Wednesday, May 14th

Anniversary of a certain departure from Richmond to Southampton. I wonder why these things will still interest me. Rowed across to the Island and took the bookcase. Manson came with us and we put him at his house. Henry and I went and saw the cow. She was not as bad as I expected to see her, and was mending. She looked poor and lean enough. The calf is a most beautiful looking animal—bears its high breeding in its face, and especially in its long and tapering legs, as finely formed as a racehorse. We sailed home, page 181 a little bothered by the mud-banks up the bay—but we went quick enough to go over anything. Took tea with the Townsends and a pleasant evening singing and chatting. Henry sleeps at home to-night. We hope to make our final move on Friday. The hearth is laid in the sitting-room and the flooring of the bedroom would be finished to-night.