14

MEETS THE REGENT IN HYDE PARK [CH. 1

The winning the Riddlesworth' was a coup de Providence which has set us comparatively at ease; but alas! when will our expenses fall within our income?

The canvassing at Lewes followed close upon the Epsom races. I felt that I ought not, for the sake of a few days' frivolity, to give up one of the real concerns of life. I arrived at Lewes in the night, stayed over the whole of the next day, and set off that night for Maresfield. Two days later-on June 1 -I returned to town, and went to Lady Grey's, where I had a long and amusing conversation with Mr. Scarlett.2

I have ridden daily in the Green Park, which is watered regularly while the Queen is in town. The shade there is perfect.

A few days ago, while Shelley, Jenkinson,3 and myself were riding in the Park, I met Brougham, who was walking. While we were talking gaily, and I was in the act of warmly shaking hands with him, the Prince Regent passed us in his buggy. He now drives himself in a dark-green tilbury, with a little boy by his side. In this way he pays his visits to Lady Hertford. The gentlemen, taking off their hats, bowed to the ground. I turned slowly round, and met his eye. It was a ludicrous situation! I may mention-in parenthesis-that we were not invited to Carlton House last week, nor, indeed, once this year! The Regent said, before a dozen people, that the young Duchess of Cambridge (who appeared at

On April 13, 1818, Sir John Shelley's Prince Paul won the Fourth Riddlesworth Stakes at the Newmarket Craven Meeting. The betting was 5 to 2 against Prince Paul. This made him a favourite for the 1818 Derby.

James Scarlett, born in 1769, was Whig member for Peterborough from 1819 to 1830. He was Attorney-General in the Ministry of both Canning and Wellington. He opposed the Reform Bill of 1831. He was created Baron Abinger in 1835; and died in 1844.

Charles Cecil Cope Jenkinson (1784-1851), second son of first Earl of Liverpool. M. P. for Bridgnorth 1812-18. Was Under-Secretary for War 1809. Succeeded to the earldom 1828. Lord Steward of Queen Victoria's Household 1841-6.

14]

THE DERBY, 1818.

Won by Mr. Thornhill's "Sam"; Sir John Shelley's "Prince Paul" finishing third.

Frem a contemporary print in the possession of Sydney Hankey, Esq.

1818]

A DOUBTFUL COMPLIMENT

15

Carlton House shortly after her marriage) was a mixture of Lady Jane Paget and Lady Shelley. I regard this as a great compliment, as she is much admired; but, as her mouth is not pretty, I feel that I have fallen heir to the worst part of her face!

The Duke of Cambridge seems to be immensely in love with her, and is sure to make an excellent husband. The other day, while the young Duchess was walking with her husband in Kensington Gardens, the mob pressed upon her so warmly to express their good wishes, and cheered the Duke so heartily, that she became seriously alarmed. The Duke of Cambridge was obliged to set his wife with her back to a tree, and placed himself before her to keep off the crowd!

CHAPTER II

MARESFIELD, January 1819.-I have begun this year by a pleasant trip to London for the meeting of Parliament. London is always pleasanter before the season of gaiety and indifference begins. We dined out every day. I enjoyed a renewal of the Duke of Wellington's former warmth of friendship. I happened to meet him as I drove into London; he called upon me the next day, and we dined together at Lord Westmorland's. The Duke has now become, as I predicted he would, a perfect Englishman. He is winning the hearts of the most violent among the Opposition in Parliament, by the simplicity of his manner, in spite of his having Cabinet rank. He seems to be perfectly unconscious of the honours. that have been heaped upon him. This is the more wonderful, because party feeling never ran higher than at the present time, nor was determination ever stronger to get rid of the present Government and to put the Opposition in power. This, I feel sure, they will not be able to effect.

On our return to Maresfield a very pleasant party assembled there. The Duke of Wellington was to have come, but was prevented by the Archduke of Austria fixing on yesterday to visit Woolwich.

"MY DEAR LADY SHELLEY,

"LONDON, January 27, 1819.

"I am very sorry that I cannot go down to Maresfield, as the Archduke goes to Woolwich Friday,