It is nearly ten months since we came to this place before. It looks better than it did then, as the season is more genial. Mrs Bates who was present at that time, has since deceased, and we are now invited mainly as company for Mr Bates who finds his home lonely and desolate, and comes here among his daughter’s children to spend his Sabbath. The society is not congenial to hinm, for M Van de Weyer’s sphere is a much wider one, and the company is young and a little boisterous. Their conversation too is all of court circle and fashionably acquaintance about which he cares little. I rather pity him in his old age. He has had what is called success in life. He has rolled up an enormous fortune, and has established his daughter in a high position, married to a minister barring a peculiar relation between his sovereign and the Queen through the family connection of the late Prince consort. All this gratifies his pride and his ambition—but he pays for this in the penalty of social isolation. The family treat him with respect and consideration, but his thoughts can never be their thoughts. His only occupation, but his thoughts can never be their thoughts. His only occupation is his commercial business which he clings to on week days. On Sunday there is no such resource. A portion of us attended Divine service at Bray, a turn about four rules from New Lodge. The church is small and old, though lately repaired very extensively. I presume this to be the parish which had a vicar so famed as a political rat. The services were this day performed by a very young person, the incumbent being absent. The attendance was full. I walked home, and did not this time miss my way as I did from Windsor last year. The country is very flat and uninteresting. After luncheon I again strolled and with Mr Bates who went out to look at the ground he is acquiring by degrees, but he soon gave out. He is no walker. In the evening we had a little conversation. Mr Clarke is an intelligent and modest gentleman whose life was ruined by an accident which disabled him from activity. Mrs Van de Weyer talked of the Royal family, and her attention, of private theatre play bills.463