April 18.—­Breakfasted with Joanna Baillie, and found that gifted person extremely well, and in the display of all her native knowledge of character and benevolence.  She looks more aged, however.  I would give as much to have a capital picture of her as for any portrait in the world.  She gave me a manuscript play to read upon Witchcraft.[169] Dined with the Dean of Chester, Dr. Phillpotts.[170]

    “Where all above us was a solemn row
    Of priest and deacons, so were all below."[171]

There were the amiable Bishop of London (Howley[172]), Coplestone, whom I remember a first man at Oxford, now Bishop of Llandaff, the Dean of St. Paul’s, and other dignitaries of whom I knew less.  It was a very pleasant day—­the wigs against the wits for a guinea in point of conversation.  Anne looked queer, and much disposed to laugh at finding herself placed betwixt two prelates [in black petticoats].

April 19.—­Breakfasted with Sir George Philips.  Had his receipt against the blossoms being injured by frost.  It consists in watering them plentifully before sunrise.  This is like the mode of thawing beef.  We had a pleasant morning, much the better that Morritt was with us.  He has agreed to go to Hampton Court with us to-morrow.

Mr. Reynolds called on me about the drawing of the Laird’s Jock; he is assiduous and attentive, but a little forward.  Poor Gillies also called.  Both asked me to dinner, but I refused.  I do not incline to make what is called literary acquaintances; and as for poor G., it is wild to talk about his giving dinner to others, when he can hardly get credit for his own.

Dined with Sir Robert Henry Inglis, and met Sir Thomas

Acland, my old and kind friend.  I was happy to see him.  He may be considered now as the head of the religious party in the House of Commons, a powerful body which Wilberforce long commanded.  It is a difficult situation; for the adaptation of religious motives to earthly policy is apt—­among the infinite delusions of the human heart—­to be a snare.  But I could confide much in Sir T. Acland’s honour and integrity.  Bishop Blomfield [of Chester],[173] one of the most learned prelates of the church, also dined.

Coming home, an Irish coachman drove us into a cul de sac, near Battersea Bridge.  We were obliged to get out in the rain.  The people admitted us into their houses, where they were having their bit of supper, assisted with lights, etc., and, to the honour of London, neither asked nor expected gratification.

April 20.—­We went to Walter’s quarters in a body, and saw Hampton Court, with which I was more struck than when I saw it for the first time, about 1806.  The pictures are not very excellent, but they are curious, which is as interesting, except to connoisseurs.  Two I particularly remarked, of James I. and Charles I. eating in public.  The old part of the palace, built by Wolsey, is extremely