Gray. ― dry early.

Wrote to John E. Cross.

C. Fortescue breakfasted with me ―: pleasant ― much talk of A.P. Stanley’s article on Essays & Reviews. He left at 1.20. I went out (μόνος) & called on the Godleys: J.G. is  I think ill beyond hope, & she looks sadly. ― Then on Wynnes, where I lunched with Mr. W. & the 2 Miss W.s (they tell me the Q. never knew the disorder of the Dss. of K.1 & the Dss. did not recognize her at her last visit: & consequently the Q. has never spoken to P.A. since, he having kept the matter from her. And that she is having a statue made of the Dss., (by Theed!) dressed & coloured like life.)

3dly on Crakes: Mr. C. is still more feeble ― & goes to St. Leonards on [].2

Walked as far as the Church, with M.A.C. & called on (4th) Simeon ― where I saw his daughters. ― 5th Col. Sykes ― out. home: & [found]3 Frith & 2 daughters at the door. Also Fairbairn had called.

Out again and called on ˇ[6] Fairbairn, 7 ― Bouverie, 8 Lushington, 9. Adderley ― all out. 10. Sir W. James ― Walter better ― home again by 6.30. 7.40 Dowager Countess Greys.

Lady G. told me (before people came,) that it is true the Q. never knew of the Dss.’s complaint, cancer ― nor does she now ― but says the Newspaper stories are false ― & it is not thought worth while to undeceive her. And the Dss. herself never knew ― being never told ― & tho’ she had 5 aperte ferite4 ― grew weaker, [thinking] herself very ill, but thankful that she had no positive disease like Cancer.

It was [―] a query with me, why the 2 Royal folk would not acknowledge to cancer? ― simply vulgar terror of an ugly disease, or lofty avoidance of an unroyal unpleasantness. ― The 2 Woods were very nice & simple ― shewing lots of sketches ― (possibly preordained to do so by Lady G.G. ―) of Nice ― very clear & forcible: ― & each lauding the other’s work: ― both pleasant juveniles. ― Dr. B. I thought ill bred. Genl. C. Grey came in ― but I did not think him delightful. Countess Grey fast leaving our world. All the children of this Lady seem kind & respectful to her. ―

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

  1. The duchess of Kent, Queen Victoria’s mother, had died on 16 March 1861. [↩]
  2. A blot covers the rest of the line. [↩]
  3. Blotted. [↩]
  4. Open wounds. [↩]