Lord Russell had followed up his first letter to Mr. Chichester Fortescue by two more letters, in which he again advocated both the disestablishment and disendowment of the Irish Church.  He warmly supported Gladstone’s measure; though he again insisted that the funds of the Irish Church should be used to endow the other Churches.  He was in constant attendance at the House of Lords, and during the same session he proposed, without success, a measure which would have added a limited number of life peers to the Second Chamber.  These incursions into politics seem in no way to have taxed his strength.

    Lady Russell to Mr. William Russell

    June 3, 1869

It is a great misfortune that we have so few really eminent men among the clergy of England, Scotland, or Ireland—­in any of the various communities.  Such men are greatly needed to take the lead in what I cannot but look upon as a noble march of the progress of mankind, the assertion of the right to think and speak with unbounded freedom on that which concerns us all more deeply than anything else—­religion.  I believe that by the exercise of such unbounded freedom we shall reach to a knowledge of God and a comprehension of the all-perfect spirit of Christianity such as no Established Church has ever taught by Creeds or Articles, though individuals of all such Churches have forgotten Creeds and Articles, and taught “true religion and undefiled” out of the real Word of God and their own high and holy thoughts.

    PEMBROKE LODGE, August 18, 1869

    My dear husband seventy-seven this day.  God be thanked for all that
    has made it a calm and bright and blessed one to us.

Our happiness now is chiefly in the past and present as to this world, in memory more than hope.  But the best joys of the past and present are linked to that future beyond the grave to which we are hastening....  Bright and beautiful day.  We sat long together in bowling-green and talked of the stir in men’s minds on Christianity, on all religions and religion, our own thoughts, our hope, our trust.

    Lord Russell to Lady Georgiana Peel

    PEMBROKE LODGE, RICHMOND PARK, August 18, 1869

MY DEAREST GEORGY,—...  Your very kind and warm congratulations delight me.  It is sad that the years pass and make one older and weaker and sillier, but as they will pass all the same, it is well to have one bright day in each year when one’s children can recall all the past, and feel once again gratitude to the Giver of all good.

    Your affectionate Father, RUSSELL

    To Mr. Archibald Peel

MY DEAR ARCHIE,—­Thanks for your good wishes.  Happy returns I always find them, as my children are so affectionate and loving—­many I cannot expect—­but I have played my part, and think the rest will be far easier than my task has been.

    Your affectionate F.I.L. (Father-in-Law)