Diary Illustrative Of The Times Of George The Fourth, Interspersed With Original Letters From The Late Queen Caroline, And From Various Other Distinguished Persons - Vol II (Paperback)

MEMOIRS. SECTION I. JUNE, Saturday 18th, 1814. I got a glimpse of once more before his departure. He my looks ill and dejected. The petty torments of the moment, with the hurry and bustle of departure, overcome softer regrets, and when under the in- fluence of the former, one is obliged to put off all tender feelings to a more convenient opportunity. This habit of drowning feeling, when too often repeated, ends by hardening the heart and those who are constantly engaged in the bustle or busi- ness or pleasures of life, should beware of this hardening influence, lest all that is noble in cha- racter should gradually be dried up, and the sources of affection and humanity totally fail, I again dined at Connaught House. There were present Sir William Gell, Dr. Parr, Mr. Charles Burney, and Mrs. and Miss R n. The two latter did not corne in till dinner was half over. The Princess who has conceived a hatred to Mrs. R because she would not consent to have her only child taken away from her was of course very much enraged at this cir- cumstance. At length Mrs. R made Her Royal Highness aware that they had been detained by the Princess Charlotte, who sent for them to Warwick House. After dinner, Mrs. R told the Princess that her daughter had received an answer from the Prince of Orange, which the Princess Charlotte deems very imper- tinent. In it, he states that he could not write to the PrinceR t, and that he onlyhoped she might never repent her determination. Upon which the Princess Charlotte wrote herself to her father, and to that letter she has received no answer. The Princess Charlotte desired Mrs.R tocom- municate this to her mother. This softened the Princesss wrath, but not against Mrs.R n. B.R n was ofcourse very happy, and very elated at dancing with the Emperor. That was natural. She thinks him charming which is natural tlso, whatever he may be in reality. Every body was going to DevonshireHouse. ThePrincess should be grateful to Lady C. Campbell for having taken an extra turn in waiting on Her Royal Highness at this particular time, as it puts her out of every thing that is grand and gay. T 3 The Princess went to the Opera. She was warmly applauded, but there were one or two hisses. However, the plaudits conquered, the actors sang God save the King, and all the house was forced to stand up. The Princess went away before the Opera was quite finished which was wise and Her Royal Highness set down Dr. Parr in Woodstock Street, and me at my own home. When we came to the end of Bond Street we passed a state carriage. At firstwe believed it to be the Regents but afterwards we heard it was the Emperors. I still believe itwas the Regents, as it was surrounded by guards. The mob who followed thought the same, and were groaning. Sunday, 19th.- I went to Kensington to hear Sidney Smith preach. I was agreeably disappointed byhearing one of the finest sermons I ever listened to in my life and I own I had expected nothing but courtly device. The Princess had asked me some days before if I did not think Mr. Sidney Smith a very fine preacher. I answered that I thought he might be so, but that I should there was a little too much of worldliness suppose and of stage effect in his matter and manner. She was displeased when I made this answer, and in like manner aijgry, when I confessed myself to have been touched and edified by his sermon. I dined at Kensington. Mr. Nugent, Mr. Lut-trell, Mr. Brougham, Mr. Ward, and Lord King were of the party. The latter is a very dull man...