ladies came upstairs about 10.30--the men went to the smoking-room. This morning it is showery--I didn't go down to breakfast, but about 12.30 I found my way to the drawing-room, and the Duchess showed me the house before lunch. It would take weeks to see all that is in it. The gallery that runs round the court is filled with portraits of Russells of every degree, also various Kings and Queens of England. There are splendid pictures all over the house--one drawing-room absolutely panelled with Canalettos. When we had been over the house we went into the garden to dedicate a fountain which Boehm had made, and also to see a full length statue of the Duchess which he had also just completed for the garden. I am very glad to know Boehm. He is intelligent and sympathetic, original too. He and W. had a long talk last night in the "fumoir," and it seems he was much struck with W. and said afterward to the Duke "Der weiss alles." [10] The Duke of Bedford. After lunch, just as we were starting to have tea at Ampthill, we received two telegrams--one from the Embassy, and one from Deichmann--telling of the Emperor's death at 11 this morning--so that long struggle is over. We drove over to Ampthill, and walked about in the garden with umbrellas and waterproofs, but of course the place looked triste and dark as there are great trees close to the house. There was a very good picture of Lord Ampthill in one of the drawing-rooms, and souvenirs of their diplomatic life in every direction; signed photographs of all sorts of distinguished people--snuff-boxes, medals, etc. June 16th. It is still grey and damp, but no rain. The Duchess took us for a beautiful _grass_ drive through miles of rhododendrons, quite enchanting--I have never seen anything like it;--but again the want of sunlight made a great difference. The contrast between the deep green of the lawn and the extraordinary amount and variety of colour was most striking. We left about 3--immediately after lunch. I had quite a talk with the Duke while we were waiting for the carriage. He told me he had been so pleased to have had W. at his house and to hear him talk. He said--"I am not a Republican, but I must say that so long as the Republic finds men like him to serve her, there can be nothing better for France." #London#, June 24th. We all went to the funeral service for the Emperor Frederick this morning, all of us smothered in crepe with long crepe veils. It was precisely the same service over again as we had had for the old Emperor a few months ago. The heat was something awful--so many people--and it was very long. I dined in the evening at Hurlingham with Sir Roderick Cameron, and that was nice; deliciously cool, lights all about the place, and the Hungarian band playing. _To H. L. K._ #London#, July 12, 1888.