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19 December 1869 — Madrid | |
Sunday. 19th [December 1869]. We have the dining room in use to day at lunch. The carpet was down but we have no curtains yet. Church in the morning. I had a cold in my head & did not go out. We had a visit from Karnicky, the Austrian minister—also Mr Weisweiller the banker– We dined at the Palace at 7. The Dss looked prettier than ever in white satin. The Dutch Minister Mr Ittersum took me to dinner—there were only 4 ladies besides myself—Baronne Canitz, Miss Sickles & Mme Martos. I sat by Baron Canitz who was dull but the Dutchman was rather amusing. There were a great many gentlemen whom I knew not. The dinner was not good & the whole affair heavy & lifeless. We had Royal plate & crockery with the royal arms to eat off! At 10 we slipped away & went to Genl Prim (the Comtess de Reus’s). There were many people there whom I did not know as the “society” will not patronize the Prims. There were some men I knew—Mr Mercier & Mr Lindstrand &c. Prim’s children were there dancing. They are very well brought up little children & speak English perfectly, a great contrast to the Regent’s children who are shamefully spoilt. After a few minutes we left the Reus’s & went to Mme Montijo’s. She received me very cordially & kindly. She is a handsome tall slim old lady only nearly blind but she is witty & talkative & has all her wits about her. She must have been far handsomer than her daughter the Empress Eugenie. Here were assembled all the rank & beauty of Madrid & they were dancing away in the long room; being Sunday I preferred sitting in the outer room where Mme Montijo sits. We went home about 12. | |
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