June 22.—In the afternoon went to Windsor. Stopped on the way at Hounslow for want of horses, on account of the Ascot Races. The road from Staines to Windsor very pretty, with neat country houses. On my arrival at a house in Park-street, near the entrance of Windsor, which belongs to the Queen, I found very comfortable apartments neatly fitted up, and a present of two pieces of India muslin, two of English, and one of Chambery, from her Majesty.
Sunday, 23rd.—In the evening went to Lady Aylesbury’s apartments at the Castle, and with her, at half-past eight, to the Queen’s drawing-room. The King, Queen, and Princesses there. Music in the ante-room. Came away at a little before eleven, when the Royal Family went to supper.
26th.—In consequence of the Queen’s invitation, went at half-past six in the evening to Frogmore, with Miss Goldsworthy. The volunteers had dined there. Besides their Majesties, the Royal Family, and their suite, some of the neighbouring gentlemen and ladies were invited, and Dr. Goodall with his Etonians. In a barn fitted up with festoons of evergreens and flowers, two German “petites pièces” were extremely well acted by a company of little children. After which, an automaton danced on the rope, and a species of phantasmagoria was represented, consisting of dancing figures, which formed groups and separated in an ingenious manner. All finished before ten.
December 22.—Great joy about the Emperor of Russia’s conduct.[[122]] His birthday to-morrow. Princess Elizabeth ate something to resemble a tallow-candle, made of apple and burnt almond.
Windsor—1808.
June 4.—The King’s birthday. Went to Lady Charlotte Finch’s. The Queen, and the Princesses, the Prince of Wales, and almost all the Royal Dukes, came there, as also little Princess Charlotte, who is very graceful and amiable. The Duchess of Brunswick had been to visit the King, and came afterwards (before the company arrived) to see the apartments. She was dressed wholly in white crape, and looked well, but much older than the King. Her voice is loud.
9th.—In the morning went with the Queen and Princess Elizabeth to Frogmore. Two Spanish noblemen[[123]] arrived in town to ask assistance against the French. Catalonia and the Asturias in arms. The King much pleased, but would not leave the novels that were being read to him.
August 10.—Went at half-past ten in the morning with Princess Elizabeth to her cottage at Old Windsor, and helped to arrange things there till between one and two, when we dressed for the company, who were beginning to arrive. The Queen and the Princesses, with the Princess Sophia of Gloucester, came about half-past two. The day was fine, and the grounds looked very pretty. The Queen and Royal Family dined in the house: the rest of the company in two tents, in one of which Lady Isabella Thynne presided, and in the other, Lady George Murray. The hands of the Oxford Blues and the Staffordshire Militia played. After dinner, when the children came, there were three booths, at which they and all the company had fairings; and then the children danced upon the lawn. It was altogether a very pretty fête, and the Queen seemed much pleased, as, indeed, did everybody. She went away at seven, or a little before, as the King was expected to return from Town about that time. The rest of the company stayed nearly an hour longer. In the evening I went to the Queen’s party at the Castle.
October 7.—At Rochetts, Admiral Russell came. He asked for a fortnight’s leave, but was dismissed civilly from his command with great praises. He said that, at all events, they would have teased him out of it. He hoisted the Royal standard for the Queen of France, but it was not approved.[[124]] He asked Lord St. Vincent whether he had done right, who answered: “You could not do too much for a woman.” He is an honest, brave officer, and goes by the name of Paddy Russell. He came in full uniform. Lord and Lady St. Vincent are very good to the poor. They have made gates instead of stiles through all the grounds for the convenience of the people who come to church.