“. . . I dined at Hughes’‡ on Thursday—17 or 18 people—crowded and dull as be damned. But then the footmen had such cloaths—such rich laced waistcoats—such beautiful new silk stockings and silver buckles! . . . My Lord Lansdowne was affable beyond measure yesterday. He has had a special messenger from Marshal Soult, offering him in the first instance, and before any one else, his Murillos, taken by him when in Spain, and only asking as the price of them one hundred thousand pounds! My Lord said Soult had shown them to him when he was last in Paris, and certainly they were the finest things ever seen—great altar-pieces, &c. . . . I have been to look at the Queen’s trial by Hayter, and never was I more disappointed—a regular daub—and yet I find myself singular in this opinion so far.”
