AN EVENING AT WINDSOR CASTLE IN 1852. [To run ZDI201
or nu “firnrraron."] SIR,—Owing to your courtesy, I have been permitted on two or three occasions to publish in the Spectator some extracts from old diaries and letters in my possession. My excuse in venturing to ask for a renewal of that favour ie due to the fact that I have received from various quarters, both in the United Kingdom and abroad, so many requests for " more such extracts," which I can only gratify by appealing once more for the charity of your columns. The following extract is from a letter addressed by her brother (the fourth Lord Holland, sometime Ambassador at Florence) to my mother. As giving an instance of Queen Victoria's kindly thought for the feelings of others in circumstances decidedly trying, it will, I think, be read with interest and admiration "Devil's Tower, Windsor Castle,
12th November, 1852.
Dxsazar lasy,—Vou will have beard from Augusta lLady Holland] of our arrival here yesterday. We reached the Castle, posting from Holland House, as the dismal bell was tolling out six o'clk. As we dined at eight, Augusta had plenty of time for her toilette." (Lord Holland then goes on to give an amusing amount of her dress and ornaments, which is too elaborate and lengthy to quote.) "Yon will see in the papers who our dinner party con- sisted of. As to myself, I had a good deal to suffer in point of standing, though I was very lucky in one respect. There was dancing after dinner to amuse the Princess Mary of Cambridge, and while they danced I was assured I might sit. The Queen I think much improved in looks since I last saw her; gay, cheerful, full of little acts of courtesy, and when attention and respect are shown to her in trifling matters, never failing to requite them most graciously. I never saw anyone more alive to all that is going on about her; extremely intelligent, and with an enchant- ing voice, a pleasing smile, and I should say, as far as my very slight experience goes, unfailing graciousness in going through all the little acts of attention she is called upon to do. In the dance last night she seemed to enjoy herself as much as a girl of fifteen. without for an instant losing her dignity. Several traits of character struck me, but this above all. One of the equerries beforo the dance began rushed through the doorway, where he perceived not the Queen was standing, knocked violently up against her, and very nearly threw her off her balance! She took it, with what I thought, such admirable good taste as a most excellent joke ; laughed heartily, and seemed so extremely diverted that she would accept no apology; indeed, the equerry might almost feel proud of having amused her so much. With admirable tact, and in the kindest manner, she put the pooryoung man completely at his ease. Prince Albert, I think, seems overdosed with Paradise and every granted prayer; bored, and in perpetual apprehension of doing or saying something to compromise his exalted state—what a painful feeling for one in a strange country, with every scrutinizing eye upon him, and many of those eyes not disposed to be friendly ! Surely he deserves all credit for having lived here so long without ever giving a handle to anyone to substantiate any real, grave charge against him. We are lodged in Melbourne's old rooms ; the housekeeper looked shocked when I asked her if we were not in ' the Devil's Tower' No, certainly not, we always call it now "Prince Edward's Tower."' What an age of humbug and formality we live in !—Your affectionate HOLLAND."
Oriental Club.
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