higher
orders, and against property. The fountain from which they draw
their opinions is a Sunday paper called the 'Watchman,' which is
universally and greedily read: it is cleverly written,
accommodated to their taste, and flatters all their worst
propensities. Few people know these things and are aware of the
poison that is thus circulating through the veins, and corrupting
the blood, of the social mass. The desire for instruction and
knowledge seems very general among the lower orders. Eden, with
some others, has established evening lectures upon various
subjects, which are crowded by anxious and attentive listeners of
all ages and callings, who frequently hurry from their daily
occupations, impatient to partake of the instruction which Eden
and his curates, and often some of the better informed
inhabitants of the place, are in the habit of dispensing.

[1] Afterwards Bishop of Bath and Wells.

September 15th, 1838 {p.132}

[Page Head: AN INVITATION TO WINDSOR.]

Yesterday again at Windsor for a Council. I had made up my mind
not to stay if invited, and meant to hasten away; but before I
could do so Melbourne came after me and said, 'You will stay
here? the Queen desired me to ask you.' I said I had no evening
dress, had come by the railroad, and walked from Slough; could
not assume that I should be asked, and did not know what to do.
He said, 'She meant it as a civility, and thought you would like
it.' There was a sort of reproach conveyed in the tone, and that
induced me to say, 'So I should if I had only known of it, but as
it is I can send for my things if you like.' He ended by desiring
I would do what I liked best myself, promised that he would take
care the Queen was not offended, and that nobody else would know
anything of the matter. I accordingly resolved to go, and went
away with Lord Albemarle. My mind misgave me, and I had a great
mind to stay, especially as Lord Albemarle told me they did not
mean to turn me out after dinner, but that sleeping there was a
matter of course. Then I was sorry I had not stayed, which I
might just as well have done, for I had nothing else to do. At
these Councils we meet in common morning dress, which we used not
to do.

London, October 26th, 1838 {p.133}

A blank month: to Newmarket, to Buckenham, back to Newmarket, to
Cromer (fine, wild, bleak coast), Buckenham again, Newmarket,
London, Norman Court, and here again; heard nothing, learnt
nothing, alto