while at some passages, less frequent, I inwardly exclaim, “I never did, I do not now, and I never shall agree.”  The want of what Sir Henry Taylor calls “the spiritual instinct” is striking in him.  It is strange to turn to him as I have done from “Memorials of a Quiet Life,” which raises me into an atmosphere of heavenly calmness and joy, or ought to do so, although nobody ever felt the trials and sorrows of life more keenly than Mrs. Hare....

    Good-bye, dearest children, your pets [86] are as well and as dear
    as pets can be.

    Your loving, MOTHER.

[86] Rachel and Bertrand, who stayed for the winter at Pembroke Lodge while their parents were abroad.

In April Lady Russell lost her sister, Lady Dunfermline, who died in Rome.  In May, Lord and Lady Russell’s second son, who was dearly loved for his generous and noble nature, was seized with dangerous illness.  He lived, but never recovered.  In the summer, Lady Amberley and her little daughter Rachel, who was only six years old, died of diphtheria within a few days of each other.

There is a touching reference to Lord Russell in a letter, written many years after his death, from Miss Elliot, daughter of the Dean of Bristol, to Lady Russell.

One of the very last times I saw him you were out, and he sent word that he would see me when he knew I was at the door; when he literally bowed his head and said, “The hand of the Lord has been very heavy on us—­very heavy,” and spoke of little Rachel.  I never remember being more touched and awed by the reverence I felt for him.

    Queen Victoria to Lady Russell [87]

    WINDSOR CASTLE, June 29, 1874

DEAR LADY RUSSELL,—­I cannot remain silent without writing to express to you my deep and sincere sympathy with you both, and especially with your poor son on this most sad event, which has deprived him of his wife, and his little children (whom I saw so lately) of an affectionate mother, in the very prime of life!  I saw the sad announcement in the papers this morning and could hardly believe it, never having heard even of her illness.  This sad event will, I know, be a terrible blow to you, and to Lord Russell, and I know that you have had much sorrow and anxiety lately.  Dear Lady Russell, I have known you both too long not to feel the truest and deepest interest in all that concerns you and yours—­in weal and woe—­and I would not delay a moment in writing to express this to you.  You will, I know, look for support and for comfort where alone it can be found, and I pray that God may support and comfort you and your poor bereaved son.

    Ever yours affectionately,

    V.R.

    I should be very grateful if you would let me have any details of
    poor Lady Amberley’s illness and death.

[87] On several occasions Lord Russell had been prevented by the state of his health from accepting invitations to Windsor.  In April, 1874, he and Lady Russell were touched by the Queen’s kindness in coming to visit them at Pembroke Lodge, and she had then seen Lord Amberley’s children.