George Ticknor, Life, letters and journals of George Ticknor
George Hillard, Ed.

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In the evening I met a great many of the same people at Lady Palmerston's, but the scene was as different as possible. Among those whom I talked with was a Mr. Lowe, in one of the considerable offices of the government, who spent some months last year in the United States. I assure you he saw things with an eye both very acute and very vigilant. . . . .

July 26.—I took Senior in my little brougham, and drove to Richmond to make two or three visits. First we went to the Marquis of Lansdowne's, who, I am sorry to notice, grows feeble fast, though he preserves his good spirits, and has the same gentle courtesy he always had . . . . The Flahaults were there, and seemed to take pleasure in remembering our acquaintance in 1818-19, at Edinburgh . . . . The charming, unworldly Lady Shelburne, who seems more agreeable than ever, is, you know, their daughter. . . . . I found her too, and her father and mother, at Lord John Russell's, where I was invited to an afternoon dejeuner, and where I met a good deal of distingue company; Lord Monteagle, et que sais-je? Lord John has a beautiful place in Richmond Park, which the Queen has given him for his life, and where he seems to live very happily with his children. He showed me his seat, as he calls it, under some trees, commanding a beautiful view of the river and all the surrounding country, where, in the shade, he told me, he had read my book.

But I did not stay long there, for I was more anxious to make another visit than either of the last. And who do you think it was I wanted so much to see? No less people than old Count Thun, Countess Josephine, and Count Frederic and his wife, who are stopping at the Star and Garter for a few days. They came to England for the Manchester Exhibition, and for sea-bathing for the young Countess. . . . . I was lucky to hear of them yesterday at Lady Holland's. They were really glad to see me, and no mistake. The bright beautiful young Countess broke out at once, ‘And why did you not stay that other day at Verona? I went to see Mrs. Ticknor; but you were all flown.’ . . . . They were all looking well, and sent any quantity of kind messages to you and Anna. But it was late, and I was obliged to leave them, parting from them as heartily as I met them, with a promise that they will come and see me in London.

We drove to town as fast as we could, and, finding it impossible to change my dress, I went straight to Senior's, . . . . it having been understood that I was to dine with him, sans ceremonie. We had, however, something of a party: his brother, a military man; . . . . Miss Hampden, daughter of the Bishop, and very sensible; and