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.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
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.
20Mar1869, Another Subject
LONDON, March 20th, 1869.
—Dined with the Bruces ; I was luckily placed between him and Sir G. Grey. Mr. B.[FN: Afterwards 1st Lord Aberdare.] said there was only 1 subject on which Uncle W. did not seem well up and interested, viz., National Education ! ! A large one.
—Dined with the Bruces ; I was luckily placed between him and Sir G. Grey. Mr. B.[FN: Afterwards 1st Lord Aberdare.] said there was only 1 subject on which Uncle W. did not seem well up and interested, viz., National Education ! ! A large one.
19Mar1869, Bright Spoke Like Isaiah
LONDON, March 19th, 1869.
—Bright spoke grandly, rather like Isaiah! His voice is painfully hoarse, and he is astonishingly aged ; but it doesn't mar the effect much.
—Bright spoke grandly, rather like Isaiah! His voice is painfully hoarse, and he is astonishingly aged ; but it doesn't mar the effect much.
13Mar1869, The Underground Railway
LONDON, March 13th, 1869.
—F. and I larked off to the S. Kensington Museum on foot, and thence to Portland Road by underground Railway ; my first experience of it. It was charming and wonderful, and far less underground than I expected. Walked from the station to All Saints' Workhouse.
—F. and I larked off to the S. Kensington Museum on foot, and thence to Portland Road by underground Railway ; my first experience of it. It was charming and wonderful, and far less underground than I expected. Walked from the station to All Saints' Workhouse.
12Mar1869, A Mug from Leveson
LONDON, March 12th, 1869.
—Dined at No. 11 with the Great Man and his daughters (Auntie P. and Mazy in bed ! resting) ; he was high-gee a little old Dresden mug given him by Ronald Leveson [FN: Lord Ronald Leveson-Gower, the author and dilettante.], sending for it at dinner to show off, and saying it was the fulfilment of the "dream of his life" to have such a shaped cup to drink coffee out of, but rather perplexed how to drink out of it at all, viewing the lid, which will stick into one's cheek. (N.B.—It is an undeniable mustard-pot!)
—Dined at No. 11 with the Great Man and his daughters (Auntie P. and Mazy in bed ! resting) ; he was high-gee a little old Dresden mug given him by Ronald Leveson [FN: Lord Ronald Leveson-Gower, the author and dilettante.], sending for it at dinner to show off, and saying it was the fulfilment of the "dream of his life" to have such a shaped cup to drink coffee out of, but rather perplexed how to drink out of it at all, viewing the lid, which will stick into one's cheek. (N.B.—It is an undeniable mustard-pot!)
02Mar1869, People Rave of the Speech
LONDON, March 2nd, 1869.
—Smart dinner at Mr. and Ly. Margaret Beaumont's ; sat between Lord Clarendon and Mr. Trevelyan, and was too well off. I was dying to hear what was going on between Ly. M., Ld. Salisbury and Ld. Clarendon. People rave of the speech and of Uncle W.'s moderation.
—Smart dinner at Mr. and Ly. Margaret Beaumont's ; sat between Lord Clarendon and Mr. Trevelyan, and was too well off. I was dying to hear what was going on between Ly. M., Ld. Salisbury and Ld. Clarendon. People rave of the speech and of Uncle W.'s moderation.
01Mar1869, The Great Irish Church Bill
LONDON, March 1st, 1869.—Workhouse. It is very wrong and shocking, how they allow poor people to die in the midst of a crowded ward, without even a curtain to draw round the bed. There was one woman dying to-day, but I think "earth was passed, and earthly pain," and that she was as much shut out from all around her as in the most carefully-guarded sick-room.
This moment, there so low,
So agonized, and now
Beyond the stars !
I drove after luncheon, and called on Ly. Trevelyan ; then to the House, where Uncle William brought in the great Irish Church Bill, in a grand, elaborate, beautifully arranged and digested, speech of 3 hours which appeared to leave out no detail ; and ending with one of his best and most heartfelt appeals, spoken with a voice wonderfully ringing and untired though full of emotion.
This moment, there so low,
So agonized, and now
Beyond the stars !
I drove after luncheon, and called on Ly. Trevelyan ; then to the House, where Uncle William brought in the great Irish Church Bill, in a grand, elaborate, beautifully arranged and digested, speech of 3 hours which appeared to leave out no detail ; and ending with one of his best and most heartfelt appeals, spoken with a voice wonderfully ringing and untired though full of emotion.
25Feb1869, Not Baptized
LONDON, February 25th, 1869.
—I spoke to Head a day or two ago, asking him whether he had been confirmed, and to-day discovered, to my horror, that he has never been baptized ! having been bred up a Baptist, and taken to church-going as he grew up, when the Baptists generally are baptized. Must try and induce him to have it done.
—I spoke to Head a day or two ago, asking him whether he had been confirmed, and to-day discovered, to my horror, that he has never been baptized ! having been bred up a Baptist, and taken to church-going as he grew up, when the Baptists generally are baptized. Must try and induce him to have it done.
20Feb1869, Charlotte is called Spencer's Fairy Queen
12Feb1869, Coursing in the Park
HOLKER, February 12th, 1869.
—Coursing came off in the mosses and the park ; Ld. R., Margaret, and I drove with Aunt Coque in the sociable, and the fat cockney coachman got so excited that he drove us down impossible places over the grass, to Aunt Coque's delight and Uncle Dick's terror.
—Coursing came off in the mosses and the park ; Ld. R., Margaret, and I drove with Aunt Coque in the sociable, and the fat cockney coachman got so excited that he drove us down impossible places over the grass, to Aunt Coque's delight and Uncle Dick's terror.
03Feb1869, There has been no winter
HOLKER, February 3rd, 1869.
—Soft, grey, and pleasant with silver light upon the sea. There has been no winter, whatever we may be going to have by way of spring. Some rhododendrons are out in the garden.
—Soft, grey, and pleasant with silver light upon the sea. There has been no winter, whatever we may be going to have by way of spring. Some rhododendrons are out in the garden.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
25Jan1869, Reading List
HOLKER, January 25th, 1869.
—Horrible wet gloomy day. No outing. Little William began to crawl ! I am reading Jeremy Taylor's "Liberty of Prophesying" and Lockhart with F., Senior's Journal (instead of "Greater Britain") to the Womankind, Hume, Cowper's Life and Letters and Mr. Suckling's Life to myself, and an occasional bit of Froude with B.
—Horrible wet gloomy day. No outing. Little William began to crawl ! I am reading Jeremy Taylor's "Liberty of Prophesying" and Lockhart with F., Senior's Journal (instead of "Greater Britain") to the Womankind, Hume, Cowper's Life and Letters and Mr. Suckling's Life to myself, and an occasional bit of Froude with B.
09Jan1869, Going Away
HAGLEY, January 9th, 1869.
—Darling Alfred took me to the station ; he turns my head by expressing affection ! and being so sorry I am going, in the most winsome way.
—Darling Alfred took me to the station ; he turns my head by expressing affection ! and being so sorry I am going, in the most winsome way.
31Dec1868, Low and Pathetic Today
HAGLEY, December 31st, 1868.
—I believe nobody ever had the dayums as I have ; I feel low and pathetic today, and shall be in high spirits to-morrow !
—I believe nobody ever had the dayums as I have ; I feel low and pathetic today, and shall be in high spirits to-morrow !
08Dec1868, Postmaster Cavendish
CHATSWORTH, December 8th, 1868.
—Cavendish telegraphed that he has accepted the Postmastership-General, with a seat in the Cabinet ; and he also wrote by post that Uncle W. had been very cordial, not pressing him to take Ireland, tho' saying that he thought it an important post just now, and showing that the want of a seat in Parliament was the only thing that made a difficulty about the Cabinet. This is supposed to be not insuperable, and the upshot was that he was offered the Home Office. But Mr. Bruce has evidently a higher claim to that, and Cavendish said that he would not stand in his way. Then the Post Office was settled.
—Cavendish telegraphed that he has accepted the Postmastership-General, with a seat in the Cabinet ; and he also wrote by post that Uncle W. had been very cordial, not pressing him to take Ireland, tho' saying that he thought it an important post just now, and showing that the want of a seat in Parliament was the only thing that made a difficulty about the Cabinet. This is supposed to be not insuperable, and the upshot was that he was offered the Home Office. But Mr. Bruce has evidently a higher claim to that, and Cavendish said that he would not stand in his way. Then the Post Office was settled.
07Dec1868, Another Proposed
CHATSWORTH, December 7th, 1868.
—He telegraphed "Ireland over ; another proposed." This is exciting. I rode with Lord George, Louey, and Mr. Strutt. Empress chose to kick.
—He telegraphed "Ireland over ; another proposed." This is exciting. I rode with Lord George, Louey, and Mr. Strutt. Empress chose to kick.
06Dec1868, Offer Far From Suitable
CHATSWORTH, December 6th, 1868.
—Cavendish got a private letter from Uncle W. offering him the Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland, regretting that his being out of Parliament prevents his entering the Cabinet. The letter kind and cordial, but it is a considerable blow, as Cavendish's successful and steady work at the War Office in '66, and the Duke's 4 great contests just now, seemed to give him a claim. But there are many men of longer standing and higher claims, and this offer is of course a great compliment failing the Cabinet ; only it is far from suitable for a young bachelor ! The thing was kept as nearly secret as was compatible with Freddy, Eddy, Lord George, and Lou being married people ! Cavendish went up to London by the night train, intending to decline unless much pressed.
—Cavendish got a private letter from Uncle W. offering him the Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland, regretting that his being out of Parliament prevents his entering the Cabinet. The letter kind and cordial, but it is a considerable blow, as Cavendish's successful and steady work at the War Office in '66, and the Duke's 4 great contests just now, seemed to give him a claim. But there are many men of longer standing and higher claims, and this offer is of course a great compliment failing the Cabinet ; only it is far from suitable for a young bachelor ! The thing was kept as nearly secret as was compatible with Freddy, Eddy, Lord George, and Lou being married people ! Cavendish went up to London by the night train, intending to decline unless much pressed.
27Nov1868, Lies About Popery
CHATSWORTH, November 27th, 1868.
—The two beaten brethren, Cavendish and Eddy, came home ; both cheery about it, but it was a great blow to both. Poor Emma much grieved ; and we are all rather rabid. "No Popery" has served Dizzy well in the counties ; the discoveries are remarkable anent it ; Mr. Gladstone and his wife are papists, one of his daughters is an abbess, and the Cavendishes for years past have been the tools of the Pope ! ! ! !
The Eddies delighted with their baby, who is indeed charming, always crowing and chirping with fun, and smiling all over his face like Eddy ; while his kicks are untiring.
—The two beaten brethren, Cavendish and Eddy, came home ; both cheery about it, but it was a great blow to both. Poor Emma much grieved ; and we are all rather rabid. "No Popery" has served Dizzy well in the counties ; the discoveries are remarkable anent it ; Mr. Gladstone and his wife are papists, one of his daughters is an abbess, and the Cavendishes for years past have been the tools of the Pope ! ! ! !
The Eddies delighted with their baby, who is indeed charming, always crowing and chirping with fun, and smiling all over his face like Eddy ; while his kicks are untiring.
25Nov1868, Eddy Defeated
CHATSWORTH, November 25th, 1868.
—We heard just before dinner last night the wretched news of Eddy's defeat by 120 ; and we do feel small and miserable. The counties are outrageously Tory.
—We heard just before dinner last night the wretched news of Eddy's defeat by 120 ; and we do feel small and miserable. The counties are outrageously Tory.
21Nov1868, Cavendish Beaten
CHATSWORTH, November 21st, 1868.
—A grievous disaster ! Cavendish beaten yesterday by 1,400 after all his hard work and F.'s canvassing and the indefatigable labours of friends and agents. We had not much hope, but didn't expect anything so hollow. The worst of it is, that it is as good as farewell, politically speaking, to N. Lancashire, after his 11 years' connexion with it and all the home ties.
—A grievous disaster ! Cavendish beaten yesterday by 1,400 after all his hard work and F.'s canvassing and the indefatigable labours of friends and agents. We had not much hope, but didn't expect anything so hollow. The worst of it is, that it is as good as farewell, politically speaking, to N. Lancashire, after his 11 years' connexion with it and all the home ties.
20Nov1868, Nominated at Bradford
ESHTON, November 20th, 1868.
—Our nomination was at Bradford, where, in spite of the borough having just ended its own desperate fight, about 2,000 people collected in front of the hustings. They were rather dull and silent during Sir F. Crossley's speech, but it was delightful to see them warm up into great enthusiasm during F.'s speech, which was the best I ever heard him make, vigorous, earnest, pointed, and with the sort of eloquence which comes out of deep conviction. He was trembling, not with nervousness, but enthusiasm. I nearly burst ! Afterwards came a big luncheon, when he was very warmly cheered. We got home for dinner, and were met by the capital news of Frank's and Mr. Strutt's victory.
—Our nomination was at Bradford, where, in spite of the borough having just ended its own desperate fight, about 2,000 people collected in front of the hustings. They were rather dull and silent during Sir F. Crossley's speech, but it was delightful to see them warm up into great enthusiasm during F.'s speech, which was the best I ever heard him make, vigorous, earnest, pointed, and with the sort of eloquence which comes out of deep conviction. He was trembling, not with nervousness, but enthusiasm. I nearly burst ! Afterwards came a big luncheon, when he was very warmly cheered. We got home for dinner, and were met by the capital news of Frank's and Mr. Strutt's victory.
14Nov1868, A Stump Speech
HOLKER, November 14th, 1868.
—Enjoyed myself much, going with Cavendish (tête-à-tête killing ! F. to Preston) to Ulverston, for his last meeting before the nomination. He spoke better than ever, said everybody, and indeed it was an excellent speech, exhaustive, well-argued, straightforward, spirited, and only just short of eloquent in parts, his only fault on the stump seems to be rather over-much gravity ; but the Lancashire people don't dislike that. I got highly excited, and so did the meeting. The energetic Mr. Fell entertained us at luncheon ; his little girls of 3 and 4 were over the moon, expecting to see a coach with bright-red flunkies ; I fear they were sadly disappointed.
—Enjoyed myself much, going with Cavendish (tête-à-tête killing ! F. to Preston) to Ulverston, for his last meeting before the nomination. He spoke better than ever, said everybody, and indeed it was an excellent speech, exhaustive, well-argued, straightforward, spirited, and only just short of eloquent in parts, his only fault on the stump seems to be rather over-much gravity ; but the Lancashire people don't dislike that. I got highly excited, and so did the meeting. The energetic Mr. Fell entertained us at luncheon ; his little girls of 3 and 4 were over the moon, expecting to see a coach with bright-red flunkies ; I fear they were sadly disappointed.
02Nov1868, Holker in the Glow of Autumn
HOLKER, November 2nd, 1868.
—Splendid day of many colours and glorious W. wind. F. to Barrow, but came home to luncheon and rode with me quite late in a stormy afternoon to Grange ; it was very nice ! and I enjoyed a tremendous spatter of rain when we were full go. In the morning, Mary [FN: Mary Gladstone.] and I went to Humphrey Head, and had a grand fight with the wind ; the sea quite uppish ; we went down to the extreme point and were such babies as to do a little paddling barefooted in the waves. I never saw this place in the full glow of autumn before, and it is a treat.
—Splendid day of many colours and glorious W. wind. F. to Barrow, but came home to luncheon and rode with me quite late in a stormy afternoon to Grange ; it was very nice ! and I enjoyed a tremendous spatter of rain when we were full go. In the morning, Mary [FN: Mary Gladstone.] and I went to Humphrey Head, and had a grand fight with the wind ; the sea quite uppish ; we went down to the extreme point and were such babies as to do a little paddling barefooted in the waves. I never saw this place in the full glow of autumn before, and it is a treat.
21Oct1868, Marriage of Whig and Tory
HOLKER, October 21st, 1868.
—Edith Campbell [FN: Daughter of the Duke of Argyll.] is to marry Ld. Percy! [FN: Afterwards 7th Duke of Northumberland.] a nice, good, pleasant youth, just grown up ; Presbyterian and Irvingite, Whig and Tory, I wonder how it will do.
—Edith Campbell [FN: Daughter of the Duke of Argyll.] is to marry Ld. Percy! [FN: Afterwards 7th Duke of Northumberland.] a nice, good, pleasant youth, just grown up ; Presbyterian and Irvingite, Whig and Tory, I wonder how it will do.
08Oct1868, Reading Mansfield Park
HAWARDEN, October 8th, 1868
. . . . Afterwards to the Rectory to hear Granny spout "Mansfield Park" ; I coaxed Fred to stay and hear a bit, and he was impressed with her beautiful reading. Her dear voice is as musical as ever ; if there is any change it gets lower, instead of quavery as most old people.
. . . . Afterwards to the Rectory to hear Granny spout "Mansfield Park" ; I coaxed Fred to stay and hear a bit, and he was impressed with her beautiful reading. Her dear voice is as musical as ever ; if there is any change it gets lower, instead of quavery as most old people.
05Oct1868, A Good-natured Lion
HAWARDEN, October 5th, 1868.
—Uncle W. has now written his address : a very dignified and downright one. He went off all the lighter-hearted for having it off his mind, to cut down a tree with Willy. Lord Napier of Magdala [FN: Lately home from the Abyssinian Expedition and the storming of Magdala.] came, and was received with volunteers, band, and cheers, and the village-people and school-children turned out in the park. He is very quiet and simple in manner, and is rather like a good-natured lion with its claws in.
—Uncle W. has now written his address : a very dignified and downright one. He went off all the lighter-hearted for having it off his mind, to cut down a tree with Willy. Lord Napier of Magdala [FN: Lately home from the Abyssinian Expedition and the storming of Magdala.] came, and was received with volunteers, band, and cheers, and the village-people and school-children turned out in the park. He is very quiet and simple in manner, and is rather like a good-natured lion with its claws in.
01Oct1868, Uncle W. Cuts Down a Tree
HAWARDEN, October 1st, 1868.
—Uncle W. in shirtsleeves and stick-up collar cutting down a tree was a pleasing sight this afternoon. He has an axe with W. E. G. on the haft, and is like a schoolboy over it.
—Uncle W. in shirtsleeves and stick-up collar cutting down a tree was a pleasing sight this afternoon. He has an axe with W. E. G. on the haft, and is like a schoolboy over it.
02Sep1868, Heart of the Enemy's Country
HOLKER, September 2nd, 1868.
—My Fred came home to dinner, quite excited over Cavendish's success at his meetings near Preston (the heart of the enemy's country). He seems to have spoken capitally ; and was received with enthusiasm. I had the treat of telling this to the Duke, who was much delighted.
—My Fred came home to dinner, quite excited over Cavendish's success at his meetings near Preston (the heart of the enemy's country). He seems to have spoken capitally ; and was received with enthusiasm. I had the treat of telling this to the Duke, who was much delighted.
26Aug1868, Electioneering
HOLKER, August 26th, 1868.
—Cavendish and all his gentlemen went off electioneering ; F. to Bradford to do the civil to his constituents. Emma and I drove to Grange Hotel to call on the Wilson Pattens, and saw Col. P. himself. He was quite moved at the notion of our calling upon them, apparently thinking his coalition with Captain Stanley against Cavendish would make bitter enemies of us all.
—Cavendish and all his gentlemen went off electioneering ; F. to Bradford to do the civil to his constituents. Emma and I drove to Grange Hotel to call on the Wilson Pattens, and saw Col. P. himself. He was quite moved at the notion of our calling upon them, apparently thinking his coalition with Captain Stanley against Cavendish would make bitter enemies of us all.
14Aug1868, The First Private Execution
Holker, August 14th, 1868.
—Yesterday took place the 1st private execution within the prison yard, only officials and reporters being present. A thing to return thanks for, the doing away of the horrible mob-scenes.
—Yesterday took place the 1st private execution within the prison yard, only officials and reporters being present. A thing to return thanks for, the doing away of the horrible mob-scenes.
11Aug1868, Back to Dear England
HOLKER, August 11th, 1868.
—Hot night, but rainy and overcast all day : a great comfort, as the burnt-up state of the country is really dreadful. Whole tracts of railway-embankments, heaths, moors, and even cornfields have been set on fire by sparks from engines or cigars, and people in many parts are in distress from want of water. We got prosperously to dear old Holker ; thank God. Find Lou, the Duke, Cavendish, and the D. of Buccleuch. All of course have the electionums ; there is great fear for Cavendish's seat ; Frank's is pretty secure ; we as yet have no opposition. Dear England, you are not bad to come back to, with your nears and dears, your excellent washing arrangements, and your Tea !
—Hot night, but rainy and overcast all day : a great comfort, as the burnt-up state of the country is really dreadful. Whole tracts of railway-embankments, heaths, moors, and even cornfields have been set on fire by sparks from engines or cigars, and people in many parts are in distress from want of water. We got prosperously to dear old Holker ; thank God. Find Lou, the Duke, Cavendish, and the D. of Buccleuch. All of course have the electionums ; there is great fear for Cavendish's seat ; Frank's is pretty secure ; we as yet have no opposition. Dear England, you are not bad to come back to, with your nears and dears, your excellent washing arrangements, and your Tea !
09Aug1868, Not a Sunday
AACHEN, August 9th, 1868.
—Not to be counted as a Sunday at all, a horrid fact, as one hasn't too many Sundays in even the longest life. We went into the curious Cathedral ; crowded with dirty people : a sort of congregation that always makes one envious. . . .
We fitted in a fragment of our service in a horrible chapel, which had the pulpit jutting out of the wall above the altar, like the centre and object of worship.
—Not to be counted as a Sunday at all, a horrid fact, as one hasn't too many Sundays in even the longest life. We went into the curious Cathedral ; crowded with dirty people : a sort of congregation that always makes one envious. . . .
We fitted in a fragment of our service in a horrible chapel, which had the pulpit jutting out of the wall above the altar, like the centre and object of worship.
31Jul1868, A Jolly Evening
Ems, July 31st, 1868.
—We had a jolly evening, supping with the Ashleys ; Ly. Louisa Charteris was too delightful, becoming an asthmatic old Norfolk man and woman, besides crowing, purring, bleating, and gobbling to perfection. We laughed till exhaustion supervened, and did not act up to the name we have all given ourselves as lone lorn women, the reverse of Jolly Dogs, viz., the Dismal Cats.
—We had a jolly evening, supping with the Ashleys ; Ly. Louisa Charteris was too delightful, becoming an asthmatic old Norfolk man and woman, besides crowing, purring, bleating, and gobbling to perfection. We laughed till exhaustion supervened, and did not act up to the name we have all given ourselves as lone lorn women, the reverse of Jolly Dogs, viz., the Dismal Cats.
24Jul1868, High and Broad Church
Ems, July 24th, 1868.
—We drove up to the Pavilion, whence the view is lovely. Argued a good deal on the way about High and Broad Church, B. contriving to be both in a way that a little aggravates me.
—We drove up to the Pavilion, whence the view is lovely. Argued a good deal on the way about High and Broad Church, B. contriving to be both in a way that a little aggravates me.
14Jul1868, Meeting the King of Prussia
Ems, July 14th, 1868.
—I had the privilege of seeing the King [FN: The King of Prussia, afterwards the first German Emperor.] at the spring in the Curhaus ; an ugly red-nosed old gentleman.
—I had the privilege of seeing the King [FN: The King of Prussia, afterwards the first German Emperor.] at the spring in the Curhaus ; an ugly red-nosed old gentleman.
08Jul1868, To Brussels
BRUSSELS, July 8th, 1868.
—It does seem bewildering to be on the Continent again : writing my journal in an inn (Bellevue) at Brussels — the very same where we launched forth on our honeymoon 4 years ago. B. [FN: Beatrice Lascelles, sister of Lady Edward Cavendish, afterwards wife of Archbishop Temple.] joined us at Charing X. at 7.15 ; we had a perfect passage from Dover to Calais ; and got here before 7. We feel rather unprotected with only English servants, viz., Head, the Grim one, and B.'s Wilkinson.
—It does seem bewildering to be on the Continent again : writing my journal in an inn (Bellevue) at Brussels — the very same where we launched forth on our honeymoon 4 years ago. B. [FN: Beatrice Lascelles, sister of Lady Edward Cavendish, afterwards wife of Archbishop Temple.] joined us at Charing X. at 7.15 ; we had a perfect passage from Dover to Calais ; and got here before 7. We feel rather unprotected with only English servants, viz., Head, the Grim one, and B.'s Wilkinson.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
01Jul1868, Beautiful Garden Colours
LONDON, July 1st, 1868.
—Eastward and westward with Atie. P. With her and her girls at 5 to Holland House, the beautiful gardens very gay with all sorts of wonderful garments. This [FN: Sketches in the original.] is the kind of vagary one sees ! And 0 the dazzling hues ! Canary, copper tea-kettle, pea-green, strawberry-ice;-and salmon colour. Longfellow was there, I believe, but I didn't make him out.
—Eastward and westward with Atie. P. With her and her girls at 5 to Holland House, the beautiful gardens very gay with all sorts of wonderful garments. This [FN: Sketches in the original.] is the kind of vagary one sees ! And 0 the dazzling hues ! Canary, copper tea-kettle, pea-green, strawberry-ice;-and salmon colour. Longfellow was there, I believe, but I didn't make him out.
27Jun1868, The Duke is Painted
LONDON, June 27th, 1868.
—The Duke's picture is well painted and a gentlemanlike likeness, but it does not do justice to his expression, and there is something to wrongs with the right foot.
—The Duke's picture is well painted and a gentlemanlike likeness, but it does not do justice to his expression, and there is something to wrongs with the right foot.
23Jun1868, Spencer Bowed Out of the Eleven
LONDON, June 23rd, 1868.
—We are all in a frightful temper, Spencer having been bowed out of the 11 before the Oxford and Cambridge match, for not playing lately in "good form." (N.B. He got 25 runs t'other day, and, when he offered to resign after N. Zealand, it was not accepted.) He bears it with matchless philosophy ; but Papa says, "Such a thing has never happened to a son of mine before," and would have sunk under the trial, if he had not quite recovered his spirits and health.
—We are all in a frightful temper, Spencer having been bowed out of the 11 before the Oxford and Cambridge match, for not playing lately in "good form." (N.B. He got 25 runs t'other day, and, when he offered to resign after N. Zealand, it was not accepted.) He bears it with matchless philosophy ; but Papa says, "Such a thing has never happened to a son of mine before," and would have sunk under the trial, if he had not quite recovered his spirits and health.
20Jun1868, A Warning to Parry
LONDON, June 20th, 1868
—I went thro' the horrors of giving warning to Parry ; poor me, when shall I get a good creature who won't be tiffy with her fellows ?
—I went thro' the horrors of giving warning to Parry ; poor me, when shall I get a good creature who won't be tiffy with her fellows ?
14Jun1868, For the Sake of Coolness
LONDON, Sunday, June 14th, 1868.
—Abbey at 3 for the sake of coolness, but oh ! it took near 2 hours.
—Abbey at 3 for the sake of coolness, but oh ! it took near 2 hours.
12Jun1868, Fred to the Yeomanry
LONDON, June 12th, 1868.
—My horrid week of all the year began : my Fred going to Lancaster for the Yeomanry : a playing at soldiers which I cannot away with ! Went with him to D. House early, and rode with him at 12½. Very lonely and unked [FN: I cannot find "unked" in the Glynnese Glossary. Lady Frederick appears to use it almost in the sense of " uncanny."] without him. . . .
Dined at D. House, meeting Howards, Charles, and Lord Georges. Lou and Frank out. The unlucky little Eddy [FN: The present Duke of Devonshire.] is doomed to be called Victor Christian William : Duke says he would like Abraham better than Victor.
—My horrid week of all the year began : my Fred going to Lancaster for the Yeomanry : a playing at soldiers which I cannot away with ! Went with him to D. House early, and rode with him at 12½. Very lonely and unked [FN: I cannot find "unked" in the Glynnese Glossary. Lady Frederick appears to use it almost in the sense of " uncanny."] without him. . . .
Dined at D. House, meeting Howards, Charles, and Lord Georges. Lou and Frank out. The unlucky little Eddy [FN: The present Duke of Devonshire.] is doomed to be called Victor Christian William : Duke says he would like Abraham better than Victor.
11Jun1868, Service at St. Barnabas
LONDON, Thursday, June 11th, 1868. S. Barnabas.
Girls, Agnes, and I went to All Saints' at 11. They make no pause after the Church Militant prayer, as they wish non-communicants to remain in the Church ; this may be an innocent custom, (but ? as there is no hint in the Bible of the H. Communion being ever otherwise than a Feast to all attending it), but as its danger must be great, unavoidable, of leading people to believe in some sort of Sacramental good to be obtained by merely being present, it does seem to me very objectionable. We did not intend to communicate, so slipped out after the Nicene Creed, feeling very guilty. But it was interesting to see the vestments for the first time, the 3 officiating clergy all wearing them. I hardly thought I should like them, but I do, personally. Certainly I find I learn gradually to like much of the "advanced" ritual which I formerly should have been impatient at. It all depends on whether one sees, enters into, and approves of, the symbolism.
Girls, Agnes, and I went to All Saints' at 11. They make no pause after the Church Militant prayer, as they wish non-communicants to remain in the Church ; this may be an innocent custom, (but ? as there is no hint in the Bible of the H. Communion being ever otherwise than a Feast to all attending it), but as its danger must be great, unavoidable, of leading people to believe in some sort of Sacramental good to be obtained by merely being present, it does seem to me very objectionable. We did not intend to communicate, so slipped out after the Nicene Creed, feeling very guilty. But it was interesting to see the vestments for the first time, the 3 officiating clergy all wearing them. I hardly thought I should like them, but I do, personally. Certainly I find I learn gradually to like much of the "advanced" ritual which I formerly should have been impatient at. It all depends on whether one sees, enters into, and approves of, the symbolism.
08Jun1868, Governor Eyre Acquitted
LONDON, June 8th, 1868.
—Governor Eyre has been acquitted before Judge Blackburn, the jury refusing to find a true bill. "Society" won't hear of Eyre being to blame, because the rebels were coloured whom he had to deal with ; but, tho' he was a high-minded man and acted for the best, it does seem shocking that he should have sanctioned hanging and flogging after announcing that the revolt was over.
—Governor Eyre has been acquitted before Judge Blackburn, the jury refusing to find a true bill. "Society" won't hear of Eyre being to blame, because the rebels were coloured whom he had to deal with ; but, tho' he was a high-minded man and acted for the best, it does seem shocking that he should have sanctioned hanging and flogging after announcing that the revolt was over.
01Jun1868, Eddie and Emma's Little Boy
HAGLEY, June 1st, 1868.
—Thank God, dear Emma's troubles are all over, and a fine little boy [FN: The present Duke of Devonshire] was born yesterday at 9 o'clock. It is nice to have this to enter in the same Vol. of journal which has the account of the sad disappointment 2 years ago. Now she has everything in the world. I feel rather heart-pinched in the lessening of our own hopes ; but it is the only thing wanting to us, and one ought to be full of thankfulness.
—Thank God, dear Emma's troubles are all over, and a fine little boy [FN: The present Duke of Devonshire] was born yesterday at 9 o'clock. It is nice to have this to enter in the same Vol. of journal which has the account of the sad disappointment 2 years ago. Now she has everything in the world. I feel rather heart-pinched in the lessening of our own hopes ; but it is the only thing wanting to us, and one ought to be full of thankfulness.
30May1868, Electionums
HAGLEY, May 30th, 1868.
—Talked incessant electionums ; it seems the enemy has been outrageously base and unscrupulous, spending shoals of money among the poor ignorant Black-country people, putting about all sorts of lies, and generally disgracing themselves ; also having 100 paid agents to Charles's 20. They say Laslett must have spent near £20,000 ; our side £6,000 ; a terrible incubus, but we hope it will be raised among friends.
—Talked incessant electionums ; it seems the enemy has been outrageously base and unscrupulous, spending shoals of money among the poor ignorant Black-country people, putting about all sorts of lies, and generally disgracing themselves ; also having 100 paid agents to Charles's 20. They say Laslett must have spent near £20,000 ; our side £6,000 ; a terrible incubus, but we hope it will be raised among friends.
29May1868, Charles Reelected
HAGLEY, May 29th, 1868.
—We left London at 10 ; F. got out at Birmingham to go to Charles's comm. room, I went on to dear old home. Blue placards and "Lyttelton for ever" stuck about ; and a polling-booth at the signpost. Servants in huge excitement. The place too lovely, in its "green and stately repose." How I enjoyed it all the lovely afternoon. About 4 turned up Uncle Stephen, who had been voting all straight at Droitwich. We walked up Milton's hill together, and I had some delightful moments full length on the grass, resting as if elections, London, hurry and worry were dreams. Willy and Mr. Heathcote came at 5, with cheery accounts, and Uncle Spencer came at 8, announcing VICTORY. Charles and F. followed shortly in a waggonette, pursued by 2 costermongers' carts at full speed, and a rout of dirty little boys, ooray, singing, tin kettles, and all the rest of it. Majority 279 ; very good, after what we had reason to expect.
—We left London at 10 ; F. got out at Birmingham to go to Charles's comm. room, I went on to dear old home. Blue placards and "Lyttelton for ever" stuck about ; and a polling-booth at the signpost. Servants in huge excitement. The place too lovely, in its "green and stately repose." How I enjoyed it all the lovely afternoon. About 4 turned up Uncle Stephen, who had been voting all straight at Droitwich. We walked up Milton's hill together, and I had some delightful moments full length on the grass, resting as if elections, London, hurry and worry were dreams. Willy and Mr. Heathcote came at 5, with cheery accounts, and Uncle Spencer came at 8, announcing VICTORY. Charles and F. followed shortly in a waggonette, pursued by 2 costermongers' carts at full speed, and a rout of dirty little boys, ooray, singing, tin kettles, and all the rest of it. Majority 279 ; very good, after what we had reason to expect.
28May1868, Dined Swellissimus
LONDON, May 28th, 1868.
—Dined swellissimus at Ly. Cowper's, meeting De Greys, Clarendons, Holfords, Ly. Cork, W. Cowpers, Mr. Wood, etc. Got so sleepy listening to old Count Strzlecki. . . afterwards that I wonder I did not roll off my chair with a crash.
—Dined swellissimus at Ly. Cowper's, meeting De Greys, Clarendons, Holfords, Ly. Cork, W. Cowpers, Mr. Wood, etc. Got so sleepy listening to old Count Strzlecki. . . afterwards that I wonder I did not roll off my chair with a crash.
19May1868, An Afternoon With the Prince
TEMPLENEWSAM, May 19th, 1868.
—We all went in state to Leeds about 11.30 amid great cheers and thousands of people all along the road and swarming in the town. The Prince, tho' with a bad cold, looked well, and did everything capitally with great grace, ease, and dignity ; his voice in reading answers to addresses as good and clear as the Queen's. He was endless audience to the pictures (in what is to be the infirmary), and what with them, the heat, the ceremony, and a most elaborate luncheon, how tired we all were! Some of us got off before him, and had an hour or so of rest ; then another gigantic dinner, and we bowled back to Leeds, and danced in the great Town Hall : very pretty and successful. The Prince danced with me, and I liked him much. He chaffed me about F.'s Radicalism, said he wouldn't dare to be a Radical if he were an eldest son, and appealed to Lord Fitzwilliam, but was rather in the wrong box there, as poor little Lord Milton pins on a little to F. ! Also he expressed himself as much disgusted with Mr. Ch. Buxton for pushing the prosecution of unlucky ex-Governor Eyre : "Why can't they let the poor fellow alone?" Beauty was contributed from Templenewsam in the shape of Duchess Sibyl of S. Albans, Constance [FN: No doubt Lady Grosvenor, afterwards Duchess of Westminster : first cousin of Lord Frederick.], the Fitzwilliam girls, and one of the Lumleys (Ly. Ida [FN: Now Dowager Countess of Bradford]). Ly. Scarborough looks like a girl herself. Also Ly. Dudley and Ly. Milton looked lovely. The Prince made Constance, Lord Downe (a pleasant, handsome youth), and I drive home with him : "You won't mind our smoking?" "Oh no, sir, certainly not!" Poor me my heart sank within me as I told this terrible fib. Luckily when he got beyond the cigarette stage into the most insufferable cigars, we had the carriage opened, and so drove home at 4 o'clock in the dawn ; sleepy policemen struck at the sight of Constance and me in diamonds. The Prince very well pleased with his evening, and too good-natured to allow us to quiz the Mayoress, wonderful sight though she was, or the Mayor either. I tried to coax Lord Dudley round about Charles ; but he is in a frantic "Protestant" state of mind.
—We all went in state to Leeds about 11.30 amid great cheers and thousands of people all along the road and swarming in the town. The Prince, tho' with a bad cold, looked well, and did everything capitally with great grace, ease, and dignity ; his voice in reading answers to addresses as good and clear as the Queen's. He was endless audience to the pictures (in what is to be the infirmary), and what with them, the heat, the ceremony, and a most elaborate luncheon, how tired we all were! Some of us got off before him, and had an hour or so of rest ; then another gigantic dinner, and we bowled back to Leeds, and danced in the great Town Hall : very pretty and successful. The Prince danced with me, and I liked him much. He chaffed me about F.'s Radicalism, said he wouldn't dare to be a Radical if he were an eldest son, and appealed to Lord Fitzwilliam, but was rather in the wrong box there, as poor little Lord Milton pins on a little to F. ! Also he expressed himself as much disgusted with Mr. Ch. Buxton for pushing the prosecution of unlucky ex-Governor Eyre : "Why can't they let the poor fellow alone?" Beauty was contributed from Templenewsam in the shape of Duchess Sibyl of S. Albans, Constance [FN: No doubt Lady Grosvenor, afterwards Duchess of Westminster : first cousin of Lord Frederick.], the Fitzwilliam girls, and one of the Lumleys (Ly. Ida [FN: Now Dowager Countess of Bradford]). Ly. Scarborough looks like a girl herself. Also Ly. Dudley and Ly. Milton looked lovely. The Prince made Constance, Lord Downe (a pleasant, handsome youth), and I drive home with him : "You won't mind our smoking?" "Oh no, sir, certainly not!" Poor me my heart sank within me as I told this terrible fib. Luckily when he got beyond the cigarette stage into the most insufferable cigars, we had the carriage opened, and so drove home at 4 o'clock in the dawn ; sleepy policemen struck at the sight of Constance and me in diamonds. The Prince very well pleased with his evening, and too good-natured to allow us to quiz the Mayoress, wonderful sight though she was, or the Mayor either. I tried to coax Lord Dudley round about Charles ; but he is in a frantic "Protestant" state of mind.
18May1868, Antidisestablishmentarianism
TEMPLENEWSAM, May 18th, 1868.
—Charles's election is evidently getting serious : it is beyond unlucky Lord Calthorp dying just now, with the tremendous question of the Irish Establishment dividing parties into 2 great armies as of old. Otherwise there is little doubt he would have been returned by Conservatives and Liberals alike... .
We left London about 2 and came thro' vile dust to this fine house, sadly spoilt by Leeds smoke, for the opening of the Leeds exhibition. The Prince of Wales came by the same train, and was well received wherever we stopped. Big dinner ; then lovely little concert conducted by Hallé ; then a ball in the long picture-gallery. Old Nevy turned up, on duty with part of his battn., a great break. Lord Dudley danced with me, and I tried to coax him round about Charles, but he is in horror about Disestablishment, and I fear can only be expected not to oppose actively. The clergy are against it as one man nearly, and will take up the perilous, suicidal ground of making the English and Irish Establishments stand or fall together.
—Charles's election is evidently getting serious : it is beyond unlucky Lord Calthorp dying just now, with the tremendous question of the Irish Establishment dividing parties into 2 great armies as of old. Otherwise there is little doubt he would have been returned by Conservatives and Liberals alike... .
We left London about 2 and came thro' vile dust to this fine house, sadly spoilt by Leeds smoke, for the opening of the Leeds exhibition. The Prince of Wales came by the same train, and was well received wherever we stopped. Big dinner ; then lovely little concert conducted by Hallé ; then a ball in the long picture-gallery. Old Nevy turned up, on duty with part of his battn., a great break. Lord Dudley danced with me, and I tried to coax him round about Charles, but he is in horror about Disestablishment, and I fear can only be expected not to oppose actively. The clergy are against it as one man nearly, and will take up the perilous, suicidal ground of making the English and Irish Establishments stand or fall together.
13May1868, The Queen Outshines the Princess
LONDON, May 13th, 1868.
—I had a busy day ; went at 10 with M. to see the Queen lay the 1st stone of S. Thomas' Hospital on the S. bank of the river, which she did with great state, driving slowly in an open carriage and four with escort, outriders and postilions, and ½ a doz. other carriages, all thro' Westminster and Lambeth which had turned out bodily to see her. They say she had some fear of being shot at by a Fenian, but drove all the slower ! She went thro' the ceremony with all her old grace and wonderful dignity, ending with several deep curtseys to the audience ; a sight to see The reception was very good ; and really our little Queen in her deep black was not outshone even by the lovely, radiant Princess of Wales.
—I had a busy day ; went at 10 with M. to see the Queen lay the 1st stone of S. Thomas' Hospital on the S. bank of the river, which she did with great state, driving slowly in an open carriage and four with escort, outriders and postilions, and ½ a doz. other carriages, all thro' Westminster and Lambeth which had turned out bodily to see her. They say she had some fear of being shot at by a Fenian, but drove all the slower ! She went thro' the ceremony with all her old grace and wonderful dignity, ending with several deep curtseys to the audience ; a sight to see The reception was very good ; and really our little Queen in her deep black was not outshone even by the lovely, radiant Princess of Wales.
12May1868, The Girls Not Presented
LONDON, May 12th, 1868.
—I went early to the Nat. school. The girls and I spent most of the rest of the day struggling thro' the Drawing-room, which took us 4 hours. The Queen hardly stayed an hour, so we had the great blow of the girls not being presented to her. M., the Gladstones, and everybody else in the world, was there : Ly. Dudley, Ly. Craven, Ly. Bath, the greatest beauties.
—I went early to the Nat. school. The girls and I spent most of the rest of the day struggling thro' the Drawing-room, which took us 4 hours. The Queen hardly stayed an hour, so we had the great blow of the girls not being presented to her. M., the Gladstones, and everybody else in the world, was there : Ly. Dudley, Ly. Craven, Ly. Bath, the greatest beauties.
25Apr1868, Duke Shot by Fenian
LONDON, April 25th, 1868.
—Dined at the D. of Cleveland's. A horrible thing has happened : the Duke of Edinburgh while at a charity picnic at Sydney in Austr. was shot in the back by a Fenian scoundrel, but is mercifully not dangerously hurt. As a makeweight the Prince and Princess of Wales left Ireland in a blaze of enthusiasm to-day, which has gone crescendo ever since they landed.
I sat at dinner between young Lord Joscelyn (a nice, handsome creature) and Lord Clarendon, who was immensely entertaining, giving me an account of his interview with the Pope this winter. He appears to have "upped" and advised the Pope to enter upon negotiations with the King, assuring him his spiritual power would be strengthened thereby ; to which the Pope protested that it was impossible for a "pauvre vieillard" to trust a man whose government was worthless and himself a liar. To this Ld. C. said that doubtless there would be difficulties, but so much the grander for the S. Père to conquer them. "Mettezvous done à ma place," says His Holiness. "Would you have me forgive all the insults—the injuries, etc., etc." "It is unnecessary for me," says Lord C., "to remind the head of Christianity that it is his part to present to the world the spectacle of sublime Christian charity." Which I should think "shut up" the Pope effectually !
Ld. C. was also great fun over Ld. Derby's anti-compulsory-Church-Rate-abolition speech the other night ; saying, "It's rather too bad to have this 'leaper in the dark' [FN: Lord Derby had candidly described his own Ministry's franchise Act, that of 1867, as a "leap in the dark."] coming forth one year at the head of democracy and the next at the tail of old Toryism!" and that he talked "retrograde rubbish." Says I, "What a pity you could not attack him in that fashion in the H. of Lords." "No!" says Ld. C. ; "he's too kind to Constance" (née Villiers, married to Ld. D.'s 2nd son) "for me to abuse him."
—Dined at the D. of Cleveland's. A horrible thing has happened : the Duke of Edinburgh while at a charity picnic at Sydney in Austr. was shot in the back by a Fenian scoundrel, but is mercifully not dangerously hurt. As a makeweight the Prince and Princess of Wales left Ireland in a blaze of enthusiasm to-day, which has gone crescendo ever since they landed.
I sat at dinner between young Lord Joscelyn (a nice, handsome creature) and Lord Clarendon, who was immensely entertaining, giving me an account of his interview with the Pope this winter. He appears to have "upped" and advised the Pope to enter upon negotiations with the King, assuring him his spiritual power would be strengthened thereby ; to which the Pope protested that it was impossible for a "pauvre vieillard" to trust a man whose government was worthless and himself a liar. To this Ld. C. said that doubtless there would be difficulties, but so much the grander for the S. Père to conquer them. "Mettezvous done à ma place," says His Holiness. "Would you have me forgive all the insults—the injuries, etc., etc." "It is unnecessary for me," says Lord C., "to remind the head of Christianity that it is his part to present to the world the spectacle of sublime Christian charity." Which I should think "shut up" the Pope effectually !
Ld. C. was also great fun over Ld. Derby's anti-compulsory-Church-Rate-abolition speech the other night ; saying, "It's rather too bad to have this 'leaper in the dark' [FN: Lord Derby had candidly described his own Ministry's franchise Act, that of 1867, as a "leap in the dark."] coming forth one year at the head of democracy and the next at the tail of old Toryism!" and that he talked "retrograde rubbish." Says I, "What a pity you could not attack him in that fashion in the H. of Lords." "No!" says Ld. C. ; "he's too kind to Constance" (née Villiers, married to Ld. D.'s 2nd son) "for me to abuse him."
24Apr1868, The Quondam Slave
LONDON, April 24th, 1868.
—I went to Kate Amberley, who had a quondam slave to trot out : a poor, respectable-looking mulatto woman, with a handsome, ladylike white daughter, and a book with the heartbreaking story of her life. Such things to hear about make one go on one's knees, and thank the Mighty Hand that has scorched up for ever, by means of that tremendous war, the iniquity of generations.
—I went to Kate Amberley, who had a quondam slave to trot out : a poor, respectable-looking mulatto woman, with a handsome, ladylike white daughter, and a book with the heartbreaking story of her life. Such things to hear about make one go on one's knees, and thank the Mighty Hand that has scorched up for ever, by means of that tremendous war, the iniquity of generations.
14Apr1868, Scoundrel Fish
13Apr1868, Riding with the Duke
LISMORE, April 13th, 1868.
—A wonderful thing happened to me, viz., I rode with my papa-in-law, and was horribly shy ; have such a painful conviction that he must think me a fool and a bore.
—A wonderful thing happened to me, viz., I rode with my papa-in-law, and was horribly shy ; have such a painful conviction that he must think me a fool and a bore.
27Mar1868, The Irish Establishment
LONDON, March 27th, 1868.
—Uncle W. has given notice of Resolutions, of which one distinctly condemns the Irish Establishment. That such a grand act of justice and right should be on the horizon seems too good to be true ; but there is to be a fair fight, and there is great hope.
—Uncle W. has given notice of Resolutions, of which one distinctly condemns the Irish Establishment. That such a grand act of justice and right should be on the horizon seems too good to be true ; but there is to be a fair fight, and there is great hope.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
25Mar1868, Dizzy's Party for the Shaky Liberals
19Mar1868, A Wonderful Set of Frumps
LONDON, March 19th, 1868.
—We dined with the Carews, meeting a wonderful set of frumps, but it wasn't very bad.
—We dined with the Carews, meeting a wonderful set of frumps, but it wasn't very bad.
18Mar1868, A Workhouse and a Drum
LONDON, March 18th, 1868.
—We went to the East "by sea," as Atie. P. calls it, viz., embarking at Hungerford and landing at the Tunnel ; then conducted to the workhouse by a dirty little boy who was enchanted with a bit of bread and butter out of my basket in payment. . . . Dined at the Gladstones' ; drum, to which came Lord Dizzy !—he will be that next, I suppose. It was a sight to see him chaffing Agnes !
—We went to the East "by sea," as Atie. P. calls it, viz., embarking at Hungerford and landing at the Tunnel ; then conducted to the workhouse by a dirty little boy who was enchanted with a bit of bread and butter out of my basket in payment. . . . Dined at the Gladstones' ; drum, to which came Lord Dizzy !—he will be that next, I suppose. It was a sight to see him chaffing Agnes !
17Mar1868, Auntie P's Orphanage
LONDON, March 17th, 1868.
—Yesterday at the L. House meeting, a little statement drawn up by Caroline Smith and me about Auntie P.'s orphanage was read : I had hardly realised before what a gallant good work it was. She took over 150 poor tinies straight to her arms ; all orphans and many weak after cholera themselves ; all friendless and without even clothes on their poor little bodies. Of these not one has died at the Home, which she got in a hurry for them at Clapton ; and she has provided for a great many in different ways ; but 57 remain on her hands.
—Yesterday at the L. House meeting, a little statement drawn up by Caroline Smith and me about Auntie P.'s orphanage was read : I had hardly realised before what a gallant good work it was. She took over 150 poor tinies straight to her arms ; all orphans and many weak after cholera themselves ; all friendless and without even clothes on their poor little bodies. Of these not one has died at the Home, which she got in a hurry for them at Clapton ; and she has provided for a great many in different ways ; but 57 remain on her hands.
08Mar1868, Lou's Baby
06Mar1868, A Most Powerful Sermon
LONDON, March 6th, 1868.
—Service at St. James's : the Dean of Westminster preached a most powerful sermon on "Eli, eli, lama sabachthani ?" speaking as if from his very heart of the darkness and perplexities of life, and how we should be sustained in them by the knowledge that our Saviour went through that awful moment of apparent desertion. He ended by appealing to one to abide patiently, sure of peace and light in the end, as our Lord in His next utterance confided His Spirit to His Father, though an instant before He had felt Himself forsaken. It made me cry, partly from the intense way I knew the pain the great perplexities give one, partly from feeling how he spoke from his own experiences, which must be, alas those of a man of faint and doubtful faith ; but at the same time, of strong love.
—Service at St. James's : the Dean of Westminster preached a most powerful sermon on "Eli, eli, lama sabachthani ?" speaking as if from his very heart of the darkness and perplexities of life, and how we should be sustained in them by the knowledge that our Saviour went through that awful moment of apparent desertion. He ended by appealing to one to abide patiently, sure of peace and light in the end, as our Lord in His next utterance confided His Spirit to His Father, though an instant before He had felt Himself forsaken. It made me cry, partly from the intense way I knew the pain the great perplexities give one, partly from feeling how he spoke from his own experiences, which must be, alas those of a man of faint and doubtful faith ; but at the same time, of strong love.
05Mar1868, Helping a Girl in a Fit
LONDON, March 5th, 1868.
—Saw a poor miserable girl lying quite rigid on her back in a fit in a smart part of Belgravia ; if we had not come up, I suppose she would be there now, everybody "passing by on the other side" like priests and Levites ! We sent for a policeman, who brought her round, and after a time she was well enough to walk feebly away, refusing to go in a cab : only lately out of an infirmary.
—Saw a poor miserable girl lying quite rigid on her back in a fit in a smart part of Belgravia ; if we had not come up, I suppose she would be there now, everybody "passing by on the other side" like priests and Levites ! We sent for a policeman, who brought her round, and after a time she was well enough to walk feebly away, refusing to go in a cab : only lately out of an infirmary.
Friday, October 02, 2009
03Mar1868, Smart Little Party
28Feb1868, The Flirting of Married Women
LONDON, February 28th, 1868.
—St. James's, where Lord Arthur Hervey preached, making a lashing attack upon the state of society, the fastness and extravagance and absence of modesty in dress and manner ; the flirting of married women and all the mass of self-indulgence and pleasure-seeking. I don't mean he used these very expressions, but he was plain-spoken ; and it is all terribly true.
—St. James's, where Lord Arthur Hervey preached, making a lashing attack upon the state of society, the fastness and extravagance and absence of modesty in dress and manner ; the flirting of married women and all the mass of self-indulgence and pleasure-seeking. I don't mean he used these very expressions, but he was plain-spoken ; and it is all terribly true.
25Feb1868, Dizzy: Lord High Conjuror
LONDON, February 25th, 1868.
—Great news ! Lord Derby has resigned, owing to broken health ; and the Lord High Conjuror has got to the top of the ladder, viz., Dizzy is Prime Minister ! ! His party take it with a bad grace. I wonder how the Queen likes it.
—Great news ! Lord Derby has resigned, owing to broken health ; and the Lord High Conjuror has got to the top of the ladder, viz., Dizzy is Prime Minister ! ! His party take it with a bad grace. I wonder how the Queen likes it.
04Feb1868, Limehouse Distress
HOLKER, February 4th, 1868.
—I heard from Miss Lilley ; the Limehouse distress has been terrible; men fainting at their work when they got a job, or having to stay at home next day from exhaustion ; and yet the neighbouring districts have been worse off. God help them.
—I heard from Miss Lilley ; the Limehouse distress has been terrible; men fainting at their work when they got a job, or having to stay at home next day from exhaustion ; and yet the neighbouring districts have been worse off. God help them.
01Feb1868, Reluctant Sons
HOLKER, February 1st, 1868.
—The energetic Duke carried off his rather reluctant sons to brave storms, shooting Ellerside.
—The energetic Duke carried off his rather reluctant sons to brave storms, shooting Ellerside.
13Jan1868, Notions About Ireland
MARSEILLES, January 13th, 1868.
—Last Saturday F. told me of some notions of his about Ireland. This miserable Fenianism makes one think much of its rights and wrongs, though of course it is the outbreak of only the worst and most reckless people. He has always been for the disestablishing of the Church, on the simplest ground of justice to the large majority. The other great grievance being the land tenures, and the thing to be aimed at being the giving the Irish an interest in the soil and some security of tenure, he would make them permanent tenants, as long as they paid fixed rents, to be settled upon according to income-tax.
—Last Saturday F. told me of some notions of his about Ireland. This miserable Fenianism makes one think much of its rights and wrongs, though of course it is the outbreak of only the worst and most reckless people. He has always been for the disestablishing of the Church, on the simplest ground of justice to the large majority. The other great grievance being the land tenures, and the thing to be aimed at being the giving the Irish an interest in the soil and some security of tenure, he would make them permanent tenants, as long as they paid fixed rents, to be settled upon according to income-tax.
25Dec1867, High Mass
ROME, Christmas Day, 1867.
—We went to the 9 o'clock celebration of the Holy Communion at our own ch. and then to S. Peter's for the High Mass. The elevation, and all the showing of the consecrated ele¬ments to the people, was excessively painful to one ; I followed the service as well as I could in a missal, and, the more one was able to join and feel with the service, the more distressing was the terrible shock that the notion of Transubstantiation gives one. The ceremonial is certainly impressive, but would be much more so, I think, if they would only do away with the ward¬robe part of it, and leave the Pope and Cardinals in gorgeous vestments if they please, but in statu quo. It is impossible too not to see that all the outward worship (except of the Host) centres in the Pope. The music was lovely, but altogether I was pained and grieved, and tired out with conflicting feelings.
—We went to the 9 o'clock celebration of the Holy Communion at our own ch. and then to S. Peter's for the High Mass. The elevation, and all the showing of the consecrated ele¬ments to the people, was excessively painful to one ; I followed the service as well as I could in a missal, and, the more one was able to join and feel with the service, the more distressing was the terrible shock that the notion of Transubstantiation gives one. The ceremonial is certainly impressive, but would be much more so, I think, if they would only do away with the ward¬robe part of it, and leave the Pope and Cardinals in gorgeous vestments if they please, but in statu quo. It is impossible too not to see that all the outward worship (except of the Host) centres in the Pope. The music was lovely, but altogether I was pained and grieved, and tired out with conflicting feelings.
24Dec1867, Unbonneting of the Pope
ROME, Christmas Eve, 1867.
—We went to S. Pietro in Vinculo and the Lateran again, Sta Croce in Gerusalemme and S. Martino in Monte ; at 3 to the Papal Vespers in the Sistine Chapel, very unimpressive and wardrobey, with the perpetual bonneting and unbonneting of the Pope, and mutual bowings and curtseyings. The singing fine, but music very stiff and crabbed ; the Pope intoned well.
—We went to S. Pietro in Vinculo and the Lateran again, Sta Croce in Gerusalemme and S. Martino in Monte ; at 3 to the Papal Vespers in the Sistine Chapel, very unimpressive and wardrobey, with the perpetual bonneting and unbonneting of the Pope, and mutual bowings and curtseyings. The singing fine, but music very stiff and crabbed ; the Pope intoned well.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
22Dec1867, An Audience with Pope Pius IX
ROME, December 22nd, 1867.
—The Pope gave us the honour of a private interview, but was so unkind as to fix the hour so as ingeniously to cut us off from both our own afternoon Services, and Benediction at the Trinità, which we wished to hear. He is a nice old man, with snowy hair, ruddy face, twinkling keen dark eyes, an amiable smile and a most pleasing, kind manner, but not dignified. He is short and rather fat, speaks good French and was wonderfully lively and cheerful. He said, "Dieu vous benit. Dio vi benedica," as we came up the room, and gave us his hand which we kissed with our best bow and curtsey ; but kneel we did not. He began almost at once upon politics, said as briskly as possible à propos of the risk and crisis his affairs had passed thro', "Mais néanmoins—cela marche!" and gave one the notion of great fearlessness, and confidence in the justice of his cause. He launched out upon the inefficiency of the King's government and the absence of any distinguished politicians—a lucky line for him to take, as we were able to agree with him unfortunately ! He spoke of Uncle W., and I made a terrible slip, saying, "Il aime beaucoup l'Italie et l'Italien," forgetting that "Italy" now means the kingdom ; but he didn't seem hurt, thank goodness. He spoke very warmly of Lord Clarendon, whom he seems to think he may convert ! but whether he meant politically or religiously, I don't know. He said, "Lord Gladstone est . . . Pooseyite, n'est-ce pas ?" to which I said, "Oui, S. Pere, et moi aussi !" at which he was much amused, saying, "Nous nous rapprochons done un peu plus . . . it faut que vous poussiez un peu plus loin !" ; whereat I felt a little insulted. Apparently he liked Lord Clarendon best of the big-wigs he saw last year, and said he hoped to see him again this year, and see what he thought of his friends (the King's people) ; perhaps he (the Pope) might convert him ! All this he came out with very chattily and with plenty of gesticulation and humour. He dismissed us very gracefully, saying to F., "Eh bien, Monsieur, je vous recommande cette Pooseyite," and we bowed out, much pleased with him.
—The Pope gave us the honour of a private interview, but was so unkind as to fix the hour so as ingeniously to cut us off from both our own afternoon Services, and Benediction at the Trinità, which we wished to hear. He is a nice old man, with snowy hair, ruddy face, twinkling keen dark eyes, an amiable smile and a most pleasing, kind manner, but not dignified. He is short and rather fat, speaks good French and was wonderfully lively and cheerful. He said, "Dieu vous benit. Dio vi benedica," as we came up the room, and gave us his hand which we kissed with our best bow and curtsey ; but kneel we did not. He began almost at once upon politics, said as briskly as possible à propos of the risk and crisis his affairs had passed thro', "Mais néanmoins—cela marche!" and gave one the notion of great fearlessness, and confidence in the justice of his cause. He launched out upon the inefficiency of the King's government and the absence of any distinguished politicians—a lucky line for him to take, as we were able to agree with him unfortunately ! He spoke of Uncle W., and I made a terrible slip, saying, "Il aime beaucoup l'Italie et l'Italien," forgetting that "Italy" now means the kingdom ; but he didn't seem hurt, thank goodness. He spoke very warmly of Lord Clarendon, whom he seems to think he may convert ! but whether he meant politically or religiously, I don't know. He said, "Lord Gladstone est . . . Pooseyite, n'est-ce pas ?" to which I said, "Oui, S. Pere, et moi aussi !" at which he was much amused, saying, "Nous nous rapprochons done un peu plus . . . it faut que vous poussiez un peu plus loin !" ; whereat I felt a little insulted. Apparently he liked Lord Clarendon best of the big-wigs he saw last year, and said he hoped to see him again this year, and see what he thought of his friends (the King's people) ; perhaps he (the Pope) might convert him ! All this he came out with very chattily and with plenty of gesticulation and humour. He dismissed us very gracefully, saying to F., "Eh bien, Monsieur, je vous recommande cette Pooseyite," and we bowed out, much pleased with him.
18Dec1867, Justify the French Occupation
ROME, December 18th, 1867.
—Afterwards went to see Monsignor Talbot, a civil old gentleman in a long violet frock, distressingly like a prize-pig, who produced with great pomp a stage-property-looking pike and halberd and a little revolver, which he declared Garibaldi had hidden in thousands about Rome to kill priests, Pope, and all with. It isn't quite true, but they make out all the danger they can to justify the French occupation, and the fortifications which are still kept up.
—Afterwards went to see Monsignor Talbot, a civil old gentleman in a long violet frock, distressingly like a prize-pig, who produced with great pomp a stage-property-looking pike and halberd and a little revolver, which he declared Garibaldi had hidden in thousands about Rome to kill priests, Pope, and all with. It isn't quite true, but they make out all the danger they can to justify the French occupation, and the fortifications which are still kept up.
08Dec1867, Terrible Worship
NAPLES, December 8th, 1867.
—Walked about, peeping into churches (Feast of the Imm. Conc. ; terrible worship was going on at the feet of smart dolls in a blaze of tapers).
—Walked about, peeping into churches (Feast of the Imm. Conc. ; terrible worship was going on at the feet of smart dolls in a blaze of tapers).
02Dec1867, French Troops All Cleared Out
ROME, December 2nd, 1867.
—The French troops all cleared out of the town to-day. According to the Contessa, they are a good deal stung by this state of things. One of the old officers said to her, "On nous envoie combattre pour cette prétraille, leur gagner les batailles ; ensuite, quand ils n'ont plus besoin de nous, ils nous disent : fichez votre camp !—c'est un joli role que nous avons joué là." There is some talk of disturbances now they are gone, but it doesn't seem likely that this degraded, unarmed people should be able to do anything against the large papal army ; and as for outsiders, the town walls and gates are regularly fortified.
—The French troops all cleared out of the town to-day. According to the Contessa, they are a good deal stung by this state of things. One of the old officers said to her, "On nous envoie combattre pour cette prétraille, leur gagner les batailles ; ensuite, quand ils n'ont plus besoin de nous, ils nous disent : fichez votre camp !—c'est un joli role que nous avons joué là." There is some talk of disturbances now they are gone, but it doesn't seem likely that this degraded, unarmed people should be able to do anything against the large papal army ; and as for outsiders, the town walls and gates are regularly fortified.
27Nov1867, News from Home
ROME, November 27th, 1867.
—We have taken to omit luncheon, as we can't spare the middle of the day ; letters and Murray, etc., keep us in till about 12. The wretched Fenians who attacked a prisoners' van at Manchester and let out a fellow-Fenian, shooting the policeman in charge dead, have been condemned to death ; and out of the 5, 3 have been executed. It is very sad and terrible, as they are the 1st who have been executed for a political offence ; but it seemed inevitable. There have been deputations and demonstrations against the sentence in London. Foreigners think England must be in danger ; somehow one can't feel that a bit. Never did I take in better the immense strength we have in our fearless freedom of press, opinion and discussion, than now, when there are anxieties and disturbances and an impending revolution in national power. Parliament has met about the Abyssinian war.
—We have taken to omit luncheon, as we can't spare the middle of the day ; letters and Murray, etc., keep us in till about 12. The wretched Fenians who attacked a prisoners' van at Manchester and let out a fellow-Fenian, shooting the policeman in charge dead, have been condemned to death ; and out of the 5, 3 have been executed. It is very sad and terrible, as they are the 1st who have been executed for a political offence ; but it seemed inevitable. There have been deputations and demonstrations against the sentence in London. Foreigners think England must be in danger ; somehow one can't feel that a bit. Never did I take in better the immense strength we have in our fearless freedom of press, opinion and discussion, than now, when there are anxieties and disturbances and an impending revolution in national power. Parliament has met about the Abyssinian war.
26Nov1867, Rome: Death-in-Life
ROME, November 26th, 1867.
—Spent the fragment of the day left before sunset in a delightful drive and tie to the Villa Mellini. We were longing for a good view over the city and the Campagna, and it was perfect in the lovely serene light ; the endless plain, the many-shadowed mountains, the many-domed town, and St. Peter's like a mighty king above it all. How beautiful and peaceful it all looked ! but it is terrible to think of the last state of degradation and the hopeless bondage underneath. There seems to be a mysterious death-in-life in which Rome exists ; all earnest striving after truth crushed remorselessly out of her, political and religious freedom alike poisoned, and the terrible results crying to Heaven. And yet there is life too ; because (as I can't help believing) the true Eternal Catholic Faith still is stirring beneath all the fearful accumulated corruptions. But one fears that the Papacy, with its tyranny of ages, will drive out all that is true at last, and that a crash will come.
—Spent the fragment of the day left before sunset in a delightful drive and tie to the Villa Mellini. We were longing for a good view over the city and the Campagna, and it was perfect in the lovely serene light ; the endless plain, the many-shadowed mountains, the many-domed town, and St. Peter's like a mighty king above it all. How beautiful and peaceful it all looked ! but it is terrible to think of the last state of degradation and the hopeless bondage underneath. There seems to be a mysterious death-in-life in which Rome exists ; all earnest striving after truth crushed remorselessly out of her, political and religious freedom alike poisoned, and the terrible results crying to Heaven. And yet there is life too ; because (as I can't help believing) the true Eternal Catholic Faith still is stirring beneath all the fearful accumulated corruptions. But one fears that the Papacy, with its tyranny of ages, will drive out all that is true at last, and that a crash will come.
22Nov1867, A Foot's Pace From Leghorn
ROME, November 22nd, 1867.
—To prevent arrival at Rome being too intoxicating we came at a foot's pace from Leghorn, the incapable engine getting more incapable after we had passed the Papal frontier. We took 14 hours over what one does in 6 in England. Two young Italian men (not papal) expressed themselves hotly at the strict fumbling their bags were put through at Civita Vecchia (ours being quickly passed) ; they would not be allowed to stay in Rome without some tedious and elaborate passporting. How any nation can stand it I can't think. Several poor young Garibaldini prisoners were picked up at Civ. V., and sang patriotic songs. Our Italians indulged in much mocking of priests and papal dominion, but in a slip-sloppy dialect that I could hardly make anything of. The station arrangements forlorn and unkempt beyond anything ; we got away ourselves in a rickety little "trap," but the luggage, in spite of its "lascia passare," didn't turn up for an hour afterwards.
—To prevent arrival at Rome being too intoxicating we came at a foot's pace from Leghorn, the incapable engine getting more incapable after we had passed the Papal frontier. We took 14 hours over what one does in 6 in England. Two young Italian men (not papal) expressed themselves hotly at the strict fumbling their bags were put through at Civita Vecchia (ours being quickly passed) ; they would not be allowed to stay in Rome without some tedious and elaborate passporting. How any nation can stand it I can't think. Several poor young Garibaldini prisoners were picked up at Civ. V., and sang patriotic songs. Our Italians indulged in much mocking of priests and papal dominion, but in a slip-sloppy dialect that I could hardly make anything of. The station arrangements forlorn and unkempt beyond anything ; we got away ourselves in a rickety little "trap," but the luggage, in spite of its "lascia passare," didn't turn up for an hour afterwards.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
14Nov1867, A Good Stare at Famous Statues
FLORENCE, November 14th, 1867.
—Rainy, but pleasant in the afternoon. We did the Palazzo Vecchio and the Palazzo del Podestà. In spite of the arrangements being evidently very hasty and temporary, it is astonishing how much more conveniently the members are accommodated in the Pal. Vecchio (which is now the Salle des Députés) than ours are in either House of Parliament. But I think they might have managed it better in the great (not too great) Hall of the Podestà which would not have wanted the horrid partition they have had to put up in the Pal. Vecchio. We then had a good stare at the famous statues of the Piazza della Signoria and the Loggia ; N.B. remarkable likeness of Neptune to Mr. (Inspector) Bellairs. I can't appreciate Michaelangelo's David, whose head really is much too big. At the Podestà is the lovely little bronze Mercury springing up from the puff of a wind, by John of Bologna, of which there is a copy at Chatsworth, nothing like as spirited. Uffizi, pleasant drive with Mr. Trev [FN: I.e. Trevelyan, now Sir George Trevelyan. Sir George writes to me : "In the November of that year we dined together, we three and no one else, at Doney's restaurant every evening for at least a fortnight, and then my great friendship with them was cemented and consolidated."], to Bello Sguardo, dinner with him at Doney's. Opera (Hernani) with Grosvenors ; very pretty.
—Rainy, but pleasant in the afternoon. We did the Palazzo Vecchio and the Palazzo del Podestà. In spite of the arrangements being evidently very hasty and temporary, it is astonishing how much more conveniently the members are accommodated in the Pal. Vecchio (which is now the Salle des Députés) than ours are in either House of Parliament. But I think they might have managed it better in the great (not too great) Hall of the Podestà which would not have wanted the horrid partition they have had to put up in the Pal. Vecchio. We then had a good stare at the famous statues of the Piazza della Signoria and the Loggia ; N.B. remarkable likeness of Neptune to Mr. (Inspector) Bellairs. I can't appreciate Michaelangelo's David, whose head really is much too big. At the Podestà is the lovely little bronze Mercury springing up from the puff of a wind, by John of Bologna, of which there is a copy at Chatsworth, nothing like as spirited. Uffizi, pleasant drive with Mr. Trev [FN: I.e. Trevelyan, now Sir George Trevelyan. Sir George writes to me : "In the November of that year we dined together, we three and no one else, at Doney's restaurant every evening for at least a fortnight, and then my great friendship with them was cemented and consolidated."], to Bello Sguardo, dinner with him at Doney's. Opera (Hernani) with Grosvenors ; very pretty.
09Nov1867, Finished "Jane Eyre"
FLORENCE, November 9th, 1867.
—We finished "Jane Eyre," which is, I think, the most powerful novel I ever read : the authoress turns oneself and one's opinions round her thumb. I thought my principles were pretty well established with regard to bigamy, but I might have been heard at one moment fervently wishing that circumstances had kept Jane ignorant of the 1st wife's existence ! ! N.B.—I repented afterwards !
—We finished "Jane Eyre," which is, I think, the most powerful novel I ever read : the authoress turns oneself and one's opinions round her thumb. I thought my principles were pretty well established with regard to bigamy, but I might have been heard at one moment fervently wishing that circumstances had kept Jane ignorant of the 1st wife's existence ! ! N.B.—I repented afterwards !
29Oct1867, Sight-seeing in Venice
VENICE, October 29th, 1867.
—Another glorious, perfect day, spent in wonderful enjoyment. The Doge's Palace took us all the morning, and fully came up to anything I ever dreamed of ; afterwards delightful gondola expeditions to S. Giorgio Maggiore, Redentore, and Madonna di Salute ; all very grand and stately, though I am only just beginning to appreciate any style but Gothic, and still think these styles fitter for Polytheism than Christianity. Ended our doings with going up the campanile of S. Mark's at sunset ; the view very curious and interesting of the crowded town with its many towers, and the lovely light ! I dined at the table d'hôte, more lively than usual, with Yankees discussing their politics, the nomination of General Grant to succeed President Johnson, etc. Afterwards to the scrubby little theatre Malibran, all boxes and pit ; very funny to see the most unassuming shirt-sleeves occupying the boxes opposite ! The pit full of all sorts of people, who all roared between the acts. But one charm of Italy is that one hardly ever hears a harsh voice. The melodrama turned out to be dull, incomprehensible and improper, which was distressing. We walked home through the crazy little labyrinthian paved ways and across innumerable hunchbacked bridges ; had an ice at a cafe ; snug read of "Jane Eyre," in the midst of which I was overtaken by sleep ; sight-seeing has that effect, I find.
—Another glorious, perfect day, spent in wonderful enjoyment. The Doge's Palace took us all the morning, and fully came up to anything I ever dreamed of ; afterwards delightful gondola expeditions to S. Giorgio Maggiore, Redentore, and Madonna di Salute ; all very grand and stately, though I am only just beginning to appreciate any style but Gothic, and still think these styles fitter for Polytheism than Christianity. Ended our doings with going up the campanile of S. Mark's at sunset ; the view very curious and interesting of the crowded town with its many towers, and the lovely light ! I dined at the table d'hôte, more lively than usual, with Yankees discussing their politics, the nomination of General Grant to succeed President Johnson, etc. Afterwards to the scrubby little theatre Malibran, all boxes and pit ; very funny to see the most unassuming shirt-sleeves occupying the boxes opposite ! The pit full of all sorts of people, who all roared between the acts. But one charm of Italy is that one hardly ever hears a harsh voice. The melodrama turned out to be dull, incomprehensible and improper, which was distressing. We walked home through the crazy little labyrinthian paved ways and across innumerable hunchbacked bridges ; had an ice at a cafe ; snug read of "Jane Eyre," in the midst of which I was overtaken by sleep ; sight-seeing has that effect, I find.
12Oct1867, Dined in Great Luxury
PARIS, October 12th, 1867.
—We dined in great luxury and enjoyment with the Lascelles' [FN: No doubt the Frank Lascelles ; he was brother of Lady Edward Cavendish, and cousin of Lord Frederick ; afterwards Ambassador at Berlin.] at the Café Durand, and then went together to the Théâtre Français, where "Hernani" is being played, and enchanted us.
—We dined in great luxury and enjoyment with the Lascelles' [FN: No doubt the Frank Lascelles ; he was brother of Lady Edward Cavendish, and cousin of Lord Frederick ; afterwards Ambassador at Berlin.] at the Café Durand, and then went together to the Théâtre Français, where "Hernani" is being played, and enchanted us.
09Oct1867, Female Heathens
LONDON, October 9th, 1867.
—I paid a flying visit to the workhouse, went for an hour to a Female Heathen Educational Association meeting (it looks like Mrs. Pardiggle in "Bleak House" !) ; we wrote letters and scrambled through odd jobs, bade farewell to peggies and Head, and set off on our travels. Our charming honeymoon courier Hoffman is with us, as convinced as ever that we are about 5 years old and not to be trusted to take our own tickets. Crossed from Folkestone to Boulogne ; a good deal of rain and wind, but somehow F. did not succumb, and I am all right in anything short of a violent, prolonged gale. All is fun to me ; the little wizzy mob-capped neat-as-a-pin peggy, the jabbering voices on the landing.
—I paid a flying visit to the workhouse, went for an hour to a Female Heathen Educational Association meeting (it looks like Mrs. Pardiggle in "Bleak House" !) ; we wrote letters and scrambled through odd jobs, bade farewell to peggies and Head, and set off on our travels. Our charming honeymoon courier Hoffman is with us, as convinced as ever that we are about 5 years old and not to be trusted to take our own tickets. Crossed from Folkestone to Boulogne ; a good deal of rain and wind, but somehow F. did not succumb, and I am all right in anything short of a violent, prolonged gale. All is fun to me ; the little wizzy mob-capped neat-as-a-pin peggy, the jabbering voices on the landing.
08Oct1867, Comments on New Vestments
LONDON, October 8th, 1867.
—I went to see poor Joshua Dutch in the All Saints' Home : he won't die after all. Went into the church to have a few quiet minutes, and found the Holy Communion being administered. The priest was consecrating the elements. It was my first sight of "the vestments," and it is honest truth that at first sight of the figure in green cope and long surplice I took it for a woman in a shawl, in the dim light. The "raiment clean and white" will, I think, always look more solemn and priestlike to me ; and the Bible and first ages give us no thought in primitive times of the narrow stole. It was a quiet, solemn thing, those few minutes in the near Presence of our Lord in the midst of the busy day.
—I went to see poor Joshua Dutch in the All Saints' Home : he won't die after all. Went into the church to have a few quiet minutes, and found the Holy Communion being administered. The priest was consecrating the elements. It was my first sight of "the vestments," and it is honest truth that at first sight of the figure in green cope and long surplice I took it for a woman in a shawl, in the dim light. The "raiment clean and white" will, I think, always look more solemn and priestlike to me ; and the Bible and first ages give us no thought in primitive times of the narrow stole. It was a quiet, solemn thing, those few minutes in the near Presence of our Lord in the midst of the busy day.
28Sep1867, An Earl of Oxford Bull
HOLKER, September 29th, 1867.
—I walked to see an Earl of Oxford bull with the gentlemen.
—I walked to see an Earl of Oxford bull with the gentlemen.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
28Sep1867, The New Steam-Plough
HOLKER, September 28th, 1867.
—Walked to see the new steam-plough, which did remind me vividly of Tennyson's old farmer's description : "Huzzin and maazin the blessed fealds wi' the divil's own teàm." However, in spite of a hitch or two, it did manage to do 4 deep furrows at a time, which no doubt is striking.
—Walked to see the new steam-plough, which did remind me vividly of Tennyson's old farmer's description : "Huzzin and maazin the blessed fealds wi' the divil's own teàm." However, in spite of a hitch or two, it did manage to do 4 deep furrows at a time, which no doubt is striking.
26Aug1867, Famous Lyttelton Cricket
HAGLEY, August 26th, 1867.
—Got to old Hagley before 12. The Bromsgrove side were in, hitting very well. Papaa in flannels taking immense pains, fielding (I think) at short slip [FN: This was one of the matches played by eleven Lytteltons.]. Uncle Spencer, in magenta flannels, sitting on a bench as a distant long-stop, did two balls the honour of fielding them. Uncle B. running about rather vaguely. All the boys fielding capitally (except Bob who was no great shakes) ; little Edward really admirable, never missing a ball, and throwing them in as neatly and quickly as possible. Papa, to his infinite delight, caught out the last wicket, and we went in with 151 to get. Alfred's batting was truly excellent ; his defence being wonderful. They began sending him slow balls out of kindness, but soon found he was up to anything. Arthur made two or 3 very fine slashing hits, especially a drive which showed great strength.
—Got to old Hagley before 12. The Bromsgrove side were in, hitting very well. Papaa in flannels taking immense pains, fielding (I think) at short slip [FN: This was one of the matches played by eleven Lytteltons.]. Uncle Spencer, in magenta flannels, sitting on a bench as a distant long-stop, did two balls the honour of fielding them. Uncle B. running about rather vaguely. All the boys fielding capitally (except Bob who was no great shakes) ; little Edward really admirable, never missing a ball, and throwing them in as neatly and quickly as possible. Papa, to his infinite delight, caught out the last wicket, and we went in with 151 to get. Alfred's batting was truly excellent ; his defence being wonderful. They began sending him slow balls out of kindness, but soon found he was up to anything. Arthur made two or 3 very fine slashing hits, especially a drive which showed great strength.
24Aug1867, Playing Cricket Scientifically
BLITHFIELD, August 24th, 1867.
—Hot and lovely. Another thrilling cricket match ! The H. Meynells came over and I had the honour and gratification of bowling him out twice with a scientific, slow shooter ! !
—Hot and lovely. Another thrilling cricket match ! The H. Meynells came over and I had the honour and gratification of bowling him out twice with a scientific, slow shooter ! !
21Aug1867, Papa's Episcopate Bill
BLITHFIELD, August 21st, 1867.
—The idiotic Peers have thrown out Papa's episcopate Bill as it came up from the Commons, because they won't have Bishops without a seat in the H. of Lords. It is a true, bitter criticism on this, that it is clear the wretched Peerage is the valuable thing about a Bishop !
—The idiotic Peers have thrown out Papa's episcopate Bill as it came up from the Commons, because they won't have Bishops without a seat in the H. of Lords. It is a true, bitter criticism on this, that it is clear the wretched Peerage is the valuable thing about a Bishop !
17Aug1867, Remembering Mother
HOLKER, August 17th, 1867.
—The holy day to us all sacred to the blessed memory of what is past for ever. Ten years ago ! and yet at any time I can open the full tide of tears over the precious record of those last Days. [FN: Her mother died August 17, 1857.]
—The holy day to us all sacred to the blessed memory of what is past for ever. Ten years ago ! and yet at any time I can open the full tide of tears over the precious record of those last Days. [FN: Her mother died August 17, 1857.]
13Aug1867, A Delirious Scream
HOLKER, August 13th, 1867.
—We have begun "The Claverings." Also F. spouted to me a wonderfully delirious scream by Carlyle in Macmillan called "Shooting Niagara and after?"
—We have begun "The Claverings." Also F. spouted to me a wonderfully delirious scream by Carlyle in Macmillan called "Shooting Niagara and after?"
11Aug1867, Lovelyissimus Major
HOLKER, August 11th, 1867.
—F. and I went between services to Middle Bigland Scar, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It was lovelyissimus : beyond lovelyissimus major.
—F. and I went between services to Middle Bigland Scar, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It was lovelyissimus : beyond lovelyissimus major.
05Aug1867, Good-bye to My Poor Old Men
LONDON, August 5th, 1867.
—I said good-bye to my poor old men. Some I shall never see again. One, who suffers terribly and patiently, liked hearing me read the beautiful bits in Revelation to him, and said at the end : "Light—always light !—no sorrow—no pain," and I know the words were as ointment poured forth to his poor heart. These things are more to one than all the sermons in the world.
—I said good-bye to my poor old men. Some I shall never see again. One, who suffers terribly and patiently, liked hearing me read the beautiful bits in Revelation to him, and said at the end : "Light—always light !—no sorrow—no pain," and I know the words were as ointment poured forth to his poor heart. These things are more to one than all the sermons in the world.
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