That your jewel, as you affectionately call him, should be not only overlooked by many in the world, but with great satisfaction trodden under-foot, arises naturally enough from this,--that he is polished only on some few sides; and if one of these does not happen to strike the eye of the passer-by, he is 'comme de raison,' regarded as a mere common pebble; and, if it happens that one of his sharp points gives pain, is trodden down as much as possible. He is valued only by here and there a connoisseur, and by the possessor,--who overvalues him. Your description of the English family in B---- made me laugh; the originals for such portraits are common enough in the world of London. The 'tournure' of the ladies, with few exceptions, is indeed as awkward as what you have seen in B----; but long enjoyed and boundless wealth, old historic names, and stately invincible reserve, give to the aristocratical society of England something imposing--especially to a North-German nobleman, who is so small a personage. Do not take to heart the little disaster you tell me of. What are these but insignificant clouds, so long as the sun of the mind shines clear in our inward heaven? You should seek more amusement. Go to W----, to H----, to L----. We ought not to visit people only when we stand in need of them: if we do, they cannot believe that we love and value them, but only that we use them;--and yet could these three but see our hearts, they would learn to know and to love us better, than by words or visits. As to the park, I'm afraid you have murdered venerable age in cold blood, like a cruel tyrant as you are. So then, limes that had seen three centuries fell unwilling martyrs to a clear view. That is certainly in the spirit of the age. Henceforward, however, I give you my instructions only to plant; plant as much as you like, but remove nothing that is there. By-and-by I shall come myself and sever the tares from the wheat. _Dec. 31st._ Don Miguel of Portugal is arrived, and I was presented to him this morning. No body was present but the 'corps diplomatique' and a few foreigners. The young Prince is not ill-looking, and indeed resembles Napoleon; but his manner was rather embarrassed. He wore seven stars, and seven great orders over his coat. His complexion is like the olive of his fatherland, and the expression of his countenance rather melancholy than otherwise. _Jan. 1st, 1828._ My best wishes and a hearty kiss at the beginning of a new year. Perhaps this is the good year which we have been so long expecting, like the Jews their Messias, in vain. I ushered it in at least very cheerfully. We spent yesterday at Sir L---- M----'s, who had invited five or six very pretty girls, and at midnight we drank a toast to the new year. L---- and I took occasion to introduce the German mode of saluting the ladies, to which, after the prescribed quantity of resistance, they consented.