CHAPTER V

1836

_Monday, 11th January._— ... We went out walking at a ¼ to 2 with Lady Flora and Lehzen; it had cleared up and was quite mild and bright. We walked on the pier and got into a boat. There was a good deal of swell in the Harbour, and at the mouth of it our boat pitched and rolled a good deal; Mamma began to look queerish, but I thought it very pleasant. There were numbers of people on the pier. The 3 Portuguese vessels hoisted their Portuguese standards, as did also the two Spaniards. We landed at the same stairs where we embarked. The whole of Ramsgate seemed to be out on the pier. We walked to the head of the pier and back again and got into the carriage. We drove to the cliff where the stairs called “Jacob’s ladder” are. We got out there and went down the stairs, and walked on the other side of the pier. We took a parting look at the end of the pier, of all the ships, the pier &c., for we go tomorrow. There were, I think, 7 French boats in the Harbour; and there were numbers of little French boys on the pier; we gave them something, but they (for the first time) proved dissatisfied and rebellious. They quite attacked Lehzen, who always gives the money, coming round her on all sides, stretching out their hands, saying “Donnez-moi un sou,” “Je n’ai pas un,” “Madame, Madame, donnez-moi un sou,” &c. Some little urchins were _rusés_ enough to say “C’est pour nos matelots, nous allons à bord dans l’instant.” Lehzen threw them a shilling, whereupon they all fell on the ground in one heap, scrambling after it. They were quiet for a little while, but a few little determined fellows came again and followed us for sometime. They at length got something, and went away. Cela était fort amusant et très ridicule à voir....

_Wednesday, 13th January._—I awoke at a little past 6 and got up at 7. Dressed and had my hair done. We breakfasted at 8. We left Sittingbourne at 9. It was a bitterly cold day, though bright and clear. We changed horses at Rochester, 2ndly at Gravesend, and 3rdly at Blackheath. We reached Kensington Palace at a little before 2. We instantly went upstairs, that is to say, up _two_ staircases, to our new sleeping and sitting apartments which are very lofty and handsome. To describe them minutely and accurately would be impossible. Our bedroom[206] is very large and lofty, and is very nicely furnished, then comes a little room for the maid, and a dressing-room for Mamma; then comes the old gallery which is partitioned into 3 large, lofty, fine and cheerful rooms.[207] One only of these (the one near Mamma’s dressing-room) is ready furnished; it is my sitting-room and is _very_ prettily furnished indeed. My pictures are not yet in it. The next is my study, and the last is an anteroom; this last has no fireplace, but the two others have, and my sitting-room is very warm and comfortable. There is another room, belonging to me, on another side of the bed-room (Lehzen’s former bed-room) which is not freshly furnished, but is a passage &c. Lehzen is now in our former bed-room. When I went down into my poor former sitting-room,[208] I could not help looking at it with affection, and pleasant recollections, having passed so many days of my life and many very pleasant ones there; but our new rooms are much more airy and roomy....

_Thursday, 14th January._— ... Read out of Mme. de Sévigné while my hair was doing to Lehzen. We all breakfasted at a ¼ past 9. Carried things from my old room, upstairs to my new room, and put them into the new presses. Wrote my journal. My pictures are being hung up and my room is in a great confusion; the workmen in my study are making a great noise, so that I am _un peu confuse_. Walked about. We lunched at 1. Arranged things. Saw Dr. Clark at 2. Received a most kind and long letter from dearest Aunt Louise in which she tells me that Uncle Leopold and my little cousin are well, as also Uncle Ferdinand, who is with them; and that the Duke of Orleans[209] (whom she calls _Chartres_, as the whole family generally do) is better but not quite well yet. She further adds, that the dear Queen of the French who had a very bad cold, is better....

_Wednesday, 3rd February._—I awoke at 7 and got up at a ¼ to 8. Read in the Irish History while my hair was doing. At 9 we breakfasted. Pasted my name in some of my books. At 10 came the Dean till 11. Read with him first in the Old Testament and then in Hume. Pasted my name in some of my books. I have got all the same pictures I had in my former room, hung up in my present room, with the exception of some old prints and of the two ugly oil pictures of my Father and Mother, and with the addition of Hayter’s drawing of Mamma and I. My fine casts of the _dear_ French family are also hung up in my sitting-room; they only came home today as the frame had to be mended. I am so fond of them. Various prints are also being hung up in my study. Wrote my journal. Drew....

_Saturday, 6th February._— ... I have quite forgotten to mention that the young Queen of Portugal was married by proxy on the 1st of January to—_my Cousin Ferdinand_, Uncle Ferdinand’s eldest son, and who completed his 19th year on the 29th of last October.[210] The negotiations to this purpose have been going on since last September, and have only just now come to an end. Count Lavradio, whom we saw just before we went to Ramsgate, went to Cobourg to meet Uncle Ferdinand and my dear Cousins Ferdinand and Augustus, there. Dear Uncle Leopold has managed a _great_ deal of the business; he is ever ready and ever _most able_ to assist his family. Uncle Ferdinand has not long left Brussels, where he came to settle and arrange about the marriage. Dear Uncle Ferdinand is, of course, full of anxiety for the welfare and happiness of his son. Ferdinand will soon come to Brussels with Augustus on his way to Lisbon and they will also come here. I cannot say how happy I am to become thus related to the Queen of Portugal, who has always been so kind to me and for whom I have always had a great affection. She is warm-hearted, honest and affectionate, and when she talks, is very pleasing. We have known each other since our 8th year (for there is only a month’s difference of age between us). She is far from plain too; she has an exquisite complexion, a good nose and fine hair. I hear that Ferdinand is full of good and excellent qualities, has a pure and unsophisticated mind, and is very good-looking....

_Saturday, 20th February._— ... At ½ past 3 came the Dean till 4. Read with him in Milton’s _Paradise Lost_. Practised on the piano for Mrs. Anderson.[211] Drew while Lehzen read to me out of that Rapport about Fieschi.[212] Practised again on the piano. At ½ past 7 we dined. Aunt Gloucester, the Prince of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeldt,[213] the Archbishop of York and Miss Harcourt, the Duke of Wellington, Count[214] and Countess Charles Pozzo di Borgo, the Earl and Countess of Lincoln,[215] Viscount and Viscountess Beresford,[216] Lord Hill, Lady Caroline Legge,[217] Lady Theresa Strangways, Sir Robert and Lady Peel, General Upton and Sir Samuel Higgins dined here. I sat between the Duke of Wellington and Count C. Pozzo di Borgo. The Count is a very agreeable man. His wife, the dear little Countess, looked lovely; she is such a charming person; she is the 3rd daughter of the Duc de Crillon and is called Valentina. Lady Lincoln is also a very charming young person; she was so pretty but she is very much changed as she was very ill all last summer and is still very far from well. I sat a good deal with her and the little Countess Pozzo, and found them very amiable and cheerful....

_Saturday, 27th February._— ... It was Miss Joanna Baillie’s[218] Tragedy of _The Separation_ in 5 acts, performed for the 2nd time. The principal characters are: Garcio (an Italian Count), Mr. Charles Kemble,[219] who acted finely in parts but is dreadfully changed; Rovani (his friend), G. Bennett who acted disagreeably and affectedly; the Marquis of Tortona, Mr. Pritchard, a poor odd-looking creature; Margaret (wife to Garcio), Miss Helen Faucit,[220] who acted well in the pathetic quiet parts. I had not seen Charles Kemble since 5 years, and I did not quite recollect his countenance; those however who had seen him in his good days, when he was an excellent actor and a very handsome man, found the change _very great_. _I_, for _my_ part, like Macready by far better. Kemble whines so much and drawls the words in such a slow peculiar manner; his actions too (to me) are overdone and affected, and his voice is not pleasant to me; he makes terrible faces also which spoils his countenance and he looks old and does not carry himself well. He was very fine, however, at the end of the 3rd act when he snatches the picture out of his wife’s hand, and when he discovers it to be that of her brother Ulrico whom he murdered,—the way in which he throws the picture on the ground and sinks trembling and gasping against the bed, while his countenance pourtrays the violent feelings of remorse, horror and conscience this Kemble did _very finely_, and also when he takes leave of Margaret. He _was_ undoubtedly a very fine actor, nay, still _is_, but he is not natural enough for my taste. I _do_ think Macready is so feeling and natural, particularly now; he was perhaps formerly rather affected and violent at times. His voice too I like so much and he does not drawl the words; I like him best after Young, who was the _most beautiful_ actor I ever saw, or who perhaps ever existed in this country, except Garrick and John Kemble (Charles K.’s elder brother). I only saw Young twice but I shall never forget it. I saw him 1st in _Macbeth_ and then I saw him take his final leave of the stage in _Hamlet_. I must say a few words about G. Bennett[221] and Miss Helen Faucit. Bennett, whom I have seen act really extremely well in _The Miller and His Men_, in _Pizarro_, in _King John_ as Hubert, &c., &c., was extremely disagreeable yesterday as Rovani; he twisted his arms, hands, legs, back and even eyes in all directions, and drawled his words in speaking most disagreeably. Miss Faucit is plain and thin, and her voice is much against her, but when she is gentle and pathetic she is far from disagreeable; she rants and screams[222] too much also, but as she is very young, they say she may _become_ a good actress. The Tragedy though well written is rather unnatural and very heavy in parts; I must say _I_ greatly prefer _The Provost of Bruges_ and think it by far more natural. Kemble and Miss Faucit were called out and were much applauded....

[Illustration: _P.V. del. R.P. April 1837._

_M^r. Charles Mathews as Dapperwit in The Rape of the Lock_

CHARLES MATHEWS.

From a sketch by Princess Victoria.]

_Monday, 29th February._— ... At ½ past 7 we went to the play to Mme. Vestris’s[223] Olympic, with Lehzen and Sir J. C. I had never been there before; it is a very small but pretty, clean little theatre. It was the burletta of _One Hour_ or _The Carnival Ball_ in one act. The principal characters are: Mr. Charles Swiftly, Mr. Charles Mathews,[224] a most _delightful_ and _charming_ actor; he is son to the celebrated old Mathews who died last year. He is quite a young man, I should say not more than five or six and twenty.[225] His face is not good-looking, but very clever and pleasing; he has a very slight, pretty figure, with very small feet and is very graceful and immensely active; he skips and runs about the stage in a most agile manner. He is _so_ natural and amusing, and never vulgar but always very gentlemanlike. He is a most charming actor....

Charles Mathews is the most delightful and amusing actor possible. He is the only child of his parents and was intended for an architect and studied in Greece and Italy for that purpose; but having a penchant for the stage, he abandoned his profession and had become an actor; we see how it has succeeded—_most perfectly_!...

_Wednesday, 2nd March._— ... Lady Burghersh[226] told me that she knew Charles Mathews very well when she was in Florence, where he was come for the purpose of studying architecture; she said she had often acted with him in their private theatricals and that he always showed a great talent for acting, and that he then performed as a gentleman; he _now_ acts quite like a gentleman, and looks so too; he is a charming performer I think. Lady Burghersh also said that he looks younger than he is, for that he must be 3 or 4 and thirty. He told her when at Florence that he had a great passion for the stage, but, as his father was greatly averse to his son becoming an actor, he refrained from doing it during his father’s lifetime....

_Thursday, 17th March._— ... We reached Windsor Castle at 6. We went to the Queen’s room where Ferdinand and Augustus were presented to the King. We then went to our rooms. At ½ past 7 we dined in St. George’s Hall with an immense number of people. Ferdinand looked very well. He wore the 3 Portuguese Orders in one ribbon, which he has the right of doing as husband to the Queen of Portugal. Ferdinand led the Queen in to dinner and the King led Mamma and I. I sat between the King and George Cambridge and opposite dear Ferdinand. After dinner we went into a beautiful new drawing-room[227] where we remained till the gentlemen came from dinner. We then all went into the Waterloo Gallery where the ball was. The King went in first, then the Queen and Mamma, and then dear Ferdinand with me at his arm. I danced 3 quadrilles; 1st with dear Ferdinand, then with George Cambridge, and lastly with dear Augustus. During the evening dear Ferdinand came and sat near me and talked so dearly and so sensibly. I do _so_ love him. Dear Augustus also sat near me and talked with me and he is also a dear good young man, and is very handsome. He is extremely quiet and silent, but there is a great deal in him. I am so fond too of my Uncle Ferdinand. I stayed up till 1. I was much amused and pleased. Uncle Ferdinand brought me two kind notes from Uncle Leopold and Aunt Louise. Ferdinand is so fond of Aunt Louise. He told me: “Oh, je l’aime tant!” Both he and Augustus speak French extremely well. This dinner and ball were in honour of dear Ferdinand.

_Friday, 18th March._— ... At ½ past 9 we breakfasted with the King, the Queen, dear Ferdinand (who came nearly at the end of the breakfast, having slept a long while), dear Uncle Ferdinand, Augustus, Charles, Prince Ernst of Hesse P.B.,[228] the Duchess of Northumberland, George Cambridge, Lady Ely,[229] Lady Flora, and Lehzen. After breakfast Mamma and I went into the Queen’s room and looked at some of her many pretty things. Wrote my journal. At ½ past 11 we drove out with the Queen and dear Ferdinand in our carriage, Ferdinand and I sitting on the back seat and the Queen and Mamma on the front seat. Uncle Ferdinand, Augustus, Charles and Prince Ernest of Hesse P.B. followed in another, and all the rest in other carriages. We went to see a hunt and saw a stag let out of a cart and all the horsemen followed in great numbers. It was a very pretty sight, and a beautiful warm day. We were all in open carriages. I talked a good deal with Ferdinand, and like him _more_ and _more_; he is so sensible, so natural, so unaffected, and unsophisticated and so _truly_ good. His tutor, who has been with him 13 years, M. Dietz, and whom he told me he is very fond of, will go with him to Lisbon as his “secrétaire intime,” he told me. He (M. Dietz)[230] came with several other gentlemen to Kensington yesterday. Ferdinand is so fond of Augustus; the separation will be dreadful for the two brothers; and he is very fond of his sister Victoire. We came home at ½ past 1. Wrote the _brouillon_ of a French letter to Aunt Louise. At 2 we lunched with the whole party. I sat between the King and Uncle Ferdinand. Wrote my letter to Aunt Louise. Wrote my journal. Walked about. At about ½ past 5 dear Ferdinand, Uncle Ferdinand, and dear Augustus came into our room for a little while. At ½ past 7 we dined; again in St. George’s Hall and with the same large company as the day before. Ferdinand went first (as he did also yesterday) with the Queen; then came the King with us two. I sat between the King and George Cambridge, and opposite dear Fernando. After dinner Uncle Ferdinand and my Cousins came and sat near us every now and then. Dear Ferdinand has elicited universal admiration from all parties; the King is very much pleased with him, and the Queen is quite taken with him. He is so very unaffected, and has such a distinguished appearance and carriage. They are both very dear and charming young men; Augustus is very amiable too, and when known, shows much good sense; he is very quiet and gentle. There is such an innocence and simplicity in them, and such a childish gaiety, and again they are very grown-up and nice in their manners, which are very unaffected and pleasing. Stayed up till ½ past 11....

_Friday, 1st April._—Today is Good Friday. At ½ past 9 we breakfasted with dear Uncle Ferdinand, dear Augustus, Charles, Lady Flora and Lehzen. I sat between dear Augustus and Charles. I stayed downstairs till a ¼ past 10. Received the Order of Ste. Isabelle from my Cousin Donna Maria. The ribbon is very pale pink and white. Went up stairs, and wrote part of the _brouillon_ of a French letter to Aunt Louise. Dear good Augustus came up at ½ past 10 and stayed till 11. These visits please me very much; he is _so_ quiet, and goes about looking at the things in the room, sits down and reads the newspapers, and never is in the way. He is a dear boy, and is so extremely good, kind and gentle; he has such a sweet expression and kind smile. I think Ferdinand handsomer than Augustus, his eyes are so beautiful, and he has such a lively, clever expression; _both_ have such a sweet expression; Ferdinand has something _quite beautiful_ in his expression when he speaks and smiles and he is _so_ good. They are both very handsome and _very dear_! Ferdinand is superior to Augustus in various ways, and is by far more forward for his age in his mind than the latter. They have both learnt, and know, a great deal, and are both very orderly and tidy. At 11 we went down to prayers with Charles, Lehzen, Lady Flora &c. &c. The service was performed by the poor Dean who gave us likewise a sermon. We saw him for an instant after the service was over. He is very calm and resigned. We remained with Uncle a little while downstairs. Finished my _brouillon_ of my French letter. Began to copy it. Went downstairs to see some paintings done by a Mr. Cowen.[231] They are very well done indeed. Augustus came in also and looked at them for a moment. Came up to my room and went on writing my letter to dear Aunt Louise. Dearest Uncle Ferdinand came up to me for a few minutes and then went down again. Augustus came up and stayed a little while, while I was writing my letter and then went down. I gave him this morning a seal and some prints which pleased him very much. Finished my letter to Aunt Louise and wrote my journal. At 25 minutes to 4 _dear_ good Augustus came up and sat in my room looking at annuals till 4. He assisted me in sealing my letters, and we both made a mess, and he burnt a cover in sealing it, dear boy, for me, which made us both laugh. He went down for 5 minutes, came up again, and Uncle, after staying a few minutes, fetched him away to pay visits to the Duke of Sussex and Princess Sophia. Played and sung. At 10 minutes to 6 came Mrs. Wellesley[232] who is going tomorrow and will reach Stuttgardt on Friday. Augustus came in and we stayed with Uncle and him a few minutes downstairs. Oh! could I but have some more such days, with that dear Uncle and dear Augustus, whom I love so much! I shall feel very lonely and unhappy when they leave us....

_Sunday, 10th April._— ... Read to Lehzen part of _The Directions and Advices_ which dearest Uncle Leopold has written down for Ferdinand, most cleverly and beautifully done. They are written in French and are divided into 3 parts. The part I have read is _Affaires Politiques_, which is divided into headings of all the departments of the Government. Dear Uncle has studied[233] the Portuguese Constitution, Government, People, Country, &c., &c., so completely since the intended marriage of Ferdinand with the Queen of Portugal, that he is as familiar with the whole as though he were in the country. Dear Uncle Leopold is so clever and so prudent and so kind; he has taken so much pains and trouble about Ferdinand and I must say he is repaid for his trouble by the affection and gratitude Ferdinand has for him; and certainly he has _not_ thrown away his time in so doing, for Ferdinand is not only _very good_, but _clever_, and therefore with Uncle’s advice he will succeed, I am sure. Van de Weyer is a most trusty, clever person, and as he has also copies of these papers, will be of the greatest use to Ferdinand. I see by the part I have read, which contains most valuable, important and sage advice, one thing which I am very glad of, which is, that the Queen will associate Ferdinand with her in the Council, &c., that he is always to be present at all her Councils. Uncle advises him to listen and not to give his opinion until he has become acquainted with the characters of the persons in the Council, and then, after having well weighed what he means to say, to give his opinion. There is so much of all the advice which I wish I could insert here, but which I have no time to do.[234]

_Monday, 11th April._—Lehzen read to me while I was dressing and I read to her while my hair was doing, one of the parts of the Directions for Ferdinand, called _Observations Générales_, and began the last one called _Note communiquée au Comte de Lavradio_. Dear Uncle Leopold is so clever and governs Belgium so beautifully, that he is a model for every Sovereign and will contribute to the happiness and re-organisation of Portugal, as he has done to Belgium; for _that_ country owes _all_ its prosperity, happiness, everything, to dearest Uncle Leopold; it was in a sad state when Uncle arrived, and by his great prudence, sagacity, and extreme cleverness, Belgium is now one of the most flourishing Kingdoms in Europe....

_Tuesday, 3rd May._— ... At 10 minutes past 11 came _Lablache_ till 10 minutes past 12. He complained much of the cold weather, and said “qu’ils étaient tous enrhumés” and that they had all been very hoarse last night at a concert, except Rubini. I like Lablache very much, he is such a nice, good-natured, good-humoured man, and a very patient and excellent master; he is so merry too.[235] _En profile_ he has a very fine countenance, I think, an aquiline nose, dark arched eye-brows, and fine long eyelashes, and a very clever expression. He has a profusion of hair, which is very grey, and strangely mixed with some few black locks here and there. I sung first the recitative of “Notte d’orrore,” from _Marino Faliero_, several times over. Then Mamma and I sung “Mira oh! Norma” and “Si fine al ore,” both twice over and “Qual cor tradesti” twice over. Then I sang twice with Lablache “Io son ricco e tu sei bella,” a very pretty little duo from _L’Elisire d’Amore_ by Donizetti. He sang this delightfully, he has such a fine voice and pronounces so distinctly and so well. _En conclusion_ I sang “Vivi tu.” I liked my lesson extremely; I only wish I had one every _day_ instead of one every _week_....

_Friday, 13th May._— ... Mme. Malibran de Bériot[236] (as she now calls herself since her marriage with the eminent violinist de Bériot) was in very fine voice and sang extremely well indeed, twice. She sang first the prayer which Anna sings in her sleep in the 2nd act of _La Sonnambula_, and “Ah! non giunge unam pensiero!” I prefer Grisi’s singing of these very much to Malibran’s; there is a sweetness, mildness and softness, accompanied with such beautifully clear execution, in the _former_, which the _latter_ does _not_ possess in the high notes. Malibran’s deep tones are beautiful, touching and feeling, but her high notes are harsh, sharp and _voilée_. The 2nd thing she sang was pretty and well adapted to her voice....

_Wednesday, 18th May._— ... At a ¼ to 2 we went down into the Hall, to receive my Uncle Ernest, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and my Cousins, Ernest and Albert, his sons. My Uncle was here, now 5 years ago, and is looking extremely well. Ernest is as tall as Ferdinand and Augustus; he has dark hair, and fine dark eyes and eyebrows, but the nose and mouth are not good; he has a most kind, honest and intelligent expression in his countenance, and has a very good figure. Albert, who is just as tall as Ernest but stouter, is extremely handsome; his hair is about the same colour as mine; his eyes are large and blue, and he has a beautiful nose and a very sweet mouth with fine teeth; but the charm of his countenance is his expression, which is most delightful; _c’est à la fois_ full of goodness and sweetness, and very clever and intelligent. We went upstairs with them, and after staying a few minutes with them, I went up to my room. Played and sang. Drew. At a little after 4 Uncle Ernest and my Cousins came up to us and stayed in my room till 10 minutes past 5. Both my Cousins are so kind and good; they are much more _formés_ and men of the world than Augustus; they speak English very well, and I speak it with them. Ernest will be 18 years old on the 21st of June and Albert 17 on the 26th of August. Dear Uncle Ernest made me the present of a most delightful _Lory_, which is so tame that it remains on your hand, and you may put your finger into its beak, or do anything with it, without its ever attempting to bite. It is larger than Mamma’s grey Parrot, and has a most beautiful plumage; it is scarlet, blue, brown, yellow, and purple. At 6 we went with Lehzen, Lady Flora &c., to dine at the Archbishop of York’s, and I was very sorry to leave my dear Uncle and Cousins behind us at home....

[Illustration: _H.S.H. Prince Albert of Saxe Coburg_

_aged nine_

_from a portrait by Schneider, after Eckhart._]

_Thursday, 19th May._—Read in the _Exposition_ while my hair was doing. At 9 we breakfasted with Uncle Ernest, Ernest, Albert, Lehzen and Charles. I sat between my dear Cousins. At ½ past 10 Lehzen and I walked in the gardens and came home at ½ past 11. At a ¼ to 12 came the Dean till ½ past 12. Read with him in the New Testament and in Clarendon. At ½ past 12 came Mr. Steward till ½ past 1. Played and sung. At a ¼ past 2 came the Dean till 3. Read with him in Paley. At 3 came Mrs. Anderson till 4. At a ¼ to 5 we walked in the gardens with Lehzen till ½ past 5. Wrote my journal. At 7 we dined. Besides us 3 and Uncle, my Cousins and Charles,—Count Kolowrat (one of Uncle Ernest’s gentlemen), Lady Flora and the Miss Conroys &c., dined here. I sat between dear Ernest and dear Albert. After dinner came Aunt Sophia. Received a very kind letter from dear Aunt Louise and some ribbons. Stayed up till ½ past 10. I like my Cousins extremely, they are so kind, so good, and so merry....

_Saturday, 21st May._— ... At ½ past 7 we dined with Uncle Ernest, Ernest, Albert, Charles, Lady Flora, Count Kolowrat, Baron Alvensleben, &c. I sat between my dear Cousins. After dinner came Princess Sophia. Baron de Hoggier, who had arrived from Lisbon the day before, came after dinner, and took leave, on his way home. I sat between my dear Cousins on the sofa and we looked at drawings. They both draw very well, particularly Albert, and are both exceedingly fond of music; they play very nicely on the piano. The more I see them the more I am delighted with them, and the more I love them. They are so natural, so kind, so _very_ good and so well instructed and informed; they are so well bred, so truly merry and quite like children and yet very grown up in their manners and conversation. It is delightful to be with them; they are so fond of being occupied too; they are quite an example for any young person....

_Sunday, 22nd May._—I awoke at 7 and got up at 8. Read in _Cornwallis on the Sacrament_ while my hair was doing. At a ¼ past 9 we all breakfasted. I sat between _i miei carissimi cugini_. At a ¼ past 10 dear Lehzen and I walked out in the gardens and came home at a ¼ to 11. Received the news of the death of my poor old Nurse, Mrs. Brock, which took place the day before yesterday. She was not a pleasant person, and undoubtedly had, as everybody has, her faults, but she was extremely attached to and fond of me, having been with me from my birth till my fifth year, therefore it is impossible, and it would be very wrong, if I did not feel her death. My chief regret is, that she did not live till I was my own mistress, and could make her quite comfortable....[237]

_Tuesday, 24th May._—I awoke at 7. Today I complete my 17th year; a very old person I am indeed! I am most thankful that I was brought through this year safely, and I beseech my heavenly Father to extend His benediction and blessing over me for this year and for many others....

_Friday, 10th June._—At 9 we all breakfasted for the _last_ time together! It was our last HAPPY HAPPY breakfast, with this dear Uncle and those _dearest_, beloved Cousins, whom I _do_ love so VERY VERY dearly; _much more dearly_ than any other Cousins in the _world_. Dearly as I love Ferdinand, and also good Augustus, I love Ernest and Albert _more_ than them, oh yes, MUCH _more_. Augustus was like a good, affectionate child, quite unacquainted with the world, phlegmatic, and talking but very little; but dearest Ernest and dearest Albert are so grown-up in their manners, so gentle, so kind, so amiable, so agreeable, so very sensible and reasonable, and so _really_ and truly good and kind-hearted. They have both learnt a good deal, and are very clever, naturally clever, particularly Albert, who is the most reflecting of the two, and they like very much talking about serious and instructive things and yet are so _very very_ merry and gay and happy, like young people ought to be; Albert used always to have some fun and some clever witty answer at breakfast and everywhere; he used to play and fondle Dash so funnily too. Both he and Ernest are extremely attentive to _whatever_ they hear and see, and take interest in everything they see. They were much interested with the sight of St. Paul’s yesterday. We remained down with them till 10. I then went up to my room and came down again at a little after 10. We remained with them again, Uncle Ernest going in and out of the room. I am so very fond of _him_ too; now that I know him much better and have talked with him, I love him as much as dear Uncle Ferdinand. He is so mild, so kind and so good. Dearest Albert was playing on the piano when I came down. At 11 dear Uncle, my _dearest beloved_ Cousins, and Charles, left us, accompanied by Count Kolowrat. I embraced both my dearest Cousins most warmly, as also my dear Uncle. I cried bitterly, very bitterly....

_Sunday, 31st July._—Read in _The Young Divine_ and began to read in _Ikon Basilike_ in one vol., a book which came out a few days after poor Charles I. had been beheaded; while my hair was doing. It is said to have been written by him during his captivity, and contains meditations and prayers; but the Dean, who gave it me a few days ago, told me that great disputes have arisen as to whether it was really written by Charles, or whether some friend of his had collected sayings and meditations he might have heard the King make, and put them together and that this point has not been settled yet. Whatever it may be, and by whomever it may have been written or compiled, one thing is certain, that it is a very good and pious book and is authentic as to its contents....

_Wednesday, 3rd August._—Read in the _Exposition_ and in _The Conquest of Granada_ while my hair was doing. At 9 we breakfasted. At a ¼ to 10 we went to the British Gallery with Lehzen to see the Exhibition by the ancient Masters (all private property). Never did I see anything more beautiful than this collection of the _immortal Masters’_ paintings, for so I must call them as their names will never pass away. There were such numbers of beautiful paintings, that I really know not which to name in preference. Upon the whole, I think the finest were those by Murillo and Guido. The finest by Murillo are “The Angels coming to Abraham,” “The return of the Prodigal Son,” splendid both, belonging to the Duke of Sutherland. “St. Joseph leading the infant Saviour who carries a basket of carpenter’s tools,” quite in another style but beautiful; “Santa Rosa, espousing the infant Saviour,” exquisite; and “Portrait of Don Andres de Antrade and his favourite dog,” very fine. The finest by Guido are, “The Assumption of the Virgin,” the expression of the Virgin’s face is beautiful; two different heads of St. Peter, both very fine. “The Magdalen,” beautiful. The finest by Vandyke are “The Virgin and Infant Saviour,” very lovely.... At a ¼ to 4 we went with Lehzen and Lady Flora to Chiswick, to the Victoria Asylum or Children’s Friend Society. It is a most interesting and delightful establishment, and has been founded almost entirely by Lady George[238] and Miss Murray. It is for poor vagrant girls, who are received under the age of 15; and Miss Murray says that they have never had a girl 6 months who did not become a perfectly good child. I forget how young they receive children, but there are—[unintelligible] girls in all, and they are divided, a few being in an infant school upstairs. When they have become quite good and can read, write and do work of all kinds necessary for a house, they are sent abroad, mostly to the Cape of Good Hope, where they are apprenticed and become excellent servants. Miss Murray told us many curious stories of the depraved and wretched state in which many arrive, and how soon they become reformed and good. There is one little girl in particular, a very pretty black-eyed girl, 11 years old, called Ellen Ford, who was received two months ago from _Newgate_, and who boasted she could steal and tell lies better than anybody. She had been but two or three days in the school, and she got over 3 high walls, and stole a sheet; she was caught and brought back again. Miss Murray spoke to her, and found that the poor girl had no idea whatever of a _God_, and had a drunken father, a low Irishman; this man had lost his 1st wife and married again, and this step-mother taught the girl nothing but stealing and lying. Miss Murray told her of God, and spoke to her very seriously; the girl was put in solitary confinement for that night and was taken out the next morning; and ever since she has been a perfectly good girl. There are many cases of the same sort which Miss Murray said she could relate. Before I finish this