Tuesday night,January 19,1847
To-day we have been present at the opening of Parliament,but how can I picture to you the interest and magnificence of the scene.Iwill begin quite back,and give you all the preparations for a "Court Day."Ten days before,a note was written to Lord Willoughby d'Eresby,informing him of my intention to attend,that a seat might be reserved for me,and also soliciting several tickets for American ladies and gentlemen....I cannot take them with me,however,as the seat assigned to the ladies of Foreign Ministers is very near the throne.This morning when I awoke the fog was thicker than Iever knew it,even here.The air was one dense orange-colored mass.
What a pity the English cannot borrow our bright blue skies in which to exhibit their royal pageants!
Mr.Bancroft's court dress had not been sent home,our servants'
liveries had not made their appearance,and our carriage only arrived last night,and I had not passed judgment upon it.Fogs and tradesmen!these are the torments of London.Very soon came the tailor with embroidered dress,sword,and chapeau,but,alas!Mr.
Isidore,who was to have dressed my hair at half-past ten was not forthcoming,and to complete my perplexity,he had my head-dress in his possession.At last,just as Russell had resumed her office at the toilet,came Isidore,a little before twelve,coiffure and all,which was so pretty that I quire forgave him all his sins.It was of green leaves and white FLEUR-DE-LIS,with a white ostrich feather drooping on one side.I wear my hair now plain in front,and the wreath was very flat and classical in its style.My dress was black velvet with a very rich bertha.A bouquet on the front of FLEUR-DE-LIS,like the coiffure,and a Cashmere shawl,completed my array.Ihave had the diamond pin and earrings which you father gave me,reset,and made into a magnificent brooch,and so arranged that Ican also wear it as a necklace or bracelet.On this occasion it was my necklace.
Miss Murray came to go with me,as she wished to be by my side to point out everybody,and her badge as Maid of Honor would take her to any part of the house.At half-past twelve she and I set out,and after leaving us the carriage returned for your father and Mr.
Brodhead.But first let me tell you something of our equipage.It is a CHARIOT,not a coach;that is,it has but one seat,but the whole front being glass makes it much more agreeable to such persons as have not large families.The color is maroon,with a silver moulding,and has the American arms on the panel.The liveries are blue and red;on Court Days they have blue plush breeches,and white silk stockings,with buckles on their shoes.Your father leaves all these matters to me,and they have given me no little plague.When I thought I had arranged everything necessary,the coachman,good old Brooks,solicited an audience a day or two ago,and began,"Mistress,did you tell them to send the pads and the fronts and the hand-pieces?""Heavens and earth!what are all these things?"said I."Why,ma'am,we always has pads under the saddle on Court Days,trimmed round with the colors of the livery,and we has fronts made of ribbin for the horses'heads,and we has white hand-pieces for the reins."This is a specimen of the little troubles of court life,but it has its compensations.To go back to Miss Murray and myself,who are driving through the park between files of people,thousands and thousands all awaiting with patient,loyal faces the passage of the Queen and of the State carriages.The Queen's was drawn by eight cream-colored horses,and the servants flaming with scarlet and gold.This part of the park,near the palace,is only accessible to the carriages of the foreign ministers,ministers,and officers of the household.
