“7. Returned to town. Dined with Mrs. Channon. Lady D. Stuart, Counts Battaglia, Vodiski, De Grognon, and Miss Cockaine present. Came home ill.
“8. Dined with Mrs. S., and went to Lady Dudley Stuart’s soirée.
“9. Dined with Dr. Beattie and met Thomas Campbell. Praised my poetry to the skies and quoted from ‘Melanie,’—
‘She died
With her last sunshine in her eyes.’
Spoke of Scott’s slavishness to men of rank, and after said it did not interfere with his genius. Said it sank a man’s heart to think he and Byron were dead and there was nobody left to praise or approve. Why should he write now? Told story of the man at the deaf and dumb who did not know him as a poet. Abused the nobility bitterly. Said they were ungrateful, and thought they honored you by receiving a favor from you. Said he was sorry for his vindication of Lady Byron. Story of dining with Burns and a Bozzy friend who, when C. proposed the health of Mr. Burns, said, ‘Sir, you will always be known as Mr. Campbell, but posterity will talk of Burns.’ He was playful and amusing, and drank gin and water. Went after in uniform to the grand Coliseum ball. Seven thousand people present.
“10. Grand review in Hyde Park. Went to a déjeuner at Mrs. Wyndham Lewis’s on the Park. Talked to Miss Caton and the Duchess of St. Albans. Music after the review. Malibran sang.
“Received a congratulatory letter from Edward Everett.
“Party at Mrs. F.’s, Lady Franklin’s sister. Stupid.
“11. Went to the Duchess St. Albans’s fête at Holly Lodge. The duke flew a falcon and killed a pigeon. Fireworks, dinner in a tent, dancing, singing, etc., etc., there. Mrs. Marjoribanks brought me home.”