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 I
ever 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. I
have had the diamond pin and earrings which you father gave me,
reset, and made into a magnificent brooch, and so arranged that I
can 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,