Duchess of Ossuma. 279 



If I had entertained any doubts in this respect they would 

 have been removed next evening, when we attended a great 

 ball given by her Majesty the Queen. The King was as kind 

 as usual, and made some jocular remarks on the too-long train 

 of my dress, which my dressmaker had sent immediately before 

 the ball, and which hindered me in dancing. 



I was at that ball introduced to the Duchess of Ossuna — 

 Eleonore, born Princess Salm-Salm, and first cousin of my hus- 

 band. The Duchess is an extremely handsome, most elegant 

 and amiable woman, and we soon became great friends. 



On the following morning, the nth, we were invited to a 

 dejeuner at Castle Sayn by the Princess of Sayn-Wittgen stein. 

 The Queen with one lady attendant, the King with his aides. 

 Prince Reuss, his minister in Petersburg, my husband and I, 

 were the only guests. 



On the 1 2th my busband was out on the drill-ground with 



the whole regiment, and i visited with Mrs. von G the 



Convent of Moselweiss, where were forty-three nuns and sixty- 

 five pupils. Very much pleased with everything I saw there, 

 we went home, and met on our way her Majesty the Queen, 

 who stopped and spoke to us. When we had left, she sent 

 to recall us to look at the monkey of a poor Savoyard, whose 

 good luck it was to meet this Royal fairy. We had the honour 

 of accompanying her Majesty on her way to the palace. 



When I, on the 14th, went to Ems to pay some visits, I met 

 in a coupe of the train Lord and Lady Palmerston, who were 

 on their way to Wiesbaden, and we were soon engaged in lively 

 conversation. 



It was now the time of the military manoeuvres, and though 

 I had been in two wars I had never seen such a military show, 

 for what I saw in America was not to be compared to it. On 

 August 17 I was in Colonge, when an officer accompanied me 

 to the drill-ground to see the cavalry manoeuvres. I was quite 

 delighted with the beautiful horses and the wonderful precision 

 with which all movements were executed. 



When the manoeuvres were over, the General commanding 

 the troops presented to me his whole corps of officers, and 

 made a very flattering little speech, expressing his pleasure in 

 welcoming me on their exercise-ground. 



On the 20th I attended the manoeuvres of the infantry, com- 

 manded by General von S , which were also very fine ; and 



