Letters from England | Page 6

were staying there and there were Mr. and Mrs.

Atkinson and Miss Pratt, Mr. and Mrs. Aspinwall, Mr. and Miss Jay,
Mr. and Mrs. Putnam, Mr. Colman, Mr. Pickering, etc.
Wednesday Evening
On Monday we came to our HOME, preferring it to the hotel, though it
is not yet in order for our reception, and we have not yet all our
servants. Last evening we dined with Lord Morpeth at his father's
house. His family are all out of town, but he remains because of his
ministerial duties. Lord Morpeth took me out and I sat between him
and Sir George Grey. Your father took out Lady Theresa Lewis, who is
a sister of Lord Clarendon. She was full of intelligence and I like her
extremely. Baron and Lady Parke (a distinguished judge), Lady
Morgan, Mr. Mackintosh, Dr. and Mrs. Holland (Sidney Smith's
daughter), and Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Dexter, with several others were
the party.
During dinner one gentleman was so very agreeable that I wondered
who he could be, but as Lord Palmerston had told me that Mr.
Macaulay was in Edinburgh, I did not think of him. After the ladies left
the gentlemen, my first question to Mrs. Holland was the name of her
next neighbor. "Why, Mr. Macaulay," was her answer, and I was
pleased not to have been disappointed in a person of whom I had heard
so much. When the gentlemen came in I was introduced to him and
talked to him and heard him talk not a little.
These persons all came the next day to see us, which gave rise to fresh
invitations.
This morning we have been driving round to leave cards on the CORPS
DIPLOMATIQUE, and Mr. Harcourt has taken me all over the
Athenaeum Club-house, a superb establishment. They have given your
father an invitation to the Club, a privilege which is sometimes sought
for years, Mr. Harcourt says. . . . Have I not needed all my energies?
We have been here just a fortnight, and I came so ill that I could hardly
walk. We are now at housekeeping, and I am in the full career in
London society. They told me I should see no one until spring, but you
see we dine out or go out in the evening almost every day. . . . For the
gratification of S.D. or Aunt I., who may wonder how I get along in
dress matters, going out as I did in my plain black dress, I will tell you
that Mrs. Murray, the Queen's dressmaker, made me, as soon as I found
these calls and invitations pouring in, two dresses. One of black velvet,

very low, with short sleeves, and another of very rich black watered
silk, with drapery of black tulle on the corsage and sleeves. . . . I have
fitted myself with several pretty little head-dresses, some in silver,
some with plumes, but all white, and I find my velvet and silk suit all
occasions. I do not like dining with bare arms and neck, but I must.
Tuesday, November 17th
Last evening we passed at the Earl of Auckland's, the head of the
Admiralty. The party was at the Admiralty, where there is a beautiful
residence for the first lord. . . . I had a long talk with Lord Morpeth last
evening about Mr. Sumner, and told him of his nomination. He has a
strong regard for him. . . . Not a moment have I had to a London "lion."
I have driven past Westminster, but have not been in it. I have seen
nothing of London but what came in my way in returning visits.

LETTER: To I.P.D. LONDON, November 17, 1846

My dear Uncle: I cannot help refreshing the remembrance of me with
you and dear Aunty by addressing a separate letter to you. . . .
Yesterday we hailed with delight our letters from home. . . . One feels
in a foreign land the absence of common sympathies and interests,
which always surround us in any part of our own country. And yet
nothing can exceed the kindness with which we have been received
here.
Last evening I went to my first great English dinner and it was a most
agreeable one. . . . It seems a little odd to a republican woman to find
herself in right of her country taking precedence of marchionesses, but
one soon gets used to all things. We sat down to dinner at eight and got
through about ten. When the ladies rose, I found I was expected to go
first. After dinner other guests were invited and to the first person who
came in, about half-past ten, Lady Palmerston said: "Oh, thank you for
coming so early." This was