ecame with laughing
like what Falstaff says he will make Prince Henry's face, "like a
wet cloak ill laid up"(74) (_Phillimore_).

_Windsor Castle, Dec. 10._--Here I am with six candles blazing! of
which I shall put out a larger proportion when no longer afraid of
a visit from the great people about the passages. I got your
letter this morning, but I am amazed at your thinking I have the
pluck to ask the Princess of Wales! or the Queen!!! about
photographs promised or not promised.

In came the Dean; after that, a summons to the Queen, with whom I
have been an hour. She is well in health and in spirits, and when
she speaks of the Prince does it with a free, natural, and healthy
tone, that is most pleasing. I am to see the Prince of Wales after
dinner. I now therefore make sure of leaving to-morrow. The Queen
asked kindly about you, and I saw little Princess Beatrice.

III

_Aug. 31, 1863._--Walked 24-3/4 miles. Found it rather too much for
my stiffening limbs. My day of long stretches is, I think, gone
by.

_Balmoral, Sept. 26._--This place is on the whole very beautiful
and satisfactory; and Deeside at large has lost for me none of its
charms, with its black-green fir and grey rock, and its boundless
ranges of heather still almost in full bloom. The Queen spends a
good many hours out, and looks well, but older. I had a long
conversation or audience to-day, but as regards the form and mode
of life here, so far as I see, it does not differ for visitors
from Windsor. All meals and rooms are separate, but sometimes, it
appears, some are invited to dine with the Queen. The household
circle is smaller here than at Windsor, and so less formal and
dull. I doubt your doctrine about your message, but I will give it
if a good opportunity occurs. She talked very pleasantly and well
upon many matters public and other--(Do not go on reading this
aloud or give it to others). As to politics, she talked most of
America and Germany; also some Lancashire distress. She feels an
immense interest in Germany, her recollections of the Prince's
sentiments being in that, as in other matters, a barometer to
govern her sympathies and affections. She said (when I hoped she
had received benefit from the air here) that she thought she had
been better in Germany than anywhere, though it was exc