I am glad you have a satisfactory letter from the doctor.  A volunteered letter from him, as this was, must be a good sign....  I shall all my life regret not having been with you at this most interesting period in our political history; for the longest letters can but barely make up for the loss of the hourly chats upon each event with all its variations which are only known in London.  Then, I think how sad it is for you to have nobody to care, as I should care, whether you had spoken well or ill.  But all this and much more we must bear as cheerfully as we can; and I am glad to think that though one wife is far from you, your other wife, the House of Commons, leaves you little time to spend in pining for her.  I think you quite right in your intention of voting for Sir Robert’s measure as it is, in preference to any amendment which would not be carried, and might delay the settlement of the question.  Not, as you well know, because I am not heart and soul a Free Trader, but because I think it a more patriotic, as well as a more consistent, course for you to take.  Then if you come into office, as seems probable, you may make what improvements you like, and especially put an end to the miserable trifling about slave-grown sugar; a question in which I take a sentimental interest, as your first gift to me was your great sugar speech in 1841.

    Lord John to Lady John Russell

    HOUSE OF COMMONS, February 9, 1846

Here I am in the House of Commons, on the important night of Corn, having just introduced Morpeth as a new Member.  It all makes me very nervous—­I mean to speak to-night, and I must take care not to join in the bitterness of the Tories, and at the same time to avoid the praise of the Ministry, which I see is the fashion. ...  I am glad you all take such interest in the present struggle—­it would be difficult not to do so.  Our majority will, I hope, be eighty.  As matters stand at present no one feels sure of the Lords.

    Lord John to Lady John Russell

    CHESHAM PLACE, February 16, 1846

The events of the last few days have been remarkable.  There has been no move, no agitation in the counties; but wherever a contest is announced the Protection party carry it hollow....  In London the Protectionists have created in a fortnight a very strong and compact party, from 220 to 240, in the Commons, and no one knows how many in the Lords—­thus we are threatened with a revival of the real old Tory party.  Of course they are very civil to us, and they all say that we ought to have settled this question and not Sir Robert.  But how things may turn out no one can say.

    Lord John to Lady John Russell

    CHESHAM PLACE, February 21, 1846

    I trust the feelings you have, and the enjoyment you seem to take
    in the flowers and buds of the garden, show that you have before
    you the opening Paradise of good health.