We had a dinner on Saturday which amused me, as I am very fond of _pleasant_ society, and we have been for these last three weeks immured within our old palace, and I longed sadly for some gaiety.
After being so very long in the country I was preparing to go out in right earnest, whereas I have only been _twice_ to the play since our return, which is marvellous! However, we are to have another dinner to-morrow, and are going to the play and Opera.

After Easter I trust I shall make ample amends for all this solitariness.

I hope to begin singing with Lablache shortly after Easter.

But to return to last Saturday's dinner.

We had the Archbishop of Dublin,[18] a clever but singular man, and his lady; Lord Palmerston, with whom I had much pleasant and amusing conversation after dinner--you know how agreeable he is; then Lady Cadogan,[19] who enquired much after you and Aunt Louise; Lord and Lady Rosebery,[20] Mr and Mrs E.Stanley,[21] Lord Morpeth,[22] Lord Templetown,[23] Sir John Cam Hobhouse,[24] Dr Lushington,[25] and Mr Woulfe,[26] the Solicitor-General for Ireland, a Roman Catholic and a very clever man.