1909] on The Letters of Queen Victoria. 521 



Two more extracts from these early journals and I have done : — 



" 1838. Monday, July 9. At | p. 11 I went to a Review in 

 Hyde Park. I conld have cried almost not to have ridden and been 

 in 7ny right place as I ouglit ; but Lord Melbourne and Lord Hill 

 thought it more prudent on account of the great crowd that I should 

 not this time do so, which however now they all see I might have 

 done. Lord Anglesey (who had the command of the day, looked so 

 handsome, and did it l3eautifully and gracefully) regretted much I 

 did not ride. I drove down the lines. All the Foreign Princes and 

 Ambassadors were there, and the various uniforms looked very pretty. 

 The troops never looked handsomer or did better ; and I heard their 

 praises from all the Foreigners and particularly from Soult. There 

 was an immense crowd and all so friendly and kind to me." 



A Royal Dinner Paety. 



" 1838. Wednesday, July 25. Wrote my journal. At a J to 8, 1 

 went into the Throne Room with my Ladies and gentlemen and Feo 

 and Mama, where I found the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of 

 Sussex, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Augusta and 

 George. After waiting a little while, we went into the green drawing- 

 room, which looked very handsome lit up, and was full of people all 

 in uniform. I subjoin an account of all the arrangements, and all 

 the people. After remaining for about five minutes in that room, 

 talking to several people, amongst others to good Lord Melbourne, we 

 went into dinner which was served in the Gallery and looked, I must 

 say, most brilliant and beautiful. We sat down one hundred and three 

 and yniglit have ])een more. The display of plate at one end of the 

 room was really very handsome. I sat between uncle Sussex and 

 Prince Esterhazy. The music was in a small Orchestra in the Salloon 

 and sounded extremely well. Uncle Sussex seemed in very good 

 spirits, and Esterhazy in high force, and full of fun, and talking so 

 loud. I drank a glass of stein-ivine with Lord Melbourne, who sat a 

 good way down on my left between the Duke of Devonshire and Lord 

 Holland. After dinner we went into the Yellow Drawing-room. 

 Princesse Schwartzenberg looked very pretty but tired ; and Mme. 

 Zavadowsky, beautiful and so sweet and placid. About 20 m. after 

 we ladies came in, the gentlemen joined us. I spoke to almost every- 

 body ; Lord Grey looked well ; the Duke of Wellington, ill, but 

 cheerful and in good spirits. I spoke for some time also to Lord 

 Melbourne who thought the Gallery looked very handsome ; and that 

 the whole ' did very well ' ; ' I don't see how it could be better,' he 

 said. He admired the large diadem I had on. 



" At about 11 came some people who (as the Gallery was full of 

 dinner, &c.) were obliged to come through the Closet, and of whom 

 I annex a list. Lady Clanricarde I did not think looked very well ; 

 Lady Ashley, Lady Fanny, Lady Wilhelmine, and Lady Mary Grim- 

 ston looked extremely pretty. Strauss played delightfully the whole 



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