Saturday, 24th January.—I awoke at 7 and got up at a ¼ past 8. At ½ past 9 we breakfasted. At 10 came the Dean till 20 minutes to 11. It was yesterday 15 years that it pleased God to take my most beloved Papa from us. Alas! I was but 6 months when this affliction came upon us; and I therefore never had the happiness to know him....
Tuesday, 27th January.—I awoke at ½ past 7, got up at a ¼ past 8. At ½ past 9 we breakfasted. At 1 we lunched. I ought to have mentioned that besides my lessons with the Dean (and also when my other masters come) I have many occupations with Lehzen. And now, though we are all in the bustle of packing, I am constantly employed by myself in various ways; and I read French History to Lehzen, and one of Racine’s tragedies with her in the afternoons which I delight in. I love to be employed; I hate to be idle....
Thursday, 29th January.—I awoke at ½ past 5 and got up at 7. At 8 we all breakfasted. At a ¼ to 9 we left St. Leonards. Dear Lehzen, Lady Flora, Lady Conroy &c. following in another carriage. All our acquaintances were out to see us go (except Mr. and Lady Mary Dundas).... For some reasons I am sorry we have left St. Leonards, which are, the nice walks, the absence of fogs, and looking out of my window and seeing the people walk on the esplanade, and seeing the sun rise and set, which was quite beautiful. The rising began by the sky being quite pink and blending softly into a bright blue, and the sun rose by degrees from a little red streak to a ball of red copper. The setting began by the whole horizon being orange, crimson and blue, and the sun sunk down a ball of fiery gold dyeing the sands crimson. But then again my reasons for not being sorry to go are, my not sleeping well there, my not having been well, and the roaring of the sea. We changed horses first at Battle, then at Stony Crouch, then at Woodgate, which was quite near dear Tunbridge, then at Sevenoaks, and lastly at Bromley. We reached Kensington Palace at 5. My room is very prettily newly papered, newly furnished, and has a new carpet, and looks very pretty indeed. Our bedroom also newly papered and furnished and looks very nice and clean. Pedro and my dear little wax-bills came quite safe. Dear Dashy was in our carriage and behaved like a darling....
Monday, 6th April.—The melancholy news were received yesterday of the death of the Prince Augustus, Duke of Leuchtenberg,[173] which happened on the 28th of March. It is a most lamentable and dreadful event. His Royal Highness was in his 25th year, and in the flower of his age. Young, amiable, good and well-meaning; for since his arrival at Lisbon he had won the hearts of many by his affability and good-nature. He caught a cold, which he neglected and it ended in the quinsy. It is really quite dreadful for the poor young Queen, who is now left a widow at the early age of 16! Her Majesty completed her 16th year on the 4th of this month. It is likewise dreadful for his amiable and accomplished sister the young Empress-widow, who is still in mourning for her husband, Dom Pedro; and also dreadful for his mother, the Duchess of Leuchtenberg. Not two months ago he was seen leading his young bride from the altar, and now all that prospect of happiness is cut off!...
Saturday, 2nd May.— ... At 6 we dined. Lady Flora dined here. At a ¼ past 7 we went to the opera with dear Lehzen and Lady Flora. It was Rossini’s opera seria of Otello in 3 acts. The characters were: Desdemona, Mdlle. Grisi, who looked beautiful and sung most exquisitely and acted beautifully. She personates the meek and ill-treated Desdemona in a most perfect and touching manner. Elmiro (a Venetian patrician and father to Desdemona), Signor Lablache who sang and acted beautifully.... The finest parts are: the song which Otello sings in the 1st scene of the 1st act, and which Rubini sang beautifully. The duet between Iago and Roderigo in the 1st act which Tamburini and Ivanoff sang beautifully together. The song which Desdemona sings when she first comes on in the first act, which begins “Stanca di più combattere,” and which Grisi sung most exquisitely! (It is not by Rossini; it is composed expressly for Grisi by Marliani.) The Finale to the 1st act which commences with that beautiful trio, “Ti parli l’amore,” between Elmiro, Roderigo, and Desdemona, which Lablache, Ivanoff and Grisi sang most beautifully. It was enchored. And when Otello comes on and declares her to be his wife and Elmiro in his rage exclaims: “Empia! ti maledico!” and which Lablache did in a manner most splendid while Desdemona falls at his feet. The Duet between Iago and Otello in the 2nd act which Tamburini and Rubini sang most beautifully. The duet between Roderigo and Otello which follows it and which was likewise beautifully sung. When Desdemona enquires from the people if Otello (who had fought with Roderigo) still lives, and when she exclaims in delight: “Altro non chiede il cor,” and which Grisi did in a most splendid manner; and when at the end of the 3rd act she kneels before her father and says, “L’error d’un infelice pietoso in me perdona: Se il padre m’abbandona, da chi sperar pieta?” which she did in a most touching manner. The song in the 3rd act with the harp which Grisi sung most beautifully, as also the prayer; and when Otello comes on to stab her and she reproaches him exclaiming: “Uccidimi se vuoi, perfido, ingrato”; which Grisi did in such a mild and pathetic manner. He then stabs her and immediately afterwards himself. Grisi and Rubini were called out and were loudly applauded. We came in before the overture was begun and came away directly after the opera was over. It is a beautiful opera and I like it much better than Anna Boulena....
Wednesday, 6th May.—I awoke at 7 and got up at 8. At a ¼ past 9 we breakfasted. At 11 we set off with Lady Flora and Lehzen for Windsor Castle, where we arrived at ½ past 1. At 2 we all lunched; that is to say, besides the Queen, the Landgravine,[174] and us two,—the Duchess of Northumberland, Lady Brownlow,[175] Lady Sophia Cust, Lady De Lisle,[176] Lady Falkland,[177] Lady Flora, Lehzen, the Baroness de Stein, Miss Mitchel, Miss Hudson, Lord Howe,[178] and Lord Denbigh.[179] At ½ past 2 we went out walking with the Queen, the Duchess of Northumberland, Lady Flora, Lady Sophia Cust, Lehzen, Miss Mitchel and Miss Hudson, Lord Howe, Lord Denbigh, Lord Brownlow, and Sir Andrew Bernard. We walked to Adelaide Cottage[180] and all got into carriages except the gentlemen who rode. The Queen, Mamma, the Duchess and I were in one carriage, and all the rest followed in others. We came home at 6. At ½ past 7 we dined....
Thursday, 7th May.— ... At 12 we went all over the Castle with the King, the Queen, the Landgravine, the Duchess, Lady Brownlow, Lady Flora, Lehzen, Miss Mitchel, Lord Howe, Lord Denbigh, Lord Brownlow, and Sir Andrew Bernard....
Friday, 8th May.—I awoke at 7 and got up at 8. At ½ past 8 we breakfasted. The Queen came and sat with us at breakfast. At ½ past 9 we left Windsor with Lady Flora and Lehzen. I was very much pleased there, as both my Uncle and Aunt are so very kind to me....
Monday, 18th May.— ... At 7 we 3 dined. ½ past 9 we went into the first large room (as in the preceding parties) and received the company (the list of which is adjoined). The singers which were Grisi, Rubini, Ivanoff, Tamburini, Lablache,[181] and Costa[182] for the piano, had just arrived. Our people were the same as the other day. When all the company had arrived which was at ½ past 10, we all went into the other room which was arranged with chairs all across the room for the people to sit on. We were in the first row with Aunt Sophia and the Duchess of Cambridge and quite close to the piano. Grisi is quite beautiful off the stage. She is not tall, and rather pale; and she has such a lovely mild expression in her face. Her face and neck has such a beautiful soft shape. She has such beautiful dark eyes with fine long eyelashes, a fine nose, and very sweet mouth. She was dressed in a white flowered silk, with blonde trimmings about the body and sleeves which reached to the elbows. Her beautiful dark hair was as usual quite flat in front with an amethyst bandeau round it, and a fine plait at the very back of her head. She is very quiet, ladylike and unaffected in her manners. I spoke to her, and she answered in a very pleasing manner. She has a very pretty expression when she speaks. Rubini is short and not good-looking. Ivanoff is also very short and has a very singular Calmuck face. Tamburini is short but very good-looking and gentlemanlike. Lablache does not look so tall off the stage as he does on it, and is likewise very gentlemanlike. The concert began with a trio from L’Assiedo di Corrinto, “Destin terribile”; Grisi, Rubini and Ivanoff sang beautifully. Then Tamburini sang “Sorgete” from L’Assiedo beautifully. After this Lablache sang “Dove vai?” from Guillaume Tell beautifully. Then Grisi sang “Tanti affetti,” an aria from the Donna del Lago, most beautifully. Her lovely voice sounds beautiful in a room. Lablache and Tamburini then sang “Il rival salvar tu dei” most beautifully. It is from I Puritani. They sing beautifully together. Their two fine voices go so well together. Lablache’s voice is immensely powerful but not too much so (for my taste), even in a room. Tamburini’s too is most splendid. He is even a more skilful and finished singer than Lablache. Then came a trio “Allor che Scorre” from Guillaume Tell, between Rubini, Tamburini and Lablache, which they sang likewise extremely well. This ended the 1st act. Near the end of the 1st act Mme. Malibran arrived. She was dressed in white satin with a scarlet hat and feathers. She is shorter than Grisi and not near so pretty. We went into the refreshment room between the acts. We then sat down again and the 2nd act began with a most lovely polonaise, “Son Vergin vezzosa” from I Puritani, which Grisi sang most exquisitely, accompanied by all the singers except Malibran. Then Grisi and Tamburini sang “Che veggo oh Ciel,” from L’Assiedo most beautifully together. Malibran then sang a song by Persiani very well. Her low notes are beautiful, but her high notes are thick and not clear. I like Grisi by far better than her. Then Grisi and Rubini sang a beautiful duet “Artuor dove sai” from I Puritani by Bellini, beautifully. His voice is delightful in a room. It is so sweet and so full of expression. Malibran and Lablache then sang a buffa duet “Con pazienza supportiamo,” by Fioravente, beautifully. Lablache is so funny and so amusing. Lablache then sang a Neapolitan air (a buffa song) of his own composition and accompanying himself, delightfully. Then came a quartet “A te oh caro!” from the Puritani, which Grisi, Rubini, Tamburini, and Lablache sung beautifully. This ended the most delightful concert I ever heard. Aunt Sophia, who had never heard any of these singers before, was delighted; but no one could be more enchanted than I was. I shall never forget it. It was Mamma’s birthday present for me! Costa accompanied on the piano beautifully. I stayed up till 20 minutes past 1. I was most exceedingly delighted....
Sunday, 24th May.—Today is my 16th birthday! How very old that sounds; but I feel that the two years to come till I attain my 18th are the most important of any almost. I now only begin to appreciate my lessons, and hope from this time on, to make great progress. I awoke at ½ past 6. Mamma got up soon after and gave me a lovely brooch made of her own hair, a letter from herself, one from dearest Feodore with a nosegay, and a drawing and a pair of slippers done by her. I gave her a drawing I had done. Dear Lehzen gave me a lovely little leather box with knives, pencils &c. in it, two small dictionaries and a very pretty print of Mdlle. Taglioni. Mamma gave her a pair of amethyst earrings and I gave her a penholder and a drawing done by myself. My maids Frances and Caroline gave me a pincushion done by Frances and a portefolio done by Caroline. Anne Mason (Lehzen’s maid) gave a small flower vase with flowers. Dashy gave an ivory basket with barley-sugar and chocolate. At 9 we breakfasted. I then received my table. From my dear Mamma I received a lovely enamel bracelet with her hair, a pair of fine china vases, a lovely shawl and some English and Italian books. From dearest Feodore a lovely enamel bracelet with hers and the children’s hair; from Charles some pretty prints; from Späth a very pretty case for handkerchiefs embroidered in silver; from Sir Robert and Lady Gardiner a very pretty sort of china vase; from Sir J. Conroy a writing-case; from the whole Conroy family some prints; and from Mr. George Hayter a beautiful drawing done by him. I quite forgot to say that I received a beautiful pair of sapphire and diamond earrings from the King and a beautiful prayer-book and very kind letter from the Queen. I also received a prayer-book from a bookseller of the name of Hatchard. At 10 we went down to prayers with Lehzen and Charles. The service was performed by the Dean who gave us likewise a very good sermon. It was taken from the 24th chapter of Joshua, 15th verse: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose ye this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” After church, I received a Bible from Sir F. Trench[183] with a picture of Norris Castle painted on the margin; and also two small oil pictures from an old Mrs. Pakenham, done by a Mr. King. I also saw Mrs. Brock, Sarah (my former maid), and Mrs. Fletcher (our former housekeeper). At a ¼ to 1 came Aunt Sophia who gave me with Aunt Gloucester a very pretty diamond brooch. At 1 we lunched. At ½ past 2 came the Duchess of Northumberland, who gave me a very fine fillagree ornament in the shape of a flower, and another little fillagree ornament from Miss Wynn. Lady Flora, who gave me a pretty paper-knife and penholder of jasper from Arthur’s Seat, the rock which overhangs Edinburgh. Lady Theresa, who gave me a small pocket-book of her own work. Lady Catherine, who gave me a very fine velvet Music-book. Lady Cust, who gave me a very fine japanned box. Sir G. Anson who gave me a print; Sir Frederick Wetherall, who gave me a little china scent-bottle. Lady Conroy, Jane, and Victoire. At 3 came the Duke of Sussex, who gave me a gold bracelet with turquoises; and soon after Lady Charlotte St. Maur who gave me a purse of her own work. At a ¼ past 3 came the Landgravine who gave me a head-ornament of emeralds, and Aunt Augusta, who gave me a chrisoprase bracelet. At 4 came the Duchess of Cambridge,[184] who brought me a lovely turquoise bracelet from Uncle Cambridge, and gave me a box with sandal-wood instruments in it; Augusta who gave me a small turquoise ring; and George who gave me an album with a drawing of his in it. At 20 minutes to 5 we drove out with Lehzen and Charles. At 7 we dined, Lady Flora, Lady Conroy, Jane, Victoire, Messrs E. and H., and Sir J. Conroy dined here. After dinner came Aunt Sophia. Mdlle. David (sister to Mme. Dulcken) played on the piano. I stayed up till ½ past 9. My dear Mamma’s great present was that delicious concert which I shall never forget....