Tuesday, 16th October.—I awoke at 6 and got up at 7. I then dressed and took some tea. At ½ past 9 we breakfasted. The breakfast-room is magnificent. There are 4 fireplaces; and the windows are of stained glass very beautifully done. A massive lustre of gold with an eagle likewise in gold hangs from the ceiling in the middle of the room. Pillars arching to the top and gilt in parts rise from the sides. Several tables of oak and elm stand in the windows, and the breakfast was served in handsome silver tea and coffee pots; a crown of gold with precious stones contained the bread. Besides Lady Grosvenor and Lady Wilton, there were also Lady Egerton,[13] Mrs. Lane and Miss Bagot. After breakfast Lady Grosvenor brought her 4 children. We then went into our own rooms and I wrote my journal. At 12 Mamma went into the great saloon where all the ladies were and an address from the mayor and corporation of Chester arrived and then another from the gentlemen and inhabitants of Chester, presented by Lord Robert.[14] After this we looked about the room which is indeed beautiful. The ceiling is done in the same splendid manner and a magnificent lustre of gold and glass with a coronet of velvet and pearls hung from the ceiling in the room. Two windows of stained glass, very handsomely done, are on different sides. A superb chimney-place with beautiful furniture and rich carpets, complete the room. 4 beautiful pictures painted by different artists are likewise in the room. We then walked out with most of the people; I walking in front with the eldest and third little girl, the second not being well. We walked about the garden and looked at an aloe which flowers only once in 100 years. We came in at ½ past 1, and lunched at 2. At ½ past 2 we went out driving; Lady Westminster and little Elinor,[15] the eldest child, were in our carriage; she is a delightful child. Lady Catherine and Lehzen followed in another carriage. We drove about the park which is beautiful. When we came home we walked in the kitchen gardens which are indeed very pretty. At ½ past 4 we came home and I worked. At 7 we dined. The dining-room is a fine room beautifully worked at the ceiling. Four large statues of Maltese stone occupy 4 corners, very beautifully executed; one with a helmet is Sir Gilbert le Grosvenor,[16] and the lady[17] next by him is the heiress of Eaton; on the opposite side the man is Sir Robert le Grosvenor, distinguished in the battle of Cressy; the lady near him is a Miss Davis who by intermarrying brought the possessions in town, as Grosvenor Square, Belgrave Square, etc., etc.[18] The window is stained glass with the figure of Hugh Lupus on it. The dinner was served on plate, and the plateau was very handsome with gilt cups on it. The side table was covered with gold plate. After dinner we played at a game of letters and then I sang and Mamma and Lady Catherine sang and afterwards Lady Westminster played on the organ. I stayed up till 10....
Thursday, 18th October.—When we went out after luncheon we went in the garden first and saw a Roman altar which had been dug up near Chester. At 7 we dined. The breakfast-room had been arranged for this purpose. A temporary floor had been arranged at the top of the room, for our table (for all the company who had come to the bow-meeting dined here), and the other four were lower. After the dinner (we being still at table) was over some glee-singers from Chester came and sang the grace in Latin. Then Lord Westminster gave out some toasts; amongst others, “The King,” “The Queen,” Mamma and me; which were received extremely well. After dinner was over, I gave the children, who had come when dinner was over, a little remembrance. I then took leave of the whole family and went to bed. I stayed up till 10.
Friday, 19th October.— ... ½ past 4. We have just changed horses at Buxton, which is a pretty place. The houses are well built and form a crescent. The country about here is very pretty, high rocks covered with trees. There are all about here little rivulets and fountains, rippling over stones. At ½ past 6 we arrived at Chatsworth, which is a beautiful house. It was quite dark. It is built in the shape of a square joined by an arch under which one must drive. We were met at the door by the Duke of Devonshire[19] who conducted us up the staircase, which is made of wood, to our apartments which are indeed beautiful. In the corridor there are some beautiful statues. I dined by myself in my own room with Lehzen. I stayed up till ½ past 8. I was soon in bed and asleep.
Saturday, 20th October.—I awoke at ½ past 7 and got up at 8. At a little past 9 we breakfasted, us 5 by ourselves in a lovely room giving on the park and garden where one could see a cascade which ran all the way down. The room is small; the ceiling is painted and represents some mythology, with books round the room and a splendid carpet. At about 11 we went over the house with the company, which consisted of Lord and Lady Cavendish,[20] Lord and Lady Newburgh,[21] Mr. and Lady Caroline Lascelles,[22] Count Karoly, Mrs. Arkwright, Lady Clifford, Lord and Lady Wharncliffe,[23] Mrs. Talbot, Lord Morpeth,[24] Mr. Cooper, Mr. Henry Greville, and Miss Fanny Cavendish.[25] It would take me days, were I to describe minutely the whole. We went all over the house, and the carving of the frame-work of some looking-glasses was quite beautiful; they are carved in the shape of birds, the plumage being so exquisite that if it was not of the colour of wood one might take them for feathers. It not only surrounds the mirrors but the ceilings of some of the rooms. We saw Lady Cavendish’s little boy who is 10 months old, a beautiful child. We likewise saw the kitchen which is superb for its size and cleanliness; and the confectionary which is as pretty and neat. The Duke’s own apartments contain some superb statues of Canova and others; likewise a beautiful collection of minerals. We saw the library and dining-room which are all beautiful. The library’s ceiling is painted in figures; and the carpet is beautiful. The conservatory which leads from the dining-room is very pretty. We then walked out in the garden, I went into another conservatory which contains a rockery with water falling from it. There are some curious plants there, amongst others two which are worthy of remark; the one is called the pitcher-plant because at the end of each leaf hangs a little bag or pitcher which fills with the dew and supplies the plant when it wants water; the other is called the fly-catcher plant, because whenever a fly touches it, it closes. From the conservatory we went and looked at a monkey which is in the garden, chained. We then went to the cascade and saw some other fountains very curious and pretty. When we had come on the terrace the Duke wished us to plant two trees down under the terrace. So we did, I planted an oak and Mamma a Spanish chesnut. After that we went upon the terrace again and went up a platform which had been arranged with carpets, to view the cricket-match below; the Buxton band playing “God save the King” and the people hurraying and others under tents looked very pretty. From there we went to the stables where we saw some pretty ponies and a Russian coachman in his full dress, and the only Russian horse which remained reared at his command; there were 3 other horses, English ones, but trained like the other. At about ½ past 1 we came home and lunched with the whole party. At ½ past 2 we went in a carriage and 6 with the Duke and Mrs. Cavendish, to Haddon Hall, a very old and singular place. The old tapestry still remaining and iron hooks to keep it back. We then went to the Rookery, a small cottage belonging to the Duke on the banks of the river Wye, very pretty and cool. From there we walked to the Marble Mills and saw how they sawed and polished the marble. There was a little cottage where they sold Derbyshire spar in different little shapes and forms, and some pieces of marble too. We then drove home after having bought a good many things. We came in at 5. At 7 we dined and after dinner at about ½ past 9 we looked at the cascade illuminated, which looked very pretty, and the fountains, blue lights, red lights, rockets, etc. At about 10 the charade began in 3 syllables and 4 scenes. The first act was a scene out of Bluebeard; Lady Caroline Lascelles and Miss F. Cavendish acting the ladies, and Count Karoly as Bluebeard, with Lord Newburgh and Mr. Lascelles as their friends. The next act was a scene of carrying offerings to Father Nile; Mrs. Talbot, Lady Cavendish, Lady Clifford, Miss Cavendish, and the two Miss Smiths as the vestals; and Lord Morpeth, Lord Newburgh, Count Karoly, Mr. Greville, Sir A. Clifford,[26] Mr Cooper, and Mr. Lascelles as the men. Mr. Beaumont was Father Nile. The third act was a scene of Tom Thumb; Lord Morpeth as Tom Thumb, and Lord Newburgh as the nurse. The fourth act was a scene out of Kenilworth (which was the word); Mrs. Talbot as Queen Elizabeth, Lady Cavendish as Amy, Lady Caroline and Miss Cavendish (who danced the menuet with Count Karoly) as her attendants; little Georgina Lascelles[27] as page to bear the Queen’s train, Lord Morpeth as Lord Leicester, Lord Newburgh as an attendant, Count Karoly as Lord Shrewsbury, Mr. Cooper as Sir Walter Raleigh, and Lord Waterpark[28] and Mr. Greville as two more men of the Queen’s, not to omit Lady Clifford as the Queen’s lady, and Sir Augustus as a gentleman of the Queen. They were all in regular costumes. When it was over, which was at ¼ to 12, I went to bed....
Wednesday, 24th October.— ... At 1 we arrived at Alton Towers, the seat of Lord Shrewsbury.[29] This is an extraordinary house. On arriving one goes into a sort of gallery filled with armour, guns, swords, pistols, models, flags, etc., etc., then into a gallery filled with beautiful pictures and then into a conservatory with birds. We lunched there and the luncheon was served on splendid gold plate. We then walked in the gardens. At ½ past 2 we left it....
Wednesday, 31st October.—I awoke at 7 and got up at ½ past 7. At ½ past 9 we breakfasted in the drawing-room, for the gentlemen who were going to hunt breakfasted in the other room, all the ladies and Sir John breakfasting with us. After breakfast at about ½ past 10 we went into the room where they were, and they gave us a toast with many cheers. After that we walked out to see the hunt. We saw them set off. It was an immense field of horsemen, who in their red jackets and black hats looked lively and gave an animating appearance to the whole. They had a large pack of hounds and three huntsmen or Whippers-in. They drew a covert near here in hopes of finding a fox, but as they did not they returned and we got into the carriage with Lady Selina[30] and Lehzen while all the huntsmen and the hounds followed. When we came to a field, they drew another covert and succeeded; we saw the fox dash past and all the people and hounds after him, the hounds in full cry. The hounds killed him in a wood quite close by. The huntsman then brought him out and cutting off the brush Sir Edward Smith (to whom the hounds belong) brought it to me. Then the huntsmen cut off for themselves the ears and 4 paws, and lastly they threw it to the dogs, who tore it from side to side till there was nothing left. We then went home. At 1 we lunched, and at 2, I, Lady Selina, Lady Louisa[31] and dear Lehzen went out walking, towards a farm of Lord Liverpool’s, and when we had passed the farm and were going to return by the village, we heard the blast of a horn and we looked and saw the hounds and hunters going full gallop along a field which was below the field in which we were walking. They came and crossed the field in which we were and we saw all the riders leap over a ditch. We went back the same way that we might see them. When we came near home we saw them go home by the house. At ½ past 3 we came home. At ½ past 6 we dined, and I received my brush which had been fixed on a stick by the huntsman; it is a beautiful one. Amongst the people who were here, those who remain are Mr., Mrs., and Miss Corbett, Mr., Mrs., and Miss Child. After dinner the young ladies played some pretty things from the Pirata and from Fra Diavolo. I stayed up till near 10....
Wednesday, 7th November.— ... ¼ to 4. We have just changed horses at Woodstock, and another detachment of Yeomanry commanded by Lord Churchill[32] ride with us now. We passed through Oxford on our way. At about a little past 5 we arrived at Wytham Abbey, the seat of Lord Abingdon.[33] We were received at the door by Lord and Lady Abingdon, Lady Charlotte Bertie and Lady Emily Bathurst, their daughters. The house is very comfortable; in the drawing-room there is a lovely picture by Angelica Kauffman, Penelope. After staying a few minutes downstairs we went upstairs to our rooms which are very pretty and comfortable. At a little past 7 we dined with several other people. I stayed up till a little past 9.
Thursday, 8th November.—I awoke at a little to 8 and got up at 8. At a little past 9 we breakfasted with the whole party. At 10 o’clock we set out for Oxford in a close carriage and 4 with Lord Abingdon and Lady Charlotte Bertie; the other ladies going in carriages before us. We got out first at the Divinity College, and walked from thence to the theatre, which was built by Sir Christopher Wren. The ceiling is painted with allegorical figures. The galleries are ornamented with carving enriched with gold. It was filled to excess. We were most warmly and enthusiastically received. They hurrayed and applauded us immensely for there were all the students there; all in their gowns and caps. Mamma received an address which was presented by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Rowly, and Mamma answered it as usual. Then Sir John[34] was made a Doctor of Civil Law. After that was over, we returned through Divinity College and proceeded in our carriages to the Council Chamber where Mamma received an address there, from the corporation of Oxford, and Sir John the freedom of the City of Oxford. We then went to Christ Church, which is very fine, viewed the hall and chapel and library. Dr. Gaisford[35] is the Dean of Christ Church and is at the head of that college. From there we went to the Bodleian library which is immense. Amongst other curiosities there is Queen Elizabeth’s Latin exercise book when she was of my age (13). We went through Mr. Sneed’s house to our carriages. From there to All Souls’ College where Mr. Sneed is the warden. It is not a college for education, but after they have taken their degree. We saw the library and chapel which is very beautiful. We then went to University College of which the Vice-chancellor is the head. We lunched there and saw the chapel which is very fine. From there we went to New College of which Dr. Shuttleworth[36] is the head. We saw the chapel and hall. From there to the Clarendon printing-press which is very amusing but would take up too much space and time to describe. We then went home. We arrived at home at ½ past 3. At 7 we dined with some other people who were Lord Cantelupe,[37] Lord Folkestone,[38] Lord Loftus,[39] Mr. Gage,[40] Mr. Canning,[41] Lord Thomas Clinton,[42] Mr. L. Gower,[43] Lord Boscawen,[44] etc. etc. After dinner the young ladies sang to the guitar which one of them played. We then sang and Lord Abingdon. I stayed up till 10.
Friday, 9th November.— ... At about ½ past 5 we arrived at Kensington Palace. We resumed our old rooms. At 7 we dined with Jane and Victoire Conroy, Lord Liverpool and Sir John. My aunt Sophia[45] came after dinner. I stayed up till a ¼ to 9.
Monday, 24th December.—I awoke at 7 and got up at 8. At 9 we breakfasted. At ½ past 9 came the Dean,[46] and I gave him Mamma’s and my Christmas box. He stayed till ½ past 11. In the course of the morning I gave Mrs. Brock a Christmas box and all our people. At ½ past 1 we lunched. At ½ past 2 came Mr. Westall[47] till ½ past 3. At 4 came Mr. Sale[48] till 5. At a ¼ to 7 we dined with the whole Conroy family and Mr. Hore downstairs, as our Christmas tables were arranged in our dining-room. After dinner we went upstairs. I then saw Flora, the dog which Sir John was going to give Mamma. Aunt Sophia came also. We then went into the drawing-room near the dining-room. After Mamma had rung a bell three times we went in. There were two large round tables on which were placed two trees hung with lights and sugar ornaments. All the presents being placed round the tree. I had one table for myself and the Conroy family had the other together. Lehzen had likewise a little table. Mamma gave me a little lovely pink bag which she had worked with a little sachet likewise done by her; a beautiful little opal brooch and earrings, books, some lovely prints, a pink satin dress and a cloak lined with fur. Aunt Sophia gave me a dress which she worked herself, and Aunt Mary[49] a pair of amethyst earrings. Lehzen a lovely music-book. Victoire a very pretty white bag worked by herself, and Sir John a silver brush. I gave Lehzen some little things and Mamma gave her a writing table. We then went to my room where I had arranged Mamma’s table. I gave Mamma a white bag which I had worked, a collar and a steel chain for Flora, and an Annual; Aunt Sophia a pair of turquoise earrings; Lehzen a little white and gold pincushion and a pin with two little gold hearts hanging to it; Sir John, Flora, a book-holder and an Annual. Mamma then took me up into my bedroom with all the ladies. There was my new toilet table with a white muslin cover over pink, and all my silver things standing on it with a fine new looking-glass. I stayed up till ½ past 9. The dog went away again to the doctor for her leg. I saw good Louis[50] for an instant and she gave me a lovely little wooden box with bottles.