The
Elements, However Fine, Are Not Yet Completely Assimilated And
Brought To That More Perfect Tone Which Comes Later In Life.
Monday, April 12th
. . . On Saturday I went with Sir William and Lady Molesworth to
their box in the new Covent Garden opera, which has been opened for
the first time this week. There I saw Grisi and Alboni and
Tamburini in the "Semiramide." It was a new world of delight to me.
Grisi, so statuesque and so graceful, delights the eye, the ear, and
the soul. She is sculpture, poetry, and music at the same time. . .
. Mr. Bancroft has been received with great cordiality in Paris. He
has been three times invited to the Palace, and Guizot and Mignet
give him access to all that he wants in the archives, and he passes
his evenings with all the eminent men and beautiful women of Paris.
Guizot, Thiers, Lamartine, Cousin, Salvandi, Thierry, he sees, and
enjoys all. They take him to the salons, too, of the Faubourg St.
Germain, among the old French aristocracy, and to innumerable
receptions.
Wednesday
To-morrow I go to the Drawing-Room alone, and to complete the
climax, the Queen has sent us an invitation to dine at the Palace
to-morrow, and I must go ALONE for the FIRST TIME. If I live
through it, I will tell you all about it; but is it not awkward in
the extreme?
Friday Morning
At eight o'clock in the evening I drove to the Palace. My dress was
my currant-colored or grosseille velvet with a wreath of white Arum
lilies woven into a kind of turban, with green leave and bouquet to
match, on the bertha of Brussels lace.
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