everal
people, got up, was much jostled in a crowd of human beings, and
came home--and that's society. We are asked to a great supper at
Chesterfield House, after a second representation which is to be
given of "Hernani." My mother thinks it is too much exertion and
dissipation for me, and as it is not a ball I do not care to go.

_Friday, May 27th._--At eight o'clock drove with my mother to
Bridgewater House. We went into the library, where there was
nobody, and Lady Francis, Henry Greville, and Lady Charlotte came
and sat with us. I was literally crying with fright. Lady Francis
took me to my dressing-room, my mother rouged me, blessed me, and
went off to join the audience assembled in the great gallery. I
went over my part once and my room a hundred times in every
direction. At nine they began; the audience very wisely were
totally in the dark, which threw out the brilliantly illuminated
stage to great advantage, and considering that they were the finest
folk in England they behaved remarkably well--listened quietly and
attentively, and applauded like Covent Garden galleries. It all
went well except poor Mr. Craven's first speech, in which he got
out. I don't know whether Lady L---- was among the spectators, and
gave him _des eblouissements_. It all went off admirably, however,
and oh, how glad I was when it was over!

_Saturday, May 28th._--I was awakened by a basket of flowers from
Cassiobury, and a letter from Theodosia. Old Foster is dead. I wish
he might be buried near the cottage. I should like to know where to
think of his resting-place, poor old man!...

In the evening Mrs. Jameson, the Fitzhughs, R---- P----, and a Mr.
K----, a friend of John's, and sundry and several came.... We acted
charades, and they all went away in high good humor.

_Sunday, May 29th._--An "eternal, cursed, cold, and heavy rain," as
Dante sings. My mother, A----, and I went to the Swiss church; the
service is shorter and more unceremonious than I like; that sitting
to sing God's praise, and standing to pray to Him, is displeasing
to all my instincts of devotion.

After church my mother was reading Milton's treatise on Christian
doctrine, and read portions of it aloud to me. I always feel afraid
of theological or controversial writings, and yet the faith t