LETTER:ToW。D。B。
LONDON,December30,1847
DearW。:Yourfatherleftmeonthe18thtogotoParis。Thisisthebestofallseasonsforhimtobethere,fortheMinistersarealloutoftownatChristmas,andinPariseverythingisatitsheight。Myfriendsareverykindtome——thosewhoremainintown……OnedayIdinedatSirFrancisSimpkinson’sandfoundapleasantparty。LadySimpkinsonisasisterofLadyFranklin,whomIwasverygladtomeet,asshehasbeeninAmericaandknowsmanyAmericans,Mrs。Kirklandforone……ThenIhavepassedoneeveningforthefirsttimeatMr。Tagent’s,theUnitarianclergyman,whereImetmanyoftheliterarypeoplewhoareoutofthegreatworld,andyetverydesirabletosee。
There,too,ImettheMissesCushman,CharlotteandSusan,whoattendhischurch。Iwasverymuchpleasedwithbothofthem。I
haveneverseenthemplay,buttheywillsendmealistoftheirpartsattheirnextengagementandIshallcertainlygotohearthem。TheyareofOldColonydescent(fromElderCushman),andhaveverymuchoftheNewEnglandcharacter,culture,andgoodsense。OnMondayIdinedatSirEdwardCodrington’s,theheroofNavarino,withtheMarquisandMarchionessofQueensberry,andapartyofadmiralsandnavyofficers。OnTuesdayIdinedatLadyBraye’s,wherewereMr。Rogers,Dr。Holland,SirAugustusandLadyAlbiniaFoster,formerlyBritishMinistertotheUnitedStates。HecoulddescribeOURCOURT,ashecalledit,inthetimeofMadisonandMonroe。
January1,1848
Thisevening,inadditiontomyusualmorningletterfromyourfather,Ihaveanother;anewpostalarrangementbeginningto—daywiththeNewYear。HegivesmeamostinterestingconversationhehasjustbeenhavingwithBaronvonHumboldt,whoisnowinParis。
Hesayshepouredoutadeliciousstreamofremarks,anecdotes,narratives,opinion。HefeelsgreatinterestinourMexicanaffairs,ashehasbeenmuchthere,andisaMexicanbyadoption。
Hisletter,datedthe31stDecember,says:"MadamAdelaidediedatthreethismorning。"Thisdeathastonishedme,forhesawheronlyafeweveningssinceatthePalace。Shewasawomanofstrongintellectandcharacter,andherbrother,theKing,wasverymuchattachedtoherasacounsellorandfriend……Thereweremorethan100AmericanstobepresentedonNewYear’sDayatParis,and,asMadamAdelaide’sdeathtookplacewithoutaday’swarning,youcanimaginetheembroideredcoatsandfinerywhichwerelaidontheshelf。
Saturday,January7thYesterday,mydearson,IhadadelightfuldinneratthedearMissBerrys。TheydrovetothedooronThursdayandleftalittlenotetosay,"Canyouforgiveapoorsicksoulfornotcomingtoyoubefore,whenyouwereallalone,"andbeggingmetocomethenextdayatseven,todine。TherewasLadyCharlotteandLadyStuartdeRothesay,whowasmanyyearsambassadressatParis,andveryagreeable。ThentherewasDr。HollandandMr。Stanley,theunder—
SecretaryofState,etc。Intheeveningcamequiteanadditionalparty,andIpasseditmostpleasantly……YourfatherwritesthatonFridayhedinedatThiers’withMignet,Cousin,Pontois,andLordNormanby。Hesayssuchadinneris"uniqueinaman’slife。"
"Mignetisdelightful,frank,open,gay,fullofintelligence,andofthatgracewhichmakessocietycharming。"……Yourfatherto—
daygivesmesomeaccountofThiers。Heisnowfifty:herisesatfiveo’clockeverymorning,toilstilltwelve,breakfasts,makesresearches,andthengoestotheChambers。IntheeveninghealwaysreceiveshisfriendsexceptWednesdaysandThursdays,whenheattendshiswifetotheoperaandtotheAcademie。
LETTER:ToMr。andMrs。I。P。D。
LONDON,January28th,1848
MydearUncleandAunt:……LastMondayIreceived[this]notefromGeorgeSumner,whichIthoughtmightinterestyou:"MydearMrs。Bancroft:IhastentocongratulateyouuponaneventmosthonorabletoMr。Bancroftandtoourcountry。ThehighesthonorwhichcanbebestowedinFranceuponaforeignerhasjustbeenconferredonhim。HewaschosenthisafternoonaCorrespondingMemberoftheInstitute。FivenameswerepresentedforthevacantchairofHistory。EveryvotebutonewasinfavorofMr。Bancroft(thatoneforMr。GroteofLondon,authorofthe’HistoryofGreece’)。AgratifyingfactinregardtothiselectionisthatitcomeswithouttheknowledgeofMr。Bancroft,andwithoutanyofthosepreliminaryvisitsonhispart,andthoseappealstoacademicianswhosevotesaredesired,thataresocommonwithcandidatesforvacanciesattheInstitute。Thehonoracquiresdoublevalueforbeingunsought,andIhaveheardwithnosmallsatisfactionseveralMembersoftheAcademycontrastthemodestreserveofMr。Bancroftwiththerestlessmanoeuvrestowhichtheyhavebeenaccustomed。Prescott,youknow,isalreadyamember,andIthinkAmericamaybesatisfiedwithtwooutofsevenofaclassofHistorywhichisselectedfromtheworld。"
LETTER:ToT。D。
LONDON,February24,1848
MydearBrother:……GreatexcitementexistsinLondonto—dayatthereceptionofthenewsfromFrance。Guizotisoverthrown,andCountMoleismadePrimeMinister。TheNationalGuardshavesidedwiththepeople,andwouldnotfireuponthem,andthatsecretoftheweaknessofthearmybeingrevealed,IdonotseewhytheLiberalpartycannotobtainalltheywantintheend。LouisPhilippehassacrificedthehappinessofFrancefortheadvancementofhisownfamily,butnationsinthenineteenth[century]havelearnedthattheywerenotmadetobetheslavesofadynasty。Mr。
BancroftdineswiththeFrenchMinisterto—day,notwithaparty,butquiteENFAMILLE,andhewilllearntherewhatthehopesandfearsoftheGovernmentare。
February25thThenewsthismorningisonlyfromAmiens,whichhasriseninsupportofFrance。TherailwaysaretornupallroundParis,topreventthepassageoftroops,andtheroadsandbarriersareallinpossessionofthepeople。AllFrancewillfollowtheleadofParis,andwhatwillbetheresultHeavenonlyknows。
LETTER:ToI。P。D。
LONDON,February26,1848
MydearUncle:……OnThursdayMr。BancroftdinedwithCountJarnac,theMinisterintheDucdeBroglie’sabsence,andhelittledreamedoftheblowawaitinghim。ThefortificationsandthearmyseemedtomaketheKingquitesecure。OnFridayMr。BancroftwenttodinewithKenyon,andIdrovetherewithhimforalittleair。
OnmyreturnCates,thebutler,salutedmewiththewondrousnewsofthedepositionandflightoftheroyalfamily,whichMr。Brodheadhadrushedupfromhisclubtoimparttous。IwasengagedtoalittlepartyatMr。Hallam’s,whereIfoundeverybodyingreatexcitement。
SundayNoonTo—dayweweretohavedinedwithBarondeRothschild,butthismorningIgotanotefromthebeautifulbaroness,sayingthathersister—in—lawandhermotherwiththreechildren,hadjustarrivedfromParisatherhouseinthegreatestdistress,withoutachangeofclothes,andindeepanxietyabouttheBaron,whohadstayedbehind。
Ourcolleaguesalllookbewilderedandperplexedbeyondmeasure……TheEnglisharistocracyhavenoloveforLouisPhilippe,butmuchlessforarepublic,sonearathand,andeverybodyseemedperplexedanduneasy。
TuesdayOnSundaytheDucdeNemoursarrivedattheFrenchEmbassy,andMondaythepoorDuchessdeMontpensier,theinnocentcauseofallthetrouble。NooneknowswheretheDuchessdeNemoursandheryoungchildrenare,andtheKingandQueenareentirelymissing。Atonemomentitisreportedthatheisdrowned,andthen,again,atBrussels。
WednesdayTo—daytheFrenchEmbassyhavereceiveddespatchesannouncingthenewgovernment,andCountJarnachasimmediatelyresigned。ThismadeitimpossiblefortheDucdeNemoursandtheDuchessdeMontpensiertoremainattheEmbassy,andtheyfellbyinheritancetoMr。VandeWeyer,whoseQueenisLouisPhilippe’sdaughter。TheQueenhastakenLouisPhilippe’sdaughter,PrincessClementine,whomarriedPrinceAugustedeSaxe—CoburgtothePalace,butforStatePolicy’ssakeshecandonothingabouttheothers。Mr。VandeWeyerofferedMr。Bates’splaceofEastSheen,whichwasmostgratefullyaccepted。
FridayThismorningcameThackeray,whoisthesoulofPUNCH,andshowedmeapiecehehadwrittenforthenextnumber。
SaturdayTheKinghasarrived。WhatacrossingoftheChannel,pea—jacket,woollencomforter,andall!Theflightisaperfectcomedy,andifPUNCHhadtriedtoinventanythingmoreludicrous,itwouldhavefailed。Panic,despotism,andcowardice。
Thesethingsaremuchmoreexcitingherethanacrossthewater。Wearesonearthesceneofactionandeverybodyhasamorepersonalinteresthereinallthesematters。Thewholeweekhasbeenlikealongplay,andnow,onSaturdaynight,Iwantnothingbutrepose。
Whatadreamitmustbetothechiefactors!TheQueen,whoisalwaysgoodandnoble,wasaversetosuchignominiousflight;shepreferredstayingandtakingwhatcame,andifMadamAdelaidehadlived,theywouldneverhavemadesucha[wordundecipherable]
figure。Herprideandcouragewouldhaveinspiredthem。WithherseemedtoflyLouisPhilippe’sstar,asNapoleon’swithJosephine……Mr。EmersonhasjustcometoLondonandwegivehimadinneronTuesday,the14th。Severalpersonswishmuchtoseehim,andMoncktonMilnesreviewedhiminBLACKWOOD。
LETTER:ToW。D。B。
LONDON,March11,1848
DearW。:……YesterdaywedinedatLordLansdowne’s。AmongtheguestswereM。andMadamVandeWeyer,andMrs。Austin,thetranslatress,whohasbeendrivenoverherefromParis,whereshehasresidedforseveralyears。SheisavehementfriendofGuizot’s,thoughabitteraccuserofLouisPhilippe,buthowcantheybeseparated?Sheinterestsherselfstronglynowinallhisarrangements,andisassistinghisdaughterstoformtheirhumbleestablishment。Heandhisdaughterstogetherhaveabouteighthundredpoundsayear,andthatinLondonispoverty。TheyhavetakenasmallhouseinBromptonSquare,alittleoutoftown,andoneofthosesuburban,unfashionableregionswherethemostaccommodationscanbehadattheleastprice。WhatachangeforthosewhohavewitnessedtheiralmostregalreceptionsinParis!
Theyoungladiesbearverysweetlyalltheirreverses……Guizot,himself,Ihear,isasFIERasever,andalmostgay。PrincessdeLievenishereatthe"Clarendon,"andtheirfriendshipisasgreatasever。
March15thYesterdaywehadanagreeabledinneratourownhouse。Macaulay,Milman,LordMorpethandMoncktonMilneswereallmostcharming,andweladieslistenedwitheagerears。Conversationwasnevermoreinterestingthanjustnow,inthisgreatcrisisoftheworld’saffairs。Mr。Emersonwashereandseemedtoenjoy[it]much。
Friday,March17thThingslookratherdarkerinFrance,butweoughtnottoexpectarepublictobeestablishedwithoutsomedifficulties……YoucannotjudgeofthestateofFrance,however,throughthemediumoftheEnglishnewspapers,for,ofcourse,Englishsympathiesareallentirelyagainstit。TheyneverlikeFrance,andarepublicofanykindstillless。ApeacefulandprosperousrepublicintheheartofEuropewouldbemoredeprecatedthanastateofanarchy。ThediscussionofFrenchmattersrevealstomeeverymomentthedeeprepugnanceoftheEnglishtorepublicaninstitutions。Itletsinaworldoflightuponopinionsandfeelings,which,otherwise,wouldnothavebeendiscoveredbyme。
Sunday,March19thYesterdaywebreakfastedatMrs。Milman’s。Iwastheonlylady,buttherewereMacaulay,Hallam,LordMorpeth,and,aboveall,CharlesAustin,whomIhadnotseenbefore,asheneverdinesout,butwhoisthemoststrikingtalkerinEngland。Hehasmadeafortunebythelawinthelastfewyears,whichgiveshimanincomeof8,000
pounds。HehasthegreatrailroadcaseswhichcomebeforetheHouseofLords……OnTuesdaycameaflyingreportofarevolutioninBerlin,butnoonebelievedit。Weconcludeditratheraspeculationofthenewsmen,whoarehawkingrevolutionsaftereverymailinsecondandthirdeditions。WeweregoingthateveningtoaSOIREEatBunsen’s,whomwefoundcheerfulaseverandfearingnoevil。OnMondaythenewsoftherevolutioninAustriaproducedagreatersensationeventhanFrance,foritwastheverypivotofconservatism……OnThursdayIreceivedtheletterfromA。ateightA。M。,whichIenclosetoyou。ItgivesanaccountoftherevolutioninBerlin。
LETTER:ToT。D。
March31
Theoldworldisundergoingacompletereorganization,andisunfoldingarapidseriesofeventsmoreastonishingthananythinginhistory。Whereitwillstop,andwhatwillbeitsresults,nobodycantell。Royaltyhascertainlynotaddedtoitsrespectabilitybyitsconductinitstimeoftrial。Sincethelaststeamerwent,ItalyhasshakenofftheAustrianyoke,DenmarkhaslostherGermanprovinces,Polandhasrisen,orisabouttorise,whichwillbringRussiathunderingdownuponLiberalEurope……OurwholeDiplomaticCorpsarecertainly"inafix,"andwearereallytheonlymembersofitwhohaveanyreasontobequiteatease。TwoorthreehavebeencalledhometobeMinistersofForeignAffairs,astheyhavelearnedsomethingofconstitutionallibertyinEngland。
Englandis,asyet,allquiet,andIhopewillkeepso,buttheChartistsareatworkandIrelandisfullofinflammablematter。
ButEnglanddoesloveherinstitutions,andisjustlyproudoftheircomparativefreedom,andlongmaysheenjoythem……OnSundayMr。EmersondinedwithuswithLadyMorganandMrs。Jameson——theauthoress。OnMondayItookhimtoalittlepartyatLadyMorgan’s。
Hisworksareagooddealknownhere。Ihavegreatpleasureinseeingsooldafriendsofarfromhome……Ithinkweshallhaveveryfewofourcountrymenoutthisspring,astravellingEuropeissouncertain,witheverythingincommotion。ThosewhoarepassingthewinterinItalyarequiteshutinatpresent,andifwarbegins,nooneknowswhereitwillspread。
LETTER:ToW。D。B。
LONDON,April7,1848……OnWednesdaywehadanagreeabledinneratMrs。MilnerGibson’s。Mr。andMrs。Disraeli,Mr。andMrs。Sheridan(brotherofMrs。Norton),etc。,wereamongtheguests。AfterdinnerIhadaverylongtalkwithDisraeli。Heis,youknow,oftheultraTorypartyhere,andlooksattheContinentalmovementsfromthedarkestpointofview。HecannotadmitasapossibilitytherenovationofEuropeansocietyuponmoreliberalprinciples,andconsidersitasthecompletedissolutionofEuropeancivilizationwhichwill,likeAsia,soonpresentbuttheashesofaburnt—outflame。Thisismostatheistic,godless,andun—christiandoctrine,andhecannothimselfbelieveit。Theartofprintingandtherapiddisseminationofthoughtchangesallthesethingsinourdays。
LETTER:ToI。P。D。
April10
Thisisthedayofthe"GreatChartistMeeting,"whichhasterrifiedallLondontothelastdegree,Ithinkmostneedlessly。ThecityandtownisatthismomentstillerthanIhaveeverknownit,fornotacarriagedarestobeout。Nothingistobeseenbuta"specialconstable"(everygentlemaninLondonisswornintothatoffice),occasionallysomeonfoot,someonhorseback,scouringthestreets。ItookadriveearlythismorningwithMr。Bancroft,andnothingcouldbelessliketheeveofarevolution。Thisevening,whenthepetitionistobepresented,maybringsomedisturbance,notfromtheChartiststhemselves,butfromthedisorderlypersonswhomayavailthemselvesoftheoccasion。TheQueenlefttownonSaturdayfortheIsleofWight,asshehadsolatelybeenconfineditwasfearedherhealthmightsufferfromanyagitation……I
passedalongtrainofartilleryonSaturdayeveningcomingintotown,whichwasthemostearnestlookingthingIhaveseen……
To—dayweweretohavedinedatMrs。Mansfield’s,butherdinnerwaspostponedfromthegreatalarmabouttheChartists。ThereisnottheslightestdangerofarevolutioninEngland。Theuppermiddle—
class,whichonthecontinentisentirelywiththepeople,theprofessionalandmercantileclass,ishereentirelyconservative,andwithoutthatclassnogreatchangescaneverbemade。TheDucdeMontebellosaidofFrance,thathe"knewtherewerelavastreamsbelow,buthedidnotknowthecrustwassothin。"Here,onthecontrary,thecrustisverythick。AndyetIcanseeinthemostconservativecirclesthatafeelingisgaininggroundthatsomeconcessionsmustbemade。Anenlargementofthesuffrageonehearsnowoftendiscussedas,perhaps,anapproachingnecessity。
Friday,April14
ThedayoftheChartistspassedoffwithmostridiculousquiet,andthegovernmentisstrongerthanever……IftheAlienBillpasses,ourAmericanfriendsmustmindtheirp’sandq’s,foriftheypraisethe"modelrepublic"tooloudly,theymaybepackedoffatanytime,particularlyiftheyhave"longbeards,"foritseemstobeanaxiomherethatbeards,mustaches,andbarricadesarecousins—germanatleast……Mr。BancroftgoestoParisonMonday,the17th,topasstheEasterholidays。Hewillgoonwithhismanuscripts,andatthesametimewitnesstheelectionsandmeetingoftheConvention。
LETTER:ToW。D。B。
LONDON,April19,1848
DearW。:……To—dayIhavedrivendowntoRichmondtolunchwithMrs。Drummond,whoispassingEasterholidaysthere。OncominghomeIfoundaletterfromMr。BancroftfromwhichIwillmakesomeextracts,ashehasthebestsourcesofknowledgeinParis。"ThenI
wenttoMignet,who,youknow,ispoliticallythefriendofThiers。
HepointedouttometheconditionofFrance,anddrewformeapictureofwhatitwasandofthechange。IbegintoseethedifferencebetweenFranceandus。HeretheyareaccustomedtoBE
governed。WEareaccustomedtoGOVERN。HEREpowermaybeseizedandexercised,ifexercisedinasatisfactorymanner;withusthefoundationofpower,itsconstitutionalityandthelegalityofitsactsarecanvassedandanalyzed。Hereanunpopularityismadeawaywithbyarevolution,andyouknowhowWEdealwithit。Thus,power,ifinfavor,maydareanything,andifoutoffavorislittlelikelytobeforgiven。"……"OurfathershadtounitethethirteenStates;heretheyhaveunityenoughandrunnoriskbutfromtheexcessofit。Myhopesarenotlessthantheywere,butallthatFranceneedsmaynotcomeatonce。Wewerefourteenyearsinchangingourconfederationintoaunion,perhapsFrancecannotbeexpectedtojumpatonceintoperfectlegislationorperfectforms。
Crudeideasareafloat,butastoCommunism,itisalreadyexploded,orwillbebrushedawayfromlegislativepowerassoonastheNationalAssemblymeets,thoughthequestionofamelioratingtheconditionofthelaboringclassismoreandmoreengagingthepublicmind。"……"IspentanhourwithCousin,theMinisterofamorning。Hegavemesketchesofmanyoftheleadingmenofthesetimes,andImadehimdetailtomehesceneofLouisPhilippe’sabdication,whichtookplaceinamannerquitedifferentfromwhatI
hadheardinLondon。"……"Cousin,bytheway,saysthattheDucdeNemoursthroughout,behavedexceedinglywell。ThencetotheClubdelaNouvelleRepublique。DidnotthinkmuchofthespeakingwhichIheard。FromtheclubIwenttoThiers,whereIfoundCousinandMignetandoneortwomore。SomechangesinceImethim。Aleaderofopposition,thenaprimeminister,andnowleftagroundbytheshiftingtide。"……"EverybodyhasgivenupLouisPhilippe,everybodyconsidersthenonsenseofLouisBlancasdrawingtoitsclose。ThedelegatesfromPariswillfullhalfbeUNIVERSALLY
acceptable。Three—fourthsoftheprovincialdelegateswillbeMODERATErepublicans。Thepeoplearenotinapassion。Theygoquietlyenoughabouttheirbusinessofconstructingnewinstitutions。Ledru—Rollin,LouisBlanc,andFlocontriedtoleadthewaytoill,butLamartine,whoseheroismpassesbeliefandactivitypasseshumanpower,wonthevictoryoverthem,foundhimselfonSunday,andagainyesterday,sustainedbyallParis,andhasnotonlyconqueredbutCONCILIATEDthem,andeverybodyisnowfirmlyofopinionthattheRepublicwillbeestablishedquietly。"……"Butwhiletherearenodifficultiesfromthedisorderlybutwhatcaneasilybeovercome,thewantofrepublicanandpoliticalexperience,combinedwithvanityandself—relianceandidealism,maythrowimpedimentsinthewayofwhatthewisestwish,VIZ。,twoelectedchambersandapresident。"
LETTER:ToW。D。B。
LONDON,May5,1848
MydearW。:……Lastevening,Thursday,wewenttoseeJennyLind,onherfirstappearancethisyear。Shewasreceivedwithenthusiasm,andtheQueenstillmoreso。ItwasthefirsttimetheQueenhadbeenattheoperasincethebirthofherchild,andsincetherepublicanspiritwasabroad,andloyaltyburstoutinfullforce。Nowloyaltyisverynovel,andpleasanttowitness,touswhohaveneverknownit。
LONDON,May31,1848……Nowformyjournal,whichhasgonelamelyonsincethe24thofFebruary。TheQueen’sBallwastotakeplacetheeveningonwhichI
closedmylastletter。Mydresswasawhitecrepeoverwhitesatin,withflouncesofHonitonlaceloopedupwithpinktuberoses。A
wreathoftuberosesandbouquetforthecorsage。Wehadticketssentustogothroughthegardenandsetdownataprivatedoor,whichsaveswaitinginthelonglineofcarriagesforyourturn。
TheDiplomaticCorpsarrangethemselvesinalinenearthedooratwhichtheQueenentersthesuiteofrooms,whichwasattenprecisely。Shepassesthrough,curtseyingandbowingverygracefully,untilshereachesthethroneinthenextroom,wheresheandtheDuchessofCambridge,theDuchessofSaxe—Weimarandherdaughters,whoarehereonavisit,etc。,sitdown,whilePrinceAlbert,thePrinceofPrussiaandothersprigsofroyaltystandnear。Thedancingsoonbeganinfrontofthecanopy,buttheQueenherselfdidnotdanceonaccountofhermourningforPrinceAlbert’sgrandmother。Therewasanotherbandanddancinginotherroomsatthesametime。AfterseeingseveraldancesheretheQueenandhersuitemovebytheflourishoftrumpetstoanotherroom,theguestsformingalaneasshepasses,bowingandsmiling。Afterwardshemadeasimilarprogresstosupper,herhouseholdofficersmovingbackwardsbeforeher,andherladiesandroyalrelativesandfriendsfollowing。Athalf—pastoneHerMajestyretiredandtheguestsdeparted,suchasdidnothavetowaittwohoursfortheircarriages。OnSaturdaywewentattwototheFETEofflowersatChiswick,andathalf—pastsevendinedatLordMonteagle’stomeetMonsieurandMademoiselleGuizot。Hehasthefinestheadintheworld,buthispersonisshortandinsignificant。
OnWednesdaywedinedatLadyChantrey’stomeetacharmingparty。
AfterwardwewenttoamagnificentballattheDukeofDevonshire’s,withallthegreatworld。OnFridaywewenttoFaraday’slectureattheRoyalInstitution。WewentinwiththeDukeandDuchessofNorthumberland,andIsatbyherduringthelecture。OnSaturdaywastheQueen’sBirthdayDrawing—Room……Mr。BancroftdinedatLordPalmerston’swithallthediplomats,andIwentintheeveningwithasmallpartyofladies。Oncominghomewedroveroundtoseethebrilliantbirthdayilluminations。ThefirstpieceofintelligenceIheardatLadyPalmerston’swasthedeathofthePrincessSophia,aneventwhichisahappyreleaseforher,forshewasblindandagreatsufferer。Ithasoverturnedallcourtfestivities,ofcourse,forthepresent,andputsusallindeepmourning,whichisnotveryconvenientjustnow,inthebrilliantseason,andwhenwehadallourdressarrangementsmade。TheQueenwastohaveaconcertto—night,adrawing—roomnextFriday,andaballonthe16th,whicharealldeferred……IforgottosaythatIgotanotefromMissCouttsonSunday,askingmetogowithherthenextdaytoseetheChinesejunk,soatthreethenextdaywerepairedtoherhouse。Hersisters(MissBurdetts)andMr。Rogerswerealltheparty。AtthejunkforthefirsttimeIsawMetternichandthePrincess,hiswife。
LETTER:ToW。D。B。
LONDON,June29,1848
MydearW。:……WhenIlastleftoffIwasgoingtodineatMissCoutts’stomeettheDuchessofCambridge。Thepartywasbrilliant,includingtheDukeofWellington,LordandLadyDouro,LadyJerseyandthebeautifulLadyClementinaVilliers,herdaughter,etc。Whenroyalpeoplearriveeverybodyrisesandremainsstandingwhiletheystand,andiftheyapproachyouorlookatyou,youmustperformthelowestof"curtsies。"ThecourtesymadetoroyaltyisveryliketheoneIwastaughttomakewhenalittlegirlatMissTuft’sschoolinPlymouth。Onesinksdowninsteadofsteppingbackindancing—schoolfashion。AfterdinnertheDuchesswaspleasedtostanduntilthegentlemenrejoinedus;ofcourse,wemustallstand……ThenextdaywedinedattheLordMayor’stomeettheMinisters。Thiswasamostinterestingaffair。WehadallthepeculiarceremonieswhichI
describedtoyoulastautumn,butinadditionthepartywasmostdistinguished,andwehadspeechesfromLordLansdowne,LordPalmerston,LordJohn,LordAuckland,SirGeorgeGrey,etc。
LETTER:ToW。D。B。
LONDON,July21,1848
IwastrulygrievedthatthelaststeamershouldgotoBostonwithoutalinefromme,butIwasinYorkshireandyoumustforgiveme……Ileftoffwiththe26thofJune……ThenexteveningwastheQueen’sConcert,whichwasmostcharming。IsatveryneartheDukeofWellington,whooftenspoketomebetweenthesongs……ThenextdaywewentwithMissCouttstoherbank,lunchedthere,andwentalloverthebuilding。ThenwewenttotheTowerandtheTunneltogether,sheneverhavingseeneither。SoignorantaretheWestEndpeopleofcitylions……AndnowcomesmypleasantYorkshireexcursion。WeleftLondon,athalf—pastthree,atdistanceof180miles。ThiswasSaturday,July8。AtYorkwefoundMr。HudsonreadytoreceiveusandconductustoaspecialtrainwhichtookuseighteenmilesonthewaytoNewbyPark,andtherewefoundcarriagestotakeusfourmilestoourdestination。WemetatdinnerandfoundourpartytoconsistoftheDukeofRichmond,LordLonsdale,LordGeorgeBentinck,LordIngestre,LordJohnBeresford,LadyWebster,whosehusband,nowdead,wasthesonofLadyHolland,twoorthreeagreeabletalkerstofillin,andourselves。
TuesdayLadyWebster,Mr。Bancroft,andmyself,wenttoCastleHoward,asLordMorpethhadwrittentohismotherthatweweretobethereandwouldlunchwithher。CastleHowardistwenty—fivemilestheothersideofYork,whichisitselftwenty—fivemilesfromNewby。ButwhatisfiftymileswhenoneisunderthewingoftheRailwayKingandcanhaveaspecialengineatone’sdisposal。OnarrivingattheCastleHowardstationwefoundLordCarlisle’scarriagewithfourhorsesandmostvenerablecoachmanwaitingtoreceiveus。WeentertheParkalmostimmediately,butitisaboutfourmilestotheCastle,throughmanygates,whichwehadmountedfootmenopenforus。LadyCarlislereceivedusinthemostdelightfulmanner……
IwasdelightedtoseeLordMorpeth’shomeandhismother,whoseldomnowgoestoLondon。ShewasthedaughterofthebeautifulDuchessofDevonshire,andtookmeintoherowndressing—roomtoshowmeherpicture……OnWednesdaywewentintoYorktowitnessthereceptionofPrinceAlbert,toseetheruinsofSt。Mary’sAbbey,theFlowerShow,tolunchwiththeLordMayor,andaboveall,toattendprayersintheMinisterandhearanobleanthem。TheCathedralwascrowdedwithstrangersandagreatmanyfromLondon。
Thenextdaywasthedayofthegreatdinner,andIsendyouthePOSTcontainingMr。Bancroft’sspeech。Itwaswarmlyadmiredbyallwhoheardit。
AttenatnightweladiessetoutforYorktogo[to]theLordMayor’sBall,wherethegentlemenweretomeetusfromthedinner。
Everybodyflockedroundtocongratulatemeuponyourfather’sspeech。EvenPrinceAlbert,whenIwasleduptomakemycurtsey,offeredmehishand,whichisagreatcourtesyinroyalty,andspokeofthegreatbeautyandeloquenceofMr。B。’sspeech。ThePrincesoonwentaway:theLordMayortookmedowntosupperandIsatbetweenhimandtheDukeofRichmondatthehightablewhichwentacrosstheheadofthehall。Guildhallisabeautifuloldroomwithafineoldtraceriedwindow,andthescene,withfivetablesgoingthelengthofthehallandtheupperoneacrossthehead,wasverygayandbrilliant。Therewereafewtoasts,andyourfatheragainmadealittlespeech,shortandpleasant。Wedidnotgethometillhalf—pastthreeinthemorning……OnFridaymorning[July14th]
manyoftheguests,theDukeofRichmond,etc。,tooktheirdepartureandMr。HudsonhadtoescortPrinceAlberttotown,butreturnedthesameevening……ThenextdayweallwenttopayavisittoanestateofMr。Hudson’s[nameofestateindecipherable]forwhichhepaidfivehundredthousandpoundstotheDukeofDevonshire……
ItisnoblysituatedintheYorkshirewolds,afinerangeofhills,andoverlookingthevalleyoftheHumber,whichwasinterestingtome,asitwastheriverwhichourPilgrimfatherssaileddownandlayintheWashatitsmouth,awaitingtheirpassagetoHolland。
Theycame,ourPlymouthfathers,mostlyfromLincolnshireandtheregionwhichlaybelowus。Ithoughtofthem,andthesceneoftheirsufferingswasmoreennobledinmyeyes,fromtheirremembrancethanfromthenoblemansionsandrichestateswhichfeasttheeye。
OnMondaymorningweleftNewbyforYorkonourwayhome。Itsohappenedthatthejudgesweretoopenthecourtthatverymorning,onwhichoccasiontheyalwaysbreakfastwiththeLordMayorintheirscarletrobesandwigs,theLordMayorandaldermenarealsointheirfurredscarletrobesandtheLadyMayoresspresentsthejudgeswithenormousbouquetsoftherichestflowers。Wewereinvitedtothisbreakfast,andIfounditveryentertaining。IwasnexttheHighSheriff,whowasverydesirousthatweshouldstayafewhoursandgotothecastleandseethecourtopenedandlistentoacaseortwo。TheHighSheriffofacountyisagreatcharacterandhasacarriageandliveriesasgrandastheQueen’s。AfterbreakfastwebadeadieutoourYorkfriends,andsetoffwithourbigbouquets(forthedistributionwasextendedtous)forhome。
LETTER:ToT。D。
LONDON,August9,1848
MydearBrother:……OnSaturdaywesetoffforNuneham,themagnificentseatofthelateArchbishopofYork,nowinpossessionofhiseldestson,Mr。GranvilleHarcourt……TheguestsbesidesourselveswereSirRobertandLadyPeel,LordandLadyVilliers,LordandLadyNorreys,LordHarryVane,etc。WeconsidereditagreatprivilegetobestayinginthesamehousewithSirRobertPeel,andIhadalsothepleasureofsittingbyhimatdinnerallthethreedayswewerethere。Hewasfullofconversationofthebestkind。Mr。DenisonandLadyCharlotte,hiswife,werealsoofourparty。ShewasthedaughteroftheDukeofPortlandandsisterofLordGeorgeBentinck,SirRobert’sgreatantagonistintheHouse。
OnSundaymorningweattendedtheprettylittlechurchontheestatewhichwithitsparsonageisapleasingobjectonthegrounds。ThenextdaythewholepartyweretakentoBlenheim,theseatofthefamousDukeofMarlborough,builtattheexpenseofthecountry。
Thegroundsareexquisite,butIwasmostcharmedbythecollectionofpictures。HerewerethefinestVandykes,Rubens,andSirJoshuaReynoldswhichIhaveseen。SirRobertPeelisagreatconnoisseurinartandseemedhighlytoenjoythem。Altogetheritwasatrulydelightfulday:thedriveoffifteenmilesinopencarriages,andthroughOxford,beingofitselfahighpleasure。YesterdaywereturnedtoLondon,andonThursdaywesetoutforScotland。
LETTER:ToMr。andMrs。I。P。D。
EDINBURGH,August16,1848
MydearUncleandAunt:……OfEdinburghIcannotsayenoughtoexpressmyadmiration。TheCastleRock,Arthur’sSeat,SalisburyCraigsandCaltonHillareallseparateandfinemountainsand,withtheFrithofForth,theoceanandtheoldpicturesquetown,makeanassemblageoffineobjectsthatIhaveseennowhereelse。Mr。
Rutherford,theLordAdvocate,whoisoftheMinistry,hadwrittentohisfriendsthatwewerecoming,andseveralgentlemencamebybreakfasttimethenextmorning。Mr。Gordon,hisnephew,marriedthedaughterofProf。Wilson,andinvitedustodinethatdaytomeettheprofessor,etc……WedroveoutafterbreakfastintothecountrytoHawthornden,formerlytheresidenceofDrummondthepoet,andtoLordRoslin’sgrounds,wherearetheruinsofRoslinCastleandaboveall,oftheRoslinChapel……AfterlingeringandadmiringlongwereturnedtoEdinburghjustinseasonfordinneratMr。Gordon’s,wherewefoundProf。Wilson,andanotherdaughterandson,Mrs。Rutherford,wifeoftheLordAdvocate,andCapt。
Rutherford,hisbrother,withhiswife。WehadaveryagreeableeveningandengagedtodinethereagainquiteENFAMILLE,withonlytheprofessor,whoseconversationisdelightful。
ThenextmorningwewentouttoCraigcrook,LordJeffrey’scountryseat,toseeandlunchwithhim。Hewasconfinedtohiscouch……Heisseventy—threeorseventy—four,butlooksnotaminuteolderthanfifty。Hehasafineheadandforehead,andmostagreeableandcourteousmanners,ratheroftheoldschool。Ashecouldnotrisetoreceivemehekissedmyhand。Mrs。Jeffreyisanintelligentandagreeablewomanbuthasbeenmuchoutofhealththelastyear。ShewasMissWilkesofNewYork,youknow。Thehousewasanoldcastellatedandfortifiedhouse,andwithmodernadditionsisamostbeautifulresidence。Capt。RutherfordtoldmethatwhenhereceivedtheLordAdvocate’sletterannouncingthatwewerecoming,hewenttoseeLordJeffreytoknowifhewouldbewellenoughtoseeus,andheexpressedthestrongestadmirationforMr。Bancroft’swork。
Thismayhavedisposedthemtoreceiveuswiththecordialitywhichmadeourvisitsoagreeable。Mr。Empson,hisson—in—lawandthepresidenteditoroftheEdinburghReview,wasstayingthere,andaftertalkingtwohourswithLordandMrs。Jeffreywetookwithhimawalkinthegroundsfromwhicharedelightfulandcommandingviewsofthewholeenvirons,andneverwereenvironssobeautiful。
LETTER:ToW。D。B。
TARBETONLOCHLOMOND,August28,1848
DearW……BeingdetainedherebyrainthismorningIdevoteittoyouandtomyjournal……ThenextdaywasSundaybuttheweatherbeingfineweconcludedtocontinueourjourney,andfollowedtheTayseeingBirnamWoodandDunsinaneonourwayuptoDunkeld,neartowhichisthefineseatoftheDukeofAthol。Wetookadelightfulwalkinthebeautifulgrounds,andwentontoBlairAtholtosleep。ThisisthechiefresidenceoftheDukeofAtholandhehashereanotherhouseandgroundsveryprettythoughnotasextensiveasthoseatDunkeld……WhentheinnkeeperfoundwhowewereheinsistedonsendingamessagetotheDukewhosentdownanordertoustodriveupGlenTiltandmetustherehimself。
WeenteredthroughtheParkandfolloweduptheTilt。NothingcouldbemorewildthanthisnarrowwindingpasswhichwefollowedforeightmilestillwecametotheDuke’sforestlodge。HerewerewaitingforusamostpicturesquegroupinfullHighlanddress:theheadstalker,theheadshepherd,thekennelkeeperswiththeirdogsinleashes,thepiper,etc。,etc。TheytoldusthattheDukehadsentupwordthatwewerecomingandhewouldsoonbetherehimself。
InafewmomentsheappearedalsoinfullHighlandcostumewithbareknees,kilt,philibeg,etc。Hetoldushehadthenonthesemountains15,000headofdear,andthoughtwemightliketoseeaSTART,asitiscalled。Theheadstalkertoldhim,however,thatthewindhadchangedwhichaffectsthescent,andthatnothingcouldbedonethatday。TheDuketriedtomakeusamendsbymakingsomeofhispeoplesingusGaelicsongsandshowussomeoftheathleticHighlandgames。Thelittlelodgehealsowentoverwithus,andsaidthattheDuchesscamethereandlivedsixorsevenweeksintheautumn,andthattheDukeandDuchessofBuccleuchrenteditformanyyearswhilehewasaminor。Ifyoucouldseethetinylittlerooms,youwouldbeastonishedtofindwhattheloveofsportcandoforthesepeoplewhopossessactualpalaces。
Afterdiningagainuponsalmonandgrouseattheprettylittleinn,wetookapostchaisetogoontoTaymouth,alittlevillageadjoiningLordBreadalbane’splace。Wedidnotarriveattheinntillaftereightandfounditcompletelyfull……Weweresenttotheschoolmaster’stosleepinthesmallestoflittlerooms,withagreatclockwhichtickedandstrucksoloudthatwewereobligedtosilenceit,tothegreatbewilderment,Idaresay,ofthescholarsthenextday。Beforewewereinbed,therewasaknockatthedoor,whichprovedtobefromLordBreadalbane’sbutler,tosaythathehadbeencommissionedtoenquirewheneverwearrivedattheinn,ashisLordshiphadheardthatwewereinScotlandandwishedustomakethemavisit。
NextmorningbeforewewereupcameanotefromLordBreadalbaneurgingustocomeimmediatelytotheCastle……TaymouthCastle,thoughnotmorethanfiftyyearsold,hastheairofanoldfeudalcastle……Aswewereusheredupthemagnificentstaircasethroughfirstalargeantechamber,thenthroughasuperbhallwithloftyceilingglowingwitharmorialbearings,andwiththemostlightanddelicatecarvingoneverypartoftheoakenpanelling,thenthroughalonggallery,ofheaviercarvingfilledwithfineoldcabinets,intothelibrary,itseemedtomethatthewholeCastlewasoneofthosemagicaldelusionsthatonereadsofinFairyTales,sostrangediditseemtofindsuchprincelymagnificenceallaloneamidsuchwildandsolitaryscenes。Ihadalwaysthefeelingthatitwouldsuddenlyvanish,atsomewaveofanenchanter’swand,asitmusthavearisenalso。ThelibraryisbyfarthefinestroomIeversaw。ItswindowsandarchesanddoorwaysareallofafinecarvedGothicopenworkaslightasgossamer。Onedoorwhichhelatelyaddedcostathousandpounds,thedooralone,notthedoorway,soyoucanjudgeoftheexquisiteworkmanship。HereLadyBreadalbanejoinedus,whomIhadneverbeforemet……Duringdinnerthepiperinfullcostumewasplayingthepibrochinagalleryoutsidethewindow,andafterhehaddoneaband,alsoinfullHighlanddress,playedsomeoftheItalian,GermanaswellasScotchmusic,atjustanagreeabledistance。IhaveseennothinginEnglandwhichcomparesinsplendorwiththestatewhichiskeptuphere。
WepassedWednesdayandThursdayheremostagreeably,andwerodeorwalkedduringthewholedays。LordBreadalbane,bytheway,hasjustbeenappointedLordHighChamberlaintotheQueeninplaceofLordSpencer。IamgladofthisbecausewearebroughtoftenincontactwiththeLordChamberlain,butitisverystrangetomethatamanwholiveslikeaking,andthroughwhosedominionswetravelledahundredmilesfromtheGermanOceantotheAtlantic,canbeChamberlaintoanyQueen。Thesefeudalsubordinationswerepublicanscannotunderstand……WestoppedatthelittletownofOban。Afterreadingourlettersandgettingadinner,wewentoutjustbeforesunsetforawalk。
WewishedmuchtoseetheruinsofDunolly。Wepassedtheporter’slodgeandfoundourselvesdirectlyinthemostpicturesquegroundsontheveryshoreoftheoceanandwiththeWesternIslandslyingbeforeus。Mr。Bancroftsentinhiscard,whichbroughtoutinstantlythekeytotheoldcastle,andinafewmomentsCapt。
MacDougalandMr。Phipps,abrotherofLordNormanby’s,joinedus。
Theypointedouttheinterestingpointsinthelandscape,theCastleofArdtornish,thesceneofLordoftheIsles,etc。,inadditiontothefineoldruinwecametosee。Welingeredtillthelighthouseshadbeguntoglow,andIwasremindedverymuchofthesceneryatWood’sHole,whichIusedtoenjoysomuch,onlythatcouldnotboasttheassociationwithpoetryandfeudalromance。Wethenwentintothehouse,andfoundacharmingdomesticcircleinfulleveningdresswithshortsleeves,sothatmygraytravellingcloakandstrawbonnetwereratheroutofplace。HerewereMrs。Phipps,andMissCampbell,hersister,daughtersofSirColinCampbell,andtomygreatdelight,CaptainMacDougalbroughtoutthegreatbroochofLorn,whichhisancestorwonfromBruceandthestoryofwhichyouwillfindintheLordoftheIsles。ItfastenedtheScotchPlaid,andislargerthanateacup。HedescribedtomethereverentialwayinwhichScotttookitinbothhandswhenheshowedittohim。Thewholeeveningwaspleasantandthemoresofrombeingunexpected……OnelittlethingwhichaddsalwaystothecharmofScotchsceneryisthedressofthepeasantry。OneneverseestherealHighlandcostume,buteveryshepherdhashisplaidslungoveroneshoulder,makingthemostgracefuldrapery。This,withtheuniversalGlengarrybonnet,isverypretty。
AtGlasgowweintendedtopayavisitofadaytothehistorianAlison,butfoundlettersannouncingGovernorDavis’sarrivalinLondonwithMr。Corcoranandimmediatelyturnedourfaceshomeward。
Weweretohavepassedaweekonourreturnamidstthelakes,andI
protestedagainstgoingbacktoLondonwithoutonelookatleast。
SowestoppedatKendalonSaturday,tookalittlecarriageovertoWindermereandAmblesideandpassedthewholeeveningwiththepoetandMrs。Wordsworth,attheirownexquisitehomeonRydalMount。Atteno’clockwewentfromtheretoMissMartineau,whohasbuilttheprettiestofhousesinthisvalleyneartoMrs。ArnoldatFoxHowe。
AswehadonlyonedaywemadeanarrangementwithMissMartineautogowithusandbeourguide,andsetoutthenextdayatsixo’clockandwentovertoKeswicktobreakfast。FromthencewewenttoBorrowdale,bythesideofDerwentwater,andafterwardtoUlswaterandhomebythefinepassofKirkstone。Onmyreturn,IfoundtheDukeandDuchessofArgylehadbeentoseeus。
ThetimeofclosingthedespatchbaghascomeandImusthurryovermydelightatthesceneryofthelakes。Icouldhavespentamonththere,muchtomymind。WearrivedhomeonMondayandearlynextmorningcameMr。DavisandMr。Corcoran。TheywenttoseetheParliamentproroguedinpersonbytheQueen。
LETTER:ToMr。andMrs。I。P。D。
LONDON,December14,1848
DearUncleandAunt:OnFridaywedinedatMr。Tufnell’s,whomarriedlastspringthedaughterofLordRosebery,LadyAnnePrimrose,avery"niceperson,"tousethefavoriteEnglishtermofpraise……SirJohnHobhousewasofourpartyandhetoldussomuchofByron,whowashisintimatefriend,asyouwillrememberfromhisLife,thatwestayedmuchlongerthanusualatdinner……OnTuesdaywewereinvitedtodinewithMissCoutts,butwereengagedtoMr。Gurney,animmenselyrichQuakerbanker,brotherofMrs。Fry。HisdaughterismarriedtoErnestBunsen,thesecondsonofourfriend。Weweredelightedwiththewholefamilyscene,whichwasquiteunlikeanythingwehaveseeninEngland。TheyliveatUptonPark,aprettycountryseatabouteightmilesfromus,andaresurroundedbytheirchildrenandgrandchildren。TheircostumeandlanguagearestrictlyQuaker,whichwasmostbecomingtoMrs。
Gurney’ssweet,placidface……LouisNapoleon’selectionseemsfixed,andistomeoneofthemostastoundingthingsoftheage。
WhenwepassedseveraldayswithhimatMr。Bates’s,Iwouldnothavegiventwostrawsforhischanceofafuturecareer。To—nightMendelssohn’s"Elijah"istobeperformed,andJennyLindsings。Wehadnotbeenabletogettickets,whichhavebeensoldforfiveguineasapiecethelastfewdays。TomygreatjoyMissCouttshasthismomentwrittenmethatshehastwoforouruse,andasksustotakeanearlydinneratfivewithherandaccompanyher。
LETTER:ToI。P。D。
LONDON,June8,1849
Ithankyou,mydearUncle,foryourpleasantletter,whichcontainedasusualmuchthatwasinterestingtome。AndsoMr。andMrs。Lawrencearetobeoursuccessors……Happyaswehavebeenhere,Ihaveagreatsatisfactionthatwearesettingratherthanrising;thatwehavedoneourwork,insteadofhavingittodo。
Likeallourpleasures,thosehereareearnedbyfatigueandeffort,andIwouldnotwillinglylivethelastthreeyearsoveragain,orthreeyearslikethem,thoughtheyhavecontainedhighandlastinggratifications。Wehaveconstantlythestrongestexpressionsofregretatourapproachingdeparture,andinmanycasesitis,I
know,mostgenuine。Myrelationsherehavebeenmostagreeable,andparticularlyinthatintellectualcirclewhosehighcharacterandculturehavemadetheirregardmostprecioustome。Themanifestationsofthiskindnessincreaseasthetimeapproachesforourgoingandweareinundatedwithinvitationsofallkinds。
YoungPrescottishere。IwishPrescottcouldhaveseenhisreceptionatLadyLovelace’stheothereveningwhentherehappenedtobeacollectionofgeniusandliterature。WhatablessingitisSOMETIMEStoasontohaveafather。
To—morrowwedinewithLordJohnRusselldownatPembrokeLodgeinRichmondPark。OnMondaywebreakfastwithMacaulay。WemethimatdinnerthisweekatLadyWaldegrave’s,andhesaid:"Wouldyoubewillingtobreakfastwithmesomemorning,ifIaskedoneortwootherladies?""Willing!"Isaid,"Ishouldbedelightedbeyondmeasure。"SohesentusanoteforMondaynext。Idependuponseeinghisbachelorestablishment,hislibrary,andmodeoflife。
OnWednesdaywegotoaballatthePalace。Butitisuselesstogoon,foreverydayisfilledinthisway,andgivesyouanideaofLondonintheseason。
LETTER:ToI。P。D。
LONDON,June22,1849
MydearUncle:YesterdayIpassedoneofthemostagreeabledaysI
havehadinEnglandatOxford,whereIwentwithapartytoseeMr。
Bancrofttakehisdegree……Nothingcouldhavegoneoffbetterthanthewholething。Mr。Bancroftwentupthedaybefore,butMrs。
StuartMackenzieandherdaughter,withLadyElizabethWaldegrave,Louisa,andmyselfwentupyesterdaymorningandreturnedatnight。
WelunchedattheVice—Chancellor’s(whereMr。B。madeapleasantlittleinformalspeech)andweretreatedwithgreatkindnessbyeverybody。IwishyoucouldhaveseenMr。Bancroftwalkingroundalldaywithhisscarletgownandroundvelvetcap,suchasyouseeinoldVenetianpictures。Fromthistimeforwardweshallhavethepainofbiddingadieu,onebyone,toourfriends,astheyleavetownnottoreturntillwearegone。