red with terror or pathos,
and in one way or another calculated to convey the strongest
excitement upon the last subject with which excitement ought to
have anything to do. Pious stimulants, devout drams, this is trying
to do good, but I think mistaking the way....

In the evening we went to Lady Farquhar's; this was a finer party,
as it is called, than the last, but not so pleasant. All the world
was there. Mrs. Norton the magnificent, and that lovely sister of
hers, Mrs. Blackwood (afterwards Lady Dufferin), crowned like
Bacchantes with grapes, and looking as beautiful as dreams. Heaps
of acquaintance and some friends....

_Sunday, 10th._-- ... In the evening I read Daru. What fun that
riotous old Pope Julius is! Poor Gaston de Foix! It was young to
leave life and such well-begun fame. The extracts from Bayard's
life enchant me. I am glad to get among my old acquaintance again.
Mr. Harness came in rather late and said all manner of kind things
about "The Star of Seville," but I was thinking about his play all
the while; it does not seem to me that the management is treating
him well. If it does not suit the interests of the theater to bring
it out now, he surely should be told so, and not kept in a state of
suspense, which cannot be delightful to any author, however little
of an egotist he may be.

_Monday, 20th._--Went to Kensington Gravel Pits to see Lady
Calcott, and sat with her a long time. That dying woman, sitting in
the warm spring sunlight, surrounded with early-blowing hyacinths,
the youngest born of the year, was a touching object. She is a
charming person, so full of talent and of goodness. She talked with
her usual cheerfulness and vivacity. Presently Sir Augustus came
down from the painting-room to see me.... I could hardly prevent
myself from crying, and I am afraid I looked very sad. As I was
going away and stooped to kiss her, she sweetly and solemnly bade
"God bless me," and I thought her prayer was nearer to heaven than
that of most people....

_Tuesday, 21st._-- ... After tea dropped John at Mr. Murray's in
Albemarle Street, and went on to the theater to see the new opera;
our version of "Robert the Devil." The house was very full. Henry
Greville was there, with the Mitfords and Mrs. Bradshaw. What an
extraordina