LONDON, Tuesday, March 10th, 1863.
—The great day of the Prince of Wales' marriage to Princess Alexandra of Denmark. I must try and put down a detailed account, for of course this day has been one in a thousand, and it can hardly be that one life-time should include another pageant so great, magnificent, and stately, combined as it is in this case with so much that is true and beautiful and deeply moving. In short, a pageant with inward as well as outward beauty ! Agnes and her sisters, Toney Gladstone and I, got excellent places in the nave of S. George's Chapel, after some difficulties on the way. The seats in the nave, when we came in, were not half filled ; but by the end of the two hours that we waited, every place was taken. I can't describe the glowing effect of the tiers of bright colour, immensely heightened by the uniformed grandees that kept passing through, the Beefeaters and gold-encrusted trumpeters, and the heralds in their tabards, which are only worn when the Sovereign is present at great State occasions. From time to time gorgeous duchesses, etc., every one in full Court dress (except the train) and diamonds, passed down the nave ; but only to look about them, as they had seats in the choir. About 11½ the Archbishop of Canterbury, and all the officiating Bishops and clergy, of whom the Bishop of Oxford and the Dean of Windsor were in robes of the Order of the Garter, passed into the choir by the N. transept door and later all the Knights of the Garter, in their splendid blue velvet robes. But all this was only preparing one ! Abt 12½ the Danish Prince and Princesses and suite went up the nave into the choir ; and very soon after we heard " God save the Queen," faintly, but quite audibly, played over and over again outside the Chapel, and in the middle of its glorious music, which always overcomes me with its pride and pathos—a burst of cheers. That went through me, somehow, most of all. Then there was a silence of expectation, till the band quickly formed at the W. door, and the 1st procession came in, preceded by the drums and trumpets. This was all the Royal family : the Princess of Prussia, leading her little son, Prince William ; Princess Louis of Hesse, their husbands, Princesses Helena, Louise and Beatrice, and Princes Arthur and Leopold ; Prince Alfred, alas ! kept away by his illness, which he had not quite recovered. All looked graceful and Royal indeed ! Princess Royal become exactly like the Queen, whom in a manner she represented. She looked a little sad, and was the one who cried most during the Service. Princess Alice looked wonderfully well, though her confinement is to be next month : both the younger ones grown pretty, with their fair bright faces, and the tiny one of all, though small and white, very winning and darling. After these had disappeared into the choir, the Lord Chamberlain, preceded by the heralds, left the Chapel, to bring the bridegroom. And very soon after, the trumpets and drums again sounded joyously, the officers of the Prince's household marched in, all glittering in uniform, and then ! as the trumpets filed off into the transepts, and the organ pealed, the Prince of Wales, in the robes of the Order of the Garter, entered the nave ; the blue velvet cloak giving height and dignity to his figure ; his face a little pale, but bright, gentle, and gracious, in its youth and happiness : his bows right and left full of royal grace, his whole manner beautiful and regal. When this procession had passed, the Lord Chamberlain again went out, and this time the clang of the trumpets was followed by the organ and orchestra thundering out the " Wedding March " in Athalie ; and the Bride whom all England was greeting, and for whom the prayers of millions were going up ; our pride and hope ; in all the beauty of her youth, her sweet face bent down, her small head crowned with orange-flower, her step queenly, and her whole look the perfection of maiden grace, entered the nave. Her white train was carried by eight bridesmaids, daughters of the Dukes of Buccleuch and St. Albans, and of Lords Westminster, Elgin, Listowel, Hardwicke, Cawdor, Clarendon, Mount-Edgcumbe and Cowley. 2 of these are in by mistake : which I don't know. And now the Service began, the Archbishop's sonorous voice was so clear, that, having prayer-books, Agnes and I were able to follow it all ; and wonderfully striking it was to hear the simple solemn words, which bless quiet marriages in little country churches, spoken here in the face of all the splendour and pomp of England, and addressed to these two descendants of kings. I know this is a trite thought, but it is a grand one ; and may one not hope that in many hearts it awoke the earnest longing prayer that the King of Kings, thus acknowledged, would pour down upon them the blessing without which vain and false indeed would be all this rejoicing and all our loyal hopes. A beautiful solemn chorale of the Prince Consort's was sung, Jenny Lind's glorious notes ringing above all, and the Deus Misereatur chanted. And the Service ended with the great blessing : " The Peace of God . . ." Then followed a short pause, while the joyful bells chimed, and the guns fired from the Castle. The first was fired immediately after their hands were joined. And now all in the nave rose, while the " Mount of Olives " Hallelujah burst from the orchestra, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, this time heading the procession, left the choir, followed by the whole gorgeous array. Both looked less agitated ; the Princess ventured to raise her eyes, and the beaming, proud happiness on the Prince's face was a joy to see. All this was what we in the nave saw ; but ah me ! what it must have been to have been in the choir ! All agree in saying that the Prince's manner, in the trying minutes that he had to wait alone at the altar, was perfect in its simple, unaffected seriousness. The solemn and most moving point in all the ceremony was the presence of the Queen, who took no public part, but sat in her place (visible to all in the choir) at the N. of the altar, in her widow's weeds. To her the Prince looked up as soon as he reached the altar, and she seemed to bless and pray for them. She bore up through all, crying only very little, though it must have filled her with mournful memories and sad yearnings ; for oh, it would have been a day without a cloud, if his presence had been there ! As it was, the sight of her, around whom all centres, the head and Queen of it all, in her deep sorrow and loneliness, cast a heavy shadow over the sunny hope and joy. May the marriage only be to her a blessed source of cheering and comfort, that her evening time may be light !
The Bride trembled extremely at first, but was heard giving her troth in a clear childlike voice, with a slightly foreign accent. The Prince's " I will " was distinct and emphatic. The Queen knelt, burying her face in her hands, during the concluding blessing. And so—it was over ! Oh that our prayers may prevail ! that Thou wouldst indeed bless them !
Granny had the honour of being with the Queen.
From 8½ to 3½ in the morning Atie. Pussy, Miss Gladstone, Mrs. Talbot, John, Edward, and I, were struggling through the mighty crowds, seeing the illuminations, in a great van. We cd not get into the City, and so failed to see S. Paul's, which was illuminated, but it proved a failure. We saw the W. end illuminations well, but it wasn't worth the hours of jam and wedge. A great sight, however, for never was such universal and vehement rejoicing : millions of excited people, all wonderfully good humoured and well behaved. The Talbots got home abt 3, walking from Waterloo Bridge, where we came to a hopeless stick, but finally got home by the Strand. What an endless acct ! and yet I have not mentioned half, either of facts or feelings. Bright sunny weather till late. Fine night.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
10Feb1863, Pottering about Althorp
ALTHORP, Tuesday, February 10th, 1863.
—Delightful day, which got brighter and warmer every hour, and ended in a lovely mild starlight night. We drove with 4 in hand to Weedon, thence with 4 posters to Worm¬leighton. Pottered abt pleasantly among the cottages while Althorp and Ld. Suffield tried hunters, and had excellent luncheon at the agent's. Mem. the white-haired wizzy woman of 50, who had a fat 17th baby of 16 months old ! ! The drive home was very charming ; Miss Spalding and I capped verses most of the way. The open carriage wasn't a bit cold at ¼7. The D. of Rutland has had another tremendous fall out hunting. Papa went to London at 6½ a.m.
—Delightful day, which got brighter and warmer every hour, and ended in a lovely mild starlight night. We drove with 4 in hand to Weedon, thence with 4 posters to Worm¬leighton. Pottered abt pleasantly among the cottages while Althorp and Ld. Suffield tried hunters, and had excellent luncheon at the agent's. Mem. the white-haired wizzy woman of 50, who had a fat 17th baby of 16 months old ! ! The drive home was very charming ; Miss Spalding and I capped verses most of the way. The open carriage wasn't a bit cold at ¼7. The D. of Rutland has had another tremendous fall out hunting. Papa went to London at 6½ a.m.
12Jan1863, American War may possibly end
HAGLEY, Monday, January 12th, 1863.
—There is a real steady increase of work in the N., thank God, and a notion that the American War may possibly end.
—There is a real steady increase of work in the N., thank God, and a notion that the American War may possibly end.
11Jan1863, A copy of the Prince's speeches
HAGLEY, 1st Sunday after Epiphany, January 11th, 1863.
—Granny has received from the Queen a copy, in white morocco, of the Prince's speeches, with an inscription written by her own hand, and most touching.
—Granny has received from the Queen a copy, in white morocco, of the Prince's speeches, with an inscription written by her own hand, and most touching.
23Dec1862, Papa's lecture on poetry
HAGLEY, Tuesday, December 23rd, 1862.
—And, in the evening, came off a memorable delight : Papa's lecture on poetry, with selections from Milton, Byron, Shelley, Pope, Wordsworth, Cowper, Rogers, Longfellow, Burns, Hemans, Hood, Crabbe, and others. I can't go into raptures somehow on paper about it ; but it was to me enjoyment only next to listening to mighty music, and I am in a realm of beauty and harmony which has, Oh me ! too much of heaven in it to abide long with me in this work-a-day world. Charles' raving of it to me afterwards, showing all his deep and high appreciation, was not the least of the delight. Mr. Claughton, Mr. and Mrs. Turner, Mr. Stayner, and the Miss Rogerses dine, the latter much gratified and touched by the beautiful bit of "Human Life" which Papa read from their uncle's poetry. Win greatly delighted in spite of her prosaic nature. Alas for M. and John ! Mem. very especially " My Mary."
—And, in the evening, came off a memorable delight : Papa's lecture on poetry, with selections from Milton, Byron, Shelley, Pope, Wordsworth, Cowper, Rogers, Longfellow, Burns, Hemans, Hood, Crabbe, and others. I can't go into raptures somehow on paper about it ; but it was to me enjoyment only next to listening to mighty music, and I am in a realm of beauty and harmony which has, Oh me ! too much of heaven in it to abide long with me in this work-a-day world. Charles' raving of it to me afterwards, showing all his deep and high appreciation, was not the least of the delight. Mr. Claughton, Mr. and Mrs. Turner, Mr. Stayner, and the Miss Rogerses dine, the latter much gratified and touched by the beautiful bit of "Human Life" which Papa read from their uncle's poetry. Win greatly delighted in spite of her prosaic nature. Alas for M. and John ! Mem. very especially " My Mary."
21Dec1862, Lancashire distress widens
HAGLEY, 4th Sunday in Advent, December 21st, 1862.
-Collections for Lancash. came to abt £16 : the statistics are still awful, in spite of the enormous sums that have been sent ; more mills stop every week, the population is losing wages at the rate of £8,000,000 annually, and the distress is gradually widening to other classes.
-Collections for Lancash. came to abt £16 : the statistics are still awful, in spite of the enormous sums that have been sent ; more mills stop every week, the population is losing wages at the rate of £8,000,000 annually, and the distress is gradually widening to other classes.
18Dec1862, One of the very best balls I ever was at
HAWARDEN, Thursday, December 18th, 1862.
—With anything but alacrity, Albert and I, minus the dear young couple, came to Hawarden, where we find Ly. Louisa and Ld. Frederic Cavendish, Lascelles and Wilbrahams, Mr. F. Wortley, Hugh and Arthur Gladstone, Ly. L. Cotes, and some others. Stephy, and Willy, who, poor fellow, has only taken a 3rd in Law and Modern History ; but hardly expected to do better, as he had to begin late. I must say, if anything cd comfort me for leaving home just now, it wd be one of the very best and most lively balls I ever was at. We began at 9½, and ended about 2½. My partners Ld. F. Cavendish, Mr. Astley, oh I cannot remember them, but I danced everything. Two glorious country dances, and a reel ! Not that I danced that, except a hop or two to relieve Atie. P.
—With anything but alacrity, Albert and I, minus the dear young couple, came to Hawarden, where we find Ly. Louisa and Ld. Frederic Cavendish, Lascelles and Wilbrahams, Mr. F. Wortley, Hugh and Arthur Gladstone, Ly. L. Cotes, and some others. Stephy, and Willy, who, poor fellow, has only taken a 3rd in Law and Modern History ; but hardly expected to do better, as he had to begin late. I must say, if anything cd comfort me for leaving home just now, it wd be one of the very best and most lively balls I ever was at. We began at 9½, and ended about 2½. My partners Ld. F. Cavendish, Mr. Astley, oh I cannot remember them, but I danced everything. Two glorious country dances, and a reel ! Not that I danced that, except a hop or two to relieve Atie. P.
07Dec1862, Lancashire distress
HAGLEY, 2nd Sunday in Advent, December 7th, 1862.—
Uncle B. on the Lancash. distress, for which the collection was made ; viz. £1.
Uncle B. on the Lancash. distress, for which the collection was made ; viz. £1.
03Dec1862, Uncle William, King of Greece
HAGLEY, Wednesday, December 3rd, 1862.
—Bp. Colenso has written a foolish and shallow little set of arithmetical doubts about the Pentateuch. Garibaldi's ball has been got out ! The Greeks want to elect as their king either Prince Alfred or — Uncle William !
—Bp. Colenso has written a foolish and shallow little set of arithmetical doubts about the Pentateuch. Garibaldi's ball has been got out ! The Greeks want to elect as their king either Prince Alfred or — Uncle William !
30Nov1862, Kitchen feeds 1,000 daily
HAGLEY, Advent Sunday, November 30th, 1862.
—Letter : from Atie. Pussy, who gave many Blackburn and other Lancashire details : they are collecting to give the poor people a Christmas dinner. Her kitchen already feeds 1,000 daily.
—Letter : from Atie. Pussy, who gave many Blackburn and other Lancashire details : they are collecting to give the poor people a Christmas dinner. Her kitchen already feeds 1,000 daily.
28Nov1862, Ticket-of-leave men
HAGLEY, Friday, November 28th, 1862.
—Garotting and ticket-of-leave men are great subjects ; they are rife enough to make even the principal London streets unsafe.
—Garotting and ticket-of-leave men are great subjects ; they are rife enough to make even the principal London streets unsafe.
27Nov1862, A fall from a horse
HAGLEY, Thursday, November 27th, 1862.
—I rode on the hunter with Winny on the Maid, and Bobby (who is a sad coward, but doesn't sit amiss) on Charger with leading rein. The hunter was exceedingly fresh, but went pleasantly enough, with occasional capers, which I am used to and rather like, till we got to the Brake, and there cantering along the sandy bit of road beyond Widow Smith's, he gave a tremendous kick, the 1st time he has ever done so with me. To my astonishment and humiliation, off I fell, but, thank God, was only rather bruised, falling on my side and arm. We went home by Stukenbridge, but I couldn't canter without a kick, so we trotted and walked. But we set off as usual for the avenue, and accordingly the hunter gave another amazing kick, worse than the first, in spite of which I rejoice to say I kept on : and so we got home with my nerves a little shaken.
—I rode on the hunter with Winny on the Maid, and Bobby (who is a sad coward, but doesn't sit amiss) on Charger with leading rein. The hunter was exceedingly fresh, but went pleasantly enough, with occasional capers, which I am used to and rather like, till we got to the Brake, and there cantering along the sandy bit of road beyond Widow Smith's, he gave a tremendous kick, the 1st time he has ever done so with me. To my astonishment and humiliation, off I fell, but, thank God, was only rather bruised, falling on my side and arm. We went home by Stukenbridge, but I couldn't canter without a kick, so we trotted and walked. But we set off as usual for the avenue, and accordingly the hunter gave another amazing kick, worse than the first, in spite of which I rejoice to say I kept on : and so we got home with my nerves a little shaken.
26Nov1862, Papa whistles
HAGLEY, Wednesday, November 26th, 1862.
—I heard Papa whistle (softly and half to himself) for the 1st time since '57.
—I heard Papa whistle (softly and half to himself) for the 1st time since '57.
24Nov1862, Returning to threadbare home
HAGLEY, Monday, November 24th, 1862.
—Mr. Smith (one of the guests) came with us to Derby, where I sat for an hour ; got home at 4, and had a snug evng nearly do. to last Monday. The house looks a little scrubby and threadbare !
—Mr. Smith (one of the guests) came with us to Derby, where I sat for an hour ; got home at 4, and had a snug evng nearly do. to last Monday. The house looks a little scrubby and threadbare !
24Nov1862, Bidding a round of good-byes
CHATSWORTH, Monday, November 24th, 1862.
—Sharp frost. I have not often done a more blowing thing than marching into the breakfast-room this morng at 1/4 10 and bidding a round of good-byes to all the august guests there assembled ! Like many awful things, however, it was soon over, and I was immensely flattered and a little astonished at receiving a kiss from both Ly. Louisa and the Duchess of Argyll ! !
—Sharp frost. I have not often done a more blowing thing than marching into the breakfast-room this morng at 1/4 10 and bidding a round of good-byes to all the august guests there assembled ! Like many awful things, however, it was soon over, and I was immensely flattered and a little astonished at receiving a kiss from both Ly. Louisa and the Duchess of Argyll ! !
23Nov1862, The church is something dreadful
CHATSWORTH, 23rd Sunday after Trinity, November 23rd, 1862.
—Fine bright day. The church (to which we went in the morng) is something too dreadful : behind the altar and sitting upon the E. window, which it entirely hides, is a hideous and purely heathen monument of two brothers (one a skeleton) supported on one side by Mars and a suit of armour, on the other by Minerva and a peer's robes ; the whole surmounted by a clumsy trumpeting angel (or Cupid ?) What words can describe the worse than Smithfield pens we were jammed into ? and in which the care necessary to avoid falling foul of everyone's eye, kicking everyone's hat, and sitting upon everyone's lap, was most oppressive. Oh dear ! how can people go Sunday after Sunday to such a place, and think they are worshipping God in the beauty of holiness ? Scott has, however, made a plan for a new church.
—Fine bright day. The church (to which we went in the morng) is something too dreadful : behind the altar and sitting upon the E. window, which it entirely hides, is a hideous and purely heathen monument of two brothers (one a skeleton) supported on one side by Mars and a suit of armour, on the other by Minerva and a peer's robes ; the whole surmounted by a clumsy trumpeting angel (or Cupid ?) What words can describe the worse than Smithfield pens we were jammed into ? and in which the care necessary to avoid falling foul of everyone's eye, kicking everyone's hat, and sitting upon everyone's lap, was most oppressive. Oh dear ! how can people go Sunday after Sunday to such a place, and think they are worshipping God in the beauty of holiness ? Scott has, however, made a plan for a new church.
22Nov1862, Exploring Chatsworth
CHATSWORTH, Saturday, November 22nd, 1862.
—Lovely morng, very little frost. As usual the 3rd day makes a great step in pleasantness ; but be at my ease I cannot. The poor little nervous Miss Howard (Ly. Fanny's daughter), who comes meekly up to one as if for protection, touches me. She has ill health. We saw the state rooms and the statue gallery, all full of splendour. Drove behind the p. carriage with Ly. Louisa and Ly. Constance (not behind !) to beautiful Haddon Hall : the retriever who came with us caught a rabbit on an ivy-covered buttress. Tallee drove back instead of Ly. Constance, and we three capped verses. The Argylls came, and Ld. Grosvenor is expected. Tallee read a still more beautiful sermon of Stanley's preacht before the Prince.
—Lovely morng, very little frost. As usual the 3rd day makes a great step in pleasantness ; but be at my ease I cannot. The poor little nervous Miss Howard (Ly. Fanny's daughter), who comes meekly up to one as if for protection, touches me. She has ill health. We saw the state rooms and the statue gallery, all full of splendour. Drove behind the p. carriage with Ly. Louisa and Ly. Constance (not behind !) to beautiful Haddon Hall : the retriever who came with us caught a rabbit on an ivy-covered buttress. Tallee drove back instead of Ly. Constance, and we three capped verses. The Argylls came, and Ld. Grosvenor is expected. Tallee read a still more beautiful sermon of Stanley's preacht before the Prince.
21Nov1862, My form of shyness
CHATSWORTH, Friday, November 21st, 1862.
—We walked in the grounds, and saw the glorious conservatory, and the Emperor [FN: A fountain.] playing. Ly. C. Grosvenor came. Ld. Granville was expected, but Ly. Granville is ill. Oh dear, I have an oppressed feeling, which is my form of shyness, I suppose. Nice bits of Tallee ; she read aloud one of Stanley's sermons in the East : beautiful. Letters from and to Papa.
—We walked in the grounds, and saw the glorious conservatory, and the Emperor [FN: A fountain.] playing. Ly. C. Grosvenor came. Ld. Granville was expected, but Ly. Granville is ill. Oh dear, I have an oppressed feeling, which is my form of shyness, I suppose. Nice bits of Tallee ; she read aloud one of Stanley's sermons in the East : beautiful. Letters from and to Papa.
20Nov1862, First Meeting With Future Husband
CHATSWORTH, Thursday, November 20th, 1862.
—A notable day ; I came to Chatsworth chaperoned by At. Y. and Tallee, in default of Papa, who is too busy commissioning, besides he told me he had a romance abt Chatsworth, and wanted to see it in lovely weather, never having been here since '39. It is most delightful being again with my Tallee, and we have managed already a quiet sit and a spell of capping verses ! I can't judge of the house yet, only it seems immeasurable. We find the Duke of Devonshire, Ly. Louisa, and Ld. Frederic Cavendish,[FN: This is the first mention of her future husband.] Ld. and Ly. George Cavendish and daughter, Ld. and Ly. Fanny Howard and daughters, Mr. Charles Clifford, Mr. Vyner, etc., all family I fancy. Round game, at which I won 4s.
—A notable day ; I came to Chatsworth chaperoned by At. Y. and Tallee, in default of Papa, who is too busy commissioning, besides he told me he had a romance abt Chatsworth, and wanted to see it in lovely weather, never having been here since '39. It is most delightful being again with my Tallee, and we have managed already a quiet sit and a spell of capping verses ! I can't judge of the house yet, only it seems immeasurable. We find the Duke of Devonshire, Ly. Louisa, and Ld. Frederic Cavendish,[FN: This is the first mention of her future husband.] Ld. and Ly. George Cavendish and daughter, Ld. and Ly. Fanny Howard and daughters, Mr. Charles Clifford, Mr. Vyner, etc., all family I fancy. Round game, at which I won 4s.
19Nov1862, Clothes for Lancashire
HAGLEY, Wednesday, November 19th, 1862.
—Went to the Rectory after church ; found At. E. up to the ears in old and new clothes which have been sent for Lancashire, and which filled the large bedroom.
—Went to the Rectory after church ; found At. E. up to the ears in old and new clothes which have been sent for Lancashire, and which filled the large bedroom.
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