A WOUNDED HORSE (BY LADY DACRE). From the wax model in the possession of Mr. John Murray. To face p. 210. 1844] PANIZZI 211 slept well. Went to Westmacott's with the Farquhars: he is making small alterations, which will do good, I think. 24th.-Panizzi and Wollaston Blake dined here and were very agreeable, but would have been ten times more so had they gone at half-past ten instead of half-past eleven. Panizzi is so warm-hearted and affectionate; he talked much of the new dramatic poem "Arnaldo di Brescia" by Nicolini, which is creating such a sensation in Italy. With some difficulty, owing to the interdict, he has obtained two copies, one of which he will lend us. He speaks highly of it, and says it is full of such noble sentiments, and of praises of liberty, that he does not wonder at its being forbidden. 25th.-Papa and Uncle Will come to town for Aunt Balfour's funeral. They and Mr. Whitbread dined here, and very snug we were. Finished the "Sorrows of Werther," which amuse, interest, and bore me. The sentiment is too much. 26th.-Went to the opera with Papa and the Bourchiers, who were much pleased by my asking them to go with me. Carlotta Grisi delighted me more than ever she is very decent, and dances with so much. expression, you do not merely feel that you are looking at a wonderful feat, but at spirit overflowing with gaiety and joyousness. She moves her arms very gracefully; in short, is always graceful all over, and as if she could not help it. 27th.-Called on Mrs. Sartoris, who seemed out of spirits. I was much struck by her likeness in voice and manner to our poor dear Fanny,' and also by a bust she has of Fanny, which is extremely like. Went to Lady Bunbury's in the evening. She lies under a mistake if she thinks about nine people in two large rooms make a pleasant party. I liked it however, for I had a long parley with Mr. Bunbury about languages -French, English, German, and Italian, and their different geniuses: the power all three, but our own, have of tutoyer-ing, etc., etc.; ending with Petrarch 1 212 SYDNEY SMITH'S STORIES [1844 and Granny's Translations, of which she has given Lady Bunbury a copy. 28th. We went back to Lough's, where we saw two large groups in clay to compete for the prize in Westminster Hall. He showed us his Iago for Sir M. Ridley's Shakespeare Gallery, which is merely a fine-looking man with rather a sinister expression, in Roman drapery, with a mask in his hand, and therefore no more lago than any one else in the world. It does strike me as the most foolish attempt to represent Shakespeare's characters in stone, where you have neither costume nor colouring, added to which it matters so little what they look like in comparison to what they think and say. Beauty of form has but little to say to the beauty of his Juliet, Portia, Queen Katherine, Hamlet, etc., or how could we bear to see them acted by ugly or commonplace-looking people, however well they might act? We looked at Lord Collingwood, Milo, etc., again, and at the Satan, which I admire more than ever. There is a grandeur, majestic haughtiness, and noble wickedness in it worthy of Milton's Satan: so much finer than the commonplace devils with horns and tails. April 1.-Heard two new stories of Sydney Smith. One that when the Bishop of London and the clergyman of St. Paul's were debating as to how St. Paul's should be repaved, and objecting to wood pavement on account of some difficulties attending it, he said, "I do not know that there would be much difficulty if you two were to lay your heads together." Then, when told that the clergyman who has been lately tried for maiming and killing his neighbour's cattle who strayed into his grounds, was not found guilty because the jury did not know what punishment to inflict, his opinion was that nothing was too severe "Let him be torn in pieces by wild curates." 2nd.-Harry came up from Brighton at half-past eleven. A glorious day, notwithstanding which we longed too much to get home to enjoy our journey. Harry was as quiet as a mouse, which enabled me to carry down two of Barby's old models in safety. Found Frank looking well: just arrived at home. The 1844] BALLS AND PLAYS 213 two boys have never left each other for a moment, and have ended with falling asleep in one bed, close together. 20th. I have completely abandoned my journal for so long that I hardly know where to begin. I went to the Hoo from the 9th to the 12th to meet the Bourchiers, Hatty Marten, and Lady Morley, all in high force, and charming in their different ways; Lady Morley overflowing with drollery. Sir E. Bulwer Lytton dined there one night; he is ugly, and like Retsch's Mephistopheles. On the 12th Hatty went home to finish packing up, as, to our great grief, they have let Marshall's Wick for two years. On Saturday the Hoo races took place: very good. Wednesday, Frank went to school, and we returned to town. Went to a party at the Bunburys'-much pleasanter than usual, as the room was fuller-and a grand ball at Mrs. Grenfell's. Thursday, a ball at Mrs. Holland's, for which Barby came up with Mrs. Hibbert for one night: the merriest, nicest ball ever seen; knew a great many people, and danced every dance; I never enjoyed any ball half so much. Friday, went with Whitbreads and Leicesters to the play; they are only in town for a short time, and happily the very time I am here. They had the Duchess of Bedford's box at Drury Lane, but for some reason the theatre was shut up, so we went to the Haymarket, where we saw "Used Up," in which Matthews is excellent; "Grist to the Mill," in which Madame Vestris is also excellent; and a man and two sons perform wonderful feats, such as standing on each other's heads, feet, and hands, etc. To-day Papa takes Harry home, calling for Barbarina on his way. Granny and Grandpapa dined at the Whitbreads, but I had a headache and could not go, but stayed quietly at home reading "Arnaldo di Brescia," an Italian play, which has created a great sensation in Italy, partly on account of its being proscribed on account of the abuse of the Popes, and partly owing to the exhortations to the Italians to recover their liberty. I see that it is evidently only a vehicle for Nicolini-the author's-political opinions. It is difficult to get a copy, as every book is carefully concealed. Rolandi procured one, but it was not at home, so Panizzi has lent us his, which was sent to |