the Whig tradition was to support her, Liberals were forsaking their principles by taking part with Bulgaria against her.  It is the proud distinction of Liberals to grow perpetually, and to march on with eyes open, and to discover, as they are pretty sure to do, that they have not always in the past been true to their principles.  There is no case exactly parallel with that of Ireland; but there are some in great measure analogous, and it is the Liberals who have listened to the voice of other countries, some of them our own dependencies, in their national aspirations or their desire for Parliaments of their own, expressed by Constitutional majorities.  I admire the Unionists for standing by their own convictions with regard to Home Rule, and always have done so; but I cannot call it “devotion to the Union and to Liberal principles,” and I am not aware of there being a single Home Ruler not a Liberal.  The Unionists, especially those in Parliament, have been, and are, in a very dangerous position, and have yielded too readily to the temptation of a sudden transference of party loyalty upon almost every question from Liberal to Tory leaders.  But for those, whether in or out of Parliament, who have remained Liberals—­and I know several such—­I don’t see why, after Home Rule is carried, they should not be once more merged in the great body of Liberals, and have their chances, like others, of being chosen to serve their country in Parliament and in office....

    I am reading a book by Grant Allen, “Science in Arcady.” ...  He
    brings wit and originality into these essays on plants, lakes,
    spiders, etc.

    Lady Russell to Lady Agatha Russell

    PEMBROKE LODGE, September 22, 1893

...  With regard to the modern attraction of ugly subjects (not when the wish to remedy gross evils makes it a duty to study and live among them; but as common talk between young men and young women), I feel very strongly that the contemplation of God, and all that is God-like in the souls that He has created, is our best safeguard against evil, and that the contemplation of the spirit of evil, and all the hideous variety of its works, gradually taints us and weakens our powers of resistance.

    Lady Russell to Lady Agatha Russell

    PEMBROKE LODGE, October 21, 1893

...  I entirely agree with you, that poetry and music “teach us of the things that are unseen” as nothing else can do.  Music especially, which is an unseen thing, not the product of man at all, but found from man as a gift from God’s own hand.  I don’t know what at some periods of my life I should have done without these blessed sympathizers and outlets and uplifting friends.

    Lady Russell to Mrs. Drummond

    PEMBROKE LODGE, December 16, 1893