and Lady Mary Grimston looked
quite beautiful. At about half-past four I re-entered my carriage,
the Crown on my head, and the Sceptre and Orb in my hands, and we
proceeded the same way as we came--the crowds if possible having
increased. The enthusiasm, affection, and loyalty were really
touching, and I shall ever remember this day as the _Proudest_ of my
life! I came home at a little after six, really _not_ feeling tired.

[Pageheading: INCIDENTS OF THE CORONATION]

At eight we dined. Besides we thirteen--my Uncles, sister, brother,
Spaeth, and the Duke's gentlemen--my excellent Lord Melbourne and Lord
Surrey dined here. Lord Melbourne came up to me and said: "I must
congratulate you on this most brilliant day," and that all had gone
off so well. He said he was not tired, and was in high spirits. I
sat between Uncle Ernest[22] and Lord Melbourne; and Lord Melbourne
between me and Feodore, whom he had led in. My kind Lord Melbourne was
much affected in speaking of the whole ceremony. He asked kindly if I
was tired; said the Sword he carried (the first, the Sword of State)
was excessively heavy. I said that the Crown hurt me a good deal. He
was so much amused at Uncle Ernest's being astonished at our still
having the Litany. We agreed that the whole thing was a very fine
sight. He thought the robes, and particularly the Dalmatic, "looked
remarkably well." "And you did it all so well--excellent!" said he,
with tears in his eyes. He said he thought I looked rather pale and
"moved by all the people" when I arrived; "and that's natural;
and that's better." The Archbishop's and Dean's copes, which were
remarkably handsome, were from James the Second's time; the very same
that were worn at his Coronation, Lord Melbourne told me. Spoke of the
Bishop of Durham's awkwardness, Lord Rolle's fall, etc. Of the Duc
de Nemours being like his father in face; of the young ladies'
(train-bearers') dresses; which he thought beautiful; and he said
he thought the Duchess of Richmond (who had ordered the make of the
dresses, etc., and had been much condemned by some of the young ladies
for it) quite right. She said to him: "One thing I was determined
about; that I would have no discussion with their Mammas about it."
Spoke of Talleyrand and Soult having been very much struck by the
ceremony of the Coronation; of the English being far too generous
_not_ to be kind to Soult. Lord Melbourne went home the night before,
and slept very deeply