INTRODUCTORY NOTE TO CHAPTER II
When the Princess was fourteen years old she obtained her first sight of Osborne, that future home in the Isle of Wight where she was destined to spend so many happy years, and which was associated with the closing scenes of her life. Osborne Lodge was the residence of Sir John Conroy. It occupied the site of Osborne Cottage, now the residence of the Queen’s youngest daughter, Princess Henry of Battenberg. In spite of the changes made in the appearance of Osborne by the erection of Osborne House and the laying-out of the grounds round it, that portion of the estate where Osborne Cottage stands, and Whippingham Church, with its manifold associations, have much the same aspect as they had when first explored by Princess Victoria in 1833.
On her birthday, King William gave a children’s party at St. James’s in his niece’s honour, and the ball was opened by the little Princess and her cousin Prince George of Cambridge, then a boy of fourteen, who was afterwards to be the Commander-in-Chief of her armies. The Princess speaks of the ball-room. It is difficult to be sure which room is meant by this. The eastern end of St. James’s Palace had been destroyed by fire in 1809, and had only recently been rebuilt. The Palace was occupied by William IV. and Queen Adelaide, the Queen’s rooms being in that portion which is now called Clarence House, and the King’s apartments occupying the western end of what is now St. James’s Palace proper. It was probably the room hung with yellow silk, next but one to the Throne-room, so familiar to those who attend the King’s Levées, that the little Princess opened her first ball.
This was not her first introduction into Society. Three years before she had been seen at Court, and in 1831 she had attended a Drawing-room.
The Princess now acquired a habit (which she practised for many years) of making sketches from memory of the artists and scenes that struck her imagination during her visits to the theatre. There are many volumes at Windsor Castle full of the Princess’s recollections of the theatre, drawn in pencil or in water-colour. Although the technique may be faulty, these sketches are full of movement and quaintly descriptive. They indicate an absorbed attention on her part, and a vivid memory. They suggest a power of concentration upon the thing she was about, which became in after-life a marked characteristic. From her journals and her sketches as a child of fourteen, an inference might be drawn that little escaped the acute observation of the little Princess. There are many who remember how in later life very little escaped the observation of the Queen.
CHAPTER II
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.