CHAPTER IV. WHEN we reached England my kind and noble friend, Lady Emmeline Stuart Wortley, had left for Dover. But her charming family have been affectionately cordial to us. It is impossible to describe how excellent and attentive they constantly are. They have all called upon us, entertained us at their houses, and greeted us as dear friends. Oh! how gentle and precious to the stranger's heart, are these evidences of appreciation! The Rutland family are among the noblest and highest of England. They are cultivated, elegant, and refined, and more hospitable people I have never met. We have just returned from a delightful party, to which we were invited by Lady John Manners, the lovely wife of Lord John, second son of the Duke of Rutland. The party was brilliant and magnificent, and we were enchanted by the charming manner in which we were received. A number of per sons were presented to us, who welcomed us so kindly we felt no more as strangers. She is tall and Lady John Manners is very beautiful. graceful; her complexion fair, her eyes "deeply, darkly blue," and her hair perfectly black. It was fastened around LORD AND LADY JOHN MANNERS. 27 her head in broad Grecian braids, and then encircled by a coronet of diamonds. Her manner is refreshingly natural and genial. As she stood by the side of her noble husband, I thought of the remark of the divine who married them: "I have never united in marriage a more handsome couple." They were indeed fitly mated, in youth, in intellect, and in high position. Lord John Manners has a noble, high-bred air. He is an exceedingly handsome man, resembling very much the pictures of Lord Byron, to whom he is of kindred. His eyes are of singular beauty and eloquence of expression; his dark hair clusters in close curls around his lofty and poetic brow. He is said to be the original of D'Israeli's "Coningsby." He told me how affectionately his sister (Lady Emmeline) cherished the remembrance of her American friends. There were a number of distinguished persons present, and I was highly gratified to meet D'Israeli, and to hear his bright and sparkling conversation. He has a strongly marked Hebrew face, with brilliant eyes, and intensely black hair. The Misses Pyne and Mr. Harrison sang several concerted pieces, and many charming ballads. They are delightful vocalists, and will be warmly appreciated in America, where they are going shortly. It was already daylight, when we reached our lodgings; in these northern climes, the nights of summer are not of long duration. It is only one week since we reached London, and each hour has brought new emotions of pleasure. We had letters to many different circles of society, and all had greeted me with a kindness and warmth of cordiality inexpressibly gratifying. "The cold in clime" are not always "cold in heart," for hospitality more prompt, more generous and considerate, I have never known even in the "Land of the South." The perfection of manner is found among the higher classes of the nobility. Unpretentious and elegant, they deem themselves sufficiently elevated in social position to be natural, and hence they are charming and genial. We devoted this morning to visiting at the house of Lady Wharncliffe. We met Prince Czarstorisky, and his handsome young son. The prince is heir to the throne of Poland, could Poland ever again be numbered among the nations of earth. He strongly reminded me of Lafayette, not only in the expression of his face, but in his benevolent manner. When he knew I was from America, he asked eagerly about the country, and remarked, that in the first days of his exile he had thought of going there. I assured him, he would have met an earnest welcome, for America still gratefully cherished the memory of Kosciusko, who came to her aid in the dark days of trial. Lord Wharncliffe is the great-grandson of Lady Mary Wortley Montague. His father wrote her Memoirs. Lord and Lady Wharncliffe, and the Hon. Miss Wortley, had passed some months in America, and it was pleasant to hear them speak in terms of such true appreciation of our country. Every where we have heard English people express pride and gratification at the onward progress of the United States. us; We had heard much ere we came, of the prejudice against but from our own experience it is a fiction. As a mother rejoices in the renown of her children, so does England look with satisfaction upon America. How can it be otherwise? English blood flows in our veins-their language is ours—their religion is ours-their poets and great men are also our treasures. THE STARR FAMILY. 29 Meeting again with our dear kind friends, Col. and Mrs. Starr, has been a great happiness to me. We knew each other well, long years ago in America; and as soon as we reached London, they came to greet us with the warmest and most heart-winning welcome. Col. Starr is now established in this city, at the head of an influential business-house, and has gathered around him a large circle of charming and appreciative friends. He is a noble man, gifted, refined, and intellectual. As an author he possesses great merit, and as a poet, his songs are sweetly expressive of the gentle and tender emotions of the soul. Mrs. Starr is an elegant woman, belonging to one of the old and aristocratic families of New York. Her grandfather was Sir John Throgmorton, an English Governor of the province of New York, under royal rule. In their delightful family circle, consisting of four children, two lovely girls and two noble boys, we have spent a portion of every day since our arrival. It was like a pleasant home to us, in a foreign land, a "bit of America" in England; for, although Col. S. is an Englishman, his wife and children were all born in our own country. We have been exceedingly pleased with our Minister, Mr. Ingersoll; he is a fine specimen of a frank, honest, agreeable and intelligent American gentleman. His niece, Miss Wilcocks, a handsome and interesting woman, dispenses the hospitality of his mansion in Portland Place, with a graceful cordiality, very captivating to her country-people; and extremely admired by the distinguished circles of society, who often assemble there. Americans are always warmly and graciously received by Mr. Ingersoll, and every favor and kindness in his power bestowed upon them. |