o princes last night.
They were playing billiards. The Prince of Wales asked
particularly, as always, about you and Willy.

_Sept. 28._--I must be brief as I have been out riding with Sir C.
and Miss Phipps to Alt-na-Guisach (the Queen's cottage), and came
in _late_. Be assured all is very comfortable and restful here. I
think too that I feel the air very invigorating, my room is
pleasant and cheerful on the ground floor, with a turret
dressing-room. ... I am pretty much master of my time. To-day I
have heard nothing of the Queen. Last evening I was summoned to
dine, as was Lady Churchill. It was extremely interesting. We were
but seven in all, and anything more beautifully domestic than the
Queen and her family it was impossible to conceive. The five were
her Majesty, Prince and Princess Louis, Prince Alfred, and
Princess Helena. Princess Louis (whom the Queen in speaking of
still calls Princess Alice) asked about you all. I had the
pleasure of hearing the good report of Lucy altogether confirmed
from her lips and _the Queen's_. The Queen thinks her like her
dear mother. She talked about many things and persons; among
others the Lyttelton family, and asked about the boys _seriatim_,
but pulled me up at once when, in a fit of momentary oblivion, I
said the New Zealander was the third. She spoke of the chancellor
and of Roundell Palmer; I had a good opportunity of speaking him
_up_, and found she had his book of hymns. She spoke very freely
about the chancellor; and I heard from her that the
attorney-general resigns on the score of health--of course Palmer
succeeds. Prince Alfred is going to Edinburgh to study; he is a
smart fellow, and has plenty of go in him.

_Sept. 29._--I have just come in at 6-1/2 from a fine hill walk of
over three hours, quite ready for another were there light and
opportunity.

_Sept. 30._--I am come in from a nineteen mile walk to the Lake of
Lochnagar with Dr. Bekker, as fresh as a lark! Very wet. The Queen
sent me a message not to go up Lochnagar (top) if there was mist;
and mist there was, with rain to boot. I find the resemblance to
Snowdon rather striking. It is 3800 feet; we went up about 3300.
You forgot to tell me for what pious object you picked Lord P.'s
pocket. Nor do you distinctly tell me where to address, but as you
say three n