three we went in our britzka
with post horses, through a torrent of rain, to West Cliff House, by
appointment, to visit H.R.H. the Princess Sophia Matilda. She received
us most kindly, and was very chatty. She spoke on many different
subjects, including the slave trade and the prevailing epidemics; also
of her proposed visit to Brighton, which she hoped would agree with
her. We then spoke of the Queen and the Duchess of Kent. Judith said
she hoped the Queen would build a palace at Ramsgate. Her Royal
Highness replied, she could not recommend the expense, as it would be
talked of a hundred years after; it was all very well just at first.
We remained more than half-an-hour, and on our taking leave, Her Royal
Highness shook hands with Judith most kindly, and said she was happy
in having made her acquaintance. During our visit she also spoke of
her brother, the late King, and on each occasion the tears came into
her eyes. She appeared in very good health, and fond of retirement."

On the 24th of September Mr Montefiore writes:--"Her Royal Highness
the Princess Sophia Matilda paid Judith a visit yesterday, and
remained with her an hour and a half. She had first appointed to come
on Friday if I had been at home, then on Monday or Tuesday, but Judith
wrote that we were going to London in the middle of the week, and
would be happy to see Her Royal Highness on Saturday. She was most
gracious and agreeable."

_Wednesday, September 27th._--Mr Montefiore called at the Mansion
House and saw the Lord Mayor and Mr Croft, who accepted the new
Sheriffs' invitation for Wednesday, the 11th October. According to an
ancient custom Mr Montefiore, as Sheriff, should have dined with the
Lord Mayor on Friday, the 29th, but he apologized for his inability to
do so on account of the Sabbath commencing in the evening.

_Thursday, the 28th._--"I cannot," he says, "but reflect with
gratitude on the Almighty's goodness to me: may He bless my endeavours
to be useful." He then gives the following account of the day's
proceedings:--"At ten I entered our state carriage, Mr Wire having
come for me in his, and we drove to Cavendish Square, where Mr George
Carrol in his state carriage took the lead, he being the senior
Sheriff, on account of his having been proposed to the Livery by the
Lord Mayor. We proceeded to the Merchant Taylors' Hall, where we found
sixteen of their members, and sixteen of the Spectacle makers, besides
some few friends of Mr Geor