[Bonchurch—Saturday, 23 July 1859]
Saturday 23d Packed and at 12 started in a comfortable carriage for Ryde. The drive was superb. The finest trees hedges and atmosphere in the world almost, with the sea thrown in. Think of it! Yes, we shall, but we cannot describe it or him as Tennyson would say. The myrtles of Mr Southouse were finer than any we had seen, his house old and picturesque. The most beautiful white lily we had seen grew also here. The kind called Tuba Rosa I think he said. The clouds were gathering for a huge thunder-storm as we drew near Ryde giving the scene from the pier an awful beauty. We took lunch quietly however and just as the shower began found ourselves starting for Southampton. The noble pier is ¾ of a mile long and gave us a grand opportunity for watching the sky and water as we waited. We gladly took the train from Southampton for Salisbury at ¼ past 7: not only because we were tired but because the toll on the wharf at Southampton of 4 shillings and sixpence gave us a small opinion of the honesty of the place. It was quite dark as we came to Salisbury but we had such a refreshing sleep in clean beds that our eyes opened all the wider the next day as they surely ought to see that flower of architecture Salisbury Cathedral.
