Dined at Lord Bathurst’s, in company with the Duke.  There are better accounts of Johnnie.  But, alas!

May 7.—­Breakfasted with Lord Francis Gower, and again enjoyed the great pleasure of meeting Mrs. Arkwright, and hearing her sing.  She is, I understand, quite a heaven-born genius, having scarce skill enough in music to write down the tunes she composes.  I can easily believe this.  There is a pedantry among great musicians that deprives their performances of much that is graceful and beautiful.  It is the same in the other fine arts, where fashion always prefers cant and slang to nature and simplicity.

Dined at Mr. Watson Taylor’s, where plate, etc., shone in great and somewhat ostentatious quantity.  C[roker] was there, and very decisive and overbearing to a great degree.  Strange so clever a fellow should let his wit outrun his judgment![189] In general, the English understand conversation well.  There is that ready deference for the claims of every one who wishes to speak time about, and it is seldom now-a-days that “a la stoccata” carries it away thus.[190]

I should have gone to the Duchess of Northumberland’s to hear music to-night, but I felt completely fagged, and betook myself home to bed.

I learned a curious thing from Emily, Lady Londonderry, namely, that in feeding all animals with your hand, you should never wear a glove, which always affronts them.  It is good authority for this peculiarity.

May 8.—­Breakfasted at Somerset House with Davies Gilbert, the new preses of the Royal Society.  Tea, coffee, and bread and butter, which is poor work.  Certainly a slice of ham, a plate of shrimps, some broiled fish, or a mutton chop, would have been becoming so learned a body.  I was most kindly received, however, by Dr. D. Gilbert, and a number of the members.  I saw Sir John Sievwright—­a singular personage; he told me his uniform plan was to support Ministers, but he always found himself voting in Opposition.  I told him his deference to Ministers was like that of the Frenchman to the enemy, who, being at his mercy, asked for his life:—­“Anything in my power excepting that, sir,” said Monsieur.  Sir John has made progress in teaching animals without severity or beating.  I should have liked to have heard him on this topic.

Called at Northumberland House and saw the Duke.  According to his report I lost much by not hearing the two rival nightingales, Sontag and Pasta, last night, but I care not for it.

Met Sir W. K[nighton], returned from the Continent.  He gives me to understand I will be commanded for Sunday.  Sir W.K. asked me to sit for him to Northcote, and to meet him there at one to-morrow.  I cannot refuse this, but it is a great bore.[191]