Sunday, January 28, 2007

27Aug1862, A Perverted Game of Croquet

HAGLEY, Wednesday, August 27th, 1862.
—Papa, the Sp. Lytteltons, and I went to the county bow meeting held this year at Hewel1. [FN: The house of Lady Windsor, great-grandmother of the present Earl of Plymouth.] It went off very well; and it was nice seeing a good deal of Victoria Clive, who is charming. Also I saw Mrs. and Amelia Claughton, Ly. Mary Clive with her fair small children (the little boy a merry dot,[FN: The late Lord Plymouth.] his birthday to-day, so his health was drunk), Bennetts, Sandys, Fosters, Bakers, Wake-men, etc. We played a portentously long and frightfully perverted game of croquet, which was amusing nevertheless. The dancing for abt an hr and 3/4 great fun, as there was only one valse, one galop, and one quadrille; the rest being double lancers, and one merry country dance. My partners: Messrs. Mordaunt, Lygon, Leigh and Wakeman. We brought home with us for 2 nights said Mr. Leigh,[FN: Afterwards Dean of Hereford.] young clergyman brother of Lord Leigh.

25Aug1862, Tiny George

HAGLEY, Monday, August 25th, 1862.
—Tiny George has fairly found his feet, and goes staggering about, jabbering and laughing triumphantly, with one arm high above his head, just as if he was hoisting a sail.

20Aug1862, No Bull's Eye Today

HAGLEY, Wednesday, August 20th, 1862.
—We shot with the rifle, which I do enjoy: no bull's-eye to-day, however.

19Aug1862, Shooting the Pea Rifle

HAGLEY, Tuesday, August 19th, 1862.
—We shot with the pea rifle till church time. I never fail to hit the target (at 70 yds.), and grazed the bull's-eye once.

15Aug1862, A Tiff With The Grim One

HAGLEY, Friday, August 15th, 1862.
—At. H., children and I made heroic and partially successful efforts to take a wasps' nest. The Misses Rogers called on M. and were gt audience to Baby, who looked her best. I had a terrific tiff with the Grim One. [FN: Her maid.]

22Jul1862, Butterer and Butteree

WORCESTER, Tuesday, July 22nd, 1862.
—Came with Papa to Canon Wood's, Worcester, for the Archaeological Society's doings. Went to a meeting where the Mayor and Corporation buttered the Archeologists and the Archaests. (with Papa presiding) buttered the Mayor and Corpn. After every individual had been both butterer and butteree, we set off to do the interesting things in the town, which I was very glad to see, as it's scandalous not to know the lions of one's Cathedral and county town. Mr. Severn Walker and Mr. Parker ciceroned, and we did SS. Andrews and Alban, the Commandery and the Museum. At which last place mem. especially the gloves King Charles I gave to Bp. Juxon on the scaffold. After dinner, lectures in a gt room on the ecclesiology of Worcester in general by Mr. S. Walker (horribly dull), and of Pershore Abbey in particular by Mr. Freeman [FN: No doubt the historian, E. A. Freeman.]; also on little historical and antiquital points by Mr. Something. Sleepiness a little assailed me.

21Jul1862, Federals Have Not Capitulated

HAGLEY, Monday, July 21st, 1862.
—The Federals have not capitulated, as far as we yet know; but are in the last extremity, their general (McClellan) bragging to the last, and lying most tremendously. They must be too ruined, thinned and done for, I shd hope, to attack Canada, where there are 2,000 Guards.

19Jul1862, Canada Must Look Out

HAGLEY, Saturday, July 19th, 1862.
—Wonderful but probably false report that the whole northern army in America has capitulated. If so, Canada must look out!

12Jul1862, Deal Old Hagley

HAGLEY, Saturday, July 12th, 1862.
—Home! Oh dear, dear, how lovely, how deeply green the precious old place looks! And it is delicious repose and refreshment coming back. The children all look well: poor little Win, tho', is still headachy, and we are going to take her to Evans. Dear Rectors are established here, to chaperone the tutor (Mr. Richmond [FN: Mr. D. C. Richmond, afterwards Auditor-General.]) and me. I am too happy sitting in my fresh little room again. Before leaving London I finished Vol. VIII of Alison, reading 50 p.; quicker than any other vol. I have read. Miss W., Elly, and Newmany all looked well. I feel I have been away ages! Can't but be so glad I haven't married or anything upsetting! but have fallen back upon dear old Hagley's loving arms.

11Jul1862, Last London Day

LONDON, Friday, July 11th, 1862.
—Last London day! This is a joyful reflection; and yet, how odd it is! I believe I never say "the last" of anything without an indefinable "serrement de coeur." It must be the secret feeling of the uncertainty of things — the dread of all that may happen before next time, and above all, the shrinking from that pathetic possibility of Never More.
Read 170 p. of Alison. Had luncheon in St. St., whence kind Mrs. Robartes lifted At. C. and me in her carriage to Lord's for the Eton and Harrow match. We saw the Harrow 1st innings and most of the Eton 2nd. Scores: Eton 1st innings 96. Harrow 1st inn. 56. Eton 2nd inn. 170, with 2 wickets to go down. From which the result may be guessed pretty well! Old Nevy has just got into the 11; he got 6 in the 1st inn. not out. The ground was crowded — lots of fashionable people. Saw Lord Lorne and Lord Archibald Campbell, pretty fair boys on ponies. Dined with Papa at Ld. George Quin's, wherewith Ends My London Gaieties. Have been to 14 balls, 15 parties, 5 dinners.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

08Jul1862, A Ball at Devonshire House

LONDON, Tuesday, July 8th, 1862.
—I am writing at 5 a.m. Wednesday morng, in the little smoking-room; looking over the poor old town reposing in the pure light, its spires sharply cut up agst the sky, its clock chimes pealing with peculiar clearness thro' the unwonted silence; its birds waking up, and in the distance the 1st rumbles only just beginning. If the ball had over-excited, as it had heated me — this is the sight to calm and purify one!
The ball has been the 1st thoroughly enjoyable: at Devonshire House; and we didn't miss more than 3 or 4 dances. My partners: Mr. Cameron; a nice innominato Cambridge acquaintance; Ld. J. Hervey; Mr. Baker — and finally, for an ideal country dance, Ld. Schomberg Kerr. Never was country dance more delightful! The valsing was immense fun to look at. I was asked once or twice over and above the times I danced, and altogether this last ball has put me in spirits, and made me feel I go off with éclat! Now for quieter thoughts, that better suit this placid day-break.

04Jul1862, Scrubby Napoleon

LONDON, Friday, July 4th, 1862.
—We went to a very smart and charming aftn and eveng at the Duc d'Aumale's; where the impress of ancien régime dignity — the arms with all their array of noble old French names round the room, the pictures of the victories of Louis XIV, the banners and fleurs-de-lis on the wall, filled one with a thrill of respect and compassion for the descendants of the hundred kings of France, ousted by this scrubby Napoleon; and with pride that our country is the one which receives them as Royal guests, all the more because they are fallen. The Prince de Conde is short and not handsome, but with a very pleasing countenance; the little Duc de Guise is a tiny fellow of 8, pretty and exceedingly fair. There were 2 comic Fr. plays, which were an immense delight. In the eveng dancing began, but we stayed a very short time.

01Jul1862, Powdered Hair

LONDON, Tuesday, July 1st, 1862.
—I made luncheon my dinner; tea and cards when I came home, then the old dear took At. C. and me to a big party at Devonshire House. I saw one foreigner who actually had white powder in her hair! She looked lovely. At. Henrietta had an approximation to it; only her powder was brown, which simply looks dirty.

28Jun1862, Three Day Cricket Match

LONDON, Saturday, June 28th, 1862.
—A splendid match between Gentlemen and Players has been going on at Kennington Oval for the last 3 days; Gentlemen with a prospect of winning. Charles got 57 his 2nd innings in perfectly faultless style, and Papa had the famous luck to see most of it, in spite of being up to the ears in commissionums. Also he caught out 2 or 3 beautifully. At. Wenlock has given me a ball-gown! Letters: to Albert, At. Wenlock, Mrs. Robartes.

Friday, January 19, 2007

26Jun1862, A Full Day

LONDON, Thursday, June 26th, 1862.
—A full day; 1st a delightful clever bkfast, whereat were Bp. of Oxford, Archie Sinclair, Papa, Mr. Palgrave, and others: poetry came uppermost, which enchanted me: Mr. Palgrave has just brought out a beautiful collection of English lyrics, called "The Golden Treasury." Then my 60 p. of Alison. Then we went to the ceremonies at the opening of the new House (Greek St., Soho) of Charity — or rather the removed old one, including the laying of the 1st stone of the Chapel, which Atie. P. did very successfully. Chanting processions, etc. After it, resolutions were proposed by Uncle W., Mr. B. Hope, Bp. of Honolulu, Papa, etc. Uncle W. spoke very well, dear Papa beautifully; he was almost overcome when describing the poor people, who have known better days, and who come to the House when at the last extreme of distress, and are saved thereby from perhaps loss of life, or of mind, or of virtue. Then we came home to a concert for which the drawing-rooms were lent. After which the house stood on its head getting tidy. Then a pompous little dinner, for the entertainment of the Viceroy of Egypt; D. and Dss. of Argyll, Lord Brougham, Lord Sydney, Lord and Ly. De Tabley, Sir John Lawrence, Col. Murray, and Mr. Cobden. Finally, Ld. Dudley's lovely and successful ball; I didn't miss one dance! Partners: Sir C. Russell, Mr. Lyme Something, Ld. Dufferin, Ld. S. Kerr — many Worcestershire folk. Happy to-morrow ! [FN: On which day she went to "Israel in Egypt " at the Crystal Palace.] Letter from Miss W.

23Jun1862, Charles Bowled Out

LONDON, Monday, June 23rd, 1862.
—Went with Meriel, Mrs. T., Albert, Edwd. and John, to see the beginning of the University match at Lord's. The Cambridge went in first, and, alas! we were doomed to see Charles bowled out for a "duck" after a few overs. The first time it has happened to him this year, I believe. However, most of the others played well, and the score reached 171. We left the ground abt 3, the boys staying; and they brought word that wretched Oxford obtained the modest score of 71, so it will probably be a stupid victory in one innings, and Ch. won't have another chance. I read 60 p. of Alison; did some French.

21Jun1862, Fantastic Hair Dressing

LONDON, Saturday, June 21st, 1862.
—We went to a pretty bkfast at Stoke, with a very clever little Mr. Puller (who afterwards went mad [FN: Added later.]). The Duchesse d'Aumale was there ; looked much pinched and aged. Party at Ly. Palmerston's, where was the Viceroy of Egypt, an acute-looking fat man with one eye, and much less of the animal look than the Japanese, etc. Speaks beautiful French. I made gt notes abt the fantastic hair dressing which is come into fashion: odd rolls and curls; and it all seems to have a pyramidal tendency. The French women paint and what they call "enamel" their faces universally, and some powder a little! with gold dust, I believe. Were introduced to Lord Clyde, who, when Atie. P. called our attention to his lovely star of India, insisted on pulling it off, and got quite red and a little furious, tugging at it.

20Jun1862, Lord Lansdowne

LONDON, Friday, June 20th, 1862.
—At Mrs. Mildmay's, a bent and withered old man with a star on his brass-buttoned coat, his left arm, crippled with gout, in a sling, sat near me. He dropped his stick, thanked me when I pickt it up, and went on to comment on the singing. All which facts I record because he was Lord Lansdowne [FN: The third Marquess, known as "the Nestor of the Whigs." He died in 1863.].

14Jun1862, The Queen's Duty to Her Subjects

LONDON, Saturday, June 14th, 1862.
—Ralph and Seymour Neville turned up soon after bkfast, and we had gt fun, talking over delightful Cambridge. Also At. Coque, the Duke of Argyll, and the Miss Dicksons (such an odd party!) came to luncheon. The Duke said the Queen in a letter to him expressed her intention of never again taking part in court gaieties — a natural feeling for her now to have, but it is most clearly one of her many duties to her subjects (and not a small one) to continue by her example to give the tone to society, and to give an opportunity to many who otherwise would not have it of showing their respect and love. There is no fear but that she will do this, as soon as she feels it to be her duty, as perfectly and meekly as she now does it in other respects.

13Jun1862, Wretched Blondin on the Tight Rope

LONDON, Friday, June 13th, 1862.
—Read fifty pages of Alison; wrote up lost journal; did German and French. We went to a sort of breakfast held by Mr. Baring at the Crystal Palace, which did look lovely compared with the monotonous Exhibition. [FN: That of 1862] Wretched Blondin did his feats on the tight rope (it was not tight at all) at an awful height: we did not know he would. One is certain he will some day be killed; and what a wickedness to tempt Providence to such a degree! A moment's giddiness, an attack of cramp, a breakage of the rope, and nothing could save him. It was mar¬vellous: he hung himself head downwards by one leg! walked backwards briskly; stood on his head, made somersaults, etc.

Monday, January 15, 2007

10Jun1862, Three Days Rolled Into One

CAMBRIDGE, Whit Tuesday, June 10th, 1862.
—This feels like 3 days rolled into one. We went off to the Senate House abt 10; the clatter was still more uproarious than yesterday. .. .
After, came luncheon in the fine new hall of Caius: I sat next Lord Hartington. Then trundling about the Horticultural Show in Trinity Hall gardens. Then Papa and I squeezed time for service at King's, whence we walked, and I went upstairs, smoothed my hair, and looked for gloves, and came downstairs — the whole thing in 12 minutes! Then an amusing dinner in Magdalene Hall, Ralph Neville making a facetious speech in giving "the Ladies," the Master proposing healths well and shortly. After which we all dressed, and now I am writing by clear morning daylight — 4 a.m. — to a chorus of wakening birds.
Oh, one of the most delightful balls I have ever had! I must say that, after London experience, it was charming to be engaged to every dance in no time; and I suppose it isn't human nature not to be pleased. Partners, Messrs. Meller (twice), Hofman, Howard (a friend of Albert's), Roberts (a substitute for Lord Hartington, who engaged me, but fell through), Ld. John Hervey, Gaskell (friend of Charles'), and, for Sir Roger, the Master of Magdalene himself!

09Jun1862, Red Letter Day at Cambridge

CAMBRIDGE, Whit Monday, June 9, 1862.
—Some thunder showers, with hail. A pleasant day, with plenty of excitement. Papa and I went to service at King's at 10, after which we had delightful music here, in the shape of Mr. Hudson's marvellous fiddling and Mr. Wade's very beautiful singing. Luncheon and then! —to the Senate House to see the degrees conferred. We sat a good while first, hearing the intermittent storm (good gracious me, what paper, pen and ink!) of cheers, groans, hisses, cat-calls, etc. One pig-headed individual, who wd keep his cap on, excited a tremendous roar for abt 1/4 of an hr, till a dignitary walked down and got him to take it off. Uncle W. got mingled cheers and hisses, Ld. Derby more cheers than Ld. Palmerston, the proctors unlimited groans, and at one time a chorus of barks.
The Chancellor, [FN: The Duke of Devonshire, her future father-in-law] when he took his seat, looked very stately, and did his part with gt dignity. He was well cheered, but not vociferously. Of the Doctors, all were more or less well received, except wretched Ld. Belper, who got no applause. But when the list was read out, the 1st name that was cheered was Papa's! Ld. Brougham's of course the most, and fine and venerable he looked. He is 83. When his degree was conferred the roar of cheers was immense. But Papa got enough to make me nearly burst with pride and excitement. Oh, it was splendid! The Ralphs turned up. At 9 o'clock came off a delightful concert, Titiens singing gloriously. And so ended a proud, satisfactory, red-letter day.

08Jun1862, To Trinity With Papa

CAMBRIDGE, Whitsunday, June 8th, 1862.
—Dined at 5, then went with Papa to Trinity, where the multitude of white robes delighted me as I well remember they did before. Alas! the behaviour of the wearers was anything but in keeping with their angelic appearance! Walked abt. the Backs afterwds with Charles, meeting the Argylls, etc. Conversational eveng; Messrs. Wade (with a lovely tenor voice), Hudson (an unparalleled fiddler), Hofman, pleasant undergraduates, have been running tame most of the day. Also the splendid rifle shot, Mr. Ross, came in: a magnificent-looking man. I shall go mad if all this book means to be greasy. [FN: As this page appears]

07Jun1862, Volume 7 of the Diary Begins

Begun June 7th, 1862, at Cambridge.
Ended August 23rd, 1863, at Hagley.
Begun aged 20 years and 9 months.
Ended aged 22 years, all but a fortnight.

CAMBRIDGE, Saturday, June 7th, 1862.
—All my volumes of journal (except the lost Vol. 1) have had marked events in them, and though, by God's great mercy, the happy events are many more than the sad, yet I have seen enough of sorrow to make every fresh beginning of things rather awful to me; while the peace and enjoyment that remain to me in such full and most undeserved measure make me dread the inevitable "changes and chances of this mortal life." I might be fifty, for the fear I have of change! But this is bad and faithless of me, for loving-kindness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life; and to that I will trust with a quiet mind.

I went to G. St. for breakfast, whence I set off for Cambridge with Papa at 10 1/4. The drive thro' the City to Shoreditch was very interesting to me, and I took in S. Paul's for the 1st time. In Bishopsgate we passed the smoking ruins of a house, with firemen still busy about it. A Mr. Trevylian [FN: It was the young George Otto Trevelyan. He took Lord Lyttelton for "a church dignitary of eminence, on account of the great power and goodness of his face."] (how I have murdered his name!) was in the train with us: he has written first-rate comic verses. Came to Magdalene Lodge; finding it empty, we ate some (congealed) luncheon, and then set off, 1st, to Charles' rooms, where he was not, then all about the lovely "Backs." Visited the Provost of King's, and went to service at King's Chapel, where the organ was glorious, and there was one of the best trebles I have ever heard. We dined with the Latimers at Trinity, meeting Sir E. and Ly. Head, D. and Dss. of Argyll, Ly. L. Cavendish, Ld. Bristol, and Ld. J. Hervey, etc. Singing in the evening. Home by 11 1/2: unlike London! Papa is always a lion, which is charming. Letters; to Elly.

04Jun1862, Kensington Museum

LONDON, Wednesday, June 4th, 1862.
—I went with Uncle and Aunt to the S. Kensington Museum and saw glorious things, that made one proud of one's country. Two great collections of Sevres, together worth £200,000! One single moderate-sized bowl worth £2,000. We saw there the Dow. Duchess of Sutherland, with her youngest son Lord Ronald [FN: Lord Ronald Gower, afterwards a well-known social figure and dilettante of art and letters], a handsome, fair, pleasant-mannered boy of 15.

30May1862, House of Lords

LONDON, Friday, May 30th, 1862.
—Went to the H. of Lords with Atie. P. at 5: heard Ld. Carnarvon in a brilliant sort of speech "pitch into" Uncle W.'s financial policy, and the D. of Newcastle make a dull reply, poor man. I saw him shade his eyes from the light even of the stained windows. I believe he is going blind. Thought the Lords on the whole looked uninteresting old fogies: hardly any quite young man, except the D. of St. Albans and Lord Dufferin — the latter isn't quite young.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

27May1862, John Talbot is Beaten for Kidderminster

LONDON, Tuesday, May 27th, 1862.
—Alas, alas, after a long day of suspense, we heard of John's [FN: Talbot had stood for Kidderminster] being beaten by 8; which 8 are said to have cost the Liberal side £2,000! Who was to stand against such gross bribery? I spent the day in G. St., going for bkfast, and felt something like the excitement of the day the baby was born. John has made a famous fight, spoken admirably, and covered himself with laurels ; he will get in when next time there is a chance. This day has comfortably settled my hazy politics. The old dear was wise enough not to be sanguine, but of course it was a horrid blow. The numbers were : White, 228 ; Talbot, 220. Gay ball at Ly. Caroline Kerrison's, where, in spite of a new gown, I danced Once ; with Mr. Lefevre.

25May1862, In a Hansom

LONDON, 5th Sunday after Easter, May 25th, 1862.
— Aftn. M. (sister Meriel) and I got into a hansom to go to All Saints' ; the man was pleased to go all down Piccadilly and round by Park Lane into Oxford St. When we landed at last, who shd we get out in the very eye of but Lord Cowper, who was probably shocked at the sight. [FN: Long after this it was not considered quite "proper" for young ladies to go in hansoms.] Such a crowd that I had to do without a chair.

17May1862, Amusing Squash

LONDON, Saturday, May 17th, 1862.
—Amusing squash at Lady Palmerston's, saw Ld. Shaftesbury [FN: The philanthropist] sporting his new Garter, Ld. and Ly. Carnarvon. Oh dear ! why do I begin going thro' the names ?

18May1862, Dressums, Ballums, Fidgetums, Seasonums

LONDON, 4th Sunday aft. Easter, May 18th, 1862.
— Sultry. 0 how nice Sunday is ! I really do get rid almost entirely of dressums, ballums, fidgetums and seasonums generally. In the morning I went with Miss Syfret to S. Peter's Church, Windmill St., the laying the 1st stone of which by Ld. Derby I remember so well in '60 : it was the day Papa began to get better. Fine solid lofty church, well attended, hearty singing and clever sermon, ending beautifully, on Right and False ideas of Christ : only went too much, I think, into ancient and modern heresies, which bewilder and distress one to little purpose. All Saints' in aft. Aggy and I walked alone with Herbert [FN: The youthful Herbert Gladstone, then eight years old, was evidently not considered a sufficient guardian!] and a footman ! The beautiful hymn "Abide with me" sung. St. St. [FN: Stratton Street, where her grandmother lived] only, alack ! no Papa, who is commissioning. Dear Sunday refreshment ! I hope it will "abide with me" through the week.

14May1862, One Was Amused

LONDON, Wednesday, May 14th, 1862.
—N.E. wind. Got up abt 10 ; had a pleasant ride with Agnes and Uncle Henry at 12 1/2, when Rotten Row is at its fullest : we shot many acquaintance. Dull concert at Ly. Harrington's, I mean the music was dull : one was amused somehow, and Meriel and Mrs. Talbot were there, tho' not within speaking distance. Col. Feilding (the hare) shook hands with me: his brother, the other Col., has just married Ly. L. Thynne. Party at the Dss. of Northumberland ; the Japanese ambassadors, dreadful monsters, came.