WIVES OF THE PRIME MINISTERS
"April 1840.—Dined at the Archbishop of York's, meeting the Queen Dowager, also the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Lady Harrington, etc. The Queen heard me speak of some one who was ill, and asked me all about it when we came upstairs. She beckoned to me to sit down by her. The Duchess of Cambridge very kind and talkative to me, speaking of our marriage at Hawarden, Mary's and mine, upon the same day, and the Queen joined in the conversation and also talked to William.
"I sat next to Guizot at Mr. Hallam's; he only made out my husband towards the end of dinner. He spoke English to me. We also met Mr. and Mrs. Grote (she is dreadful), the Bishop of London, George Lewis, Mrs. Austin, Dr.[1] and Mrs. Hawtrey.
"To a party at Buckingham Palace, arriving in time to see the Queen[2] enter the room. She does this more gracefully than I can possibly describe; it is quite a thing to see. Prince George of Cambridge talked to me. Lord Melbourne looked aged and careworn.
"At Northumberland House we met the Duke of Wellington—interesting to watch the people's manners with him. He went out of his way to speak to William."
166
