reason I always
screamed when I saw him! I had a great horror of _Bishops_ on account
of their wigs and _aprons_, but recollect this being partially
got over in the case of the then Bishop of Salisbury (Dr Fisher,
great-uncle to Mr Fisher, Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales),
by his kneeling down and letting me play with his badge of Chancellor
of the Order of the Garter. With another Bishop, however, the
persuasion of showing him my 'pretty shoes' was of no use. Claremont
remains as the brightest epoch of my otherwise rather melancholy
childhood--where to be under the roof of that beloved Uncle--to listen
to some music in the Hall when there were dinner-parties--and to go
and see dear old Louis!--the former faithful and devoted Dresser and
friend of Princess Charlotte--beloved and respected by all who knew
her--and who doted on the little Princess who was too much an idol in
the House. This dear old lady was visited by every one--and was the
only really devoted Attendant of the poor Princess, whose governesses
paid little real attention to her--and who never left her, and was
with her when she died. I used to ride a donkey given me by my Uncle,
the Duke of York, who was very kind to me. I remember him well--tall,
rather large, very kind but extremely shy. He always gave me beautiful
presents. The last time I saw him was at Mr Greenwood's house, where
D. Carlos lived at one time,--when he was already very ill,--and he
had Punch and Judy in the garden for me.

[Pageheading: EARLY REMINISCENCES]

"To Ramsgate we used to go frequently in the summer, and I remember
living at Townley House (near the town), and going there by steamer.
Mamma was very unwell. Dear Uncle Leopold went with us.

"To Tunbridge Wells we also went, living at a house called Mt.
Pleasant, now an Hotel. Many pleasant days were spent here, and the
return to Kensington in October or November was generally a day of
tears.

"I was brought up very simply--never had a room to myself till I was
nearly grown up--always slept in my Mother's room till I came to the
Throne. At Claremont, and in the small houses at the bathing-places,
I sat and took my lessons in my Governess's bedroom. I was not fond of
learning as a little child--and baffled every attempt to teach me my
letters up to 5 years old--when I consented to learn them by their
being written down before me.

[Pageheading: GEORGE IV.]

"I remember going to Carlton House, when George IV.