the use of the German language in England (and
there I could not speak out _all_ my mind), Guizot's translation
of the Prince's speeches, and his preface (which the Queen has
since sent me to look at), the children's play at Windsor (when
Princess Alice acted a high priest, with great success--in
"Athalie," I think), the Prussian children (the Queen says the
baby is not pretty--the little boy on coming yesterday called them
all stumpfnase, pugnose), handwritings, Lord Palmerston's to wit,
Mr. Disraeli's style in his letters to the Queen, the proper mode
of writing, on what paper, etc., and _great_ laudation of Lady
Lyttelton's letters. Princess Alice declares her baby is pretty,
and says she shall show it me. The Queen was very cheerful, and
seemed for the time happy. A statue of the Prince is about to be
set up at Aberdeen, and she is then to attend and receive an
address, with Sir G. Grey present in due form. The household life
is really very agreeable when one comes to know them. One way and
another they have a great deal in them.

_Oct. 5._--I have been riding to Invercauld House and up above it.
The beauty there even surpassed my high expectations, and made
everything here look quite pale in comparison. They were very
kind, and offered me deer-stalking; we drank tea and ate scones.

I have only time to tell you two things. First, the Queen is on
Friday to do her first public act, to attend at the 'inauguration'
of the statue of the Prince, and to receive an address. I am to be
there officially. I have telegraphed for my uniform. I go on to
Aberdeen and Trinity College at night, and on Saturday evening to
Edinburgh. There was fear that it might be on Saturday, and that I
should be kept, but this could not be, as Saturday is a 'fast' for
the periodical sacrament on Sunday. I told you the Queen talked
about German on Saturday at dinner, among other things Schiller's
and Coleridge's _Wallenstein_. Next morning she sent me, through
Lady A. Bruce, the book, with a passage of which I have hastily
translated the most important part. It is easy to conceive how it
answers to her feelings.

"Too well I know the treasure I have lost.
From off my life the bloom is swept away;
It lies before me cold and colourless;
For he, that stood beside me like my youth,
He charmed realit