of Portland
_within the race_. Shortened sail for dinner, yacht fashion. Arrived at
Cowes 10 P.M.
Joining wife at the Vines, Puckaster.
[Sidenote: Aug. 31.]
Steam to Portsmouth. Rail to Farnham. Fly to kind good friends at
Rookesbury.
[Sidenote: Sept. 1.]
William Gamier, Frank Collier, and Walpole to dinner.
[Sidenote: Rookesbury, Sept. 3.]
That donkey, “the Honest Bishop” of Bond Street, not having sent my
gun, spoiled a good day’s shooting, having only a tool with the lock of
the right barrel broken.
[Sidenote: Sept. 6.]
Garnier kindly giving permission for me to invite one of the Cashers to
shoot, William came. Ten brace between us. Casher to dinner and sleep.
[Sidenote: Sept. 7.]
Casher to have another day’s shooting. Bagged twenty-two brace. No
house in England so enjoyable as this Rookesbury; no people so kind and
generous.
[Sidenote: Sept. 13.]
Drizzly rain. Took leave of our kind friends at Rookesbury. At
Southwick.
[Sidenote: Sept. 14.]
Plenty of birds. Lady Farnham staying here.
[Sidenote: Sept. 22.]
Letter from Admiral Dundas requiring me to decide between
Flag-Captaining to Sir Charles Napier and a sixth-rate to India.
To Admiralty. Difficult point to decide between inclination and economy.
[Sidenote: London, Sept. 23.]
Breakfasted with Admiral Dundas; decided on India. Wrote letter of
thanks to Lord Auckland.
Offered appointment as First Lieutenant to Bowyear.
[Sidenote: Oct. 1.]
By rail with wife to Quidenham.
[Sidenote: Oct. 9.]
Father and Lady Albemarle off to Newmarket.
[Sidenote: Oct. 11.]
Adieu to Quidenham--for how long? Wife to Blackheath. Found Brooke at
Mivart’s Hotel. United Service Club giving him a dinner, which was
crowded.
[Sidenote: Oct. 12.]
Business at Admiralty. To Greenwich. Dined with Sir James Gordon to
meet Brooke.
[Sidenote: Oct. 13.]
Met Brooke at Lord John Russell’s office, Downing Street. My old
friend, Charles Gore, his Private Secretary.
[Sidenote: Oct. 15.]
Breakfasted with Brooke at Mivart’s. Meeting of Borneo Mission. £3000
subscribed.
[Sidenote: Oct. 18.]
Dined with Lord Auckland to meet Brooke: Lord and Lady Grey, Lord and
Lady Palmerston, Lord and Lady Clanricade and pretty daughter, Lords
Lansdowne and Morpeth, and Dr. Hooker.
[Sidenote: Oct. 20.]
Accompanied Brooke to Frank Grant’s, who was painting his portrait,
indeed a striking likeness. Grant the first artist in the country.
[Sidenote: London, Oct. 21.]
Anniversary of Trafalgar. Dined at Club of 1765. Some fine old “Salts”
present.
[Sidenote: Oct. 22.]
With Brooke to Admiralty. He invited to Windsor Castle.
[Sidenote: Oct. 24.]
To Greenwich School. Inspected some nice-looking lads for _Mæander_.
[Sidenote: Oct. 29.]
Brooke received the Freedom of the City of London, and made a speech.
[Sidenote: London, Oct. 30.]
Admiral Dundas informed me that I should commission _Mæander_ at once.
As I was anxious to be employed, I had tried hard for the _Active_, one
of Symonds’ beautiful ships he wished me to have. However, that lovely
frigate was never commissioned. To Portsmouth. Ordered outfit. Arranged
rendezvous on the Hard.
[Sidenote: Nov. 1.]
My commission appointing me to the command of the _Mæander_ frigate,
44, at Chatham, made out. Allowed to name such officers as I wished.
First Lieutenant--George Leger Bowyear.
Second Lieutenant--Charles B. Read.
Third Lieutenant--Henry W. Comber.
Third Lieutenant--R. Brice Oldfield.
Master--Francis H. May.
Marines--First Lieutenant--Rodney V. Allen.
Paymaster--George Simmonds.
Surgeon--John Clarke.
Assistant-Surgeon--William Smith.
Second Master--William Turton.
Dined with the Lord Mayor to meet Brooke.
[Sidenote: Nov. 2.]
Business at Admiralty. Other appointments made. Every vacancy filled up.
[Sidenote: Nov. 6.]
To breakfast with Brooke. By Great Western to Chippenham, on visit to
Lord Lansdowne at Bowood. Large party.
[Sidenote: Nov. 7.]
_Sunday._--A day for a short walk. Church in private chapel; beautiful
organ and music.
[Sidenote: Nov. 8.]
Many of the party leaving. In afternoon Brooke and I a ride with Lords
Lansdowne and Morley.
[Sidenote: Nov. 9.]
Back to London with Brooke.
[Sidenote: Sheerness, Nov. 11.]
With young Spalding to Sheerness. Breakfasted with
Captain-Superintendent. Took Spalding on Board _Ocean_ to be examined.
Made my bow and presented Commission to Admiral.
Returned to Chatham. First Lieutenant Bowyear, Read, and Spalding to
dinner.
[Sidenote: Nov. 15.]
Some good men joining.
[Sidenote: Nov. 18.]
Letter from brother George urging me to meet a party at dinner. Up in
time to a family feed; very good though. Put up at Mivart’s.
[Sidenote: Nov. 19.]
Back to Chatham in time to muster Ship’s Company. Charlie Graham also
down to sign papers; dined together.
[Sidenote: Nov. 20.]
Admiralty complying with most of my requests, to the astonishment of
dockyard.
[Sidenote: Nov. 22.]
Attended a meeting of the Borneo Mission at Hanover Square. Had to
second resolution and make a speech. More than 1000 present; chiefly
ladies--nervous work.
[Sidenote: Nov. 24.]
Frock-coats introduced into the service; good things and comfortable.
[Sidenote: Chatham, Nov. 26.]
As senior officer had to inspect men sent from Admiralty.
[Sidenote: Nov. 30.]
Vice-Admiral Sir Durnford King sent steamer for me to be interviewed
at Sheerness relative to my refusing drafts from _Ocean_. Returned in
steamer.
[Sidenote: Dec. 2.]
Heard of Admiral Shireff’s death. Good fellow. A week ago as hale and
healthy a man as any on the list.
[Sidenote: Dec. 3.]
Reprimand from Admiralty for having refused the splendid men they sent!
_Mæander_ entering better hourly.
Dined with Royal Marines. Cheery mess.
[Sidenote: Dec. 4.]
Dined with Stephenson at Beef Steak Club.
Kind Rajah gave wife handsome bracelets of Borneo gold.
[Sidenote: Sheerness, Dec. 7.]
Snug and comfortable quarters on board _Hussar_, hulk.
Ship removed from dock to alongside hulk.
[Sidenote: Chatham, Dec. 10.]
Dined with Royal Marines’ Barracks mess with Colonel Whylock.
[Sidenote: Dec. 16.]
Met two young Egertons at Nine Elms Station. Accompanied them to
shoot at Lord Ellesmere’s near Weybridge. Prettiest grounds and wild
shooting. Back by return ticket.
Had a capital dinner at Hastie’s--Stephenson, Brooke and others.
[Sidenote: Dec. 18.]
We left London for Woburn Abbey. Harvey and Brooke with us. A large
house; nice and agreeable party.
[Sidenote: Dec. 20.]
Brooke and I put four horses to a stage coach, and with wife, and
servants, posted across country to Cambridge, by rail to Dereham, coach
to Wells, and in Leicester’s carriage to Holkham, making a tedious
journey of fifteen hours. Late for dinner.
[Sidenote: Holkham, Dec. 21.]
Some nice people here: Edward Digby, Archie MacDonald, Porter, 9th
Lancers, Henry Coke, and others.
[Sidenote: Dec. 22.]
A good day’s shooting, my bag 87 head.
Margaret Coke drove me over to Creake. Decided on taking Tom’s little
fellow Leicester with me.
Servants’ ball in evening. Great fun.
[Sidenote: Dec. 23.]
Shot the Wareham side: not so much game as I have seen. I killed 57
head. Brooke not shooting, but making himself particularly agreeable.
[Sidenote: Dec. 24.]
To shoot fourteen miles off. Wet, dirty day. Leicester not well enough
to dine downstairs; the youngsters got rather by the head and a little
noisy.
[Sidenote: Christmas Day, Dec. 25.]
To Lexham, Brooke, wife and I, Fred Keppel and his brother Edward
receiving us. Nice, quiet, and comfortable house and party.
[Sidenote: Lexham to Hockham, Dec. 27.]
Put posters to Fred Keppel’s carriage, sending servants and luggage by
fly to Hockham. Found large party to meet the Rajah.
[Sidenote: Hockham, Dec. 28.]
Brooke returned in Fred Keppel’s carriage to Lexham. Breretons, Dover,
C. Partridge, Reynardson, and self to shoot.
[Sidenote: Dec. 29.]
Snow. Regular winter’s day.
[Sidenote: Quidenham, Dec. 30.]
Partridge, sending us to Quidenham; Brooke arriving in time for dinner.
Kindly welcomed by all.
George and his son Willie, Edward and Maria, Eustace Hill, Sir Robert
Adair, Miss Hunloke and selves, a party of twelve.
[Sidenote: Dec. 31.]
Brooke took his departure for Norwich to visit the Bishop. Family
party to dinner. My dear father in great force. Knowing his dislike to
saying good-bye, took advantage of his going out of the room to walk
off to bed. I trust I may find him as well, should I live to return.
He is in his seventy-sixth year, and I am going to India on peculiar
service. Four years is a long time to look forward to. Our meeting
again doubtful!
The next three or four years are likely to be the most eventful of my
life.
_Postscript to 1847_
I cannot close my diary this year without mention of the sore trouble
in which my friend Brooke was involved. The commencement, indeed, of
the persecution from which he emerged stainless, but at the cost of
mental anxiety which ultimately caused his death.
As early as 1843, Brooke thought he had reason to suspect the good
faith and honour of his London agent, Mr. Henry Wise of Austin Friars.
In his confidential letters to his friend, Jack Templer, he had
referred to his growing uneasiness at Wise’s management of his affairs.
Letters passed upon the subject: Wise’s replies seldom being
satisfactory. In spite of facts, Brooke did not break off relations
with him.
Brooke had placed his “Journal” at my disposal, and Templer brought a
mass of private letters from Brooke relating to his policy and doings
in Sarawak.
Not deeming myself competent to undertake the construction of the
_Dido_ book, I placed these materials, as well as my diaries, in the
hands of Mr. Jerdan, editor of the _Court Journal_, and a former
acquaintance.
We conferred continually, as the record already written has shown, and
worked amicably enough together.
Jerdan improperly allowed Wise access to these letters, as well
as Brooke’s “Journal,” in spite of their containing references of
a disparaging nature about Wise. In this way the seeds of future
mischief were sown. Wise saw that Brooke suspected him, and under legal
compulsion only did he return the letters to Templer. However, he had
made copies and used them as he willed.
Then came the formation of the Eastern Archipelago Company (without
sanction from Brooke), which had at bottom a scheme to buy out Brooke’s
rights in Sarawak and work the country from one point only--that of
making money.
Brooke refused to give up the trust reposed in him by the Rajah and
people of Sarawak, came home later on, brought a lawsuit against the
Directors of the Eastern Archipelago Company, and won it.
The Directors were convicted of fraud in putting a false certificate on
the charter as to the amount of capital subscribed. It was, in fact,
a bogus prospectus. Mr. Wise had got £18,000 out of it, and much more
besides.
Finding a ready ear in Mr. David Hume, better known in the Navy as the
“Revenue Cutter,” and who loved a grievance, Wise tried to turn the
tables on Brooke once more, alleging his “dreadful treatment” of the
Dyaks as an excuse.
However, “this cock would not fight.” Brooke was the lion of the hour
in 1847, and was appointed Governor of Labuan.
I have always held that ropes were pulled by Wise’s familiars and
himself to get Brooke, Napier, myself, and other truthful witnesses out
of England in order to further their plans in floating this fraudulent
company.