In the house are several good apartments: that in which the Countess d’Alton sleeps was the chamber of Marshal Villars. The views from the house are very extensive.
9th.—News by the telegraph of the death of Mr. Canning, who expired yesterday, at the Duke of Devonshire’s villa at Chiswick.
13th.—Six Indians arrived, four men and two women, with an interpreter and his son, and a French colonel, from Havre de Grace. They come from the banks of the river Missouri, in America. The gate and opposite side of the street are thronged with people trying to stare at them.
16th.—This morning the Indian chief and the two women came to my apartment with the housekeeper and the porter. He appeared grave in his manners, but offered his hand, as did also the women. The latter seemed very cheerful. Their colour is bronze. I thought there was a natural gracefulness in the figure of the chief, and in his manner of holding his drapery. His arms were bare, with silver armlets on them; but his white mantle was wrapped about him. Their hair is black and long, but, according to the Indian custom, consisting of only one lock at the top of the head. It is said they brought with them furs of value, which they sold at Havre.
September 16th.—Dined at Prince Castelcicala’s, to meet the Countess Esterhazy and her two daughters. The Austrian Ambassador, Count Apponyi, with the Countess and his nephew, and Monseigneur Acton, also dined there. The Countess Esterhazy is the most intimate friend of the Dauphiness. When the latter went to Vienna from her prison at Paris, a lady was placed about her who had a niece very handsome and agreeable. At first the Dauphiness, accustomed to the mournful and appalling solitude of the Temple, could not appreciate the society of this young lady, but by degrees the cheerfulness and attentions of her companion made their way into her heart, and ever since that time she has loved her most sincerely. On the day on which the Princess gave her hand to the Duke d’Angoulême, her young friend was united to Count Esterhazy; and since her return to France she has exacted that every second year the Countess should visit her and pass some time with her. Her Royal Highness then takes her about to see everything that is interesting, lodges her in the Park of St. Cloud, and bestows upon her every mark of real affection. The Count and Countess have passed five winters in Rome on account of his health; but they are now going to Hungary.
[1828.]
January 24th.—Went to the banker’s. Great preparations in the court-yard for the forthcoming marriage of Mademoiselle Lafitte with the Prince de la Moskwa, son of the late Marshal Ney. The young lady, it is said, wanted to marry her father’s head clerk, but M. Lafitte had not sufficient love for liberty and equality to allow this. It is curious to observe how fond of titles are all these people who profess “liberal” principles.
February 5th.—This morning the opening of the Chambers took place at the Louvre, and the King made a good speech, which was applauded, and he was welcomed, and accompanied at his departure by cries of “Vive le Roi!” Speaking of the battle of Navarino, he called it imprévue; but alluded to the glory of the French arms, and of their union with those of their allies. I remarked, on hearing the speech read, that his Majesty placed the King of England before the Emperor of Russia.[[106]] Ecclesiastical affairs and public instruction are to be separate. It is said a very wealthy and sensible man is appointed to be at the head of public instruction—a lawyer, but of good religious and moral principles.[[107]]
21st.—Dined at Lady Downshire’s. Sir Thomas Fellowes there. He has been in England since the battle of Navarino, and is returning to Toulon to rejoin the squadron. This evening he saw the King, who spoke, as indeed he always does, most cordially of England.
[On the 12th of April Miss Knight returned to England, and expressed much astonishment at the improvements in London since her former visit.]