Feb. 27th.—Returned to town from Rochetts. The weather beautiful. On the way saw the walls in various places chalked with invectives against the Corn Bill.[[11]]
Received a letter from ——,[[12]] contradicting the reports in the Morning Chronicle respecting his supposed marriage. It came enclosed in one to the Duke of Sussex, which he sent me to read, and it was to the same effect, declaring the story to be absolutely false, and without foundation.
I went at half-past three to Lady Downshire’s, where I met the Duke, and heard that the Princess of Wales had written to Lord Liverpool to ask for a frigate to bring her home, but had been refused by the Prince, saying there were none disposable.[[13]] Dined at Prince Castelcicala’s.[[14]] At ten he and his youngest son set off for Paris, whither he is ordered to go on an important mission for his own Court.
28th.—Saw Dr. Baird and Mrs. Balfour, who was an intimate friend of poor Lady Day. Afterwards walked to Weymouth-street, to inquire after Mrs. C. B. Egerton’s little girl, who is dangerously ill; only saw the General. Called on Miss Mercer Elphinstone, who said she had been at Cranbourne, and that Princess Charlotte was to come to the drawing-room on the 9th, but that she had been suffering with bad headaches.
March 1st.—I called in the evening on Lady Aylesbury, Lady Neave, &c. The people are discontented with the Corn Bill, and write horrid things on the wall, such as “Bread or blood,” “More Bellinghams,” “Bread, or else the Regent’s head.” It is, however, said, and I believe with truth, that the Regent is against the bill. There was a sort of riot yesterday in the Borough,[[15]] and the Horse Guards were sent to quell it. I dined with Princess Castelcicala, and met Count Woronzow there in the evening. He said Lord Castlereagh would be at Paris on the 3rd.
In the evening I went to Lady Charleville’s, where two Spaniards, one named Rosquillos, and Naldi’s daughter sang. There was a large party, though, I believe, not what is called large in London. Very good company. Mrs. Perceval,[[16]] now Lady Carr, was there, looking gay and handsome, and followed by some of her daughters.
Thursday and Friday I spent chiefly with poor Mrs. C. B. Egerton, whose little girl died this week, and on the second of those days I heard from Princess Charlotte, who informed me of Cranbourne Lodge having been given to her “en propriété,” and of the intention of Ministers to give her 8000l. a year on the Civil List, for her Windsor expenses and “menus plaisirs,” at her own disposal. She believes she is to come to town for a day or two whenever anything is going forward, and to be on those occasions at Carlton House until Warwick House is converted into a wing of that building. She mentions the Queen being gracious, and even affectionate to her, and says her Majesty has in a late transaction stood forward fairly and humanely as her friend. She complains of headaches, but says she occupies herself as much as possible to abstract her mind from its cares. Her letter is expressive of much considerate tenderness towards me, and some of her friends and dependents.
I called and left a box of trinkets (belonging to her Royal Highness, which was in my possession) at Miss Mercer Elphinstone’s, who had given me a message from Princess Charlotte to desire I would send it by her. The drawing-room was announced for the 9th, but it is postponed, probably on account of the discontent of the people with respect to the Corn Bill.[[17]]
The Duke of Sussex sent me word that he had a message from Princess Charlotte, to say that she had been desired by her father to write to her mother that she would never see her more, but had declined it. It is said the Princess of Wales will return in May.
March 4th.—I made several visits in the evening, and heard much of the discontent about the price of bread. I also heard that the paper sent to Congress by the Prince of Benevento (Talleyrand), was the best state paper which had been seen for ages. It has restored great part of Saxony to the King of that country, and it is thought may have a good effect with respect to the recovery of the kingdom of Naples, two hundred thousand men restlessly anxious to be employed on any service forming the great argument which France can easily urge. In the evening I went to Mrs. Egerton’s, to a party at Lady Neave’s (which she gave in honour of the return of Lady Sarah and Mr. Lyttleton), and to Lady Downshire’s box at the Opera, just in time for the ballet “Le Prince Troubadour.”[[18]] The dancers are said not to be better than figurantes at Paris, but Mademoiselle Mélanie is certainly graceful in many of her attitudes, and Madame Leon is a pretty little figure. Vestris, father and son, are of the number.