Lord Russell to Lady Georgiana Russell [65]

    PEMBROKE LODGE, January 22, 1867

MY DEAREST GEORGY,—­I have been very negligent in not writing to you before, as I meant to do, but laziness after exertion is very pleasant.  My exertion was not small, as, besides speaking at the beginning of the evening, I sate up for the division, and did not get home till near four in the morning.  The triumph was very great; Derby and Cairns and the foolish and wicked Tories were beat, and the wise and honest Tories, like Salisbury and Carnarvon, helped the Liberals to defeat them....  We shall have a great fight in Committee; but I still trust in a reasonable majority for not pushing amendments too far, and then the Bill will be a great triumph of sense over nonsense....  We had Dickens Saturday and Sunday—­very agreeable and amiable....

    Your affectionate father, R.

[65] This letter ought to be dated July 22, 1869, and addressed to Lady Georgiana Peel.  It refers to the debate on the Irish Church Bill.

    Lady Russell to Mr. Rollo Russell

    37 CHESHAM PLACE, BELGRAVE SQUARE, S.W.,

    February 21, 1867

...  Your Papa and I dined yesterday with Lord and Lady Cork.  I heard some funny stories of Mrs. Lowe....  Here’s the best.  Mr. Lowe was talking of the marriage service, of the absurdity of making everybody say, “With all my worldly goods I thee endow”—­“For instance, I had not a penny.” Mrs. L.:  “Oh, but Robert, you had your brains!” Mr. L. (sharply):  “I’m sure I didn’t endow you with them.”  Very funny; but very cruel, too, in answer to what was meant so affectionately....  Now, I must get ready to walk with your Papa.  He keeps well and strong, in spite of the cloudy political atmosphere (hazy, perhaps, rather than cloudy)—­nobody thinking or feeling anything clearly or warmly, except him and Gladstone and a score or two of others.  He feels that the Government has so discredited itself and the Tory party generally, that the Whig party might be in a capital position if it chose.  But the general indifference of Whig M.P.’s to Reform, and their selfish fear of dissolution, come in the way of public spirit and combined action.

Your Papa is writing to Mr. Gladstone, from whom he has just received an account of the debate.  Disraeli’s clever and artful speech appears to have had more effect on the House (and even on our side of it) than is creditable....  Johnny has made a very good impression—­so we hear from Mr. Brand, Hastings, [66] Mr. Huguesson, and Gladstone—­by his maiden speech.  All these, except Gladstone, heard it, and concur in warm praise, both of matter and manner.  It is a great event in his life, and I am so thankful it is well over.

[66] Afterwards Duke of Bedford.

    Lord Russell to Lady Minto