1833
_Tuesday, 15th January._—I awoke at 7 and got up at 8. At 10 minutes to
9 we breakfasted. At ½ past 9 came the Dean till ½ past 11. Just before
we went out, Mamma’s little dog, a beautiful spaniel of King Charles’s
breed, called Dash, and which Sir John gave her yesterday, came and
will now remain here. At a ¼ past 12 Lehzen and I went out walking in
the park. We met Mrs. Talbot. When we came home I fed dear Rosy who was
_so_ greedy. At ½ past 1 we lunched. At 3 came Mr. Steward[51] till 4.
At 4 came Mons. Grandineau[52] till 5. Little Dash is _perfection_, he
is already much attached to Mamma and lies always at her feet. At 7 we
dined. Aunt Sophia came at 8. Sir John dined here. I stayed up till ½
past 8....
_Thursday, 31st January._—At 1 we lunched. At 2 I sat to Mr. Hayter[53]
till 10 minutes to 4. At 5 we dined. Sir John dined here. At ½ past 6
we went with Lady Conroy, Jane and Victoire to the play to Drury Lane.
It was the opera of _The Barber of Seville_. It is so well known that
I need not describe it. The principal characters were Count Almaviva,
Mr. Wood, who looked, sang, and acted _extremely_ well; Rosina, Mrs.
Wood; Figaro, Mr. Philipps, who sung very well; Dr. Bartolo, Mr.
Seguin, who acted very well. It was in 3 acts and I was very _much
amused_. The after piece called _The Nervous Man_ is only amusing in
parts, for Mr. Farren[54] and Mr. Power, two excellent comic actors. We
did not see the end of it. We came home at 12....
_Saturday, 9th February._—I awoke at 7 and got up at ½ past 7. At
½ past 8 we breakfasted. At ½ past 9 came the Dean till 11. At ½
past 12 we lunched. At I we paid a visit to my aunt the Duchess of
Gloucester.[55] When we came home I fed dear little Rosa, and little
Isabell. At ½ past 2 came Mr. Westall[56] till ½ past 3. At a ¼ past
5 we dined. Sir John dined here. At ½ past 6 we went to the play
with Lady Conroy, Victoire and Lehzen as usual. It was the ballet
of _Kenilworth_. The subject is taken from the novel by Sir Walter
Scott, which being so well known I shall not describe. The principal
characters were, Lord Leicester, Mons. Theodore Guerinot, who danced
beautifully; Amy Robsart, Mdlle. Pauline Leroux, who danced and
acted _beautifully_ and looked _quite_ lovely; Jenny, Madame Proche
Giubilei, who acted very well and looked very pretty; Queen Elizabeth,
Mrs. Vining; Varney, Mr. W. H. Payne; Earl of Sussex, Signor Rossi;
Lord Shrewsbury, Mr. Bertram. Besides these, Mdlle. Adele and Mdlle.
Chavigny danced a pas de trois with Mons. Theodore Guerinot. They
danced very well. At 20 minutes past 9 we came home. I then took tea....
_Friday, 5th April._—To-day is Good Friday. At 10 we went to prayers.
Jane and Victoire also. The service was performed by the Dean, who
gave us likewise a very good sermon. It was taken from the 8th chapter
of the Acts of the Apostles, 30th verse. At a ¼ past 12 we went out
walking. When we came home I fed sweet Rosy. At ½ past I we lunched. At
3 came Victoire till 5. At 7 we dined. At 8 came Aunt Sophia. I stayed
up till ½ past 8....
_Saturday, 13th April._—I awoke at 7 and got up at 8. At a ¼ to 9 we
breakfasted. At ½ past 9 came the Dean till ½ past 11. The Duchess of
Northumberland[57] was present. At 12 we went out riding in the park
with Victoire, Lehzen and Sir John. It was a _delightful_ ride. We
cantered a good deal. SWEET LITTLE ROSY went BEAUTIFULLY!! We came home
at a ¼ past 1. At ½ past 1 we lunched. Neither of my masters came. At 6
we dined. The Duchess of Northumberland, Lady Charlotte St. Maur,[58]
and Sir John dined here. At 20 minutes to 7 we went out with them
to the Opera. We were very much _disappointed_ for Taglioni did not
make her début, nor Rubini. We had only one scene of _Il Barbière di
Siviglia_, in which Signor Tambourini, who is a _beautiful_ singer and
actor, appeared, and Donizelli. After waiting for half an hour Laporte
(the manager) was called out, and he said that Mlle. Taglioni was very
unwell in bed, and Mad. Méric was likewise ill, so that _Il Pirato_
could not be performed, but that Rubini would be there directly. After
one act of _Fidelio_, which was _shockingly_ performed, Rubini came on
and sang a song out of _Anna Boulena_ _quite beautifully_. After that
there was the ballet of _La Somnambula_. The principal characters were
Mdlle. Pauline Leroux, who looked QUITE LOVELY and acted prettily;
Mdlle. Adele; Madame Proche Giubelei who looked _very pretty_; Messrs.
Albert and Coulon. We only saw part of it. We came home at ½ past 11....
_Tuesday, 23rd April._—I awoke at 7 and got up at ½ past 7. At 9 we
breakfasted. At ½ past 9 came the Dean till ½ past 11. The Duchess of
Northumberland was present. At a ¼ past 12 we went out riding with Lady
Conroy, Victoire, Lehzen, and Sir John. We rode a little way in the
park, but the fog was so thick that we turned round and rode down by
Gloucester Road, and turned up by Phillimore Place, where it was very
fine and not at all foggy. _Dear_ Rosa went _beautifully_. We came home
at ½ past 1. At ½ past 1 we lunched. At 3 came Mr. Steward till 4. At
4 came Mons. Grandineau till 5. At a ¼ to 7 we dined. Sir John dined
here, and I dressed DEAR SWEET LITTLE DASH for the second time after
dinner in a scarlet jacket and blue trousers. At 20 minutes past 8
Mamma went with Jane and Sir John to the Opera. I stayed up till ½ past
8.
_Wednesday, 24th April._—I awoke at 7 and got up at 8. At 9 we
breakfasted. At ½ past 9 came the Dean till ½ past 11. At ½ past 1 we
lunched. At 3 came Mons. Grandineau till 4. Madame Bourdin[59] did not
come. At ½ past 6 Lehzen and I dined. At 7 I and Lehzen went into the
large saloon, for Mamma gave a dinner to the King. There dined here,
the King (the Queen being too unwell to come), the Duke of Cumberland,
the Duke of Gloucester, the Archbishop of Canterbury,[60] the Lord
Chancellor,[61] the Duke of Devonshire,[62] the Duke of Norfolk,[63]
the Duke of Somerset,[64] the Duke and Duchess of Gordon,[65] the
Duke of Rutland,[66] the Duchess of Northumberland, the Duchess
of Sutherland,[67] the Duke of Cleveland,[68] the Marchioness of
Westminster,[69] the Earl of Liverpool, the Earl and Countess Grey,[70]
Lord Hill,[71] Lady Dover,[72] the Earl of Uxbridge,[73] the Earl
of Albemarle,[74] Lord Amherst,[75] Lady Charlotte St. Maur, Lady
Catherine Jenkinson, Lady Cust,[76] Lady Conroy, Sir George Anson,[77]
Sir Frederick Wetherall,[78] and Sir John. At about 8 I went to my room
with Lehzen. At 20 minutes past 9 I went into the saloon with her to
meet the company. The Grenadier Guards’ band played after dinner. I saw
all the company go. I stayed up till 11....
_Saturday, 27th April._—I awoke at 7 and got up at a ¼ to 8. At a ¼ to
9 we breakfasted. At ½ past 9 came the Dean till 11. The Duchess of
Northumberland was present. At 12 we went out walking. When we came
home I fed dear little Rosa. At a ¼ past 1 we lunched. At ½ past 2 came
Mr. Westall till ½ past 3. At 20 minutes to 3 I sat to Mr. Wyon[79]
to have my profile taken for a medal, till 10 minutes to 5. At 6 we
dined. Sir John dined here. At a ¼ past 7 we went with Lady Conroy and
Lehzen, as usual, to the Opera. It was the opera of _Cenerentola_ by
Rossini. The principal characters were the Prince, by Signor Donizelli;
the Prince’s servant, Signor Tambourini who sung QUITE BEAUTIFULLY;
the father of Cenerentola, Signor Zuchelli, who acted _uncommonly
well_; Cenerentola, Madame Cinti Damoreau; she sang QUITE BEAUTIFULLY,
so round, so softly, and so correctly. It was her first appearance
this season and she was called out. The sisters were two FRIGHTFUL
creatures. The ballet which followed was _Flore et Zephir_. Mdlle.
Taglioni[80] made her first appearance this season. She is grown very
thin, but danced _beautifully_, so lightly and _gracefully_, and each
step so finished! She took the part of Flore, and was very prettily
dressed in a plain gauze dress, trimmed with flowers across her skirt;
a wreath of flowers round her head, and her hair quite flat. Pearls
round her neck and arms. She looked _lovely_, for she is all-ways
smiling. We went away soon. We came home at 12....
_Friday, 3rd May._—At 12 we went with the Duchess of Northumberland,
Lady Charlotte St. Maur, Lady Catherine Jenkinson, Lady Cust, Lady
Conroy, Lehzen, Sir George Anson, and Sir John, to the Exhibition
at Somerset House. We were met there by Sir Martin Shee[81] (the
President), Mr. Westall, Mr. Howard[82] (the Treasurer), Mr. Daniel,
and Sir William Beechy.[83] It was a very good exhibition. There were
several very fine pictures by Sir Martin Shee. Seven by Mr. Westall.
They were 4 landscapes, a drawing of Christ in the arms of Simeon in
the temple; a sleeping Cupid, and the death of James 2nd. All very
fine. There were 5 of G. Hayter’s but I only saw 3, which were my
picture,[84] Lady Lichfield, and Mad. de Delmar’s. There were 3 of
Wilkie’s, a portrait of the King, a very beautiful portrait of the
Duke of Sussex, and Spanish monks, a scene witnessed in a capuchin
convent at Toledo. There were several very fine ones of Howard,
Daniel, Eastlake,[85] Landseer,[86] Calcott,[87] Pickersgill,[88]
Hilton,[89] etc., etc. We came home at ½ past 2. At ½ past 4 we went
out driving in the barouche, but we also walked. We came home at 5....
_Wednesday, 8th May._—At ½ past 2 came Mons. Grandineau till ½ past
3. At a ¼ past 4 we walked through the gardens, and then drove in
the barouche in the park. We came home at 5. At ½ past 6 Lehzen and
I dined. At a little past 7 Lehzen and I went into the saloon, for
Mamma gave a dinner. There dined here, H.R.H. the Duke of Orleans,[90]
who I was very glad to see, for I had not seen him since nearly 4
years; he brought Mamma a letter from his Mother, the Queen of the
French, with a beautiful _déjeuner_ of Sévres china; a letter from
Aunt Louisa[91] (his sister), and a beautiful bracelet with her hair
in it; for me a letter from Aunt Louisa and a beautiful bracelet with
her picture. Prince Talleyrand,[92] the Duchess de Dino,[93] the Duc
de Valençay (her son), the Marquess and Marchioness of Lansdowne,[94]
the Marquess and Marchioness of Stafford,[95] the Earl and Countess
of Tankerville,[96] the Earl and Countess of Sefton,[97] the Earl
and Countess Grosvenor,[98] the Earl of Lichfield,[99] the Earl and
Countess Granville,[100] Lord Palmerston,[101] Lord Morpeth,[102]
Lord Duncannon,[103] Lord Ebrington,[104] Mr. Van de Weyer,[105] Mr.
and Mrs. Stanley,[106] Mr. Ellice,[107] Mr. Abercromby,[108] the
Aide-de-Camp in Waiting on H.R.H. the Duke of Orleans, Mr. Taylor,
Lady Charlotte St. Maur, Lady Conroy, Sir George Anson, and Sir John.
At about 8 I went with Lehzen away. The band of the Coldstream Guards
played at dinner as well as after dinner, as it had the preceding
night. At 20 minutes after 9 Lehzen and I went into the saloon. We met
Aunt Sophia there....
_Saturday, 11th May._—At a ¼ to 7 we dined. Sir John dined here. At a
little after 8 we went to the Opera with Victoire, Lehzen, and Charles.
We came in at the end of the first act of _Medea_. Madame Pasta sang,
and acted beautifully, as did also Rubini and Donizelli. The ballet
was excessively pretty. It is called _Nathalie_. The principal dancers
were Mdlle. Taglioni, who danced and acted QUITE BEAUTIFULLY!! She
looked _very_ pretty. Her dress was very pretty. It was a sort of Swiss
dress; she first appeared in a petticoat of brown and yellow, with a
blue and white apron, a body of black velvet ornamented with silver,
pointed upwards and downwards, over a light tucker drawn to her neck,
with a black ribbon round it, a pair of small white sleeves, a little
Swiss straw hat, with long plaits of her hair hanging down, completed
her first dress. Her second dress was a petticoat of scarlet and yellow
silk, with a white apron, the same body and sleeves, with a wreath of
flowers on her head. Mdlles. Thérèse and Fanny Elsler; they are good
dancers, but have neither grace nor lightness. Messrs. Albert, Coulon,
and Daumont. In the middle of the ballet the Duke of Orleans came into
our box for a little while. We saw most of the ballet. I was _very
much_ amused....
_Friday, 24th May._—To-day is my birthday. I am to-day fourteen years
old! How _very old_!! I awoke at ½ _past_ 5 and got up at ½ past 7.
I received from Mamma a lovely hyacinth brooch and a china pen tray.
From Uncle Leopold a very kind letter, also one from Aunt Louisa and
sister Feodora. I gave Mamma a little ring. From Lehzen I got a pretty
little china figure, and a lovely little china basket. I gave her a
golden chain and Mamma gave her a pair of earrings to match. From my
maids, Frances and Caroline, I also got little trifles of their own
work. At ½ past 8 we breakfasted. After breakfast we went into the
room where my table was arranged. Mamma gave me a lovely bag of her
own work, a beautiful bracelet, two lovely féronières, one of pink
topaz, the other turquoises; two dresses, some prints, some books,
some handkerchiefs, and an apron. From Lehzen, a beautiful print of
the Russell Trial. From Späth,[109] a glass and plate of Bohemian
glass. From Sir Robert Gardiner,[110] a china plate with fruit.
From Victoria and Emily Gardiner, two screens and a drawing done by
them. From the Dean, some books. My brother Charles’s present was
not ready. At about ½ past 10 came Sir John and his three sons. From
Sir John I received a very pretty picture of Dash, very like, the
size of life. From Jane, Victoire, Edward, Stephen, and Henry, a very
pretty enamel watch-chain. From Lady Conroy a sandalwood pincushion
and needle-case. From Victoire alone, a pair of enamel earrings. The
Duchess of Gordon sent me a lovely little crown of precious stones,
which plays “God save the King,” and a china basket. At 12 came the
Duchess of Northumberland (who gave me an ivory basket filled with
the work of her nieces), Lady Charlotte St. Maur a beautiful album
with a painting on it; Lady Catherine Jenkinson a pretty night-lamp.
Lady Cust, a tray of Staffordshire china. Sir Frederick Wetherall,
two china vases from Paris. Doctor Maton,[111] a small cedar basket.
Lady Conroy, Jane, Victoire, Sir George Anson, Sir John, and the
Dean came also. Lady Conroy brought Bijou (her little dog) with her,
and she gave me a little sweet smelling box. They stayed till ½ past
12. Victoire remained with us. I gave her a portrait of Isabel, her
horse. At 1 we lunched. Victoire stayed till ½ past 2. At ½ past 2
came the Royal Family. The Queen gave me a pair of diamond earrings
from the King. She gave me herself a brooch of turquoises and gold in
the form of a bow. Aunt Augusta gave me a box of sandal-wood. From
Aunt Gloucester, Aunt Sophia, and Uncle Sussex, a féronière of pearls.
From Aunt Sophia alone, a bag worked by herself. From the Duke of
Gloucester, a gold inkstand. From the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland,
a bracelet of turquoise; and the Duchess brought me a turquoise pin
from my cousin George Cumberland. From Princess Sophia Mathilda, a blue
topaz watch-hook. From George Cambridge,[112] a brooch in the shape
of a lily of the valley. Lady Mayo,[113] who was in waiting on the
Queen, gave me a glass bottle. They stayed till ½ past 3 and then went
away. I had seen in the course of the day, Sarah, my former maid, and
Mrs. Brock. Ladies Emma and Georgiana Herbert[114] sent me a sachet
for handkerchiefs worked by themselves. Ladies Sarah and Clementina
Villiers[115] sent me some flowers as combs and a brooch. Mr. Collen
sent me a little painting for my album. At a ¼ to 6 we dined. At ½ past
7 we went with Charles, the Duchess of Northumberland, Lady Catherine
Jenkinson, Lehzen, Sir George Anson, and Sir John, to a Juvenile Ball
that was given in honour of my birthday at St. James’s by the King and
Queen. We went into the Closet. Soon after, the doors were opened, and
the King leading me went into the ball-room. Madame Bourdin was there
as dancing-mistress. Victoire was also there, as well as _many_ other
children whom I knew. Dancing began soon after. I danced first with my
cousin George Cambridge, then with Prince George Lieven,[116] then with
Lord Brook,[117] then Lord March,[118] then with Lord Athlone,[119]
then with Lord Fitzroy Lennox,[120] then with Lord Emlyn.[121] We then
went to supper. It was ½ past 11; the King leading me again. I sat
between the King and Queen. We left supper soon. My health was drunk.
I then danced one more quadrille with Lord Paget. I danced in all _8_
quadrilles. We came home at ½ past 12. I was VERY much amused....
_Sunday, 16th June._—I awoke at 7 and got up at ½ past 7. At a ¼ to
9 we breakfasted. At 10 we went to prayers. At 10 came Victoire and
went to prayers with us. The service was performed by Mr. Pittman, as
the poor Dean had the misfortune to lose his little girl Charlotte, of
the scarlet fever, which I was very sorry for. Mr. Pittman gave us a
beautiful sermon. It was taken from the 11th chapter of the Gospel of
St. Luke, 1st verse. At 1 we lunched. Victoire stayed till ½ past 2.
At 3 arrived my two cousins, Princes Alexander and Ernst Würtemberg,
sons of Mamma’s sister, my Aunt Antoinette.[122] They are both
_extremely tall_. Alexander is _very handsome_ and Ernst has a _very
kind expression_. They are both EXTREMELY _amiable_. At 4 we went out
driving in the open carriage. We paid a visit to Aunt Gloucester, and
then drove home through the park. We came home at a ¼ to 6. At a ¼ past
7 we dined. Besides Alexander, Ernst and Charles, Prince Reuss[123] and
Sir John dined here....
_Thursday, 27th June._—At ½ past 9 we went to the Exhibition of the
water-colours, with Alexander and Lehzen in our carriage, and Sir John
in another. We met the Duchess of Northumberland there. It is a VERY
FINE exhibition. From there we went to the British Gallery, where
the works of Sir Joshua Reynolds, West, and Sir Thomas Lawrence are
exhibiting. We came home at ½ past 11. At 1 we lunched. At 2 came Lady
Stafford with her two little girls, Elizabeth[124] and Evelyn,[125]
and Lady Caroline[126] with her little Georgiana. All beautiful
children. At ½ past 4 we drove out in the park, and walked home through
the gardens. We came home at ½ past 5. At 7 we all dined. Sir John
dined here. At a little after 9 we went, with Alexander and Lehzen
in our carriage, and Ernst, Charles and Sir John in another carriage
following, to the Opera. We came in at the beginning of the 2nd act
of _Norma_, in which Madame Pasta sung BEAUTIFULLY. After that Signor
Paganini played by himself some variations, most WONDERFULLY; he is
himself a _curiosity_. After that was given the last act of _Otello_;
Desdemona, Madame Malibran,[127] who sang and acted BEAUTIFULLY. After
that was performed _La Sylphide_; Taglioni danced BEAUTIFULLY and
looked LOVELY. Fanny Elsler danced also _very well_. We saw the whole
of the 1st act and half of the second. It was Laporte’s benefit. I
was VERY MUCH AMUSED. We came home at ½ past 1. I was soon in bed and
asleep....
_Monday, 1st July._—I awoke at ½ past 4 and got up at a ¼ past 5. At a
¼ past 6 we all breakfasted. At 7 o’clock we left Kensington Palace,
Sir John going in a post-chaise before us, then our post-chaise, then
Lehzen’s landau, then my Cousins’ carriage, then Charles’s, then Lady
Conroy’s, and then our maids’. It is a lovely morning. 5 minutes past
8—we have just changed horses at Esher. Lynedoch Gardiner[128] brought
us a basket full of beautiful flowers. 10 o’clock; we have just changed
horses at Guildford. POOR DEAR LITTLE Dashy could not go with us as he
was not quite well, so he is gone with Mason with the horses. 4 minutes
past 1; we have just left Liphook where we took our luncheon. 5 minutes
to 2, we have just changed horses at Petersfield. 5 minutes to 3, we
have just changed horses at Horndean. At 4 we arrived at Portsmouth.
The streets were lined with soldiers, and Sir Colin Campbell[129] rode
by the carriage. Sir Thomas Williams,[130] the Admiral, took us in his
barge, on board the _dear Emerald_. The Admiral presented some of
the officers to us. We stayed about ½ an hour waiting for the baggage
to be put on board the steamer, which was to tow us. We then set off
and arrived at Cowes at about 7. We were most civilly received. Cowes
Castle, the yacht-club, yachts, &c., &c., saluting us. We saw Lord
Durham[131] who is staying at Cowes. We drove up in a fly to Norris
Castle, where we lodged two years ago, and where we are again living.
My cousins and my brother were _delighted_ with it. At about ½ past 7
we all dined. Lady Conroy and her family went to their cottage after
dinner....
_Monday, 8th July._—At about 10 we went on board the _Emerald_ with
Alexander, Ernst, Lady Charlotte, Lady Conroy, Jane, Victoire, Sir
John and Henry. We were towed up to Southampton by the _Medina_
steam-packet. It rained several times very hard, and we were obliged
to go down into the cabin very often. When we arrived at Southampton,
Mamma received an address on board from the Corporation. We then got
into the barge and rowed up to the new pier. The crowd was tremendous.
We went into a tent erected on the pier, and I was very much frightened
for fear my cousins and the rest of our party should get knocked about;
however they at last got in. We then got into our barge and went on
board the _Emerald_ where we took our luncheon. We stayed a little
while to see the regatta, which was going on, and then sailed home. It
was a very wet afternoon. We came home at ½ past 5. At 7 we dined. Lady
Conroy, Jane, Victoire, Sir John, and Henry dined here....
_Friday, 12th July._—I awoke at 6 and got up at ½ past 6. At 7 we
breakfasted. It was a _sad_ breakfast, for us indeed, as my dear
cousins were going so soon. At about a ¼ to 8 we walked down our
pier with them and there took leave of them, which made us both VERY
UNHAPPY. We saw them get into the barge, and watched them sailing away
for some time on the beach. They were so amiable and so pleasant to
have in the house; they were _always satisfied, always good humoured_;
Alexander took such care of me in getting out of the boat, and rode
next to me; so did Ernst. They talked about _such interesting things_,
about their Turkish Campaign, about Russia, &c., &c. We shall miss
them at _breakfast_, at _luncheon_, at _dinner_, _riding_, _sailing_,
_driving_, _walking_, in _fact everywhere_.
About two hours after my cousins had gone, Mamma received the
distressing news that my cousins’ father, the Duke Alexander of
Würtemberg,[132] who had been ill for some time, was dead. I was
extremely sorry for them. Mamma immediately dispatched an estafette
after them to Dover with the news. At 1 we lunched. It was a dull
luncheon. At 4 we went out riding with Lady Charlotte, Lady Conroy,
Jane, Victoire, Sir John and Henry. Victoire rode Alice, and Lehzen
Isabel. The ride would have appeared to me much pleasanter had
Alexander and Ernst been there. We came home at 6. We heard from a
servant of ours, who had crossed over with them to Portsmouth, that
they had had a very quick and good passage and that they had not been
at all sick. At 7 we dined. Lady Conroy, Jane, Victoire, Sir John,
Edward, and Henry dined here. Here again they were missing....
_Thursday, 18th July._—At a ¼ to 10 we went on board the _Emerald_ with
Lady Charlotte, Lady Conroy, Jane, Victoire, Lehzen, and Sir John,
and were towed by the _Messenger_ steam-packet up to Portsmouth. We
then got into the Admiral’s barge, and landed in the docks. We then
saw from an elevation, the launch of the _Racer_, a sloop of war. We
then re-entered the Admiral’s barge and went to the _Victory_, his
flag-ship. We there received the salute on board. We saw the spot where
Nelson fell, and which is covered up with a brazen plate and his motto
is inscribed on it, “Every Englishman is expected to do his duty.” We
went down as low as the tanks, and there tasted the water which had
been in there for two years, and which was excellent. We also saw the
place where Nelson died. The whole ship is remarkable for its neatness
and order. We tasted some of the men’s beef and potatoes, which were
excellent, and likewise some grog. The company consisted of Lady
Williams, the Admiral’s lady, Sir Graham and Lady Moore,[133] Mr. and
Mrs. Ricardo, Sir Frederick and Lady Maitland,[134] etc., etc. We then
partook of a luncheon at the Admiral’s House and then returned on board
the _Emerald_. We got home by 5. We both wished so much that _dear_
Alexander and _dear_ Ernest had been there, I think it would have
amused them....
_Friday, 2nd August._—I awoke at about a ¼ to 6 and got up at ½
past 7. At ½ past 8 we all breakfasted. We then saw several ladies
and gentlemen. At about ½ past 9 we went on board the _dear little
Emerald_. We were to be towed up to Plymouth. Mamma and Lehzen were
very sick, and I was sick for about ½ an hour. At 1 I had a hot
mutton chop on deck. We passed Dartmouth. At about 4 we approached
Plymouth Harbour. It is a magnificent place and the breakwater is
wonderful indeed. You pass Mount Edgecumbe, the seat of Lord Mount
Edgecumbe.[135] It is beautifully situated. The Admiral, Sir William
Hargood,[136] Captain Falkland his flag-captain, and Mr. Yorke[137]
came on board. Captain Brown, who is on board the _Caledonia_, and
Captain Macay, on board the _Revenge_, also came on board. As we
entered the harbour, our dear little _Emerald_ ran foul of a hulk, her
mast broke and we were in the _greatest danger_. Thank God! the mast
did not fall and no one was hurt. But I was _dreadfully_ frightened
for _Mamma_ and for _all_. The poor dear _Emerald_ is very much hurt
I fear. Saunders was not at all in fault; he saved us by pulling the
rope which fixed us to the steamer. We arrived at Plymouth at 5. It is
a beautiful town and we were very well received. _Sweet Dash_ was under
Saunders’s arm the whole time, but he never let him drop in all the
danger. At 7 we dined. The hotel is very fine indeed. After dinner Sir
John saw Saunders, who said that the mast of the _Emerald_ was broken
in two places, and that we had had the _narrowest escape possible_;
but that she would be repaired and ready for us to go back in her on
Tuesday.
_Saturday, 3rd August._—At 10 came Sir John Cameron,[138] the Governor,
and his officers. At ½ past 10 came Sir William Hargood and his
officers and captains. Soon after came Lord Hill, who is over here to
inspect the troops, and Sir John Macdonald,[139] Sir Richard Jackson,
and Captain Hill. At ½ past 11 Mamma received an address from the
Mayor and Corporation of Plymouth, downstairs in a large room full of
people. At 12 we went with all our own party to a review of the 89th,
the 22nd, and the 84th regiments. Mamma made a speech, and I then gave
the colours to the 89th regiment. The names of the two Ensigns to whom
I gave the colours are Miles and Egerton. We then saw them march by in
line. We then went to the Admiral’s house where we had our luncheon,
and then proceeded to the docks. We went in the Admiral’s barge on
board the Admiral’s flag-ship, the _St. Joseph_, taken by Lord Nelson
from the Spanish, in the battle of St. Vincent. We received a salute on
board. She is a magnificent vessel of 120 guns. We saw her lower decks
and cabins, which are extremely light, airy, roomy and clean. We then
returned in the Admiral’s barge, rowed round the _Caledonia_ 120 guns,
and the _Revenge_ 76 guns. We landed at the Dockyard and went home. At
7 we dined....
End of my third Journal-book. Norris Castle, August 11th, 1833....
_Monday, 16th September._—At 10 we went on board the _Emerald_ with
Lady Catherine, Lady Conroy, Jane, Lehzen, Victoire, and Sir John,
and sailed to Portsmouth, where we were going to pay a visit to their
Majesties the Queen of Portugal[140] and the Duchess of Braganza (her
step-mother). We got there at ½ past 11. We entered the Admiral’s
barge with Lady Catherine, Lady Conroy, Lehzen, and Sir John, and were
rowed ashore. We landed at the stairs in the dockyard. Mamma and I got
into a close carriage, and our ladies followed in an open carriage.
The whole way from the dock-yard to the Admiral’s house, where their
Majesties reside, was lined with troops and various bands were placed
at different distances. We were received at the door by the gentlemen
and ladies of the court. Inside the hall we were met by the Queen and
the Duchess. The Queen led Mamma, and the Duchess followed leading
me into the room. The Queen was in England 4 years ago; she is only
a month older than I am and is very kind to me. She was then already
very tall for her age, but had a very beautiful figure; she is grown
very tall but also very stout. She has a beautiful complexion, and is
very sweet and friendly. She wore her hair in two large curls in front
and a thick fine plait turned up behind. The Empress (or Duchess as
she is now called) was never before in England. She is only 21 and is
very pleasing. She has beautiful blue eyes, and has a fine tall figure.
She has black hair and wore ringlets in front and a plait behind. She
was simply dressed in a grey watered moire trimmed with blonde. Their
Majesties arrived at Portsmouth from Havre on the morning of the 8th
of September; and proceeded to Windsor on the 10th, on a visit to the
King and Queen, from whence they returned last Saturday, and they
intend leaving Portsmouth to-day at 2 o’clock for Lisbon. The Queen and
Duchess having desired us to sit down, talked some time with us. The
Duchess then went and fetched her little girl, a child of 21 months
old. We soon after went, the Queen leading Mamma and the Duchess me in
the same manner as before. We returned in the same way. We lunched on
board the _Emerald_ and then were towed by the _Messenger_ home. We
came home at 3....
_Monday, 14th October._— ... Ferdinand the 7th of Spain[141] died
on the 29th of September, and his young and lovely Queen Christina
instantly became Regent for the infant Queen Isabella the 2nd, her
daughter, and who is only 3 years old. The Queen has a powerful enemy
in Don Carlos and his wife, but she is very courageous and very clever.
It is a singular coincidence that there should be a young Queen in
Spain as well as in Portugal. At 7 we 4 dined. I stayed up till 9....
_Monday, 9th December._—At 5 we dined. Sir John dined here. At ½ past
6 we went to the play to Drury Lane with Lady Conroy, Lehzen, and
Sir John. It was Shakespear’s tragedy of _King John_. The principal
characters were: King John, Mr. Macready,[142] who acted _beautifully_;
Prince Arthur, Miss Poole, who acted delightfully; Hubert, Mr. Bennett
who acted well; Faulconbridge, Mr. Cooper, who also acted well; Philip
King of France, Mr. Diddear; Louis the Dauphin, Mr. Brendal; Archduke
of Austria, Mr. Thompson; Queen Elinor, Mrs. Faucit[143]; the Lady
Constance, Mrs. Sloman; Blanche of Castile, Miss Murray. The second
piece was the melo-drama of _The Innkeeper’s Daughter_, which is very
horrible but _extremely interesting_, but it would take me too much
time to relate the story of it. The characters were: Richard, Mr.
Cooper, who acted _very well_; Frankland, Mr. Ayliffe; Monkton, Mr.
Thompson; Langley, Mr. Tayleure; Harrop, Mr. Webster,[144] who looked
_horrid_ but acted well; he was one of the leading characters in
the play; Edward Harrop, Mr. Richardson; Wentworth, Mr. Baker; Hans
Ketzler, Mr. T. P. Cooke, who acted very well; Tricksey, Mr. Hughes;
William, Mr. Howell; White, Mr. East; Smith, Mr. Henry; Allsop, Mr. S.
Jones; Mary, Miss Kelly,[145] who acted _quite beautifully_; she is
quite mature. Marian, Mrs. Broad. We came to the very beginning and
stayed to the very end. We came home at 10 minutes past 12. I was VERY
MUCH AMUSED....
_Thursday, 26th December._—I awoke at 7 and got up at 8. At 9 we
breakfasted. At 1 we lunched. At ½ past 2 came Captain Burnes who
has lately travelled over Northern East India. He gave us some very
interesting accounts. He likewise brought with him to show us, his
servant, a native of Cabul, dressed in his native dress. He is called
Gulam Hussein; is of a dark olive complexion and had a dress of real
Cashmere made in the beautiful valley of Cashmere.
_Friday, 27th December._—At ½ past 2 came Mr. T. Griffiths to lecture
on Physics. The plan of the lecture was: Introductory—Objects of
Alchymy, viz. Transmutation of Metals, the Elixir of Life, and the
Universal Solvent;—Objects of Chemistry, viz. the investigation of
every substance in nature—Chemistry a science of experiment—Results of
chemical action—Arts and Manufactures dependent on chemistry—Importance
of Heat as a chemical agent—Its action on various substances—Conductors
and Non-conductors of Heat—Nature of Flame. All these different
subjects were illustrated by very curious and interesting experiments.
It was over at ½ past 3. Lehzen, Lady Conroy, Victoire, the Dean, and
Sir John were likewise present. I was _very much amused_....
_Monday, 30th December._—I awoke at 7 and got up at 8. At 9 we
breakfasted. At 1 we lunched. At ½ past 2 came Mr. Walker to
lecture. The plan of the lecture was: Properties of Matter—Particles
infinitely small, divisible, and hard—Cohesion—Capillary attraction,
Magnetic attraction, &c., &c.—Repulsion exhibited in various ways,
as counteracting the preceding influences—Recapitulation—Mechanics:
Gravity considered, its effects on descending and projected
bodies—National weights and measures—Vis inertia, momentum,
what—Mechanical Powers, explained by various machines, applications,
&c. &c.—Draft of horses—Defect of wheel carriages, road, &c. pointed
out—Some improvements suggested—Removal of Great Stone of St.
Petersburg. The lecture lasted till a ¼ to 4. Lehzen, Lady Conroy,
the Dean, and Sir John were present besides ourselves. At a ¼ to 7 we
dined. Sir John dined here. At a ¼ past 8 we went with Lehzen, Lady
Conroy, and Sir John to the play to Covent Garden. We came in for the
last scene of _Gustavus_, the Masqued Ball, and stayed the whole of
the pantomime, which is called “_Old Mother Hubbard and her Dog; or
Harlequin and Tales of the Nursery_.” The scenery was very pretty and
the principal characters were: Venus, Miss Lee; Cupid, Miss Poole who
appeared in three other dresses: as a peasant boy, as a drummer, and
as Mother Hubbard, and she looked _very_ pretty and acted very well
indeed. Old Mother Hubbard, Mr. Wieland; Schock (her dog), Master
W. Mitchinson. The Duchess Griffinwinkle Blowsabella (afterwards
Pantaloon), Mr. Barnes. King Rundytundy O (afterwards Dandy Lover),
Mr. W. H. Payne. The Princess Graciosa (afterwards Columbine), a very
pretty person, Miss Foster. Prince Percineth (afterwards Harlequin) Mr.
Ellar. Head Cook (afterwards Clown) Mr. T. Mathews. The panorama at the
end was also pretty.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE TO CHAPTER III
The year 1834 was spent very quietly by Princess Victoria. Her
education progressed in simple and placid grooves, but her visits
to the opera and the theatre became more frequent. She became
devoted to Italian opera, and formed an attachment to music of the
Italian school from which even Prince Albert, steeped as he was in
German music, never contrived to wean her. She accepted then, and
ever afterwards, Giulia Grisi as the supreme singer and artist.
From the month of June, when she was present at a Festival in
Westminster Abbey, to the end of the autumn, she devoted herself,
at St. Leonards and at Tunbridge Wells, to the study of music and
singing and to practising upon the harp.
This year the Whig Ministry of Lord Grey tottered and fell. In July
King William, much to the surprise of politicians on both sides,
entrusted Lord Melbourne with the formation of a Government. The
King wanted a coalition and made a tentative effort to achieve it,
but he did not succeed in obtaining the co-operation of either
Party. It was not anticipated that Lord Melbourne’s Government
could last. In the month of November Lord Spencer died, and Lord
Althorp, his son, who was Chancellor of the Exchequer, seized with
unrestrained delight the opportunity to retire from public life.
Lord Melbourne thereupon resigned, and Sir Robert Peel, returning
hurriedly from Rome, formed an administration likewise destined to
be short-lived.
If King William had some difficulty in finding a stable Ministry,
his brother-monarch across the Channel was in no better plight.
The Parliamentary difficulties in France reached a stage of such
complexity, that it looked for a moment as if the French monarchy
itself might succumb to the vehemence of political and partisan
strife. The Citizen-King found it necessary to employ 100,000
troops to keep in awe the three cities of Paris, Marseilles, and
Lyons. At this moment died Lafayette, one of the last links between
the opening and concluding discords of the French Revolution. It
was during this year that two foreigners of eminence, long resident
in England, finally disappeared from London society. Princess
Lieven left the Russian, and Talleyrand the French Embassy.
This year, too, saw the destruction, by fire, of the old Houses
of Parliament, associated with so many historic memories. None of
these events, however, caused a ripple upon the surface of the
little Princess’s secluded life at Kensington.