31 Hertford Street, Mayfair, May 16th, 1860.--I came hither from Bath on
the 14th, and am staying with my friends, Mr. and Mrs. Motley. I would
gladly journalize some of my proceedings, and describe things and people;
but I find the same coldness and stiffness in my pen as always since our
return to England. I dined with the Motleys at Lord Dufferin's, on
Monday evening, and there met, among a few other notable people, the
Honorable Mrs. Norton, a dark, comely woman, who doubtless was once most
charming, and still has charms, at above fifty years of age. In fact, I
should not have taken her to be greatly above thirty, though she seems to
use no art to make herself look younger, and talks about her time of
life, without any squeamishness. Her voice is very agreeable, having a
sort of muffled quality, which is excellent in woman. She is of a very
cheerful temperament, and so has borne a great many troubles without
being destroyed by them. But I can get no color into my sketch, so shall
leave it here.
London, May 17th. [From a letter.]--Affairs succeed each other so fast,
that I have really forgotten what I did yesterday. I remember seeing my
dear friend, Henry Bright, and listening to him, as we strolled in the
Park, and along the Strand. To-day I met at breakfast Mr. Field
Talfourd, who promises to send you the photograph of his portrait of Mr.
Browning. He was very agreeable, and seemed delighted to see me again.
At lunch, we had Lord Dufferin, the Honorable Mrs. Norton, and Mr.
Sterling (author of the "Cloister Life of Charles V."), with whom we are
to dine on Sunday.
You would be stricken dumb, to see how quietly I accept a whole string of
invitations, and what is more, perform my engagements without a murmur.
A German artist has come to me with a letter of introduction, and a
request that I will sit to him for a portrait in bas-relief. To this,
likewise, I have assented! subject to the condition that I shall have my
leisure.
The stir of this London life, somehow or other, has done me a wonderful
deal of good, and I feel better than for months past. This is strange,
for if I had my choice, I should leave undone almost all the things I do.