29Apr1873, A New Carriage

LONDON, Tuesday, April 29th, 1873.
—Had the immense break of going out for the first time in My Victoria —an elegant little equipage with a good-looking black horse, and all ship-shape. Inaugurated it by taking F. to Downing St. (a good omen, I hope!), and then went to S. James Hall and heard an interesting S.P.G. speechification. Ld. Napier dry and John Bull but telling, in his stout defence of missionary work in India. Canon Lightfoot excellent, cheering one up by comparing the progress in given districts with the progress ditto in the third centy, and proving we gained much by the comparison.