Page:Wives of the prime ministers, 1844-1906.djvu/203

MRS. GLADSTONE The first baby, a boy, William Henry, was born on 3rd June 1840.

"April 1841.—Lord Lyndhurst was on the platform at Twyford station. I saw him look at Baby, and the nurse said he noticed his intelligence, and having asked whose child he was, said, 'Will you ever be as clever a man as your papa?'

"Sir Robert Peel desired William to introduce me to him at Lady Jersey's; he talked of his daughter's approaching marriage to Lord Villiers. He seemed in great force, which the events of the past few weeks would account for. Lady Peel said to William, 'Has not he done it well? It is very soon after the want of confidence motion and the majority of one.' The Duke of Cambridge was very loquacious, but I was not a little relieved at his fastening upon William.

"I sat next the Duke of Wellington at the Archbishop of York's dinner, but I had his deaf ear; yet I was pleased to think he had spoken to me before either of us died—have long wished for this."

"September 21, 1841.—Dinner-party at home. The future Bishop of New Zealand was with us; his conversation was very interesting as to his going to New Zealand, very touching the way he spoke 167