CHAPTER II.
THE PRINCESS’S BIRTHDAY—SUSPECTED INTRIGUES—LETTER TO THE QUEEN—THE YEAR 1815—JOURNAL CONTINUED.
OnPrincess Charlotte’s birthday, 7th January, 1815, I wrote to Princess Mary,[7]enclosing a few lines for Princess Charlotte, merely to express my sentiments on the day. Princess Mary answered that the Prince had desired that his sisters should not deliver any letter or message to his daughter, but that when she had an opportunity she wouldask his leave. I have heard nothing more of it, and I am now writing on the 24th February. Miss Mercer Elphinstone has been allowed to visit Princess Charlotte since her return from Cranbourne, and is in constant and undisturbed correspondence with her. I am told she continues to be very intimate with the Russian Ambassadress, Madame de Lieven,[8]and most people think the latter a great intriguante, whether truly or not I cannot say. Miss M. is also accused by many of playing a double part. I believe her to be desirous of governing Princess Charlotte without a rival, but I cannot think she would deal treacherously by her, though she may not be aware of the use made of her by her uncle, Mr. Adam, who is the Prince’s Chancellor for the Duchy of Cornwall, and is supposed to be devoted to the Duke of York. Miss Mercer is in her politics strongly attached to the Opposition, and very intimate with many of them. The motion made by the Duke of Sussex (or rather, I should say, announced, for by the advice of Lord Grey he withdrew it), relative to an inquiry into the measures pursued with respect to Princess Charlotte, was disapproved bymany of the Opposition[9]as well as Ministers, but His Royal Highness gives as a reason for it, his wish to clear his character. It is supposed that Mr. Brougham was sent to meet Lord Grey on the road to persuade him to give the advice he did to the Duke of Sussex. All this involves matters in much mystery, and naturally raises suspicion in the minds of many; but it is to be remembered that Miss Mercer is an heiress, and very clever, and will, therefore, always excite jealousy. Time alone can show what her real intentions are, and consequently what her real conduct has been.
Lady Downshire, whose intimacy with the Prince Regent ceased when he left his old associates for the present Ministry, has been particularly kind to me since I left Warwick House, and very anxious about Princess Charlotte. Another affair has interested her warmly, the dismissal of twenty-five officers of the Prince’s own regiment of Hussars (the 10th), for their complaint against Colonel Quentin. Lord Arthur Hill being one of these, it was natural that his mother should feel it acutely, and Colonel Palmer (who was obliged to be the prosecutor, and who had already suffered great anxiety on account of his father’s affair, which the Regent first patronised warmly, and afterwards opposed) is not only her friend, but also a protégé of Lord St. Vincent and Lord Moira.
Peace with America (at least, the preliminaries) was signed at Ghent in the beginning of January, I think, and there was much talk of a change of Ministers. I came to Rochetts on the 23rd January, and soon after heard of Colonel Quentin challenging Colonel Palmer at Paris. The friends of the latter had heard of this intention some time before he did, as he was gone to Bordeaux to see an estate he had bought in that neighbourhood, and they advised Colonel Palmer not to accept the challenge. However, he did, but would not cock his pistol till Quentin had fired at him and missed, when he did, and fired it into the air. After his return he went and spent a day and night at Rochetts. Parliament met on the 9th February, but the Prince did not arrive till the Monday following.
I wrote to inquire about the time of payment of my pension, when I heard of it from Lord Liverpool the last time I was at Rochetts. I was advised by Lord St. Vincent to explain to Lord Liverpool how inadequate it was as a compensation to what I had with the Queen, as, besides the 300l.a year, I had apartments, &c. I saw Lord Liverpool on this subject, and showed him letters which contained great promises: but nothing more was done, and I am tired of the subject, being at the same time truly thankful to Providence that I am in the situation in which I am. I have received foranswer to my last inquiries, that it is dated 28th October, and that the first quarter will not be paid for some time.
Princess Charlotte finds means of writing to me when she can; and her letters are always kind and confidential, but we are obliged to keep this correspondence secret.
Lord St. Vincent, though kindly anxious to keep me here, is of opinion that when I go to town I ought to go to the drawing-room, and mix in society as much as possible, that I may not have the appearance of shunning public observation. The very kind attentions of all my friends, and of many who were before only common acquaintance, facilitate this plan; and I have also received the most friendly invitations from my friends in France, and very gracious messages from the Duchess d’Angoulême.
[In consequence of this suggestion, the following letter was addressed to Queen Charlotte:]
MISS KNIGHT TO THE QUEEN.
MISS KNIGHT TO THE QUEEN.
MISS KNIGHT TO THE QUEEN.
4th March, 1815.
Madam,—Since I had the misfortune of losing your Majesty’s favour, it has been my earnest wish not to increase the displeasure I incurred. I therefore take the liberty of once more addressing your Majesty, as I am greatly embarrassed on a point which no other human being can settle agreeably to my feelings.
I understand your Majesty intends holding a drawing-roomnext Thursday,[10]and respect as well as inclination prompt me to appear at it; but I know not whether this would be construed as an act of respect or of presumption. Rather than incur the suspicion of the latter, I am willing to relinquish an intention, which, in the opinion of all my friends, I ought to fulfil; rather than offend your Majesty, I would abstain from it at the risk of satisfying the malevolent, who might attribute my absence to a consciousness of not having done my duty at Warwick House, although, in answer to my urgent solicitation on the subject, the Prince Regent, when he dismissed me, never brought forward any accusation; and although my own conscience acquits me of all design or even thought incompatible with my dutiful respect for his Royal Highness. This my friends feel, and it is one of the reasons why they wish me to appear; but the attachment I must ever feel for your Majesty will not allow me to intrude myself into your Majesty’s presence without knowing that I am right in so doing.
I do not presume to expect an answer; but, should your Majesty, unfortunately for me, disapprove my joining the crowd to pay my respects, I humbly entreat Madame Beckersdorff may be allowed to inform me.
E. C. K.
[The following extracts from Miss Knight’s journals continue the record of the eventful year 1815:]
Feb. 27th.—Returned to town from Rochetts.The weather beautiful. On the way saw the walls in various places chalked with invectives against the Corn Bill.[11]
Received a letter from ——,[12]contradicting the reports in theMorning Chroniclerespecting his supposed marriage. It came enclosed in one to the Duke of Sussex, which he sent me to read, and it was to the same effect, declaring the story to be absolutely false, and without foundation.
I went at half-past three to Lady Downshire’s, where I met the Duke, and heard that the Princess of Wales had written to Lord Liverpool to ask for a frigate to bring her home, but had been refused by the Prince, saying there were none disposable.[13]Dined at Prince Castelcicala’s.[14]At ten he and his youngest son set off for Paris, whither he is ordered to go on an important mission for his own Court.
28th.—Saw Dr. Baird and Mrs. Balfour, who was an intimate friend of poor Lady Day. Afterwards walked to Weymouth-street, to inquire after Mrs. C. B. Egerton’s little girl, who is dangerously ill; only saw the General. Called on Miss MercerElphinstone, who said she had been at Cranbourne, and that Princess Charlotte was to come to the drawing-room on the 9th, but that she had been suffering with bad headaches.
March 1st.—I called in the evening on Lady Aylesbury, Lady Neave, &c. The people are discontented with the Corn Bill, and write horrid things on the wall, such as “Bread or blood,” “More Bellinghams,” “Bread, or else the Regent’s head.” It is, however, said, and I believe with truth, that the Regent is against the bill. There was a sort of riot yesterday in the Borough,[15]and the Horse Guards were sent to quell it. I dined with Princess Castelcicala, and met Count Woronzow there in the evening. He said Lord Castlereagh would be at Paris on the 3rd.
In the evening I went to Lady Charleville’s, where two Spaniards, one named Rosquillos, and Naldi’s daughter sang. There was a large party, though, I believe, not what is called large in London. Very good company. Mrs. Perceval,[16]now Lady Carr, was there, looking gay and handsome, and followed by some of her daughters.
Thursday and Friday I spent chiefly with poor Mrs. C. B. Egerton, whose little girl died this week, and on the second of those days I heard fromPrincess Charlotte, who informed me of Cranbourne Lodge having been given to her “en propriété,” and of the intention of Ministers to give her 8000l.a year on the Civil List, for her Windsor expenses and “menus plaisirs,” at her own disposal. She believes she is to come to town for a day or two whenever anything is going forward, and to be on those occasions at Carlton House until Warwick House is converted into a wing of that building. She mentions the Queen being gracious, and even affectionate to her, and says her Majesty has in a late transaction stood forward fairly and humanely as her friend. She complains of headaches, but says she occupies herself as much as possible to abstract her mind from its cares. Her letter is expressive of much considerate tenderness towards me, and some of her friends and dependents.
I called and left a box of trinkets (belonging to her Royal Highness, which was in my possession) at Miss Mercer Elphinstone’s, who had given me a message from Princess Charlotte to desire I would send it by her. The drawing-room was announced for the 9th, but it is postponed, probably on account of the discontent of the people with respect to the Corn Bill.[17]
The Duke of Sussex sent me word that he had a message from Princess Charlotte, to say that she had been desired by her father to write to hermother that she would never see her more, but had declined it. It is said the Princess of Wales will return in May.
March 4th.—I made several visits in the evening, and heard much of the discontent about the price of bread. I also heard that the paper sent to Congress by the Prince of Benevento (Talleyrand), was the best state paper which had been seen for ages. It has restored great part of Saxony to the King of that country, and it is thought may have a good effect with respect to the recovery of the kingdom of Naples, two hundred thousand men restlessly anxious to be employed on any service forming the great argument which France can easily urge. In the evening I went to Mrs. Egerton’s, to a party at Lady Neave’s (which she gave in honour of the return of Lady Sarah and Mr. Lyttleton), and to Lady Downshire’s box at the Opera, just in time for the ballet “Le Prince Troubadour.”[18]The dancers are said not to be better than figurantes at Paris, but Mademoiselle Mélanie is certainly graceful in many of her attitudes, and Madame Leon is a pretty little figure. Vestris, father and son, are of the number.
5th.—I dined at Lady Downshire’s, and Lordand Lady Aylesbury came in the evening. I heard that Lord Proby intends to move for the reformation of courts-martial. Lord Castlereagh arrived yesterday from ViennaviâParis. The discontent about the Corn Bill continues.
6th.—I walked out in the evening, but heard nothing particular. I dined with Miss Tisdall[19]and her brother, and passed the evening with Lady Aylesbury, where I heard much, as I had likewise at dinner, of the mob, which had been attacking houses[20]in different parts of the town, on account of the Corn Bill. A loaf steeped in blood had been placed on Carlton wall. The Horse Guards were out all day. I heard from Mr. ——, who has lately returned from Brussels, that the Flemings by no means like the Dutch—rather despise them; that the nobility and commonalty are for their old government, and the middle class for the French; that the Prince of the Netherlands has only been able to get together an army of five thousand Dutch, and must trust entirely to English and Hanoverians, who, in fact, command the country; that the only thing which reconciles the Flemings to the business is the prospect of having a Court of their own, and that they are, therefore, still looking forward to the marriage of the Princess Charlotte.The Sovereign, they hear, is to divide his time between the Hague and Brussels, and the Hereditary Prince to live constantly at the latter place. He is good humoured and civil, but has no dignity. When the Flemings come in with proper etiquette, and stand near the door, they are surprised to see his English aides-de-camp run up to him and slap him on the back—all but Lord March, who preserves his good breeding. The Hereditary Prince at first took no notice of any but English, which offended the people of the country. He now invites two or three of them every day to dine with him, but he is evidently partial to the English. He has a bad cook, and his dinners are dull.
7th.—The riots still continue. My servant tells me he has just come from Old Burlington-street, where they are pulling up the iron rails before a house which he heard was that of the Chancellor’s private secretary, but which was Mr. Robinson’s,[21]and they were only finishing the work they began last night. In the evening they knocked at Prince Castelcicala’s door, where I dined, and asked who lived there, inquiring for some person whose name I could not learn. They went away quietly after this; but I have since heard they did much mischiefto a house in Harley-street, and to Lord Bathurst’s, in Mansfield-street. The Horse Guards are on constant duty, and I hear the 16th Light Dragoons are ordered into town from Hounslow.
8th.—I heard that Lord Uxbridge has the command of the military force,[22]which increases hourly, but does not seem to prevent the people from doing what they like. Two persons were, however, killed at Mr. Robinson’s by officers, as it is said, firing from the house: one, a young midshipman, lies to be owned. In the evening, about eight, I went to Weymouth-street, to Mrs. Egerton’s, and met with no mob going or coming from thence to Lady Charleville’s, in Piccadilly, where, however, the party was rather small, many being afraid to venture out, and others uneasy on account of their relations or friends in America, despatches having been received from thence with an account of the failure of Sir Alexander Cochrane and Sir Edward Pakenham’s expedition,[23]the death of Sir Edward, and that of General Sir Samuel Gibbs, with great loss of officers and men. Mrs. Egerton had happily received intelligence from Sir John Malcolm, that her brother, Sir Thomas Troubridge, was safe, and that he had distinguished himself on shore, where,following the steps of his father, he had fought with the land forces. Sir Pulteney Malcolm, Sir John’s brother, being second in command of the fleet, wrote this home to him. When I returned home, I heard that the people had broken the windows of Mr. Ponsonby,[24]in Curzon-street, and had apologised for breaking one window by mistake in the adjoining house. Lord Yarmouth had a strong guard of soldiers to prevent anything happening where he lives, at no great distance from Mr. Ponsonby’s. I saw written on the walls on Tuesday, “Guy Faux for ever!”
9th.—I saw Dr. F., who brought me a message from the Duke of Sussex, to say that he heard Princess Charlotte had been prevailed on to write a letter to her mother, but not one so strong as was wished, and that it had, therefore, not given satisfaction at Carlton House. I went out to call on Lady Aylesbury, the Duchess of Leeds, and a few others, and came home round by the Park, but did not meet any rioters. I dined at Baron Montalembert’s, where I met the French Ambassador,Count de la Châtre, a worthy old nobleman, who had been for many years serving his master faithfully, though secretly, in that capacity at our Court, and was, therefore, justly placed in the ostensible situation, with a salary of 10,000l.a year, as soon as Louis XVIII. recovered his throne, in preference to others of more weight and of more brilliant talents. He had been introduced to me one evening at Carlton House by the Count de Blacas. M. and Madame de Rayneval also dined there; a Colonel Murphy, a Spaniard of an Irish family; and a Mr. Cheverix, a celebrated chemist. Rayneval is a young man of great talents; he was secretary to Caulincourt[25]in Russia, where he married a modest and amiable Polish lady. Previous to this he was secretary of embassy and chargé d’affaires at Lisbon, when Lord St. Vincent was there in 1806, and though attached to the French Government of that time, acted always in an honourable manner. He is now one of the secretaries of embassy and consul-general.
In the evening there was a very good party, and a man named Kalkbrenner[26]played very finely onthe pianoforte. Baron Montalembert and M. de Rayneval sang an Italian and a French duet. They are both excellent musicians, and sing particularly well. I saw no riot in the streets, going or coming, but met many soldiers, and all night I heard the trampling of cavalry. The 10th Hussars, as well as several other regiments, are come to guard the metropolis. Madame de Lieven told me Miss Mercer Elphinstone returned this morning from Cranbourne, where she had been staying some days. She left Princess Charlotte by no means well.
10th.—I saw Lady Cardigan, Miss Rainsford, Mrs. Anderson, and others. Reports are spread of coalheavers coming in large bodies to town, of Bonaparte having escaped from the island of Elba[27]with eleven hundred followers, and going to the south of France, with other alarming stories, for which there is probably no foundation. London is full of soldiers. The depôt is in Manchester-square, and Bedford-square[28]looks like a “place d’armes.” People are so full of these riots that very little mention is made of the failure at New Orleans.
11th.—The account of Bonaparte landing at Frejus is confirmed; and it is added that he hasbeen joined by Masséna and Augereau, but the only official intelligence is his landing. The King has published an edict declaring him a traitor and a rebel,[29]and the Duke de Berri and the Duke d’Orleans are gone against him.
12th.—It appears that Bonaparte landed at Cannes, near Antibes, and that he has not been joined by any one; that the great towns have shown the most loyal spirit; and that Masséna has written a letter to Paris in the same sense; that Bonaparte is now (or was when the last accounts came away) taking the road of Digny and Gap in Haut Dauphiné. The King of France has written a very satisfactory letter to the Regent. I dined at Lady Downshire’s, where I met the Macclesfields, Talbots, and some more, all of whom seemed to be of opinion that Bonaparte’s invasion was not to be considered of serious consequence.
13th.—I called on Lady Louisa Stuart, and dined early at Mr. Hallam’s, after which we went to Drury Lane Theatre, to see the performance of “Richard the Second,” a play which has just been revived after not having been acted for a hundred years. Kean[30]is greatly admired, but his figure and voice are so bad that his mode of speaking and gesticulations suffer considerable disadvantage.
He is, however, a great actor: in all sarcastic and bitter passages very great; never pleasing, though undoubtedly sometimes affecting. But this might be owing to the play itself, which unquestionably has in it some heartrending passages to excite compassion in favour of the frivolous, insolent Richard. The genius of Shakspeare is peculiarly manifest in the change of sentiment you cannot fail experiencing between the first and last act of this extraordinary drama. It has been altered so as to terminate with something like a dénouement, making the Queen and Bolingbroke come and lament over the dead Richard, which does very well for the gallery, but does not coincide with history or Shakspeare’s delineation of character. Mrs. Bartley, formerly Miss Smith, ranted the Queen, and is rather a fine-looking woman. Many passages allusive to present times seemed to be spoken with peculiar emphasis, andsilencewas vociferated on these occasions.
The accounts from France are more alarming. Bonaparte was telegraphed as approaching Lyons, and it was supposed he entered that city on the 11th.
14th.—It is said that Bonaparte professes no desire to trouble the lawful heir of the crown of France, but claims his rights and those of his wife and son. Reports are in town of the Marshals Soult and Marmont being assassinated, and of aninsurrection at Paris, but it is difficult to obtain certain intelligence from them. The King received the ambassadors and foreigners on the 7th with his usual propriety; remarked[31]that they saw him suffering, but that it was with the gout, and that they might inform their respective Courts that he hoped that the peace of Europe would not be disturbed. Lord Arthur Hill was at this levee, and has, as well as others, written it home. I dined at Princess Castelcicala’s, who had been making diligent inquiries into the story of theMoniteursaid to be arrived with a telegraphic account of Bonaparte having reached Bourgoin, and being expected at Lyons, but could not find any one who had seen thisMoniteur.
15th.—Baroness Montalembert called with Mrs. C. B. Egerton. She had been at the Foreign-office, and found moreMoniteursof the 11th were arrived, and of course the vicinity of Bonaparte to Lyons confirmed. Rayneval says the game is up, but Montalembert is going to fight for his King. At the public offices the business is considered in as bad a light as possible. Reports are spread of our cruisers being bribed, &c. &c. I dined at General Egerton’s, where I met Mr. and Mrs. Philip Egerton, and Captain Finlay, who commanded theHarrier,and brought to the Cape, in 1807, the fatal news of the storm in which theBlenheimandJavadisappeared.
The French Ambassador had received no despatches from Paris. In a second edition of theCourierthe intelligence contained in theMoniteurappeared.
16th.—The accounts from Paris are very bad. Monsieur was well received at Lyons, and the troops promised to stand by him; but the next day, when they were ordered to march, they refused to a man, saying, they wished no harm to Monsieur, and would not do him any, but they would not march against their former general. Monsieur left Lyons, but stopped on the road for orders from the King. The Duke of Orleans returned to Paris, saw the King, and set off again for Lyons. Soult is discovered to be a traitor, and the King has appointed General Clarke[32]in his stead.
There has been no insurrection at Paris. Plays and operas go on as usual; but it is said Bonaparte will be there on the 17th. The King has declared he will not leave Paris while there is a hope of the troops fighting, and if they will not, he will retire with his family to the Netherlands. The Duke de Berri will stay to the last moment; five hundred English are arrived at Dover, or waiting for a passage from Calais. The Duchess of Wellington,Lord Arthur Hill, and Colonel Roberts were amongst the first. I dined at Mrs. Green’s, Bedford-place, where Mr. Gipps, Member for Ripon, arrived from the House, and said Lord Castlereagh’s language was warlike. He had heard Macdonald, Augereau, and some others had declared for the King.
17th.—Received a note from Princess Castelcicala to say that her son is arrived in England with the Duchess de Blacas, who is near her confinement, and the news is very bad. Prince Castelcicala still remains at Paris. I went to Lady Rolle’s, who is just arrived from Devonshire, and seems to have left much discontent there with respect to the Corn Bill. Afterwards I called on Princess Castelcicala. M. de Joinville came from the French Ambassador’s. He said Bonaparte was not at Paris on the 14th, but that the troops all went over to him. The generals are few of them in his favour.
18th.—At nine, Prince Castelcicala arrived, having conducted the Duchess d’Orleans and her children safely to Dover. I went out with Lady Aylesbury, who had been with Madame de Blacas. She said Soult had not been dismissed, but had resigned, as it was not known whether he was a traitor or not. She seemed rather to think he was not. When I came home I saw Charles Ruffo and the Abbé de Longuemain, his tutor, who told methat Prince Castelcicala had his audience on Sunday, and that as he went to Court the people cried “Vive le Roi!” “Vive le Souverain légitime de Naples!” Only one man cried “Vive l’Empereur!” and was taken by the collar and thrown out of the crowd. Affairs do not appear to be as desperate as they were represented. Madame de Talleyrand (Princess de Benevento) and Madame Moreau are arrived in England. The latter is said to be engaged to Marshal Macdonald. He appears to be very zealous in the royal cause.
19th.—The accounts from France are serious, but certainly have a better complexion than they had. Marshal Ney is said to be on his march to meet Bonaparte, and a battle is expected. Much will depend on the event of it.
20th.—Various reports of an engagement in France, but without official authority. The only certain news seemed to be that Bonaparte was advancing without interruption. I dined at Mr. Hallam’s. Mr. W. Spenser, the poet; M. de Pfeffel, the Bavarian Minister, and his secretary of embassy, were among the company.
21st.—No certain accounts from France. I dined at Lord Rolle’s. In the evening had two letters from Princess Charlotte, who has had great worries, but the Orange business is at last really given up; she corresponds with her father, who seems to have something in view which will please all parties. Imay be sure she will do for the best. Very amiable in her anxiety about the Royal Family of France, and in her wish that they should be informed of it if possible.
22nd.—I called on Lady Ashbrook, and made other visits. She was very sad. Bonaparte near if not in Paris. I dined at Prince Castelcicala’s, and was at Lady Charleville’s in the evening. The Colonel had just heard that the King had left Paris, but did not think he would come to England. The Duchess of Orleans, with her four children and their governor, and the Countess de Visac, is at the hotel at Dover. The Regent offered her the Castle, which she declined, and also excused herself from receiving his visit and that of the Duke of Kent. Yesterday Lord Cochrane walked into the House of Commons and took his seat there, whence he wascarried[33]back to prison in the King’s Bench. Lady Castlereagh said the news from Paris was not official.
23rd.—The papers say Bonaparte entered Paris without the slightest obstacle on the 20th;[34]that the King had left it the day before, and slept at Abbeville on the 21st, on his way to Calais.
24th (Good Friday).—Princess Castelcicala wrote me that no certain news had been received of Bonaparte’sbeing at Paris; that the King had certainly left that city, but that he was not coming to England; and that the accounts, though bad enough, were not so desperate as the papers represented them; that the Duchess of Orleans had not heard from her husband, and would probably come to Town; that the Princes were dispersed, and were gone to their armies, and that more news was expected.
25th.—Everybody fearful of a new war, for which great preparations seem to be making by sea and land. The common people sadly discontented, and very seditious in their expressions. In the evening I received a note from Lady Mary Hill to say that they had seen the Duke de Sérent in good spirits; that the King of France would remain at Lille; that the Duke d’Angoulême was going about collecting troops, and that La Vendée was favourably disposed towards the Royal cause.
26th (Easter Sunday).—I dined at Lord Rolle’s. He had been at White’s, and brought very bad accounts of the reports in town. It was said the King could not remain at Lille, but was gone on to Tournay, and would go to Mittau, in Courland, where he was before; that Mr. Bagot was gone with him; but that Lord Fitzroy Somerset was detained at Paris. Lord Exmouth is going off immediately to take the command of the fleet inthe Mediterranean, and arming by sea and land is the order of the day.
27th.—The papers mention Lord Fitzroy Somerset’s detention[35]at Paris, or at least his stay there, but nothing about Tournay. I dined at Lord Ashbrook’s; heard of the enormous tribe of people who are living at Cranbourne Lodge, and the confused, expensive manner in which they are going on.
26th.—Dined with Mrs. C. B. Egerton. General Egerton asked an audience of the Duke of York, to offer his services. He was the forty-second person who had one this morning, and seven or eight more were waiting in the ante-room.
29th.—Dined at Prince Castelcicala’s, and went in the evening to the Duchess of Orleans (Princess Maria Amelia of Naples). She received me with great kindness, and appears more amiable than ever, but is very thin, and has a dreadful cough. She has with her four children, the Duke de Chartres, the Duke de Nemours, and the Princesses Louise and Marie. The Count de G. is governor to the Duke, and the Countess de Visac, of the Vintimille family, is with her. The King of France is at Ostend; Monsieur at Namur. The Duchess d’Angoulême was at Bordeaux on the 19th, and meaning to stay there, as it was the anxious wish of the inhabitants that she should; but what their opinion may be when they hear of Paris being in the hands of Bonaparte,is not known. An emigrant, who left Paris on Easter Sunday, says that the strong manifesto published by the Allied Sovereigns at Vienna, of which two or three copies have been circulated at Paris, has occasioned great alarm there, and also that Bonaparte has excited jealousy between the old Imperial Guards at Paris and those he brought from Elba, by placing the latter, with a fine inscription, as to the bravest of soldiers, in the Hôtel des Cent Suisses. In the evening I saw the good old Duke de Sérent, whose resignation, under all his misfortunes, at eighty years of age, is truly admirable.
30th.—I heard nothing new, except that orders have been despatched to the Transport Board for sending out stores, &c., to Ostend. M. de Rayneval went last night to the King with letters from our Government. When Louis XVIII. found how much the troops were disposed to join Bonaparte, he dismissed them, saying he did not wish to commit any one; that he was obliged to withdraw himself for the present, but hoped to see them again. One regiment of Chasseurs fell on their knees and begged to follow his fortunes, an offer which he accepted.