“I think,” said M. de W., curtly, “all things considered, that Hamlet was a damn fool!”

“I thought so too until I read the speech he made to his subjects when he mounted the throne.  It was the most beautiful bit of sentiment, the tenderest tribute to his dead father, and showed his undaunted love for his country.  I am sorry that Shakespeare made no mention of this.”

Mr. Story, who was with us, said he once heard a lady say she did not care much for Shakespeare, because he was “so full of quotations.”

ROME, 1884.

Dear ——­,—­The King drives every day in his high English phaeton through the crowded streets, not fearing to expose himself to his people, as some other sovereigns do.

When some one remonstrated with him, “Your Majesty ought not to run such risk,” he answered, smilingly:  “Comment donc!  C’est un des ennuis de noire melier.”  Everybody bows respectfully, and in return he takes off his hat and holds it at right angles, keeping the reins in the other hand.  Sometimes he does not get the chance to put his hat back on his head the whole length of the Corso.  His adjutant sits by his side and a lacquey sits behind, dressed in black.  The King likes simplicity in all things.

The Queen drives in a landau (a huit resorts), accompanied by her lady in waiting; the servants in their brilliant red liveries can be seen from a long distance.  Her Majesty recognizes every one, smiles and bows right and left; sometimes she will look back and give a person an extra smile.  She says that she can see, while flying by, all the objects exposed in the shop windows, and often sends the servant back to buy what she has noticed.

When their Majesties meet in the drive in their respective equipages the Queen rises in her seat as if to make a courtesy, and the King responds in the most ceremonious manner.

Before Christmas the Queen goes about in the shops and makes her own purchases (the shops are then shut to the public).  All the ladies of the court receive magnificent gifts, generally in the shape of jewels.

The King always keeps on his writing-table and within touch a quantity of rare unset stones.  He likes to look at them and handle them; and then, when the occasion comes to give a present, he has the stones set in diamonds.

MILAN, November 2, 1884.

My dear Aunt,—­We arrived here last night, and shall remain till to-morrow, when we are expected at Monza, where the King and the Queen have invited us to make them a visit.