16Jul1863, Last Clever Breakfast

LONDON, Thursday, July 16th, 1863.
—Suddenly on the cold side of cool, without rain or anything to account for it. Last clever breakfast, to which came the Dss. of Sutherland and Ly. Herbert, Dr. Acland, Dean Trench, "Garibaldi's Englishman," Ld. Frederic Cavendish, and a china dealer. Slavery was talked of. The Duke of Hamilton has died of congestion of the brain from a fall downstairs. I went with Atie. P. to Heath's for a chimney-pot riding hat (the height of the fashion). A detachment from S. Martin's school came for tea, games, and little gifts, and enjoyed themselves hugely ; more delighted with the scamper on the gravel terrace than our sch. children are with half the park to play in. Mary and Maud Herbert came to see. Gladstones to a tiny dance at the Grosvenors' ; but I have actually wound up my gaieties, which have consisted of : 17 balls, 8 parties, 9 dinner parties, 8 private concerts, besides breakfasts of different sorts, etc. Letters : to M.