banked.  Altogether, a mystery replete with grandeur in the effect—­none of your Southern transparency leaving nothing for the imagination. Seriously, it’s laughable that human beings should congregate so as to produce these effects, and that we among others should by preference be among the congregators.  Your day at Napoule is like something in a different world altogether.

You are rather hard, John says, and he is not disposed to be otherwise, on Parliamentary sayings and doings.  I can say nothing from myself, as I have not read one single speech, except that I cannot bear the humiliating exclusion of any kind of useful knowledge from a University out of false consideration for religious or irreligious scruples. [84] Surely young men had better be taught boldly to face the fact that men differ than be dealt with in this ridiculously tender and most futile manner.

[84] The Irish University Bill was being discussed in the Commons, one clause of which proposed to exclude theology, philosophy, and history from the curriculum of the New University.

In August, 1873, after the publication of Lord Russell’s book, “Essays on the History of the Christian Religion,” they spent some six weeks at Dieppe, where Lord Russell’s health again considerably improved.

    Mr. Disraeli to Lord Russell

    GEORGE STREET, HANOVER SQUARE, May 8, 1873

MY DEAR LORD,—­I have just finished reading your book, which I was much gratified by receiving from the author....  I cannot refrain from expressing to you the great pleasure its perusal gave me.  The subject is of perpetual interest, and it is treated, in many instances, with originality founded on truth, and with wonderful freshness.  The remarks suggested by your own eminent career give to the general conduct of the theme additional interest, like the personal passages in Montaigne.  I wish there had been more of them, or that you would favour the world with some observations on men and things, which one who is alike a statesman, a philosopher, and a scholar could alone supply.  In your retirement you have the inestimable happiness of constant and accomplished sympathy, without which life is little worth.  Mine is lone and dark, but still, I hope I may send my kindest remembrances to Lady Russell.

    Yours with sincere respect and regard,

    B. DISRAELI

    Lady Russell to Lady Dunfermline

    PEMBROKE LODGE, July 3, 1873

You will not be disappointed, I do believe, with John’s book, high as your expectations are.  The spirit of it at all events is that of your letter:  that of love and reverence for what you truly call the wonder of wonders—­the Bible—­as well as that of perfect freedom of thought.  Had that perfect freedom always been allowed to mankind by kings, rulers, and priests, in all their disguises, we should never have