LONDON, June 17th, 1869.
—Oh dear, dear ! political life has quite dropt out amid this excitement [FN: I.e. of her sister Lavinia's engagement to Edward Talbot : and her younger sister May's very brief engagement to Edward Denison. The latter had to be broken off, as his uncle, Speaker Denison, would not consent.] ! On Tuesday afternoon I had what was a huge treat in spite of other thoughts : a place with Mrs. Byng at the H. of Lords. They are debating upon the second reading of the Irish Church Bill, and we heard the Bp. of Peterborough (Magee) speak splendidly : wonderfully eloquent, brilliant and witty, and almost persuasive in spite of the badness of his case, for he is dead against the 2nd reading, and ended his speech with a fiery appeal to the Lords to run their heads against the wall by turning out the Bill. We also heard Ld. Grey ; it was good but difficult to hear ; he is a "leveller-up." Archbishop Trench was so fearfully grubous and grim, it was like nothing so much as a passing bell, and he is said to have called the House "my brethren" more than once !
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
10Jun1869, Papa and Sybella are Married
02Jun1869, Dined Dullissimus Major
LONDON, June 2nd, 1869.
—Workhouse with Lavinia. Spencer breakfasts every morning with us. We had some snug reading, and went together at 5 to the R. Academy in its fine new rooms. Some good Millais and Landseers. Dined (dullissimus major) at Ly. Milton's ; I was lucky enough to sit by Aunt Fanny, or I should have gone to sleep.
—Workhouse with Lavinia. Spencer breakfasts every morning with us. We had some snug reading, and went together at 5 to the R. Academy in its fine new rooms. Some good Millais and Landseers. Dined (dullissimus major) at Ly. Milton's ; I was lucky enough to sit by Aunt Fanny, or I should have gone to sleep.
25May1869, The White May is Coming Out
CHATSWORTH, May 25th, 1869.
—It is a sad blow having to wear one's winter things and have regular fires at this time of year. It was pretty fine in the afternoon, and even E. winds can't help things smelling sweet ; the white May is coming out at last. May and I rode with F., who came back to luncheon ; I on Salvolatile, a charming little beast. China went on merrily, specially the clearing out of a wonderful ménagerie of odds and ends, knick-knacks and gimcracks, from the cabinet in the 1st state-room. [FN: This was china brought from Chiswick and now being placed at Chatsworth. Chiswick was not inhabited by any of the Duke's relations after the Duchess of Southerland's death.]
—It is a sad blow having to wear one's winter things and have regular fires at this time of year. It was pretty fine in the afternoon, and even E. winds can't help things smelling sweet ; the white May is coming out at last. May and I rode with F., who came back to luncheon ; I on Salvolatile, a charming little beast. China went on merrily, specially the clearing out of a wonderful ménagerie of odds and ends, knick-knacks and gimcracks, from the cabinet in the 1st state-room. [FN: This was china brought from Chiswick and now being placed at Chatsworth. Chiswick was not inhabited by any of the Duke's relations after the Duchess of Southerland's death.]
24May1869, Auntie P Overworked
Monday, January 25, 2010
18May1869, Finished "Phineas Finn"
CHATSWORTH, May 18th, 1869.
—Finished "Phineas Finn" [FN: Anthony Trollope's novel. I have heard it described by a Cabinet Minister as the truest picture of Parliamentary life in English fiction, And he quoted a Prime Minister who shared his opinion.] ; it has cleverness and some successful characters, but is a disagreeable, sham sort of book.
—Finished "Phineas Finn" [FN: Anthony Trollope's novel. I have heard it described by a Cabinet Minister as the truest picture of Parliamentary life in English fiction, And he quoted a Prime Minister who shared his opinion.] ; it has cleverness and some successful characters, but is a disagreeable, sham sort of book.
28Apr1869, Meeting Mrs. Mildmay
LONDON, April 28th, 1869.
—Meriel, the girls, and I and Charles, all saw Mrs. Mildmay for the 1st time at George St., Papa bringing her. It must have been even more awful for her than for us ! We all liked her much ; she is not in the least pretty, and looks some years older than she is (33), but she has a dear good face, and nice, steadfast-looking, kind eyes ; a very sweet voice, and a manner at once dignified and gentle. The children were brought down for her to see, which was a great help in the desperate stiffness and shyness of all parties. She first saw the girls alone and was very nice to them : begged them to think of her as a sister and to call her Sybella ; and to tell her everything Papa liked.
—Meriel, the girls, and I and Charles, all saw Mrs. Mildmay for the 1st time at George St., Papa bringing her. It must have been even more awful for her than for us ! We all liked her much ; she is not in the least pretty, and looks some years older than she is (33), but she has a dear good face, and nice, steadfast-looking, kind eyes ; a very sweet voice, and a manner at once dignified and gentle. The children were brought down for her to see, which was a great help in the desperate stiffness and shyness of all parties. She first saw the girls alone and was very nice to them : begged them to think of her as a sister and to call her Sybella ; and to tell her everything Papa liked.
27Apr1869, Papa is Engaged
LONDON, April 27th, 1869.
—It was a day of a great event ; Papa's engagement to Mrs. Mildmay, née Clive, was settled. I have said nothing about this before in my journal, but for months some of us have known and thought about it ; and now, thank God, we can all feel thankful that it has been brought to pass. There has been no managing or interference ; it has come about quite rightly and naturally, and so one can rest in the certainty that it is God's hand that has led dear Papa to this "evening-time light." He is very happy. She seems to be the very person one could have wished for ; we do not know her, but there is only one voice as to her goodness and gentleness and sense ; she is also very clever and accomplished.
—It was a day of a great event ; Papa's engagement to Mrs. Mildmay, née Clive, was settled. I have said nothing about this before in my journal, but for months some of us have known and thought about it ; and now, thank God, we can all feel thankful that it has been brought to pass. There has been no managing or interference ; it has come about quite rightly and naturally, and so one can rest in the certainty that it is God's hand that has led dear Papa to this "evening-time light." He is very happy. She seems to be the very person one could have wished for ; we do not know her, but there is only one voice as to her goodness and gentleness and sense ; she is also very clever and accomplished.
24Apr1869, Newly-Arranged National Gallery
LONDON, April 24th, 1869.
—Drove with the girls card-dropping ; they shopped, not I, viewing Saturday. [FN: She was active in the movement for closing shops on Saturday afternoon.] The shops in Regent Street are very generally closed. Dev. House late. F. and I went to a private view of the newly-arranged National Gallery, which now takes up the R. Academy rooms. It is delightfully well done. Dined at the Clarendons' ; meeting Seftons (0 dear ! he nearly drives me wild with his wonderful noise and bad style), Brunnows, Sir H. and Ly. Howard, Lord and Ly. Grey, Miss Lister, etc. The Clarendons in high delight at Lord Hyde's victory at Brecon over young Lord Claud Hamilton ; both had been beaten before. Drum at Ly. de Grey's with Lavinia.
—Drove with the girls card-dropping ; they shopped, not I, viewing Saturday. [FN: She was active in the movement for closing shops on Saturday afternoon.] The shops in Regent Street are very generally closed. Dev. House late. F. and I went to a private view of the newly-arranged National Gallery, which now takes up the R. Academy rooms. It is delightfully well done. Dined at the Clarendons' ; meeting Seftons (0 dear ! he nearly drives me wild with his wonderful noise and bad style), Brunnows, Sir H. and Ly. Howard, Lord and Ly. Grey, Miss Lister, etc. The Clarendons in high delight at Lord Hyde's victory at Brecon over young Lord Claud Hamilton ; both had been beaten before. Drum at Ly. de Grey's with Lavinia.
22Apr1869, Charlie Wood Marries Lady Cortenay
LONDON, April 22nd, 1869.
—Mr. Charlie Wood [FN: Now Viscount Halifax.] married Lady Agnes Courtenay : they received the H. Communion afterwards and the service took an hour and a half.
—Mr. Charlie Wood [FN: Now Viscount Halifax.] married Lady Agnes Courtenay : they received the H. Communion afterwards and the service took an hour and a half.
20Apr1869, Windsor Visit Ends
LONDON, April 20th, 1869.
—Princess Louise saw me to say good-bye, and so ends my new experience of Court life. Got back before 12. Went to see Lou. ; Cavendish came to dinner, and was a little cross and disloyal, I think on purpose to aggravate me.
—Princess Louise saw me to say good-bye, and so ends my new experience of Court life. Got back before 12. Went to see Lou. ; Cavendish came to dinner, and was a little cross and disloyal, I think on purpose to aggravate me.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
19Apr1869, Another Day at Windsor
WINDSOR, April 19th, 1869.
—At 4.30 I drove with the Queen and Princess Beatrice, and she took me again into the mausoleum, showing great pride and delight in it. The little Princess is very taking and intelligent, and rather pretty. We drove by Clewer and came back by the kitchen garden, where we had tea, the Queen making it and the little Princess jabbering away. My head is quite turned by the Queen sending me her 2 books ("Early Years" and "The Highlands"), with my name written by herself, "dear Lucy Cavendish." Dinner very pleasant, the Dean of Windsor [FN: Dean Wellesley] and the Ponsonbys coming ; the Dean talks straightforwardly and bluntly to the Queen, which she seems to like, and the conversation was animated. The Dean tries to get any notable preacher to preach before the Queen, and he said he had been much struck with a sermon of Mr. King's, the Cuddesdon Principal, and meant to get him. Talking of someone calling himself a Churchman because it might be supposed to answer better, "Humph," said the Dean, "it doesn't seem to answer particularly well nowadays!" The Queen saw the allusion at once, and laughed extremely. After dinner she and the Dean had a long confidential talk on the Irish Church. She told Cavendish, "Mr. Gladstone and I do not agree about the Irish Church, and he does not talk much to me about it." Nevertheless I know he has been pleased and struck with her conduct to him.
—At 4.30 I drove with the Queen and Princess Beatrice, and she took me again into the mausoleum, showing great pride and delight in it. The little Princess is very taking and intelligent, and rather pretty. We drove by Clewer and came back by the kitchen garden, where we had tea, the Queen making it and the little Princess jabbering away. My head is quite turned by the Queen sending me her 2 books ("Early Years" and "The Highlands"), with my name written by herself, "dear Lucy Cavendish." Dinner very pleasant, the Dean of Windsor [FN: Dean Wellesley] and the Ponsonbys coming ; the Dean talks straightforwardly and bluntly to the Queen, which she seems to like, and the conversation was animated. The Dean tries to get any notable preacher to preach before the Queen, and he said he had been much struck with a sermon of Mr. King's, the Cuddesdon Principal, and meant to get him. Talking of someone calling himself a Churchman because it might be supposed to answer better, "Humph," said the Dean, "it doesn't seem to answer particularly well nowadays!" The Queen saw the allusion at once, and laughed extremely. After dinner she and the Dean had a long confidential talk on the Irish Church. She told Cavendish, "Mr. Gladstone and I do not agree about the Irish Church, and he does not talk much to me about it." Nevertheless I know he has been pleased and struck with her conduct to him.
18Apr1869, All the Wales Children
WINDSOR, April 18th, 1869.
—Mr. White, of the Savoy Chapel, preached beautifully in the private Chapel, S. George's ; they sang "I beheld, and lo." The Christians were there, and Princess Louise, but she was sub rosa in the Queen's gallery. We saw all the Wales children in the corridor ; the eldest is generally called "Prince Eddy," which gives one hopes of having a King Edward again some day. He is like the Princess and very pretty ; all have the most dazzling fair complexions. Prince George, however, is hardly pretty, but looks a wag ; Princess Louise a tiny edition of Princess Alice ; and the baby a placid white creature, with prominent bright blue eyes, exactly like the Queen. All are terribly tiny and miniature in scale. I dined with the Queen ; the d'Alençons came, and we were very stiff and dull.
—Mr. White, of the Savoy Chapel, preached beautifully in the private Chapel, S. George's ; they sang "I beheld, and lo." The Christians were there, and Princess Louise, but she was sub rosa in the Queen's gallery. We saw all the Wales children in the corridor ; the eldest is generally called "Prince Eddy," which gives one hopes of having a King Edward again some day. He is like the Princess and very pretty ; all have the most dazzling fair complexions. Prince George, however, is hardly pretty, but looks a wag ; Princess Louise a tiny edition of Princess Alice ; and the baby a placid white creature, with prominent bright blue eyes, exactly like the Queen. All are terribly tiny and miniature in scale. I dined with the Queen ; the d'Alençons came, and we were very stiff and dull.
17Apr1869, Getting the Queen Out of Isolation
WINDSOR, April 17th, 1869.
—Unluckily it is chilly and stormy. The Queen, etc., went off in open carriages to a review at Aldershot. At 4½ we went to S. George's, where we had the great good fortune of coming in for "Sleepers, awake." Afterwards we drove together to Frogmore, and I had a long sit, first with Princess Helena, then with both her and her husband. She sent for her two children : the little 2-year-old a very pretty, attractive dot, the baby magnificent, but plain. It's nice to see such complete Darby and Joan happiness ; the Princess told me all about her long ill-health before the baby's birth, and her husband's devotion and care of her ; and indeed he looks a thorough bonhomme. I screwed up my courage, and when the Princess began upon the subject, I talked about the great desirability of the Queen's being near London during as much as may be of the session ; the journey to Scotland in May might well be conceded, if she would but give up Osborne at this time. Princess Helena said she believed it was a thing the Prime Minister could speak to the Queen about, but that he had far better put it plainly upon her duty as head of affairs, and, above all, not use the "People say" argument, which, she said, "exasperates Mamma." I dined again with the Queen. Who should be there but Cavendish ! It was great fun meeting him for the 1st time on his good behaviour. He enlivened the dinner a good deal. Whist.
—Unluckily it is chilly and stormy. The Queen, etc., went off in open carriages to a review at Aldershot. At 4½ we went to S. George's, where we had the great good fortune of coming in for "Sleepers, awake." Afterwards we drove together to Frogmore, and I had a long sit, first with Princess Helena, then with both her and her husband. She sent for her two children : the little 2-year-old a very pretty, attractive dot, the baby magnificent, but plain. It's nice to see such complete Darby and Joan happiness ; the Princess told me all about her long ill-health before the baby's birth, and her husband's devotion and care of her ; and indeed he looks a thorough bonhomme. I screwed up my courage, and when the Princess began upon the subject, I talked about the great desirability of the Queen's being near London during as much as may be of the session ; the journey to Scotland in May might well be conceded, if she would but give up Osborne at this time. Princess Helena said she believed it was a thing the Prime Minister could speak to the Queen about, but that he had far better put it plainly upon her duty as head of affairs, and, above all, not use the "People say" argument, which, she said, "exasperates Mamma." I dined again with the Queen. Who should be there but Cavendish ! It was great fun meeting him for the 1st time on his good behaviour. He enlivened the dinner a good deal. Whist.
16Apr1869, Back at Windsor
WINDSOR, April 16th, 1869.
—Here I am the very same days of the month as that last Windsor waiting of mine. The Queen and her outriders clattered into the court just as I flied up [FN: I.e., of course, drove up in a fly.]; and May soon turned up. I went to her room, and Florence Seymour's my successor, and was vividly reminded, not of Queens and castles and curtseys, but of my Fred and all I was then thinking about him! I dined with the Queen, who greeted me very kindly and affectionately, as did Princess Christian and Princess Louise. The company was the Christians, Ly. Gainsborough (in waiting), Lady Churchill, as engaging as ever, Ld. Normanby, and Gen. Seymour (not my friend). Col. Ponsonby, Sir J. Cowell, Gen. Grey, Ly. Bridport, and Lady Susan Melville were in the drawing-room ; and I played at whist just as of old. But, before leaving the Queen, she talked some time to me after dinner, and so did the Princesses. I thought the Queen very well and cheerful, and as full of gracious charm and simplicity as ever.
—Here I am the very same days of the month as that last Windsor waiting of mine. The Queen and her outriders clattered into the court just as I flied up [FN: I.e., of course, drove up in a fly.]; and May soon turned up. I went to her room, and Florence Seymour's my successor, and was vividly reminded, not of Queens and castles and curtseys, but of my Fred and all I was then thinking about him! I dined with the Queen, who greeted me very kindly and affectionately, as did Princess Christian and Princess Louise. The company was the Christians, Ly. Gainsborough (in waiting), Lady Churchill, as engaging as ever, Ld. Normanby, and Gen. Seymour (not my friend). Col. Ponsonby, Sir J. Cowell, Gen. Grey, Ly. Bridport, and Lady Susan Melville were in the drawing-room ; and I played at whist just as of old. But, before leaving the Queen, she talked some time to me after dinner, and so did the Princesses. I thought the Queen very well and cheerful, and as full of gracious charm and simplicity as ever.
15Apr1869, Invitation to Windsor
LONDON, April 15th, 1869.
—An invitation to Windsor for 3 nights ! ! the dear Queen hasn't seen me since I married. She won't have Fred ; I feel sure she has never forgiven him for standing on one leg and forgetting his manners that courting time at Osborne. Dreadfully flustered am I. Went to see the babe [FN: Lady Louisa Egerton's second son, Frederick ; he died of wounds received at Ladysmith in 1899.] nevertheless. Drove with dignity, dropping cards with Auntie P., in the ducal barouche.
—An invitation to Windsor for 3 nights ! ! the dear Queen hasn't seen me since I married. She won't have Fred ; I feel sure she has never forgiven him for standing on one leg and forgetting his manners that courting time at Osborne. Dreadfully flustered am I. Went to see the babe [FN: Lady Louisa Egerton's second son, Frederick ; he died of wounds received at Ladysmith in 1899.] nevertheless. Drove with dignity, dropping cards with Auntie P., in the ducal barouche.
10Apr1869, New Fashions
LONDON, April 10th, 1869.
—Dined at Sir Ch. Trevelyan's, meeting the W. James's and daughter, etc. I wore a square-cut blue silk trimmed with lace, with full hanging sleeves and a little lace and blue topknot ; a new fashion for London and destined, I hope, to cut out low gowns ! But alas ! at Lady de Grey's afterwards I was the only person minus shoulders.
—Dined at Sir Ch. Trevelyan's, meeting the W. James's and daughter, etc. I wore a square-cut blue silk trimmed with lace, with full hanging sleeves and a little lace and blue topknot ; a new fashion for London and destined, I hope, to cut out low gowns ! But alas ! at Lady de Grey's afterwards I was the only person minus shoulders.
03Apr1869, A New Theatre
LONDON, April 3rd, 1869.
—Evening alone ; we junketed off to the charming new theatre, the Gaiety, and saw a good comedy and a bad burlesque. The comedy, "Dreams."
—Evening alone ; we junketed off to the charming new theatre, the Gaiety, and saw a good comedy and a bad burlesque. The comedy, "Dreams."
28Mar1869, Snowy Easter at Chatsworth
CHATSWORTH, March 28th, 1869. Easter Day.
—A day that made me rather Hagley sick. All the morning there were howling snowstorms ; however, we fought our way to church ; but, 0, the cold, frozen services, giving one the terrible impression that nobody cared, and the scanty congregation. About 15 communicants.
—A day that made me rather Hagley sick. All the morning there were howling snowstorms ; however, we fought our way to church ; but, 0, the cold, frozen services, giving one the terrible impression that nobody cared, and the scanty congregation. About 15 communicants.
21Mar1869, A Sermon at Whitehall
LONDON, March 21st, 1869.
—Whitehall [FN: The Chapel Royal at Whitehall, now the United Service Museum], where Mr. Kingsley preached almost the most interesting sermon I ever heard, riveting one, in spite of ungainly delivery and harsh voice.
—Whitehall [FN: The Chapel Royal at Whitehall, now the United Service Museum], where Mr. Kingsley preached almost the most interesting sermon I ever heard, riveting one, in spite of ungainly delivery and harsh voice.
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