business of any sort can be postponed to the first whim that enters their head.  My mother came with Dr. Combe in the carriage to fetch me from the riding school.  At home found a note from Lady Francis and the epilogue Lord Francis has written to “Hernani,” which I am certainly bound to like, for it is highly complimentary to me.

I went to the real theater in the evening to do real work.  The house was good, but I played like a wretch—­ranted, roared, and acted altogether infamously.  The fact was I was tired to death, and of course violence always has to supply the place of strength.  Unluckily all the F——­s were there, and I felt sorry for them.  To be sure, they had never seen “The Hunchback” before, and I should think would heartily desire never to see it again; my performance was shameful.

Thursday, June 2d.—­Mr. Hayter called.  Lord Francis has spoken to him about the picture he wishes him to do of me, and he came to take the position, and I gave him his choice of three or four.  I dare say he will make a very pretty picture.  As for my likeness, that I am not hopeful about.  I have gone through the operation in vain so very often.  Murray has sent me some beautiful and delightful books....  A third representation of “Hernani” is called for, it seems, and, as far as I am concerned, they are welcome to it; but Lady Francis came to say that the Duchess of Gloucester wants it to be acted on the 23d, and I am afraid that will not do for my theater arrangements; they must try and have it earlier, if possible.  Lady Francis has half bribed me with a ball.  They want us to go down to Oatlands for Saturday and Sunday, and I hope we may be able to manage it....  After Lady F——­ was gone, my mother had a visit from Mrs. B——­; her manner is bad, her matter is good.  She is clever and excellent, and I have a great respect for her.  She interested me immensely by her account of Mrs. Fry’s visits to Newgate.  What a blessed, happy woman to do so much good; to be the means of comfort and consolation, perhaps of salvation, to such desolate souls!  How I did honor and love what I heard of her.  Mrs. B——­ said Mrs. Fry would be delighted to take me with her some day when she went to the prison.  My mother laughingly said she was afraid Mrs. Fry would convert me—­surely not to Quakerism.  I do not think I need a new faith, but power to act up to the one I profess.  I need no Quaker saint to tell me I do not do that.

[I had the great honor of accompanying Mrs. Fry in one of her visits to Newgate, but from various causes received rather a painful impression instead of the very different one I had anticipated.  Her divine labor of love had become famous, and fine ladies of fashion pressed eagerly to accompany her, or be present at the Newgate exhortations.  The unfortunate women she addressed were ranged opposite their less excusable sister sinners of the better class, and I