L W 53 A 31 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Date Due t ^^^^-mMz^ - n PRINTED IN U. S. A. ^ CAT. NO. 23233 Cornell University Library D 352.8.W53A31 Correspondence of, PfaSii„?,M,lSw 3 1924 027 900 160 The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924027900160 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF PRISCILLA, COUNTESS OF WESTMORLAND ik4 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF PRISCILLA, COUNTESS OF WESTMORLAND EDITED BY HER DAUGHTER LADY ROSE WEIGALL WITH PORTRAITS NEW YORK E. P. DUTTON AND COMPANY 1909 Printed in Great Britain PREFACE In consenting to the publication of this selection from my mother's correspondence, I do so with the hope that, in adding its quota to the already large amount of information made public by means of letters and biographies of the period, it may also help to throw a new and true light on much that has been miscon- ceived, especially in regard to the formation of the German Empire. The letters are chiefly those that were written between intimate friends and relatives, and are therefore free from the restraint necessary to official letters, while they at the same time reflect the official mind during some of the most important episodes of the Victorian era. The letters are arranged chronologically, and, except for a short epitome of the current events of each chapter, they are left to speak for themselves. Knowing and respecting my mother's strong aversion to publicity concerning herself, no detailed account of her private life has been attempted ; but I feel that, to the sym- pathetic reader, her own letters will sufficiently reveal those womanly characteristics which, allied to an unusual intellect, were the secret of the great affection she inspired and the influence she possessed. vi PREFACE But it may be convenient to give here a few par- ticulars already familiar to readers of the small volume of ' Letters of Lady Burghersh during the Campaign 1813-1814,' published in 1893. Priscilla Ann Wellesley Pole, born in 1793, was the youngest daughter of William Wellesley Pole (after- wards created Lord Maryborough), second son of the fourth Earl of Mornington, of musical celebrity (whom he eventually succeeded), and brother to the Duke of Wellington and Marquis Wellesley. Her mother was Catherine Elizabeth, twin daughter of Admiral Forbes and his wife Mary Capel, daughter of Lord Essex. From earliest childhood she had the advantage of living among wide interests and in a brjlHant political society. Her father, as well as his celebrated brothers, was constantly in high office, and his house one of the meeting-places of the official people of the day ; many foreigners, especially many of the French emigres, being also frequent visitors. A careful education had developed her natural abilities and fitted her to appreciate these advantages, so that when, at the age of eighteen, she married Lord Burghersh, although so young, she already had the habit of society, a perfect knowledge of French and Italian, and a good general idea of the leading questions of the day. My father also had from early days moved in high military and political circles. The son of John, tenth Earl of Westmorland, and Sarah, daughter of Thomas Child (their marriage having been a Gretna Green romance), his first recollections were of the magnificence of the Court at Dublin during his father's tenure of office as PREFACE vii Lord Lieutenant. At the age of eighteen he joined the army as an Ensign, and accompanied the Duke of Wellington as A.D.C. during the Peninsular War, until he was invalided home early in 1811, the year of his marriage. It only remains for me to offer my thanks to those representatives of the^ Correspondents who have given their consent to the publication ; and to Mr. G. E. Marindin, for his very kind assistance and advice in' preparing the book for the press. CONTENTS CHAPTER I'AGIi: I. 1812—1817 : EARLY MARRIED LIFE— FLORENCE 1 II. 1826— 1840: LONDON AND WALMER - - 3' IIL 1842— 1847 : BERLIN ... - 54 IV. 1842 — 1847 : BERLIN SOCIETY - - - I03 V. 1847 — 1851 : THE REVOLUTION OF 1848 - - - 113 VL 1852—1853 : VIENNA 160 VII. 1854: JANUARY TO AUGUST— SOCIETY IN VIENNA - 186 VIII. SEPTEMBER, 1854, TO DECEMBER, 1855 : THE CRIMEAN WAR ■ - - - 237 IX. 1856 : RETIREMENT - ■ 276 X. 1857 : APETHORPE AND LONDON - - - 304 XI. 1857—1858 : ENGLISH POLITICS - - - - 33° XII. 1858 : PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS - - - - 349 Xni. 1859: THE SARDINIAN WAR ... 379 XIV. 1861— 1863 : LONDON AND WIMBLEDON - - - 422 XV. 1864— 1870 : THE GARIBALDI INCIDENT - - 447 INDEX 472 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS TO FACE PAGE LADY BURGHERSH AND HER SON GEORGE FANE Frontispiece From the original painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A., in the possession of Lady Margaret Spicer. PRISCILLA, LADY BURGHERSH - ... 32 A bust by Bartolozzi. JOHN FANE, LORD BURGHERSH, AFTERWARDS ELEVENTH EARL OF WESTMORLAND - - • - 54 From the engraving by M. Colnaghi of picture by Sanders. APETHORPE CHURCH, 1 5 53 - - • - - 80 From a water-colour drawing by B. Rudge, 1846. THE EAST FRONT, APETHORPE, 1623 - - • - 96 From a water-colour drawing by B. Rudge, 1846. THE PICTURE GALLERY, APETHORPE, I623 - - - 120 From a water-colour drawing by B. Rudge, 1846. CHAPTER 1 1812 — 1817: EARLY MARRIED LIFE — FLORENCE The earliest letters in Lady Westmorland's corre- spondence are those from Count Pozzo di Borgo, a Corsican nobleman, who had from early years been an enemy of the Bonaparte family. When the French revolutionary troops entered Corsica in 1796, he was exiled, and, leaving the island with Sir Gilbert Elliott (Viceroy during the English Protectorate), he spent the next three years in England and Vienna till 1799, when he entered the service of the Czar Alexander as a diplomat. After Tilsit (1807) Napoleon demanded his extradition, but Pozzo di Borgo made his way via Con- stantinople from Russia to England, and so escaped. He re-entered the Russian service after the Czar quarrelled with Napoleon, and for many years was Russian Ambassador at Paris. Whilst exiled in England he had become intimate with Lady Burghersh's family, and took great interest in her and her sisters. His first letters to Lady Burghersh were written a year after her marriage, while she and Lord Burghersh were with the latter's regiment, before he was appointed English Commissioner attached to the headquarters of the Austrian army in 1813. Lady Burghersh accom- panied her husband through the campaign of the allied armies during the winter of 181 3 and 18 14, and her graphic description of the state of the Continent at that time, and the perils she underwent, have been elsewhere given.* After the allied armies entered Paris, Lord and Lady Burghersh stayed there, where they were joined by her mother and sisters. In the autumn Lord * See ' Letters of Lady Burghersh,' published 1893. 2 EARLY MARRIED LIFE [1812- Burghersh was appointed Minister at Florence, where they arrived in November, 1814. During the sixteen years she remained in Italy, Lady Burghersh made many friends, chief amongst them being the Empress Marie Louise and Madame de Stafil. Her first child was born in 1816, and at its death, six months later, Madame de Stael overwhelmed her with kindness, and her letters at that time show the real affection she had for Lady Burghersh.* Count Pozzo di Borgo to Lady Burghersh. London, December, 1812. If anything can diminish my regrets at leaving you both, it is the consciousness of your perfect happiness, which I trust will never suffer a cloud. You owe it to your good dispositions and the delicacy of your senti- ments, which will always preserve you from the follies of youth. God has given you ideas of right and wrong far beyond those of your years, and He will guide you along the path of life which has begun so well. Take a little care of your health ; you are not fitted for violent exercise, and too much activity agrees neither with your manners nor with your constitution, which, without being weakly, is nevertheless inclined to be delicate. I thank you for all the interest ypu have taken in my lot ; I have no idea what shape it will take. This journey is undertaken to put me in good humour with myself, and to carry out what my friends expect of me ; but I am surprised at no longer feeling myself all the motives which formerly led me to attach a much greater importance to what might happen to me. I hope to receive my final orders in the course of next week, and to leave the week after. You will have news of me wherever I am, and there is, perhaps, no * It is much to be regretted that Lady Burghersh's own letters from Florence have not been preserved. 1817] POZZO DI BORGO IN SWEDEN 3 one in the world whom I shall have more pleasure in hearing news of. God grant it may always be good news. Be happy ! Your very devoted PoZZO DI BoRGO. Count Pozzo di Borgo to Lady Burghersh. [During the closing of all the ports under the French, the only means of communication between England and Germany or Russia was by Sweden.] Stockholm, February 17, 1813. Dear Lady, My journey has been safe, but rather uncom- fortable, owing to not having made arrangements beforehand — which is generally my way. I have been received with open arms here ; a few old acquaintances, and a certain amount of curiosity about me, have got me in touch with all that is most distinguished in this country. I had never seen the Prince Royal,* but, as he is brother-in-law of Joseph Bonaparte, he lived in more familiar intimacy with them than any other of their Generals, and knew all our history, and mine in particular, better than I did myself, for I have already forgotten more than half of it. I had half a day's conference with him, and am dining with him the day after to-morrow. He is a very interesting person who has passed through all the difficulties of a stormy life. He professes the best possible sentiments, and has, in truth, given every possible proof of them since he has been here. His position is already a great one, and may become still greater. I am leaving for St. Petersburg on the 20th, * General Bernadotte, chosen as Prince Royal of Sweden, after- wards King. I — 2 4 EARLY MARRIED LIFE [1812- and $hall probably get there in a week. I shall then be able to judge my situation, and what my fate may be ; in any case, I shall never make it worse by exaggerated pretensions or imprudences, and I shall think of fighting against injustice, animated by hopes of the welcome awaiting me should I once more be obliged to rejoin my friends in England. Madame de Stael is here. ' Pozzo has arrived ' — quick — a note asking to see him ! when he appears, 'Dear Pozzo!' followed by an embrace fit to stifle a giant. After recovering her breath, ' Good gracious ! how strange for us to meet at Stockholm, you driven out by Constantinople, and I by St. Petersburg ! it is interesting — it is romantic' This sentiment then gave place to praise : ' I have been told so-and-so about you and Madam — and everyone says so-and-so,' a regular chorus of praise in the presence of about twenty people in the room ! At last I begged for a truce, and we joined in the general conversation. She told me the Emperor had talked about me, adding that Bonaparte had been more violent against me than anyone else at Erfurt, and, not knowing at last what more to say, had asked if I pretended to belong to a better family than himself! There is a little Italian book called ' The Prejudices of Small States ' — the nobility are assembled to decide what arms they shall take ; a shoemaker, Acibotte, wishes expressive ones, and suggests, 'An ass surmounting a pair of boots.' This absurd farce is really recalled to my memory by Napoleon's pride of birth— the master of the whole world disturbed by the possibility that one might have come from a little better family than him- self in the tiny country where he and I were born ! My passage across Sweden interested me very 1817] HIS JOURNEY ACROSS SWEDEN 5 much ; there is nothing like the aspect of this country, which looks like a bit of the earth petrified as a support to the rest. Time and the action of rain and the atmosphere have caused depressions in the great masses of granite, which have become a succession 01 little valleys, and on the slope of the hills protecting these little valleys the houses of the inhabitants are perched among the rocks, and protected by little fir and pine woods from the biting winds. They are generally painted red, with an appearance of cleanli- ness I had never yet seen in the North. The people are free, and one might guess them to be so, seeing them erect, well clothed, and fairly insolent ! Stock- holm is very picturesquely situated around a lake formed by the sea, and on islands connected with the town by bridges. The palace stands on, and com- pletely covers, one of these islands, and dominates the whole surrounding country. It is very fine, very large, and the architecture is good. There are some monuments of the greatness of Sweden, which now exists only in recollections of their great history. It is a question whether reminiscences of lost treasures are more calculated to console or to sadden one, but ambition and the heart are not alike in their judg- ments. Vanity consoles itself with thinking of former satisfactions, and sentiment grieves over the loss of them. If anyone were to see this letter, he would laugh at me for talking of Sweden, which everyone knows, as if I had just discovered it ; but I am not writing my travels, only recording my impressions for the benefit of my friends — be sure this friendship will always survive all changes and be affectionately cultivated by me. What are you doing amidst the agitations of 6 EARLY MARRIED LIFE [1812- London life? Visits, routs, operas, amusements, bores, pleasures, impatience, compliments, criticism, all these belong to your age, and you should take your part in them; but at the same time think of your health— three days with a heavy cold is too great a fine to pay for the success of a party, or even for the notes of Madame Catalani's voice ! Keep up your intercourse with your books and in your home — I have no fear of new acquaintances, because I know that your own family are enough for your heart ; others are simply like the shades of a magic-lantern to you — passing before you and leaving no impression behind. Adieu, my dear lady. I enclose this in a few lines to Lord Burghersh. My respects to your parents, my love to your sisters, and to you — all that is affectionate. God bless you ! Count Pozso di Borgo to Lady Burghersh. St. Petersburg, March 6, 1813. Dear Lady, You will be glad to hear of my arrival here without accident — and one may indeed be thankful, when one thinks of the difficulties of the journey at this season ! I avoided Torgau by crossing the ice on the Gulf of Bothnia. It is a scene not without interest ; it had been raining for two days, and there was half a foot of water on the surface of the ice, which gave this immense space the appearance of a liquid sea ; every now and then we were stopped by little deeper bits, which had to be passed by wading like ducks ; but the best moment was that in which I found myself across this infernal region of Boreas after seventy-two English miles of it ! Society here has received me with open arms, and 1817] MADAME DE STAEL 7 I was told that my return and the impression that things were going well coincided. I have not yet seen the tenth part of the people whom interest or curiosity would lead me to look up. The first word the Minister spoke to me was to say that I must rejoin the Emperor with the army,* His Majesty having left that order for me, in case of my arrival. This is an event which rather raises me out of my insignificant existence. I am still ignorant as to what maybe the result of this journey. I shall use what efforts I can to do good. I am, therefore, leaving again to go beyond the Vistula, wherever the Emperor may be. Madame de Stael asked me if 1 had any correspon- dents among ladies in London. I told her yes, without mentioning your name. At once she wanted a letter for this lady, but, in spite of her importunity, I refused it, because I do not wish her to try to take possession of you on her arrival ; you are too young and too delicate (if I may use the word in a moral sense) to become intimate with a female giant; nevertheless, I will ask you to receive her kindly, if she tries to make your acquaintance, and get Mrs. Polef to treat her well. She is very extraordinary and very amiable. She is going to publish some books which will be very interesting ; but intimacy with her would be too much for a person such as I believe you to be. My love to Lord Burghersh. I regret that the time of our political correspondence is over, but, in this country, even the most nimble of tongues is tied. Remember me to all yours. Be happy and keep your health. Ever your devoted friend. * In February, 1813, Prussia had finally joined Russia in opposition to Napoleon. The Emperor Alexander's headquarters were at Kalisch. + Lady Burghersh's mother. 8 EARLY MARRIED LIFE [1812- Count Pozzo di Borgo to Lady Burghersh. April 2, 1813. Kalisch, whence I am writing to you, is a little town between Warsaw and Breslau. The Emperor's* headquarters have been established here the last six weeks, and I have been here three. Your letter of February 8, the only one I have received since I left Yarmouth, reached me to-day — a solemn day, being that of the arrival of the King of Prussia and the meeting of the two Sovereigns. You ought to have received two of mine — one from Stock- holm and St. Petersburg. My journey here took a fortnight, though I did not stop to sleep a single night. The terrible cold, the ruined condition of the roads and post-houses, the villages still encumbered with dead bodies, made this expedition anything but agreeable ! The Emperor received me with much kindness, and ordered me to remain with him. At present I have no fixed employ- ment : I do what little good I can when occasion arises. I wait, and am very much bored. Life at imperial headquarters becomes very monotonous after a time, and, but for a few old acquaintances I have found here, the day would seem endless. Have you ever heard of Baron de Stein ? t He is a well-bred man, a former Prussian Minister whom Bonaparte wanted to roast alive ! After many per- secutions, he is now the Emperor's right hand in German affairs ! We were well acquainted with each * Alexander of Russia. t The Prussian statesman who brought many reforms into ttat Government, and contributed largely to the regeneration of the country. 1817] RUSSIAN HEADQUARTERS g other, and had the honour of sharing the same enmity. Is it not strange that we are now both together to fight our persecutor ? Count Hardenberg * has arrived from Vienna; he, too, is one of the Uttle circle of intimes, and I was very glad to talk to a man so well acquainted with a town which must always interest me-^from many reminiscences and regrets. I expect the next two or three days will be taken up with incessant reviews ; to-day's was really very fine, 3,000 Cuirassiers and 10,000 picked Infantry. I wish we may march soon and disperse the Conscripts, who are still holding out on the Elbe. I hope this will soon be the case, especially as we have already considerable bodies of men in several positions on that river. There, my dear lady, is the little 1 can tell you in return for all the good things you tell me, for which I thank you with all my heart, especially for what you say of your health ; take care of it now, and you will keep it always. You will have seen by my former letters that I gave you good advice — as a good papa might do — but the merit is yours in having adopted it beforehand, but give me credit for having thought and for thinking of it. If you have been reconciled to the Corps Diplo- matique by the amiability of the Portuguese Ambas- sador, I congratulate Monsieur Palmella, and am not jealous,ifor Nunez had certainly discredited the profes- sion. The ' Duchesse ' among English ladies was like a mushroom in a flower-bed — why be bothered with it ? Miss Emily t may show the Sicilians that there are sirens outside their own country. . . . * Another Prussian statesman. + Lady Burghersh's sister. She married Lord Fitzroy Somerset, afterwards Lord Raglan. 10 EARLY MARRIED LIFE [1812- You want me to tell you about my travelling com- panion ; he has a reasonableness in little things which fidgets me, and an insipid sweetness which ends by sending me to sleep ; but in essential matters I think he has great merits, and probably the state of his health has something to do with giving him that spirit of minute exactitude which, as you know, is not mine ; add to that the ordinary society of a frigate in the North Sea in the month of February, and you will see he is not really to be blamed. I must tell you about Prince Koutousoff, who treats me well, so that is a reason for seeing him in a favourable light, * He is an old man with much cleverness, and his mind wonderfully fresh. If he were a little younger he might well be given a little more authority, and would be quite in his place. His conversation is too lively for his age, but he shows much penetration and sagacity. I have had some very interesting conversa- tions with him, but I do not keep a journal ; that, as you know, is one of my rules. . . . You have given me great pleasure by telling me that the news of dear Wellington is good ; the dear Empress told me she had read the news of Salamanca with tears of joy and admiration. I hope he is now in a con- dition to act and finish the affair — now or never ! Adieu ! I regret my friends in England, and your circle beyond all ; this you know. I shall take advan- tage of every occasion to see you again. My best love * ' Marshal Koutousoff had rendered brilliant service in earlier life, but was now old, broken, and sickly. His infirmities and his old wounds prevented his getting on horseback. Of undoubted bravery, shrewd intelligence, and elaborately polite manners, he was sometimes lacking in firmness, and shrunk from energetic measures. He was taken ill at Breslau a few weeks later, and had to be left there. The news of his death was received on the arrival at the headquarters at Dresden' ('Nesselrode Memoirs'). 1817] ANOTHER JOURNEY TO SWEDEN ii to Lord Btirghersh ; I should like to write to him, but could not make my letter interesting without being indiscreet. My respects to your parents, and all the kind things you can think of to your sisters. Be happy — that is my constant wish for you, with which I end all my letters. Count Pozzo di Borgo to Lord Burghersh. Carlsceona (Sweden), May 12, 1813. My dear Lord, You will be surprised to receive a letter from Carlscrona when you must imagine me to be else- where ; however, my journey may not be unknowil by you. I have made it on businesSj and hope to have done no harm. We leave to-morrow for Stralsund — the Prince Royal and the rest of the Swedish troops who were to cross. I left the Emperor's head- quarters on April 23, and hope to be back there in ten days. We have had here to-day vague accounts of a serious affair between the Prussian army under Blticher and that of the Viceroy Beauharnais — said to be to the advantage of the former : God grant it may be so! In crossing Prussia to get here I met Jackson,* General Stewart's secretary, but I had the bad luck to miss the General himself, crossing him in the night without knowing it. I hoped he might have brought me some letters from you. A courier, sent me from Dresden since my arrival here, has also brought me nothing. Lady Burghersh treats me as badly as you do ; since her letter of February 8 I have heard * Sir George Jackson, author of the well-known diaries, who became Minister at Berlin in the next year (1814). He was brother to Francis Jackson, who was Minister at Berlin in 1812-1816. 12 EARLY MARRIED LIFE [1812- nothitig of her, except a report that she had been ill. You ought to exercise your conjugal authority so as not to be always needing the doctor in the house — this happens too Often. You will find this letter very dull, but there is the disadvantage of being near to and mixed up in affairs; one may no longer allow oneself anything; when one is free from responsi- bility, one is at least a master of one's own opinions. How are matters going in Spain ? Is your hero, as I fear, still much hampered by the Don Quixotes? They are the only enemies unworthy of him in that country. Since I left you I have never had a single day's rest ; this situation, which gives me no definite Work, but sends me from pillar to post at any moment, may be flattering, but is neither convenient nor really useful. (If indeed that second condition is worth considering.) I do my best, and we shall see ! Meantime life goes on, which is not to be regretted so long as one tries to put it to a good purpose. Remember me to all my friends; I regret their society, and console myself with the hope of having kept their esteem. If I knew the world less well, I should say their remembrance of me, but in a town like London memory does not trouble herself about absent friends! Be, however, yourself an exception to this rule. I deserve it for the good I wish to you all. Count Pozzo di Borgo to Lady Burghersh. Stralsund, May 20, 1813. You may have heard from General Stewart that I had left the Emperor's headquarters for Sweden, whence I returned here three days ago, having 1817] PERSONAL REFLECTIONS «3 accomplished the object of my journey, though not without difficulty. I leave here to-night to rejoin His Majesty, whom I hope to find still in the neighbour- hood of Dresden. Colonel Cook has yesterday given me your letter of April 9. What has become of all your other letters? I have written to you several times, and do not deserve reproaches, and be sure I am not ungrateful. I like to confess to you that, having renounced, at great cost to myself, all the stormy affections and passions of earlier days, I am still capable of feelings of true friendship and interest in others, which are sweeter and more unselfish, though not less true. No one in the world has inspired me with a more sincere interest of this kind than yourself, and I congratulate myself on having gained a new interest in life when so few remain to me; therefore, be well persuaded that I do indeed need your friendship, and that I have no greater pleasure than to see you deserve and obtain the approval of all good and noble souls — unless it is the pleasure of seeing your perfect happiness. I do not know when I shall have a chance of being again in London and seeing you. It is very natural that Lord Burghersh should wish to be taking part in all the great events of the day. I have refrained, as you know, from giving any opinion on that subject, because I know that you would never be able to bear his absence without being miserable ; everything is so unsettled, and there is so little security anywhere, that you could not find a single place abroad where you could safely establish yourself The mistake of a single General may force an entire population to emigrate at a moment's notice. If Austria really declares herself against France, Vienna, 14 EARLY MARRIED LIFE [1812- Berlin, or Dresden, may be fairly peaceable abodes — at least for a time — and you might establish yourself in one of these places even if he had to go in for camp life ; but at the present moment it would be impossible to make any plans while everything is uncertain and confused. I have had a thousand invitations from Vienna to go and see my old friends there, but circumstances were not very favourable, and I have not tried to overcome them. You will wish for some particulars of my personal situation; with the best will in the world I cannot give you a clear account of it. I am in the Emperor's hands, a sort of odd man ; to-day I am ordered to do so-and-so, and I do it as best I can, to-morrow some- thing else, and then for a long time nothing. This way of living from hand to mouth takes away all the stability which steady work and the combination of ideas with practical measures founded on them give to one's conduct of affairs. One does what one can, but with more steadiness the results might be very different. One's life is passed in taking half-measures, and in the vexation of being unable to remedy them I resign myself to my destiny. Some accident may some day put an end to me, and my story will end as most other people's does. While waiting thus for the end give me your good wishes, and believe that I deserve them in return for all the good I wish you ! Remember me to all your family who deserve the respect and gratitude of the world. I am just starting for headquarters. I must not go to sleep, or I may fall into the hands of the French who are wandering round ! But I shall keep awake, and nothing will happen to me. Be happy. 1817] HIS OPINION OF MADAME DE STAEL 15 Couni Pozzo di Borgo io Lady Burghersh. Peterwaldau,* August 12, 1813. I only received your letter of June 22 a few days ago; it was about two months since I had had any news of you — I have no right to complain, but I should blush to be indifferent. If by winning battles we can open up the Continent to you, I shall be very happy to see you appear on it with Lord Burghersh under suitable conditions ; but I abstain from expressing any wish on the subject, lest any such proposed change should interfere with your happiness. In any case take as little as possible on yourself; it is better to follow than to lead, when it is a question of coming to a grave decision — under your circumstances especially. I expected to hear that Madame de Stafil would excite much curiosity in London. She belongs neither to the sex one loves nor to that one esteems ; she talks and writes like a man, and has all her life acted like a woman, which of course means great egoism. But as she is extreme in everything, those who like her society will be enchanted with her ; others, on the contrary, will take a horror of her, and dread to come across anything like her at home. The good qualities, the faults, the weaknesses, the cleverness, and the talents, of Madame de Stael subdivided and distributed might have formed a whole population of amiable and attractive women, but all united in one have produced a sort of monster: when one considers her in her entirety, she really confounds the strongest imagina- tion a:nd frightens the boldest people ; but if one can catch her on the side on which she really shines, she * A castle in Silesia, where negotiations were being carried on between the allies, Great Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria. i6 EARLY MARRIED LIFE [1812- is wonderful! Have you seen her? Has she men- tioned me ? She has always treated me kindly ; do not accuse me of treachery for talking so impartially of her. The fact is, one judges her more than one cares for her, although she has all her life desired the reverse. . . . Having done my best to avoid a Peace and bring Austria over to us, I am leaving to finish the campaign with the Prince Royal of Sweden ; in three days I shall be in Berlin; on the fourth day, God only knows where! When blows begin, one cannot tell where they will strike ; it will be a terrible massacre without exaggeration ! Six hundred thousand men will fall on each other in a space of thirty square leagues.* The Emperor is going to Prague ; he has treated me very well, and I have tried my best to serve him faithfully. I should like to go with him, but, all things considered, it is perhaps best I have a separate com- mission. A Court is a very slippery place, and 1 can only live there after my own fashion, which is not always that of the inhabitants of that country. What- ever happens, I am not afraid of going into retirement; I still have resources in myself, tastes I can gratify, and some happy reminiscences of the past ; with all this one can contemplate the end of one's journey of life without boredom — that terrible bugbear of so many has no terrors for me. You see that, having begun by being satirical, I am finishing up with an idyll. Do not laugh at me ! The time spent in writing this letter is amongst the best I have had here. * The Treaty between Russia, Austria, and Prussia was signed at Toplitz on September 29. 1817] BIRTH OF ARTHUR FANE 17 Couriers, despatches, Councils, troops, Austria dormice, French rogues, Bonaparte the Archfiend- do you think that these, and many other things I dare not mention, are very amusing ? Well, if you were not convinced of it beforehand, congratulate yourself on the good you have done me in giving me the chance of writing to you, and of saying with all my heart, May God bless you ! Soon after this letter Lady Burghersh started on her adventurous journey* during the winter 1813-1814. No letters have been preserved during 1815, her first year in Florence, and memorable for the Battle of Waterloo. Count Pozzo di Borgo to Lady Burghersh. Paris, August 26, 1816. I received yesterday your letter of the 8th of this month. If our correspondence had not been so long interrupted, I need not have explained that I am not losing a moment in answering it ; you might have guessed this otherwise. I took the warmest interest in hearing of the blessing God has given you in letting you safely become a mother, and that of a beautiful child who thrives before your eyes through your own devoted care. This event will complete your domestic felicity. You know that, as a true old friend, I have always told you that it is in your home alone that you will find real happiness ; everything outside is no doubt agreeable, and has its worth, but home happiness is the only thing that is necessary and indispensable. The story you tell me about what I wrote you at the- time concerning Madame de Stael must have sur- * See p. I. 2 i8 EARLY MARRIED LIFE— FLORENCE [1812- prised you. I will explain to you how it is that what I said about her in that letter has become known. That letter was dated from the old castle of Peter- waldau, in the mountains of Silesia ; it was sent on the very day on which we had just received the news that Austria had broken off the negotiations of Prague, and had joined the allies against France. Our joy was excessive, and our first care to let this great event be known in England. Count Nesselrode* and I had only one rickety table between us to prepare these despatches; the secretaries and their chiefs were all fighting each for a corner. Amidst all this turmoil of talk and of writing I was determined to send you a letter, and, as I was found fault with for seeming to be occupied with private correspondence, I thought I would surprise and make them laugh by reading them the account I had just written you of our heroine. Nesselrode wrote it down to send to his wife, and Bolguhoff did the same to spread it in apparently a less charitable way. It is in this way that my sketch has become known to a few people, but no one has ever heard that it had been drawn originally for your benefit. Your great-unclet has returned from London very well ; he is leaving in a few days to settle at a country house near Cambray, where he will, I imagine, at once hold the review of the Corps d'Armee under his command. The Emperorf has just given him a diamond sword ornamented by a laurel wreath in emeralds, which is one of the most beautiful things of the kind ever seen. The inscription gives the date, and in memory of the Battle of Waterloo. His kindness ♦ Russian Prime Minister. + The Duke of Wellington, t Of Russia. 1817] COUNT POZZO IN PARIS 19 and friendliness towards me are extreme, just as my respect and attachment to him are unbounded. Your sister and her husband* are settled here ; she has grown a little thinner, but the regularity and delicacy of her features still maintain her in her place among the beauties. Lady Worcester t came over with her husband and your uncle, but in a sadly altered state ; she is only a shadow, and it will take her time and a long rest to recover. We have also here some charming cousins | of Burghersh's, and Mrs. Fletcher and her daughters, who are very hand- some and much admired. English women triumph over the Parisians ; the number of them is extra- ordinary. There is news of Lady Bagot,§ who appears to me to find American society vulgar and dull. I can easily imagine your manner of life in Italy; one gets tired of seeing sights, and longs for some- thing to listen to and discuss as well. Do not, how- ever, give yourself up to a desire to get away from it ; there is nothing so bad as giving way to a vague sense of discontent, instead of fighting against it. In a little time Lord Burghersh will get leave if he asks for it. I thank you for what you say about my personal position ; it is not without difficulties and anxieties, having been one of those who most strongly advocated that there should be Light. I should like to see it con- tinue to shine, and to enhghten the world ; but we have by no means come to that, though perhaps we are on * Lord and Lady Fitzroy Somerset. + Daughter of Lady Ann Fitzroy, and niece of the Duke of Wellington. % Mrs. Artiuthnot and her sisters. § Lady Burghersh's sister, married to Sir Charles Bagot, then Minister at Washington. 2 — 2 20 EARLY MARRIED LIFE— FLORENCE [1812- the road that may lead us to it. Next to fulfilling my present duties, my prominent thought is to retire, though I cannot, and indeed would not, come to any decision at once. I look forward to that epoch as my deliverance. The world gets tired even of good reputations. Competition is so great, and the incidents that may harm us are often beyond anything our own prudence can foresee; and I should like to avoid all such trials while my chiefs still approve of me, and my friends still retain their affection and esteem for me. Such are my intentions. Providence will deal with them according to what is right. All your relations dine with me to-morrow; you will, be silently missed ! Thank you again for your kind remembrance of me. Say all that is affectionate from me to Lord Burghersh, and be persuaded of all my wishes for your happiness. Madame de Stael to Lady Burghersh. COPPKT, fuly i8, i8i6. Your letter, my dear lady, has been to Paris, and has come back to me here. I had believed that you had entirely forgotten me ; I blame Mr. Phelps, I blame Lord Burghersh, I complain to the whole household of this mistake ! Perhaps Mr. Fane* has also something to do with it. My heart beat with joy at a report that you might possibly come here on your way to meet your mother; but it has all come to nothing, and I do not know when I shall see you again. Monsieur de Roccaf is much the same, but a new incident has arisen to influence our places. * Lady Burghersh's baby, Arthur Fane, born February 12 : died August 29, 1816. t Madame de Stael's second husband. 1817] DUCHESSE DE BROGLIE 21 I believe my daughter likely to be confined, and I shall certainly have to be with her in Paris, therefore, towards the latter part of the winter, if I do not go there earlier. From thence I shall return here, and shall go to Italy again in a year's time, if another year is granted me in this world. What will you be doing then ? Do you know ? and might I join you at Florence when my daughter is away from me? What you tell me of Madame de Lascy's health grieves me very much ; be kind to her — it will be a good deed worthy of your kind heart. Albertine* insists on finishing my letter ; answer us straight here. [Continued by Duchesse de Broglie.'] Be good enough, my dear lady, not to betray my secret. I owe this event, apparently, to your good wishes. I would gladly exchange all the English we have here for the sake of a week spent with you. I regret the climate of Florence — one felt happier there than elsewhere. English people are so delightful among the Florence glow-worms ; but when I speak of English people there, I really only mean you, for you were the only one I really cared for. Pray present my most respectful greetings to Mr. Fane, and I would recommend myself to his gracious favour. Love me a little, and write me a line to myself ; other- wise you will create friction between the mother and daughter. Monsieur Rocca to Lady Burghersh. COPPET, July 24, 1 8 16. I hear, my lady, by your last letter to Madame de Stael, that your health is much better, and I hasten to * Albertine, Duchess de Broglie, Madame de Stael's daughter. 22 EARLY MARRIED LIFE— FLORENCE [1812- say how much pleasure this news has given me. We had left you unwell and regretting England, whilst we were regretting Florence, where you were remain- ing. It was only just then that my own health allowed me to enjoy the air of Italy, and to realize all the charm of that country, especially when to its natural advantages is added that of being inhabited by English people, and such English as Lord Burghersh and yourself, in whom are combined with the dignity of your nation the cleverness which distinguishes your whole family, and your own particular gifts. Geneva and the neighbourhood are full of English ; there are something like 1,200 spending the summer here. The only ones I know amongst them are My Lady Hamilton, Colonel Sydenham, and Lord Byron. Colonel Sydenham is most unfortunate and very suffering ; a wound received at Waterloo has deprived him of his nose ! He does not like to be seen, and his face is covered by a black veil. Lord Byron has been very coldly received here, both by the natives and by the English. No one visits him, though there is much curiosity about him. He has been twice to Coppet, where we have received the great poet very cordially. The first time he met here Mrs. Hervey, a friend of his wife's mother, a little old lady of sixty- eight, full of cleverness. She nearly fainted at the sight of Lord Byron, which seemed to distress him very much, and he was much agitated. He affects in his manner, his looks, and his way of speaking, a sort of sweetness and sadness, melancholy and depression. He greatly praises his wife whenever she is mentioned to him, and whenever he meets little children he stops to caress them, and says with a sigh, ' Mine is prettier than that !' If he was all that he tries to seem now, 1817] DEATH OF ARTHUR FANE 23 he would really be very fascinating. He has lately written a poem on Switzerland, and has placed the scene at the Castle of Chillon, on the shores of the lake. I believe it is a continuation of his ' Childe Harold,' in which Childe Harold, from being an Atheist, has become a Pantheist, which is at least a first step towards heaven. Lord Byron has promised to bring us, in two or three days, the manuscript of this poem. Mr. Brougham has been here with Lady Caroline Lamb's sister-in-law and Mr. and Mrs. Clifford ; they are all going together to join the Duchess of Devon- shire next month at Florence. We are expecting directly Lord and Lady Lansdowne, who are also going to Italy. That is all our news here. I should like to hear some news of you, and also of Mr. Fane, in whom I have been much interested ever since I saw him out in the park at Florence with you and his nurse. Remember me to Lord Burghersh, and believe me, A. G. DE RoccA. From Madame de Stael, on the death of Lady Burghersh's baby. COPPET, September 12, 1816. I have no words, my dear Lady Burghersh, in which to express my sympathy with you. For God's sake go home to your mother, and come through here on your way. Do not stay in the place where you have suffered so much. At your age you are sure to be a mother again several times, but that does not make your present grief less. The terrible shock you have experienced must leave its traces on you. 24 EARLY MARRIED LIFE— FLORENCE [18i;2 Mon Dieu ! mon Dieu ! how I pity you and how I love you ! and I do not forget Lord Burghersh /n my profound pity for you both. I have a thousand recollections of the short life of your child, but if I live I shall see you consoled — there are such treasures of love in your heart that Providence will surely protect them and compensate you for this cruel trial. Your health positively requires a change, and it is a duty you owe yourself not to get into a state which would make you unfit to have more children. Come here, I implore you ; and if you delay any time, go to Paris, where you will find Lord Wellington; and perhaps I may count myself something, for indeed, when I see you, my heart will go out to you as warmly as if I had known and cared for you all my life. My daughter is much affected at your loss. I seem to have always before me your charming face bathed in tears. Dear and charming creature, I weep with you and press you to my heart. . . . Duchesse de Broglie to Lady Burghersh. Dear Lady Burghersh, I have been cruelly shocked by this terrible news. I am already able to understand, to some degree, all that you must suffer — that poor Httle creature was so lovely. I should like you to leave Italy, where no one is in sympathy with your sentiments, for all those Italian women have so little real feeling. There can be only one irreparable sorrow, and that is to have no close and intimate relations. I am sure that, in your case your mother and your husband will comfort you, but 1817] THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON AT PARIS 25 I should like at this moment to see you surrounded by all those who love you. I dare not speak to you of my affection for you, I have too little claim on you, but I do long to embrace you and to tell you, now from my innermost soul, I grieve with you. How those who have the happiness of being closely con- nected with you must love you, when you are able to inspire those who have only known you a short time with so deep an interest in you ! A thousand tender loves to you. Madame de Stael to Lady Burghersh. Paris, 1817. I hear exactly how you are, my dear lady, from your sister, who tells me all about you ; but I should like to hear from yourself whether you are returning to Italy, and, if so, whether you will come by Paris and Switzerland. Let me hear your plans as regards this ; there is nothing I am more anxious about. My own health is very bad ; as soon as I can I shall go to Coppet to rest. I am expecting my daughter's confinement every day, and I dread that emotion. Have you any happy prospects for the future ? You may confide in me. The Duke of Wellington is giving a great many entertainments, to which people are most anxious to go. I went to one, but my poor daughter is no longer fit to encounter the crowd there to-morrow. The Duke has made himself very much liked. He is behaving as a generous conqueror, but still it is sad to be conquered. Madame Edmond de Perigord* makes up to him in * Afterwards Duchesse de Dino, and later Sagan. 26 EARLY MARRIED LIFE— FLORENCE [1812- order to get him to replace her uncle, Monsieur de Talleyrand, in power, but the Duke does not seem to intend to mix himself up with any of our internal affairs. [End mtssmg.] From A. W. Schlegel* on the death of Madame de Stael. COPPET, August 14, 1817. I have just received your touching letter of July 18, and the date of this will explain to you the involuntary delay in my reply. I had left Paris on July 17 with Madame de Stael, to accompany the remains of my immortal friend to her father's grave here. You ask me for details, my lady : alas ! it would be a long story of desolation, ' a tale of woe ' more than a letter could contain. The blow that has struck us was not unexpected by me. For six months past I had been anticipating the loss of my illustrious patroness, and had only been partially reassured by short intervals of improvement. It appeared that several grave maladies at once were attacking that noble life ; as soon as one alarming symptom disappeared, another took its place. In spite of the previous decline of her health, the innate vigour of her constitution sustained a long and painful struggle against death. The terrible agitations of her past life, especially during the ten years of her exile, the prodigious activity of her mind and spirit, ended in breaking down the more delicate part of her organization, the nerves which control movement and sensibility. But before the vital organs were quite paralyzed, the irregular actions of the nerve centres produced the most violent * A distinguished German litterateur and friend of Madame de Stael's. 1817] ILLNESS AND DEATH 27 spasms ; after five weeks, during which the malady had been apparently stationary, a terrible crisis, accompanied by the most alarming symptoms, announced the approach of the final qatastrophe. She felt this herself, and sent for me to her bedside several times during the night, declaring she had not half an hour to live. During the next few days she solemnly took leave of us, and told us all her last wishes. She survived four weeks longer after this. The approach of death no doubt produces terrible sensations unknown to us in life, but that limit once passed, softer sensations are experienced. Her soul, though still imprisoned in her failing body, seemed already to breathe the purer air of the happy heaven in which the weary traveller, so long battered by storms, was to find eternal rest. She had overcome the worst enemy of humanity. Fear. She liked to fancy there might still be a future for her in this life, for she much regretted leaving her friends. She was often sufficiently relieved to be able to enjoy the attentions of her friends, and even a few social dis- tractions. On the eve of her death she had a violent attack of suff"ocation, caused by the paralysis having reached the lungs. Relieved towards evening of this last suffering, she fell asleep to wake no more. No sigh, no convulsive movement, showed the actual moment of departure. ' There broke a noble heart.' It would be vain to attempt to describe the grief of her children, who, each in their own way, are models of filial piety. Madame de Broglie has from her childhood had a passionate devotion to her mother, whose soul has been reflected in that of her daughter. Having lost everything myself, I yet had my heart still further wrung at the sight of that poor distracted 28 EARLY MARRIED LIFE— FLORENCE [1812- orphan, so early confronted with the greatest of all mysteries. Kneeling beside the inanimate form of her mother, speaking to her as though she could still hear, and imploring a word or a look of love ! ' The rest is silence.' The time came at last for parting even with the coffin, but Madame de Broglie's grief and her venera- tion for her mother's memory will endure as long as her own life. She is much altered, but I hope her health is not seriously affected, though even her con- finement in the month of March only kept her a very few weeks from nursing her mother day and night, and though she has since had three months of constant fatigue and constant alarms. Miss Randall,* whom you saw in Paris, had shown marvellous devotion; through- out the illness she never left her friend ; sat up at night, and in the strength of her affection found all the most ingenious devices for comforting and relieving her. On July 28 the mortal remains of your illustrious friend were deposited at the side of her parents in a marble tomb, in the presence of a large assembly. It was a solemn moment; all felt the departure of a kind and most lillegible] spirit from this sad earth of ours. I can see from my window the shrubs sur- rounding the tomb, which gives me a melancholy pleasure, but we shall have to leave in a few days this place, now so solitary. We are called to Paris by affairs connected with Madame de Stall's last wishes, only Monsieur Rocca has to leave us and go to Italy. His health is always delicate, and the shock it has experienced may make it worse. You have heard, no doubt, that Madame de Stael in * The English governess of Madame de Broglie, who remained in the family all her life. 1817] OF MADAME DE STAEL 29 the latter parts of her life, and finally by her will, acknowledged the marriage which had united them so long ago. Monsieur Rocca will take with him to Italy the little son, who will now be his chief comfort. This interesting child is delicate, but has a charming face and is very promising. He has been loaded with kindness and affection by his brother and sister. Having now replied to all your questions, allow me, my lady, to ask after your own health and your general condition. The short time in which I saw you in Coppet has left a grea;t impression on me. I have been intending all the winter to write, but have never ventured to do so. Just after your departure from Paris I felt it would be impossible not to allude to the subject of your grief, and I feared that to do so would only renew it. Afterwards, during Madame de Stafil's illness, I kept delaying, in the hope that I might be able to give a more satisfactory account. I had seen you in Florence radiant in beauty, grace, youth, and happiness ; when I saw you again you were pale and bowed down by grief, and the accounts of your health we have since received have only too much confirmed our apprehensions. Pray let me hear if the beneficent action of time and of nature have enabled you to recover from your cruel shock. I need not tell you that your friend, in the midst of her own sufferings, was occupied by the thought of yours with the most tender solicitude. She had always been especially attracted to you ; she thought you amiable in your happiness and irresistible in your affliction. Madame de Broglie desires a thousand messages to you. The sight, or even the recollection, of those who loved her mother still upsets her very much, and this 30 EARLY MARRIED LIFE [1812-1817 will go on for a long time, for who that really knew her mother did not love her ? I would beg you, when you have the opportunity, to offer my respects to the Duke of Wellington, and also express to him in the name of my late friend our eternal gratitude for all the friendly interest he showed her, and for the daily visits, which were a great comfort to her. Such compassion well becomes a hero. I shall never forget the intense feeling in the expres- sion of his noble and manly face the first time he saw her in her illness. He thought her convalescent, as had been reported. I had warned him he would find her very ill; but he was nevertheless very much shocked, and on leaving expressed to me in a few broken words his fears for her life. Pray present my respects to Lord Burghersh, and remain, etc., A. W. SCHLEGEL. CHAPTER II 1826 — 1840 : LONDON AND WALMER Lord and Lady Burghersh returned to England in 1830, and on the change of Government that year Lord Burghersh resigned his post at Florence. In those days, when parties were more sharply defined than at present, it was not considered loyal for apro- nounced Tory like himself to serve under a Whig Government, even in a diplomatic position. For the next ten years they lived in England — chiefly in London — with yearly visits to Walmer (to the Duke of Wellington) and other places. In 1835 Lord Burghersh went to the waters of Bardges, in the South of France, for his health, and in the winter he was shooting at his father's at Apethorpe and other places ; but Lady Burghersh rarely accompanied him, as she disliked leaving her children to governesses and servants ; and in those days country-house visits meant a long journey, and consequently also a much longer stay than is usual now. As a natural consequence of their long residence abroad, they lived a good deal in these years in the society of the Diplomatic Corps in London.* The French Ambassador up to 1834 was Prince Talleyrand. This extraordinary personage had com- menced life as a priest, and as Bishop of Autun had sat in Louis XVI. 's first States-General, and taken the oath to the Constitution. He celebrated Mass at the federal gathering on July 14, 1790, when Louis XVI. took the oath to the Constitution ; he after- wards renounced his Orders, emigrated to America, and returning to France, served Napoleon, who created * Lord Burghersh had founded the Academy of Music in London in 1822, on the model of the Italian academies, in which he continued through life to take the liveliest interest. 31 32 LONDON AND WALMER [1826- him Prince and made him Great Chamberlain. At the Restoration he went over to the Bourbons, repre- sented France at the Congress of Vienna in 1815, and attached himself to the English alliance, and par- ticularly to the Duke of Wellington. From 1830 to 1834 he was French Ambassador in London. Though his moral character was not to be admired, he seems to have had some amiable qualities, and to have been full of wit. His. niece, Madame de Dino, who lived with him, became a very great friend of Lady Burghersh. Lord Melbourne and his brother, Frederick Lamb (afterwards Lord Beauvale), were also on intimate terms with Lord and Lady Burghersh, and from her position she became during those years a sort of confi- dential intermediary between the Duke of Wellington and Lord Melbourne. Lord Burghersh's means were limited after the loss of his official income, and Lady Burghersh devoted herself during these years chiefly to her young children. This retired life and absence of all pretensions to a social or political r6le made her all the more welcome to her uncle, the Duke, and Lord Melbourne, as a perfectly safe confidante, and the considerable part she played in their confidence was absolutely unknown to the world at large. The Bill alluded to in the letters of 1835-36 appears to have been a Municipal Reform Bill which excited a great deal of feeling. The ' Precedence ' question of 1840 was the question of the precedency to be given to Prince Albert on his marriage. The Tories objected to the Queen's wish that he should have precedence over everybody, including the heir to tne throne. The matter was compromised by his having prece- dence over everybody except the Prince of Wales ; but it caused a great deal of feeling at the time, and the dispute was, of course, painful to the Queen. Count Pozzo di Borgo to Lady Burghersh. Paris, July 25, 182B. The report as to my marriage is absolutely without any foundation ; there has never been any question of PRISCILLA, LADY BURGHERSH. A bust by Bartolozz:. To /ace page 32. 1840] COUNT POZZO IN PARIS 33 anything of the sort. The public imagined it, and will not let it go ; it has a better opinion of me than I deserve, which is all the more reason for keeping on my guard against the most seductive as well as the most cunning flatterers. However, all this has not been for nothing, as it has brought me a fresh proof of your interest in me which touches me as much as if I had to share it with the imaginary being whom your fancy has already associated with my life and my future happiness. In spite of the interruption of our correspondence, I have not ceased to inquire after your health, and have heard of your sufferings since I saw you on your way through Paris.* I was looking forward to seeing you again here, when Lord Burghersh arrived and told me of your fresh illness, and we had some anxious days. The doctor's first letter was incon- clusive and confused, which is always the case when they do not know where they are; btit your own letters since, and the few lines from the Duke [of Wellington] enjoining Burghersh to continue his journey, have relieved our uncertainties. When you are able to start, if you have to rest, let it be in Paris : there is nowhere one can be more to oneself, and after London it is the town which offers most resources of all kinds. You must have been very much touched by the affection the Duke has shown you. Those great men are not so far removed from us in their feelings as they are in their intellects, and when the occasion arises they show themselves tender, affectionate, and careful ; and so in taking part * Lady Burghersh had had a severe illness at Apsley House. Lord Burghersh was obliged to leave her there, to return to his post at Florence. 3 34 LONDON AND WALMER [1826- in the common life they are better satisfied with them- selves, and we become more attached to them by the high value we set on their kindness. After this long tirade, give him my respects, and add that I rejoice at the success of his St. Petersburg journey and the good it has done to his health. . . . Put an end to your '33,000 and one disgrazie.'* Be as sound in body as you are in mind, and continue to me a little of the kindness and friendship I have enjoyed ever since I have had the happiness of knowing you. Prince Talleyrand to Lady Burghersh. 1834. Dearest Lady Burghersh, I have heard through Lady Clanricarde that you have been confined, and have a daughter, as you wished, and are well; and it seems to me, with some reason, that I should have had this news from yourself. Though I am past the age of illusions, I had nevertheless given way to this one. I should like to hear of your going to Naples as Ambassadress, that you would pass through Paris, and that on your way to Italy you would come to Valen^ay ; but I am afraid I may be again deceiving myself. You will have heard that I have sent in my resig- nation ; it is true that it was sent to the King on November 13. My health, my legs worse than usual, the death of an old friend — all these together have combined to make me take this step. Life in Paris enters little into my future plans. I shall stay a good deal at Valen9ay, and a good deal at Rochecotte. I shall not go much to any watering-place. Where is the use of waters to such an old body as mine? * ' Misfortunes' (quotation from ' Figaro'). 1840] PRINCE TALLEYRAND 35 Alava* would have acted more wisely if he had come to the same conclusion as I have. He leads too active a life. . . . {Unfinished^ January 4, 1835. I have been ill enough to make writing difficult. I am told that I am better, and am willing to believe it in order to ask for news of you, and of what is to become of you. Are you going to Berlin ? (the news- paper says so). Are you going to the South ? The latter seems to me what you would prefer, both as regards your tastes and your health. Our news from London consists only of conjectures, but I am too old to be satisfied with mere imaginary predictions. I want to learn, from those friends on whose good judgment I can rely, what I am to believe, and what I am to say to all the eager inquirers Paris is full of. I have just been reading the clever and honourable words of Mr. Peel,t and that is the point I have arrived at. Can you help me to see a little into the future ? Alava is here for a few days, and is staying with me ; you will find him younger and livelier than ever. His warm heart and his intelligence are all alive. He will be in London next week — that is, January 10. Tell me something of the Duke's health. Nature exhausted herself in 1769; when she sent him into the world ; to-day we have no man — at least, on this side of the water— of his calibre, or even anything approaching it. Our King is almost the only one of our governing men who has any really great intellec- tual superiority. I intend leaving Paris about the middle of January, * A Spanish General who had served with the Dulce of Wellington. t This probably refers to the Tamworth Manifesto which Peel issued after his sudden summons to return from Rome to form his first Ministry. 3—2 36 LONDON AND WALMER [1826- probably about the isth or 20th. I want to get into the country. The exciting life in Paris does not attract me. I have heard nothing of the Hollands; I suppose they are much agitated. Here we are still without any Ambassador in London. I fancy Monsieur de St. Aulaire, who is now at Vienna, has the best chance. He is not yet in Paris, but his wife expects him on the 9th or loth. I shall hear of you through Monsieur de Bacourt,* who is to arrive shortly. Adieu ; much kind remembrance, and my compliments to Lord Burghersh. Lady Burghersh to Lord Burghersh. London, Sunday, July 19, 1835. My Dearest, I begin to-day for to-morrow's post. I got yesterday morning your first letter from Bareges of Saturday, the 9th, so it is just a week coming. It makes my heart sink to think of the distance, but I trust in God that I shall have nothing but good accounts, and that it will completely succeed. I am myself a great deal better, though I have not quite shaken off the cold, and therefore I have not yet been out ; but I hope to take a drive to-morrow, and be able to go to Walmer Tuesday. I am very much vexed to have been stopped, because the last four days have been much the finest and warmest we have had this year, and I grudge losing them. The emetic did wonders for Ernest, and has entirely relieved the chest; and as that is the only thing that made me uneasy, I have decided they shall all go on Tuesday with Mr. Hood,t whether I am able to go or not. * A French diplomat and literary executor to Tallejrand. t The tutor. 1840] WELLINGTON AND REFORM 37 They have all been properly prepared with 'black doses,' and I make sure the change of air will set them up.* Pritt never was better; but there are no signs of teeth. The Duke of Wellington paid me a long visit yester- day. He stayed nearly two hours, and as we were alone (excepting the first quarter of an hour, when mamma was here), I hope he found me agreeable. Nothing can be so kind as he is. He talked a great deal on all subjects. You know pretty well his opinions; but I was particularly struck with the mildness of his manner and expressions when talking of Peel, lamenting his peculiarities and his ' woeful want of spirit,' but without any asperity, and saying that, after all, great allowance should be made, for the difficulties of conducting the Government since the Reform Bill are enough to appal and weary most people. I don't think he himself knows whether Peel would come to the point or not if called upon, but he has no doubt should he do so and dis- solve (as he must), on meeting again he would find his numbers very much increased, notwithstanding which, he says, very great difficulties would still be found. He told me a conversation he had had lately with the King, which was curious to me, as it tallied exactly with what Fred L.1: had told me the day before. The King told the Duke that he had a great regard for Lord Melbourne, as he ' always found him a gentle- man,' but that his hatred and bad opinion of all the rest was such that he never would see or speak to them, and that he desired all communications to him * After whooping-cough. t Her daughter Rose. X Frederick Lamb, afterwards Lord Beauvale. 38 LONDON AND WALMER [1826- might be made through Lord Melbourne. John Russell in particular he said he would never speak to. Fred had said to me that he believed the King so abhorred his present situation that, if he could not get the Tories to come forward, he believed he would rather try Radicals at once, so as to get rid of the Whigs. I asked the Duke, and he said no ; nothing, he was sure, would ever induce him to hear of one of them. The Duke has not yet looked over your papers, because he told me they had not yet decided how they should treat the matter in the House of Lords. He wishes to wait to see what is done in the House of Commons, and then he shall consult F. L.* and call a meeting of some of his principal people and decide how to treat the Bill ;t and if they determine on trying to amend it, then he will consider your plan. I had a note from F. L. (supposing I was going out of town Friday), and he says : ' I can't say anything to you about B.'s papers, as it is not yet decided if we shall allow the Bill to be read a second time; but as soon as I have anything to tell you I will write to you at Walmer.' I have begged him also to write to you straight. Monday. I go on with my letter to-day, for the common post, and shall write again to-morrow through the F.O. to tell you (I hope) that I am off to Walmer. I am now going out, and the day is so fine and warm that I have no doubt [if it is fine to-morrow I shall be able to go. I am a good deal pulled by my cold, having had some fever, and I think the change of air will do me much good. . . . * Frederick Lamb. t On Corporation Reform, and introduced by Lord Melbourne's Government, which had succeeded Sir R. Peel's. 1840] LIFE AT WALMER 39 The children all desire 1,000 loves and messages, and Julian 'will have his love sent alone and not mixed up with the rest,' and he thinks you had better write to mamma every day, as it will make her happier. God bless you, dearest ! Lady Burghersh to Lord Burghersh. Walmer Castle, Dearest, Septembers, 1835. You will be glad to hear that I have to-day re- ceived the kindest letter that ever was from the Duke, saying that my staying on here with my family will be the greatest pleasure he can have, and it is impossible that any children of mine can be any annoyance to him. He says he has not asked anybody here. He will let me know as soon as he knows himself when he shall come. This, as you may believe, has made me very happy — both as a proof of great kindness in him, and as an essential advantage to the children to remain here instead of going back to London in this fine weather ; and the cordiality of his letter prevents me from feeling any of those scruples which you know I am apt to have at the idea of forcing myself and children on anyone. Papa went back to town this morning, and thinks he shall return with mamma the end of the week to take possession of his house. This will, of course, be most agreeable to me. I was pleased with his kindness to the children, and the notice he took of them all, as being such good and agreeable children, or (as he expressed it) ' the best- conditioned children he ever saw.' He also took very much to George, and was very kind indeed to him. It is a great delight to think that everybody likes them. There is a great deal of intercourse with the boys and 40 LONDON AND WALMER [1826- Sir H. H.'s* family, and Sir Henry himself has taken the most particular fancy to Julian, whom he says is ' the most charming child he ever saw.' I really think the sea-bathing agrees very much with George; certainly, it has never caused any of the effects (head- ache and cold feelings) which it has done formerly, and he delights in it. I received yesterday your letter of the 30th. Your foresight and correct judgment of Peel and his line of conduct are so extraordinary that I read it to papa, and he and I agreed that you must have second-sight, for you exactly hit the motives and actions which actually happened. You will know by the post which carries this the result of last night, and whether the Bill passed, which seemed doubtful, although the general opinion was that it would pass. I shall not know till to-morrow. Lady Jersey has written to tell me about the daughter of a man Lord J. is very much interested about, and wants to get into the Academy of Music. I have sent her a letter to Mr. Hamilton, which I believe is the best thing to do. Lady J.'s tone is all conciliatory. She says Peel's behaviour has caused some discontent, but she hopes it will soon be done away with and not make any division. . . . There is nothing in the Times to-day worth sending you, except a report of a meeting of the Radical Parochial Association of St Giles's, which is so amusing that I will fill up my sheet by copying it out, to save you paying the double post if I cut it out and enclose it : ' Mr. Rogers in the chair. The Society, in reading the minutes of their proceedings, noticed that certain expenses (;^3) had been incurred in convening the * Sir Henry Hardinge, afterwards Lord Hardinge. 1840] A RADICAL MEETING 4.1 recent meeting upon the Corporation Bill and advertis- ing the resolutions adopted on that occasion. Mr. Newberry, one of the Association, a staunch Radical and no friend to the Bishop of London, whose palace the good man is always quarrelling with, rose and spoke as follows : ' " Mr. Chairman, I don't see how this here Bill can do any good to the country at large ; it's all werry well to a few shop-keepers or those that want to get a seat in the Council, but it's not a bit of use to nobody else." ' A Member (with much warmth) : " Why, it will give us the appointment of the Magistracy." ' Mr. Newberry (with much good humour) : " Ah ! to be sure. Git your own Magistrates, yes — why, what's the difference ? Suppose a friend of yours is carried afore Sir F. Roe. Why, if he's a hinnocent man, he'll dismiss him — no Magistrate can't do more ; and if you was for to choose yer own Magistrate, mayhaps may be you'd pick out a stupid sort of a chap what lived next door to you because he was your neighbour. It's all as I said, all werry well to the shop-keepers, but not to nobody else. Some people says the Lords has made the Bill bad — why, it was in a prime state afore it went to the Lords I People was to have a three years residence. As to the Lords mangling it, why, it was mangled afore it went there, and these here precious Whigs let it be so, because they didn't want it to pass. As you know it won't do, what's the use of spending the ;^3 to call a public meeting to tell the people how this here Bill was going on ? It's all a farce ! If these here Whigs was sincere, why didn't they bring this here Bill forrard at the first part of the Sessions ? No ! no ! they let 'em 42 • LONDON AND WALMER [1826- have all the supplies, and then they come with this 'ere Bill. If you want to put the saddle on the right horse, put it on Sir John Russell, and not on the Peers. The Peers have got just what they wanted, and nobody won't get nothing while these pretty little figures, 800,000,000, stares us in the face, and wheat's 3s. lod. per bushel." ' It is singular that nobody ventured any observation on Mr. Newberry's statement of fact' I hope this will amuse you. I am in great anxiety for another letter from you, to know if I have done right in directing to Bordeaux. I think I must be right, but wish you had given explicit directions. We are all perfectly well. God bless you, my dearest ! I need not have written so small, but mis- calculated the length of the paragraph. I cut off some of this sheet to make it lighter. Visit of the King and Queen of the Belgians with Princess Victoria to the Duke of Wellington at Walmer. Lady Burghersh to Lord Burghersh. Walmer Castle, Monday, October 5, 1835. My Dearest, The party being over and the Royalties gone back to Ramsgate, I have just time to write you a few lines. First I must say that mamma passed a very good night, and continues to go on very well indeed, thank God ! Everything went off very well indeed to-day. The day was beautiful. The Duke desired me to do the honours as if I was the lady of the house. The King and Queen* arrived exactly at two in the same carriage * Of the Belgians. 1840] ROYAL VISIT TO WALMER 43 with the Duchess of Kent and Princess Victoria. The Duke and I went to meet them on the drawbridge, and brought them to the outside staircase to the ramparts (where nearly all the company were already assembled), the lower battery firing a salute. The scene was beautiful : the whole of the beach in front of the castle and the roads, leading to Deal and to the village filled with people; all the colours hoisted at the different places along the coast, and on the ships, of which, fortunately, there were quantities in the Downs. The only drawback was that we were disappointed of getting a band from Canterbury, so that there was no music. After walking about the ramparts and speaking to the company, the King and Queen went with the Duke round the garden ; but as Princess Victoria had a little cold she was afraid of going out, so I stayed in the drawing-room with her and the Duchess of Kent, and baby * was brought in and behaved like a little angel, and was much admired. She was sent for again afterwards to see the Queen. As the crowd outside were eager to see Princess Victoria, I asked the Duchess of Kent if she thought she might come out for a moment to show herself, and I fetched my ermine tippet for her, which she put on, and came out on the rampart and was very much cheered. The luncheon was very handsome, and the table did very well laid in the two rooms for forty people. The Duke took the Queen, and had the Duchess of Kent on the other side. Leopoldt took me and sat opposite the Duke, with Princess Victoria on the other side. I must say nothing could be so cordial and kind as his reception of me, and all his conversation at table. He said he always con- sidered you and me as his oldest and best friends, and * Rose Fane. + King of the Belgians. 44 LONDON AND WALMER [1826- that all the most interesting periods of his life were associated with recollections of us, and that he felt ' not only affection and real interest, but very great gratitude to us, who had been real and kind friends to him when he was in different situation,' and a great deal more of the same kind. He inquired a great deal about you, and asked if ' you could not be tempted to take Brussels on your way home, as nothing would give him so much pleasure as to see you there.' I told him I would write to you what he said, and that I was sure, if you possibly could, you would go to see him, as you had often wished to do it, but that you might be obliged to return to England straight (which I said to leave you a loophole to do what you like). But he said so much that I think you had better write to him whatever you decide to do. The Queen is very like her mother,* and still more like the old King of Naples (Nasone), and therefore not handsome ; but she has an agreeable countenance and a nice fresh com- plexion and very good manners. She speaks English perfectly. When they went away, the Duke and I went down to the entrance again and put them in their carriage, and the mob cheered very much, and as soon as they drove off they gave ' one cheer more for His Grace.' Louisaf looked uncommonly pretty, and was beautifully dressed and much noticed, and George also. There were nearly loo people. Mary and her daughter Caroline came from Margate; Emily and Fitz, the Cadogans, Macdonalds, Lady Aldboro, the Ellisons, etc., from Dover. All the Deal Castle people, and the Delawars and Hardinges from here. I have not time for another word, but that I got * Amelie, daughter of Caroline, Queen of Naples, t Louisa Fane. 1840] WELLINGTON AND PEEL 45 to-day together your two letters of 29th and 30th from Bordeaux. God bless you, my dearest ! Lady Burghersh to Lord Burghersh. My Dearest, Monday, January, 1836. I found the Duke on Saturday evening, and stayed an hour and a half with him. He was particularly amiable and cordial to me. He told me he was not sure if he should be able to leave town yesterday or not, so I called again yesterday and he said he was delighted to see me, and when I got up he proposed to walk through the Park with me, which he did, and then came home with me ; so I have had a deal of conversation with him, all of which I* thought very satisfactory. His tone is very different from what it was at Walmer, both as to Peel and to his general impressions at the state of things, which are now certainly not desponding. He told me of his interview with Peel at Bretby,* and said he found him very cordial, very anxious to pull well with him, and that he really believed their opinions now completely agreed in every particular. I think his reasons against having an Amendment t in the Lords are quite unanswerable. Whether the House of Commons will move one will depend on what Peel hears when he comes to town. The upshot oi all the Duke said is that he feels confident the game is in our hands, and that all he wishes is to keep people patient, and not to spoil things by being in a hurry. Indeed, his very words were : ' We are in a revolution, but I now see the end of it. Perhaps we * Bretby, Lord Chesterfield's house hear Burton-on-Trent, where the Duke and Sir R. Peel had recently met. + To the Address. The Duke of Wellington in the Lords and Sir R. Peel in the Commons moved amendments to the clause for apply- ing the principles of the Municipal Corporation Act to Ireland. 46 LONDON AND WALMER [1826- may have a little difficulty with our own people, but I don't think we shall — I am sure I, can command the House of Lords,' etc. From all said, I infer that he thinks it would be wiser to wait to attack the Govern- ment upon some legislative measure, but that he would not be averse to a coup de main if circum- stances should make such a thing to be practicable. He showed me his answer to Matuscewitz,* and I could not help telling him, when Fitzroyt showed me M.'s letter, I said to him that, though a very well- written letter, it gave me but a bad opinion of his, M.'s judgment ; for that, instead of denying the de- spatchjt he ought to have hung his justification on the date and the impossibility of his then forming any opinion of the Duke, except from what was told him by the L.'s. (Fitzroy was also struck at my opinion and the Duke's so exactly coinciding.) The Duke's letter altogether is admirable. He told me to tell Pozzo§ of it. We talked a great deal about all the Russian business. There are many things I can't write, but that will amuse you to hear when we meet, both of what passed with the Duke and me, and also with Hardinge, who talks to me very confidentially, and who consulted me beforehand as to Peel asking the Duke (to Drayton). But this, of course, is not to be breathed to a soul (least of all to the Duke), as all the grace of the thing would be lost if not supposed to be spontaneous. But it is curious how I, living so retired a life in my chimney-corner, should somehow get mixed * A Russian diplomat. t Lord Fitzroy Somerset. % In 183s the diplomatic world was much agitated by the publica- tion in London of a pamphlet called the 'Portfolio,' containing extracts from despatches found in the official archives during the Polish insurrection, containing many highly indiscreet revelations. § Then Russian Minister in London. 1840] FAMILY NEWS 47 up with many important secrets. I suppose because, thank God I I keep out of tracasseries. I am glad I have had the interest of talking with the Duke these two days, for my heart is very sore about those dear little boys;* I had no idea it would have been so hard a trial to me. I know it is for their good, and I certainly rejoice that they are well placed for their sakes ; but it is a dreadful wrenching away from them. I shall hear from them this evening. I have no doubt they will be as happy there as at any school, and I think Francis will have no regrets ; but I know Ernest has so feeling and affectionate a heart that I am certain the separation from me and from home will cost him a great deal. Julian certainly is the most charming little fellow that ever breathed. Such a mixture of feeling and sense ! I can see that he is thinking of his brothers all day long, and tears come into his eyes very often at any- thing that refers to them, and yet he talks like a little man, of the advantage to them, etc. Poor Moore,t who has plenty of feeling and no sense, has never ceased crying since they went, and is quite ill, which distresses me much for her, poor creature I Of course she misses them at all hours of the day and night. The Duke talked to me a great deal, and in the kindest manner, particularly as regards your conduct to your father, which he says is quite extraordinary. 'In short,' he said, ' I believe that B. is as much attached to me as anybody, and that I have as much influence over him as anybody. Well, I am convinced that, if I was to propose anything to him, or advise him to do anything unknown to his father (much less if he thought his father would dislike it), I'm certain nothing would induce him to do it. I am sure he would throw * Her sons gone to school. + The old nurse. 48 LONDON AND WALMER [1826- me over, if, it was even a question of displeasing his father, and I consider this the stronger proof of his extraordinary attachment and deference for his father.' However, he continued, he was only supposing a case, for nothing, he thought, could be wiser than your con- duct to him. He told me he had invited Lord W. to dine with him on the 3rd. I enclose a letter from Lady Jersey, which I again opened, thinking it was meant for me. She refused going to Peel's before there was any idea of the Duke's going there, and so did Lord Rosslyn, which, I have no doubt, they both now regret. If you go there, be careful what you say about Pozzo, for she has written to him several times to ask what he thinks of the Port- folio. He did not answer her at first, but to-day he told me that, having received another letter pressing him, he had answered : ' Que voulez-vous que je vous disc sur des publications scandaleuses et frauduleuses excepte que nous sommes dans le sifecle des scandales !' He is so determined not to give an opinion that he will not look into the archives here, where he knows he should find the despatches, in order that he may be able to say with a little more truth that he knows nothing about them. Mr. Arbuthnot has written to me to tell you he should be ,happy if you would sleep at his house on your way to town (supposing you to go to town from Apethorpe or the neighbourhood). He did not know where to direct to you. He very kindly sent a turkey to Ernest and Francis. The Duke meant to stop at Fern Hill to-day on his way to Strathfieldsaye, and to sleep to-morrow night at Middleton to divide the journey to Peel's. You will be sure to let me know where to direct to you. God bless you ! 1840] MADAME DE LIEVEN 49 Count Pozzo di Borgo to Lady Burghersh. Paris, August 16, 1837. Your elections occupy much everyone I see ; their importance is both local and European. They con- found the most experienced politicians, who dare not calculate their results. It is generally thought that the political apathy you speak of will [illegible] nobody, and they will persist in sailing the ship, or rather the plank, which is bound to be wrecked. The direction taken by so desperate a course makes the boldest tremble under the circumstances, all the more as these who are venturing on the experiment do not know the consequences of such a course. The marriage you speak of is worse than, in these times, a man should venture on. Be it said that the corruption of the heart, when it reaches a certain point, takes away the intelligence even of those most gifted. I have not seen Madame de Lieven ;* she fled from England, and arrived at Abbeville. She thought herself dying ; sent an express to the Austrian Secretary, Thun, who was then at Boulogne : ' Come, sir, and receive my last sigh.' The gentleman starts, and finds the dying lady has left for Paris. The same message to Pagher- port : ' Come with a doctor.' Just as they are preparing to sta^rt, the lady appears in the Rue de Rivoli ! There are saner people in Bedlam ! However, she is now installed — receiving, arguing, and very much bored with herself. Prince Talleyrand to Lady Burghersh. Paris {Probably 1837). It is a long time since I have recalled myself to your recollection. I have often wanted to do so, but I was * Fdrmerly Russian Ambassadress in London. 4 50 LONDON AND WALMER [1826- unwell, and liked to be alone, and all that makes one rather cross — and crossness is a bad state of mind in which to write, especially to one of the people one likes best and appreciates most — and then, what could I write about? I know nothing of what is going on in the world; everything is diminishing, and my eyes are no longer strong enough to read the very small print of to-day. I do not read— I only reread— and thus I saw in an old book that Leibnitz used to say that ' there is for every age a degree of ambition which Nature itself tells us we cannot exceed.' I have attained the age when one is good for nothing, and I obey the dictates of Nature, and so I take no part in anything that is going on. I even hear it all only a little late. Lady Burghersh to Lord Burghersh. Friday, January 31, 1840. My Dearest, ... I have a curious story to tell you to-day. Just as I was sealing my letter to you yesterday, a letter was brought to me from Lord Melbourne with ' Immediate ' upon it. I can't send it to you, because the Duke has not returned it to me, but this is the tenor of its contents : That he wished very much to see me ; he was in the greatest embarrassment and anxiety to know what the Duke intended to do to-night upon the Precedency Question. Could no arrangement be come to with the Duke to avert most serious and fearful consequences — such as should not be caused by such a question ? This is as nearly as I recollect it. I sent it directly to the Duke, and wrote with it that I thought I had better see him as well as hear from him, .before I 1840] WELLINGTON AND MELBOURNE 51 answered Lord Melbourne. He came directly. He said : ' This puts me into a very great embarrassment. Lord Lyndhurst and most of the other principal persons in the House of Lords are gone out of town (having a holiday to day), and without consulting them I cannot enter into any sort of negotiations or under- standing with Lord Melbourne. If Lord Lyndhurst was in town, I would consult him directly, as I think myself that an arrangement might be come to which would satisfy the Queen, and be just to the Royal Family also ; but then I don't know that I could carry the House of Lords with me, so very strong is the feeling against the Bill, and it is impossible for me to hint at such a thing to Lord Melbourne without the knowledge and consent of the party. Indeed, it would be highly disagreeable to the party, and probably very imprudent, if I should lend myself to any communica- tion with Lord Melbourne out of the House of Lords ; and it is a matter of great consideration and prudence how far you may go in talking or writing to him — as from yourself— about my intentions and views. At the same time, I should be very sorry to give Lord Melbourne any reason to suppose that I am indifferent to wounding the Queen's feelings, or that I am actuated by any motive but justice and anxiety for her ultimate welfare,' etc. I told him that I was rejoiced to hear what he said. Knowing the importance of his not giving in to Lord Melbourne, and that I certainly felt rather averse to having much to do with him — as I thought his conduct last year had not corresponded to his pro- fessions to me— still, I thought it was better that I should convey to him (as from myself) anything that could tend to allay the Queen's anger against the 4—2 52 LONDON AND WALMER [1826- Duke, and keep the Duke clear of anything like an understanding with him. We had a conversation of an hour and a half, and I thought him most wise in all he said — extremely mild, but very much determined to stick by the party. I was pretty well in possession of the case — as he had the day before entered into it very fully — and told me of his correspondence with the King of Hanover, and of all the difficulties that surrounded the question, one of which is that the two Dukes (Sussex and Cambridge), having written their consent to the Queen, now say they understood it was for her life only — and the Bill makes it for his, which they won't consent to. We agreed upon the answer which I wrote to Lord Melbourne, and which was this : That I had seen the Duke, and learnt from him that, though he had not seen any of the Lords since Monday last, his notion was to pass the second reading of the Bill this day, and to make such alterations as might be found necessary in the Committee ; that my own impression was that he was very unwilling to do anything to embarrass the Government ; but that he appeared to me to consider that the question at present stood upon very awkward grounds. I added I should always have pleasure in seeing him if he called. The Duke considers his note to me as indicative of a falling to pieces, and that the fearful consequences he alludes to means that she might send for any other person than him (the Duke) when the Ministry resign. My own opinion is that they will hold on, whatever happens, till after the marriage. The Duke's intention in passing the second reading to-night is to show that he does not want to delay the 1840] THE PRECEDENCY QUESTION 53 Bill, and to give time for him to consult with his Lords. His idea of an arrangement would be to grant him the precedency during the Queen's life only, and always with the exception of the Heir Presumptive or Apparent. But he said he should not adopt it unless he found a general satisfaction amongst the Peers, and he knows there are two divisions of his supporters, both, for different reasons, equally violent against granting the precedence. CHAPTER III 1842 — 1847: BERLIN In 1 841 the Tory Government came into power again under Sir Robert Peel, and Lord Burghersh was appointed Minister at Berlin. In the same year he succeeded his father, Lord Westmorland, who died in December ; and as it became necessary for Lord and Lady Burghersh to remain in England for some months to settle their affairs, it was not until August, 1842, that they set out to take up their residence permanently in Berlin, where they were to remain for nine years. En route they stopped at Cologne, where the King of Prussia and a great gathering of German royalties and statesmen were assembled for a festival in honour of the restoration of Cologne Cathedral, and from thence went on to stay with the Duke of Saxe-Coburg- Gotha (whose acquaintance, as well as that of his brother Leopold, they had made in Germany in 18 13) at a shooting-lodge in the Thuringian Hills, finally arriving at Berlin on October i. The first letter from there is to Mr. Hood, the tutor with whom George and Julian Fane had been left, who remained an inti- mate friend of the family throughout his life. Lady Westmorland came to England every summer during her mother's life, and her letters to her husband during these visits are full of the social and political talk of the day, and throw many curious sidelights on the inner working of political wheels, which just at this period were much complicated, both at home and abroad. In Prussia, King William IV., on his accession (1840), had promised a Constitution to the country ; but there were many difficulties in carrying out this project, owing to the strong Conservative instincts of the 54 JOHN FANE, LORD BURGHERSH, AFTERWARDS ELEVENTH EARL OF WESTMORLAND. From the engraving" by M. Colnaghi of picture by Sanders. To /ace page 54. 1842-1847] BERLIN 55 aristocracy. Baron Bunsen, the Prussian Minister in London, and a favourite with the King, was known to be urging him in the direction of advanced Liberalism, to which the Prince of Prussia (afterwards Emperor William I.] and most of the Court party were opposed. This explains Baron Bunsen's conversation with Lady Westmorland. In 1847 the Constitution was granted, and the first Prussian Parliament met in Berlin. Other letters from London in 1845 deal with Queen Victoria's first visit to Germany, in August, 1845, when she stayed with the King of Prussia on the Rhine, on the way to Coburg. She had seen the Prince of Prussia in England in 1844, but this was her first meeting with the Princess. In 1846 the agitation about the Corn Laws reached a climax. Sir Robert Peel carried the repeal in the teeth of the opposition of his usual supporters. In revenge they drove him from office by supporting the Radicals in defeating an Irish Coercion Bill. The anger of the old Tories was very deep against him for his praise of Cobden, whose attacks on the landed interest had caused very great resentment. Mr. Gladstone — as appears by his biography — shared this disapproval. Lady Westmorland to Mr. Hood. Berlin, October 16, 1842. I continue to read the Sunday's service, and my congregation is always joined by my lord as well as the secretaries, which gives me great pleasure. They act as clerks with the assistance of Rose. Both Rose and I begin to pick up a good deal of German. I have got a master, and have taken a German nursery-maid for her. October, 1842. \First part missing.'] . . . the death of my dear uncle, Lord Wellesley.* I never doubted the truth of the * Marquis Wellesley, the Duke's eldest brother. 56 BERLIN [1842- report, on account of his great age, and as I had heard that he was unwell, though my parents were not alarmed about him. The next day (yesterday) con- firmed the intelligence, which grieves me sadly, for I loved and revered him, and he was ever most kind and affectionate to me. Besides which, I cannot bear to think of the first beginning of the breaking up of all those brothers, who are now all so far advanced in life ; and I know it will be a severe blow to my lather and mother, who were both excessively attached to Lord Wellesley. This event, of course, has prevented my going out or seeing anybody. I passed ten days with the Duke of Coburg,* partly at Coburg, and partly at his different hunting-seats in the neighbourhood of Coburg and of Gotha, and we paid two visits to Gotha with him. I was charmed with all his possessions, the beauty of the country, the kindness and hospitality of the Duke, and the familiar and friendly footing he is on with every class of the people. We were on Sunday with him at Oberhoff, a small hunting-lodge of the highest part of the Thuringian Mountains, where we had gone for a chase on Satur- day, and we went to the little village church, the con- gregation entirely composed of the peasants of the village. The service (in German) is like the Scotch service. I could not understand the whole sermon, but I could follow a good deal of it, and I was much pleased with the manner of the priest and the de- meanour of the congregation. The Duke said the sermon was excellent, and very well adapted to the congregation. * Father of Prince Albert. 1847] THE KING OF HANOVER 57 The King of Hanover io Lady Westmorland. Hanover, January 9, 1844. Dear Lady Burghersh, As you informed me in your last letter, which I received this day week, that you proposed accompany- ing your worthy spouse to pay a visit to the Duke of Coburg, where I did not choose to spoil your pleasure, and the various amusements at his Court, I postponed replying to your kind and friendly letters till I con- ceived you had returned back to Berlin. I therefore now venture to obtrude myself upon your attention, and I do so the more as, alas ! I fear I have little hopes of getting to Berlin at this moment. Unfortunately, the obstinacy, weakness, not to say ill-will, of the Duke of Brunswick has given me much to do here, and, between ourselves, the Government at Berlin has allowed itself to be duped by the Duke's Govern- ment. All this has given me, gives me, and will give me, much to do, and absorbs not only much of my time, but causes me infinite worry and pain ; in short, the pleasant prospect I had given myself of going and passing three or four weeks at Berlin with my friends, and relaxing myself from my irksome and con- stant attention to business, I fear I must give up, and believe me I do it with regret ; but I cannot at this moment leave this place, especially as I am under the necessity of assembling my States here — probably next month. All this, as you may suppose, worries me very much, and does not contribute either to comfort or happiness. This being the case, I hope you will, whenever it suits you and Burghersh, come and see me here, when I will try to do my best and amuse you in this doleful place ; for you must not suppose we are 58 BERLIN [1842- as gay or as amusing as Berlin, where you have Italian operas, French plays, and a grand ballet, to feast both eyes and everything else. I hear at Gotha you had a ballet and everything delectable for mind and body ; here we are but poor and miserable creatures, and figure not to yourself anything extraordinary ; but at least one thing you may depend upon, a most hearty welcome, and Burghersh will find his rubber at whist every evening. I have excellent accounts of my sister Mary,* and also a more favourable one of Halford. The papers state that Lord Lonsdale is unwell ; I trust it is no consequence. My best regards to Burghersh, and let me hear from you very soon again, and inform me of all your amusements at Gotha. Yours faithfully. Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. [Whilst delayed at Brussels by bad weather. Lady Westmorland paid a visit to King Leopold and Queen Louise at Laeken.] Brussels, Friday, June 21, 1844. My Dearest, I have decided to wait here till to-morrow, then go to Ostend, and (if the weather favours) to go over from there on Sunday morning with Captain Smithett. The King and Queen both strongly advised me to do so, saying the vessel (which they have crossed in) is so very superior to the other packets. I am not sorry to delay going over, for yesterday it blew a hurricane here ; rained all the afternoon, and was as cold as November. To-day it is better weather, but still stormy. * Duchess of Gloucester ; died 1908. 1847] VISIT TO LAEKEN 59 I was most kindly received at Laeken. There was no one but the two Ladies-in- Waiting, and a few men, none of whom, except Van Pratt and Sir Leyton, I knew. The King looks remarkably well, and both he and the Queen were most amiable and kind. I am to go back there this morning and take Rose. The children are all much improved, and very handsome children — the little girl lovely. The King told me the news from England, of which I knew nothings — I mean about the Sugar Question.* He said Peel's management was admirable and his power immense, 'and thank God for it. Long may he preserve it for the blessing of England ! He is the only man who can govern that country now,' and a great deal more in the same strain. He had received a long letter yesterday morning from his niece t upon this sub- ject, expressing the same feeling, and saying she had been ' in perfect agony ' at the idea of P.'s being beat. She has the most entire confidence in him, and not only that, but a sincere attachment has taken the place of the dislike and prejudice she once had against him. Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Brussels, Saturday Morning, June 22, 1844. My Dearest, Having time before the train goes to Ostend, I write again. We really passed a very pleasant day at Laeken. We went at one, and did not come back until five. As soon as I arrived, the Queen sent to the * The Ministry had been defeated on a motion in favour of giving preference to Colonial sugar, but this vote was rescinded on the 17th by a majority of twenty-two. + Queen Victoria. 6o BERLIN [1842- King, telling me he had said he should leave all his business to pass the time with me comfortably. They took us all through the gardens to the children's garden, where we found a luncheon prepared under the trees, and the King and Queen and I sat there, while the children and Rose played about. The weather had quite changed since the morning, and the afternoon was beautiful. The King was excessively communicative and agreeable, and altogether I never passed a pleasanter time. They were both very kind, and desired a great many messages to you, and hope you will stop to see them on your way to England. King Louis Philippe is to go to England in Septem- ber, but the King and Queen from here will not go to meet him. The King charged me with a letter for Stockmar. He told me he wanted to send it by a sure hand, as it related to the late visit.* Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Thursday, June S, 1845. My Dearest, The adjourned debatef in the House of Lords yesterday spoilt our dinner and concert a good deal, as neither the Duke of Wellington nor the Duke of Cambridge could come to dinner; and as the Arch- bishop | (though he seemed uncommonly well) did not go to the concert. Lord Cawdor was the only Director present. There was also a disappointment — Madame Hasselt Barth (who had pleased very much, I hear, at the rehearsal) having been taken ill, and could not appear. Pischek sang most beautifully. I never * Of the Emperor of Russia to England. + On the Maynooth Bill. % Harcourt, of York. 1847] A CONCERT 6i heard Beethoven's 'Adelaide' sung with so much feeling and effect. I was much disappointed in Miss Birch. She screamed — was several times too sharp — and she loaded ' Vengo a voi ' with all sorts of frightful floriture, so that one really hardly recognized the beautiful melody, which the Duchesse Laute used to sing so well. She sang in the English glee better. The room seemed full. The Duchess of Cambridge was highly pleased with my sending her your report of the Grand Duchess, which was the first account she got of her, and she sent my note on to the Duchess of Gloucester. I saw the Duke of Wellington yesterday morning in high spirits, and very much pleased with the debate and his own speech, and with reason, for everybody says it was admirable ; and I am sure you will admire the high tone he took in giving the reasons for thinking this the time to offer conciliations. It would have been better if Sir R. had taken the same line. The Duke was quite fresh and well yesterday, though he had had no dinner of any kind, either Monday or Tuesday, thinking it better not to eat before he speaks, and fancying it too late to eat at night. I hope he won't overdo this abstemious system. Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Monday Morning, July 7, 1845. Dearest, My dinner yesterday at the Palace was very satisfactory. I went with the Duke. After dinner the Queen took me aside, and talked to me nearly the whole time till the gentlemen came in, almost all about her journey. She asked if Lord W. would not come with the King to the Rhine. I said yes, and she \aid, ' I am very glad, and pray tell him that I 62 BERLIN [1842- shall be delighted to see him.' She then said, ' I hope you will be there, too. It will give me great pleasure to see you both there.' She also said, ' I am sure you will feel as we do, and often think of the poor Duke,* who would so much have enjoyed our visit to Coburg ;' and then she went on into a long talk about him, and our visits to him, and the places we had been at together, and talked of him with the greatest feeling. I should infer, from the manner in which she talked to me of who was to be at Coburg and Gotha, naming the King and Queen of the Belgians, the Grand Duchess Julie, and how they were to be lodged — she and Prince Albert in grandmama's summer palace with her, etc. — that she intends us to be there, but I can't be sure. Queen Louise asked me if we should, and I said, ' We depend on Her Majesty's orders.' I had spoken to Leopold the other day in confidence about the Princess of Prussia, and told him how she had written to me that she could not go to Stolzenfels, because the King did not wish to have nous autres (meaning, I suppose, the Princesses), and that, as the Queen would not receive any visits at Gotha and Coburg, she was afraid she would not have any oppor- tunity of seeing her. Leopold, who is a great admirer of the Princess, said he would speak to the Queen, for that it would be monstrous for her to go to Germany and not make the acquaintance of the most accom- plished Princess there. Last night the Queen, when she took me aside out of the circle, said to me, ' I want to speak to you about the Princess of Prussia. I know she is a great friend of yours and a very charming person, and I have always made sure of seeing her at the King of Prussia's chateau, but I hear she is not to * Prince Albert's father, who died in 1844. 1847] QUEEN VICTORIA 63 be there. I told her then exactly what the Princess had written to me. She said, ' Will not the Prince of Prussia come with the King ?' I said, ' Yes ; I heard he was to be there.' She said she thought it very odd that the Princess should not come with him. What could be the reason ? I answered that it was not the custom for the Princesses to go with the King and Queen on their journeys, and that perhaps, as there was not much room, the King had not asked her, and- that she was herself so unassuming and so con- siderate to others more than herself that, great as her desire was to see the Queen, I was sure she would not put herself forward unless the King invited her. The Queen said, ' Well, I don't know what to do, for I must see her. I particularly wish it, and yet I have been obliged to decline positively seeing anybody at Coburg or Gotha except the family. If I had not, all the Princes and Princesses in Germany would have come there, and we should have no comfort what- ever. I cannot make an exception for the Princess of Prussia as such ; but if she should be at Weimar with her parents, she could come with them to Gotha as one of the family, as thiey are near relations. I said, ' May I write and tell Her Royal Highness what Your Majesty has said ?' and she said, ' Oh yes ! pray do ! but I had much rather she should come to Stolzenfels.' I told all this afterwards to King Leopold, and he said, ' Don't you think, if the King of Prussia knew that the Queen wished to have the Princess of Prusssia at Stol- zenfels, he would ask her ? Could you not manage to give him a hint ?' I asked him if he thought I might venture to have it conveyed to the King ? and he said, ' Oh yes ; you can do it privately and delicately — not as from the Queen, but as what she said to you. 64 BERLIN [1842- Between you and B., I have no doubt you will do it discreetly, so I leave it to you.' I shall write a few lines to the Princess before I start, telling her what the Queen said to me; but I shall not say anything about mentioning it to the King. I believe the Queen has not talked of her journey to anybody else — certainly not to the Duchess of Cambridge; for she asked me what the Queen had been talking about to me so much, and when I said the journey, she said, ' Oh, pray tell me where is she to go,' etc. In the evening there came a smattering of people (much too few for the rooms), and we had music. The Millanolos* had great effect. The Queen spoke to me several times during the concert, and was delighted with them. Madame Dorm Grasf was very warm in her greeting of me and inquiries after you. Lord Aberdeen was not there, which I was sorry for. I can't give you an idea when Parliament will be up. Brougham (who comes to me constantly) told me he thought it would be by July 25, and the Duke last night said it would be the second week in August. But I think you will come to the Rhine, certainly, as soon as the King of Prussia comes. I shall be anxious to hear how you get at the King to commune about the Princess. I shall be glad if we can manage it. . . . Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. London, My Dearest, Sunday, July 13, 1845. Yesterday I dined at Sir R. Peel's with a large party, Cambridges, Dietrichsteins, Sotomayor, R. Fagel, * Two young girls who had great success as violinists. + A celebrated singer of the day. 1847] DINNER AT PEEL'S 65 etc. I sat between the Duke of Cambridge and Dedel. After dinner Sir Robert came to sit by me, and talked to me more than ever he did before, and I own I thought him extremely agreeable. He talked a great deal about the Queen, with a great deal of feeling and attachment, and admiration of her talents and quali- ties. Also of politics abroad, particularly of Belgium and Prussia. I went after dinner to Lady Palmerston's, who had some amateur music. I was disappointed at not meet- ing Lord Aberdeen at dinner — not that I think it at all n^essary that he should write to you. What the Queen said to me makes your position quite certain. The Queen goes to-morrow to the Isle of Wight, and comes to town again to see King Leopold off, and then is to return to the Isle of Wight ; but I suppose she will be obliged to come back when the King of Holland comes. I went this morning to the Hanover Chapel to hear your service, which I had asked for. It was very well done. The anthem, ' My God, my heart is fully bent,' sung by Miss Messent well, but I don't much like her voice. Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. July, 1845. Bunsen began by asking me how the King and Prince of Prussia were together now. I said I be- lieved very well ; they all seemed on most aflFectionate terms. He said he had been very anxious to see me ; knowing the great intimacy and confidence that existed between the Prince and Princess of Prussia and me, he was sur6 I knew a great deal of their feelings, and that upon that subject he had no means of ever hear- S 66 BERLIN [1842- ing the truth, and that it was most interesting to him, as so much of the King's happiness and the welfare of the country depended on the Prince coming to the King's views, and not allowing himself to be swayed by the very bad entourage, he had people who wished to separate him from the King and make a tool of him ; that his good sense and talents were great, but that he often allowed those persons too much influence over him. I said I had no idea of any such wish on the part of any of those about the Prince, nor had I ever heard of anything of the sort. I dis- claimed knowing anything of the rapports between the King and Prince, but said I did know that the Prince was not (as had been supposed) averse to all change, as both you and I had heard him speak in a way we both thought most sensible and reasonable on the subject. On this he entered at large on the subject. He said it had been said and supposed that he (B.) had been the person who had originated the idea and incited the King to think of giving a Constitution — that it was no such thing — that the King never men- tioned the subject in any way to him till the last time he went to Berlin, when the King told him his mind was very uneasy, a^id that he wanted his opinion. Bunsen then told him that he (the King) was already losing much of his popularity, that there was much discontent throughout his dominions, and that — especially in the Rhenish Provinces — if there should ever be a war with France, he would lose them in a week. That he must remember he had no army. He had fine troops to show at reviews and parades now in time of peace, but if war came he could not reckon upon a regiment. The King said if there should be a war, and he was to call upon his people, 1847] TALK WITH BUNSEN 67 he believed they would rise and follow him as they had done his father. Bunsen told him he was entirely mistaken. He did not believe they would stir for him. That the opinions he had always expressed, and the hope he had given on his accession, not having been followed up by action of any kind, had seriously diminished the confi- dence and attachment of his own subjects and of all Germany. A great deal more in the same strain he told me he had said (and I have no doubt he drove the poor King half wild), and it ended in the King desiring him to put upon paper his ideas as to what he ought to do. Bunsen then wrote his project of a Constitution. He assured me that his project contained only such changes as were become absolutely necessary, and would be most certainly forced from the King if he did not concede them. But that he was most anxious, if anything was done, to do at once all that could or ever was intended to be done ; to let it be well understood and declared that the first measure was to be final and the only one, to put an end at once to any further expecta- tions or demands (and on this he said he differed from the Prince of Prussia, who, in his conversations with him in England, seemed to wish, if anything was done, it should be done bit by bit). But, Bunsen said, above all things he advised the King not to think of making any change or declaration until he had made prepara- tions, and most particularly two preparations. The first, to form round him an aristocracy who would protect and support his power ; and to do that he must conciliate and bring near him the fifteen or sixteen men of high birth and property belonging to the different provinces, who now never came near Berlin or took any part in the Government. These men 5—2 68 BERLIN [1842- should not only be brought near the King's person, but should, as much as possible, be made part of the Government. Next, the King must provide for the payment of the Church, for he would never get the States to do that. He went into a good many more details, which are not necessary to repeat, the interest- ing part being how all this was received. He said the King was thoroughly convinced of the justness and truth of all he said — that he was a man of the quickest intelligence and the most conscientious wish to do right, but that he had a natural backwardness to act. However eager he was upon any project, he always had a difficulty at the moment of executing ; and, of course, this was very much increased when there were suchireal difficulties to be got over as the opposi- tion of Austria and Russia, the opinions of many persons he was accustomed to respect, and, above all, the objections of the Prince of Prussia. I said : 'But you say that, when the Prince was here, he agreed to all your principles, only wished them to be carried out by degrees.' He said that when the Prince was here his intelligence seemed to have been expanded by all he saw and heard ; that he found him not only intelligent, but wise, and open to all truth ; and that he had even told him that he highly approved of the project of the Constitution Bunsen had drawn up, but that, from what he had since heard, he much feared his bad entourage had got about him since his return to Berlin, and that they had now set him entirely against the project. I then said : ' You are entirely mistaken; and though I feel I never should mention anything I hear from the Prince of Prussia to anyone, 1 cannot help telling you that just before I left Berlin I heard the Prince tell Lord Westmorland 1847] BUNSEN ON BOLOW 69 that, if any change were to take place, he considered your project by far the best' On this Bunsen jumped up, caught hold of my hand, and burst into tears ! He thanked me a thousand times for telling him, said nothing could have given him so much pleasure, paid a thousand compliments to you and me, wished the Prince and King had only such friends as us about him, etc. He said he knew what great use you were at Berlin, that Lord A. had told him on several occasions that he believed your good temper and amenity had often softened Monsieur Btilow's communications, which were sometimes of rather an offensive nature, and that the King had written to him that you had done a great deal to soften things between Berlin and Hanover, and also that you had been the means of reconciling the King of Hanover and the Duke of Brunswick. He asked me how Billow was ; said he heard he was in an uncomfortable state and very irascible ; that it was a great misfortune in a man who had to treat with Foreign Ministers — that to many he had given offence, and that he believed it was owing to some disgust at the tone of his communications that Prince Metternich had lately addressed a very long letter to the King himself, against the introduction of a Constitution, instead of through Bolow; that he (Bunsen) always thought that Billow did not sufficiently feel that the only guarantee for the safety and welfare of Prussia was in a close alliance with England ; that Bulow always had a leaning towards France, which was absurd, for that whenever war broke out in Europe, on whatever pretence, France most assuredly would immediately pounce upon the Rhenish Provinces, Russia would fall foul of Austria, and Prussia could do nothing at all between the two without England. The King 70 BERLIN [1842- knows all this very well, and is besides strongly at- tached to England ; but Bunsen has often thought that, if we had not a person so conciliating and of so much weight as Lord Westmorland at Berlin, Billow would not have kept on such good terms with our Govern- ment. He says he believes the change in the plans of the Empress of Russia and her not coming to Berlin is owing to the anger of the Emperor at the talked-of changes in the Government in Prussia. He spoke also of the supposed letter of Guizot, read by the Marquis de Dalmatie,* and said that, till Lord Aber- deen told him it had been read to you too, he thought that it had been a mystification of Billow by Monsieur Dalmatie. He can't conceive what Dalmatie (or Guizot, if he ever wrote the letter) could mean by it, for he says Lord Aberdeen showed him Guizot's despatch upon the Swiss affairs, in which there was not one word about the Conference anywhere. This is pretty nearly all he said. For myself, I did little more than listen, gave no opinion, and only told him just as much of the Prince of Prussia's conversation as would show that the idea of his entourage setting him against the project of which he approved was false. I begged he would consider what I told him of the Prince's expression about his project as in the strictest confidence, and only drawn from me by my friendship for him, and thinking it right to undeceive him as to those round the Prince. Lord Aberdeen asked me at the Duchess of Kent's if the King of Hanover was not in a very declining state ; that he heard he was excessively altered, very feeble, and almost blind. I told him the Queen had said the same thing to me in the morning, and I had * Marquis de Dalmatie, French Minister in Berlin. 1847] LORD ABERDEEN 71 told her I thought the King was pretty much the same as when he was in England, not apparently bhnder than then, and very little (if at all) aged or weaker than at that time. Lord Aberdeen said the Queen had heard it, as he had done, from Kielman- segge, who said that he had given up riding or walking, and seldom left his room. I said that might have been at the time he was ill a month ago, but that when I left him he was as I stated. Lord Aberdeen said he had behaved remarkably well towards this country. How did he get on in his own ? I said : ' Why, very well, too. He is always steady, and that is a great point in a Sovereign, because then people know a quoi s^en tenir.^ He laughed, and said: 'I suppose you are alluding to your own King, who is unsteady enough, to be sure !' I said : ' Why, it is difficult to know a quoi s'en tenir with him.' He asked : ' What does your friend the Prince of Prussia say to all that is going on ?' I said : ' I think you know exactly, for he spoke very confidentially to Burghersh, and I know B. wrote you an account of his conversation just before I left Berlin.' He said: 'Oh yes! I received that' And at that moment (we were waiting on the staircase) his carriage was announced, and he went off. Whenever I can find any reason for asking to see him, I will go after him ; but I don't think I could well go merely to pay him a visit, having seen him. Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Tuesday, June 30, 1846. Dearest, I am come home, having been a long time with the Duke arid seen Brougham and the Beauvales, and I shall tell you all I have heard which is to be de- 72 BERLIN [1842- pended upon. There was no Cabinet yesterda'y after the return of Peel. He saw only Aberdeen and Graham, and wrote a note to the Duke merely saying he should announce the change of Government in the House at five.* He (Peel) was immensely cheered by the mob (chiefly consisting of well-dressed, respectable persons) both on his way to and from the House. His carriage almost carried by the cheerers. His speech praising Cobden has caused great and general disgust. Our friends say he is mad, and consider the line he has taken very insulting to those who have eaten dirt for him. The Protectionists, of course, are morp furious than ever; and John Russell is not satisfied, as he fears this praise of Cobden will raise his pretensions, and he wants to keep as clear as he can of Radicals. The Queen wrote to J. R. on Sunday, saying she should charge him to form a Ministry ; but that, as she is not strong, she wished to postpone seeing him till to-day, and he went to her this morning. She comes to town Friday. I hear she expressed very great regret at parting with the Government. Sir J. Clark has written to Lord J. R. to say that the Queen is far from well, very nervous and low-spirited, and to beg him to make matters as easy as he can for her. This is very secret. The arrangement for places seems to be to conciliate Lord Grey, who is satisfied to remain out of office; but Sir G. Grey is to be Secretary for the Colonies, and Charles Wood Chancellor of the Exchequer; Lord Granville, Chamberlain ; the Duke of Bedford to be offered Master of the Horse. The Queen's ladies * The division against Sir R. Peel's Irish Coercion Bill was taken after a six days' sitting, on Juneias. 1847] PEEL'S POSITION 73 all to Vemain as they are, except the Duchess of Buccleiich, who goes. It is supposed that Peel will support the new Government, but will not carry anybody with him, except Aberdeen. It is positive fact that four months ago Aberdeen informed J. R. that he should have his cordial support ! If P. supports him, the Protec- tionists certainly will not, and he cannot go on with- out them or the Radicals. My uncle's opinion is that Peel has now entirely separated himself from all the rest of his friends, and that the disjointed party will come together again by next year without him. He is much disgusted and angry. The Whigs are pretty safe till next session, that is certain, as they don't mean to attempt anything Hkely to be opposed this year. The Duke will retain the Army, abstaining from giving either support or opposition in Parlia- ment, and he will not make use of your proxy. Palmerston saw Lady Beauvale yesterday, and, on her mentioning us, said : ' You may be quite easy on that point ; indeed, you have enough in writing to make you so, which I should not have given without being pretty sure on the subject. I am very glad he is gone back; it is quite right he should be at his post.' I am invited to dine with the Palmerstons on Wednesday. John goes off this evening with the horses, who were put on board this morning. I shall write to-morrow and Thursday to Berlin via Ostend. I hope to hear from you to-morrow. The Duke is very confidential ; he talks very openly. I have been to the Duchess of Gloucester's, which makes me rather late. 74 BERLIN [18-42- Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Wednesday, July i, 1846. Dearest, ... I went nowhere last night but to Grosvenor Square. I am now going to the Duke, and shall finish on my return. I did not tell you of the dinner at Brougham's on Monday. I sat between him and Lord Ellenborough. I was astounded at the foolish and absurd talk of the latter. Amongst other things, he said he was very sorry for the termination of the Oregon question,* and should have been much more so had he continued in office, for that all he wished and hoped was to settle that aff"air — not with pen and ink, but with sword ! This in a mixed company, from a Cabinet Minister hardly out of office ! Then I heard him hold forth to Mrs. Dawson, who was on the other side of him, abusing the Admiralty — the arrangement of the whole thing — the way of doing business. He said if he had remained in office he would have transmogrified the whole establishment from top to bottom. I never heard a man talk in such a reckless and wild manner. Brougham himsell was violently excited at Peel's speech, and between the two (as I told the Duke) I might ,as well have been in a room in Bedlam. I resume after coming home. . . . The Duke told me John Russell has asked for an interview with him to-morrow morning. He sup- poses it is to make arrangements about the Duke's continuance at his business (C.-in-C), which he will do, confining himself to that. He showed me the * A dispute between Great Britain and the United States as to the Oregon boundary, which had at one time threatened to be serious. 1847] WELLINGTON AND J. RUSSELL 75 Queen's letter to him. The Duke believes that Peel and Lord Aberdeen will assist John Russell in his work, but those two alone ; and he thinks Peel done for for ever. ... I dine at the Beauforts' with the Duke. I believe none of the Protectionists wilLnow sup- port John Russell. Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Thursday, July 2, 1846. Dearest, ... I sat by the Duke at dinner yesterday, who told me he had seen John Russell, who had called upon him. He was very anxious to make everything smooth for the Duke's remaining. Expressed great anxiety for his own part as well as the Queen's, and gratitude at the Duke's acquiescence — with the proviso that he, would not do anything to obstruct or to assist the rest of the concern, and that he should leave off going to the House of Lords. I must tell you that the Duke, in his answer to the Queen's most pressing and kind letter (which he showed me), said that, though he was ever ready to do anything the Queen required, he felt that on this occasion it was absolutely necessary to have, not only the complete approbation of John Russell to the arrangement, but a strong wish on his part, or that of whoever might be in his place, and this wish Russell very handsomely expressed ; so it is settled. John Russell then talked of Peel, and much lamented the praise bestowed by him,* which has so much disgusted us all. He does not seem to reckon on any real assistance from Peel. The Queen, I hear, * Peel had given great offence to the Tory party by his great praise of Cobden in the House of Commons. (See above, p. 72, and also the Queen's Letters, vol. ii., p. 83.) 76 BERLIN [1842- is very much affected at all that is passing; would not believe it at first ; did all to prevent it, and is now very much distressed. The Duke has written a letter to Peel, telling him the dismay produced by his winding up, and repre- senting to him the mischief and absurdity of the praise.* Peel is gone out of town without taking the slightest notice of the Duke or any of the others, except his friend Dalby, whom the Duke abominates. He says he ' run sulky ' two years ago (he don't know why), and has been insufferable ever since. Now for politics. The list which appeared yesterday in the Morning Post from the Times is, I believe, pretty correct. Lord Palmerston is to be in the House of Lords, because neither Lord Clarendon nor Lord Lansdowne will lead. The Queen wishes Lord Liverpool to continue Lord Steward, but he has not yet given his answer. Lord Granville is to be Cham- berlain. The Queen comes up to-day. Lord John wishes to keep clear of the Rads if he can, and still hopes for support from the Protectionist Party. As far as I can make out from what is said on all sides, I should say they would leave him quietly to end this session, but will get up a formidable opposition to him during the recess. Peel is considered to have com- pletely separated himself from the Conservative Party by his last speech, and it is thought he will form a party of his own, which will be more democratic than any of the others. Amongst the jokes going, one is that O'Connell says he shall have Peel at Conciliation Hall ! The Whigs say his praise of Cobden has given them great embarrassment ; some go so far as to say that it * Of Cobden. 1847] THE NEW MINISTRY 77 was a trick to force them to take Cobden, knowing that it would deprive them of the Protection support. We had a fine. dinner at Bunsen's; you will see the list. I always feel your absence a sad blank, but all the time I could not help feeling it was well you were away, for you would be so bored by the remarks and questions. Everybody says something provoking, ' Suppose you are gone to demenager — that I shall not go back any more,' asks, ' Who is to succeed us ?' etc. I answer that I know nothing, except that my inten- tion is to follow you in August. Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Monday, ^uly 6, 1846. Dearest, I have a good deAl to tell you since I wrote on Saturday. If you recollect poor old Al's* sobriquet of Sieti Varas, you will know who S. V. t is in future. On my return from Lady Shelley's on Saturday (which was not till eight o'clock, as I was kept so long waiting for my carriage), I found a note from my friend Adine,1: telling me that she had been desired by Palmerston to inform me that the Queen had said to Lord John Russell that she did not wish to interfere with any arrangements except in two instances — one to desire that a person might be retained in his present position, viz., S. V. ; the other request was not to , take back a former servant, of which more by-and-by. Palmerston adds. that nothing could give him more pleasure than an order which so entirely concurred with his own wishes, and, indeed, with those of Lord John ; but they had both feared they might be * Query Alava. + Lord Westmorland. J Lady B'eauvale. 7S BERLIN [1842- pressed by other claimants, and have some difficulty. Now, however, what the Queen had said settled the matter for everybody. He also desired her to tell me that the Queen particularly requested that it might not be told at present that she had desired West- morland to remain, because it would create jealousies, he (W.) being the only person of any description whom the Queen has so distinguished. I, of course, promised secrecy, and have not mentioned it to any creature except the Duke, though I burnt to tell it at Sarah's* last night, when she said 'there was a report that the Queen had desired all the servants on that establishment to be kept on, and that that, of course, wouM include Westmorland.' However, 1 held my tongue. The real fact will soon be known, I doubt not, but not by me. Nothing can be more flattering or agreeable both for the present and the future, as it shows a decided partiality on the part of the Queen ; and it certainly struck Palmerston so, for he said to Adine : ' I don't think your friends need fear now failing about the pension, as they have such a place.' I am sure you will be much pleased. The Duke was delighted when I told him. I think it is very likely the Queen will write to her friends near you. I think when the uncle arrives I shall ask him to speak about the investment,'^ unless I should be invited to have a good opportunity of doing it myself I don't know any other way. Lord Aberdeen is gone out of town, of course without seeing me. You will see in the paper the lists of the new ap- pointments. The Duchess of Sutherland returns as Mistress of the Robes, the Queen having written her * Lady Jersey's. t Order of the Bath. 1847] MORE POLITICS 75 a very kind and pressing letter. She has also re- quested Lord Liverpool to remain. Up to yesterday he had not given his answer, but it was thought he would refuse, and then Lord Fortescue is to be Lord Steward. Lord Spencer is Chamberlain, and the Duke of Norfolk Master of the Horse. There was a report that Sir R. Gordon was to remain at Vienna, as Lord Aberdeen had promised to support the Government ; but I believe that Lord Ponsonby will have Vienna if he chooses (which is doubtful). Lord Minto refused it. Lord Granville has the Beefeaters, with which he is much dissatisfied, for a reason which 1 will tell you in my next letter. Remember this. The Queen has written a beautiful letter to Lord Aberdeen, saying how much he has done in every part of the globe since he became Minister, thanking him for his services, and saying that, though he is no longer her Minister, she hopes he will ever remain ' our private friend.' Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Tuesday, July 7, 1846. There had been a goiod deal of talk as to where people were to sit — whether the remainder of the Peel Cabinet would sit with the Protectionists on the opposite benches or on the cross-benches; whether the Protectionists themselves would go at once to the opposite benches, etc. It seems to have been decided at once by Stanley and Brougham taking their places, and everyone else, as if by impulse, walking straight to the opposition benches. Lord Ellenborough said it was the first step of the Coali- tion between the broken sections of the party. I 8o BERLIN [1842- said : ' For God's sake don't give it the odious name of Coalition, but call it Reconciliation I' which he agreed vvas the right word. Neither the Duke nor Lord Aberdeen were in the House, though the latter is come back to town. I am going to-day to dine with the Beauvales — I believe alone — and to-morrow I dine at Lord Palmerston's. Lord Lyndhurst asked me for Friday, but I have got a box with Pauline Neale to see Mademoiselle Rachel that day, who is only to act six times. You will, I am sure, be sorry to hear that Charles Wellesley's eldest boy was seized with convulsions yesterday, and was in a state of great danger all day. He was a little better last night, but still not safe. I have just got a message from the Duke, begging me to go to him, and saiying the child is worse. I shall go as soon as I can get the carriage. I am so sorry ! At four o'clock I got to Apsley House, just as the poor little boy breathed his last. The Duke is very much distressed at this sad event, and so sudden, too ! The poor child was only taken ill Sunday evening; The other child is also ill. I stayed a long time with the Duke alone. He told me he had had a communica- tion made to him (he did not say by whom) that the Queen had desired you to remain. This being the case, he advises you, should your proxy* be asked for by the Government, to give it at once, and we talked as to who you should send it to. He said you should send it to someone connected with the Government, and, after naming several, he said that you could not do better than entrust it to Lord Beauvale, as an old friend of yours, and one connected with the Govern- ment, yet not a red-hot Whig. He thinks it likely the * Peers could then vote by proxy. J3 tl be X _c o '^ !^ •5 rt k. o o tc 'o H u U &, w < « 1847] LORD PALMERSTON 8i Government may want all the proxies they can get, owing to the appearance of the House of Lords last night, where there were 79 peers present, and of whom only 19 sat on the Ministerial benches, and the remaining 60 on the opposite benches. Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Wednesday, July 8. Dearest, I am this moment come home and found a note from Lord Palmerston. I have just time (and no more) to make and send you a copy of it and my answer, which I must send so that he shall have it before I go to dinner. I hope you will be pleased. God bless you ! The baby at Apsley House is better. Lord Palmerston to Lady Westmorland. 3, Carlton Terrace, July 8, 1846. Dear Lady Westmorland, The Queen and her Ministers think that it would be very conducive to the interests of the Crown that Westmorland should continue to be the Queen's repre- sentative at the Court of Berlin, and I should be very glad to know whether you are sufficiently in possession of his sentiments on that matter to be able to let me know whether he would be disposed to give us the advantage of the continuance of his services in his post. In regard to the general policy of which he would be the organ, I am persuaded that he would receive no instructions which he could feel any repug- nance to execute; and, as to his personal relations with the Secretary of State, we are old friends, our acquaintance dating, indeed, from the days of Harrow, 6 82 BERLIN [1842- and I am sure that our oflficial intercourse would be agreeable to both of us. Yours very sincerely, Palmerston. Lady Westmorland to Lord Palmerston. Upper Harley Street, July 8, 1846. Dear Lord Palmerston, I have just received your note, and return you many thanks for it. When Lord Westmorland left England the change of Government had not actually taken place, but the prospect of it was so imminent that he had, of course, considered the event in relation to himself, and I can give you the assurance that he will be most willing and be prepared to continue his services at Berlin as long as Her Majesty and her Ministers approve of them. The kind manner in which you speak of your personal relations will, I am sure, give him the greatest pleasure, and be sincerely reciprocated by him. Believe me, very truly yours, Priscilla Westmorland. Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Thursday, July 9, 1846. Dearest, After I had sent my letter to you to the post yesterday, I wrote the answer to Lord Palmerston, just; the same as the rough copy I sent you. I was exceedingly gratified last night (and so will you be) with all that passed at and after dinner I must say It is impossible for anybody to have been 1847] DINNER AT PALMERSTON'S 83 more amiable arid pleasing than Lord Palmerston was ; putting the whole matter as if your remaining at Berlin was a favour on your part and not his, and dwelling on your old friendship together, and the pleasure he felt at having relations with you. He told me that Bunsen had come to him, as soon as his appointment to the F.O. was probable, to say that your rempval would be a real affliction to the King and the Royal Family at Berlin, and that he might say from the King that the greatest kindness Lord Palmerston could show him would be to induce you to remain there. He added that Bunsen had said a great deal more than he could repeat about both of us, and how impossible it would be to replace us, etc. After dinner Bunsen and Brunnow* both told me that Lord Palmerston had announced to them both in the morning, at his levee, that he had written to me asking if you would remain, and that if I answered in the affirmative they might consider your remaining as settled, which he said he knew they both felt to be desirable ; and he added, for himself, that you were one of his oldest friends, and that personally nothing could please him more than to haVe you sous ses auspices. They both said everything most gratifying. I took Lord Palmerston's letter to the Duke this morning. He thought nothing could be more satis- factory, and he highly approved of my answer. I expressed to Lord and Lady Palmerston how much pleased I was at his very kind and pleasing manner of doing the thing, and I think they were both pleased. Lord Palmerston desired me to tell you he should, by rights, write you by to-morrow's post, but if he * The Russian Minister. 6—2 84 BERLIN [1842- does not do so, it is because he is to go to Tiverton for his election. There was a sm^U party after dinner ; Lady Lincoln, Lady Norreys, and Mrs. Baring, sang. I saw Duncannon* there, who was very cordial and expressed great pleasure about us. He goes off on Monday to Ireland, which he says he abhors. He said he certainly should not stay above two years, and that he thought at the end of that time you might succeed him. I found the Duke yesterday very low, and I think more grieved for the poor child's death than the day before, but this morning he was better. They were very anxious about the youngest child, but it is doing well. It had the same symptoms as the other. The Queen wrote the Duke a very ktnd and feeling letter upon the sad event. Everybody shows the greatest sympathy. I go every morning to the Duke the first thing. Arbuthnot has been out of town some days, and Lady Douro is in waiting, so the Duke has no one with him. I saw Mr. Anson yesterday, who told me that the Court will stay ten days at Osborne, and that King Leopold will not come until they return to town. Baron Stockmar called on me yesterday, and I am very sorry I was out. Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Monday, July 13, 1846. Dearest, I have not much to say since Friday. I went that night to Devonshire House and chaperoned * Lord Bessborough, brother-in-law to Lord Westmorland. He died as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland the following year. 1847] THE OPERA 85 Cattie.* It was an immense crowd of all London — a sweeping preparatory to a concert for the select next Friday, to which I shall go. Saturday I went to the Opera with Lady A. Grisi sang better than I have heard her this year, but the ensemble, somehow, is not good, and I don't enjoy it half as much as the Opera at Berlin. Taglioni is arrived, and is to dance on Thursday. Mademoiselle Rachel did not come last week, but is announced for to-night. I continue to go every day to the Duke. Yesterday I stayed two hours alone with him ; he was very communicative, and told me a great many curious anecdotes of different things that have occurred at different times at Deal. I never saw him better in mind and body. I think he is happy at having got rid of his position with Peel, and enjoys having some leisure now, and is not averse to the idea of things going on as they are for some months, but he expects a righting at last. The end of all our conversations is the wish that Peel may go to China or Kamcha^:ka, or any other furthermost point, and never return ; but I fear such is not his intention, whatever he may say, and I believe the Queen and Prince Albert think of nothing but getting him back. This belief keeps some still at his back. Lord John Russell fancies that Peel will be able to supply him with seventy workmen at a pinch, but I can't believe that he can bring half that number. Lord J. says if he can't it will be impossible for him to do his work, as he knows now that he can't depend on the Tory Peelites beyond the moment. I have shown Palmerston's letter to several people. All think it the handsomest thing possible, and most flattering to you. I hope you have written to him, * Her niece, Lady Bagot's daughter. 86 BERLIN [1842- Brunnow told me he had written to the Emperor as soon as Lord Palmerston communicated to him that you were to stay at Berlin, as he knew the Emperor tenait beaucoup to your remaining there pour le bien general, etc. I believe Lord Ponsonby will have Vienna, but it is not settled. Francis has got leave for two months, so I have them all with me now. They beg their love. I have this moment got your letter of Wednesday night and Thursday. I am afraid it must be dull work for you at present, but I am glad the King is so satisfactory. Peelj of course, never answered the Duke. How could he ? The Duke is quite determined to have at the Liberals on all occasions, and as soon as possible. I don't think he quite likes John Russell being at the head in the field, but submits to it, as he tells me, because he won't put any difficulties in the ranks. God bless you ! I hope you are well. I shall stay here for the return of the Queen and to see King Leopold; otherwise I should be very glad to go to Apethorpe. Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Tuesday, July 14, 1846. Dearest, After I sent my letter to you to the post yester- day evening, I got yours of Wednesday by Smock.* I have also one from the King of Hanover, who says you were ' so buttoned up ' he could get nothing out of you. I find he wrote the same to Kilmansegge. * A courier of that name. 1847] GOVERNMENT DIFFICULTIES 87 This is what should be. I dined yesterday in Grosvenor Square, where Fitzroy* dined, and I was glad to find him quite Hke himself and in good spirits. I went afterwards to Madame Brunnow's ball, hoping to admire my three sons, but there was such a crowd it was impossible to see anyone. To-night I dine at Dietrichstein's. Lady Palmerston had asked me to drink tea with her— with the Beau- vales— but last night we settled that they should all come after dinner to Dietrichstein's instead. She is extremely cordial to me, and I hear is much pleased at my telling everybody that Lord Palmerston's conduct has been so handsome and gentlemanlike. I believe the Liberals are in great embarrassment and alarm. It is supposed that the intention which Lord J. Russell promises to explain in the House of Commons is the total and immediate repeal of the Corn Laws, and he finds none of the Tory Peelites agree to this. They have told him so, and he would be very glad to give up his intention, but the others won't let him. Stanleyt went to Lord John yesterday morning to tell him he must expect opposition. He answered that he hoped on Thursday to show something which would conciliate. But they say this is like Peel's ' hopes ' before. Our Cousin B.| told mp last night he had also heard the same language and received the same answer — that he gave no credit to it. I heard Dizzy (as his wife calls him) say the same thing last night to Kilmansegge, who was sitting by me. If they all stick to what they say now, the result will be dissolution, and the result of that (supposed) * Lord Raglan. -j- Afterwards Lord Derby. % Beaufort. 88 BERLIN [X842- fatal to Lord John. Then what after? No one can tell. The hatred and violence against Peel is as great as ever, and shared by many more people than when you were here ; and yet many who hate him can't bear the Tory Peelites, neither, since their last pro- ceedings, which the Queen and Prince Albert will never forgive. Lord J. seems to regret his office exceedingly. Lord de MauLey is to be one of the new Lords-in- Waiting ; the others not yet named. Charles Phipps (Normanby's brother) succeeds Charles Arbuthnot as equerry. Mitford has never called here, and I have never seen him since Hy. Greville's soiree, or heard of any music sent for you. The tailor has never sent your coat, but I shall go to him and try to get it sent by to-night's bag. I am very sorry to hear of poor Madame de Reed's illness, and hope she will get over it Now, God bless you. The family all send their love. Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. * Thursday, July i6, 1846. Dearest, Yesterday I went to see Rachel, in Braham's box, which was lent to Caroline Bagot — a bad box for seeing, being very high up on the stage, so that one could hardly see her face at all. I was (as usual) so charmed with her acting, her grace and feeling, that I am determined to go in the stalls one night to see her well She is altered in appearance and excessively thin (having been very ill lately). Julian, who was with me, and who never saw her before, was enraptured with her. I am going to-day 1847] SOCIAL NEWS 89 to take Rose to the Duchess of Bedford's last break- fast, but at this moment it is raining. I hope it will clear up. I have seen Princess A.,* who is enchanted to be here, and intends to stay till the end of Novem- ber. She says she (and the rest of the Strelitz society except the G. D.) got rather tired of Madame R.,t who sang regularly twice a week pieces prepared with orchestra, and two rehearsals, making four times a vy^eek, she having made that arrangement on arriving; but that she never once ' made music at the P. F. in a comfortable way without preparation,' and that people got very tired of ' Norma ' one night, and ' Lucrezia ' another, ' Semiramide ' a third, etc. She is enchanted that you remain. The Duke is going to give her a con- cert, and has desired me to arrange it. I have sent to Mario to ask him to sing ' Bel raggio di Luma,' as he will have time to study it. It is to be on the 27th. The Archbishop $ wants me to go to Nuneham on the 28th to meet the Duchess of Gloucester. I have not decided, for 1 want to go to Apethorpe as soon as I have seen Leopold. § The christening!! is to be on the 2Sth. You will see in the papers that Lord John defers till to-morrow night explaining what he means to pro- pose on the Sugar Question. I believe he is much embarrassed at the determined opposition of the Protectionists. The Duke called on me yesterday and told me that, to his surprise, after a silence of a fortnight or more, Peel had answered his letter two days ago. It is a very paltry, shuffling answer, and had better have * Augusta of Cambridge, married to the Grand Duke Mecklenburg Schwerin. f Madame Rossi, nee Henrietti Sontag, a celebrated singer. X Archbishop Harcourt of York. § King of the Belgians. || Princess Helena. go BERLIN [1842- been left alone. (The Duke showed it to me.) He says people are quite mistaken about the praise he bestowed. He meant only to praise Cobden's con- duct in the House of Commons and nowhere else, and that it was very odd anybody should mistake it, as he had some months ago expressed his disapprobation of the proceedings elsewhere. ... If he only meant the conduct in the House, why did he not use the appellation usually given in the House — M. for S. ?* And as to his disapprobation some months ago, that was no reason for him to disapprove now ! It seems by this tardy answer that he is sore upon all that is said upon the subject. He continues to declare he will interfere no more, but he is not going away. The irritation and the anger does not in the least degree subside, and is infinitely more extended than when you left. The Tory Peelites are acting foolishly and recklessly, and if they persist will bring about a confusion which will not be to their advantage. I believe John Russell wishes to conciliate those who were with Peel, with a view to get strength enough to set to work in earnest ; but the others seem deter- mined to keep up rancour, and are so absurdly violent that they prevent anything like fusion. Lord John says their conduct to him is shameful ; that they egged him on with promises of assistance, and now menace his existence without any considera- tion (or even definite view) for the future. . . . * Member for Stockport. 1847] WELLINGTON AND PEEL 91 Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Thursday, July 23, 1846. Dearest, Bidwell* called to see me yesterday morning, and showed me your letter. He has written to you about your application for the Dispensation. I think you are right not to try the other. Leopold does not come here till the 29th, and therefore will not be in time for the christening. He is kept by business at home. I hear there are not many people asked on Saturday. You will hear of poor Lord William Russell's death. This has made Lord John put off the Sugar Bill, which was to have come on to-morrow, to Monday. I believe he is now pretty sure of carry- ing it. Peel having promised to support it. The dinner at Brunnow's was very magnificent and well done — excellent cook and confiseur. I sat be- tween the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of W. We went afterwards to the concert at Lansdowne House. You will see the company in the paper. I was (as I daily am) a long time with the Duke yester- day morning. He told me he had met Peel riding in the Park, which is the first time he, had seen him since the last meeting before you went. He (the Duke) stopped him and then joined him, though he said he evidently saw Peel had no wish to do any such thing. He opened at once on the state of things — told him all he knew and all that had occurred to him, and entered upon the line he intended to take in the future; in short, he said, he did everything to show and to pro- * Four generations of the Bidwell family held responsible posts in the Foreign Office : Thomas, Chief Clerk (1767-1817) ; Thomas, Chief Clerk (1790-1841) ; John (1798-1851) ; and John James (1842-1872). 92 BERLIN [1842- voke confidence. He never responded a word, made no remark, and when they reached the House of Lords he said something about being happy to see the Duke in such good health, and then rode off, evidently glad to get rid of him. I know that he has sent word to Lord John that he shall assist him, although he considers the Whigs to have behaved very ill to him, but that he shall keep them for . . . [Unfinished^ Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Friday, July 24, 1846. I enclose the Princess of Prussia's letter, which I left out by mistake on Tuesday. I went last night to Greville's, where the Duchesses of Cambridge and Gloucester, etc., were, and consequently the crowd was so great that 1 never got beyond just the entrance of the little back-room, where I squeezed into half a seat with Lady Beauvale. I am going to-night to see Rachel again, having taken two stalls, one for myself and the other for Julian, though they cost me a guinea apiece. Lady Beauvale and I intended to take a box between us, but they asked us seven guineas and a half for a side- box in which four could not see well. The palace to- morrow night and the Duke's on Monday will, I think, end the London season. I had Costa here yesterday. He says Mario sings ' Bel raggio ' very well, and likes it very much. I have put it in the middle of the second act. I wanted to speak to Mario last night, but found it hopeless, and at ten o'clock I came away, leaving two things more to be sung. The Duke called this morning. He 1847] A GREAT STORM 93 is very much provoked at having been persuaded to postpone his intended ' shindy,' and says he will bring it on ; for he does not think the Whigs so sure as they say they are, notwithstanding Peel's assistance. Peel, it is supposed, will only bring eighteen with him. The Duke says the Protectionists will all fight like men in the House of Commons, as well as in the House of Lords. / believe a great many of them will shirk, especially in the House of Lords. The Duke says the Queen will not permit a dissolution, but I don't know on what authority he says so. You re- member that was his advice to the Queen in his letter. Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. August 3, 1846. My Dearest, You will see in the paper what a terrific storm we had on Saturday. I never saw anything to equal it. When it came on I was at an artist's house in Newman Street (who is doing a drawing of the boys for me) with Ernest and Francis, and there I remained until it was nearly over, for it was impossible to attempt leaving the house. The rain came down like great thick ropes, and the hailstones were as big as I ever saw in Italy. When I got home I found the sky- light smashed, the staircase in a 'pond, and the kitchen under water several inches ; and yet we fared better than most people, for we only had nine panes of glass broken, and no other damage done. Lady Beauvale had twenty-six ; and poor old Mrs. Fane I found yesterday in terrible annoyance, her conservatory being completely demolished, and the roof of her stables driven in, her horse half drowned, etc. 94 BERLIN [1842- At Apsley House all that beautiful engraved glass in the ceiling of the gallery is broken, as well as the painted dome of the staircase, and the rain came through the floor of the gallery into Arbuthnot's room below. You will see the damage done at the palace. The most curious effect of the storm is the appearance of the streets since. They were so com- pletely washed that the stones of the macadamized streets are laid completely bare and look as bright as if they were polished, without a particle of dirt or dust, and all the windows everywhere are as clean and bright as if they had just been cleaned. The wood pavement looks like an inlaid table. It is quite as- tonishing. They say it is owing to the quantity of hard hailstones in the first instance and then the deluge of rain. The weather is not much cooler since. It is lucky I was not on my journey to Apethorpe that day. I went in the evening to the Opera with the Duke. Taglioni danced much better than the first time I saw her, and we all think her immensely superior — as she is — to anything else, though Cerito exerts her- self to her utmost; but she has not the soul and dignity which makes the other so enchanting. The applause was ten times greater for Taglioni in the Pas de Trois, but all the bouquets for Certio. It is not so good as the famous Pas de Quatre, bu|: it is very pretty. The Duke had dined the night before with the Queen, but he does not seem to have had any private conversation with King Leopold. Lord Beau- vale's elder brother* was there, in a sad state of- nervousness and excitement — laughing and crying. The Queen told Lady Beauvale that it is most painful to her to see him so. * Lord Melbourne, whose mind was going. He died in 1848. 1847] LORD ABERDEEN'S POSITION 95 The Duke is exceedingly disgusted at Peel having on Friday night entered the House of Commons and taken his place in a prominent position amongst the Whigs. He (the Duke) says it was done for bravado, for there was nothing going on to require his presence or assistance. The Whigs, of course, are too glad to get his help, and yet they abhor him. I understand I shall meet him at dinner to-day. Your friend Robert Gordon,* who has written to con- gratulate S. v., has been thrown over by Lord Aber- deen, though he does not know it, and of course you will keep it secret. Lord Melbourne told me that, when the arrangements were making. Lord Palmer- ston said to Lord Aberdeen that, feeling how kindly he had acted towards his brother,! he should be glad to reciprocate, if Lord Aberdeen wished it. Lord Aberdeen said he begged not; that his wish and intention , was to support Lord J. Russell in every possible way, and that his character would be damaged if it could be supposed that it was not disinterested support, and that doing anything for Robert would look like buying him, and he begged Robert might not know this. I think it is a great shame> for why is he to support Lord John ? . . . I have not yet got any letter from you, but feel sure I shall get one on my return home. I am going now to call on Parkinson, and then to Princess Sophia, so that I must put up my letter now ; but I dare say my letter to-morrow will reach you as soon as this one. * Sir Robert Gordon, Lord Aberdeen's brother, was Minister at Vienna, and resigned on ttie change of Government, t Sir W. Temple. 96 'r BERLIN [1842- Lady Westmorland to Lord Westmorland. Windsor Castle, September 26, 1846. Dearest, I came here on Wednesday, and am lodged in the Devil's Tower, in the same rooms we had when we were here together with the Prince of Prussia. Lord and Lady Palmerston came down in the same train with me, and the Duke arrived soon after by post, having come up from Walmer that morning. There were no other visitors except Lord Clarendon, Bunsen, and the suites of the Queen-Dowager and the Princess of Prussia ;* but yesterday arrived the Cam- bridges with the Princess Augusta, Madame Bunsen, and Lord Liverpool, and I believe the Castle is now full. The Queen is very kind and cordial and looks very well, and she seems exceedingly kind to the Princess, wh6 is delighted with everything. As to herself (the Princess), there is but one voice in her favour — everybody is charmed with her. She is very much admired, and is in particularly good looks. We have dined both days in the Waterloo Gallery, aftd sat in the evening in the splendid white and gold saloon, which is too large for the party, and therefore makes it very formal and dull. The Queen sits at a round table with the Queen-Dowager, Princesses, and us lady visitors, making general conversation, and the Prince stays at the other end of the room, with all the gentlemen standing, and never approaches us. The only exception is the Duke, whom the Queen has called both evenings to sit with us. We have no whist or round game. The Duchess of Kent was here on Wednesday, but complained of rheumatism, and * Afterwards Empress Augusta. M d. Pi O K H W P. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Vienna, May 16, 1855. It is not surprising that I have bile, for I am always in a violent state of fear (sometimes of hope, much more often of despair), of disgust and shame, at seeing the humiliation of my country. I cannot share your enthusiasm for a man who has rendered a great service in muzzling the wild beasts of his awful country, but whom I believe essentially false and pitiless, and who drags and will drag us God knows where to serve his ambition ; for I do not believe at all in his protestations of moderation and pacific views, any more than I believed in his intentions of making that voyage which he announced so often and so positively. But before saying all this, I ought to have told you of my gratitude for what you said to Ranch, and beg you also to tell him how grateful I am for the precious gift* which he proposes to give me. I shall be delighted to possess it. I regret more every day the death of that great man, for I think that has also diminished our chances of peace. I have just seen Comte Lerchenfeld,t whose wife and children have already gone to their place in Bavaria. * A model of the Emperor Nicholas' head, t Bavarian Minister at Vienna; 262 THE CRIMEAN WAR [1854- He told me he had received a letter from his sister, Madame d'Allerburg (formerly Madame Krudener), who is in the Crimea at Simpheropol, where her husband commands. She says that the typhus has already made awful ravages there, and that the daily losses of the Russians at Sebastopol by illness and bullets are awful. I dread terribly the approach of the hot weather for the health of our army. Lerchenfeld tells me that MeyendorfF has written that since they knew Alexander* to be at Sebastopol Madame Meyendorff is beside herself, that there is no way of calming her for a single moment. I can con- ceive it only too well. And people obstinately urge on a war which causes so much despair for shades of amour-propre and false glory ! There was a pretty fete on Saturday at the Villa Schwarzenburg, where the Princess Lory has arranged a theatre, which they say is charming. People of the highest society acted two French pieces and a panto- mime, in which the little Sandorf grandchild of Prince Metternich danced like Taglioni, so they tell me. All mine were there, but I had not the courage to dress and amuse myself To-morrow they are going to act above my rooms at Comte O'Sullivan's.J I do not know if I shall make up my mind to go up to see and hear Julian, who, much against his will, has been dragged into a small part in which he will sing two couplets. Have you read an English novel called 'Hearts- ease '?§ If not, I will send it to you by the next ♦ Alexander Meyendorff, afterwards killed at Sebastopol. + Princesse Pauline Metternich. X The O'SuUivans lived on the second floor of the Coburg Palace. § Miss Yonge's. 1855] METTERNICH'S BIRTHDAY 263 courier. You know I do not much care for English novels ; but this one pleased and touched me, for in the character of the heroine Violet I find a great deal that is very like my dear niece Sarah Esterhazy. Prince Metternich to Lady Westmorland. May 16, 1855. A thousand thanks for your touching note of May 15. This day marks the number eighty-two of the years which I have behind me, and is more than the pretensions of man can — rightly or wrongly — expect. Happy those who, without risk of troubling their conscience, can throw a backward glance on their sojourn in this world, which, without doubt, is not the best of worlds. Ah, well, my dear Countess, I con- sider I have the right to count myself amongst the number of those who have the benediction, without giving to myself the merit of it. To wish for good and to do no evil is not a merit — it is doing one's duty. If the past does not trouble my conscience, it is impossible to say the same when I look at the position of things to-day, and at the future of the world, in which I shall only be a memory. I never have liked fights in the flesh, and I have always had a horror of those with ghosts ; of the two, the former are better than the latter: it is not even to the latter that the poor social body is given over to-day ! Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. May 20, 1855. Yesterday I did wonders, for I went up to Comte O'Sullivan's, and was present at the two pieces played in his charming little theatre. I was amused, and am 264 THE CRIMEAN WAR [1854- not the worse for it. It is true that it was to see Julian act that I made this effort, and I sat behind the theatre in a httle room where I was able to see at my ease without being obliged to mix with the grand monde, who were in the drawing-rooms ; and the play over, I went down to bed, while the others were at a supper which lasted till half-past two. I think I told you O'Sullivan had arranged a theatre for some of the society ladies and the gentlemen of the French Legation, and Jaucourt,* whom you know, had the principal part in a piece written by O'Sullivan. They had to divide the company and suit invitations for two days — Thursday and Saturday; and on Thursday Jaucourt received by telegraph the order to leave the next day for his new post (London). There were all the company and society in despair, not knowing where to find an actor capable of singing as well as acting, and to learn the part in two days. O'Sullivan came to implore Julian, who could not refuse. He had a great success ; especially his beautiful voice made a great effect. The piece was really pretty; charming actresses, especially the young Princess Obrenovitz {nee Hunyadi) and the Countess Clam {nee Dietrich- stein). Julian, with a little rouge, was admired by all the ladies; he was pleased to see that I could be amused and distracted. I see by the paper that the Princess of Prussia has arrived at Berlin with her daughter,! who is to be confirmed to-day. I hope you will tell me a great deal of this young Princesp, for I have the most lively feeling of affection for her and for her brother, who * Marquis de Jaucourt, Attache to the French Embassy in Vienna, afterwards well known at the French Embassy in London. Died in 1908. t Afterwards Grand Duchess of Baden. 1855] DEATH OF LORD RAGLAN 265 always seemed to me charming children and endowed with the happiest dispositions. I have never seen that dear little Vivi* since she was the most loving and amiable child that one can see. I cannot imagine her a grown-up person. All that you tell me of her will interest Rose very much, who keeps a happy remem- brance of their childish friendship. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. ISCHL, July 2, 1855. I must write to you, for I think the papers will have announced to you the awful misfortune,t and I know you will think of me. You know what he was and how I loved him. It was on Saturday morning that I received by the telegraph the first news of his illness. My son wrote to me on the 28th that his uncle had fallen ' dangerously ill ' the day before, and he added these words : ' He was better this morning, but is now much worse.' I felt immediately that there was no hope, but it was only this morning I had a fresh despatch of the 30th. All was over, but he gave me no details — did not even name the illness, which must have been cholera. My son said he should leave on the 3rd for England with the dear remains of this angelic being. It is a consolation to me to know him out of that awful country. Dear friend, I have borne this trial without harm to my health. I am calm and resigned, and especially resolved to do everything to keep my health and to console my excellent Rose, whose care and devotion I cannot sufficiently praise. . . . I go out every evening with her, and I took a bath * The nickname of the Princess Louise of Prussia, t Lord Raglan died on June 28, 266 THE CRIMEAN WAR [1854- yesterday. I will write to you soon, dear Pauline. Your premonitions have often come back to my mind. You were not deceived by them. Prince Mettemich to Lady Westmorland. KONIGSWART, July i6, 1855. Alas ! I can see nothing to lead me to think that the great questions of the day are taking a shape more in conformity with my wishes than they did at the time when I enjoyed the happiness of telling you my impressions and finding them the same as yours. Things go on their way like the transport of men and goods on the railway, without any regard to these derailments. If it were only a question of possible dangers, I would not be more anxious than is reason- able; but this cannot be for the man who sees the inevitable, there, where these Utopians only see the possible. You know, then, I am very uneasy about the English position. Do not think that I am disposed to exaggerate the evil to myself, or to deceive myself as to the power of the resistance that the country can still offer to the evil that seems likely to overrun it. The more I cherish the conviction that my view is correct, and that my mind is closed against illusions, the more I recognize the right of admitting that others than I give themselves over to mistakes on many very important matters. The country does justice to your excellent and noble friend. Time and the secrets which it still holds hidden will establish amply the historical truth concerning the character and conduct of Lord Raglan. There will not be lacking a demonstration of the 1855] DETAILS OF HIS END 267 fact that he has been placed opposite an impossibility, sad consolation for the friends of the dead, but real for their memory. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. ISCHL, July 20, 1855. Kitty* says that, from the day her father left, her mother never passed a minute without thinking of him. All her occupation was to write to him, to expect or reread his letters, which never failed her twice a week; to find out and see people who came from the Crimea, or to occupy herself in sending him anything she thought might be useful to him. She did not give a thought to anything else in the world. When I rejoin her, I hope she will find some relief in going over with me all the details that we have at last received from my son. She has also the doctor's report, and a sort of diary that his secretary kept. They do not understand this illness, for he only had slight diarrhoea for two days. It was not till the 27th that he complained of the heat, and the doctor found an apparent weakness which worried him. But that night (the last of his life) he slept quietly eight hours on end, and on awaking on the 28th he said he felt much better, and asked for something to eat. It was not till three o'clock that faintness seized him. Francis, who did not leave him, held him in his arms, and it was there his spirit fled at half-past eight — not having spoken again — looking as if asleep, with an angelic smile on his lips. He had neither sickness nor cramp nor any pain. Death came so gently that even the doctors did not perceive the actual moment. * Lord Raglan's daughter, the Hon. Katherinc Somerset. 268 THE CRIMEAN WAR [1854- I think I told you that the body is to be disembarked at Bristol and brought to Badminton, the family vault. The Queen proposed to my sister that the disembarka- tion should be at Portsmouth, so that all the fleet and all the army they could gather together in England should pay him the most impressive honours ; but my sister, in thanking Her Majesty, asked that she would allow the ceremony to be in private, for she knew her incomparable husband's way of thinking, and knew that is how he would have wished it. The vessel will probably arrive to-day or to-morrow. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. ISCHL, July 23, 1855. I have received a letter from my son before he left the Crimea. He says the thought that gives him the most courage to bear his grief is the remembrance of the unbounded affection and absolute devotion with which he always returned the affection his dear uncle showed him ; also that he was able to be near him to his last breath, and that that dear man knew him : for, when he seemed dazed, not having spoken or moved for a long time, the doctors said to him, ' Lord Burghersh is near you.' Then he said, 'Ah, Francis, come nearer; lift me up.' Francis took him in his arms, and he did not say another word. This good boy has sent me a lock of hair which he had cut off himself from that dear head. I see it has got very white since I saw him. 1855] LORD RAGLAN'S FUNERAL 269 Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. ISCHL, July 30, 1855. I have just received a letter from my dear Francis from Bristol of last Tuesday — that is to say, from the boat en route, for he had not disembarked. This dear boy has been very ill. He was so on leaving the Crimea, and when he touched at Malta was much worse. He has had z.fievre lente the result of fatigue and grief. The fever had left him four days, and there only remained great weakness. He had seen Richard,* who had come on board. The emotion of this inter- view had fatigued him very much, so that he wished to go to bed, and not disembark till next day with the precious remains. I should have been more anxious if my good friendf had not written to me by telegraph on Friday that he had seen Francis come to London with his father after the ceremony at Badminton; that he was well, and only requires a few day^ rest. That quiets me, because I know that Dundas will only tell me the truth. You can imagine nothing more tender and touching than Francis's letter. He cannot console himself for the loss of him he adored. Now his only desire is to rejoin me. He has heard he has been given the ' Order of the Bath.' He writes : ' This gives me no pleasure now. It would have been different if that dear good man had been alive. I know it would have pleased him that I should have received this honour, and I should have felt that I got it for my services to him, and that he believed I deserved it. This is a most mournful day to me. I have just delivered his watch * Richard, Lord Raglan. t Robert Dundas, succeeded his brother as Viscount Melville, 1876, 270 THE CRIMEAN WAR [ISS*- and keys and other things belonging to him to Richard, and when I part from the coffin I feel that everything is really over, and that I am really separated for ever from that dear, kind, incomparable uncle, whose affec- tion and goodness to me was beyond what anybody has an idea of.' Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. ISCHL, August 6, 1855. The Archduchess Sophie is two doors from me on one side, the Queen of Holland as near on the other, I have not yet seen the former, but one of her new dames dhonneur is a friend of Rose's ; and as Rose and I have only one little drawing-room, I can't prevent them chattering together whilst I write. The Queen of Holland had for many years a sincere friendship for my dear brother-in-law, who was very devoted to her. They corresponded always. So you can believe she has been most deeply affected by our misfortune. She came to see me at once, anxious for details, and full of interest for my sister. I have always been attracted by her, because she is so per- fectly natural, so little royal and so unhappy; and I have been much touched by the tears she always sheds when she speaks of him. She often comes on foot alone to my ugly little lodging, and ' Je ne puis lui en vouloir,' although I must accustom myself to going out. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. Brougham, September 21, 1855. I find that you are returned ; pray give me signs of life, but above all try to come here. The weather is now 1855] FALL OF SEBASTOPOL 271 delicious, and you could ' lake ' a little with comfort. I long to talk over many things, both public and private, with you, and surely dear B. could get away from London at a time when there cannot be much to do. This Sebastopol* is a great thing, certainly, and if well used may be a good thing; but the country is still in the war-fever, and will not bear any rational course. God bless you and incline your heart and B.'s and Julian and Rose to come into this quarter ! Prince Mettemich to Lady Westmorland. KbNIGSWART, September 29, 1855. The bearer of these lines to London is a person whose acquaintance I made during my last visit to England, and with whom I formed a friendship be- cause of the uniformity of mind and conscience which I discovered existed in so great a degree between us. His name is Travers Twiss.t and he occupies the position of Counsel to the Admiralty for the defence of the international questions. He isjearned without being pedantic, endowed with an agreeable and easy intellect, and devoted to the strongest and best principles. If ever you meet him, judge him by the opinion Ihave given you of him. What do you say, my dear Countess, about the present situation? Your feeling with regard to one side of this situation is in perfect agreement with my own impression, and the subject in the judgment of * The fall of Sebastopol on September 8. t Afterwards Sir Travers Twiss, barrister and author, Regius Professor of Civil Law in Oxford University. 272 THE CRIMEAN WAR [1854.- which we meet is of such gravity that time and place are wanting to make the most of it. My own mind is too tranquil to give myself over to calculations where there is no base from which to calculate. In all such circumstances — always painful circumstances to me — I do not calculate : I wait. What I cannot doubt is the fact that the issue of all affairs which rest on a mistake, and which are conducted in a false way, will turn out contrary to that which those who under- took them intended. The worst of all enterprises are those in which the point of departure is not destitute of reason, but which in their conduct becomes so. The evil which arises from this misfortune is the wrong idea it throws on the worth of the cause (reason) itself of the undertaking. This is the case in the great affairs of the day. Come back to us: that is what I desire before all things in the great tohu bohu which makes present history. (It is not only my personal feeling which makes me ask this. I put it for the public service.) Lord Westmorland is loved and esteemed at Vienna, as he has been wherever fate has called him to serve public interest. I thank Heaven that he has always known how to bring into accord his personal feelings and these interests. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. October 29, 1855. I finish this letter begun on Saturday. In the in- terval my husband has at last received the reply he has been impatiently awaiting, and the resignation he tendered so long ago has been accepted. I feel he has done right to give up an appointment where for a long 1855] LORD WESTMORLAND RETIRES 273 time he has found so much annoyance, disgust, and disappointment, and at his age it is right that he should come to live on his property and think of establishing his family. But I confess to you, to you only, that it costs me a good deal to definitely give up Germany to settle in England. I have never liked living in this country, even when I had so many deiar relations. I have always felt that to be comfortable here you needed health of iron, and a much larger fortune than ours without diplomatic appointments, and I feel that still more now that nearly all my family has gone. I leave in Germany several friends to whom I am very much attached. You, dear Pauline, the first and far above all others, and I hope and believe that I shall, if I live, often make journeys to see you. I also count on seeing you in England, and meanwhile hope our correspondence will not languish. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Vienna, November 12, 1855. Rose recently received a charming letter from that delightful young Princess Louise ; she speaks of her new state with naivete and simplicity, and so I am sure she is sincere when she assures Rose her happi- ness is immense. I hope that the Prince Royal of Baden will be worthy of this pearl. Prince Metternich to Lady Westmorland. Vienna, December 22, 1855. If you are at Brighton, I feel a double grief at not being there; you know how much I enjoy your society, and I like Brighton — its aspect, its climate in 274 THE CRIMEAN WAR [1854- winter, and the feeling of life which is produced by its situation, and its comprising town and country. What I beg of you, before all things, is to be well, and if your visit to the watering-place contributes to this end, it will acquire new virtues in my affection. Vienna goes on its usual way, and regrets you. In this respect I am much more Viennese than in many others.* Sir H. Seymour is in a difficulty, from- which there is, up to the present, no way out. Lord Westmorland to Lady Westmorland. Apethorpe, Thursday, December, 1855. Dearest, ... I send you Brougham's letter. His opinions about Peace are worth something, and I believe there is a chance of it, notwithstanding the objection of our Government to it ; but I have no doubt our news- papers will now make a great announcement of the Duke of Cambridge's going to hold a Council of War with Louis Napoleon. I had heard that this was in the wind, and I think it is a capital dodge of Louis Napoleon's, as he will make him say what he chooses, and he will make him prime mover in all he suggests. You will see the Times to-day begins to touch upon it. It is a new tale thrown out to the absurd whale of English public opinion. . . . I am sorry you passed your Christmas so lonely, and that you could not be here at Apethorpe, where we might have had a charming party if you had in- * Sir H. Seymour, who was formerly Ambassador at St. Petersburg, was appointed to succeed Lord Westmorland as Ambassador at Vienna. 1855] SETTLING AT HOME 275 Vited all your friends. To-day I have Wing,* Berke- ley, Captain Ricketts, and Mr. Yorke, besides Henry Webster and Monty, whOigoes away to-morrow, July, and myself. We were only five yesterday, and we had a good dinner and a capital turkey. I think Augustet has lately given himself great pains, and I have told him I mean to have the kitchen in our house fitted up under his directions. Gauthier was taken ill yesterday, so to-day our reliance is upon Park and Charles ; the assistant from London is of little use. I am not the gull the Frenchman hoped for. I shall take no notice of him. I could not recollect who Mr. Cooke was, but July has explained that he and a Mr. Townsend used to dine with my father. I hope this will find you in London, not tired with the journey, and able to do all your business and mine in the perfect way in which you always do it. If you want assistance, Kitty and Francis together with Rose would be able to do all your messages and writing and inquiries in all parts of the town. Let Francis go to Barker to see your little barouche, and let him decide whether it had better come here or remain where it is. The barouche here is too heavy for your horses, but they go capitally in the pony- chaise. * Northamptonshire neighbours. t The cook. 18—2 CHAPTER IX 1856: RETIREMENT Prospects of peace became hopeful during the sitting of the Council of War in Paris in January, and though there was no relaxation of the preparations for con- tinuing the war on one hand, negotiations on the basis of the Austrian proposals were carried on on the other, as the outcome of which the Plenipotentiaries met at Paris at the end of February ; and the terms of the treaty they drew up being accepted by the Czar, peace was proclaimed in the middle of March. Lady Westmorland's son Julian was attached to Lord Clarendon's mission to the Conference at Paris for the peace negotiations. Lord Westmorland was sent to Brussels in July as Special Envoy for the celebra.tions of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the King's reign. This was his last visit abroad. He and Lady Westmorland delighted in being able to live quietly at home ; and though they continued to be au courant of all that was going on in the outside world, their country life was full of interest to them, and Apethorpe became a centre for their neighbours, to whom they showed much hospitality. Princess of Prussia to Lady Westmorland. COBLENZ, January 9, 1856. My dear Lady Westmorland, I should not have delayed so long to answer your good, kind letter if recent times had not been 276 1856] PRINCESS OF PRUSSIA 277 more agitating than usual for me before my departure for Berlin, which ought to have taken place yesterday. I hope to return here at the end of February, after having paid one more visit to Weimar; but so much travelling at this season, and the disagreeable impres- sions which await me, tired me beforehand. This, my dear Countess, is what I ought to say to you as an excuse for my tardy reply. Now I want to tell you how much I am touched by your kind souvenir. May God grant you a consoling year after the cruel trial of the revolutionary period, and may He restore to you the health of which, to my great regret, you have been deprived. I know you are sad and suffering, and that distresses me ; nevertheless, you have in your good children just motive for satisfaction, and you can count everywhere and always on the attachment of your friends. I very much hope you will grant me a favoured place amongst them, and that you will keep for me the kind feeling which adorned the best times for both of us, finding in me a sincere reciprocity. I always think of you with the deepest interest, and the hopes I express for your future happiness are joined to those which I feel for the future of your children. I beg you to say a thousand things to Lord West- morland, also to Rose and to your 5''oung poet,* whom I trust is with you at Brighton. We have the most unhealthy winter possible, atmospheric contrasts of all kinds, and a political horizon as grey as the season, which does not help to make one gay; therefore, I repeat, I am anxious about the visit I ought to make to Berlin to introduce my daughter, who left it as a child and returns to it promise, and I regret for her that * Julian Fane. 278 RETIREMENT [1856 she will no longer find there any of our old society, except our good Pauline and the Radziwills. . . . The fate of poor Madame de MeyendorfF* is cruel, and I thank you for having been my interpreter. How rich the present time is in mourning and in bad news ! One must hope, by the will of God, for a better future. Be sure, my dear Lady Westmorland, that I think of your visit to Coblenz as one of the most agreeable times for me, and I thank you sincerely for having come. The Prince and my children charge me with a thousand remembrances, and remember me kindly as your very affectionate friend, Princesse de Prussia. Lord Westmorland to Lady Westmorland. Apethorpe, January 7, 1856. Dearest, I begin writing to you before the post comes in. I know neither whether Rose comes or Mr. Hood, but I hope for both. At this moment Gauthier has come in to me to show himself as sufficiently well to walk about, and to reprendre son service in a couple of days, and to wish me joy of the new year. He looks very much pulled. The cook has asked for a woman to attend him, which I have agreed to ; but the housekeeper is to choose for him, which he has consented to — it would otherwise be too dangerous. Mr. Day is just arrived. I shall employ him in looking over the warming apparatus in the house, which is nearly completed. * Madame de Meyendorff lost one son at Sebastopol, and was in great anxiety concerning the health of another. 1856] A SERMON 279 I write to give you an account of dear Mr. Wing's* having yesterday put into my hands a beautiful sermon published by the Queen's desire, having been preached before her. He thought the sermon beautiful, and, as it had a most praiseworthy paragraph about Lord Raglan, he thought I should be delighted with the entire production. I now send this sermonf as I have cut it out of the paper. I do join with Mr. Wing in the passage about Lord Raglan, and am grateful for it ; but as to the rest 1 make this remark, that I had often heard the desecration of the Sabbath reprobated, but that this sermon seemed to me to be the desecra- tion of the pulpit. I then pointed out to him the totally false grounds on which the whole thing was built, beginning with Sinope, which was a fight after a declaration of war, whereas "the attack in which I was present with Duckworth of the Turkish fleet which was destroyed in the Dardanelles was before any declaration of war or notice of hostility whatsoever. I mentioned very slightly the good faith of our late negotiations, and I compared the appeal to the population of Italy to that of the Jacobins of 1792 in France, and to their appeal to all people to rise up against their Government, and to their promise to the English and Irish people to send them over 100,000 liberators with their caps of liberty to aid them in destroying the bloody tyranny of their King, their Aristocracy, and their bigoted Protestant Priesthood. * Rector of Stibbington. t The sermon referred to was preached by Dr. Croly, a well- known Evangelical preacher of the day. It was a strong denuncia- tion of all foreign Governments and their methods as compared to England, and S)fmpathized with the revolutionary movement in Italy and the ' No Popery ' cry, which was still at that time very strong, and tinged with extreme and violent prejudice and bigotry. 28o RETIREMENT [1856 Poor Wing was quite astonished that I thought all this was not fitting from the mouth of a clergyman, and in the name of that holy religion of charity and brotherly love which he was called upon to advocate. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. Cannes, January 8, 1856. I have delayed writing some days that I might report my having accomplished my Nice visit to our friend the Duchess de Sagan, which I did yesterday, and was well rewarded by finding her as delightful and nearly as young as ever. She is really an extra- ordinary person. I had long known her extraordinary talents and admired her great charms, but to see them ' unaltered is wonderful. I must add, however, that, much as I was delighted, there was a very melancholy feeling connected with it; as she said, wisely and wittily too, ' Les morts n'ont pas de rempla9ants.' Alas I alas I it is true. Even if we could have persons equal to thoSe we have lost, they are not the same. I did not want her warmth of feeling for you to make me delighted with her, but if there had been anything wanting, that would have supplied it. You will naturally suppose how much she regretted your removal from Berlin, but I also regretted your removal from Vienna on public grounds. When is the war-fever to relax ? I need not say how entirely I wish we could bring Russia so low as to make it easy to dictate terms — but that we shall not be able to do ; and as I have no doubt the conditions will be rejected by her, so I have as little doubt that there will be a general fury in England against all who have been for even these conditions (which are) too 1856] ALLIES' TERMS ACCEPTED 281 good to be possible. In France the case is quite different. The war is unpopular, and the Emperor is for peace at length, having to expect immediate financial difficulties. I see the English newspapers are resolved to do all they can to disgust him and to relax, if not break, the Alliance. Meanwhile the Russian stock-jobbing party have failed in their attempts to make peace at any price the card df the Government here, and to sow ill-will between the Allies. I find that he (L. N.) has utterly discomfited them, and their faces are very long indeed. But you may depend upon it that he approved and encouraged the Pamphlet This I have from a friend of yours and mine, to whom the author (Duverryer) related all the particulars. It was a very unwise and ill-timed movement, and will now be discovered, of course. The only kind of war he can afford to carry on, and his people can bear, is blockade, and our wise people require a march to St. Petersburg. Lord Brougham to Lady TVestmorland. Cannes, January 22, 1856. No doubt this is a most important event,* and I devoutly hope it may lead to peace. But my fear is that Russia may have supposed (justly) that the depar- ture of the Austrian Embassy from St. Petersburg must be prevented at any price, and may have the project of chicanery and trickery and diplomacy undoing it all at the negotiations. However, it is such a concession as exceedingly lowers her, and that in one respect is a great advantage, but in another is a * The Russian acceptance of the propositions of the Allies. 282 RETIREMEISIT [1856 detriment ; for if your adversary is too much humbled, it makes the treaty insecure. In one view I have much hope. She must have suffered much, and must have become aware that in another campaign or two she could never gain anything, and might lose much. There is more security in doing what she professes, and now will be felt the evils of our mob Government and mob press. The cry is as loud for war as ever, and the good news, as you and I deem it, will be a great disappointment to our silly multitude. This will lead to squabbles with France. Already I am convinced there have been differences, and even un- pleasant things. Russia probably reckons upon such things. However, if that of her hereafter beginning again is our only risk, it is remote and is uncertain. The evils of the war were certain and immediate. The notion at Paris, I find, is that this will turn out the Government (English). I don't at all see that. My friend La Bagration* condoles with Pam on this disappointment of his hopes — that is, hopes of a splendid campaign. My belief is that he is better without it. Duchess of Gloucester to Lady Westmorland. February 14, 1856. My dear Lady Westmorland, I have many thanks to return to you for allow- ing me to read the interesting and heart-breaking letters,! which I return, after having read them, with deep feelings of sorrow and regret that his honourable conduct (in a most difficult situation that any Com- * Princess Bagration, a Russian lady, well known at that time in French society, t About Lord Raglan. 1856] PEACE 283 mander-in-Chief ever was placed in) has been so little done justice to by the country, and by those who ought to have supported him. And the idea that he died (which I am sure he did) from a broken heart, the more painful and heart-breaking to his family and those who loved him as he deserved to be. I was so happy to see you again, and looking better than I expected. Your affectionate friend, Mary. Prince Mettemich to Lady Westmorland. Vienna, April 18. Peace is made, thanks to God. For me it has been made since the summer of last year, for the simple reason that I could find no reason for continuing such incommensurable sacrifice which the war would have cost on one side without a defensible object, and which without this object must have opened the chances of a general conflagration. It is only stupidity which does not admit limitations ; folly does admit of them. You see I do the world the honour of not thinking it lost beyond hope. Your judgment on the man of the day* is per- fectly true. In my heart and conscience I look upon him in the light of a gift of Providence. The position which he occupies is, without doubt, full of dangers ; but to reason on such individual positions is to lose time. All that the quiet minds, because they are wise, ought to do is to enter the right road them- selves, and uphold that which is generally useful on that road. * Louis Napoleon. 284 RETIREMENT [1856 Think, my dear Countess, how many difficulties (and some of them most serious) have their origin in the amalgamation which men (and those in the front rank of public life) allow to be made between questions which are social and those which are strictly political. In not giving to these questions the places assigned to them by the force of circumstances, which is logic, and in confounding them, the confusion becomes extreme, and takes the place which exclusively belongs to truth. Between two people social questions have a right to the first place, and necessarily go before political questions, which from their nature are attached to interests and ideas directed towards a special end, whilst really social questions have a general character. If, in admitting my remark, you will give it the value of a touchstone to make you distinguish the quality of question, you will find yourself in possession of a key which will show you the truth, and the direction you must follow to make plain situations covered with clouds. If I am not mistaken, Louis Napoleon belongs to the limited number of men who make the distinction which I point out to you, and it is Providential that in this same distinction is to be found the only remedy which he can well apply for his own salvation. Do not take what you have just read for an abstract treatise ; it is simply the truth, and serves to explain to right minds many cases which seem to them to hold an enigma. The step which Lady Beauvale has just taken* was, as you know, foreseen by Melaine.f She is wise ; she is a good woman, and in every way worthy of respect. * Lady Beauvale' s marriage to Lord Forester, t Melanie, his wife, who died in 1854. 1856] BETROTHAL OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL 285 Her conduct to her husband was excellent and rich in sacrifices, mitigated, without doubt, by the fine quali- ties which adorned the latter. Lord Beauvale passed nearly his whole life in my sight, and I have met few minds more conscientious than that with which Heaven endowed him. If he had followed a Parliamentary career, he would without doubt have played a striking part for his country. Princess of Prussia to Lady Westmorland. COBLENZ, April 18, 1856. Dear Countess, I write to you knowing your sympathy and interest* You will understand the emotion I feel on thinking that God has permitted such a happy event for the people who will be united, for their families, and for the two c6untries made to esteem them. I have been interested in your charming young Princess from the moment I first saw her ten years ago, and I know that my son is sincerely attached to her. That is a good foundation for happiness which Princes have need of in their difficult vocation, and in our present serious times. The good God who has directed all for the best will bless the future ! This happy event is no longer a secret for our two families and our friends, but it cannot be made public immediately, and it will not be until later that the general joy can be manifested in Prussia. Dear Countess, I take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have always taken in my children, and the way in which you have helped to consolidate * On the betrothal of Prince Frederick William of Prussia with the Princess Royal. 286 RETIREMENT [1856 the dynastic relations between your fine country and Grermany. I count on your attachment in all circum- stances of my life, especially in this matter, and also with regard to my daughter's marriage.* It is the month of September which will separate her from me. I dread that moment, but I feel no selfish regret must be allowed when it is a question of her happiness. I hope to take her to Ostend in July to strengthen her with sea-baths. I hope your health is better, my dear Countess, and I beg you to send me your news. A thousand com- pliments to your husband and your children. Adieu, my dear Countess. Believe always in the great affec- tion of your devoted Princess of Prussia. Prince Metternich to Lady Westmorland. Vienna, May 24. Peace is made. You know that I attach great im- portance to the exactness of words ; therefore, in order that you may not be mistaken as to that which I attach to the word 'peace,' agree with me that all positions are compositions of several elements. Peace, St. Augustine writes, is the peace of order. Is the present peace like St. Augustine's ? I have serious doubts of it ! Two elements compose the present-day situation— the social and political elements. They both rest on the base of principles, and the difference between them is this, that the social element embraces the whole of humanity, whilst the political admits of many differences to its practical application. » With the Grand Duke of Baden. 1856] EFFECTS OF PEACE 287 Will the present peace satisfy the conditions de- manded by the real state of things? The cannons have returned to the arsenals, the ships to the ports. Political peace is therefore signed and made. Is also social peace ? And, of the two, this is by far the most important. Ask your friend B. if I put the question well or ill, and if he thinks or does not think with me, that Europe is not yet in possession of true peace. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. Brougham, July 3, 1856. My Paris accounts show that Louis Napoleon has gained much by his judicious but also humane conduct. Even the Rouges praise him, and warmly. There is, however, not the least mitigation of the selfish dislike of the Guizot set, and the total failure of the fusion scheme is manifest. I cannot make out how far he is seriously ill. Certainly, going to Plombiferes for weeks at such a moment, and when he has much to do, looks as if he were ill ; but my accounts say it is overwork — I believe of more kinds than one. The notion that he was a hard-working man politically, like his uncle, I knew to be groundless : at least, of late — I mean these last two years — he has been lazy and idle. What say you to the folly of the Conservatives of giving Pam victory after victory, and letting their own divisions appear almost every day? It only wants now the finishing stroke of their giving the Govern- ment a triumph in the House of Lords, and the childish folly of Derby is very likely to give that. I suppose there never was a great party so destroyed by the want of a head to lead them. 288 RETIREMENT [1856 Princess of Prussia to Lady Westmorland. Aix-la-Chapelle, July 7, 1856. My dear Lady Westmorland, Accept my most sincere thanks for your kind letter, which touched me very much ; for I found in it the proof of your affection as well as the iaterest you always take in my children. Believe me, I know well how to appreciate those sentiments, and if I have been long in expressing my gratitude this time, it is because of my mode of life at Baden, where my ' cure ' inter- feres with my epistolary duties. Having arrived here, where I join my daughter, and make my preparations to go to England, I hasten to repair my neglect in addressing these lines to you. The details of your letter were of the greatest interest to me, and I am really delighted at what you tell me of the people who are so much to me. The amiable Princess Royal, whom I left as a child, and whom I see again at such an important epoch in her life, receives the greatest praise on all sides, and this is a double happiness to me. You, my dear Countess, will easily understand the maternal emotions which fill my heart, for you are such a good mother that from your own feelings you will understand what I feel. I share with you your deep regret at seeing you parted from your son Julian,* who is everywhere, in all ways, so distinguished. I flatter myself he will not stay long in Russia, and that after the first step on the upward grade he will soon be placed somewhere more favourable in your interest. * Julian Fane had gone as Secretary to St. Petersburg. 1856] KING LEOPOLD'S DECORATION 289 Lord Westmorland to Lady Westmorland. Baden, Saturday, August 16, 1856. Dearest, I have just come out of the boring thing, which is, copying a letter. I have written to King Leopold* to tell him of the despatch from Clarendon refusing to allow me to accept the King's Order. I have recapitulated Clarendon's words, but said that I could not question the decision, but that there were the cases of Durham, Wilton, and Denbigh, which might be cited in addition to that of the Duke of Devonshire, but that he, the King, could alone form a judgment upon the whole case ; stating, however, that I had conceived an exception might have been made in the present case, on the score of near relationship, which guides the decision in the case qf Lord Denbigh, as the Orders come from the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, the near relation of Queen Adelaide. I have no letter from you, nor the Morning Post, but I have got it from the library, and I am glad some justice is coming out as to Raglan. It is as yet, in the article of the Spectator, but feebly put forward, and I only fear that these little defences of a triumphant career will make people doubt, when the great facts come out, that they really could be what then will be stated. The truth is, these are evil times and must be borne with ; nobody has the courage, and if he has, he does not dare to put forward the facts, which do not fall in with the existing delusion. * King Leopold had proposed to bestow a decoration on Lord Westmorland (see ' Queen Victoria's Letters,' vol. iii., p. 202). 19 290 RETIREMENT [1856 After all the English vituperation of Russia, I am amused to-day to see in the Moniteur that Brunnow * had presented to the Emperor some Russian officers who were presiding over the building of some steam men-of-war for the Russian navy in one of the French ports. I saw yesterday the Princess Corsini, Duchess of Casigliana. She was very cordial ; she is still in deep distress for the loss of her son. She spoke of you with the greatest affection, and she really made a great impression on me from the feeling and sense with which she, spoke. I shall go to see her again. Madame D'Oubril is here with her daughter, Madame Budberg included. I dined again yesterday with the Elys ; they go away to-day. She goes to the Queen at Osborne. . . . You must order my shooting-pony to be got up for me, and I wish Mr. Day and Mr. Wing would look out for a quiet, useful hack that I can ride about, that will go well, that does not shy, but will go a tolerable pace. God bless you I King Leopold to Lord Westmorland. Camp of Bererloo, August 29, 1856. My dearest Lord Westmorland, I received your most kind letter from Baden, but having some misgivings where to direct my answer, I waited till I found by the papers that you had returned to England. You will recollect that the Queen had written to me that there would be no difficulty about my request. * Russian Minister at Paris ; formerly in London. 1856] BELGIAN LOYALTY 291 Some time after that she wrote that the Cabinet was alarmed, lest granting my request would be unpleasant to the Emperor of the French, who had been anxious to decorate the English Plenipotentiaries, which desire had not been granted. I have protested against this argument, because it has nothing to do with our unique and very peculiar case. I told the Queen, besides, what is perfectly true — that she has but one uncle, and that no power in heaven or earth can get her another; that therefore I was con- vinced that the Emperor, with his usual good sense, would take no offence. There the matter rests for the present. I have been happy beyond measure to have you in this country, and that you so kindly consented to remain with us some days, and to witness what is rather a rare sight, the loyalty anfl affectionate attach- ment of an honest people. We have since continued our excursions to Namur, Luxemburg, Antwerp, Liege, the province of Limburg; and now I am, since yesterday, here in our permanent camp. The recep- tions we met with everywhere would have done your kind heart good to witness, and I look upon it as being of real importance for all monarchical institutions that, in a very free country, the feelings of attachment and gratitude should have become so strong and so unanimous. I return to-morrow to Laeken, and go on the 31st to Ghent for two days; the next week to Hainault, where a most affectionate reception awaits me. I trust that my dearest and most valued friend, your excellent lady, is in better health than when I saw her last, and that you will say everything most affectionate to her in my name. And now I must end, ig — 2 292 RETIREMENT [1856 with the sentiments of the highest esteem and truest regards. Ever, my dearest Lord Westmorland, Yours most faithfully, Leopold. Duchess of Gloucester to Lady Westmorland. White Lodge, September, 1856. My dear Lady Westmorland, I am vain enough to believe you will be glad to see my handwriting again, and I am thankful to be able (after my long illness) to thank Lord Westmor- land and yourself for all your kind inquiries after me during the height of my illness. I have been most mercifully dealt with, and supported by a most kind Providence that never forsook me, and by His merciful guidance enabled the medical men to do their duty, and those who watched my sick-bed to nurse me so admirably. And I hope I am as grateful as I ought to be for all the blessings and comforts I am surrounded with. It is difficult to describe how deeply my heart feels all the proofs of attention and kindness I have received from all my belongings and all my kind friends. For my age and time of life I am recovering my strength in a most marvellous manner, and yester- day evening resumed my place in the drawing-room. As soon as I am equal to driving out, I am going to Gloucester House to establish myself for the winter, and I hope, if life is granted me, that, should any- thing bring you to London, you will call at Gloucester House ; you are sure of finding me at home and most happy to see you; and pray say the same to Lord Westmorland, where I still hope he will come and make up a whist-table occasionally. I was glad to 1856] THREE MARRIAGES 293 hear he enjoyed his trip abroad ; the Duchess of Cambridge was so pleased to see him at Baden. She writes pleased with that part of Germany. The society was much mixed, but she found some she liked. I must now congratulate you on Lord Burghersh's marriage,* I hear she is a charming person, and I trust this event may add much to his happiness, and to his mother's comfort, and to his sister's, too. The Dean of Windsor's marriage t is also an event that has taken place since I saw you, and I think that he has made a good choice for himself (though so much younger), as by all accounts she is a most amiable, steady, well-informed, and talented girl, and quite fit for a clergyman's wife; and there can hardly be a doubt that she is fallen into hands that will consider her comfort and happiness in everything. Your affectionate friend, Mary. Princess of Prussia to Lady Westmorland. DURKHEIM DANS LE PALATINADE, October 21, 1856. Dear Countess, I thank you very tenderly for your kind and very interesting letter. I knew the share you would take in this event, which, whilst filling me with grati- tude to God for my daughter's! happy lot, does not impose on me a lesser sacrifice. My daughter was my companion and my friend; nothing in the world can for me replace the charm of her character and * With Lady Adelaide Curzon. t Dr. Gerald Wellesley's marriage to Miss Montagu. I Princess Louise of Prussia was married to the Grand Duke of Baden on September 20, 1856. 294 RETIREMENT [1856 the sweetness of this relation, and now I feel very solitary. But this is the maternal lot ; I must submit to it,_and only think of my children's happiness. How can I thank God enough for my son's future ? You know, my dear Countess, how I, appreciate the union which is going to take place. All that I hope is that, when the charming Princess Royal leaves her family and her country, she will not find too great a contrast there, where she is called to do so much good. This idea often preoccupies me, and I tell you of it so that you may well see that I am not egotistical in my maternal gratitude, and I do not disillusion myself as to the difficulties. My son returns to England this winter; I much hope he will have the advantage of seeing you, if during that time you are in town, but I should prefer that for your health you should go to some better climate. The health of the excellent Duchess of Gloucester has given us some uneasiness ; I hope it is reassuring for the moment, and that the Duchess, who always thinks more of others than of herself, will take more care of herself this winter. If you have an opportunity, present to her my respectful homage. I much regret not having seen the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary on the Continent. As to the poor hereditary Grand Duchess of Strelitz, I pity her with all my heart, for her position will be more painful on account of her husband's state.* During the weeks I expect to spend in Berlin during the Carnival, my resource will be to see again Pauline Neale and the Duchesse de Sagan. I can talk to both of them of you, and I shall do so with pleasure. * He was threatened with blindness. 1856] BARON HUMBOLDT 295 Baron Humboldt to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, October 9, 1856. Finding myself amidst all the horrors of ' cosmic ' packings in the view of my approaching removal to Potsdam (where the King returns on the nth), I have had a moment of serene satisfaction — one of those moments in which the soul is touched. How can I thank you enough, madam, for all the kindness ex- pressed to me in your delicious letter! I am no doubt advancing on the road to complete imbecility, but the progress is slow ; and if I become absolutely petrified, the petrification will not begin at the heart. I appeal to the testimony of the excellent and amiable Countess Pauline, who is now enjoying the happiness of being in the old and venerable house at Apethorpe, and of talking with you. She, in whom are combined a keen intelligence and a noble heart, will tell you that you have gained the eternal gratitude, not of myself only, but of all the country, and, however chary of enthusiasm we may be, from the Court downwards, your noble name is held in high and dignified esteem. Leaving to-morrow for Potsdam, I have already sent the little picture* to the care of Lord Bloomfield. This little print of my private (and nocturnal) life will, I hope, reach you in a few days. My scientific work is generally done between ten o'clock at night and three in the morning ; for, living so close to an artistic and literary King, my house has become a registry office, and 3,000 letters a year are a heavy burden on a man, who (by excess of indulging a spirit of independence) has a horror of a secretary. As I grow older this * A picture of Humboldt in his study. 296 RETIREMENT [1856 torrent of letters increases. One who becomes an object of curiosity, and what is called a celebrity, generally owes it to the patience with which one endures life so long ! The young ladies from the country, who think to cheer me by offering to establish themselves near me at Tegel in order to be at hand to close my eyes, always begin their letters ' Edier jugend Greis.'* I hope the inscription I have written on the print — though rather Germanically long — ^will not displease you, and I hope you will recall me to the remembrance of the illustrious man,t who is both great and good. My admiration for him dates from long ago — from the days of Holland House, when it was still complete and filled with its annual inhabitants. There is great joy in my family. Constance, Madame de Biilow'sJ youngest daughter, is to marry Monsieur de Heintz, Aide-de-Camp to Prince Frederick William — a clever and distinguished officer. He may flatter himself with being a real friend of that excellent young Princess ; and as to Miss Constance, she is a charming person, born in England, and speaking your language perfectly. This will be a bond of sympathy with the young royal couple, and she may please the Princess Royal, of whom we hear so much good. I am afraid our excellent King is much disturbed at this shabby and miserable attempt at Restoration at Neuchatel. It seems to me that any arrangement in this dual position is impossible. The district oijahde, where our formidable Armada will be anchored, Hohen- zoUern, Neuchatel, and that Terpsichore Barnum * Noble young Patriarch. t Lord Brougham. X Madame de Biilow was daughter of W. Humboldt and niece of Alexander Humboldt. 1856] POSITION IN PARIS 297 Colony, the reef of Morerea, are four possessions which it will be difficult to defend. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. ChAteau El£onore Louise, Cannes, October 20, 1856. At Paris I saw all who were there ; Louis Napoleon was at St. Cloud. . . . He is our only, or almost our only, friend. His entourage, and even his Ministry, with very few exceptions, quite hostile, especially to Pam, for his habit of meddling, which they fear may draw on Louis Napoleon, and so make some conflict which will interfere with their eternal agiotage in all directions. At present I believe it is Russian railways they are dabbHng in. Of such men as Morny and Walewsky I have the very worst opinion, and they have some little weight with him. He is uneasy about the working classes, who are much discontented at the high prices, especially of rent. He is also, for the first time, not quite satisfied as to his finance matters ; the expenses he has incurred begin to be annoying. But the money crisis will pass away. I am very glad to find that he takes all precautions to prevent personal mischief, especially from Italians. ... I find Louis Napoleon's position is materially improved since last year, partly by time, chiefly as regards the South, by his humane and gallant conduct in the inundations. This sceptical country admits that much in his favour. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. Chateau El]6onore Louise, 'November 2, 1856. I begin to feel a little anxious about our entente cordiale, but, of course, not believing a tenth part of 298 RETIREMENT [1856 the nonsense I see talked about it. However, I see there will always be much difficulty with our going on smoothly with Louis Napoleon, when we have debates, speeches, and newspapers, continually handling delicate and personal questions. It is true the same difficulty exists in all other Governments of the same kind, which have no Parliament and no Press ; but, then, their people are not accustomed to discuss like the French, and are not so sensitive. The difficulty in this country is that, all discussion having been put down of any kind, the English speeches and newspapers are the only things which they have to consider, and it excites them not a little, and makes their Government feel very sore. The Emperor him- self is quite aware that our Government cannot help it, but he feels uneasy because the attacks indicate some unfriendly feeling in the English ; and whether he feels this'or not himself, he is certain that his enemies of all kinds are certain to take it up. I see no French people — whether Legitimists or Orleanists — who are not fully sensible that, for this country, a Parlia- mentary Government and Free Press is out of the question, and they seem to consider us in England as not much to be envied in that respect. As for Naples, I cannot comprehend what our mob* — including some who are as little mob as possible — are driving at. If we compel Bomba to liberate and pardon, what will hinder him from doing it all over again next month ? Then, are we to insist upon a Constitution being granted by him ? and is Louis Napoleon to join in requiring it ? It really seems as if our Liberals are following the example of the Convention (November, * The diplomatic difficulties at Naples had become so acute that the English and French Ambassadors were withdrawn on October 28. 1856] LOUIS NAPOLEON'S POSITION 299 1792). We are requiring other nations to have a Parliament as they required them to have a Republic. The only difference is that it was the Convention with the mob of Paris who acted in 1792; now it is the English mob and their Press without the Parlia- ment. But it may end in mischief, or at least in making it be understood that there is no keeping on good terms with England. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. Brougham, November 20, 1856. I saw all that were in Paris, including Madame de Lieven, to whom I expressed very strongly my disgust at the prostration of all Powers at Moscow,* and marked my prediction that they would soon have a kick in return — accordingly, comes the coup de pied Gortscha- koff— she was angry, but, as only one person (Saxon Minister) was present, she forgave. The folly of Louis Napoleon's absence from Paris for five months is great ; and the tomfooleryt of Compifegne really hurts him, because it makes him laughed at. He was bent on repeating it at Fontaine- bleau, and obstinately persisted because he was remonstrated with. F. Baring told me on Tuesday morning that he was determined that nothing would turn him aside. I doubted this from a circumstance I had just heard, and on the same evening a circular went to the guests, putting the postponement on 'the continued bad weather.' He is, however, on all essential matters behaving very well, very wisely, and to us as well as ever — but the Mornys and Walewskys quite the contrary. . . . * At the coronation of Alfiixander 11. + The revival of old Court customs. 300 RETIREMENT [1856 The eighth volume of the Glasgow edition of my Works will be sent to you, and I beg you will read the. Dissertation on Revolutions, especially that of 1848 ; that Revolution is, the more one thinks of it, the more frightful, as showing the impossibility of trusting to any appearances of any quiet where Paris is concerned. Thiers's new volume * is his best, and one rises from it with a conviction that Napoleon was the worst man who ever lived, and the basest and meanest. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. Brougham, December 19, 1856. I am not quite easy about Paris and Louis Napoleon. He, plainly, is becoming less prudent just at the time when his position is becoming more difficult. The feeling at Paris is somewhat less comfortable than it was a month ago. This of Neuchatelf is quite absurd, and the delight it gives his adversaries of all kinds is very great. The difficulty of his position is that the French, and especially the Parisians, must have excite- ment ; and as the war is over, and he can give them no Chambers (that is quite certain), they will be making mischief. This fancy for fetes and chasses, but especially for Prussian Princes and other royal visits, is doing him as much harm as possible, and 1 am sorry to say the English are no longer more liked than they used to be. * ' History of Consulate and Empire.' + In September an attempt, instigated by Prussia, was made to get her authority recognized in the Republic of Neuchatel. Some of the agitators were thrown into prison, and Prussia threatened to insist on their release by armed force. This action received some support from Louis Napoleon. 1856] PRINCESS CHARLOTTE OF BELGIUM 301 The war and the Alliance suspended the general feel- ing about us, which has now returned. A friend of mine says, ' You who are only a short time in Paris can have no idea how strongly now that old grudge operates.' Nevertheless, I rely in the great real interest they have in keeping well with us, and I believe that will prevent mischief, but it naturally shakes Louis Napoleon. King Leopold to Lady Westmorland. Laeken, December 4, 1856. My DEAREST Lady Westmorland, Accept my warmest and best thanks for your truly "kind letter of November 24. I was sure that you would feel interest in the fate of Charlotte,* having at all times shown her so much kindness. She might have chosen differently, but she very sensibly said that she attached no importance to the position, and would rather have a secondary position, but with an individual who would give her the impression that his character would suit her own. The Archduke is evidently more than the generality of Princes, ^nd I am happy to find that this is also your opinion. Charlotte is a dear, sensible, and unsophisticated being, and the Archduke may well appreciate his lot, as Princesses of that description, except in novels, are not frequently met with in actual life. I trust that Brighton will prove beneficial to your health ; it is the most delightful residence I know in England at this time of the year. I am still thinking of the good time when Lord * Marriage of Princess Charlotte to Archduke Maximilian, after- wards Emperor of Mexico. 302 RETIREMENT [1856 Westmorland was with us in July, and hope that he has kept of those days a favourable recollection. Your poor sister has had a large share of grief, and I am truly happy to learn that she is pleased with her daughter-in-law.* Poor Prince of Leiningenf was much devoted to you. Since the attack of last year he has had a sad existence, but to be carried off at fifty-two was rather unexpected. He was sensible, and, as you say, he had the courage of his opinions, in which opinion he was often right. The political affairs of England are still in a good deal of confusion. Happily, nearly all Governments are bound by their finances to keep the peace. England is, perhaps, least in that embarras, but, still, it will also do well to look to its own business. I regret the course taken concerning Naples, and what good can come from insurrection which must spring from those measures ? It is time I should close my long letter, not without assuring you that I remain, my dear Lady West- morland, Your truly devoted servant and friend, Offer my homage to Lady Rose. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. December i6, 1856. I received your letter of the 12th at Woburn, where I took leave of that excellent old couplet whom I love so much, and where I passed four days very agree- * The second Lord Raglan had just married Lady Georgina Lygon, + Prince of Leiningen, son of the Duchess of Kent by her first marriage, and so stepbrother to Queen Victoria. X Duke and Duchess of Bedford. 1856] WOBURN ABBEY 303 ably. It is a magnificent establishment — the finest that I know. There were a great many young people. Rose and Kitty were much amused, and I enjoyed some fine pictures, fine statues, and especially a collection of most interesting manuscripts. I returned home at the moment when a certain number of the farmers were dining in the arcade, to-day being the first of three rent-days when the tenants come to pay their first half-year rent. They begin with the large farmers, to-morrow the little ones will come, and the day after the tenants of the cottages. My husband went in, and was received with cheers ; then they asked if I could not come. So I went with Rose, and I was touched with their welcome. I cannot tell you how they received me and how they showed their attachment. I am sure it is sincere. CHAPTER X 1857 : APETHORPE AND LONDON The violent attacks on Lord Raglan which had appeared in the Times during the progress of the war had never been properly met. In January, 1857, ^^ article appeared in the Quarterly Review, by the editor, Mr. Elwm, from information supplied to him by Lady Westmorland. It is a satisfaction to know that this vindication of him has recently been amply completed by the publication of the ' Panmure Papers ' and the Duke of Newcastle's Life. The letters from Lord Brougham in the early part of this year refer to the political situation in England. Lord Palmerston's Government was attacked by a combination of Peelites and Conservatives on Sir G. Lewis's Budget ; but they weathered the storm, and it was not till the following year that they were defeated over the Conspiracy Bill. Lord and Lady Westmorland spent nearly the whole year between Apethorpe and London, but in the summer Lady Westmorland went abroad for a few weeks, during which time she paid a visit to Prince Metternicn (who was then eighty-five) at Johannesberg, his country seat on the Rhine. She sent to Lord Westmorland a memorandum of her conversations with him, which has fortunately been preserved amongst his letters. The letters from Comtesse Pauline Neale. in the autumn relate to the illness of King Frederick William IV., inconsequence of which his brother, the Prince of Prussia, was appointed Regent. 304 1857] VINDICATION OF LORD RAGLAN 305 The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. London, February g, 1857. My dear Lady Westmorland, Bearing in mind your kind wish to hear from me after reading the article in the Quarterly Review on Lord Raglan, I should have written before if my porter had not sent it to Woburn on the day before we came to London. I have, however, borrowed one from a friend, and cannot express to you the very great pleasure I have had in reading it. Such noble senti- ments, so admirably expressed in defence of an injured man devoting his best energies to the service of his country, and, moreover, an early and valued friend, have gone to my heart, and given me more real, although somewhat melancholy, gratifications than anything I have read for many a day. I received the Review at night, and was up at half-past five to read it, and could not leave off until I had finished it. Many thanks for having told me pf it. It is beyond all praise I can give it. I have just left the Duchess of Gloucester, who wrote to me this morning to express a wish to see me ; she has promised me to read the article without loss of time. I am sorry to say she is far from well, and appears very weak. Lord Westmorland came to see the Duchess yester- day, but I just missed him. Odo,* you may have heard, is appointed to go with Lord Napier to America, with which he is much pleased, although it is not promotion. His mother * Odo Russell, afterwards Lord Ampthill. He had been Attach^ at Vienna under Lord Westmorland. 20 3o6 APETHORPE AND LONDON [1857 did not like it at first, but now is quite recpnciled to it, seeing how well he likes it. My brother John is looking particularly well. His rest and his winter at Florence appear to have suited him. He has had his say, as you will have observed, about Italy; but I have not heart to write about politics which are becoming more and more distasteful to me after a long and early career in their pursuit. I must not close my letter without sending the Duchess's best remembrances to yourself and Lady Rose. Ever sincerely yours, Bedford. I could not but remark with interest the Westminster School,* which I remember well. This is the only part of the article that might have been better told. I could have furnished one letter that would have added to the interest of the landing at Eupatoria. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. ChAteau ELioNORE Louise, March 30, 1857. To be sure, the luck of Pam is extreme. Nothing could have given him the cards he now has but the gross blunder of the Opposition in joining all the odds and ends of parties to turn him out. He has to con- tend with those whose leaders appear not to have common-sense, as they consult only such as Derby, etc., and not such as Lyndhurst and Lord Lonsdale, the best and longest-headed of them all : they are out of one scrape into another. As for J. Russell, I suppose * The Duke of Bedford and Lord Raglan were both educated at Westminster. 1857] LORD BROUGHAM'S ILLNESS 307 that with very great care and self-government he may get back the confidence of the party on whom he alone can rely — the Whigs ; that is his look-out in case anything happens to Pam ; but they dread his knack of upsetting whatever Government he belongs to, and your true Whig regards as his worst enemy him who risks turning out the Government. You will see how easily they, the Whigs and Reformers, will be satisfied with Pam doing little or nothing for Reform ; they will stand anything rather than a change of Ministry. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. ChAteau El]£oncxee Louise, Afril 27, 1857. As you took an interest in my illness, I now write to say that, somewhat contrary to my expectations, I have got quite well, and for the last ten days have walked as usual three or four miles a day ; but I still am condemned to poison — what you call luncheon and a glass oi port wine. In fact, I had lived too low, and five or six weeks' illness has made me resolve to feed a little better — at least for some time. We have now the finest weather possible, and I grudge leaving the blue sea and the light and air for Grafton Street and the House of Lords. I shall therefore stop a fortnight longer, and be in London soon after the middle of May. We have had a curious affair at Grasse. The Capucins {en mission) persuaded the women, whom they always address, that it is peche mortel to have any books not authorized by the Pferes de I'Oratoire ; so all their books were brought, the husbands obeying, to the great place before the Cathedral, and burnt 20 — 2 3o8 APETHORPE AND LONDON [1857 under the advice of the Rev. Fathers in broad day- light — all books, dictionaries, even almanacs. Some say the Bible was burnt also, but of this my informants (magistrates, etc.) were not at all certain. The clergy at Grasse, as everywhere in Provence,, are very moderate rational persons, and hate these missionaries. Nor was there ever anything like religious fanaticism in this part of France. The Bourbons made a political handle of a little religion as against the Jacobins — voila tout. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. May 8, 1857. I can well enter into your feelings about the Duchess of Gloucester* — amongst others, that of its being the last link connecting your family with the old Court. She was one of the best of them, beyond all doubt ; everyone does justice to her. I am greatly pleased at your good account of Prince Metternich ; pray, when you write, give him my kindest regards. What little comfort it gives one to make comparison on other people's sufferings, yet I can't help dwelling on those of my most excellent though somewhat strange-tempered friend Napier.t I had been reading the life of Sir Charles, his brother, and he tells me, in a letter I had yesterday from him, of the sufferings under which a great part of it was written — the illness and death of his daughter, one of the most angelic persons I ever saw. He had been watching her declining health for some months with the utmost * The Duchess of Gloucester, last survivor of George III.'s family, died in April, 1857. t General Sir William Napief. 1«57] SIR WILLIAM NAPIER 309 anxiety, and at length he lost her. He is, besides, such a martyr to acute rheumatism that he passes three- fourths of his time (sometimes months together) in bed, enduring agonies. I was saying that such a case as this should make us ashamed of ever being discon- tented, when I met an acquaintance in this neighbour- hood who really seems more to be pitied. He had two daughters — no other children. One died from hydro- phobia from the bite of a mad dog ; the remaining one, a few weeks ago, drowned herself in an attack of epilepsy ; and the poor man has himself been ruined by an unfortunate speculation, and is sold up and must starve if his wife's little annuity were to go. Prince Metternich to Lady Westmorland. May 10, 1857. I have already seen the article you tell me of in the Quarterly Review* All that concerns the subject has a right to my lively interest, and for two reasons : I am the friend of my friends and in all things of truth. Long observation has proved to me that it is only on the field of truth that I have met individualities between which and my own it has been possible to form a friendship. I gather consolation and security from this fact in respect of such a great condition of life. You know how much I always appreciate the great qualities which were given to that worthy pupil of a school whose traces are disappearing day by day.t The inevitable misfortune comes to me which occurs to everyone whose life passes the ordinary limits of time. Each day makes me more isolated in society, * On Lord Raglan. + A reference to Lord Raglan's having received his military train- ing under the Duke of Wellington. 310 APETHORPE AND LONDON [1857 and sees the number of individuals diminish, who in the true meaning of the word are valued as con- temporaries. In the same period there appears an epoch of history — an epoch which is always slow in movement and rich in products. You are doubtless au courant of the French press ; it is there especially that the historical element pre- dominates. The first Napoleon, his qualities and his faults, his rise and his ruin, occupy the first place in the histories of authentic accounts, for lack of which history is deprived of solid foundations. The ' History of the Consulate and Empire ' by M. Thiers, the ' Memoirs of King Joseph ' and those of the ' Duke of Ragusa,' are immensely interesting. Nothing concerning the man who played so great a part in the times which may justly bear his name now remains in any obscurity. It is Napoleon himself who is described in these books. What I find in reading them is full confirmation that I recognized, and in part guessed, his qualities and his weakness. It is on the conviction I had of the truth of my impressions, and on what was, and on what was not, the individuality which knew how to turn to its own profit the events which made it possible to raise itself to the summit of immense power, that I founded the line which in moments of grave decision it was given to me to impress on the politics and military opera- tions of the Austrian Power. This line would have failed if I had not met with the moral and material support of the men who were then directing the politics of England. These men were my friends, and they were equally yours. Nothing therefore, my dear Countess, is simpler than the feelings which are common to us 1857] DEBATE ON THE CRIMEA 311 both, and which are beyond the reach of time's influ- ence. You will see, think and wish always that which in my eyes as in yours will bear the impress of truth, of right, and of reason, or that of error voluntary or involuntary, in social or private situations of all kinds. I apply the expression of this conviction very par- ticularly to the position to-day. Lord Westmorland to Lady Westmorland. London, Sunday, July, 1857. Dearest, I write now before going to dinner at Lord Granville's, and shall finish to-morrow. I went to Emily, as I had not been able to get to her yesterday, as, between the Crystal Palace and Holland House, I was kept so late that I had only time to get home to dress for dinner at the Duchess of Inverness's. Emily was anxious to know my impression of the debate,* which I gave her as very good as far as it went, and I explained why I had not spoken as I intended — that first I waited for the Duke of C, who, I felt certain, intended to rise. She said : * I am sure he never meant to do any such thing. I have heard from Sir R. A.t all about it, and from the beginning he never meant it — in short, he said as much.' Now, I fancy she is right. I am very sorry to feel so, but, putting all things together, I believe he did not intend to give any aid. Emily says it is just like him, and that, in truth, he wanted to keep away. What I do know is that, if it had not been for my conviction that he meant, after having asked twice that the motion should be put off, * On the Crimea. t Sir Richard Airey. 312 APETHORPE AND LONDON [1857 to speak, I should have risen after Granville and before the Duke of Beaufort, After all, it is perhaps as well as it is, but I regret I did not say what I meant, and what I had written down, and what I showed to Emily. I find that none of the papers have any article on the debate, which shows how completely the Press rules the roost. I have inquiries for you from all the world, the Queen of Holland amongst the most faithful. The Howards I have just left. They go to Hanover on Wednesday. The Duchess of Wellington has invited us all for a concert to-morrow to meet the Queen of Holland. Lord Westmorland to Lady Westmorland. London, Monday, July, 1857. Dearest, To my great comfort, I have received your two letters, and I consequently direct this to Geneva, and shall do so to-morrow. I am rendered quite easy about you. I had some fear that, when you got up after lying in bed on Wednesday, you might have felt the effects of the fatigue and heat, but I am now satisfied you have got over it. I am afraid you will have had a good deal of heat during the last days, for till yesterday it was very hot, and so it was after dinner and during dinner at Granville's. The Queen dined there, and a select circle remained, till twelve. I came home, read, and went to bed and slept well. Now about my own movements. My wish would be to meet you. at Baden, and I like the place and the chance of meeting so many friends, and the Princess of Prussia, and afterwards Metternich. ... If I 1S57] FAMrLY MOVEMENTS 313 go to Paris, I should want to see my friends there, particularly Walewski, and get a little into their politics ; this I could not do under three or four days, which would get to the end of next week — that is, 8th or pth-r-before I got to Baden, unless I left London by Thursday of present week ; and that, I think, is too soon, and Mr. Hicks says, with this hot weather, he would not recommend my setting off and running into the chances of a hot and hurried journey. If I got to Baden the 9th, I should like to stay there a week, and this would bring it too late for Johannes- berg* or your calculations of being home for the flowers in August; and in any case it would make a very hurried affair of it, unless we stayed till September. When you receive this letter at Geneva on Friday, you can telegraph me what you think of our meeting. I shall get your message on Saturday, so then I can decide whether I will go to Paris on Monday or to Manchester on that day, which I would do to meet the Queen of Holland, who will be there Monday and Tuesday. I shall go to the Duchess of Wellington's concert to-night to meet the Queen, and to-morrow to the Duchess of Hamilton. On Wednesday I dine at Mr. Rose's, and on Thursday with Lady Ann Beckett, having declined accompanying Lady Ailesbury on that day to Goodwood and back on the same day, setting off at nine, and returning to dinner at the same hour in the evening. Sarah t does all she can to protect and pioneer the Queen, but she takes more care of herself; she is great friends with Lady W. Russell, Clarendon, Lynd- hurst, and such-like, and is very civil to me. * Metternich's country-house on the Rhine. + Ladjr Jersey. SH APETHORPE AND LONDON [1857 The Duchess of Cambridge came last night to Gran- ville's after dinner, which is her last appearance in public, as to-morrow she goes off to Rumpenheim. Mrs. Goodman* is with me, and is good enough to allow me to write to you while she is doing my legs. I had Smart here about the pictures at Apethorpe, and when he saw. Mrs. Goodman's picture he was delighted, and called it a most spirited likeness.^ You will see all I have to say in the Raglan affair in what I wrote yesterday. I hear no talk about it. Clarendon, whom I talked a good deal with yesterday, is very angry with the French Government, and quite conjoined with Buol, but he says with the aboiiiinable Radical Press there is no governing. My love to Rose : I have not time to write to her; I have written all to you. My love to her, and God bless you. I send you the letter I have received directed to you from Esterhazy. Lady Westmorland's Account of her Conversation with Metternich whilst staying with him at Johannesberg. i8s7- Metternich said during 1813 and 18 14 he went every evening to Alexander,t and often remained tete-a- tete from six or eight till twelve. In England in 1814 Alexander and the Prince Regent hated each other. Metternich was confidant of both, and found Alexander was always most to blame. The Grand Duchess Catherine fomented the quarrel. Lord Grey came to Metternich to tell him that Alexander had sent for * An artist. t This portrait was painted for the Academy of Music, where it now hangs. I Emperor of Russia. 1857] TALK WITH METTERNICH 315 him *pour lui soumettre un travail sur I'organisation d'une Opposition en Russie. Pense t'il a creer un Parliament. Dans le cas ou il y serait decide (et je me garderai bien de lui en donner le conseil), il est dispense d'avance de creer une Opposition. II n'en manque pas.' At the Congress of Vienna, Alexander took offence at the opposition of Metternich to the annexation of Saxony, and went to the Emperor Francis and told him he had determined to challenge Metternich. Ozerowski came for explanation. Coldness went on till March 5, when Metternich got from the Austrian Consul at Genoa the account of Napoleon landing, and went from Emperor Francis to Alexander. Embracings and oubli, etc. Friendship renewed. Metternich says, ' Thiers is most anxious for the success and stability of Napoleon III. as long as it can be assured.' He would not serve him, but would ' user tous ses moyens ' to be of use to him, ' mais cela ne pent durer. M^me s'il vit il tombera. II n'a aucun appui qui puisse le soutdnir. Apr^s lui il y aura une Republique. II n'y a pas de Roi possible. 'Le comte de Chambord serait le meilleur mais personne n'en voudra. Le comte de Paris pourrait regner 3 mois, le Napoleon mineur 3 jours. Tout Paris est R6publicain, la France, Monarchique Lib^rale, mais Paris I'emportera. Une Republique civile est impossible. II y aura un dictateur militaire, et on verra se repeter ce qui se passe en Espagne moins la cour. ' Louis Napoleon est homme de capacity et de volont6, mais son esprit n'a pas de portee. ' Le Roi Leopold est I'homme le plus superieur de I'Europe, I'esprit profond et pratique, sagacite rare. Tout ce qui entoure Louis Napoleon est canaille. 3i6 APETHORPE AND LONDON [1857 Louis Philippe n'a jamais ete Conspirateur, mais Aspirateur.' MettemicKs Account of Conversation with Count Nesselrode, the Russian Prime Minister. ' L'Empereur (Nicholas) est mort de douleur da s'etre trompe. II n'a jamais voulu la guerre. II a toujours voulu et cru s'en tirer. II n'a jamais eu les desseins ambitieux qu'on lui a prfite. II n'a jamais rfive a la possession de Constantinople. Les idees religieuses ont ete les plus fortes causes de I'attitude qu'il a pris, et le dugout qu'il avait pour le nom de Bonaparte et pour tout ce qui venait de Paris. II ne pouvait croire au role que I'Angleterre a jou6. II s avait que son filsa peu de capacity pour gouverner, et il craignait surtout de laisser des questions a de- terminer par lui. Maintenant Louis Napol6on s'est fait le Protecteur de la Russie qui est a ses pieds et qui lui fait la cour avec bassesse.' Metternich says : ' The irritation between Russia and Austria is indescribable ; the Emperor voit juste, sent ce qu'il devrait faire dans les crises importantes, mais ne sait pas comment s'y prendre. II a un sentiment de repugnance pour Louis Napoleon, et repond froide- ment aux avances qu'on lui fait' The PaletOt de Menschikoff was a Frac civil convert d'Ordres, put on out of delicatesse, for fear the uniform of Admiral com- manding the Russian navy might offenser the Sultan. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. London, August i6, 1857. 1 received your letter at ' Johannesberg.' I very much enjoyed the three days spent at that most 1857] GRAND DUCHESS OF BADEN 317 delicious place with that splendid old man, who keeps his mind and his marvellous memory, and who is a type of benevolence, gentleness, and kindness. He is very happy surrounded by a family who adore him. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Apethorpe, August 23, 1857. Did I tell you the pleasure we had in seeing again that charming young Grand Duchess of Baden at Carlsruhe ? We found her the happiest of mortals between the husband she adores and the beautiful child of which she is proud. She was charming to Rose, and she has always remained the same graceful child, perfectly natural. Her establishment at Carlsruhe is very fine. May her happiness always continue ! The news from India* is awful. How many families are plunged into mourning, and how many more lives in a perpetual agony of unrest I Our poor neighbours the Tryons have just seen their eldest son depart for the scene of horrprs, and they are again enduring the agonies they went through during the war in the Crimea. I am happy that Francis's post with the Duke of Cambridge prevents him from going. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Apethorpe, October 4. Rose and I are at present occupied with a little girl of whom I have taken charge. The father of this child is a poor workman at Cliffe,t whose wife died recently, leaving four little children — three boys and this little * The Mutiny had broken out on May 10. t Kingscliffe, the next village to Apethorpe. 3i8 APETHORPE AND LONDON [1857 thing of three years and four months. It is the most extraordinarily witty and sensible child I have ever seen. Seeing the father's misery and the impossibility of this little child being taken care of at his house, I thought of making it come here, where her grandfather has a cottage. He married a young wife a few years ago, and they had two pretty little girls who died at the satne time two years ago from scarlet fever. The mother always mourns for them. I proposed to her to adopt this little one (of course paying her for her care). She was delighted, and for the month she has had it she cares for it and loves it as if she really were its mother. This child is so adorable that I have to make a great effort not to spoil it. She is not pretty, but she is like Jenny Lind with her ' spiritual ' eyes. I often take her to Cliffe to see her father and her brothers, and it is touching to see her affection for them, and how she wishes they could share all that is given her — cakes, toys, etc. She was very unhappy speaking of her mother, because she could not make her come out of the 'bury hole,' as she calls her grave. Rose tried to explain to her that she was in heaven. She seems to have a thought great deal about that, for a few days after she came to ask me if I thought the good God would give her mother some tea sometimes, because she was very fond of it. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady JVestmorlatid. October, 1857.. You will learn that the King's* state is alarming. I wish I could tell you the people are reassured, as the * Frederick Williaip IV. He had had a seizure, which resulted ift softening of the brain, from which he never recovered, though he lived on for three years. 1857] THE KING OF PRUSSIA 319 night after he was bled he was better than could have been hoped. The Queen* never leaves him; the doctors are there; the Prince of Prussia t here or at Sans Souci. I did not know till this how serious the illness is. Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, October 16, 1857. The day passed yesterday better than could have, been expected; that is what I have been told re- peatedly. I see people reassured ; I try to be so, but do not succeed, my dear friend ; the terror at my heart does not cease. The improvement is very slow. May God help us, and remove the grave troubles which must ensue from the impossibility of attending to important affairs ! The machinery is stopped, and no one will undertake the responsibility of meddling with it. The Prince of Prussia is admirable in every way, and an immense comfort to the Queen by his profound grief and his delicacy towards her. They dine to- gether, and he remains always within call, without seeking to intrude farther. Everything is avoided which might cause the patient any emotion or sur- prise. The most vigilant care is taken ; nothing that is humanly possible is omitted. May God have pity on us, ahd restore this so justly beloved King to perfect health I I have no thought but of this; everyone prays weeps, hopes, doubts, so people accost each other in the streets ; I saw nothing but anxious faces. The churches densely crowded both yesterday and the evening before when I was present at the touching * Elizabeth, a Bavarian Princess ; she had no children. + Prince of Prussia, afterwards Emperor William. 320 APETHORPE AND, LONDON [185-7 service in the dome. The bulletins tell everything. The origin of the mischief was the exhausting ' cure ' at Marienbad; then the great heat, the hurried journey, one day's visit to Vienna, but that at least was from a high motive and a duty arising out of his royal mission on earth — but not so the numerous inaugurations of bridges, public buildings, etc. ; and still less that gathering of European ecclesiastics, so much blamed, and the consecration of a Moravian prayer-meeting, and then his public jubilee as an officer in the Guards preceding the imperial visit — I spare you no details ; you know how it all grieves me ; you know also the comfort your letters give me, and how much I am touched by them. You are capable of appreciating that noble soul who never desired anything but the happiness of others ; who was only severe, almost to cruelty, towards himself. He did too much, and never thought of the urgent necessity of saving himself for the good of his poor country. I am also deeply grieved for the Prince of Prussia ; he is admirable towards that poor Queen who has so much to bear. The warmest sympathy surrounds her, but she is not the one I pity most ; no responsibility rests on her; she can give herself up to her immense sorrow, and can have little concern for the country which is not hers; she remains alone in the world and childless. If I could think of anyone else, I should pity the Princess of Prussia, * at this moment away from here. It is well, no doubt, but for that very reason sad for her. May her sorrow be unselfish enough to prevent her feeling any bitterness ! * The Prince of Prussia had. been for some years Commander-in- Chief on the Rhine,, and his family lived at Coblenz, 1857] DUCHESSE DE SAGAN 321 Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Friday, October 23, 1857. The State of the King continues to improve, although very slowly ; the Queen is radiant, and getting more confident, as she told my great-nephew,* whom she asked to see three days ago ; and the King, hearing he was there, sent word he should hope to see him before long. Hitherto the Prince of Prussia has only seen him from a distance, walking about under the window, and the King on seeing him expressed great pleasure, as well as at seeing his sisters in the same way. They are established there, and a great consolation for the beloved Queen during the short intervals in which she leaves him she is so happy to nurse. The same strict regime is maintained in order not to risk any check to the improvement. Hitherto the affairs have not suffered, but this state of things cannot last long, and the position of the poor Prince of Prussia, with all his admirable devotion and delicacy, is a very painful one. . . . The Duchess t has started for Nice ; you can imagine her anxieties, but it was urgently necessary for her to breathe a balmier air and be away from all the worries she could not escape here. She met in the train the other day a highly-placed personage whom you know well enough not to be surprised at his total want of manners or of common decency. Not an atom of interest in him to whom he owed so much : he had seen it all * Alfred de Bergh. t The Duchess of Sagan - Talleyrand, Dorothd, Duchess of Courland, married to the nephew of the old Prince Talleyrand. She lived with the old Prince, and, as Duchesse de Dino, did the honours of his house in Vienna and London. She inherited the duchy of Sagan from her sister. She was a very distinguished woman. 21 322 APETHORPE AND LONDON [1857 coming — everything was over, there was nothing to regret. All this at the top of his voice in a carriage full of other people as inuch strangers to him as to the Duchess herself. She was shocked, burst into sobs and violent answers provoked by her indignation. They had introduced themselves to each other at starting. You know the warm heart of her who is so true a friend, and who all through her life has had none but charitable thoughts in that tender heart, more fit for heaven than for earth. You know how glad I should have been, could I have seen it harder, so much have I deplored her dangerous impression- ability. I met the other day an agreeable person who struck you in the happy days when you were here. You regretted that there were not more young women about like her, which I was glad to tell her ; she was much flattered, and then regretted that there was no one left like you. I promised Madame de Canitz (whose name has probably escaped you by now) to tell you how much your kind approval had flattered her. You would say the same of her now, and would have the same regret. There are, no doubt, amongst the young women, many good and clever, and some very pretty ones, but there is some- thing wanting to make them as agreeable in society as they are deserving in their own homes. What I dislike most are the 'superior persons' who make me whisper to myself, ' How hateful you make goodness !' I open my letter to let you know what was done yesterday. The King has nominated the Prince of Prussia to replace him for three months. The Queen, with her exquisite tact and devoted love, has managed very cleverly this, which has become very urgent and 1857] HEALTH OF THE KING 323 is the only chance of insuring the complete recovery so ardently desired. You will learn all this by the newspaper, but I want to give you particulars of how a first hint was not agreeable. ' I will think about it,' said the good King, who is, no doubt, less jealous of power than of his country's welfare. But what a thorny task for the poor Prince ! God will help him. It was most important that a decision should be come to. It gives the King more repose, and the dear Queen too. All the future can only be vaguely conjectured. But I am sure you will rejoice with us at this respite. Princess of Prussia to Lady Westmorland. COBLENZ, November 8, 1857. My dear Countess of Westmorland, Accept my most sincere thanks for your kind letter, which shows me your constancy of remembrance and your interest. Truly we live in painful times in which we must ask God for the necessary strength to well fulfil complicated and difficult duties. The King's state is doubly sad for such an active mind as his, and it is sad to say that imprudences have impaired his health to a point which will necessitate a long convalescence after great danger. Let us hope that the daily progress will end in a complete cure. I pity the poor Queen with all my heart, but I hear that she has, thank God, kept courage and good hope. I have news as regular and frequent as if I were settled at Babelsberg, where the distance from the telegraph is less favourable for news than this place. The quiet here always does me good, and I need it, for my health 21 — 2 324 APETHORPE AND LONDON [1857 is much shaken this autumn, but I shall probably go to Berlin soon. Yesterday I had the great delight of seeing my daughter again, who has come to spend a few days with me. The Prince will be much touched at what you write to me about him, and which he certainly deserves. Preserve for us that attachment to which you know I reply with all the friendship which 1 can have. Princess of Prussia. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. ' Apethorpe, November i6, 1857. Since your last letter I received one from the Princess of Prussia, who tells me she is going to Berlin. She complains much of her health, and I fear her position will not help her to recover; for I can conceive nothing more painful, and I pity her with all my heart. I have subscribed again to Kreuz Zeitung, in order to have daily news of the King. The progress seems to me slow, but I hope it is from excess of precaution that the move to Charlottenburg has been adjourned, and that they talk of a stay at the Castle of Potsdam. The so sudden death of the Duchess of Nemours has grieved me much, although I knew this beautiful young woman but little ; but I grieve for that admir- able Queen Amelie, so cruelly tried. She told me this summer she was still blessed by the home-life of her children and grandchildren, and at being able to gather them round her. Now she has to suffer for the grief of her son, who they say is inconsolable. What a fatal place that Claremont is to live in ! The Duchesse 1857] AN EVENING AT CHARLOTTENBURG 325 d'Aumale lost a child there, the Princesse de Joinville was confined of a dead child, and nearly died herself, and now the grave of Louis Philippe is opened again for his beautiful daughter. I have here for four days my old friend the Duke of Bedford, also inconsolable at the loss of his adored companion,* but so resigned, so gentle, so pious in his grief, that it is edifying to see and hear him. He likes to come into my little sitting-room to talk of her. She must have had some of the grandest and finest qualities to inspire so profound an affection, and to leave such a memory in the heart of such a man. I do not think he will long survive her, he is so weak and old. Since him I have had my sister-in-law Lady Jersey, and Clementina.t They left this morning for a round of visits. Lady Jersey consoles herself for every- thing, for I have never seen her more brilliant, more talkative, full of ^0 and smiles. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. December 3, 1857. You see I am in a great hurry to have another talk with you, dear friend, and yet I have some doubt of your reading through my gossip ; but I want to tell you that I had the happiness of talking about you with the Queen, and of telling her myself of the interest you take in that which absorbs us. She is much touched and thanks you heartily. I was much moved on seeing her again on Sunday, when I spent the evening at Charlottenburg. The King had been * The Duchess of Bedford had died July 3, 1857. t Lady Clementina Villiers. 326 APETHORPE AND LONDON [1857 very well all day; and gave me a gracious bow, as did Princess Alexandra. The Queen herself, whom I had not seen for six months, looked well, though I thought her very pale. But her beautiful eyes, full of quiet confidence, do not seem to look beyond the moment, so as best to bear the good or evil in store — the latter, alas ! always threatening from those who keep aloof now. So far it has been possible to keep the poor King quietly occupied without fatigue ; his walks with his Aide-de-Camp and his drives with the Queen make a little change in the uniformity of that life, formerly so full and busy. But I must tell you all the Queen's questions about you and about your belong- ings, to all of which I replied fully, and yesterday at the Princess of Prussia's I had to repeat it all again. I was full of emotion, too, at seeing again the Princess of Prussia, always full of constant kindness to me that goes to my heart. You know I always feel at my ease with her, and hav^ none of those stupid fits of shyness which make me so ungracious, and which I cannot overcome with the Queen. I thought the Princess better than I expected after all she has suffered; she will still have much to suffer, and yet what blessings still surround her! You can well believe that I am very reserved, and do not start any topic which would be most out of place ; but in following her initiative I hesitate at nothing. The Prince is convalescent from his influenza ; may God preserve him, who is so necessary here on all accounts ! But what a hard task is his to fulfil ! He is, however, still appreciated, which, in this most fault- finding of towns, surprises me. The greatest sympathy is felt for Mayence; poor as we are, as soon as it is a question of relief needed, there is a touching 1857] DISASTER At MAYENCE 327 generosity. Life cannot be restored, but the town itself will be restored more brilliant than before. But what appeals most to me is the justice unani- mously rendered to all. Our Vice-Governor has behaved admirably ; he was first on the scene, and at the barracks found only two men alive and able to salute him ! The rest all lying dead. He thought only of giving help, forbid any care for his own house, so that nothing should be taken from others, and gave shelter in his own devastated house and ruined draw- ing-rooms to as many as they could hold. And no- body blames anybody else, perfect harmony reigns between us and the Austrians, and the behaviour of the people is perfect too. Dear friend, forgive all this, which you will perhaps not take the trouble to read, and will anyhow at once forget, for it is impossible to multiply one's sympathy for every occurrence in this distracted world. How much I thought of you yesterday when I went where I so seldom go — to the Opera, where you would have been delighted by the talent of the few distinguished artists who have come to sing to us their beautiful Italian music, and have all at once electrified our cold public, so as even to satisfy my jealous desire to see real merit properly applauded. The house was full, the great Court box brilliant, and in it we had refreshments, and I felt sorry the rest of the house could not be equally well treated. With the exception of this pleasure twice repeated, I have had none. Influenza reigns in every house, attacking masters and servants and making social gatherings impossible. It is the same in the towns, and everywhere there is a dearth of doctors. I need not tell you what a great loss we have had in 328 APETHORPE AND LONDON [1857 the artistic world.* You know that really great man, who besides his talent had so noble a soul ; he was so kind, so amiable, and his dignified bearing and appear- ance so truly expressed what he really was. He has thoroughly enjoyed the great reputation he had gained ; the world has not, in this case, waited for his death to do him justice — a piece of good fortune granted to few. If you see poor Lord Sidney Osborne, tell him how much I grieve for his poor sister. . . .f I am surrounded with sadness here ; I see the ravages of an incurable disease; making a struggle to preserve the life that is going seems the most intolerable of ills. Then there are other troubles in consequence of the financial dis- turbance which affects the people, and causes losses in which I, too, have a share. I hope to bear mine quietly. An easy thing to do when one stands alone, but one misses all sympathy. I only mention this to you, dear friend, because you know me well enough to be sure that this is not what most oppresses me. I foresee all, and, without exalting myself on stilts, I realize how little harm it does me, compared to others. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Christmas Day, 1857. Dear Friend, I am sad and troubled; the troubles of yesterday increase those of to-day. If only I could tell you that our beloved King is spared pain, but he knows his state, his momentary loss of memory and inability to find name or word he wants. This would be only a slight drawback to anyone else, but his high position * Death of Rauch, the sculptor. + Lady Catherine White -Melville, who had just lost her only daughter. 1857] A SAD CHRISTMAS 329 augments, of course, its gravity. His deep and genuine piety helps him to bear this severe trial ; the Queen, too, has the same support, and nothing can exceed their resignation. Yesterday was a hard day for both, yet no one was forgotten of all those who had been accustomed in former years to spend the evening there, loaded with gifts ; everyone now received these gifts singly and sadly. The Court met at the Prince of Prussia's, but only the immediate members, none of the others who used to meet at the King's ; there was sadness everywhere. May we hope for better times when this year, of which the last three months have been so cruelly hard for us, is gone ! The papers are full of the rejoicings in honour of your young Princess's arrival ; her heart will be full — it cannot be otherwise ! How is the Prince of Prussia to get through all he has to encounter? He is admirably devoted, and so far still generally ap- preciated. How thankful I am to have taken his part from the first, and how I should have despised myself if I had waited for the favour shown to my nephew to do so! CHAPTER XI 1857 — 1858: ENGLISH POLITICS When it was discovered that the attempted assassinar tion of the French Emperor, known as 'tne Orsini plot/ had been planned and prepared in England, a Con- spiracy Bill was introduced into Parliament, which aimed at making 'conspiracy to murder' a felony, instead of a misdemeanour. An amendment to the Bill resulted in the defeat of the Government, owing to the idea gaining ground that the Bill had practically been framed at the dictation of the French Govern- ment ; Count Walewski, the French Foreign Minister, having recommended the British Government to take steps to prevent the right of asylum being abused. Lord Derby now came into office. The Duke of Bedford's letters deal much with the political complica- tions and difficulties between the various statesmen in and out of office. The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. Oakley, November 8, 1857. My dear Lady Westmorland, Your letters are always agreeable to me — none more so than the three I have just received from you by this morning's post. I am only sorry that you should have been at the trouble of sending after the post. My pleasure in visiting you, although mixed with other feelings and reminiscences of this time last year, will be enhanced by meeting my old friend 330 1857-1858] THE DUKE OF BEDFORD'S LOSS 331 Brougham, who has been so kind and affectionate to me in my bereavement that I can never forget or be too grateful for the many letters of sympathy I have received from him. I should have had no other opportunity of seeing him before he leaves England, and I rejoice in your having offered me this. I only wish I could go to Apethorpe on the day you expect him; but having appointed my agent to meet me at Wansford on Friday, I hardly know how to manage it. I hope, however, to be with you on Friday. I feel much and am deeply gratified by all you say to me, a very sad loss for which I was so entirely unprepared. I try hard, however, to bear it as best I can and to submit to the will of God. 'The immensity' of that loss, as you truly describe it, cannot be ex- aggerated. We have lived so entirely together, and for each other (especially on her side) for so many years of blessed happiness, that the blank is felt at every moment of the day. What you say as to how griet acts upon different minds is also very true ; we are all so differently con- stituted in many things; but in nothing more than that. For instance, the oldest friend I have tells me that, although living with her daughter, she never alluded to the subject of her own grief, which we know to be very great, and on which time has made no impression. On the other hand, you and I feel alike, and not as Lady C. To me it is a great comfort and melancholy consolation to talk of her I have lost, to those who loved her or appreciated her charming character. I feel just as you do, and thank you for giving expression to your own sentiments. The ' knowledge of her excellence,' and the assurances I have had from all quarters— high 332 ENGLISH POLITICS [1857- and low, old and young — how generally it has been felt, is indeed a comfort to me. And now, my dear friend, having given vent to my feelings, and kindly encouraged by yourself, I will release you and say no more. Ever most sincerely yours, Bedford. The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. If I can manage Thursday I will write again, but at present my visit to you must stand for Friday. I shall be very glad to meet those you name. Fitzroy was one of my earliest and most valued friends, and I have a pleasure in carrying on the friendship to another generation. My best remembrances to Lord Westmorland, not forgetting Lady Rose, who made such a favourable impression upon us last year, and be assured your friendship is much prized by me. Lord Jersey used to say, ' The sun always shines at Oakley.' It is shining beautifully to-day, but there is another sunshine missing. The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland, November 15, 1857^ A friend writes to me by this morning's post that he has been talking with Mr. Layard, just returned from Italy. I think he gives a bad report of the state of that country, and particularly of the feeling existing towards us. The language is, ' Why did you interfere at all if you did not intend going further ? We were going on quietly in our own way, and you have now excited hopes which you are not prepared to realize, and which will probably place us in an equivocal 1858] QUEEN VICTORIA'S SYMPATHY 333 position, or give Austria still more power.' I copy this from my friend's letter. The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. December 31, 1857. You will, I am sure, be glad to know that my visit to the Queen has fully answered my expectations. Her great kindness to me, and her feeling towards her I have lost, went to my heart, and I can never forget them. I sat some time with her alone ; the Prince then joined us, when, after a little while. Her Majesty asked him to go for the Princess Royal. My conversa- tions, first with the Queen, then with her and the Prince together, and lastly with the three, were all agreeable, as you can imagine, in their different ways. I had an opportunity, before the Prince came in, of speaking to the Queen of you, and of my visit to Apethorpe, and of all the kind sympathy I had received from you, and of Lady Rose's amiable manner to me. She did not appear to know, till I told her, how great your own affliction had been, and how readily you had therefore entered into mine. I need not have written this, but I think you may like to know it. Princess of Prussia to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, January 8, 1858. A thousand affectionate thanks for your kind letter, which gives me great pleasure. Your interest shows itself on all occasions, and I know well that you will take a very special share in the great event (which, God willing, will take place at the beginning of this year) in the history of the two countries and the two dynasties, to the advantage of the future. Your 334 ENGLISH POLITICS [1857- sympathy will be also extended to the great trial imposed on us by the illness of our poor King, Thank God his convalescence is progressing, but it cannot but be slow. The Prince is very sensible of all that you say about him. I hope you will see him in London on the great occasion, and that I may precede him there by a few days.* How I look for- ward to seeing you then, and to talking to you in detail I To-day I confine myself to these few lines scribbled in haste, loading you with a thousand good wishes for your husband and children. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. Cannes, January 25, 1858. You cannot conceive what a shock the Duke of Devonshire's t sudden death was to me. My long and intimate connection with his family, and the great kindness I have always experienced from them, including a seat in Parliament — not only for myself, but, indeed, placed at my disposal when I came in for the county — makes me feel this loss exceedingly. But, indeed, on looking back to my long life, I have no reason to complain of any want of kindness in any quarter of my friends, nor to complain of any mal- treatment. The unusual feeling on account of the late brutal attacks on Louis NapoleonJ rather increases than diminishes ; but though in one way he gains by it, in another he loses, for it sets people a-thinking in the ranks of his Government. The difficulty will be * The marriage of Prince Frederick William of Prussia and the Princess Royal took place on January 25,, 1858. t The sixth Duke. J Orsini attempt. 1858] POLITICAL DIFFICULTIES 335 extreme of doing anything about the wretches whom we harbour in England ; but something must be done to show our resolution against their vile processes, and at least they must not be suffered to preach assassination. I see at Brussels there is something doing against them. The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. WoBURN Abbey, February 5, 1858. My dear Lady Westmorland, I charged Lord Sidney last night with affec- tionate messages to you and Lady Rose, but I must add a little writing this morning, if only to tell you how seriously I think of the present aspect of public affairs, both at home and abroad. This notice given by Lord Palmerston last night of an Alien or Refugee Act, whether right or wrong, necessary or not, will create great ills, will have so far added to our other difficulties, and will drive John,* I am sure, into decided opposition on this measure at least, if not on others. Lord Lyndhurst and Lord Campbell are, I am told, equally strong against this proposed law. We are altogether in such a mess, and Clarendon in such a stew about our relations with France, that I cannot but foresee enormous difficulties. What is likely to happen we none of us can divine, but I think this Government can hardly stand against such odds as they will have to encounter. Hostilities in India, angry feelings amounting to hatred in France, power of debate at home, etc. The East India directors are acting wisely and * Lord John Russell. 336 ENGLISH POLITICS [1857- judiciously in not agitating; they have placed their petition in good hands, and asked for inquiry even into their own conduct, which it will be found difficult to resist. In the midst of all this, nothing, I am told, disturbs the equanimity of our Premier,* who still relies on the popularity he has hitherto enjoyed to carry him safely through his appalling difficulties. But I must break off here, for I have no time to add. Ever affectionately yours, Bedford. Love to Lady Rose. The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. WoBURN Abbey, February 17, 1858. What I now tell you, although no great secret, must not go beyond the four walls of your own little room at Apethorpe — at least, not on my authority. It is simply this, that Palmerston and John, who have been so long estranged in political matters, are now entirely together on this great question of peace or war. They think that, if left alone, the E.t will go to war| in the spring, and that effort ought to be made to avert such a calamity. I believe one of them (Lord Palmerston) will call attention to the subject on the 2Sth. Another great authority on this subject does not wish anything to be said, for the reasons I need not give, but I think he will be overruled by the others. They think the matter might be settled. Gladstone has been doing very ill, and, it is thought, has subverted the Queen's authority as the Protecting Power. It is said that he wished to be elected a member of the Ionian Parliament. * Lord Palmerston. t Louis Napoleon. { With Sardinia (?). 1858] THE CONSPIRACY BILL 337 The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. WoBURN Abbey, February 18, 1858., My dear Lady Westmorland, It is a pleasure for me to write to you when I see that my letters are so kindly received. If I were to send you a daily journal of what I hear from political quarters in London, especially from my brother John, I could make up a large amount of writing; but I have no desire, glad as I always am to hear from you, to keep up a debtor and creditor account with you in our epistolary relations with each other. Mind that I never expect an answer except when you are quite disposed to write, or have any- thing to tell me with respect to the vote on the Conspiracy Bill. John feels it (the subject) so strongly that I am persuaded he must have been vexed by seeing the nephews taking the opposite side, although he has never said so to me, or to anyone else, I believe. I must, however, do Arthur* the justice to say he Wrote a very becoming letter to me, lamenting that his first important vote should have been against an uncle whom he wishes to take for his guide, whenever he can do so conscientiously. I have hardly ever known John feel and express himself so warmly on any political subject. He is not pleased with his old party friends, and gave his opinion without reserve to Sir George Grey when the measure was first announced to him. Jarnac,t who has been here some time, was sent for suddenly a few days ago by the French Princes, who have been in a state of much alarm in consequence of * Arthur Russell, son of Lord William Russell. t A French diplomat and supporter of the Orleanist party. 22 338 ENGLISH POLITICS [1857- information received from Paris. He came to my room before he left, and saw Lord Aberdeen on his way through London, who gave him the same opinion he got from me, that they are not hkely to be molested ; but John thinks they may be much annoyed if the Bill passes by information that may compromise others, althotigh they will be safe enough themselves. Jarnac saw Lord Aberdeen again on his return, and has since informed me, in confidence, of all that passed. I must still think the alarm groundless. Many thanks for what you have been so kind as to send me from Berlin, and for your permission to forward it to the Queen ; I am sure it will give her much pleasure. I have read with interest what you write about your daughter-in-law in confirmation of your first impression. It must be a great comfort to you and Lady Rose. I have often thought what a similar comfort would have been to her I have lost, as well as to myself. I rejoice, however, in your having it, and in such a prospect of happiness for your son. I return heartily Lady Rose's kind wishes, and am affectionately yours, Bedford. I can't understand why Napoleon does not publish his apology in the Moniteur. Is it that he is afraid of his army ? Lord Aberdeen's language is against the French Bill, but he could have voted as S. Herbert did in the House of Commons — i.e., for its introduction. The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. WoBURN Abbey, March 2, 1858. My dear Lady Westmorland, I have often thought of you during this political crisis, and sometimes of sending you a few scraps of 1858] LORD J. RUSSELL'S POSITION '339 my political intelligence, speculations and opinions from various quarters — especially John's ; but my letters have come upon me so constantly by every post, that it would be difficult to make a selection, so I give it up. I think much of John's position, which will be a very difficult one, requires much circumspection, between his dislike to offer a factious (?) opposition to Lord D. and his unwillingness to take an unfriendly part towards his old colleagues and coadjutors. I have a most kind letter from our friend Lord Fortescue, urging me strongly to try my best to bring Lord Palmerston and my brother together in unity; but I am sure it would be quite useless to attempt that at present. P.'s supporters may try to reinstall him if they can, but John's course for the present must be that of inde- pendence. Lord Fortescue's letter is as kindly as it is well intentioned ; but he does not know the interior as I do, and I am quite sure it would be more than useless to try to get him to act with Palmerston : they must follow their respective courses and act independently of each other. Lord Fortescue is favourable to the Conspiracy Bill — ^John strongly and honestly against it, to say nothing of other points of difference. Brougham is far from pleasant with John (he is also for the Bill), and writes to me in a very dissatisfied tone with him. It is confined, however, to this question. I regret, of course, these differences among my old friends, but can do nothing to repair them, although both my correspondents seem to think I can. John will have to steer his course with the best judgment 22—2 34° ENGLISH POLITICS [1857- and skill. It will be a miracle if he is able to comply with all the exigencies of his position. Adieu, dear Lady Westmorland, with kind love to Lady Rose. Ever affectionately yours, Bedford. The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. March 6, 1858. My dear Lady Westmorland, You are very kind about John, and I cannot but admire and applaud your woman's politics, which sit very gracefully upon you in your present position and retirement from the political world. I, like you, am now only a spectator, but find It impossible not to take an interest in what is passing, especially while my brother is where and what he is, and am sometimes called upon reluctantly to take a part behind the scenes. What his course will now be must, of course, depend upon circumstances ; in the meantime he writes to me that, although he thinks the reunion oi the Liberal Party (I adopt this term because it is in general use, but have always disliked it, considering it arrogant and often untrue) desirable, he considers himself as an obstacle on one side, and Lord Palmer- ston on the other, under existing circumstances — which is true. He is against all premature opposition to Lord Derby's Government or any reckless attempt to dis- place him. You write in praise of Lord Clarendon's speech, which induces me to copy for you what my son says of it in a letter I had from him yesterday. He writes in these words : ' I think Clarendon made an excellent 1858] LORD GLARENDON'S SPEECH 341 speech on Monday, and his taking the whole responsi- bility of not having answered Count Walewski's despatch on himself was a noble sentiment worthy of the best days of England. However, we may, I think, be sure of this, that the public will believe the Times, and will not believe Lord Clarendon ; that is, the clear and beautiful argument of Lord Clarendon will pro- duce no impression on the public !' It is very remark- able that, with all his infirmities and the life he leads, without intercourse with anyone now, except myself, he (Tavistock)* should be able to preserve his mind and sound judgment, and be able to arrive at such opinions, almost always right and clearly expressed. It is altogether the- most remarkable and most melan- choly case I have ever known. Not only Lord Clarendon's speech, but the whole debate, was very striking and very creditable to the House of Lords and to the country. In no other, I believe, could such an exhibition of talent, temper, and patriotism, have been witnessed. It must have appeared so to the many foreigners that were present. In writing to Lady Clarendon, I could not resist telling her how sorry you were to lose him at the Foreign Office, especially on account of his kindness to your son. Lord Stanley's speech at Lynn is said to have been clever; he is able, industrious, and, his mother tells me, very ambitious. With his advanced opinions, however, I do not see how the firm of Derby and Son can last long together, to say nothing of the majority against them in the House of Commons. ' The Duke's only son, Lord Tavistobk, born June 30, 1809, succeeded as eighth Duke May 14, 1861, died in May, 1872. A man of great ability but infirm health, who led. the life of a recluse. 342 ENGLISH POLITICS [1857- There is a very clever article in the Times this morning which places them in a fix, as they would say in America, on the vote that brought them into power. I doubt whether Lord Clanricarde is wise as to the defence he has announced, although Lord Lansdowne, I am told, has advised it. We shall judge better, however, when we know what he has to say. Lady Molesworth made an attempt to bring Lord Palmerston and John together (politically) at a dinner she gave for them two days ago, but it flashed in the pan. The former did not go till the evening, and John sent by telegraph that he was snowed up at Richmond Park. It was Lady Molesworth who brought Lord Palmerston and Mr. Delane together and made them friends. Hence the change of the tone in the Times that, I suppose, encouraged her to make a secon-d attempt. Lord Clarendon did not stay in quite long enough to confirm W. Lowther's appointment to Washington, but I suppose it will be offered him by Lord Malmesbury. The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. March 17, 1858. Anything like the utter confusion of parties here I have never before witnessed in the course of my very long intercourse with the political world. An important meeting of the independent Government supporters took place yesterday afternoon — forty-five present, two hours' debate. They decided to send Mr. Palmer of Berkshire to Lord Derby, giving it as their unanimous opinion that the Bill should be with- drawn. It is not yet generally known, but probably will be 1858] THE INDIA BILL 343 in the House of Commons this evening. I have not heard Lord Derby's answer, but his decision, what- ever it may be, must be very important. I have told this only to Lord Clarendon and John. I have had a long conversation with both to-day. Lord Clarendon thinks the chances of peace favourable, but not if the Emperor can find a good plea for war. I have also seen and conversed with Lord Aberdeen. The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. April 3, 1858. I hope Lord Derby will not think it necessary to resign if he is beat (as he will be) in the Government Indian Bill.* It finds no favour in any quarter, especially the representation part of it. John con- siders it too bad to mend, and is likely to move its rejection on the second reading, but nothing is yet determined. In writing to Lady Derby yesterday, I could not resist telling her that I hope he (Lord Derby) will rather submit and succumb under the peculiar circumstances than resign. It will be, how- ever, to him a choice of evils of the greatest magnitude. To remain in after defeat on such a measure would be degrading and humiliating to a Minister, and yet I am inclined to think it would be the course of patriotism, postponing all legislation till next year. You are so kind as to say you hope I have not been worried — not much, but you can't think how much I have had to do, although my work does not appear * Before his defeat, Lord Palmerston had obtained leave to introduce an India Bill vesting the Government of India in a Council nominated by the Crown. When Mr. Disraeli took office, he pro- posed the Council should be half nominative, half elective (see ' Queen Victoria's Letters,' vol. iii., p. 279). 344 ENGLISH POLITICS [1857- in the newspapers. On one morning I saw three ex-Prime Ministers on the subject of public affairs, and especially party affairs. Lord Stanley passes to-day and to-morrow with my brother at Pembroke Lodge. He asked me to meet him, but I could not manage it. I went at the beginning of the week to visit my old friend. Lady C. Greville (the oldest I know here) and her daughter. It was very pleasant and gratifying to me. We talked of some of your old friends who are gone, and a little of you. The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. WoBURN Abbey, December ii, 1858. Lord and Lady Palmerston came here for two or three days, and met Mr. Elwin* — full of political talk and speculation — just returned from the United States, very anti-American, and therefore with Bright. His visit led to an invitation to*Broadlands, From there he goes to Bowood to meet my brother John, who writes to me almost daily on what is passing, with all his thoughts on the state of affairs. I have also received some very interesting letters from Lord Clarendon. One relating his conversation with the Emperor Napoleon at Compiegne ; another gives me the substance of a conversation he had with our Premier on Reform at Hatfield — a strange business to an old politician; a third, with his own views at much length, as to what should be done to reunite the old Whig, now termed (I dislike the word) * The Rev. W. Elwin, for many yeafs editor of the Quarterly Review, and intimately connected with all the most prominent political people of the day. 1858] LETTERS AND VISITS 345 'Liberal' Party. This last letter was to be com- municated or not, as I thought best, to John. All this has led to communicatioa between them, passing through me, and giving me more employment than I can well afford. There was an article in Bright's paper alluding to Lord Palmerston's visit here, and giving it a political colour ; no truth in that, altl^ough we had some talk on general matters. We are in a strange state, and quite in the dark as to what is likely to happen. The Queen and Prince were very gracious to John at Windsor Castle, but did not allude to home affairs, except as to what relates to the defence of the country, which occupies them much-, as it once did the Duke of Wellington. Clarendon* gave me some reasons for going to Compi^gne, for which he and Lord Palmerston have been so much abused. I thought them valid, but, like much else in human affairs, it was a choice of difficulties and evils. I think they took the least. Brougham writes to me from London that he was to meet Montalembertf at dinner on his way through Paris. I have not heard from him sin^e. Odo| starts for Italy this evening very much pleased with his appointment. He met here Lord Palmerston, who gave him long and good advice that will be useful to him. His mother is charmed with the appointment, and calls it in her letter to me ' Envoy to the Pope.' My faithful fat Bishop, about whom you were so * Much comment was caused by the visit of Lord Clarendon and Lord Palmerston to the French Emperor at this particular juncture. t Count Montalembert, the well-known author of ' Monks in the West,' and Liberal Roman Catholic statesman. X Odo Russell, afterwards Lord Ampthill, had been appointed Chargd d' Affaires at Rome. 346 ENGLISH POLITICS [1857- kind, is recovering from his frightful fall, but it has deranged and shaken him much. Lord Derby made Lord Clarendon understand that they have settled the outline of the Reform Bill, but did not let his cat out of the bag. The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. WoBURN Abbey, December x'jth, 1858. With respect to what Brougham has told you of Montalembert, I believe the feeling arises from what he wrote about us, England, which was anything but popular in France. I have been engaged in an interesting correspond- ence between Lord Clarendon and John, who, though still friends, do not write to each other, except through me. The Reform question must be the battlefield of next session. How well do I recollect my many conversations at Apsley House on this subject in 1831-32, and how little did I or any of us then expect that in a little more than a quarter of a century the Conservative Tory Party, then so much alarmed at, and so strongly denouncing, the revolutionary character of Lord Grey's measure, would themselves propose a step in advance to give further power to the democracy ! If in any of my letters to Arbuthnot* I had ventured to foretell this, he would have thought me crazy. As to the character of public men and the discipline of leaders, we entirely agree. I hold to the axiom that, if we are to have further reform, it should come from its friends, not from its enemies; but I am getting farther with this subject than I had intended. I am rejoiced to see * The Duke of Wellington's intimate friend. 1858] PROSPECTS OF DISSOLUTION 347 what you wrote from Berlin— a pleasant contradiction to the stories that have been circulated. . . . Always affectionately yours, Bedford. The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. London, - . T April 8, 1859. MY DEAR Lady Westmorland, I found your letter of yesterday on my arrival in London this morning. The first person I saw by appointment was Lord Clarendon, with whom I had much political talk. He left me with Lady Clarendon, to go to Lord Palmerston, who is to ask a question this evening relating to our foreign affairs. Lord Clarendon is even less sanguine than we are as to peace ; with respect to the dissolution, it is expected that, if the Government should gain some seats, they will still be in a minority— that the Radicals will gain, the Whigs or moderate men lose seats. In the country generally there is much apathy. Lord Derby passed half an hour (thirty-two minutes) very unprofitably in abusing John in the House of Lords, without looking at home. His speech was very distasteful to the House, not very agreeable to Lady Derby, who was present, and was considered, even by the Bench of Bishops, as a ' parting speech.' He has since, I am told, been trying to get up an opposition to John in the City ; but it would fill a pamphlet to write all I could on this subject, and I am too much hurried to go on. I hear on good authority that Ministers would have taken the resolution but for Lord Palmerston's speech. I am here on my way to Badminton, where I have promised a visit for some time. Apethorpe will there- 348 ENGLISH POLITICS [1857-1858 fore be out of the question next week. I am very sorry, but it cannot be helped. I hear much I dislike in politics, and much you would dislike also. What I regret most is the loss of character in our leading public men ; support, we are told, is to be given to a Radical candidate in preference to a Whig in the elections. Adieu, my dear kind friend, with love to Lady Rose. Always affectionately yours, Bedford. I think and hope you will like that part of John's address that related to the imputation of wrong motives. I have just seen him ; he intends to say something. I hear of a curious meeting at Lord Derby's yester- day, and a long speech made there by him. There are strange stories in circulation. CHAPTER XII 1858 : PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS The marriage of the Princess Royal with Prince Frederick William of Prussia took place on January 25, 1858. Lady Westmorland and ner friend Pauline Neale both felt a special interest in this event, which was to form so strong a tie between their respective countries. In return for Lady Westmorland's account of the festivities in England on the occasion, Comtesse N6ale wrote her a detailed account of the young Princess's arrival in Berlin, where she seems to have charmed everyone. Since the breakdown of the King's health in October, 1857, his brother, the Prince of Prussia, had been acting provisionally as Regent. As the King's health did not improve, he was advised to spend tne winter in Italy, and before leaving in October, 1858, confirmed his brother as Regent by an act of 'prb- visional ' abdication. As an immediate result. Count ManteufFel, who had been for many years at the head of the Prussian Ministry, retired, and a more Liberal regime began in Prussia. The Queen of Prussia, Elizabeth, wife of Frederick William IV. and daughter of the King of Bavaria, took no part in politics, but was a devoted wife. Childless herself, she lavished much affection on the children of the Princess of Prussia and other nephews and nieces. A Roman Catholic by birth, at the time of her marriage in 1823 to the then Crown Prince of Prussia, she had refused to change her religion ; but some years later, under her husband's influence and strong religious 349 350 PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 views, she voluntarily became a Protestant by con- viction. She survived her husband many years, and died in 1873. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Bkrlin, January 22, 1858. Our young Prince * is on his way, and the time for his return approaches. I am as anxious about the weather as if it depended on me to have it fine for this reception, which all classes desire to make brilliant, and I am loyally delighted to see such joyous anticipa- tion everywhere. What you say of the Princess of Prussia confirms my anxiety about her ; she does too much, and such constant external and internal excitement must wear her out. I spent the evening yesterday at Charlottenburg. The Queen asked after you. The King appeared, and remained with us as before. He seemed to me more pre- occupied, though still full of graciousness. I am deaf, as you know, and stupidly shy, which makes me such a bore, that in the Queen's place I should not submit to the infliction ! My sister has all the qualities I am deficient in, and I rejoice to see her considered so agreeable, while I modestly say to myself that I could be like her if I were not frightened. To complete my attrac- tions, my sight is getting so bad that I don't recognize people round me. So, though overpowered with gratitude, I do not breathe freely till I am safe at home again ; then it is late, for the Queen comes back * Prince Frederick William, on his way to England for his marriage with the Princess Royal. 1858J THE ORSINI ATTEMPT 351 to supper after the King has gone to bed, and then after supper works and talks. This atrocious attempt to murder the Emperor Napoleon * shocked me so that I cannot get over it ; and are not other countries similarly in peril? and what would have happened if he whom God has placed there had been struck? But he will be pro- tected so long as he is needed there. This parvenu Emperor may not be liked, but his capacity cannot be questi;pned. You know how I was jeered at for admiring him so much ; I did so at first for so bam- boozling the French, who would not have had him had he not concealed his cleyerness from them. 1 was as stupid as they were in doubting his wisdom and being indignant at his submitting so meekly to all the restrictions imposed on his Budget as President. If you knew the howls of indignation raised on all sides at the refuge given by you to the crowd of conspirators who take advantage of it to promote, under the security of your laws, the complete disorganization of Europe ! I do not know if your Government would be inclined to reform abuses so fatal to other countries ; but I doubt if it would have the power to do so. There are some very religious and some very gentle people here whose nature seems changed when they declaim against your Government, and actually believe that God has allowed the Indian atrocities as a punish- ment If Why am I not stone-deaf when I hear such thunderings ! Lord Bloom fieldf is assailed tod — by them. He is going to celebrate the 2Sth by a great ball, and then leaves to receive your young Princess at the frontier. * Orsini's attempt. + The Indian Mutiny, I English Minister at Berlin. 352 PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Apethorpe, January 5, 1858. I shudder at the idea of the fetes for the marriage, and what a journey for the Princes who come as guests ! I shall go to London on the i8th at latest, and il I can I shall take Rose to the great ball which is to take place on the 20th. The Princess of Prussia in her letter speaks of the hope that the Prince may be able to follow her to London in time for the marriage. God grant it, for that will show that the King is doing well. We ended the year here by the ball for the farmers and their families, which every year more nearly approaches a society ball ; for not only do the wives and daughters of these good people wear hoops, big sleeves, and are fashionably coiffee, but they dance the polka, schottische, and quadrilles, instead of country-dances and reels. It makes one die of laughter to see them, for you know the English nature is not graceful in dancing. My daughter-in-law* danced a great deal with everyone, so did Rose, and they were much amused. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Cavendish Square, January 20, 1858. I have little time to - day. Visits succeed one another, and the preparations, dressing for so many successive fetes, bore me to death, besides the fatigue and expense. But I must tell you the Queen's ./Ae dansant on Monday was charming for us, on account * Lady Burghersh, tide Lady Adelaide Curzon. 1858] MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL 353 of the number of Prussians who were there, all so warm and cordial towards us. We might have thought we were in Berlin. But our poor Princess of Prussia's looks gave me great pain. I thought her so thin and changed. She was pale as death, and one could see her strength was hardly enough for the efforts she tried to make. She was very kind and affectionate to me. The Prince arrived yesterday safe and sound. I shall see him this evening at the ball. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. London, January 25, 1858. I shall not, perhaps, have any free time at Woburn to-morrow, so I write to-day, although very tired with the ceremony this morning, which interested and touched me. The young Princess was very pale, but repressed her emotion. Her sister, the Princess Alice, wept bitterly. Our young Prince (I speak as a Prussian), whom I have always loved so much, spoke the necessary words very clearly. His mother was very well dressed, and looked a little better. The Queen surrounded by her children — the coup doeil very fine. This evening a grand concert at the Court. Happily we shall be seated, for I have stood up so much these days that my legs will not support me, but my health has stood it miraculously. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Apethorpe, February 2, 1858. I am very pleased that the |)eople of Berlin are so well disposed to receive our young Princess. I shall 23 354 PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 be very curious to know the impression she makes. It is impossible she should not please those who are near her, but I am afraid the numerous spectators who will only see her will think her small and not pretty. The Prussian Princes have pleased people in London extremely, especially the young Charles* and Albrecht. We have just had here a young Prince of Holstein (Jules), who is in the Prussian service and very agree- able. He spent three days with us, and promised me to go and see you, and tell you about his stay here. I regret he did not find my son and his wife. They have gone to spend a few days at Lord Cardigan's, my daughter-in-law's uncle, and return to-morrow. We also had the Prince de la Moskowa (Edgar Ney), who is at the head of the Emperor's Hunt, which you admire so much, and whose unfortunate father I knew, and the mother to whom the Emperor Alexander paid a little court. He is a nice man, good musician, and a great hunter. I regret extremely that the three Prussians whom I expected — Count Redern, Prince Reuss, and the young Zastrow — were not able to come, having been commanded by the Queen to Windsor, and then I think they wanted to see the Drawing-Room. Comiesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, February 12, 1858. Your young Princess has occasioned an absolutely delirious enthusiasm; everybody is enchanted with her sweet and joyous expression of countenance and the pleasure she shows ; she has won all the hearts so ready to receive her well. • Prince Frederick Charles, father of the Duchess of Connaught. 1858] HER ENTRY INTO BERLIN 355 The weather, which had been so bad before, became beautiful with brilliant sunshine on the morning of the 8th, to the joy of everyone. Before the state entry here she saw the King at Charlottenburg, who folded her in his arms, rejoicing to see her ; and the Queen was happy, too, in spite of her emotion ; she was pleased with her from the first, felt attracted by her, and sure that she could love her. If you knew our admirable Queen well enough, you would appreciate more all that such words mean from her. Usually it takes other people a long time really to enter into the heart which is so full of all that is tender, pure, and constant. I cannot tell you what a comfort it is that all has passed off so well. I was very well placed in one of the best windows of the Redern House to see the entry, but, alas ! I can see so little, no eyeglass or operarglass being of any use ; but others saw well this young bride, wearing a tiara, the gift of Their Majesties, and (what was really necessary to protect her from the cold) an ermine cloak. The next day I read in the papers all that the entire population had seen with delight — the incessant gracious and affec- tionate bows of the royal couple. The people have long been fascinated by the young Prince, and now they are delighted that his choice promises him so much happiness. There is not one dissentient voice, which has never before been known among people, usually such cold, critical frondeurs. But, as you say, it needed a royal constitution to stand all the fatigues of the journey ; the ladies were knocked up, though elated with delight. Madame de Perponcher had the foremost place aX the side of her young mistress, and therefore could note all her expressions of satisfaction. On first seeing the escort of Garde du 23—2 356 PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 Corps at Potsdam, she cried out in English, ' How beautiful your Guards are ! they are ours now.' That is one of those little things that are never forgotten, and nothing of the kind was omitted by her. It is impossible to record all the little sayings. And, after all, I only hear the echoes of it all ; they rejoice my heart as much as they can in spite of all my sorrows. In all this rejoicing my thoughts are constantly at Charlottenburg, and would wish to go there, but it is impossible — no vehicle to be had for love or money. It was equally impossible to get a vehicle to see the illuminations ; but our street was one of the most beautiful, so I contented myself with plunging into the crowd here. The wind interfered with some of the illuminations, I hear; but I did not venture far, and here it was gorgeous ! . . . I have had many visitors to tell me everything — a perfect kaleidoscope of descriptions ; but everyone is agreed that nothing could equal the gala opera, the brilliant illuminations setting off the ladies' magnificent dresses, etc. The appearance of the young couple, their gracious bows and their happy looks, all added to the delight of that great audience of invited guests. The subscription ball at the Opera was an equal success. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Apethorpe, February i6, 1858. I am delighted with the details that you give me, and to know that that charming young Princess pleases so much, and especially at what you tell me of your Queen. I hope with all my heart that she may find in the young wife a being whom she can love. 1858] FIRST IMPRESSIONS 357 and who will love her tenderly and gratefully. I cannot tell you how much I think of her and the King in reading details of the fetes where they did not appear. I cannot imagine the Salle Blanche nor the Gala Theatre without that kind King who knew so splendidly how to arrange the finest fetes I have ever seen in any country. Has he not seen the young couple again ? I have not an idea of the state he is in. Have they been able to tell him of the entry so full of pomp, and touching from the enthusiasm ? Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, February 19, 1858. I hope you have the fine weather we are rejoicing in, and which must react favourably on the first impressions of your young Princess, who is still in the midst of the ovations brought her from far and near. The speeches are all very well, and there is no exaggeration in them, as the unanimous and bewilder- ing impression made by her continues to increase. She has not, so far as I know, seen the King again, and consequently, of course, not the Queen either. She was at the Dome on Sunday, and may perhaps go to the chapel at Charlottenburg next Sunday. That admirable King and Queen rejoice at everything, bear everything, and perhaps do not allow themselves to compare the present with the past — the days of their own wedding — which in perfecting the happiness of the then Crown Prince (so beloved at the time) seemed to promise so much blessing to the country. Alas ! there have been many trials since ; but what lives are free from them ? — least of all those called to that rank of life. But in those days the great show made now 3s8 PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 was never thought of. No gifts from towns and provinces ; the late King would not have allowed it, nor the Crown Prince desired it. All the failures of loyalty in forty-eight are now replaced by exaggera^ tion the other way. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the King's marriage was observed religiously, but silently ; at the same anniversary for the Prince of Prussia people wanted to make amends, and went to extremes which amounted to indiscretion. Having got into the way of present-giving, it has been now again started with excessive profusion. But the heart and souls of our Sovereigns are far too noble to feel hurt by any comparisons. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, February 20, 1858. One word more, in the midst of my bothers, which are causeless, and which people who could more cheerfully give up their own ways would think nothing of. But I never can and never shall, unless I grow young again — which perhaps I may be allowed to do — in the other world. I know nothing of Charlottenburg, but I rejoice in the fine weather, which cheers everyone, and allows of the long drives there which fill up the long inaction. When I think of the difficulties of this charming young stranger's position here, I am anxious about her. The Queen is much disposed to like her, but will she be allowed to see much of her ? Anyhow, the Princess of Prussia will have first claim, it cannot be otherwise, but what tact will be needed ! 1858] CHANGE OF MINISTRY 359 Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Apethorpe, February 23, 1858. We are in the crisis of changing the Ministry. I confess je niy interesse mediocrement ; for I thinlc the new ones are no better than the old, and personally I regret that Lord Clarendon should leave the Foreign Office, for he has always been very kind to me, and he appreciates Julian and desires to get him on. You see Patriotism goes for nothing in my sentiments, but I only confess them to you. , . . I must tell you that I thought your description of the entry of the young Princess into Berlin, and of the impression she has made, so interesting that I copied some extracts from your letter and sent them to the Queen. Yesterday she returned them to me with many thanks and the assurance that she and the Prince were delighted with them, and could not sufficiently rejoice at the success of their beloved daughter. I did not forget to copy the lines about your admirable Reine and her cceur tendre, pur et constant. I am glad people should see how much she is loved and appreciated. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, February 26, 1858. I hope the change of Government with you will not hurt the prospects of Julian, I am bold enough to think it hard that Lord Palmerston* should have been upset. His successor will have to take care how he touches the prerogatives of which (though they may * The Government was defeated over the Conspiracy Bill. 36o PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 have been abused) John Bull is so justly proud. Will Lord Stratford de Redcliffe remain aloof from all these affairs ? He watches them, weighs them, and his iron will would flinch at nothing — that is a proper state of mind for a statesman, impervious to all sympathetic feeling — and yet he is not inaccessible to pity: he showed much to poor Madame de W., so deserving of it ; he proved it in her lifetime, and spoke of her again to our Prussian Princes in England. But what bad luck for the poor Prince of Prussia (the Regent) ; a sprained ankle obliges him to lie up in the midst of his multitudinous affairs. The difficulty of them increases ; we are neither one thing nor the other. I fly when the situation is discussed ; and yet, in spite of my deafness, I hear more than I care for. I know God will help us, but He must humble us first. We have had a long respite, and, recollecting that fatal year — ten years ago — it seemed scarcely possible to realize the miracle by which we escaped shipwreck then. We have returned to normal conditions of life, but there is still a good deal of social gaiety. It does not affect me, except that I am glad to hear that others are amused. There are some fine private concerts with the Dom Chor and Madame Viardot,* who must be pleased with us, as she is prolonging her stay here. I can't believe that I read your letter right. You say that mine had pleased you, and that you had sent the Queen an extract from it ! But I really saw nothing. However, with all my real sorrows and my petty bothers, my heart can still rejoice at all I hear about this fascinating young Princess. She has had a * Pauline Viardot Garcia, the celebrated singer. 1858] AN EVENING AT THE PALACE 361 few days' rest, and has come to Charlottenburg, where she will have found loving hearts to welcome her. The other morning she inspected her future home, and our dilatory workmen were delighted at being still in the midst of their work, and so having the opportunity of watching this charming young couple, whose delightful manners win and attach all hearts. I say ' attach,' and yet — ten years ago my confidence in the stability of such feelings of loyalty was rudely shaken ! Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, March 19, 1858. I need not tell you that I am still anxious and sad, as there is no change in the invalid on whom so many thoughts are centred; and what must it be for her whose whole existence is absorbed in that sole care ? The improvement in the Prince of Prussia's health is imperceptible so long as he is condemned to his present regime. He can neither walk nor get into the air, and his work would require iron nerves — which his are not. There are many bad statements abroad complicating a position already sufficiently thorny. I avoid all who might tell me what is going on; I know enough to dread hearing more. ... I should like, however, to have more to tell you, and must now speak of the astonishing kindness which caused me to be invited the night before last to the evening party of the young royal couple — the first they had' given (after several dinners). If you could only realize the gracious charm with which the young Princess did the honours — how careful she was to speak to every guest; the dignity and decorum of 362 PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 everything in those fine rooms — you would share my joyful surprise. The Princess of Prussia arrived after the cercle had been held ; there was then a little more conversation on her part, of which I had a good share, and then we went into another room, where we had tea in perfect comfort seated at different tables. Everything done so perfectly that my delight was increased. Then we had the Dom Chor, who were at their best. Afterwards there was supper, and if everyone was as pleased as I was at seeing everything so perfectly done, there must have been fifty people enchanted to have been there. I received for my share some gracious words spoken in a most charming musical voice, and accompanied by the delightful smile which adds animation to the beautiful eyes so much admired. At supper I was next to the happy young husband at one of the smaller tables, placed round the principal one ; I did not feel any of my paralyzing shyness, and was able to talk and speak of my reminiscences and of my pleasure, without alluding to any shadows. The young Prince was charming, and was quite resigned to his antiquated neighbours — of whom my sister was also one. I was the only one there who had been in these rooms in the reign of Frederick William II. There is hardly anyone alive but myself who remembers those times, and I feel like a ghost. I must add how very civil and good all the members of this young Court are, the ladies handsome and attentive to everyone, with none of that shyness and abstraction which are so common. But I was knocked up by my birthday, which began at nine o'clock, when Count Munster arrived to breakfast, for which the bread was late ! The Princess of Prussia came to see me too. 1858] VISIT FROM THE PRINCESS OF PRUSSIA 363 Fortunately I was alone, and able to causer -with her, which I can always do quite frankly, and am surprised myself how little I am afraid of her. I am always perfectly at my ease with her, and was much vexed at the arrival of good Prince Frederick,* full of kindness. There is no chance of such a piece of luck again in such a life of racket. You would never believe what a life it is. Unavoidable duties and obligations of all kinds, which she gets through as only peeple in her exalted station are able to. I was rejoiced to see her looking so well and handsome, and I long for a chance, not only of seeing her again, but of resuming our interrupted conversation ; but that is not likely,^ and, after all, where would be the good of it ? However, the Princess is not wrong in appreciating my frank- ness ; my grateful devotion to her imposes it on me. And, besides that, I do not, like so rnapy others, wish for anything for myself; my aspirations are loftier still. I have no illusions, and so am moderate, but that does not prevent my chattering immoderately at your expense. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, Friday, April 9, 1858. Here is your delightful letter which sheds sweetness all round. I do not understand how these lovely violets can be out. Here the snowdrops are attempt- ing to appear — unsuccessfully. The dryness caused by the east wind is very serious, and the sun does not help us. As for your son's t promotion, the Princess of Prussia * Prince Frederick of Prussia, cousin to the King, t Julian Fane had just been appointed Secretary of Legation at Vienna. 364 PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 said to me, 'I am glad for his mother's sake.' I answered, ' And I am glad for his country's sake,' which made her smile. I saw her before her departure for Weimar, and she spoke of you with all her old affection. I keep my inoffensive place there which I owe to my insignificance and value. I also saw, under most comfortable conditions, that charming young Princess at my neighbour's (Radziwill), where I was asked, and where, after a long talk with the Princess of Prussia, I took my place on her departure next to the Princess Clary,* who, though deaf too, managed to hear all that was said to her, in the kindest possible manner. I came in for my share too, and without any stiffness. It does one's heart good to hear that fascinating young Princess talk of her past and present happiness. What an admirable education she owes to her mother, whom God has so wonderfully gifted with all the qualities required to make her worthy of her exalted position, and also of that domestic happiness which so many nowadays fail to appreciate. There was a smart party the night before last at Count Adlerberg's. Everything there superlatively well done, and last night, for a contrast, people came to me here, where they found that since the advent ot crinolines there is no room to move ; and, to complete the picture, no light in these little holes that I ruined myself to do up, the carpets, curtains, and all, too dark. I agreed with those who made fun of it, and joined in with them. However, everything comes to an end, and everybody had at least the satisfaction of being pleased to get home. My sister was very kind, and my directress. You understand me, and know how much I need both kindness and direction. <* Mother of Princess Radziwill. 1858] Count alvensleben 365 Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, Friday, May 7, 1858. You will have felt sympathy for us at the death of Count Alvensleben,* an incalculable loss for the State and the whole country. He could face death with no fears for himself, but he should have dreaded it for the sake of his country, of which he was as a beacon-light, dominating all parties, caring nothing for some, the shield and oracle of others. None can replace him. The independence of his character, his ludd judg- ment, his experience, his profound knowledge of the country, its wants, its resources, and its weaknesses, gave him a superiority that will cause him to be missed everywhere, and we are face to face with a crisis which he himself might not have been able to avert — like a ship without a rudder. There is no one whose life seemed so necessary, and that is the opinion of all classes, and the most highly placed are the most affected by it. The King, who has nothing but sorrow, feels acutely his loss, which comes to increase the weight of the Prince of Prussia's heavy task. I feel for them all, and am even almost inclined to regret my keen appreciation of that statesman's great merits. It made me shed bitter tears — when I thought I had few left — on both occasions when he retired. He lodged in this house, which gave me the opportunity of often meeting him. He knew my appreciation and tolerated it ; and when I one day expressed the hope that he would stay in office and save us, his assent satisfied me, and my hopes were all fixed on him. You know, dear friend, the passion with which I love * A Prussian statesman. 366 PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 my country — how I take that intense burning interest in it which cannot be felt by those who have other and nearer ties. This makes me very indifferent to all personal matters, but overpowered by this con- suming anxiety from which nothing can distract me. Princess of Prussia to Lady Westmorland. COBLENZ, May 30, 1858. Since the arrival of your charming Princess Royal, who has become a cherished daughter to me, she has had the greatest successes, and I can tell you of my gratitude to God for having blessed this marriage. That of the Queen of Portugal* has also given me much pleasure. The presence of Lord and Lady Raglan at Berlin has left the best impression, for one cannot see this interesting young woman without admiring her beauty. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. London, June 30, 1858. Rose and I much enjoyed our tete-a-tete in the country, and returned with much regret to the tor- menting life of London. We have had the finest weather — not too hot. The country looks charming, everything is so fine this year. They were gathering in the hay in front of the house. The garden is full of the loveliest roses in enormous masses ; the walls of the inner court are literally carpeted with roses to the roof. What a pity to leave all that which will be * Stephanie, Princess of HohenzoUern, was married in May, 1858, to the young King Pedro V. of Portugal, and died the following year. 1858] IMPROVEMENTS AT APETHORPE 367 over next month ! The house is filled with workmen, for we have to do a great many repairs to the walls and paint everywhere. But what interested me more than all they are doing to the house are the improve- ments which I have made in the village. , Perhaps you remember a kind of square ' place ' at the top of the village, going towards Cliffe. I have had a railing put round, which is now covered with roses and climbing plants, and inside it is divided into four gardens for the four cottages which surround it, which all have their little porches covered with jasmine, honeysuckle, and roses. You can have no idea how pretty it is. We have also taken away that smithy's shop at the corner near the stables, and which was so ugly, and in its place have built a charming cottage with a garden before and behind. I hope one day to show you all that. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, Thursday, August 5, 1858. I was sitting at dinner with my sister, nephew, and cousins, when a stranger was announced as ' the daughter of the Duchesse de Sagan,' who insisted on seeing me ! Who could it be ? The daughter of the Duke of Sutherland, who came in with her husband and two sons (my sister so furious as quite to upset me). I recognized this pleasing young woman at once from her likeness to her father, of whom she spoke at once, saying that for love of him she could not pass through Berlip without coming to see me. I, grateful and delighted, but full of confusion at what had gone before, explained that my bad sight makes me slow to recognize anyone ; that I remembered her as a child, 368 PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 and also her portrait with her son;* but I still did not know the name of her husband, who ought to be an angel of goodness to be worthy of her, and so make amends for his looks ; he is red, of purest Scotch race — no doubt you know him as the Duke of Argyll. The one I knew in my youtht was the handsomest man of his day, and this one is, no doubt, worthy of him — by which I mean he is no doubt far more worthy in every way. The son is as beautiful as the portrait of him with his mother, of which I have an engraving in your ' Keepsake.' My intelligent maid noticed the likeness at a glimpse, and called my atten- tion to it, and the next day the newspapers gave their names. She is charming, and if she could only realize the joy she gave me, she would forget all the rest, which seemed like a bad dream to me. The weather has become beautiful, and I find myself enjoying my garden and my breakfast out of doors as much as if they were all novelties. How much I thank God that I never become blase over the good things of life, and can still enjoy them with enthusiasm ! Griefs I have indeed, but many compensations. Here at home I am in nobody's way, and always ready to do what I can for others. Lady Westmorland to Comt6sse Pauline Neale. Apethgrpe, October 3, 1858. I have been the last few days in a furious rage against those horrible papers which with so much ignorance and effrontery attack that ^ splendid and * The present Duke of Argyll. f Elizabeth, Duchess of Argyll. The two sons were Lord Lome and Lord Archibald Campbell, then schoolboys. 1858] THE QUEEN OF PRUSSIA 369 unfortunate Queen (of Prussia). We who have always seen her devoted to her home life, and never mixing herself in political affairs, and know with what a broken and devoted heart she spent her life in caring for her beloved King and husband, how can we bear to hear her accused of ambition and intrigues ? They want to make believe she is trying to become Regent, and the stupid and ignorant public swallow this calumny, as it believed the lying reports about the young household. I am as indignant as you must be. I do not like you to denigrez yourself, as you have a habit of doing. How can you say ' no one wants you ' when you are so dear to your friends, and so useful to all those who suffer and who always medyou ! For my- self, I do not know how to tell you how much I need you, and how often I think that, if you were here, I should relieve myself in telling you a thousand things. . . . Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, Wednesday, October 13, 1858. I am so sure that I am anticipating your wishes that I do not hesitate to tell you of these last sad days.* Though the newspapers tell of them, they cannot enter into the private griefs, the bitter tears shed yesterday at that railway-station, where a respectful, sad crowd accompanied with their tears and good wishes those who were leaving us. What a trial for that royal couple, but at the same time what a comfort ! The Queen was sobbing, the King replying by word and gestures of benediction to the wishes and invocations from the faithful hearts around him. Faithful for the moment at least. One knows only * This refers to the King's departure for Italy. 24 370 PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 too well how little one can count on them beyond that. But all my heart was there, and when the King's Chamberlain came in the evening to tell me all about it, I felt crushed. The tears filled the King's eyes, and he kept repeating ' Gott segne euch ' in reply to the ceaseless cries of ' Wiedersehen !' The Prince of Prussia, who had accompanied Their Majesties from Potsdam, is himself overpowered by his great sorrow and his enormous responsibility, his love for his admirable brother having been, if possible, increased by this year of trial so nobly borne. May God protect him and lighten his task, more difficult than ever in these times I I do not know whether the act of provisional abdication will be published ; it is all marked by the spirit of the most perfect self-denial. There was neither debate nor witnesses ; everything arranged beforehand between them, and then signed. This seems like a fresh miracle to me who have seen so many, but what a trial for the country, whatever may be the result of the clash of parties ! Some are silent, but others are full of clamour, insane aspira- tions, unjust blame. All this turmoil wrings my heart, and I don't understand how it has stood all the trials which have assailed it during my long life with- out diminishing its impressionability. The Queen had desired her sisters-in-law to meet them on Sunday at church, so as best to bear this sad parting, and they left the same evening. The service was deeply touching — from the highest to the lowest of the numerous congregation — everyone struggling with deep emotion, the only one who broke down utterly being Prince Frederick of the Netherlands, who had been the dearest friend of the beloved King's boyhood before becoming his brother-in-law. So the 1858] REGENCY IN BERLIN 371 last two days were taken up by all these sad scenes, of which I had full details from my sister and others. You will understand that the public at large is not affected by all this. Everyone thinks himself called to the helm by the absurd opinions expressed ; every- one only sees salvation through his own spectacles, and that is the most dangerous blindness. On one side excessive hopes, on the other excessive fears. What a task for that unhappy Prince who is now Regent. May he beware of empty popularity ! The King has borne everything with extreme un- selfishness ; his fervent piety (which is not expressed in words) carries him through all that which could not be endured but for this Divine help. And the Queen is worthy of him, by the way in which she bear§ every- thing. Her devoted love seems only to be increased by all these trials, and her delicate health is not affected by them. She is a pattern to her sex, and we may well be proud of her. She is able to do every- thing for him who deserves all this devotion. And yet in your country she is abused ! What can the correspondents of your horrible newspapers be ? The health of the Princess of Prussia causes anxfety. Her illness is, I fear, serious, and of such a nature as to cause much nervous excitement. She is surrounded by weathercocks who think of nothing but themselves, while making use of her. If she could add a sound judgment to all her really great qualities, if instead of egging her on she could be enlightened, she would have a less difficult task. She sincerely desires the real good of the country, but what tact is needed to work for it ! How much we miss [Alvens- leben] : God preserve us from the presumption of those who think themselves equal to facing anything! I 24 — 2 372 PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 know those who are to be dreaded, but not those who could be put in their places. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, Thursday, November 4. I cannot throw off all that is distressing me, though I am outside of everything. How should I have endured my life had it been linked with those actively connected with all that is going on in the country, whether for good or ill ? I feel everything so keenly in spite of my great age and my absolute insignificance. You will know the result of our (election) crisis before these lines can reach you.* The new choices are strange in part ; but whatever they may be, they are sure to displease the greater number, and some will regret the dismissals. But you will agree that the Princess of Prussia is very wise to keep herself out- side of everything. If she were here she would be blamed about everything. The Prince of Prussia is much pitied ; if only the chasses he is going to could chase the sad responsibilities away! He earnestly desires the best good, but I am reminded of the old knight's motto 'All for her, nothing without her, but — who is she?' This can be more than ever applied to our present position — what and where is the best good to be found ? I paid my last visit yesterday to those whom I regret for our own sakes and interests ;t their own interests are not affected. They may be glad to be relieved of a crushing weight, but is he glad, who * Baron Manteuffel, the Prussian Prime Minister, had just resigned. + The Manteuffels. 1858] CHANGE OF PRUSSIAN MINISTRY 373 bore that weight with such single-minded devotion ? He has the resource of a country-house he is fond of, and rest will be a novelty to him after devoting his whole life to affairs. What a consolation to him to have such a wife and a very promising young son ! I have promised to go and see them in Lusatia in the spring ; shall I be alive then ? Everything about the house struck me as having a desolate look. I came away when the others came in. I have had incessant visits all the morning, and only begged of them not to tell me the new nominations. The world is strange ; as soon as anything or anybody new appears, every- one is delighted. What about? Because it is a novelty ? But you know all this well, you who have passed your life at the top of the tree and been connected so closely with so many celebrities. Where are they all now? Our country is bereft of them, yoUrs is better able to get on without ; therefore it is my country which most preoccupies me. I must tell you that the Prince of Prussia brings his son into all the debates and conferences, so that he may gain the knowledge of both great questions and the routine of affairs. The Princess returns on the i8th, for the birthday of the young Princess, who is very anxious to keep it by taking possession of her new house that day. That palace is hideous ; they have put up some immense columns, which support nothing and seem put there by some bad fairy. It is difficult to under- stand this bit of bad taste, or how Prince Frederick William, whose taste should have been formed in his travels in classical countries, can have allowed such a montrosity. However, that is a small evil compared to others, and he is probably destined to see many 374 PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 a collapse. Oh, what a difficult task is that of the Prince at the head of affairs ! He never expected to be called to it, being only a year younger than his beloved brother, and having had so many accidents and narrow escapes. He never foresaw this last calamity. The Princess will make up her mind to it all far more readily, and, though she is away, nothing that happens is unknown to her. I am very foolish to worry as I do. I have spent a fortnight shut up indoors; a cold would be enough nowadays to carry me off. I have just had all my furniture re-covered and done up, and I wish to live long enough to see it all in order. It is so new that I do not grudge the expense, and my heirs will not, either. My sister is coming back; I was glad she was not here, as she would have thought it her duty to. nurse me. The Court of Charlottenburg is never mentioned, but the young Princess Frederick William is talked about with enthusiasm still, and all the qualities most to be desired are attributed to her, especially an ardent wish to promote all that is good, which she will have more or less the opportunity of doing. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, November 12, 1858. What is to be said of all that is going on here? How grieved I am to find that I had formed only too true an opinion of him who has so much to bear!* I had hoped so much from this year of, preparation, but it has been utilized by mischief-makers. I should * The Prince Regent. 1858] M. DE MANTEUFFEL 375 have such intense pity for him if that for my country were not still greater. The elections are being fought at this moment ; you have no idea how all our harpies are coming out in their most hideous colours. Your appreciation of Monsieur de ManteufFel does me good; I am also grateful that he has been able to decline the favours with which he was to be degraded, and to justify his very dignified refusal, by showing hi s financial position. During his ten years of Ministry, he has only received 10,000 dollars, but he refuses every pension except what he is entitled to by thirty years of Government service. The gossip and calumnies, which did not, however, impose on those in a position to judge, are now checked — even in the press. What a dangerous rock to split on is popularity ! but it is not given to everyone to rise above it. In your country, where the whole machine is in order, it may be possible to do so; but it needs more time than we have had since our late experiences to get accustomed to a state of things which, if it answers in the future, does not seem to fit yet. The tailor is not clever at his craft, and cannot be so yet. I know the Prince is much distressed, and, by evil chance, those whose influence would be of use are kept away from him just now by unlucky accident. The most capable of all has been laid up for the last two months, and the other one might as well have broken his rib out hunting last year instead of this. Both miserable at being kept away, whilst the mischief- makers rejoice. And I, who used to admire people for keeping away, what a fool I was! My dear friend, all would go better here if we could change the sexes ; an impressionable, gracious, amiable woman is 375 PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 charming, but firmness and tenacity are masculine virtues, and those who have them always rule in the long-run. They are not hurried, and even if they provoke a storm, they profit by it in the long-run by the reaction that follows. Here I am moralizing, as if it were necessary to improve this sad occasion. But surely you are not annoyed with me for telling you all this which fills my thoughts ! Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, November 23. I must tell you that I have seen your young Prince.* I was invited on Thursday to the evening party at the Princess's, whose graciousness towards me is always the same. I was not very well, and rather bothered with the idea of perhaps meeting those whom, if I knew them, I should wish to avoid ; but with my failing sight there was not much chance of that, and then the chance of seeing the heir to that vast empire decided me. There I was with my eyeglass fixed for a good view of him. I thought him charming, and would describe him if you had not known him since his birth. He looks like the most pleasing youth — younger than his age. He ought to grow a little more, and recollecting his father and his grandparents, there seems every chance of his doing so. There was a concert in that charming room you know so well, preceded by a cercle which was not dull, and everything went perfectly. The young Princess Frederick WiUiam looked so happy, with no trace of fatigue. She has had some excitements, however, and agitations in the midst of all the happiness that surrounds her. She * The Prince of Wales visited his sister in November. 1858] THE PRINCE OF WALES AT BERLIN 377 kept her birthday in her new palace, where the Prince of Wales is also lodged; and there was Divine service in the private chapel built there by the late King. She has many and varied high qualities, all of which she will no doubt need to exercise. I spent my time watching that charming little Prince, and to my delight saw none of those whose presence I feared. Count came up to me very civilly, suppressing a mocking smile at finding me still alive and in the same place. . . . You may imagine it all — the room where we all sat down to tea, then music with refresh- ments during the interval, and supper when the last chords have ceased ; then the departure of the young Princess, hurried on by her mother-in-law, who so dreads any fatigue for her. Her brother, no doubt, delighted at this hurry, though I do not think he was bored ; and what does it signify if he was ? as he needs to be schooled to it, in view of the future before him. Everyone was home by twelve o'clock. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, Friday, December lo, 1858. This terrible season is sending death or illness everywhere ! Those that are spared seem to think that they are fulfilling a duty in trying distractions ; and perhaps they are right, for, after all, it is the will of God, who does not intend poor humanity to lead the life of monkish recluses. There are parties every evening for those who seek amusement and diversion from the heavy burdens of th e time. Your young Prince is leaving us; he amuses himself, but is kept quiet, which he does not mind as long as he can be with the sister he is so devoted to. And she is surrounded by 378 PRUSSIAN AFFAIRS [1858 extreme precautions, which might seem strange to the Queen, her mother, who never took any for herself. There is hardly anybody but me alive still who can recollect our beautiful Queen* dancing polonaises at the Court ball till nine o'clock, when she retired. The noise of the band, of the dances, of the supper, all went on close to her apartments, and before the latter was over, the Mistress of the Robes, Countess Voss, appeared in her dressing-gown to announce the birth of a Princess — none other than the present Dowager Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg,! who was always so fond of dancing : naturally enough, as she came into the world dancing ! What old gossips I am retailing. The fact of being in nobody's way makes me endure the troubles of old age, which are further softened by general kindness of everybody, which, however, does not fill the place of nearer ties. I try not to deplore the want of them, and not to abuse that I have, and all that is personal to me is, after all, of small account, * Queen Louise of Prussia, inotMer of Frederick William IV. and the Emperor William. + Alexandrine, born February 3, 1803 ; married the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. CHAPTER XIII 1859: THE SARDINIAN WAR There was great rejoicing in Prussia, at the beginning of the year, at the birth of a son to the Princess Royal, and Coratesse Neale's letters at this time are full of the same interest she had shown the year before in the royal marriage. But war was again looming on the horizon, and in April a contest broke out between Austria on the one side and France with Sardinia on the other. Sardinia had joined the alliance of England and France against Russia, and was prepared to take up arms against Austria, who was struggling to maintain her position in Italy. In April, a summons to the Sardinians to disarm being disregarded, Austria invaded Piedmont, and the first battle took place at Montebello, resulting in a victory for the French and Sardinians. The Austrians suffered further defeats, and Milan was entered on June 8. Peace was concluded in July, under which an Italian confederation was erected, Lombardy was ceded to Sardinia^ Venetia remained subject to Austria, and the Dukes of Modena and Tuscany were rein- stated. The idea of making war on Austria was believed to have originated at an interview in July, 1858, at Plombidres between Louis Napoleon and Cavour, and a letter from Lady Westmorland to her son Julian gives an account of her conversation with Lord Malmesbury on this subject. 379 38o THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 Comtesse Pauline Neak to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, January 2, 1859. This mixture of people at the Regent's Palace seems to get on well, but these evening parties matter little ; but what will happen after the 12th,* when the same caldron will contain all those whose only wish is each to blow up his neighbour, and all these hatreds prevent all thought for the salvation of the country, which is remorselessly sacrificed to the satisfaction of personal passions ? Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, January 19, 1859. Surrounded as you are by blessings, the croakings of my solitude can scarcely interest you. I suffer at seeing all that goes on here, and I am deeply moved at all we hear from Rome.t Calm resignation is the keynote ther6, and the better climate allows the enjoyment of artistic delights. And the lessons of the past, of so many vanished glories, make the present more endurable. I am much alarmed at things here, and the way calumny is rampant to cover the past with oppro- brium. I do not read the scurrilous pamphlets, but the people revel in them, and the bad-principled in all classes tolerate them. I have a fresh anxiety about our Minister at Paris, t who has fallen seriously ill and sent for his wife, * When the Diet was to be opened. + The King of Prussia was still there. t Count Hatzfeldt, who died soon after he was married to a French lady — Pauline de Gastellane. 1859] COUNT HATZFELDT 381 whose care may perhaps save him. Meanwhile vultures hover around, anxious to replace him, but no one is fit to do so ; there can only be an unsatis- factory choice, as all the candidates are incapable or dangerous. One cannot deny that the poor Prince [Regent] is immensely to be pitied; his own most ardent desire is to act for the best, but everyone interferes, and only the mischief-makers succeed. Forgive me for saying all this, but we are on a volcano, as you know. And now I dread this con- finement,* which is expected very shortly now. However, the young Princess is very well now, and surrounded by love and care. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, January 22, 1859. Since it has pleased God to take himf whose tact, whose judicious reticence and perfect knowledge of all the surroundings were so universally recognized, it must be that He, in His infinite wisdom, has deemed that another line of action should be taken. Every- thing is possible ; I try to think it will be for the best in the end, and no doubt after forty years of blessings, perhaps misused, we are now to enter on another road. The beginning will be perilous, bad ; but better chances may come, talents and capacities, still unknown and unsuspected, may arise. I cling to this hope and weary you with it. An old proverb says, ' He who hears only one bell hears only one sound.' I hear no bell at all, and have no relation with anything except my own too long experience. However, I cling to this, and trust I may do so to the end. After all, it is only torture to dwell so much on that which is so much * Of the Princess Royal. t Count Hatzfeldt. 382 THE, SARDINIAN WAR [1859 beyond me. Forgive me for botheriiig you with it ; if I told all this to others, they would laugh in my face. And there is no one around me who would be fair enough to say that it is the result of my isolated position — and yet I was much the same fifty years ago. I have before my eyes what others have to bear, .but they are surrounded by a numerous family, which makes them indifferent to all that tortures me. I strive not to find fault with them, and I behave well to them ; but I have to repeat my lesson every day, and that does not make me precisely very amiable any more than very happy. When I try to rouse myself, it is of you that I think, and of the benedictions that surround you — as if I did not know that there are storms every- where. May they be absent from the joy the country here is looking forward to with touching expectation, mingled with anxiety ! I have thought a little less of the news from Rome lately ; the details, however, do one good. The family life there is ideal in its unity and devotion, so rare nowadays ; one is at once pleased and grieved to hear of the great desire to get hpme. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, Friday, January 28, 1859. You will have heard of our happiness, and will join in it at the safe confinement of our young Princess, who belongs to you as much as to us. Great anxiety pre- ceded this eagerly looked for event, which is the first real piece of good fortune this country has had for some time. May God preserve to us the precious child just born,* and endow him with all that will be required * Frederick William Victor Albert, now German Emperor, was born on January 27, 1859. 1859] BIRTH OF THE GERMAN EMPEROR 383 for his tremendous future! The event was expected momentarily from the early morning ; the cannon set, the crowd assembled. I had been to see my neigh- bours, who are not well, and found on my return that your excellent protege had been to bring me the joyful news ; the porter called it out to me, and I was to send the joyful message on next door. They had promised, in consideration of my deafness, to tell me if they heard the cannon, and, after all, nobody had heard it. I shall be able to tell you more to-morrow. I cannot describe to you the universal excitement. A party had been announced at the Princess of Prussia's for last night ; what would happen ? everyone was wondering. In the evening 2,000 guests assembled at the Regent's Palace, and for the first time, I suppose, everyone was joyful. Even the most ill-conditioned could not help being so. I was tempted lor a moment to join the crowd, but my courage failed me, as it was only a question of pleasing myself, and it would have been impossible to get near the happy royalties. There were spontaneous illuminations, some of which I could see across the square. What a pity that these spon- taneous good impulses last so short a time! they are like weathercocks, impossible to fix anywhere. I rather reproach myself for having said so much to you about the loss of Count Hatzfeldt, whom you could not possibly care much about. We are in a vein of ill-luck — one would almost say, 'going to the dogs.' Monsieur de Werther,* who is conciliatory, and at the same time knows so well what is due to his country, is definitely appointed to Vienna, where the other one would zealously have done us all the harm * Baron Werther, formerly Minister of State in Prussia. His son was a distinguished diplomat. 384 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 he could ; and Monsieur de Bismarck Schonha:usen, on the strength of his sudden and ephemeral great reputa- tion, is going to try to turn everything upside down at St. Petersburg, having perfected himself in that art at Frankfort. . . . The news from Rome continues good and sad, in so far that they give little confidence in the future. Those who are with Their Majesties seem to me to be less to be pitied than we are. The* official receptions now due here will take a festive tone now, but those who give them will not be deceived by it . . . the best people keep away; the lukewarm and the indifferent make up the crowd. I endure my tete-a-trois with old Werther and his daughter. He does not allow himself to wish anj'^- thing for his son, who is ready to do his duty as befits a faithful servant. But what a wretched state of things, not to have anyone besides him of whom that can be said ! I expect you have heard from the Duchess, who was to be now at her daughter's for a rest, which means that she will get ill from the boredom of solitude ; she will never own to herself that that is the one thing which most disagrees with her. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Saturday morning. Everything is going on as well as possible, but there were terrible anxieties before the happy event. Yesterday English flags were flying, mingled with our own, from quantities of houses of all sorts and sizes ; everywhere there is every possible outward sign of rejoicing. Formerly, though the demonstrations were less, 1 had more faith in them; now I say to myself 1859] UNIVERSAL JOY 385 that loyal demonstrations increase, but true loyalty diminishes. That is the spirit of the age : should I pity those who have never known any better ? I went yesterday to the palace, where the Ladies-in- Waiting were assembled in the large drawing-room from one o'clock till four. One saw nothing but radiant faces everywhere, and it must have been a pleasant sight at the Regent's reception in the evening. The young Prince Frederick William appeared there for a few minutes, and the ladies who were overwhelmed with inquiries, and I was ready to hang myself for not being there, too. I do not know now what possessed me not to go. I called to congratulate the Prince and Princess Regent, but there was no visitors' book, and I had not strength to mount to the top of the house to see the ladies. You may guess that the evening party on Thursday was brilliant, and that those who were not dancing were yet, figuratively, jumping for joy, and I might have been among the jumpers! Good Prince Frederick lighted up his solitary palace, which is such a melancholy habitation usually for him and his two sons.*. . . Did I tell you that the Prince Regent, on Thursday, not knowing what to do with himself from nervous anxiety, went to call on Monsieur de Schlenitz, and it was there he heard the happy event from Monsieur de Perponcher, who threw himself into a ' droschke ' to take him the blessed news, and the Prince jumped into this beautiful vehicle to rush to the palace. * Princes Alexander and George of Prussia, sons of Prince Frederick. 25 386 THE SARDINIAN WAR ^ [1859 Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, Thursday, February 3, 1859. This is a birthday festival* at Apethorpe, which, though so far away, I am keeping too by going over recollections of early days, always in my mind. I believe I am now my lord's oldest foreign acquaint- ance. Give him all my best wishes; he has been greatly privileged in life, and is still surrounded by so ' many blessings that he need scarcely regret these brilliant days in which I met him here. Everything goes on well where there was such terrible suffering this day last week. We are all joyful, and our joy is re-echoed at Rome. Their Majesties there sent the joyful news at once to all their compatriots there, and the Queen announced that she would hold a reception to receive their con- gratulations. It does one good to think how she is always thinking of others more than of herself. She has some pleasure, however, in retracing all the recol- lections of that classical city. But now I must tell you of my wonderful good fortune — I have actually seen this precious .child in his father's arms ! How was that possible ? Coming out of church at the Dome on Sunday, the Princess of Prussia saw me, stopped, embraced me with an emotion of happiness which she saw I shared, and said: 'I will carry you off to see our treasure'; so there I was in her carriage, and then passing through the central doors into that palace, she holding my hand, which gave me courage, as, had I been following her, I should probably have been arrested ♦ Lord Westmorland's birthday. 1859] THE ROYAL BABY 385- as an old witch. She explained it all to her husband and to her happy son, who were following her. I will cut short my story, and not ask you to follow me through all these rooms, which I was in so often in the time of Queen Louise, but which have been closed since her death to all that Court to which I belonged then. You will ask me what this child of so many prayers and wishes is like. They say all babies are alike ; I do not think so : this one has a beautiful complexion, pink and white, and the most lovely little hand ever seen ! The nose rather large ; the eyes were shut, which was as well, as the light was so strong. His happy father was holding him in his arms, and himself shows traces of all he has gone through at the time. The child was believed to be dead, so you may conceive the ecstasy of everyone at his first cry. That first cry means for all alike — entrance into a life of trouble; but in this case it meant also an immense amount of happinqss. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, Thursday, February 10, 1859. I was so hurried the other day, dear friend, that I answered your letter of the ist very badly. Re- reading your letters is my delight, but if you had to do the same with mine it would be a penance. I will begin by telling you that everything goes on excel- lently with the young mother and her baby ; that her charming husband delights in showing his boy (' mein Junge,' he calls him) to quantities of people. Several came to tell me of it, and I replied modestly that I, too, had seen him, without adding the details I gave you, which do not concern others; they would think, 25 — 2 388 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 perhaps, I was inventing, and yet, perhaps, be annoyed. That happy young father is about every- where, and overwhelmed with congratulations. Even the students of several Universities telegraphed that they had celebrated the joyful news by a ' salamander ' (the most eccentric of all their toasts). I hear that all goes well with you. Shall I tell you how I regret to see the star which shone so brilliantly on the forehead of the parvenu failing ever since that wicked attempt thirteen months ago?* Only think, there is a report going about that his child is deaf and dumb ! This would explain the hurried marriage of his nephew, t But what guarantee can there be in so strange an alliance ? Can he expect any, or even thereby to assure his succession ? Meantime I wish him all luck, rather from cowardice and dread of what will come after him. Ignorance of the future is perhaps the greatest blessing of the present. We had news from Rome yesterday from several quarters, all agreeing in their reports of the improve- ment in the King. He has no longer the difficulty in expressing himself which so distressed him. The quiet life he leads is doing him good, but will this progress be confirmed sufficiently to encounter all that awaits him here on the return home he is longing for? Queen Christina t has seen Their Majesties, and they found her fascinatingly amiable. I remember well the violent fancy our young Crown Prince § of old days took to her — so much so as to regret the impossibility of marrying, her; but he did not then know the * The Orsini attempt. + Prince Napoleon, son of Jerome Buonaparte, married Princess Clothilde of Sardinia. t Queen of Spain, mother of Queen Isabella. i King Frederick William IV. 1859] FRENCH EMPEROR^S POSITION 389 guardian angel who was destined for him. The Princess of Prussia stands her fatigues well ; the life she leads, thinks it her duty to lead, requires a super- natural energy which our Duchess is also endowed with, but I am afraid she will not stand so well the solitude of Roch Cotte.* There are parties every night. Our Ministers are making the most of their time. I hear that O.'s crinoline upsets every things and people cry out at her screams ; her silent husband would be driven wild if he were not so used to them. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, Saturday, February 12, 1859. You will be shocked — you are so already — ^at my having spoken with solicitude of the astonishing being whom you call my hero. Is it wonderful that he should be uneasy, knowing his life menaced by incendiaries ? God, who has placed him there, will maintain him there if He deems him necessary. I should pity him himself less than I should France and the entire Continent if he should succumb. I see many who like him no more than you do, but I really do not know why. My heart aches at the thought that he had to come to our assistance, so little do I care for my country to owe him anything. That unfortunate affair has been, if not the only one, one of the causes of all we have to lament. So the imperial child is not deaf and dumb ; there are those who would wish him so, and imbecile. If he were, he would not be con- demned to reign; and a galley-slave is more to be envied than the present + or any future Emperor. But * Mme. de Castellane's country-house. t Louis Napoleon. 390 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 what of the Sardinian King and his Minister, who dis- graces him and goes on ? What do you think of Raikes' Memoirs ?* You must have known him, as he was admitted to the Duke's intimacy. In fact, I do not care much for people who boast of their relations with highly-placed celebrities— a weakness which often affects those who, one cannot but own, are nothing in themselves. I have heard some who, if they did not know themselves some highly-placed personage, were sure to say that their friend or relation was intimately connected with him. This is a meanness which seems to me offensive. But we have not much of it here, for the very good reason that it is so long since we have had any great celebrity here that the tradition has died out. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Apethorpe, February i, 1859. The happiness of our Queen is really overwhelming, for by being absent from her daughter at the time she was ignorant of the danger and fears. She only heard two hours before the happy news that the supreme moment was at hand. The joy of this event is much felt here. As for me, you can well believe that my attachment to the Royal Family of Prussia, and to this young Prince, whom I knew as a child, make^ me tak^ a special part in this joy. I could not resist writing a few lines to the Princess of Prussia, although afraid of being indiscreet, for doubtless she will receive a hundred letters. Pray continue to give me all the latest details of the progress * The Journals of Sir Thomas Raikes, a well-known character in London society, who died in 1848. 1859J DIPLOMATIC CHANGES 391 and convalescence of the mother and child. I do not doubt he has already been named Frederick William. It is impossible for the Queen to leave while the Parliament is sitting, which she opens herself to- morrow ; but she has decided to go to Berlin during the Easter vacation, and they say she wishes to be present at the baptism then. You confirm the rumours that had reached us of the new diplomatic nominations. ... I think the Bern- storfFs* will be left here, and I am glad of it for themselves and for your country, for I think they serve it well. But what do you think of your hero Louis Napoleon ? Are you not a little disgusted ? Although I detest his career and distrust his in- tentions, I wish he may stay where he is, because his downfall would bring about frightful chaos; but I think he will break his neck by his conduct at this time. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Apethorpe, February 8, 1859. We have read eagerly all your details about that little Prince, etc. I am delighted at the kindness of the Princess of Prussia in taking charge of you coming out of church. I condole with the grief of your own folk at not finding you ; all this is so perfectly described. And then my husband is very enchanted at your remembrance of the 3rd, and at your reminis- cences of his youth, which I read to him. We are very interested in the political atmosphere, and indignant at the abominable pretexts which ambitious people are seeking for to rob Austria They will not succeed, and I even think that the * Count Bernstorff, Prussian Ambassador in London. 392 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 general feeling of reprobation will at least stop the folly of your hero, who seems to have lost his head by the united results of his ambition; his vanity in thinking himself capable of commanding his troops and becoming a great captain, and his fear of being assassinated, which they say he thinks much of since Orsini's attempt. As for the King of Sardinia, I am aghast at his having sacrificed his young daughter to this marriage.* I hope Prussia and all Germany will protect the rights of Austria, and will not let them be coaxed out of their interests and honour. The feeling of this country is very strong against all that is done in Piedmont and at Paris, and I do not think that the friendship of crowned heads will put any curb to it. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. Cannes, 1859. I don't at all feel easy as to things in France. This Italian matter is extremely ticklish, and a quarrel with Austria for Sardinia would only make the Emperor popular with the Mazzini people and other ultra- Liberals. The greatest alarm continues to be felt as to Italian assassins, and Italians are sometimes stopped and not seldom secured on the frontier and packed off by sea. The determination of the different party leaders to stand aloof from them continues as strong as ever. He has, however, one or two able men about him, and one, Persigny,t who is both able and honest, and speaks his mind to him with a freedom none other can use — at least only Fouldl The worst of it is he * See note, p. 388. + French Ambassador in England. X Achille Fould, a Jewish banker ; a colleague of Walewslci, though not a loyal one, in the French Government. 1859] FRENCH FEELING 393 is idle and indolent (most unlike his uncle) ; and not working, he is often obliged to rely on others, and falls into great errors — as upon the slave trade and the sending the man-of-war to the Tagus. This was Hamelin's* doing entirely against the advice of the others. That he is anxious to preserve the aUiance with us is quite clear; but he has a vast fancy for Russia, and the violent attacks on him in England have considerably soured him, as he thinks there must be a great feeling against him getting up among us, which annoys him exceedingly. It is difficult to conceive this people continuing so entirely quiet and contented with such an absolute Government ; but the peace and order which it secures, and the horror of anarchy and bloodshed, are the real security of the established Government. I don't believe there is the least feeling in favour of any war whatever, and he must find this to his cost if he were to risk it. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. 1859- Now I wish you very much to assist me at Vienna. There is a history just published, ' Secrets de la Monarchie Autrichienne,' by one Michael. Who or what is he ? And could you get a letter sent to him, or^ — which would be better still — can you have him asked what possible authority he can have, or suppose he has, for saying at the beginning of the twenty- seventh chapter that Kaunitz supported the celebrated historian Robertson ! He was my uncle, and I have, of course, been on most intimate terms with all his family, as I was with himself; and there never was * Hamelin, the French admiral. 394 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 a greater absurdity put upon paper. He was in the receipt of a large income from his office, and his work was long before Kaunitz was Minister (1753) J ^^'^ he never received or could receive the least pecuniary assistance from him or from anyone else, either at home or abroad. I take for granted the nonsense arises from his having obtained access to some documents in the archives at Vienna, which he did through Murray Keith, his friend, then an Ambassador. But I should like to know what this Michael says, as all the sur- viving relatives of the great historian are up in arms against him. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. March 19, 1859. The state of things is far from giving one assurance. There is no trusting those who plainly cannot trust themselves, and you see this man cannot now rely on himself, but looks to that vile wretch of a cousin,* and leans on him. I dare say he fancies the fellow's inti-igues with the Rouges and with the Italians may expose him to risks, or it may be that he only is nervous, anc^ feels some comfort in having the man to speak to. That he made him resign I have no doubt, but it was because all the Ministers in a body would have gone out if the fellow continued. However, I should not wonder if some promotion were given him to show he were not in disgrace. The Sardinian Government is proceeding in the most abominable manner, and, being bent upon a war, will do all it can to bring about some collision with the Austrians. No doubt that orders are given to the officers by the Court at Vienna to avoid all offence, but no one can prevent * Prince Napoleon Jerome. 1859] RISKS IN FRANCE 395 some chance affray, and this would give a pretext for French interference. The best chance of peace is that, probably from the Russians joining Prussia and our- selves in representation to Vienna, there will be an opening for negotiations, and the delay is all in favour of peace. Meanwhile the state of things here as to trade is very vexatious, and the degree to which the man is injured is inconceivable. Those who before had no hopes (as the Legitimists and Orleanists) now reckon on some change, from the belief that the present state of things cannot last. The great alarm, even in the powerless legislative body, is an indication of the risks he is running. His speculation was that winning a victory would have set him up again. I don't believe he now thinks so. Indeed, the risk he runs is extreme, even were he to gain some advantage. Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. WoBURN Abbey, February 16, 1859. Thanks, dear Lady Westmorland, for your letter of Monday. I have been deeply affected this morning by receiving a letter from the Duke of Leinster to inform me of the death, yesterday, of his dear Duchess. I loved her much, and shall regret losing her ; but for herself, she must be happy after such a life, and her poor husband may feel as sure of that happiness as of his own existence. Like me, too, he can have nothing but pleasing associations to look back upon. I feel unfit to enter upon any other subject, but writing to you will do me good. The Duchess had made a marvellous rally, which gave great hopes, but it was of short duration. I have an interesting, clever letter from Paris, which 396 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 tells me that the Emperor is much for war, but, with the feeling of France, etc., strong against it, knows not how to bring it about. What you remark as to leaving the country to anarchy and bloodshed, if the French forces were to be withdrawn from the Papal States, is probably true, and may afford a plausible, or perhaps valid, reason to the Emperor for keeping them there. You please and gratify me, dear friend, by telling me that my letters give you pleasure, although I can hardly understand how that pleasure can arise. How- ever, I take you at your word, and believe it because you say it. You and Lady Rose have riveted your- selves strongly in my affection, and while I am losing so many of my old and early friends, I like to cling closely to those who are left. With love to her, Always affectionately yours, B. I enclose an absurd paragraph from the Morning Star — Bright's paper — -about the Prince of Wales and Odo. The Duke of Bedford to Lady Westmorland. March i, 1859. It certainly was ' wonderful ' that, with so many active spirits ready and longing to speak on Friday night,* no combustion arose. There was much diffi- culty, I am told, in keeping Roebuck and others quiet. Clarendon was full of apprehension, and so was Lord Derby. It must have been a great rehef to both when matters passed off so quietly. Lord Palmerston * An amendment was moved on the proposed Reform Bill of the Derby Government. The Government were defeated, and a dis- solution followed. 1859] THE REFORM BILL 397 thanked John for having suggested to him a move that turned out so well, while John on his part acted handsomely towards Palmerston by wishing him to lead. If Palmerston declined, John would have done it himself, feeling that in all great affairs, unless some- thing is risked, nothing is ever done. In this case, what passed must, I think, improve the prospect of peace; but there is much to be anxious about still. While writing I am interrupted by my early post with four House of Commons letters. Dizzy spoke well. Walpole and Henley* were not in the House. The Lord Chamberlain says they went out on a point of secondary character. But whether secondary or not, they must have acted conscientiously and like honest men. We shall hear next of Lord Derby's meeting to-day. The measure t omits the great thing con- tended for — viz., the admission of the working classes to the right of voting. I expect a contest on that. Whatever happens, however, I trust the question will be settled this session, that we may have no further agitation upon it. Comtesse Pauline Ne'ale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, March 3, 1859. I often think of you, and recall my old recollections of your first coming out in the great world of London. I was young still myself then, and I remember being fascinated by a tiny foot in a soft of sandal or em- broidered shoe. Lady Bagot was there, too, and her beauty quite eclipsed yours, still immature. Don't be * Mr. Walpole and Mr. Henley had left the Government because they disagreed with some of the proposed Bill, t The Reform Bill. 398 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 afraid — I shall not recall your later haughtiness— but I like to think of that day at Madame de Werther's when you read me a severe lesson on my harsh judg- ment of Marie Louise. I loved you from that moment. Conceive, there are actually people who think that, in case of war, we should take the side of France.* They are said to be clever people, those whose judg^ ment is so perverted as to think that our interests could be furthered by betraying our honour. All Europe would blush for us, and we should die of shame. Is anything worth having at such a price ? Ah, how fortunate you are to be out of it all! I only hear very feeble echoes of all this, but I have an instinct of faith which will enable me to bear anything so long as we are not degraded. We have had reverses ; they have been overcome. But if our honour is touched, what a fine opportunity for the rest of Germany to go against us and satisfy the hatred which their jealousy increases ! Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland, Berlin, March i8, 1859. I have been in a fever of anxiety over my audacious party for my faithful old friend Count Potocki. I think 1 mentioned it to you, and also what I thought of the extreme mistake it would be ta associate the Princess of Prussia with it; but, still, I had to announce it to her, explaining at the same time all my scruples and sending her my list, feeling certain she could not possibly think of appearing at it. But on the morning of the formidable day I had a note from the Lady-in-Waiting to say Their Royal Highnesses in- * The war between France and Austria was then imminent. 1859] A BIRTHDAY 399 tended coming ! I had the ehte of all that was smartest as well as all the prettiest girls. The Princess came, and was more gracious than ever, talking even to those who do not, as a rule, get many words from her, and generally see more of her back than of her face. See- ing all the animation round me, the flow of talk and general go^ my nervousness departed, and I did not even feel tired till I found myself alone after midnight. I certainly did not this time have a fiasco, and am glad to tell you so, as I have so often had to tell you other- wise. Do not be afraid I am now going to inflict on you the history of my day* yesterday. From nine to four o'clock I was surrounded by visitors — more or less. My head was in a whirl, and I began to think I should have a stroke by way of celebrating my eightieth birthday. The Princess of Prussia came when every- one else had gone — that is, those still here retired, and others turned back from the door. She stayed a long time, and told me all she is going to write to you her- self. I do not understand how she has either the physical, or moi-al strength for all she does. Oh, my dear friend, how I wish she would show herself as she really is ! There is much danger in such a position as hers in being too highly gifted. May God help and guide her, and guide the Prince, too, in his task of such difficulty and responsibility ! How I wish he had the youth of the two Emperorsf — he whose task is of the most difficult of them all! It would be immensely so for a man in the prime of life, but at his age how can he possibly fulfil it, short of a miracle ? The King himself is less to be pitied, as, whilst appre- ciating what is going on, he has now no responsibility. * Her birthday. + Of Russia and Austria. 400 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 The resignation which nothing but his strong re- ligious feelings could have given him makes him bear everything. God is sanctifying him even here on earth. Alas ! I wish I could comfort myself as I should with these thoughts, but I find my life has been too long and too sad with all my tormenting forebodings. If you give way in England, we shall be drawn on and lost. Two women are helping, no doubt with the best intentions.* If God does not have pity on them and on us, we shall go under, without being able to say, with Francis I., ' all but honour.' Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, March 19, 1859. I do not know if you have heard from the Duchess, or if she ventures to tell you what we hear, or the pretty stories of the bridegroom ;\ of the amount of interest he shows, or of his manners — receiving a dis- tinguished Algerian prelate, lying on a sofa, in his dressing-gown, with a cigar in his mouth, and merely remarking that he cared little about things out there. Judge of the impression given*! It is difficult to under- stand what the chief intends ; he is a conjurer who astonishes and alarms. This is what I have come to, and you will now think me less unworthy of you ; but I am afraid — not of him, but of ourselves. Prince A., whom I foolishly thought nothing of, has not lost his time. He has observed everything, knows all your * This must refer to the Princess of Prussia and the Empress Eugenie. + Prince Jerome Napoleon, just married to Princess Clothilde of Savoy. 1859] PRINCE OF PRUSSIA'S BIRTHDAY 401 strength without looking at things solely from your point of view. He also knows what may be said on the other side. I hope all this will be appreciated in high quarters ; but what a task to take up at sixty-two years old, with everything so new and so threatening ! Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, March 24, 1859. The Prince of Prussia's birthday was celebrated yesterday with every possible joyful demonstration. He must have been quite overwhelmed, but neverthe- less went through sixteen or seventeen hours of it all — family congratulations, civil and military recep- tions ; in short, all expected at such times, exaggerated by the special circumstances. Nothing was wanted — even true hearts were there, though there were sad ones among them. I am the only one left who could recall his early days : the christening of that little baby whose remarkable ugliness was such a grief to his beautiful mother, all the more so as she had seen only two days before the little Radziwill baby, whose beauty was so remarkable. Now, seeing them together as elderly men, the metamorphosis is complete, and they have changed places. I was at the evening party, thanks to the Princess's constant kindness ; and then my great age gives me some claim, though nothing else as old appears in such high quarters to disfigure the place. However, I had every privilege, including that of being invited to see the birthday presents. As soon as the Court was assembled, we passed through to the hall, where there were tableaux accompanied by the music of the Dom Chor — the same that had been so* admired at the Exhibition. I cannot, however, explain 26 402 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 to you what was supposed to be their appropriative- ness. We had the Manger, Moses breaking the Tables of the Law, and Jeremiah ! Lamentations, no doubt, belong to all times, and are certainly not wanting in our time. On leaving the hall we proceeded to the ballroom, where there was a concert, and the whole evening was charming. The party lasted four hours, and never flagged. At supper there was plenty of conversation, and I enjoyed mine with the white- bearded Prince Pilckler, who was delighted to find someone even older than himself. He is always pleasant, especially when he restrains his sarcasms^ which he can very well afford to do, as he has quite enough cleverness, tact, and good taste, to make his conversation very interesting. He does not forget his old acquaintances, for he is always the same to me, though he knows I always speak my mind. I am very much interested in Raikes' Memoirs and all he says of the Duke. However much one may have known of his virtues, they always seem fresh, because they are so rare. And there is no self-conceit in the author, which would put one off. But Louis Philippe, what an old well-born rogue he was, and what a retribution that all the treasures he had amassed were lost to his family I— they could not have brought them any blessing. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, April 2. You want to hear about this first party at Prince Frederick William's palace. Great efforts have been made to bring it up to the standard of modern ideas, tut tliat is impossible, as the actual dimensions are so 1859] PARTY AT THE PALACE 40^ unsuitable. But the Prince was determined to live there, and did not realize the difficulties. I was the only person there who remembered the old days, and was called upon to explain how things were managed then, and how our beautiful Queen contrived to dance so joyously from seven o'clock till five in the morning. Her portrait is there — a full-length in the costume of the time, which makes her look like what one imagines the " White Lady ' to be. Literally, I was the only soul in all that crowd who remembered her in life. I saw the gracious young Princess, so cordial to every- one; she held out her hand to me with a smile and a bow. She hardly knows me, but there is nothing so small or so old as myself, and so I always have the ill luck to be seen — though I can see nothing myself. On this occasion, however, it was anything but ill luck, rather exceptional good fortune. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, April 7, 1859. What a triumph for you, and what a shame for me (though I care little for the latter), if, after all, he* who so astonished me, and whom you so distrusted from the first, should prove to be only a juggler, who, while subjecting France, has made fools of all the rest of the world ! If that is really the case, there would be reason to regret that God did not see fit to put an end fifteen months ago to so destructive a hfe. But it was massacre to humiliate us before punishing us. I am as much distressed at it as if the existence of the great-grandchildren I might now have had was endangered by it. It is just because I belong to no * Louis Napoleon. 26 — 2 404 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 one that I suffer for everyone. First of all for my country — less for the risks we run than for the dread that we ttiay make shipwreck of our honour by detach- ing our interests from those of the rest of Germany through a dishonourable alliance. Austria has always been hostile to us, and her ruler is not a statesman* to have fomented these bad dispositions, and to have been influenced by hatred of Russia. One should be above such impressions to be fit to govern an empire. How is it that everyone else knows what is right, and those at the helm do not see it ? Is it to annihilate those giants people fancy themselves to be, that God often blinds those who we fancy ought to see clearly? But even in your country it seems as if, since the Duke's time, no one had seen clearly, and these prosperous years have only confirmed the blindness. I thought myself very sad before in thinking of the King, but now I am sadder still. I was so upset a few days ago by private details about him ; he realizes his position, but his strong faith supports him in his long trial. Lady Westmorland to her Son, Julian Fane. Apethorpe, April 12, 1859. We hear that Ministers consider war now as inevit- able and immediate. I know not on what ground, but I know that an official message was sent to the Admiralty two days ago desiring a report of our present naval means, and what additions can be made at once, as war is expected immediately, and our position is to be one of armed neutrality. It is very shocking that we should have allowed the * This refers to Count Beust, then Prime Minister of Austria. 1859] THOMAS CARLYLE 405 fellow at the Tuileries to force on a war that can only produce misery and mischief in Europe. I think we have shown ourselves ' manacled ' to him, as Aberdeen said, with a vengeance. Lady Westmorland to her Son Julian. Apethorpe, April 14, 1859. Mr. Elwin mentioned that he had two days ago, for the first time in his life, met Carlyle. He said he had passed two hours with him and been perfectly enchanted with him — that the moment you talk with him you see at once that his extraordinary style is his nature, and that he could not write in any other. He says he is singular in everything, but true, sincere and unaffected to a degree that wins you at once. Elwin says he is sorry that an article upon Carlyle's ' Frederick the Great' will appear in the Quarterly, which is now ready, finding fault with it. He saw and approved the article before he had seen Carlyle ; now he would have had nothing but praise of him in his review. This will show you his fascination. Lady Westmorland to her Son Julian. May I, 1859. I had a great deal of conversation with Lord Malmesbury* on the subject,t and the impression left on my mind was that cowardice rules the day. Fear of Louis Napoleon abroad, and fear of the prejudices at home — and the great bugbear of all, dread of the unpopularity which, after all, is sure to be incurred by ruaning after it. Nothing could be stronger than * Then Foreign Secretary in Lord Derby's Government, t Of the supposed intrigue at Plombieres. 4o6 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 his language concerning Louis Napoleon and his Pal. He said he had received the strongest assurances from Louis Napoleon direct to himself, and the same from Cavour, that there had been no written agreement between them, 'only friendly assurances of goodwill, and the inclination to give assistance hereafter should it be required;' and he added: 'I think it is all a trick; the written agreement may not have been signed on purpose to enable them to deny it, but it is ready and exists to all intents and purposes. However, we must appear to believe them !' By the ' Pal ' I mean the Frog.* Lord Malmesbury said that he now knows that the whole scheme was settled and concocted at Plombi&res last year when Louis Napoleon and Cavour met there ; that both swear that the other originated the idea ;t that he believes Napoleon did originate it, but that the other has been the ready agent to carry it out, and that he has gained complete power over Louis Napoleon by working upon his fears for his personal safety and that of his wife. We could not express more eager desire for the success of Austria than Malmesbury did, and yet, after all this, he owned without hesitation that they dare not think of doing anything to give even moral sup- port to him. ' All we can do is to try and localize the business.' Lady Westmorland to her Son Julian. London, May 24, 1859. You ask about the chances of Lord Derby's Government. His friends talk with confidence of * Italy — 'the Frog who had not yet blown himself out into a Great Power.' t Of attacking Austria in Italy. 1859] AN ARMISTICE 407 his stability, and I am inclined to think he will be tolerated this year, from the undiminished distrust entertained of both Palmerston and J. Russell. I do not believe my old friend's* hopes of a recon- ciliation have been verified. There is only one feeling general, and expressed by high and low of all parties and conditions — hatred of Louis Napoleon and disgust at the whole concern of the French. And yet Lord Derby and Malmesbury still show fear of giving offence there ! Lady Westmorland to her Son Julian. July 9, 1859. The news of the armistice has been received here, like everything else, without knowledge or reflection, and is talked of as peace at once. I cannot believe it. I see a thousand difficulties in the way, and I believe it is only a halt, which is probably more necessary to the French than to the Austrians. There is no truth in the report you mention about Lord Derby. The party is closely united, and as hostile as possible to their successors, particularly since J. Russell and Palmerston so openly express private opinions utterly at variance with their public declarations. Lady Westmorland to her Son Julian. July 20, 1859. I went to Persigny'st on Monday evening; the Austrians were there for the first time,$ and Persigny danced a quadrille with Madame Apponyi,§ and Apponyi vis-a-vis with Madame Malaret. I thought * The Duke of Bedford. + French Embassy. \ Since the war. § Apponyi was Austrian Ambassador in London. 4o8 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 the Austrians looked much more radiant than the others. Persigny appeared to me very preoccupied, and Azeglio* walked about scowling, and I hear he makes no secret of his anger and disgust.t which is fully shared by J. Russell and Palmerston, I have often told you how shocked I used to be in former times, when I was behind the scenes, to hear the positive falsehoods uttered in Parliament by men who would have scorned any subterfuge in private life. I really think Sir R. Peel was the only states- man besides the Duke who never would and never did go the least one side of truth. I have had a very strong repetition of these former feelings of mine lately on reading Lord Malmesbury's despatch. Remembering his positive assurance to me in this room that he had not in any way attempted to bias the Prussian (?), I don't understand his attacking Lord John for repeating his own acts. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. April 9, 1859. We are in the midst of a political crisis which does not agitate me at all. I am content that the present Ministers should remain, because my nephew Richard t would be very sorry to lose his post at the Court. This is a miserable reason, but the fact is that our Ministers (although Conservative) have shown so much weakness and condescension to the Radicals that, as for a Government, one is as good as another.§ * Italian Minister. t At the Peace of Villefranche between Austria and France. f Richard, Lord Raglan. § The Government was defeated on April i, on the Reform Bill. 1859] DEATH OF HUMBOLDT 409 As for the individuals, all that I loved and admired are dead or retired from affairs, and I understand nothing of the ideas of the day. I think all parties here desire peace, and will work to maintain it ; but I do not trust in it as long as the parvenu in Paris remains the supreme power. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. May 10. I awaited impatiently your letter which came to- day, and which gave me the details I wanted about the great man who has just ended so peacefully such a great life.* I could hardly hope to see him again in this life. I am pleased and proud to think he always showed me friendship. He had a rare happiness in preserving his faculties till his ninetieth year. I at once thought of the grief our poor King will feel if they cannot hide this death from him. The Princess of Prussia is very good to remember me at this moment, when suffering increases her tor- ments ; but I cannot conceive them making her travel by train so soon after such a blow on the head. You are the first to tell me that the young Princess will not come to England. I know that the Queen was very much afraid her journey would be stopped last week, but I did not know it was decided. It is quite natural, but it will be a terrible disappointment. I wish I could share your credulity about the French Emperor's intentions for Russia. I do not know if the young Emperor will let himself be led by Gortschakoff, but I am sure that, if there is no signed treatyt it is * Baron Humboldt. + The existence of a signed treaty between France and Russia was denied by Louis Napoleon to Lord Cowley (see ' Queen Victoria's Letters,' vol. iil, p. 330). 410 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 because they wished to be able to get out of it, but there is not the less entente between the two Powers. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. May lo, 1859. I am very much affected by the death of Prince Metternich. I have known him for forty-six years, for it was then I saw him for the first time at Frankfort. Since then I have often seen him in Germany, in Eng- land, in Italy, and during all my sojourn in Vienna I saw him constantly. Since my return to England we corresponded regularly, and I have always found him the same faithful, constant friend. I spent, as you know, a few days with him at Johannesberg in 1857. I have never seen old age more beautiful. The mind always clear, the gentlest and most benevolent character, a heart full of benignity and pardon ! Never one word of bitterness or vengeance. To-day I re- ceived the news of his beautiful death. He went out like a lamp, without pain, from pure weakness, having walked in his garden the day before. Having kept all his faculties, he received the Holy Sacrament on Sun- day at midday, and expired two hours after. He had been much agitated by two long conversations which he had with the Emperor before his departure for Italy, and the news of the army had grieved him very much. All his own people attribute his death to these emotions. The last letter I received from him was of March 25, and filled two sheets twice as big as this. He regretted that events would prevent him from going this year to Johannesberg, where he had hoped (without any foun- dation) to see me again. He recapitulated his whole life and the times when we saw each other, and finally 1859] TWO GREAT MEN 411 he said these words, which I shall never forget : ' I enter into my eighty-seventh year with a very sad heart, but a perfectly easy conscience. There are some things on which Napoleonic ideas and covetous- ness have no hold. They are the attachment, the respect, the tender friendship, I bear for you.' Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Tuesday, May 10, 1859. The strong partisans keep harping on the misdeeds of Austria. These cannot be denied, but ought now to be completely forgotten. There is much delay on all sides. If blame and worse could egg people on, Austria ought to be victorious, but there are many impressionable people who do not see things in this light. May God help them, who alone can ! Here we are arming, and many houses are stripped of their servants, all recalled to their colours. This is very expensive for the State, but our finances are said to be in good order, and the Minister at the head of them to be capable. I cannot understand why the case should not be the same in Austria, that vast and fertile country. Whilst I am writing to you, all that is distinguished and highly placed here is gathered at the ' Dome ' to show the last marks of respect to the mortal remains of him who brought his country so much glory.* I am with them all in thought ; my place is too insignificant to justify me in asking for a ticket, and, as you may suppose, I had not the absurdity of venturing into the crowd, which would have crushed me. But no one in this huge gathering can have appreciated more than * Humboldt. 412 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 myself, outsider as I am, the magnificent gifts with which he was endowed, admiring as I did his kind heart, which his wit sometimes belied, so that the real depths of its tenderness were not understood. No one was more full of good deeds than him, always ready to serve and to help, and never hurting anyone; he was too superior for that. It is one of my most precious memories to have known him well in my youth, to have seen him when he returned to this country with all the glamour of the fame he had so well earned. But even then my only regret was seeing him a cosmopolitan rather than a Prussian. He belonged by his immense learning to all the world, and the only surprise of his modest compatriots hke myself was that he should have been born on so arid a soil — he and his brother, so far above everybody else. Beginning with their father and mother, whose in- significance was proverbial, and the children themselves never showed any sign of their extraordinary talents till they were grown up. I remember so well how they used to go over their childish reminiscences with the Princess Louise Radziwill (who was the same age and had the same masters). You did not know the brother* so well; his conversation had at times a lighter vein — perhaps more engaging. You have probably heard that the shape of his extraordinary head was the despair of Gall (the phrenologist), as it upset all his system, being entirely without any of the usual indications of the attributes he possessed to so great a degree. GaH therefore asked him as a favour to bequeath his skull to him, but, having fortunately died first himself, he never had it. I make no excuse for telling you all this, for I know * William Humboldt, the statesman. 1859] AUSTRIAN REVERSES 413 how thoroughly you appreciated him, who himself knew so well what you are. He found many draw- backs here, but did not trouble about them. People now vie with each other in praising him. I can imagine all you felt at that first meeting with Lady Jersey, and also begin to understand what I have often experienced on first meeting those stricken as she has been,* who in their solitary hours are absorbed by their grief, but seem to throw it off when with others, whilst they are all full of it. And, then, her smart dress seems strange ; it is the force of habit, no doubt. Poor mother ! she must be pitied, even if we do not understand her. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. May 27, 1859. All those who have seen the King cannot get over their joyful surprise at the lucidity of his conversation. He is interested in all the improvements he is making at Sans Souci. He needs much resignation; for all the rest God will help us in all these trials. Everyone has their share of trouble, especially as regards the recent successes,t exaggeAted, as is their wont, by those who have gained them. ; but we must be neither discouraged nor surprised. But still I, like many thousands, am on tenterhooks as to the result, so dreaded, of yesterday's operations. We should need to be harder than iron to stand another victory on this ominous date of Marengo. We are hotly denounced in Austria and all over Germany for not throwing our- selves into the fray. Our turn will come soon enough, and then they will all abandon us. Meantime, instead * By the loss of her daughter. t Of the French and Sardinians in Italy. 414 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 of fighting, our entire army is confined to barracks ; not a private even can get a day's furlough. Many of the great ladies in Vienna have started to follow the army as nurses, etc.. Princess CoUeredo one of the first. I only hope they may have duly prepared themselves to be really of use ; all the zeal in the world is not enough without the experience and courage and training necessary for this noble mission. Our mischief-maker* from Paris is here, delighted with the civilities shown him at Paris. A nice servant, who thinks of nothing but his precious self! We are served much the same at St. Petersburg, where our Minister,! in following his own policy, is more agreeable to that country than useful to his own. I am so tired of it all, and yet I am a fool ; afraid of death, and yet unwilling to live. Comtesse Pauline N^ale to Lady Westmorland. New Palace, Potsdam, June 2, 1859. The palace is being got»ready for the return of our young Princess. I amused myself by going through the fine rooms she will inhabit. They all recall the great King who built this palace after the Seven Years' War, and furnished it with a magnificence which throws all modern work in the shade, everything nowadays seeming tawdry and shabby in comparison. In this respect she will have no reason to regret even the stately home she is leaving. I saw her happy husband, coming out of church, rejoicing at the prospect of her return. He, like the Prince his father, is always *'Pourtales. + Bismarck. 1859^ COMTESSE PAULINE'S REFLECTIONS 415 graciousness itself to me. I wish both were equally happy, but that is impossible for him, who has so many heavy anxieties. I have been to the Friedenskirche,* close to Sans Souci, which was built by the King, and where there seems always an atmosphere of religious peace. The King and Queen were there, and the church was crowded. I saw the Queen well enough to see that she was looking less ill than I had been told. Her health maintains itself in spite of her broken heart. If she could enjoy her surroundings, and set aside all thoughts of the past and the/uture, she might still find many sources of comfort and happiness. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, Jum 17. I do not think I am going to die yet, but hope I am resigned to do so ; and I know that, the river once passed, none will regret me, and you will have a kindly remembrance of me, I am sure. I thought much of you on hearing of the death of Prince Metternich, who was so faithful a friend of yours, and who, with all Ms other great qualities, had a heart capable of appre- ciating you. He has left a great reputation, in spite of the Times, which tries to belittle it. What a difference between him and Prince Talleyrand, who had no thought for anything beyond this life, so long as his own lasted. Prince Metternich is fortunate in not having lived to see what would have grieved him for his country's sake. It is terrible that there seems no one left worthy of replacing those that are gone, and * The church where Frederick William IV., Queen Elizabeth, and the Emperor and Empress Frederick, are all buried now. 4i6 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 the general dearth is all to the advantage of the juggler* We have been so much abused for not rushing at once like savages into the arena, and now we are equally abused for mobilizing. Everyone does for the best, and those who err will find a juster judge in heaven than here on earth. Our beloved King knows too much not to be much affected, but his pious resigna- tion helps him to bear everything. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. June 25, 1859. Here we go on mobilizing the army. The only thing people are at one on is general disapproval of every- thing. Frightful responsibility for the chiefs, despair or worse in all ranks, and the clamour so general that no one hears anything but his own voice. Only those who have no pressing private anxiety in connection with it all are to be envied. I must tell you of the pleasure the King has in going often to see his young niece,t who has gaiety, reason, and tact, and knows so well how to start sub- jects that are interesting and not too exciting for him who is so highly gifted, and whose heart is so full of kindness, rejoicing in the happiness of others. The Queen, too, is delighted with this young Princess, who seems to understand her own position so well ; which is, perhaps, less complicated in the absence of her mother-in-law, whose great ability cannot be questioned any more than her great wish to do good. She has eminent qualities, which may be misused, but her desire to do what is right is sincere and intense, * Louis Napoleon. + Princess RoyaU 1859] AUSTRIAN DEFEAT 417 The Prince is much to be pitied, for he has to take the final decision in everything. To begin to reign at his age, in such difficult times, is a crushing load, which is not made lighter by its being a regency. We have had long years of blessing, and must now be prepared for reverses, which itjight be borne more easily perhaps if, instead of finding fault with everything, people tried tp do what is right them- selves. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. London, June 29. Since Sunday I have been in mortal sadness at the defeat of those poor Austrians, who fight so well, and who are always badly led. What a grief for that brave young Emperor to fail there, where all ought to be for bis glory ! I am afraid, with all his fine qualities, he has the misfortune to be entete. If it is this fault which has caused the disaster, he is well punished for it. But what an awful loss of life, and for nothing! for the results of this battle are nothing at the bottom, except to increase the renown of the author of this horrible war, and heap up glory for the French army and intoxicate it more and more. I dined the day before yesterday at the Court, where were (and still are) King Leopold and his son. I sat by Prince Albert at dinner, and talked a great deal with the Queen after dinner. I told the Prince what you had written to me about the young Princess, * Defeat of the Austrians at Solferino, June 24. 27 4i8 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 and of the tact she showed in her relations with the King, and of the pleasure it gave His Majesty to often go and see her. He thanked me effusively, and told me he often thought that, if the King had been as he was before his illness, what a happiness it would have been for the young Princess, who, he said, is made to appreciate the mind and the gaiety of the King, and who by her passion for beaux arts and literature would have pleased him so much. The Prince of Wales was at dinner, having returned the day before. He is nice, talks well, and has an intelli- gent face ; but, alas ! he has not grown, and he is too set to give a hope that he will shoot up. He does not look more than fifteen, though he is nearly eighteen. I found the Queen and the Prince much grieved at all that is going on in Italy. But how wrongly informed one often is! Did you not believe that it was the Queen's will which ordered hours a la mode Anglaise at Berlin during her stay at Babelsburg ? She told me, in speaking of that visit, that she had much enjoyed it, only she would so much have liked to live in the German fashion, viz., to dine early, so as to have the fine evening hours in the open air, but that the Princess of Prussia had insisted on dining at eight o'clock. She said she quite knew the Princess had done it out of regard, and believing it would please her; and finding all the arrangements made, she had not liked to upset them, but cela lui avail coute. I am sure she will have been blamed in Prussia, as she was here, for having imposed her way of living on the Prussian Court. 1859] KING LEOPOLD'S VIEWS 419 Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. July 6, 1859. I had a long visit from my old friend King Leopold on Saturday. He stayed more than an hour with me, talking with great wisdom, and profoundly impressed with the dangers which threaten the whole of Europe. He deplores the vacillation* with you, and thinks that by trying to please everyone they have ended by dis- gusting and offending all. He is quite persuaded that J^apoleon has a complete understanding with, and entire influence over, the Emperor of Russia, and that the latter will do nothing to stop the designs of the other on the Rhine. The irresolution and conduct of Prussia, which have done so much harm to Austria, and so much irritated other Courts and German coun- tries, have not had the slightest effect on the hatred of the French and on their thirst for vengeance — on the Prussians first, and afterwards on us. They will do so, or try to do so, if they are allowed to go on crushing Austria. You will understand I am repeat- ing all he told me in confidence. His opinions always have great weight, and I am very glad to know that he has given them in writing to those who would have done well to listen to them two months ago. He tells me his niece and her husband are deeply pained at the march of things in Germany, as well as the sad change of Government here. Everything seems to turn into triumph for this great and clever scoundrel, as formerly it did for his uncle. * Of the Prussian Government. 27 — 2 420 THE SARDINIAN WAR [1859 Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. July 13, 1859. Peace is made !* What do your people think of it ? It is fortunate for the contracting parties, and it has all been done without a Congress, without discussions. Austria is rid of a rebellious province, and Louis Napoleon crowned for the moment with a halo of glory. Here we shall be the scapegoat in due time, after having been clever enough to displace every- body, and to impose enormous expenses on the country. This apparent abandonment of Austria will perhaps be better for us than the prompt assistance we gave our neighbours formerly. For instance, Dresden was saved by our troops, and Baden pro- tected by them; even Hamburg bears us a grudge, though, when yfears ago a horrible fire there did enormous damage, our stores and our money were the first to be showered on them. No doubt the fact of our having a formidable army on the Rhine decided the forces of France, and nobody minded the cost to us. I do not know what I feel most — the ingratitude we have incessantly met with, or the half-measures imposed on us by our miserable geographical position. I try not to think of what happened to us fifty-four years ago; but when I think of the long strips of our country, it seems to me that we need fresh frontiers to be able to defend them. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. July 26, 1859. Our friend Esterhazy leaves the day after to-morrow with orders to stop at Paris. They are right in Vienna ^ * A treaty of peace was unexpectedly concluded on July 11 at Villafrauca. 1859] PEACE CONCLUDED 421 to wish to keep now on good terms there, for the other good Allies on all sides seem very little favourably disposed towards Austria. I regret it very much. What will become of Italy and Germany, torn by so much passion? The old Holy Alliance, so much decried, was more natural, more useful, and more sure, than these sad rivalries on one side, this rage for Liberalism. I do not foresee the issue. Here we have the most dangerous men at the helm {les plus dangereux).' CHAPTER XIV 1861 — 1863 : LONDON AND WIMBLEDON Lord Westmorland died in October, 1859, and from that time Lady Westmorland lived almost entirely in London, spending the summer months at Wimbledon. Visits to and from her old and intimate friends were a great delight, and Wimbledon was sufficiently near town, even before the advent of motor-cars, to allow of this without the fatigue of living in London. Her correspondence with Comtesse Neale continued to recount everything of social and political interest, and when the Prince of Wales was married in 1863, her description of the bride's entry into London, and 01 the procession, are as detailed as those of her friend had been on the occasion of the Princess Royal's marriage. In December her son Francis was taken seriously ill whilst staying at Compifegne. Lady Westmorland and her daughter went over to bring him home, and whilst he was gaining strength for the journey they stayed a week with the Emperor and Empress, then at the height of their magnificence. The party at Compiegne was a very large one, and included a good many literary celebrities, among them Sainte-Beuve, £mile de Girardin, and Monsieur Sardou, besides diplomatic and official guests. In the evenings there was always dancing and music. The Emperor himself danced, it was said, for the sake of the exercise, which was good for his health. A sort of country-dance, called 'La Boulangfere,' was usually performed, in which every one of the younger members of the party joined. The hunt, which took place most days, was very 422 1861-1863] COUNTRY VISITS 423 magnificent, the ladies following in carriages with postilions wearing pigtails and green and gold liveries of the eighteenth-century style. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Wentworth, September 20, 1861. I could not write to you from Edinburgh ; I was so busy the five days I was there, three of which were rainy, but with intervals, and the last two very fine. I was delighted with the beautiful situation of this town, and the superb views of the neighbourhood. I know nothing to compare with it (if the air and sky were meridional) except Naples. Pesth and Prague are very beautiful, but they lack sea. I was sorry not to be able to stay long enough to go to several of my friends' country-houses — amongst others, those of Madame de Flahault and Lady Willoughby. Rose and I are now here in this magnificent house of Lord Fitzwilliam. It is an enormous palace, with a marble hall as large as that in the house at Bruhl, a precious collection of the finest pictures, a magnificent park. All this spoilt by the proximity of the coal-mines, which blacken everything, and make you pay dearly, I think, for the enormous income they produce. We are twenty-four guests in the house. Most of them (including Rose) have gone to-day to Doncaster for the famous races. For myself, I prefer to remain quietly at home after so many journeys. At Edinburgh I went to the famous shop for woollen stuffs, where they sell dresses called ' winceys,' which are now the fashion for morning dresses. As it is a warm stuff" and pleasant to wear, I got a dress of it for you, which I sent to the Foreign Office, and which will await you in Berlin. 424 LONDON AND WIMBLEDON [I861- I read with astonishment and admiration all that the Queen * did at Cologne, etc., and with mortal fear that she will suffer for it later. I am very uneasy about our poor Duchess. I hope you will have seen your Princess Royal, and that you will tell me about her. They say at the Court here that the little one was a beauty. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. COBLENZ, October 2, 1861. If I could describe yesterday's evening party, you would be interested. I was an attentive observer, as far as I could see, without anything to distract me; for you can well believe that I make myself as dumb as age makes me deaf and blind, or nearly so. The Queen never ceases showing me a thousand little attentions, and that fascinating young Graiid Duchess t adds still more to them. She is made up of sensibiHty, of agreeableness, of attraction. I do not believe that beauty alone could have so much charm as she has. She seems happy, and I am beginning to lose the dread of her husband, who also overwhelms me with kindness. As to the Crown Prince, no one can go beyond him in all these qualities. The Princess rather frightens me, though there is nothing imposing about her. I love her at a respectful distance, and bless her for being all that is most perfect in her demeanour towards the Queen. She has eminent qualities, and wins the heart of all who know her. But if you could see how much the King is beloved here, as well as everywhere where he is seen, it would give you pleasure. As for me, who am Prussian to my * Of Prussia. t Of Baden. 1863] A WITTY BOOK 425 heart's core, I am jubilant over it. His fine figure and his irresistibly fine expression carry all before them — so much so that I sometimes feel almost jealous for the Queen. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Dover, October 22. First let me thank you for having remembered me at this sad anniversary.* I spent it quietly here without leaving the house, thanking God for all that remains to me — the tranquillity of my life, the well-being of my children, and the means which the will assures me, and without which I should often be embarrassed. With all this I cannot complain, although I often have worries and anxieties, and every day I notice the dreadful approach of old age, with its infirmities. You speak of decadence; I am sure mine is more rapid than yours, for you seem to forget nothing, whilst my memory fails more and more in a dreadful way. I forget from one day to the next in a way which makes Rose laugh, but which worries and frightens me. That is why I forgot to tell you of the wit of the ' Maladies Royales,' thinking I had told you how witty I found it, and did Julian and others whom I made read it. I think Monsieur de Bacourt may be the author. Am I right ? What you tell of the improvement in the state of our dear Duchess gives me great pleasure. The visit that the Queen wishes to pay her is a fresh proof of the constancy of heart of that admirable Princess, who never fails her friends. I am sure it will do our friend good. * Of Lord Westmorland's death. 426 LONDON AND WIMBLEDON [18fit- I read with interest all the details of Konigsberg* and of Berlin, and I rejoice to see all the demonstra- tions of love and loyalty, which I am sure will do the King's heart good. I am touched and filled with admiration at his modesty and constant remembrance of his poor brother, which he shows in all his speeches. Up to now everything at KOnigsberg seems to have gone off in the most satisfactory manner ; God grant it may be the same in Berlin, and that the Queen's health will not suffer from so much emotion and fatigue. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. Berlin, Friday, November i, 1861. Our festivities are over ; those at Breslau just beginning. I do not know how the royalties stand them all. As to the Queen, the audiences she gives in the intervals of the fetes consist merely of a few formal civilities ; but the King is terribly to be pitied for all he has to listen to and say. Everything is noticed — often, of course, falsified in order not to miss the pleasure of criticizing every word. But one word of the festivities. At the ball of the French Ambassador, organized by experienced people, assisted by 300 Parisian workmen, a magnificent temporary room was built for a sumptuous supper, where people were frozen with the cold, after having suffered from the tropical heat of the three old- fashioned drawing-rooms given up to dancing. The crowd and jostling so great that I thought with terror of any possible panic — to destroy the crinolines. * For the coronation of King William I. of Prussia and Queen Augusta at Konigsberg. 1863] CORONATION FESTIVITIES 427 Thank God nothing untoward happened, and the Princess Royal is the only person I have heard of who was ill after this atmosphere — first torrid and then glacial — but, then, she was not well before ; she must be really knocked up, for her health seems strong enough for anything. The Austrian Ambassador, assisted by an Archduke, gave what is said to have been the best ball of all. He had to do the honours (having no wife of his own) a most charming woman — the Countess Chotek, who eclipses everyone by her figure, her complexion, and her expression of intense happiness, which shows that trial has not yet come near her. Her husband, who, like his chief, C. Karolyi, was some time in England, could not possibly have found anywhere a more charming wife ; and he, too, is radiant with happiness. He needs it personally, for there is little enough of it in his own country. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. December 4, 1861. If a war (which seems inevitable) breaks out with America, I shudder at the bare idea, at the same time rejoicing (selfishly) that, my son having left the service, I have no one in the army in whom I have any particular interest. But how many hearts will be broken ! And then, having already an income- tax in time of peace, one can foresee that this tax, already so heavy, will be doubled. Lady J. told me she had seen a letter from the Princess Royal (I do not know to whom), which gave an enthusiastic description of the coronation fetes, and especially the great beauty of the Princesses met 428 LONDON AND WIMBLEDON [1861- together, and the extreme richness and elegance of the ladies of Berlin. She especially mentions the Princess Putbus as one of the most brilliant apparitions. I am delighted, but I confess that, in spite of my love for Berlin, I never found the dresses remarkable for their richness. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. London, Christmas Day, 1861. I am grateful to you for having copied for me those words of the Queen's — of that dear, adorable Queen, who always shows such a splendid heart. What a happiness for the Princess Royal to have a mother-in- law like that! The return of the Prince Royal* will bring her the consolation of all the details about her mother and all the tearful family. They say he is taking for the Princess one of the crowns of flowers which rested on the coffin. You can have no idea what London looks like. All the shops draped in black, not a coloured stuff or ribbon in any one. Not a soul of any class without mourning clothes. On Sunday all the churches in black, all the sermons and prayers funereal. At that one to which I go in Vere Street (where there is a very distinguished preacher) you could hear stifled sObs on all sides. Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. Cannes, December. This is really a very serious blow,t but all accounts represent the Queen as bearing up wonderfully ; and if * From Prince Albert's funeral, f Death of Prince Albert. 1863] DEATH OF PRINCE ALBERT 429 she can only take to work, it is the best medicine both for body and mind in her state. I fear the poor Prince was permanently injured by the fall he had a year or eighteen months ago, and I find the Germans are subject to gastric fevers. If the Prince of Wales re- solves to work, he will be a great help to his mother. Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. 'January 4, 1862. I regret the death of that amiable young Lady Eglinton,* whom I met at Apethorpe, and who was so charming to me ; she wanted to take off a sash I admired to give it to me, which made me die of laugh- ing, and her, too, when I told her to keep it for me till she could add to it the youth necessary to adorn it. Such a lovely shade of pink ! My recollections are so far my greatest pleasures, and I have some of all kinds. Thus, I recall the tiny feet of Miss Priscilla shod with sandals, of which you offered to give me the pattern, but I would not have it, conscious of the difference between us. But you wish to know what is passing here. I am glad to give you good accounts of our young Princess. Her health is better, and her resignation in her great sorrow is edifying. Her parents-in-law rejoice to see it, and admire her, as does everyone who comes near her. She likes her ladies, especially the one about her children, whose brother was one of the victims of that terrible shipwreck. The last check discourages our people, and so now, suddenly, everyone is blaming the idea of this navy to be created, and the smallest grant for it will be refused, instead of increasing it. It is a complete * N after professing such opinions, this man should be courted and received by Palmerston, J. Russell, especially, and he showed great soreness. He went on to say that he knew Garibaldi kept up constant intercourse with Mazzini and those of his set, and that, though as long as he remained at Stafford House he must be to a certain degree restricted, the two sons, who are at an hotel, have their rooms swarming from morning to night with the worst characters among the Italian, Polish, and Hungarian refugees. A curious corollary to Azeglio's conversation (bear- ing in mind that he had been ready to respond to any initiative for reconciliation, and had agreed to give a dinner on it) is this. * The Italian Minister in London. 1870] INDIGNATION IN ITALY 451 Rose yesterday saw Lady Houghton, who said she had received a letter from Dickey* from Turin on the i6th, in which he says he had just had an interview with King Victor Emmanuel, who told him he had sent positive orders to Azeglio to have nothing to do with Garibaldi, and to take care not to be in any house where he should be received, and that Victor Emmanuel is much annoyed at the reception given him. ' Indeed,' Lady Houghton said, 'he writes that from the King down to the lowest beggar in Piedmont the indignation felt at the fuss made in England with Garibaldi is as strong as it could be in the Emperor of Austria.' All this is true, as you will see by my authorities, and not merely gossip. What I cannot vouch for, though I was assured it came from good authority (but it was not given to me), is that, when Garibaldi expressed his determination not to see Azeglio, he gave his reasons for never forgiving the Piedmontese Government, which are that he was basely betrayed at Aspromonte, that he undertook the expedition with the perfect knowledge and connivance of the Government, and that they threw him over and tried to kill him when they found that, out of fear of the Emperor Napoleon, they dared not support him, and that without support he must fail. It is said the Government begin to be heartily sorry for the line they have taken, and to fear that mischief will result from this visit, which they hoped would separate Garibaldi from dangerous friends. There is no doubt that he is an individual who must be admired for his courage and disinterestedness, as well as for his constancy and earnestness in one object — all qualities very extraordinary in an Italian ; but for anything else * Lord Houghton. 29 — 2 452 THE GARIBALDI INCIDENT [1864- he is but an ordinary mortal, without judgmeint or capacity, and very easily made a tool of by others who have not his honesty of purpose. Lady Westmorland to her Son Julian. London, Afril 20. The announcement in the Morning Post yesterday morning, of Garibaldi's sudden resolve to leave England, caused all sorts of reports as to the cause. Some said the Emperor Napoleon had desired it, others that it was the Queen; but the idea which / believe is the correct one is that, having been in constant communica- tion with Mazzini, Saffi, and all the Polish and other refugees, he has made all his arrangements, and thinks, as the Conference meets to-day, he has no time to lose in putting his projects in action before Peace withdraws the Austrian armies from Denmark. This is the notion which several serious people entertained yester- day. This morning the papers have all got letters from Ferguson, the surgeon, stating that it is the state of his health which obliges him to go. I have not yet seen anybody, so I do not know what others think, but it strikes me that the letters are got up. Qui s' excuse, s'accuse, and there is too much said to be natural. It is also singular that only on Monday the other doctor (Partridge) published his account of Garibaldi's health as perfect, and said that he was a great deal better and stronger than when he arrived in the Isle of Wight. You would suppose from the papers that everybody joins in the frenzy of the day, but that is not so, nor is the regret at the indecency towards our Allies, and the danger of what is likely to arise from the union of Garibaldi with Mazzini and his party, here confined to anti-Liberals and superannuated Tories, but a great 1870] GARIBALDI'S HEALTH 453 many even of those who have gone out of curiosity to see the Lion blame the Ministers, and are shocked at the absurdities that are indulged in. I can name Lady William* and her sons. Arthur, when asked if he was going to Mr. Seely's party, said he should have nothing to do with such ' tomfoolery.' There is a complete contradiction to Ferguson's letters about Garibaldi's health from Garibaldi's own Italian doctor, which appears in the Standard this morning. He says Garibaldi is perfectly well, and that his health has nothing to do with his sudden departure. There is also a letter signed ' An English- man,' who states himself to be a friend of Garibaldi's, and says he had it from his own lips that he had resolved to go solely because he finds (or it has been intimated to him) that his stay here is an embarras for the Government. The writer offers to give his name if required. The Morning Star contains the letter of Dr. Basile, and an account of the meeting at Herzens of Garibaldi and Mazzini. I think Garibaldi's declaration that Mazzini is his friend and teacher will not be agreeable to those who, as Gladstone told me, fancied that by receiving Garibaldi at Stafford House and feteing him at the Ministers' houses, they should prevent him falling into the hands of Mazzini and the low refugees, etc. Lady Westmorland to her Son Julian. London, April 21, 1864. We walked yesterday afternoon in Apsley Gardens, and coming out near Stanhope Gate we saw a crowd * Lady William Russell. 454 THE GARIBALDI INCIDENT [1864- and some mounted policemen, and stopped at the railings, guessing it was Garibaldi returning from the City. He passed quite close to me, and, as he was sitting on our side of the carriage, I saw him very well. It is a very nice face — good features, and a very frank and open, good-humoured expression. He looked flushed, and his red beard is grizzly. Lady Westmorland to her Son Julian. London, April 22, 1864. As to Dizzy's position, I cannot tell you the precise cause, but it is certain that General Peel is now con- sidered the head of the party, and not only in the House of Commons. Lord Derby has extremely disgusted his friends by his flippancy at the beginning of the year, and his weak and wavering conduct since, and now for having joined the mob in paying court to Garibaldi. General Peel peremptorily refused the invitations that were pressed upon him to do likewise. It is thought by many that, if the Government should succumb, he, and not Lord D., would be the head. The speeches published in the paper* I sent you have produced a painful impression on the worshippers. The Times has never published them, but the Globe has, and the Morning Post had them in a corner of the paper without any remark. A member of the Government came into the box where I was last night, and he (who only reads the Times) had not heard of them. When they were repeated to him he was aghast, and could not believe that Garibaldi had called Mazzini his friend and teacher. * Morning Star. 1870] EXPLANATIONS 455 The letter of Dr. Basile has not appeared in any paper but the Standard and Globe. I have been reading Gladstone's speech last night.* I have been enough behind the curtain in my time to know how members of both Houses make candid speeches, which conceal the truth, and compound with their consciences to give a totally false impression, though their actual words may not be untrue, and I therefore do not believe what Gladstone intends to have believed. I am quite sure health has nothing to do with the Hero's departure, and he is himself too honest to make it a pretence for leaving, for you will observe in all his letters and speeches he never alludes to it, but speaks of being ' obliged to go,' and of ' having many reasons ' which prevent his visiting Manchester, etc. It must, I think, puzzle foreigners (and Englishmen, too) why Mr. Stansfeldt was obHged to leave office in consequence of his intimacy with Mazzini, while the 'friend and pupil' of the latter is idolized and wor- shipped. Lady Westmorland to her Son Julian. London, April 23, 1864. I have written every day this week, and find still I have food for another letter this Saturday, and I think you will be curious about the facts and the on dits of * Mr. Gladstone made a speech on April 21 in the House of Commons to explain that Garibaldi's sudden departure was due to his health. See Morley's ' Life of Gladstone,' vol. ii., p. 112. t Mr. Stansfeld had to leave the Government because it was proved that Mazziiii's letters, fomenting revolutionary plots abroad, had been forwarded through his agency. 456 THE GARIBALDI INCIDENT [1864- the departure of Garibaldi. I have just been reading the Independance Beige of the 22nd, in which is a letter from the correspondent in London, dated the 20th, and that letter contains the real and exact truth as to the reasons and motives of his quitting England. I own that I think the Hero has behaved uncommonly well, and I honour the honesty and sincerity he has shown; for you will observe that, while he at once decides to go away upon finding that his patrons and admirers wish to get rid of him, he has shown that he will not sanction a lie, and has carefully abstained in his letters, speeches, and answers, from saying one word about his health, which he would of course have done had that been the cause of his departure. On the contrary, in his answer to Manchester, he says that 'for several reasons he is obliged to go.' Glad- stone may save his conscience by the fact that, when the friends (for the reasons given in the Independance) agreed that they must get him off, they took the plea of health to hang their representations on ; but I heard from certain authority that the day before yesterday Garibaldi told a man who called upon him that he was so far from suffering from the fatigues, etc., that he was much stronger and better than when he arrived in England, and everybody says he looks better and younger. The subterfuges, the want of wisdom displayed by Palmerston, Russell and Co., are very shocking to my mind, and are universally blamed, for it hurts those who admire as well as those who are against Garibaldi, and I am sure they will produce very bad effects hereafter. Lord Derby, having joined in the adulation, has to a certain extent gagged himself, and he is abused by all parties. 1870J 'POLICHINELLE' 457 Lady Westmotland to her Son Julian. London, April 26, 1864. Lady Jersey told me that Lord Clarendon had called on her, and reported his conversation with the Emperor Napoleon. Lady Jersey is always, I think, very correct in her reports, and after I left her I met old Ralph Sneyd, and he told me Lord Clarendon had repeated the conversation to him also, and he told it in precisely the same words, so that I think that is good authority. Lord Clarendon said 'nothing had been said by the Emperor or himself about Garibaldi when he determined to take the bull by the horns, and said: "J'ai ete temoin d'un bien beau spectacle avant mon depart de Londres — 1 'entree de Garibaldi." The Emperor: "Comment done? Un beau spectacle ?" Lord C. : "Oui, c'etait trfes beau de voir toute la classe ouvrifere si enthousiaste pour un homme sorti de ses rangs regu et fete par toute la noblesse — car voilk ce qui enchantait la foule — Oh oui, vous avez raison c'est tres beau." ' They then talked about something else, and the Emperor said suddenly : ' Et quand part done voire Polichinelle ?' You will like the humour, which seemed to have very much tickled Lord Clarendon ; but you will also feel with me that this conversation was very slight foundation on which to build the statement in the House of Lords, and you will remem- ber what I have often said of my own experience in modifications which honest men allow themselves in that atmosphere, which elsewhere they would spurn. I had a visit yesterday from Lady Langdale and Janey,* who is just returned from Italy, where she * Lady Langdale's daughter, married to Count Teleki, a Hungarian. 458 THE GARIBALDI INCIDENT [1864- passed the winter. She was loud in abuse of Garibaldi, and horror at his reception here, calling him 'the greatest enemy to Italy, who wished to subvert all order and good government.' This is curious, remembering that her husband was Garibaldi's A.D.C., and was with him in Sicily and Naples. They did not mention him, and, as there were other persons here, I did not like to ask about him. I had a visit from Foster on Sunday. He found Clanwilliam here, which he had done before. By-the- by, Clanwilliam calls the fine ladies and gentlemen who adore Garibaldi the ' swell mob,' in distinction to the mob, which is good ! I have sent down to the City (having failed to pro- cure it nearer) for a copy of the Morning Advertiser of yesterday, in which I am told there is a letter signed by a man who found himself by chance present in Garibaldi's room at Stafford House, when he was coaxed, bullied, or persuaded, to cut short his visit. If the account I have heard of this letter is correct, it must be a very curious document, and a complete con- tradiction to all the statements of the Government. I hope I may get it in time for the post. If it is not to be got to-day, I fear it will be difficult to get it at all. Lady Westmorland to her Son Julian. London, April 27, 1864. I could not get the Morning Advertiser on the 25th, though I sent to the office where it is printed in the City. I will tell you all I heard about the article and my authority, and then you m&y judge how far it is to be believed. Lord Malmesbury told Rose the letter was written 1870] AN ANTIQUARIAN CLUB 459 by the editor of the Morning Herald, whose name is Hamburg (or something like it) ; that it appeared in the Morning Herald, and not in the Morning Advertiser, and was signed ' An Enghshman.' It stated that the writer had heard from Garibaldi's own lips that his health was not the cause of his sudden departure, though his great friends tried to persuade him that it was. It went on to say that this writer, having known Garibaldi in Italy, went to call upon him at Stafford House, and was shown into his room, where he found the Duke of S., Lord Shaftesbury, and some others. (Rose is not sure if Lord M. named Gladstone.) That Garibaldi received him very warmly, and that, he not being known to any of those present, they went on talk- ing, and then he describes how they coaxed and bullied Garibaldi to get him to go. This is Lord M.'s account of the article to Rose. I afterwards heard another account from Mr. Baillie Cochrane at Lady Jersey's. He went farther, and said that Garibaldi had resisted and denied that his health was suffering, and that at last he had got into a rage, had torn up some paper which had been given him, and thrown it down, say- ing, ' I see you want to get rid of me. I will go.' This I did not think very credible. Afterwards at Lady William's* several persons talked about the article and told pretty much the same story. I had a visit yesterday from my neighbour. You know his incongruous conversation, and I must tell you of one of his speeches, which I can do verbatim. Dundas was here, and would corroborate its correctness. ' I 'ad a very pleasant day yesterday. I joined a party of antiquarians who are a sort of club, and your ladyship knows the antiquarians are always ♦ Lady WilKam Russell's. 46o THE GARIBALDI INCIDENT [1864- going about the country in search of novelties; so we went to Canterbury in 'opes of finding some, and we were quite successful, for we were taken to see a most curious crypt far beneath the regular crypt under the cathedral, and it was full of curious figures on the wall, and we were assured it was at least eighteen hundred years old.' Pray admire the antiquarians searching for novelties, and finding them in a crypt i,ooo years older than the introduction of Christianity! Lady Westmorland to her Son Julian. London, April 20. The news of the taking of Diippel makes me hope that this horrible outpouring of blood is going to cease, and that your army will be satisfied with the glory they have gained. To-day the Conference holds its first sitting. God grant that peace will reign and result from it! But in what a state these Plenipo- tentiaries come together ! at least three of our Allies must be furious with us and our Ministers. One must confess that these Ministers have accomplished an extraordinary thing by at the same time offending the Emperor of Austria and the King of Italy ! For the latter is as furious at the welcome to Garibaldi as the latter can be. At last this hero is going to leave us without re- ceiving the ovations which are preparing for him in every town in the kingdom. Of all the follies and extravagances I have seen in my life (and insular eccentricities have never been wanting), I could never have conceived anything to equal this frenzy of all classes, and especially the total lack of regard for the Corps Diplomatique in the recep- 1870] DEATH OF MEYERBEER 41 tion of Garibaldi by the Minister for Foreign Affair as well as by the others. They say the Queen is ver indignant at it. Why did she not forbid it ? Sh prevented the desecration of Apsley House by con: manding the Grande Maitresse to Windsor. The Duk( my cousin, did not even dine with Garibaldi at Lor Clanricarde's. Lady Westmorland to ComtesSe Pauline Neale. London, May 18, 1864. Your last letter interested me much in giving m the details of the last honours paid to my old friend, You were quite right to think that I also should hav wished to place a wreath on his tomb. I was sincerel attached to him. His brilliant and original mind an the constant affection he showed me for nearly fort years touched me as much as his beautiful music er chanted me. How many celebrities of Berlin hav disappeared since my time! Humboldt, Savign] Rauch, Begas, Mendelssohn, and now Meyerbeei There is not a town in Europe which can boast sue talented people as those we so often had the pleasur of seeing at our house. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Folkestone, June 7, 1864. From the papers to-day I fear that war is going t begin again. I think Marechal Wrangel is fortunat to have retired. The public here is so very monte fo the Danish that I always dread they may push th Government to war in the end, although very un * Death of Meyerbeer. 462 THE GARIBALDI INCIDENT [1864- willingly; but our Ministers have great difficulty in resisting the Houses and the public. The example of that fatal Crimean War ought to make us cease mixing ourselves in things which do not concern us. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Wimbledon, July 12, 1864. Events in Parliament during the past week have delivered us from great suspense, and I hope we shall no longer hear of any talk of war between England and Germany, since it is evident that, in spite oi public opinion, the country does not wish for war. God grant that the other countries will be satisfied, and this terrible outpouring of blood will cease ! All three of us are pleased" to be here and out of London, where the two parties tear each other's eyes out and abuse each other. Apropos of this, I must tell you what Jenny Lind's youngest child said the other day. This little one, who is not yet four years old, was with his mother when Mr. Goldschmidt, who had been to hear the debate in the House of Commons, was telling his wife the big words and lies that one of the Ministers received from a member of the Opposition. The little one interrupted him, saying, ' But why did they not turn the naughty man out of the room for speaking so ?' I think he was quite fight, for their abuse passes all idea, and must make them very ridiculous^or very despicable in the eyes of other nations. , Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. London, December 7, 1864. Another little bit of gossip ! My daughter-in-law had a yisit the other day from one of the great ladies 1870] A RIDICULOUS BLUNDER 463 who, according to the horrible fashion of the day, paints her lips, as well as her eyebrows. The little boy, being with his mother, said, ' See, mamma, poor Lady 's lips are all bleeding, she must be hurt.' Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. London, March 1, 1865. Your last letter gives me the greatest pleasure, because of the good news' you give me of the dear Queen and her kind remembrance of me. When you have the opportunity, pray tell her I am not unworthy (indigne) of it, by the tender devotion I bear towards her, and the deep gratitude I feel for all the kindnesses she has showered upon me for so many years. I wish I could amuse you with as much news of society as you give me in your charming letters. However, I will tell you what is occupying all their gossip just now. It is a blunder made by one of the underlings in the Lord Chamberlain's office, who had the charge of making out the invitations for the ' Re- ception ' the Queen held yesterday instead of a Draw- ing-Room. She did not want to expose herself to the fatigues of these crowds to which everybody comes, and she wished to have several receptions, each of a restricted number of invited guests. Her Majesty received af2 p.m., said two words to a few, did not speak at all to the others, and everything was over in half an hour. Yesterday the entire Corps Diplomatique was invited, and each Ambassador or Minister received an invitation for himself and ' all the members of the Embassy (or Legation), male and female.' Imagine the ridicule which will amuse all the 464 THE GARIBALDI INCIDENT [1864- Courts of Europe ! Some say it is like Noah's ark. Others are reminded of the Zoological Gardens. But can you imagine this inconceivable stupidity ? The Queen appeared for the first time in a dress (with a train) of black silk : until now she has not left off woollen dresses. Her gown was trimmed with cr6pe. She wore a bonnet which is a mixture of a widow's cap and a Marie Stuart bonnet, with a great many diartionds round the bonnet and on her dress. The Duchess of Cambridge came to dine with me yesterday. She is always very kind to me and very agreeable in society. I had collected a little company of twelve people, amongst others the Bloomfields, who are just returning to Vienna. Lady Bloomfield asked a great deal about you, and begged me to give her love to you. My son and his wife came from Ape- thorpe expressly for this dinner. They return there to-day to finish the hunting. Queen Am6he recently gave a little fancy-dress ball at Claremont for her children and grandchildren, several of whom are re- cently married. It was especially to amuse the new bride, an heiress from Brazil, become Countess d'Eu. The two Princesses who have married the Comte de Paris and the Due de Chartres are very pretty. This venerable and interesting Queen, whose heart remains young, is happy surrounded by the beautiful family who adore her. Queen Victoria sent her two daughters, the Princesses Helena and Louise, and Prince Arthur from Windsor to this ball in fancy-dress poudre. Just imagine ! the postilions lost their way between Clare- mont and Windsor, and the Royal children did not get back to the Castle till past three in the morning. 1870] LOUIS NAPOLEON'S POSITION 465 Lord Brougham to Lady Westmorland. (Cannes, April 25, 1865. We have had Lady Malet here for a couple of weeks, and it is a great comfort to us and her son, the Colonel, who is a very nice fellow indeed. She has a very bad opinion of things in Germany — as who has not ? They are evidently a wrong-headed race, and they will end by their disputes and the disrepute into which they are fallen being too great a temptation to Louis Napo- leon, and by his making some bargain against them. He (Louis Napoleon) is most fortunate in having such an antagonist as Thiers, who has done for himself in the opinion of all rational people. The Liberals are against him, though pleased to have him attack the Government even on the points on which they suffer most from him, as the Pope and Italy. Then the Papal party, though pleased with his absurd deference, yet don't consider that he goes half far enough with them, and as for his hostility to Free Trade, all are against him. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. Scarborough, October 24, 1865. This place is so bright and the walks so charming that it is all we want. But this week we have a charming woman, a great friend of Rose's. She is the wife of the Archbishop of York,* who is himself an extremely nice man, and very young to be an Arch- bishop, for he is only forty-five. His wife is very • Archbishop Thomson. 30 466 THE GARIBALDI INCIDENT [1864- pretty, young, and excellente, and they have some charm- ing little children. I pity Lady Palmerston very much, who adored her husband as much as when she was young, and I doubt if at seventy-eight she can long survive a loss which breaks up her whole existence.* As for himself, I think his death completes the extraordinary happiness of his life. What can one desire better than to die, at eighty-one, in full possession of all one's faculties, and of everything that can make life pleasant? He never had any children, but those of his wife loved him and lived in his house as if he was their father. As to his colleagues and his successors, they are found amongst my old acquaintances, and Lord Clarendon is my relation, and has always been my friend, whilst the Conservative party no longer includes anyone who is to me more than a common acquaintance. As for political opinions, I trouble little about them. Everything is so changed since our time, that I am not sure that the so-called Conservatives are not more destructive than others. Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. London, December 13, 1865. The sad news of my august friend t reached me on Sunday. I was prepared for it, for since the com- mencement of his illness I never had any hope. His death was peaceful, without pain. There were with him his daughter-in-law, whom he loved much, his two sons, and the two eldest of his grandchildren. * Lord Palmerston died in October, 1865. + Death of King Leopold. 1870] DEATH OF KING LEOPOLD 467 He certainly had a presentiment of his death when he wrote to me (for the last time) at the time of start- ing for the little journey to Ardenne a few weeks ago. He said he was better than he had been for seven months, and that if he could pass the winter in the South of Europe he should hope for a new lease ; but that being impossible, he viewed the approach of winter with dismay. His letter was long and full of affection. He recalled past years ; all that he said shdwed gratitude to my mother (whom he loved much), and to her good advice, and to my uncle how much he always loved my husband, and then he recapitulated our old friendship of more than fifty years. How much his first wife, with such a noble and generous heart, was attached to me, and how pleased he had been when his angelic Louise had confessed an equal affection to itie. You can guess how this letter has touched me. It was so imprinted with melancholy that I have been uneasy about him ever since. I am sure that your dear Queen will be very grieved at this death. He was very attached to her, and often spoke to me of her with admiration. When you have the opportunity I beg you to express to Her Majesty all my gratitude for the kind remem- brance she graciously keeps of me, and tell her how much I think of her at this sad time. I have just received a touching letter from that sainted Queen Amelie. She knew the attachment I had for the King, and his kindness to me. It is a terrible loss to Queen A., for he was, as she writes to me, 'not only the most devoted soUj but my adviser and upholder in my painful circumstances.' This splendid Princess, now eighty-three, is still the most admirable, the most pious, and the most resigned of women. 30—2 468 THE GARIBALDI INCIDENT [1864- Lady Westmorland to Comtesse Pauline Neale. December 27, 1865. Rose is very much pleased at the idea that when you and I are no longer in this world, she Will possess these poor letters, which I have always written with so much pleasure, and which you receive with so much kindness and affection. Good-bye, my dearest friend. Know all the tender thoughts in my heart for you for the new year; but, indeed, they are the same every day, for I do not cease to think of you and love you very tenderly. God bless you ! Comtesse Pauline Neale to Lady Westmorland. [Just after the Battle of Sadowa, in which , the Austrians were defeated.] Berlin, July, 1866. Blessings on you, dear friend, for your letter, which completes my happiness ! You have all the details of our noble King and his glorious army, and they are eagerly looked for, in spite of torrents of tears ; but the wounded prisoners are cared for as brothers, and they begin to doubt the lying imputations against us in their own country. I shall, perhaps, have the courage to send you to-day's paper, which will show you that there is no Swagger, and that we have not recalled the calumnies poured on us. Austria has been very per- fidious. She has often reaped fruits of glory before. You have no idea of all the works of charity here ; all classes join in them, and the gifts increase enough to enrich everyone. I saw all this fifty-three years ago. I worked in the hospitals then; now I cannot 1870] THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR 469 stir out, but work and knit and sew all I can at home. My senses are going, but my head is the same ; and so I think much of you and of your dear child, whose happiness is yours. Innumerable cares and works absorb the time and thoughts of everyone here, mingled with many tears and anxieties and aching hearts — only endurable by the constant active work that goes on. The King's letter to the Queen shows his noble and generous heart, and recognition of the grace of God, to whom we owe all. From Comtesse Pauline Neale's Sister to Lady Westmorland. Potsdam New Palace, August 18, 1870.* I received yesterday your kind letter of the nth. I read it with emotion, but not with surprise, for I was sure you would think of us and join with me in blessing God for having recalled to Himself our dear Pauline — so warm in heart, so weak and feeble in body — before this time of sorrow and agony which overwhelms us, and of which no one, alas ! can see the end. Her ardent soul would have, in her inaction, succumbed. She would have wished to suffer with and help others, and would have had the terrible grief of not being able to be of use. This horrible warf would have broken her heart, and the death of Prince G. Radziwill would have wiped out the recollections of a lifetime I I thank you for your Sympathy for that dear family. I have seen the birth of them all, and they are rooted in my heart's affection — though I have also seen die off increasingly * Comtesse Pauline had died in 1869. ■f Between France and Germany. 470 THE GARIBALDI INCIDENT [18^4- many members of it. The King, who had taken leave of Prince Radziwill on his departure for the army, is much affected by his death. Born in the same year and the same month, and bearing the same name as himself, he had been the favourite companion of his childhood, and remained until his last breath the most faithful and devoted of his friends. The mental faculties of the deceased had become clouded in the last days ; but, on seeing the King for the last time on the 29th, his mind seemed to become clearer ; he tried to talk, and murmured some farewell words, which made the King burst into tears. The Queen has been an angel of consolation to the poor widow, who, deprived of her three sons, had not even the comfort of seeing her brother arrive in time for the Requiem in the Roman Catholic Church, where the coffin will remain till his son can return to take it to the family vault at Antonin, where his parents, two brothers, two sisters, and two daughters already rest. I will not talk to you of our victories, which, alas ! are causing so much blood, and so many tears to flow. The newspaper gives all details. God has visibly assisted us so far, and you can understand the state of anxious expectation in which we are living here at the New Palace. The Princess Royal is admirable in her courage and constant activity, which does not in any way interfere with her nursing her baby, which is thriving satisfactorily. She is much occupied about a hospital she is establishing at her own expense, with thirty-six beds and every appliance for nursing the wounded. The general enthusiasm reigning in all classes encourages everyone. Nobody complains of the sacrifices imposed upon them, but off'ers them willingly for their country's sake. 1870] A HAPPY OLD AGE 4: I am writing these lines on the chance of sendin them off. I am here with no carriage, no servant nothing but my good old legs to depend upon. The are better than my head, which is occasionally subje( to tiresome attacks of giddiness. Dear my lady, how well you express all your fee ings, which find an echo in mine ! It was on the 13! of this month that the best part of my life left me ; was on the 28th that his birth shed a bright ray 1 light around it. I still retain in my heart a soft radianc that illuminates my old age. Yes, my dear my lad one is not really to be pitied so long as one has hapj memories, and they are a possession which death itst cannot rob us of. I hope you may be able to read this — a task I a imposing on you, but not undertaking myself Th is, however, excusable at ninety years old, which shall complete on September 4— always a joyful d: for me, as it was also the birthday of my Georgina. beg of you a kindly remembrance of your old ai faithful Sophie de Bergh. INDEX Abbeville, 49 Aberdeen, Lord, 64, 65 ; on the condition of tlie King of Han- over's health, 71 ; letter from Queen Victoria in acknowledg- ment of his services, 79 ; his support of Lord J. Russell, 95 ; on the publication of his letters in the 'Revue Retrospective,' 133 ; his Cabinet, 168 ; speech on the debate on the Address, 197 ; Ministry resign, 249 Adlerberg, Count, 364 Adlerburg, Madame d', at Sim- pheropol, 262 ; on the losses sustained by the Russians at Sebastopol, 262 Ailesbury, Lady, 313 Airey, Sir Richard, 311 Aix-la-Chapelle, Congress of, 184 Alava, General, 33 Albany, Leopold, Duke of, his birth, Albert, Prince, question of prece- dence, 32 ; his view on the plan of a United Germany, 129, 132 ; increasing popularity, 130 ; plans for the constitution of the Empire, 132 ; conversation with Lady Westmorland, 154 ; on the loss of Sir R. Peel, 154 ; his death and funeral, 428 Albrecht, Prince, 354 Aldboro, Lady, 44 Algiers, 118 Alice, Princess, her grief at the marriage of her sister, 353 ; her marriage, 434 Mien or Refugee Act, 333 Allied army, enter Paris, i ; cross the Danube, 229 ; relations with Austria, 229; assemble at Rust- chuck, 232 ; land at Eupatoria, 237, 239 Alma, victory of, 237, 239 ; number of killed and wounded, 240 Alvensleben, Count, his death. 363 Anson, Mr., 84 Apethorpe, 31, 89, 122, 274 ; plan of a conservatory at, 97 ; im- provements, 367 Apponyi, Anna, Comtesse, 407 Apponyi, Rudolf, Count, Austrian Ambassador in London, 407 Apsley House, 33 note; damage caused by a storm, 94 Arago, his death, 181 Arbuthnot, Right Hon. 'Charles, 48, 88 Arbuthnot, Mrs., 19 note Argyll, Elizabeth, Duchess of, her visit to Comtesse Pauline N^ale, 367 ; her sons, 368 Argyll, Duke of, 368 Arnim (Bortzenburg), Count, 116 Arnim (Heinrichsdorf ), Baron, 225, 244, 245 Arthur, Prince, his birth, 134 ; at the fancy-dress ball at Claremont, 464 Auerswald, General, murdered, 140; trial of his murderers, 140-142 Aulaire, Count de St. , 36 Aumale, Due d', his arrival at Lisbon, 118 Austria joins the Allies, 18 ; sends no representative to the Duke of Wellington's funeral, 167 ; rela- tions with the Allies, 229 ; distrust of, 235 ; invades Piedmont, 379 ; defeated, 379; hostility to Prussia, 404 Austria, Empress Elizabeth of, her appearance, 202 ; birth of a daughter, 237 Austria, Emperor of, 18 1 ; his shy- ness, 161 ; love of dancing, 161 ; appearance, 162 ; visit to Berlin, 472 INDEX 473 1 68; attempt on his life, i68; attends a thanksgiving service in the cathedral, 170 ; rejoicings on his recovery, 170 ; festivities on his marriage, 186, 199 ; reception of his bride, 202 ; entry into Vienna, 203 ; marriage, 203 ; his policy, 214 ; at Olmiitz, 219 Austria, Archduke John, elected Reichsverweser, 130 Austria, Archduchess Sophie, 188, 190 ; at Ischl, 270 Austria, Archduke William, 188 Austria, Archduke Francis Charles, 170 Auvergne, M. de Latour d'. Ambas- sador in London, 445 Azeglio, Signor, Italian Minister in London, 408 ; his relations with Garibaldi, 450 Bacciocchi, Count, on the number of guests at Compiegne, 444 Bacourt, M. de, 36 Baden, Grand Duchess of, 180 ; her marriage, 273, 286, 293 ; at Carlsruhe, 317 ; characteristics, 424 Baden, Grand Duke of, his mar- riage, 273, 286, 293 Bagot, Caroline, 88 Bagot, Cattle, 85 Bagot, Lady, 19, 397 Bagot, Sir Charles, Minister at Washington, 19 note Bagration, Princess, 282 Balaklava, Battle of, 237 Bargges, waters of, 31, 36 Baring, F., 299 Baring, Mrs., 84 Barth, Mme. Hasselt, 60 Basile, Dr. , his letter on Garibaldi, 453. 455 ,.,,,, Bavaria, Prmcess Elizabeth of, her marriage, 186, 199 ; entry into Vienna, 199, 203. See Austria Beaufort, Duchess of, 175 Beauharnais, Viceroy, 11 Beauvale, Lady, 73, 77, 92; her marriaige, 284 Beauvale, Lord, 32 ; his conscien- tiousness, 285 Beck, Mr., 107 Beckett, Lady Ann, 313 Bedford, Duchess of, 302; her death, 325, 331 Bedford, Duke of, Master of the Horse, 72 ; visit from Lady Westtaorland, 302 ; on the article vindicating Lord Raglan, 305 ; death of his wife, 325, 331 ; visit to Queen Victoria, 333 ; on political matters, 333, 336-348; on the death of the Duchess of Leinster, 395 ; affection for Lady Westmorland, 396; letters from, 30s. 330-333. 335-348, 395-397 Begas, his portrait of Schadow, 432 Belgians, King Leopold of the, his visit to Walmer Castle, 42-44 ; receives Lady Westmorland, 59, 60 ; admiration for the Princess of Prussia, 62 ; character of his government, 131, 143 ; on the death of Lady Mornington and the King of Hanover, 157-159 ; on the death of the Duke of Welling- ton, j68 ; his stay at Vienna, 174 proposed marriage of his son 174 ; on the prospects of peace, 258 ; celebration of the twenty fifth anniversary of his reign 276 ; his wish to bestow a decora- tion on Lord Westmorland, 289, 290 ; reception and loyalty of his people, 291 ; the marriage of his daughter Charlotte, 301 ; visit to Lady Westmorland, 419 ; his ill- ness, 432 ; in London, 448 ; death, 466 ; letters from, 157-159, 168, I72> 253. 258, 290-292, 301 Belgians, Queen Louise of the, 58 ; at Walmer Castle, 42-44 ; her ap pearance, 44 ; on the flight of her parents from France, 117, 119, 126; letters from, 117-119, 126, 143 Belgium, Princess Charlotte of, her marriage, 301. See Mexico Bergh, Alfred de, 321 Bergh, Sophie de, letter from, on the death of her sister, 469-471 Berlin, 54 ; first Prussian Parlia- ment in, 55 ; the Opera, 103 ; new museum, 103 ; celebrities, 103 ; outbreak of the Revolution, 113, 119; restoration of order, 114; under martial law, 137; meeting of the Congress of Princes at, 139 Bernadotte, General, Prince Royal of Sweden, 3 Bernstorff, Count, Prussian Ambas- sador in London, 301 Berri, Due de, 183 Bessborough, Earl of, 147 note ; Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, 84 note 474 INDEX Beust, Count, Prime Minister of Austria, 404 Bidwell, John, 91 note Bidwell, John James, gi Bidwell, Thomas, 91 note Birch, Miss, 61 Bismarck, Schonhausen, M. de, 384, 414 Bloomfield, Lady, 464 Bloomfield, Lord, 194 ; Minister at Berlin, 351 Bliicher, General, 11 Bolguhoff at Peterwaldau, 18 Bonaparte, Joseph, 3 Bonin in command of the army in Schleswig-Holstein, 211 Bordeaux, 45 ; reception of Louis Napoleon at, i65 Bordeaux, Due de, fusion with the Legitimist and Orleanist parties, 183 Bothnia, Gulf of, 6 Bourquenay, Baron, 194, 206, 209 ; his interview with Lord West- morland, 212 ; preparations for war, 213 ; negotiations with Lord Westmorland and Buol, 226-229 5 accident to his son, 231 ; his wish to sign the Convention, 233 Brabant, Due de, his proposed marriage, 174, 177 Brandenburg, Countess, her death, 237 Breslau, 8 ; member returned for, 122 ; festivities at, 426 Bresson, Mme., 133 Bretby, 45 Brighton, 216, 273 Broglie, Albertine, Duchesse de, letter from, 21 ; her aflFection for Lady Burghersh, 21 ; sympathy on the loss of her baby, 24 ; grief on the death of her mother, 27 ; birth of a child, 28 Broglie, Due de, 183 Brougham, Lord, 74 ; on the death of Sir R. Peel, 151 ; of the Duke of Wellington, 164 : on the re- ception of Louis Napoleon in the South of France, 166 ; at Cannes, 171, 181, 182, 280 ; speech on the debate on the Address, 197 ; congratulations on the Battle of Alma, 239 ; the overthrow of the Aberdeen Ministry, 231 ; nego- tiations of peace, 281 ; Louis Napoleon's position, 297 ; his 'Dissertation on Revolutions,' 300 ; illness, 307 ; on the death of the Prince Consort, 428 ; letters from, 134, 164, i€6, 171, 181, 182, 197, 239, 251, 270, 280-282, 287, 297-301. 306-309. 334. 392-395. 428, 430, 446, 465 Brougham, Mr., 23 Browning, Mr. E., 97 Bruce, General, his death, 434 Brunnow, Mme., 87 Brunnow, Baron, his views on Lord Westmorland remainingatBerlin, 83, 86 Brunswick, Duke of, 57, 228 Brussels, 58 Buccleuch, Duchess of, 73 Buccleuch, Duke of. High Steward of Westminster, 439 Bucharest, Prince of, 218 Budberg, Mme., 290 Bulgaria, King Ferdinand of, 433 Biilow, Constance von, her mar- riage, 296 Biilow, Baron von, his relations with the Foreign Office, 69 ; leaning towards France, 69 Bulwick, 247 Bunsen, Baron, 55 ; his views on Lord Westmorland's remaining at Berlin, 83 ; at Windsor Castle, 96 ; meeting with Lady West- morland, 65 •■ on the relations between the King and Prince of Prussia, 65 ; his project of a Constitution, 66-70 ; conversation with Lady Westmorland on re- volutionary affairs, 123-126 ; his wish to accept the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs, 131 ; appointed to transact the affairs of the German Empire, 211 Bunsen, Mme., at Windsor Castle, 96 Buol, Comtesse, 191 Buol, Count, his interview with Lord Westmorland, 212 ; nego- tiations with him and Bourque- nay, 226-229 ; agrees to sign the Convention, 235 Buonaparte, Jerome, 388 note Burghersh, George, Lord, his death, 113 Burghersh, Ernest, Lord, his mar- riage, 144 ; his death, 109 Burghersh, Francis, Lord, A.D.C. to Lord Dalhousie, 135 note ; his return to Southampton, 155 ; appearance, 156 ; wish to go to Apethorpe, 156 ; at Vienna, 179 ; A.D.C. to Lord Raglan, 186, 191, INDEX 475 192 ; on the movements of the army, 217 ; brings the Alma despatches to England, 237 ; re- turn to the Crimea, 237 ; care of the Russian wounded, 241 ; re- turn to London, 242 ; visit to Balmoral, 243, 244 ; promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, 243 ; visits his mother in Vienna, 243 ; leave,s for Trieste, 245 ; affection and care for his uncle, 246, 260, 268 ; telegram to the Tryons, 248 ; on the death of his uncle, 268 ; attack of fever, 269 ; Order of the Bath, 269 ; marriage, 293 ; his post with the Duke of Cam- bridge, 317 ; illness at Com- piegJie, 422, 444 Burghersh, Lady, in Paris, 1 ; at Florence, 2 ; birth and death of her first child, 2, 23 ; birth of a son, 17, 20 ; confidential inter- mediary between the Duke of Wellington and Lord Melbourne, 32, 50 ; visits from the Duke, 37, 45, 50 ; at Walmer Castle, 39 ; her children, 39 ; account of the visit of Princess Victoria, 42-44 ; on the Precedency Question, 30- 53. See Westmorland Burghersh, Lord, appointed English Commissioner to the Austrian army, 1 ; in Paris, i ; Minister at Florence, 2 ; resigns his post, 31 ; return to England, 31 ; founds the Academy of Music, 31 note ; returns to Florence, 33 note ; relations with his father, 47 ; Minister at Berlin, 54 ; succeeds to the title, 54. See Westmor- land Burgoyne, General Sir John, at Vienna, 260 Byron, Lord, his reception in Geneva, 22 ; poem on Switzer- land, 23 Cambridge, 146 Cambridge, Princess Augusta of, her marriage, 89, 174 ; at Windsor Castle, 96. See Mecklenburg- Schwerin Cambridge, Duchess of, 61 , 64, 244, 464 ; her illness, 176 Cambridge, Adolphus, Duke of, 32, 63 ; his illness, 131, 152 Cambridge, George, Duke of, visit to Vienna, 198; to Constanti- nople, 247; at the Council of War in Paris, 274 ; present at the debate on the Crimea, 311 Campbell, Lord Archibald, 368 Campbell, Lord, his opposition to the Alien or Refugee Act, 335 Camphausen, Prime Minister, 121 Canitz, Mme. de, 322 Cannes, 181 Capel, Lady Adela, 429 note Carlscrona, 11 Carlsruhe, 317 Carlyle, Thomas, his meeting with Mr. Elwin, 403 Castellane, Pauline de, her mar- riage, 380 note, 389 Castiglione, Comtesse, her appear- ance, 434 Cavour, Count, his interview with Emperor Louis Napoleon, 379, 406 Cawdor, Lord, 60 Cerito, style of her dancing, 94 Charlottenburg, 112 Chartres, Due de, 464 Chobham Common, camp on, 173 Cholera, epidemic of, 241 Chotek, Count, 427 Chotek, Countess, 427 Clam, Countess, 264 Clanricarde, Lady, 34 Clanricarde, Lord, 342 Clarendon, Lord, at Windsor Castle, 96, 97 ; on the settlement of affairs, 208 ; abuse of the King of Prussia, 211 ; of the Emperor of Russia, 219 ; on the policy of the Emperor of Austria, 214 ; his mission to Paris, 276 ; speech on Count Walewski's despatch, 341 j conversation (with Emperor Louis Napoleon, 343, 437 ; visit from Lady Westmorland, 437 Clark, Sir J., 72 Clary, Princess, 364 Clifford, Mr. and Mrs., 23 Coburg, 53 Coburg, Ernest I., Duke of, 54, 36; his death, 62 Coburg, Ernest II., Duke of, at Vienna, 206, 209, 221 ; his policy in connection with Emperor Louis Napoleon, 217 Cockerell, Mr., 98 Cochrane, Mr. Baillie, 439 Coercion Bill, Irish, 72 note ; defeat of. 35 CoUeredo, Princess, 414 Cologne, 34, 136, 241 ; restoration of the cathedral, 34 476 INDEX Compiigne, French Court at, 422 ; number of guests, 444 Connaught, Duchess of, 334 note Conspiracy Bill, 304, 330, 359 Constantinople, 247 ; news from, 179 Cook, Colonel, 13 Cooke, Miss, 210 Cooke, Mr., 275 Coppet, 20 Corn Laws, repeal of the, 55, 87 Corn^tt, the conductor, 107 Corporation Reform, 38 note Corsica, i Corsini, Princess, Duchess of Casig- liana, 290 Costa, gz Cowley, Lady, at Compiegne, 436 Cowley, Lord, Minister at Paris, 214 ; at Compiigne, 436 Crimean Expedition, 228; War, 237 Croker, Right Hon, J. W., 10 1 note Croly, Dr., characteristics of his sermon, 277 Crowe, Mrs., 136 Curzon, Lady Adelaide, her mar- riage, 293. See Burghersh. Dalhousie, Lady, her death, 175 Dalhousie, Lord, 155 note Dalmatie, Marquis de, 70 Dawson, Mrs. , 74 Day, Mr., 97, 278 Deal, 43 Delessert, M., 133 Denman, Judge, 164 Denmark, proposed incorporation with Germany, 124 ; war with Germany, 448 Denmark, Princess Alexandra of, her appearance, 437, 439 ; arrival in London, 438 ; procession, 439 ; marriage, 440. See Wales Derby, Lord, 87, iii ; entrusted to form a Ministry, 163 ; his speech on the debate on the Address, 197 ; his India Bill, 343 ; Reform Bill, 346; abuse of Lord J. Russell, 347 ; defeat of his Ministry on the Reform Bill, 396 ; vacillating conduct, 454 Devonshire, Duchess of, 23 Devonshire, Duke of, his death, 334 Dietrichstein, 64, 87 Disraeli, Mr., ill ; on the Reform Bill, 397 Doberan, 108 Douhoff, Countess, 108, 177 Douro, Lady, 84 Dresden, 10 note, 11 Drouyn, M. de I'Huys, 209'i Pleni- potentiary at the Vienna Con- gress, 237, 261 Duckett, Captam, 120 Dundas, Hon. Robert, 269 Diippel, taking of, 460 Eastern Question, Settlement of, 162 Edinburgh, 423 Eglinton, Lady, her death, 429 Elbe, the, 9 Ellenborough, Lord, his reckless talk, 74 Elliott, Sir Gilbert, I Elwin, Rev. W., his article vindi- cating Lord Raglan, 304; at Woburn Abbey, 344 ; his meeting with Carlyle, 403 ; fascination for him, 405 Esterhazy, C, Austrian Minister at St. Petersburg, 229 Esterhazy, Paul, Prince, 206 Esterhazy, Prince Nicholas, 180 note Esterhazy, Princess, 180, 263. See Villiers Eu, Countess d', 464 Eugenie, Empress, 259 ; her ap- pearance, 444 Eupatoria, allied army land at,237 , 239 Exhibition, opening of, 432 Fagel, R., 64 Fane, Arthur, his birth, 17 ; death, 23 Fane, Ernest, 36; sent to school, 47. See Burghersh Fane, Francis, sent to school, 47. See Burghersh Fane, George, 39, 44. See Burghersh Fane, Julian, 39, 40, 47 ; his de- light in Mdlle. Rachel's acting, 88 ; wins the Chancellor's medal for English poetry, 106 note ; his poems, no; portrait, 112; recites his prize poem, 146 ; result of his examination, 148 ; attends the levee, 151 ; takes part in a play, 262, 264; attached to Lord Clarendon's mission, 276 ; Secre? tary at St. Petersburg, 288 ; ap- pointed Secretary of Legation at Vienna, 363 ; letters from his mother, 112 -113, 121, 133-142, 404-408, 450-458, 460 INDEX 477 Fane, Hon. Louisa, 44 Fane, Mrs., 93 Fane, Lady Rose, 37, 43, SS; at Laeken, 59, 60 ; her debut, 143 ; at Cambridge, 146; meets her brother at Southampton, t^^etseq. Fern Hill, 48 Fitzroy, Lady Anne, 19 note Fitzwilliam, Lord, 423 Flahault, Mme. de, 423 Fletcher, Mrs., 19 Florence, z Folkestone, 461 Forester, Lord, his marriage, 284 note Fortescue, Lord, Lord Steward, 79 ; in favour of the Conspiracy Bill, 339 Fould, Achille, 392 Fox-Strangways, Mr., 129 France, Louis XVI., King of, takes the oath to the Constitution, 31 France, Louis Philippe, King of, 60 ; his abdication, 113 ; flight from France, 117 ; at Claremont, 126; attack of grippe, 144 France, Louis XVIII., 183 France, Queen Marie Amelie, her flight from France, 117 ; at Clare- mont, 126 ; grief at the death of her daughter - in - law, 324 ; at Holland House, 432 ; her grand- children, 433 ; fancy-dress ball, 464 ; on the death of King Leo- pold, 467 France, revolution in, 113 Franco-German War, 447, 469 Frankfort, the proposed seat of Government, 124 ; suppression of the revolt, 135 French, their losses at the Battle of Alma, 240 Gagern, Head of the Frankfort Assembly, 211 Galipoli, 222 Gall, the phrenologist, 412 Garcia, Mme. Pauline Viardot, 360 Garibaldi, his visit- to London, 447 ; demonstrations in his honour, 449 ; relations with Azeglio, 450 ; intercourse with Mazzini, 450 ; treatment by the Piedmontese Government, 451; character- istics, 451 ; reasons for leaving England, 452-456 ; meeting with Mazzini, 453 ; his appearance, 454 Gautbier, 224 ; his illness, 275 ; recovery, 278 Geneva, 22 German Empire, plan of a United, 123, 129 Germany, project of a Constitution, 66 ; in 1848 and 1870, 113 ; result of the elections, 121, 122 ; loyalty of the army and rural popula- tion, 135 ; war with Denmark, 448 Ghica, Prince, 231 Girardin, Emile de, at CompiSgne, 422 Giurgevo, fight at, 229, 231 Gladstone, Right Hon. W. E., his wish to be elected a member of the Ionian Parliament, 336 ; explana- tion of Garibaldi's departure, 455 Gloucester, Mary, Duchess of, 58, 61, 89; her illness, 199; on the victory of Alma, 243 ; her opinion of Lord Burghersh, 244 ; on Lord Raglan's honourable conduct, 282 ; on her recovery from illness, 292 ; weakness, 305 ; death, 308; letters from, 174-176, 199-201 241, 243, 282, 292 Goldschmidt, Mr. Otto, 462 Goltz, Comte, A.D.C. to the Prince of Prussia, 154, 178 Goodman, Mrs., her portrait of Lord Westmorland, 314 Gordon, Sir Robert, Minister at Vienna, 79, 95 Gortchakoff, Prince, 224 ; his wish for peace, 226 ; Plenipotentiary at the Vienna Conference, 237 Granville, Lord, Chamberlain, 72, 76 Gras, Mme. Dorus, 64 Grassalkowich, Mme., 135 Grasse, books burnt at, 307 Greville, Lady Charlotte, 331, 344 Grey, Sir George, 337 ; Secretary for the Colonies, 72 Grey, Sir William, Minister at Stockholm, 213 Grey, Lord, 72 Grisi, Mme., 85 Groben, Count von, 165, 196 Guizot, M., 70 Haacke, Countess Edith, 177 Haacke, Countess Adelaide, 179 Hailstorm, damage caused by a, g j Hamelin, Admiral, 393 Hamilton, Lady, 22 Hamilton, Mr., 40 Hanau, trial at, 140-142 478 INDEX Hanover, Ernest, King of, 52; letter from, 57 ; condition of his health, 70; death, 157 Hansemann, Mr., his political views, 13S Hardenberg, Count, 9 Hardinge, Sir Henry, 40 Harrow, speeches at, 151 Hatzfeldt, Count, his illness, 380; death, 381 Heintz, M. de, Aide-de-Camp to Prince Frederick of Prussia, 296 ; his marriage, 296 Helena, Princess, her christening, 89 ; at the fancy-dress ball at Claremont, 464 Henley, Mr., disagrees with the proposed Reform Bill, 397 Hervey, Mrs., her distress at seeing Lord Byron, 22 Hicks, Mr., 313 HohenzoUern, Stephanie, Princess of, her marriage, 366 Holland, Queen of, at Ischl, 270 ; grief at the death of Lord Raglan, 270 Holstein, Prince Jules of, 354 Hood, Rev. W., 36, 54; at Cam- bridge, 146 ; letters from Lady Westmorland, 53, 119-121, 144, 162, 169, 192 Hopkinson, Dr., 147 Houghton, Lord and Lady, 451 Hubner, Baron, Austrian Minister in Paris, 214 Humboldt, Baron Alexander, 103 ; his ' Cosmos, ' 104 ; peculiarity of constitution, 104 ; on the death of Lady Westmorland's son, 109 ; attack of rheumatism, no ; leaves for Potsdam, 295 ; his portrait, 295 ; amount of his correspon- dence, 295 ; death, 409 ; funeral, 411 ; characteristics, 412 ; shape of his head, 412 ; letters from, 107-112, 29^ Humboldt, William, 412 Hunyady, Comtesse Julie, 187 India, outbreak of the Mutiny, 317, 351 India Bill, 343 Inkerman, Battle of, 237, 246 Ischl, 108 ; baths at, 237 Isle of Wight, 65 Jablonowski, Prince, 225 Jackson, Francis, 11 Jackson, Sir George, 11 Jarnac, Comte de, 337 Jassy, 220 Jaucourt, Marquis de. Attache to the French Embassy in Vienna, 264 Jerome Napoleon, Prince, 394 ; his marriage, 388, 400 ; uncouth manners, 400 ; appearance, 434 Jersey, Lady, 40, 48, 180, 313, 323, 433 ; her characteristics, 445 ; age, 443 ; report of the conversation between the Emperor Louis Napoleon and Lord Clarendon, 457 Jersey, Lord, 332 Johannesburg, 314 Joinville, Prince de, his arrival in Lisbon, 118 Joinville, Princesse de, 325, 433 ' Joseph, Memoirs of King,' 310 Kalisch, 7 note, 8 Karolyi, C.j 427 Kent, Duchess of, 302 note ; at Walmer Castle, 43, 96 Kew, 176 Kilmansegge, Count, 71, 86 Kingscliffe, 317 Konig, the furrier, his view on the result of democratic principles, 137 Konigsberg, 426 Konigswart, 266 Kossuth, result of his presence in England, 158; reception, 160; character, 160 ; supposed insti- gator on the life of the Emperor of Austria, 169 ; his speech at Sheffield, 217 Koutousoff, Prince, his charac- teristics, 10 ; illness and death, 10 note Krudener, Mme., 262. See Adler- burg Kuhn, 177 Laeken, 38 Lamb, Lady Caroline, 23 Lamb, Frederick, 32, 37 ; his opinion of Bunsen's principles, 132. See Beauvale Langdale, Lady, 437 Lansdowne, Lady, 23 Lansdowne, I.ord, 23 ; at Windsor, 252 Lansdowne House, concert at, 91 Lascy, Mme. de, 21 Laute, Ducbesse, 61. INDEX 479 Layard, Mr., 332 Legitimist Party, 183 Leiningen, Prince, 209, 222 ; his death, 302 ' Leinster, Duchess of, her death, 395 Lerchenfeld, Comte, Bavarian Minister at Vienna, 261 Lewis, Sir G., his Budget, 304 Leyton, Sir, 59 Lichnowsky, Prince, at the opening of the first Prussian Diet, 115; his speeches, 115, 117 ; elected to the Frankfort Parliament, 122 ; murdered, 140 ; trial of his murderers, 140-142 Liechtenstein, Prince, his appear- ance, 434 Lieven, Mme. de, 49, 167, 299 Lincoln, Lady, 84 Lind, Jenny, 105, 191, 204 ; her portrait, 140 ; at Wimbledon, 435; appearance and conversation, 435 ; singing, 443 Linden, Mme., 194 Linz, 199 Liverpool, Lord, Lord Steward, 76 ; at Windsor Castle, 96, 97 JLock, Miss Leila, her marriage, 144 Lombardy ceded to Sardinia, 379 Lonfe, C, 171 Lonsdale, Lord, 58, 306 Lome, Lord, 368 Louis Napoleon, Emperor of the French, 171, 196 ; his reception through the South of France, 166 ; policy, 208 ; connection with the Duke of Coburg, 217; arbitrator of Europe, 248 ; secret intentions, 258 ; visit to England, 260; difficullies of his position, 283, 300 ; idleness, 287, 393 ; im- proved position, 297 ; absence from Paris, 299 ; attempt on his life, 330, 334,351 ; interview with Cavour, 379, 406; denies treaty with Russia, 409 ; influence over the Emperor of Russia, 419 ; mode of life at Compi^gne, 436, 444 ; appearance, 444 ; charac- teristics, 444 ; conversation with Lord Clarendon, 457 Louise, Princess, at the fancydress ball at Claremont, 464 Lowther, Hon. William, 149 ; ap- pointed to Washington, 342 Lucca, Duchess of, 234 Lumley, Mr,, manager of His Majesty's Theatre, 98, 104 Lygon, Lady Georgina, her mar- riage, 302 Lyndhurst, Lord, 51, 80, 306 ; his opposition to the Alien or Refugee Act, 335 Magnus, Professor, 140 Malaret, Mme., 407 Malet, Lady, 430 ; at Cannes, 465 Malmesbury, Lord, 342 ; Foreign Secretary, 405 ; his conversation with Lady Westmorland, 405 ; on the reasons for Garibaldi's departure, 459 Manteuffel, Baron, Prussian Minis- ter for Foreign Affairs, 195 ; re- tires, 349, 372 ; refusal of favours, 375 Marie, Airchduchess, her proposed marriage, 174, 177 Marie Louise, Empress, 2 Marienbad, 225 Mario, 89, 92, 105, 155 Matuscewitz, Count Signer, 46 Mauley, Lord de, Lord-inWaiting, 88 Maynooth Bill, adjourned debate on, 60 Mazzini, 169 ; takes refuge in London, 447 ; meeting with Gari- baldi, 453 Mecklenburg, Duchess Caroline of, 174 Mecklenburg Schwerin, Grand Duke of, 174, 378 note Mecklenburg- Strelitz, Prince George of, at Charlottenburg, 194 Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Grand Duke of, threatened with blindness, 294 Melbourne, Lord, his friendship with Lady Burghersh, 32 ; on the Precedency Question, 50 ; illness and death, 94 Mendelssohn, 103 Messent, Miss, 65 Metternich, Princesse Pauline, 262 Metternich, Prince, 6g ; exiled in England, 114, 127; failure of his policy of repression, 127 ; his warning to the King of Prussia, 128 ; return to Vienna, 161 ; character, 161 ; admiration for Lady Westmorland, 215 ; his birthday, 263 ; at Konigswart, 266 ; at Vienna, 273 ; on the con- clusion of peace, 283, 286 ; the position of Louis Napoleon, 283 ; visit from Lady Westmorland, 304, 316 ; on the qualities and 48o INDEX weakness of Napoleon I., 310 ; conversation with Lady West- morland, 314-316 ; with Count Nesselrode, 316 ; death, 410 ; reputation, 415 ; letters from, 162, 163, 173, 183-185, 205, 250, 254-256, 263, 266, 271, 273, 283- 285, 286, 309-311 Metternich, Princess, her charac- teristics, 436 Mexico, Archduchess Charlotte, Empress of, 144 note ; depaurture from London, 448 Mexico, Archduke Maximilian, Emperor of, his marriage, 301 ; character, 448 Meyendorff, Alexander, on the siege of Silistria, 216 ; killed at Sebas- topol, 262 Meyendorff, Mme., 190, 230 ; anxiety for her husband, 262 ; loss of a son, 278 Meyer, Secretary to Prince Albert, 132 Meyerbeer, G., 98, 103, 140 ; letters from, 104-107; on producing his 'Vielka,' 105; his ' Fackeltanz,' lo6; 'L'i;toiledu Nord,' 106; re- hearsal of his composition, 431 ; admiration for the Princess Royal, 431 ; his death, 461 Middleton, 48 Milan, 379 Milanolos, sisters, 64 Militia Bill, 163 Minto, Lord, 79; his mission to Pope Pius IX., 128 Modena, Duke of, reinstated, 379 Molesworth, Lady, 342 ; her attempt to unite Lord Palmerston and Lord J. Russell, 342 Monerat, Mme., 233 Montagu, Miss, her marriage, 293 Montalembert, Count, 'Monks in the West,' 345 note Montebello, battle at, 379 Moore, 47 Morehay Lawn, 247 Morley, John, extract from his ' Life of Gladstone,' 455 note Mornington, Lady, her death, 157 Moskowa, Prince de la, 354 Municipal Reform Bill, 32 Munster, Count, 362 Music, Academy of, founded in London, 31 note Napier, Admiral Sir Charles, in command of the Baltic Fleet, 213 Napier, Lord, 305 Napier, General Sir William, death of his daughter, 308; suffering from rheumatism, 309 Naples, 423 ; diplomatic difficulties at, 298 Naples, King of, 44 Napoleon I., Emperor, 4 ; his pride of birth, 4 ; qualities and weak- ness, 310 Neale, Comtesse Pauline, 80 ; her career, 104 ; at Apethorpe, 295 ; on the illness of King Frederick William IV. ,318-321 ; her shyness, 326, 350 ; admiration for Emperor Louis Napoleon, 35 1 ; on the recep- tion of Princess Royal in Berlin, 354-356 ; impressions of her, 361 ; birthday, 362, 399 ; visit from the Princess of Prussia, 362, 398; grief at the death of Count Alvens- leben, 365 ; on the departure of the King of Prussia for Italy, 369- 372 ; on the death of Count Hatz- feldt, 381 ; rejoicings at the birth of Prince Frederick William, 382- 385 ; first sight of the baby, 386 ; solicitude for Emperor Louis Napoleon, 389 ; present at the celebrations of the Prince of Prussia's birthday, 401 ; at the Princess Royal's first party, 402 ; on the characteristics of Baron Humboldt, 412 ; the Coronation festivities, 426; death, 469; letters from Lady Westmorland, 167, 176-179, 187-192, 198, 201-204, 237-239, 240, 241-243, 244-250, 256-258, 259-270, 272, 273, 302, 316-318, 324, 352-354, 356, 359, 366, 368, 390, 391. 408-411, 417- 419, 423, 425, 427, 428. 430-44S. 448, 449, 4S8-460. 461-464. 465- 468 ; letters to Lady Westmor- land, 318-323,325-329,350,354-356, 357. 358-366, 367, 369-378, 380- 390, 397-404, 411-417. 420, 421, 424, 426, 429, 468 Nemours, Due de, his daughter, 433 Nemours, Duchess of, herdeath,324 Nesselrode, Count, at Peterwaldau, 18 ; his conversation with Prince Metternich, 316 ' Nesselrode Memoirs,' extract from, 10 note Netherlands, Prince Frederick of the, 370 Neuchatel, Republic of, disturbance in, 300 INDEX 481 Neumann, Lady Augusta, 143 Newcastle, Duke of, publication of his Life, 304 Ney, Edgar, 354 Norfolk, Duke of, Master of the Horse, 79 Norreys, Lady, 84 Norton, Mrs., 225 Nugent, Count, 218 Nugent, Mdlle., her intimacy with the Empress Eugenie, 259 ; her fimier, 259 Nuneham, 89 Nussdorff, 198, 202 O'SuUivan, Comte, Belgian Minister at Vienna, 230, 262 Oberhoff, 56 Obrenovitsch, Princess, 187, 264 Ohsson, Mme. d', 204 Olmiitz, meeting of the Emperor of Russia and Austria at, 219 Oregon boundary dispute, 74 Orleanist Party, 183 Orleans, Duchess of, 144 Orloff wounded, 2i6 Orsini plot, 330, 334, 351, 388 Osborne, Ixard Sidney, 328 Ostend, 58, 59 Oubril, Mme. de, 290 Oultrement, Countess d', 143 Owen, Mr. Thomas, 184 Oxford, 441 Palmella, M., 9 Palmer, Mr., 342 Palmerston, Lady, 65 ; her relations with Lady Westmorland, 87 ; at Windsor Castle, 96, 97 Palmerston, Lord, in the House of Lords, 76 ; on retaining Lord Westmorland in office, 78, 81 ; at Windsor Castle, 96, 97 ; hostile attitude, 167 note ; defeated on the Conspiracy Bill, 304, 359 ; his Alien or Refugee Act, 335; at Woburn Abbey, 344 ; his visit to Emperor Louis Napoleon, 345 ; death, 466 ' Panmure Papers,' publication of the, 304 Paris, allied armiesenter, i ; Council of War at, 276 Paris, Comte de, 464 Faskewitsch at Jassy, 220 Paton, A. A., 'The Goth and the Hun,' 224 Peace, prospects for, 276; pro- claimed, 276 Peel, General, 454 Peel, Lady, 151 Peel, Sir Robert, his Tamworth manifesto, 35 ; interview with the Duke of Wellington, 45, 91 ; re- peal of the Corn Laws, 55 ; management of the Sugar Ques- tion, 59 ; admiration for Queen Victoria, 65 ; Irish Coercion Bill, 72 ; praise of Cobden, 72, 76 ; political position, 73 ; separation from the Conservative Party, 76 ; explanation of his praise of Cob- den, 90 ; views on the Protectionist Party, 99 ; wish to conciliate, loi ; fall from his horse, 150 ; death, 151 ; truthfulness, 408 Pepinster, railway accident at, 148 Perigord, Mme. Edmond de, 25 Perponcher, Count, 385 Perponcher, Comtesse Antoinette 355 Persigny, French Ambassador in England, 392, 407 Pesth, 164, 423 Peterwaldau, Castle of, 15, 18 Phipps, Sir Charles, Equerry, 88 Piedmont invaded by Austria, 379 Pischek, 60 Pius IX., Pope, mission to, 128 note Pole, Mrs., 7 Ponsonby, Hon. Gerald, 147; his characteristics, 150 ; private secretary to Lord Clarendon, 150 Ponsonby, Lord, 79, 86 ' Portfolio,' publication of, 46 note Portugal, King Pedro V. of, his marriage, 366 Portuguese Question, 99 Potocki, Count, 398 Potsdam, 112; palace at, 414 Pozzo di Borgo, Count, his career, r ; Russian Ambassador at Paris, i ; at Stockholm, 3 ; meeting with Mme. de Stael, 4 ; impressions of Sweden, 5 ; at St. Petersburg, 6 ; on the characteristics of Mme. de Stael, 7, 15 ; at Kalisch, 8 ; Carlscrona, 11; Stralsund, 12; friendship with Lady Burghersh, 13 ; account of his duties, 14 ; at Peterwaldau, 15 ; Paris, 17 ; on the report of his marriage, 32 ; letters from, 2-20, 32, 49 Prague, 423 ; negotiations of, 18 Pratt, Van, 59 Precedency Question, 32, 50 Prussia joins Russia, 7 note ; open- ing of the first Diet, 108, 114 31 482 INDEX Prussia, Prince Alexander of, 385 Prussia, Princess Alexandrine, her birth, 378 Prussia, Queen Augusta of, her coronation, 426; receives Lady Westmorland, 442 ; at Windsor, 443. See Prussia, Princess of Prussia, Queen Elizabeth of, at Schonbrunn, 177 ; receives Lady Westmorland, 177 ; devotion to her husband, 319, 371 ; appear- ance, 326 ; religious views, 349 ; accusations against, 369 Prussia, Prince Frederick of, 363 Prussia, Prince Frederick Charles, 354 Prussia, King Frederick William IV. of, at Cologne, 54 ; his relations with the Prince of Prussia, 65 ; project of a Constitution, 66-68 ; artistic tastes, 103 ; character- istics, 116 ; mismanagement of the revolution in Berlin, 119; orders the Prince of Prussia to England, 120 ; warning from Prince Metternich, 128 ; dissolves the Second Chamber, 138 ; gives a gala theatre, 139 ; on the death of the Duke of Wellington, 165 ; his illness, 195, 304, 318-320 ; on the prospect of peace, 195 ; im- proved condition, 321, 388 ; mode of life, 325 ; trials of his illness, 328 ; departure for Italy, 369 ; piety, 371, 404 ; at Rome, 380 Prussia, Prince Frederick WiUiam of, his betrothal, 285 ; marriage, 334. 349. 353 ; present at the funeral of the Prince Consort, 428 ; speech at the Royal Academy of Arts, 431 ; receives Princess Alexandra in London, 440 Prussia, Prince Frederick William Victor Albert, his birth, 382 ; appearance, 387 Prussia, Prince George of, 385 Prussia, Princess Frederick William of. See Royal, Princess Prussia, Queen Louise of, 104 ; birth of her daughter Alexandrine, 378 Prussia, Princess Louise of, 180 ; her confirmation, 264 ; marriage, 273, 286, 293. See Baden Prussia, Prince of, 55 ; takes re- fuge in England, 113, 131; at the opening of the first Prussian Diet, 115 ; appointed Governor of the Rhenish Provinces, 120 ; ordered to England, 120; meet- ings against his return, 121 ; character, 131 ; visits to Lady Westmorland, 149, 178 ; conver- sation with Schmerling, 149 ; ap- pointed Regent, 304, 322, 349 ; illness of his brother, 319 ; Com- mander-in-Chief on the Rhine, 320 ; attack of influenza, 326 ; difficulties of his position, 326, 370, 374, 399 ; sprains his ankle, 360 ; character of his govern- ment, 374 ; celebrations of his birthday, 401 ; coronation, 426. See William I. Prussia, Princess of, 55 ; her wish to meet Queen Victoria, 62 ; at Windsor Castle, 96 ; at the open- ing of the first Diet, 114 ; return to Berlin, 139 ; her portrait, 140 ; on the death of her father, 179 ; the betrothal of her son, 285, 288 ; marriage of her daughter, 293 ; on the illness of the King, 323, 334 ; present at the marriage of her son, 353 ; her appearance, 353 ; visits Comtesse Pauline Neale, 362 ; her illness, 371 ; sufferings from the blow on her head, 409 ; coronation, 426 ; letters from, 179, 276-278, 285, 288, 293, 323, 333, 366. See Augusta, Queen Prussia, King William I. of, his coronation at Konigsberg, 426 ; grief at the death of Prince Radziwill, 470 Pruth, the, 218 Piickler, Prince, 402 Putbus, Princess, 428 Quarterly Review, articje on the vin- dication of Lord Raglan, 304 Rachel, Mile., 80, 85; her appear- ance, 88 Radziwill, Prince G., his death, 469 Radziwill, Princess Louise, 412 Radical Parochial Association of St. Giles, extract of meeting, 40-42 Raglan, Lady, her illness, 241 ; at Windsor Castle, 248 ; marriage of her son, 302 Raglan, Lord, 9 note, 87 ; ap- pointed Commander-in-Chief in the Crimea, 186, igi, 192; part- ing with his wife and daughters, 201 ; illness of his daughter INDEX 483 Charlotte, 201 ; successes in the war, 242, 243 ; accusations against, 249 ; letter from Queen Victoria, 249 ; suflferings, 252 ; difficulties of his position, 260 ; death, 265, 267 ; honourable conduct, 282 ; vindication, 304 Raglan, Richard, Lord, 269, 408 ; his marriage, 302 ; at Berlin, 366 ' Ragusa, Duke of,' 310 Raikes, Sir Thomas, his Memoirs, 390, 402 Randell, Miss, 28 Rauch, the sculptor, 103, igo ; his death, 328 Redern, Count, 196, 334 Reed, Mme. de, her illness, 88 Reform Bill, 346 ; difficulties re- sulting from, 37 ; amendment on the proposed, 396 Reuss, Prince, 354 Revue des deux Mondes, article in, 218 ' Revue Retrospective, ' letters pub- lished in the, 132, 133 Rhenish Provinces, 120, 136 Rhine, the, 109 Ricketts, Captain, 275 Rocca, M. de, 20 ; letter from, 21- 23 ; at Geneva, 22 ; death of his wife, 28 ; his son, 29 Rochecotte, 34, 389 Roebuck, Mr., his vote of censure on the Government, 249 note, 251 note Rossi, Mme. , 89, 234. See Sontag Rosslyn, Lord, 48 Royal, Princess, her betrothal, 285 ; marriage, 334, 349, 353 ; recep- tion in Berlin, 354-356 ; at Char- lottenburg, 361 ; takes possession of her new palace, 373 ; qualities, 374. 377; birth of a son, 379, 382 ; first party, 402 ; prevented from coming to England, 409 ; characteristics, 416 ; tact, 416, 417 ; grief at the death of her father, 429 ; present at the mar- riage of her brother, 441 ; estab- lishes a hospital, 470 Rudge, Mr., 98 Rugen, island of, no Russell, Arthur, his vote for the Conspiracy Bill, 337 Russell, Lord John, 38; charged with the formation of a new Ministry, 72 ; relations with the Duke of Wellington, 75 ; hopes for the support of the Protec- tionist Party, 76; on the total repeal of the Corn Laws, 87 ; Plenipotentiary at the Vienna Conference, 237, 256 ; resigna- tion, 251 ; present at the baptism of the Empress of Austria's daughter, 257 ; confidence of his party, 306 ; opposition to the Alien or Refugee Act, 335 Russell, Lord Odo, appointed to go with Lord Napier to America, 305 ; Charge d' Affaires at Rome, 345; advice from Lord Palmer- ston, 345 Russell, Lady William, 313, 453 Russell, Lord William, his death, 91 Russia joined by Prussia, 7 note Russia, Emperor Alexander I. of, at Kalisch, 7 note, 8 ; gift to the Duke of Wellington, 18 Russia, Emperor Alexander II. of, his coronation, 299 Russia, Grand Duchess Helen of, 108 Russia, Emperor Nicholas of, at Olmiitz, 219 ; on the negotiations for peace, 227 ; wish for peace, 248 ; death, 256 Russia, Empress of, 70 Russians, reported retreat from Wallachia, 235 ; routed at the Battle of Alma, 240 ; number of wounded, 241 ; losses at Sebas- topol, 262 Rustchuck, 231 ; allied army at, 232 Sadowa, Battle of, 447, 468 Sagan, Dorothea, Duchesse de, 25 note, 32, 109, 280, 321 : at the opening of the first Prussian Diet, 115 Sainte-Beuve at Compiegne, 422 Salamanca, Battle of, 10 Sardinia, war against Austria, 379 Sardou, M., at Compiegne, 422 Savoy, Princess Clothilde of, her marriage, 388, 400 Saxe- Weimar, Duke of, 179, 433 Saxe- Weimar, Herman, Prince of, 433 Scarborough, 465 Schadow, his portrait, 432 Schlegel, A. W., on the sufferings and death of Mme. de Stael, 26- 30 Schlenitz, M. de, 385 31—2 484 INDEX Schleswig-Holstein War, 447, 448 Schlick, General, 206; leaves Vienna for Galicia, 226 ; number of his army, 226 Schmerling, President of the Frank- fort Assembly, 149 Schoffgotsch, Count, 113 Schonbrunn, 177 Schreiber, Captain F., 147 Schwartzenberg, Prince Felix, 160 Schwartzenberg, Princess, 225, 262 Schwerin, Grand Duke Mecklen- burg, 89 note Sebastopol, investment of, 237, 242 ; fall of, 271 ' Secrets de la Monarchie Autri- chienne,' publication of, 393 Seymour, Sir H., appointed Am- bassador at Vienna, 274 Sharleston, inauguration of the school at, 433 Shelley, Lady, 77 Silesia, 15 note, iS Silistria, fortress of, 208 ; siege, 216, 217 Simpheropol, 262 Smith, Mr. Culling, his death, 175 Smithett, Captam, 58 Smock, the courier, 86 Sneyd, Ralph, 437 Solferino, defeat of the Austrians at, 417 Solvyns, Mr., Secretary of Lega- tion, 143 Somerset, Hon. Charlotte, her ill- ness, 201 Somerset, Lady Fitzroy, 9 ; in Paris, 19 ; her appearance, 19 Somerset, Lord Fitzroy, 9 note, 46. See Raglan Somerset, Hon. Katherine, 267 Sontag, Henriette, 89 note ; her appearance, 155 Sophia, Princess, 95 Sotomayor, 64 Southampton, 155 Spain, Queen Christina of, 388 Spain, Queen Isabella of, dispute on the question of her marriage, 132 Spencer, Lord, Chamberlain, 79 Stael, Mme. de, 2, 183 note ; her meeting with Count Pozzo at Stockholm, 4 ; characteristics, 7, 15 ; sympathy on the death of I^dy Burghersh's baby, 23 ; sufferings and death, 26, 27 ; funeral, 28 ; letters from, 20, 23, 23 Stanley, Miss Mary, 442 Stanley, Dr., 441 ; his works, 442 ; travels in the Holy Land, 442 ; affection for the Prince of Wales, 442 Stanley, Lord, 99 ; his speech at Lynn, 341 Stansfeld, Mr., his intimacy with Mazzini, 455 Stein, Baron de, 8 Stewart, General, 11, 12 Stockholm, 3 ; its position, 3 ; palace, 3 Stockmar, Baron, 84 Stolberg, Count, his death, 189 Stolzenfels, 62, 63, 109 Stralsund, 11, 12 Stratford de Redcliffe, Lady, 268 Stratford de Redcliffe, Lord, 207, 360 Strathfieldsaye, 48 Strelitz, 108 Sugar Question, 59, 89 Sussex, Duke of, 32 Sutherland, Duchess of. Mistress of the Robes, 78 Sweden, 3, 223 ; characteristics of the country, 3 Sydenham, Colonel, 22 Taglioni, 83 ; style of her daticing, 94 Talleyrand, M. de, 26 Talleyrand, Prince, Ambassador in London, 29, 31 ; his career, 31 ; qualities, 32 ; letters from, 34, 35, 49 Tamworth Manifesto, 35 note Taschereau, M., publishes letters in the ' Revue Retrospective,' 133 Tavistock, Lord, 341 ; his infirm health, 341 note Teck, H.R.H. Duchess of, 244 Teleki, Count, 457 note Teleki, Countess, 457 ; her abuse of Garibaldi, 438 Temple, Sir W., 95 Thiers, M. de, his ' History of the Consulate and Empire,' 300, 310 Thomson, Archbishop and Mrs., 465 Thuringian Hills, 34, 36 Tilsit, I Toplitz, Treaty, signed at, 16 note Torgau, 6 Trieste, 245 Tryon, Admiral Sir George, 247 note INDEX 485 Tryon, Captain, his death, 247 Tuscany, Duke of, reinstated, 379 Twiss, Sir Travers, 271 Typhus, epidemic of, at Simphero- pol, 262 Unruh, Mr., President of the Ger- man Assembly, 136 Usedom, Baron, appointed to ne- gotiate the treaty with Denmark, Valenyay, 34 Varna, 222 Venetia, subject to Austria, 379 Vera Cruz, 449 Verviers, 149 Victor Emmanuel, King, his annoy- ance at the reception of Garibaldi in London, 451 Victoria, Princess, her visit to "Walmer Castle, 42 Victoria, Queen, her first visit to Germany, 55 ; change in her views towards Sir R. Peel, 59 ; conversation with Lady West- morland, 61-63, 129-131, 152-153 ; her wish to see the Princess of Prussia, 62 ; at the Isle of Wight, 65 ; on forming a new Govern- ment, 72 ; her wish to retain Lord Westmorland in office, 77 ; letter of thanks to Ixjrd Aberdeen, 79 ; mode of spending her evenings at Windsor Castle, 96 ; relations with Lord Palmerston, 98 ; her children, 98 ; views on the plan of a United Germany, 129 ; grief at the death of Sir R. Peel, 152 ; birth of Prince Arthur, 154 ; birth of Prince Leopold, 173 ; receives Lord Burghersh at Balmoral, 243; admiration for Lord Raglan, 248 ; letter to him, 249 ; death of her step-brother, 302 ; death of Prince Consort, 428 ; her recep- tions, 463 ; dress, 464 Vienna, disturbances in, 113; char- acteristics of the Society, 160 ; rejoicings on the recovery of the Emperor, 170; Conference at, 237 Villefranche, Peace of, 408, 420 Villiers, Lady Clementina, 323 Villiers, Lady Sarah, her marriage, 180 note. See Esterhazy Virginia Water, 97 Vistula, 7 Voss, Countess, 378 Waldstein, Mme., 223 Wales, Prince of, his visit to Berlin, 376 ; height, 418 ; marriage, 422, 440 ; visit to Vienna, 430 ; grief at the loss of his tutor, 434 ; re- ception of Princess Alexandra, 439 ; characteristics, 442 Wales, Princess of, her marriage, 422, 440; appearance, 441 Walewski, Count, his influence on the Conspiracy Bill, 330 Wallachia, Russians prepare to evacuate, 218 ; reported retreat from, 235 Walmer Castle, 31, 39, 42 Walpole, Mr., disagrees with the proposed Reform Bill, 397 Warsaw, 8, 149 Waterloo, Battle of, 17 Webster, Henry, 275 Wellesley, Lady Anne, 173 note Wellesley, Dr. Gerald, his marriage, 293 Wellesley, Marquis, his death, 55 Wellington, Duchess of, 312 Wellington, Duke of, 10 ; at Paris, 18 ; gift from the Emperor Alex- ander, 18 ; entertainments, 25 ;' confidential terms with Lady Burghersh, 32 ; visits to her, 37, 45 ; on the difficulties resulting from the Reform Bill, 37 ; inter- view with Peel, 45 ; his policy of waiting, 45 ; views on the Prece- dency Question, 30-52 ; relations with Lord J. Russell, 73 ; meet- ing with Peel, 91 ; at Windsor Castle, 96; on Peel's wish to conciliate, loi ; death, iii, 161, 164 ; funeral, in ; present at the marriage of Lord Burghersh, 145 Went worth, 423 Werther, Baron, 383 Westmorland, Lady, at Berlin, 54, 114, 193 ; grief at the death of her uncle, 55 ; at Coburg, 56 ; at Laeken, 38-60; dines at the Palace, 61 ; conversations with Queen Victoria, 61-63, 129-131, 152-153 ; meeting with Bunsen, 65-70 ; on the change of Ministry, 72, 359 ; visits to the Duke of Wellington, 80, 85, loi ; her letter to Lord Palmerston on 486 INDEX Lord Westmorland's remaMng at Berlin, 82 ; relations with Lady Palmerston, 87; on the damage caused by a storm, 93 ; at Wind- sor Castle, 96; conversation with Sir R. Peel, 98-100 ; life in Berlin, 103 ; friends, 103 ; death of her son Ernest, 109 ; recalled to Ei^gland on the death of her son George, 113, 122; on the open- ing of the first Prussian Diet, 114; her visit to Claremont, 114, 126 ; description of the revolution in Berlin, 11 9- 121; at Apethorpe, 122, 144; conversation with Baron Bunsen, 123-126; with Prince Metternich, 127,' 314-316 ; on the condition of affairs in Germany, 135.139 ; entertains the Congress of Princes, 139 ; at a gala theatre, 139 ; her portrait, 140 ; on the trial at Hanau, 140-142 ; at the marriage of her son Ernest, 144- 146 ; at Cambridge, 146 ; in a railway accident, 148 ; visit from the Prince of Prussia, 149, 178 ; conversation with Prince Albert, 154 ; return of her son Francis, 155 ; death of her mother, 157; grief at the death of the Duke of Wellington, 161 ; at Vienna, 162, 198, 237 ; received by the Queen of Prussia, 177 ; return to England, 186, 237 ; illness, 186, 212, 245 ; entertainments, 187, 190 ; distress at the appointment of Lord Raglan to command the troops in the Crimea, 191-193 ; dress for the wedding of the Emperor of Austria, 199 ; present at the re- ception of the Empress, 202 ; at Dover, 206 ; Brighton, 216 ; in London, 226 ; at the baths at Ischl, 227 ; on the Battle of Alma, 240 ; visit from her son Francis, 245 ; grief at the death of Lord Raglan, 263, 267 ; at Woburn Abbey, 302 ; her visit to Prince Metternich, 304, 316 ; on the marriage of Princess Royal, 352 ; improvements at Apethorpe, 367 ; on the birth of Prince Frederick William of Prussia, 390 ; con- versation with Lord Malmesbury, 405 ; on the death of Prince Metternich, 419; death of her husband, 422 ; illness of her son Francis, 422 ; at Compiigne, 422, 436, 444 ; Wentworth, 423 ; pre- sent at the inauguration of the school at Sharleston, 435 ; visit to the Grove, 437 ; on Princess Alexandra's procession through London, 438-440 ; at Oxford, 441 ; impressions of Emperor Louis Napoleon, 444 ; last years of her life, 447 ; on the reception and departure of Garibaldi, 449-461 ; at Folkestone, 461 ; Scarborough, 465; grief at the death of King Leopold, 466 Westmorland, Adelaide, Lady, at Compi^gne, 436 Westmorland, John, Lord, tenth Earl of, his death, 54 Westmorland, John, Lord, eleventh Earl of, appointed Minister at Berlin, 54 ; management of affairs, 69 ; reconciles the King of Hanover and the Duke of Brunswick, 69 ; continues at the Court of Berlin, 81 ; moved to Vienna, 160.; at Pesth, 164 ; on the condition of affairs in the Crimea. 209-224 ; anxiety about his wife, 212 ; negotiations with Buol and Bourquenay, 212, 226-229 ; at Olmiitz, 219 ; on the proposed reforms, 219 ; opinion of Russia's reply to the negotia- tions for peace, 227 : on the Crimean Expedition, 228 ; present at the Confei:ence, 232 ; applies for leave, 237 ; return to England, 237 ; resigns his post, 237, 272 ; present at the baptism of the Empress of Austria's daughter, 257 ; at Apethorpe, 274 ; Special Envoy to Brussels, 276 ; opinion of Dr. Croly's sermon, 279 ; refused acceptance of King Leopold's decoration, 289 ; pre- sent at the debate on the Crimea, 311 ; proposed tour abroad, 313 ; portrait, 314 ; death, 422 ; letters from, 60, 164, 206-236, 274, 278- 280, 289, 311-314 White-Melville, Lady Catherine, death of her daughter, 328 note Wildaner, Mme., 107 William IV., King, his treatment of his Ministers, 37 Willoughby, Lady, 423 Wimbledon, 422 Wimpffen, Count, 443 Windsor Castle, 96 INDEX 487 Wing, Rev. W., Rector of Stibbing- ton. 147, 273, 279 Witzleben, his sketches, 97 Wobum Abbey, 302 Wood, Charles, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 72 Worcester, Lady, her appearance, 19 Wrangel, General, 123, 461 Wurlemberg, King of, 433 Yarmouth, 8 • Yotige, Miss, ' Heartsease,' 262 York, Archbishop Harcourt of, 60, 89 Yorke, Mr., 275 Zastrow, 354 Zichy, Melaine, Comtesse, 187 ; Grande Maltresse to the Arch- duchess Charlotte, 448 THE END BILLING AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, GUILDFORD