natural and more intimate
relations than social gatherings usually afford.

LONDON, _May_ 9, 1835

We went to Miss Berry's in the evening. I thought it very tiresome,
but was glad to see Lord John Russell and his wife.

BOWOOD, _December_ 26, 1835

The evening was very quiet, there was not much to alarm one, and
the prettiest music possible to listen to. Mr. Moore singing his
own melodies--it was really delightful, and a kind of singing I
never heard before. He has very little voice, but what he has is
perfectly sweet, and his real Irish face looks quite inspired. The
airs were most of them simply beautiful, and many of the words
equally so.

_January_ 31, 1836, ADMIRALTY

I am reading "Ivanhoe" for the first time, and delighted with it,
but things cannot be as they should be, when I feel that I require
to forget myself in order to be happy, and that unless I am taken
up with an interesting book there never, or scarcely ever, is a
moment of real peace and quiet for my poor weary mind. What is it I
wish for? O God, Thou alone canst clearly know--and in Thy hands
alone is the remedy. Oh let this longing cease! Turn it, O Father,
to a worthy object! Unworthy it must now be, for were it after
virtue, pure holy virtue, could I not still it? Dispel the mist
that dims my eyes, that I may first plainly read the secrets of my
wretched heart, and then give me, O Almighty God, the sincere will
to root out all therein that beareth not good fruit....

_February_ 4, 1836, ADMIRALTY

The great day of the opening of Parliament. Soon after breakfast we
prepared to go to the House of Lords--that is to say, we made
ourselves great figures with feathers and finery. The day has been,
unfortunately, rainy and cold, and made our dress look still more
absurd. The King did not come till two, so that we had plenty of
time to see all the old lords assembling. Their robes looked very
handsome, and I think His Majesty was the least dignified-looking
person in the house. I cannot describe exactly all that went on.
There was nothing impressive, but it was very amusing. The poor old
man could not see to read his speech, and after he had stammered
half through it Lord Melbourne was obliged to hold a candle to him,
and he read it over again. Lord Melbourne looked very like a Prime
Minist