25th.—I was at a party at Lady Neave’s, of a different description. Dowager Lady Harcourt, Dowager Lady Cardigan, Mrs. R. Walpole, Mrs. A. Egerton, and other genuine whist-players, besides many more, young and old.
28th.—Went in the evening to Madame d’Angoulême’s, who receives company from seven to nine. She appeared to be cheerful, and looked better than when she left England, though her ladies said she was altered from what she was at Paris. She seemed to regret not having been able to obtain any favour from the Admiralty for the captain of the sloop who brought her over. Her passage had been very stormy; but she said she was too happy to find a ship of war to convey her. She spoke very gratefully of the captain’s care of her and her suite. She had been very sick; but I heard from others that she had nursed and comforted all the rest, thinking of herself the last. She told me she had written to Princess Charlotte, and wished to visit her, but had received an answer from her, saying that she begged she would ask the Prince Regent’s leave; which she thought very odd, as it implied that Princess Charlotte could not ask it herself. She asked whether he saw her often, and appeared surprised when I said he had not called on her since her arrival in town. I afterwards went to Lady Aylesbury’s, and to a ball at Lady Charleville’s, for the celebration of Lord Tullamore’s[42] birthday, which was very full, and well managed.
30th.—Dowager Lady Harcourt called, and told me there was a report of a courier having arrived to say that the Emperor of Russia meant to act only on the defensive. Lady Downshire afterwards called with a newspaper, which says Murat has been defeated by the Austrians, and has retired on Ferrara. General Nugent, who commanded them, was, in the Paris papers three days ago, announced to be taken prisoner. I dined at Lord Rolle’s, where Lord Powlett, Mr. Rose, and the Bishop of Exeter said that a courier was arrived with this intelligence from Lord Burghersh and, Lord Powlett said, one afterwards from Lord W. Bentinck. In the evening I went to the Duchess of Orleans’, who is going to-morrow into the country. She said Princess Charlotte had been with her in the morning, and had spoken very kindly of me, saying that she was under great obligations to me; and when the Duchess was with her before, she had also spoken in the same manner. The Parisians, who are fond of bons mots, say “rendez-nous notre Père de Gand (Paire de Gants).” They have prints which represent on one side a bunch of violets, the outline of which forms the portraits of Napoleon, Marie Louise, and the boy,[43] and under it is written “bouquet impérial;” but on the other side is a bunch of lilies and roses, forming the profiles of the Bourbons, and the motto is “bouquet Français.” Desertions from Bonaparte to the King are numerous, and the well-wishers to the Royal cause wear “Pensées.” They say, “La saison des violettes se passe,” a bunch of violets having been the designation of the adherents of Bonaparte, whom they used to toast as “Le Caporal Violet.” Mademoiselle Mars, the comic actress, was hissed off the stage the other night for having one of these bouquets of violets.