I have not yet quite succeeded in persuading myself, or being persuaded, that we might not have let the whole thing alone; treating an impertinence as an impertinence, to be met by ridicule or indignation as each person might incline, but not by legislation.  This being my natural and I hope foolish impulse, I rejoice that the Bill is so mild that nobody can consider it as an infringement of the principle of religious liberty, but rather a protest against undue interference in temporal affairs by Pope, Prelate, or Priest of any denomination.  Lizzy and I went to the House last night.  I never heard John speak with more spirit and effect.  Do not you in your quiet beautiful Nervi look with amazement at the whirl of politics and parties in which we live?  I am sometimes ashamed of the time I consume in writing invitations and other matters connected with party-giving—­quite as much as John takes to think of speeches, which affect the welfare of so many thousands.  But after all it is a part of the same trade, one which, though most dangerous to all that is best in man and woman, may, I trust, be followed in safety by those who see the dangers.  I am sure I see them.  God grant we may both escape them.

In a letter written to Lady Mary Abercromby, more than two years before, she had expressed her feelings with regard to religious ceremonies.  It is interesting that the word mummeries, which excited so much indignation in Lord John’s Durham letter, occurs in this letter.

On January 13, 1848, she wrote: 

Many thanks to you for the interesting account of the great ceremony on Christmas Day in St. Peter’s, and of your own feelings about it.  I believe that whatever is meant as an act of devotion to God, or as an acknowledgment of His greatness and glory, whether expressed by the simple prayer of a Covenanter on the hill-side or by the ceremonies of a Catholic priesthood, or even by the prostrations of a Mahometan, or by the self-torture of a Hindoo, may and ought to inspire us with respect and with a devout feeling, at least when the worshippers themselves are pious and sincere.  Otherwise, indeed, if the mummery is more apparent than the solemnity, I do not see how respect can be felt by those accustomed to a pure worship, the words and meaning of which are clear and applicable to rich and poor, high and low....

    Lady John Russell to Lady Mary Abercromby

    LONDON, April 11, 1851

I wonder what you will do with regard to teaching religion to Maillie when she is older.  I am daily more and more convinced of the folly, or worse than folly, the mischief, of stuffing children’s heads with doctrines some of which we do not believe ourselves (though we may think we do), others which we do not understand, while their hearts remain untouched....  Old as Johnny is, he does not yet go to church.  I see with pain, but cannot