Part 6 (1/2)
”He served his country well in choosing thee.” [20]
[20] From a sonnet to Lady John Russell by Lord Wriothesley Russel, written after reading Lady Minto's ballad in which these words occur: ”His country and thee.”
Parliament had been dissolved soon after Peel's motion of a want of confidence had been carried. In the election which followed Lord John was returned for the City of London on June 30th.
ADMIRALTY, _June_ 26, 1841
Day of nomination in the City. He says the show of hands was greatly in his favour.... Mama says he looked so calm, in the midst of the uproar.
”True dignity is his, _his_ tranquil mind Virtue has raised above the things below!”
And whether storms may await us in our journey together, even to the wreck of all earthly hopes, I know that he will rise superior to them--and oh! to think that I may be by his side to support him in adversity as well as to share in his prosperity and glorious fate, for which G.o.d enable me to be rightly grateful.
The family moved to Minto before the result was declared; from London Lord John wrote the following letters:
_Lord John Russell to Lady Mary Abercromby_
WILTON CRESCENT, _June_ 25, 1841
Your letters have filled us all with joy and completed what was wanting. I feel very grateful to you for the kindness with which you express yourself.... The happiness of possessing her has blinded me, I dare say, to her real interest; but when I find that you all approve and feel conscious that I shall do all in my power to make her life happy, I gain some confidence. Among many anxieties, Lady Minto naturally felt that the charge of so many children would be a very serious burthen to her, but the children themselves are so good, so much disposed to love her, and their health is at present so good, that I trust they will be to her as they are to me, a daily comfort, making the house cheerful with their merry and affectionate voices. The greatest fear perhaps is, that her generosity and devotion to others may make her undertake what is beyond her strength.
_Lord John Russell to Lady f.a.n.n.y Elliot_
DOWNING STREET, _July_ 3, 1841
If I am sorry that Sat.u.r.day is come, I am much more glad that Tuesday is so near. I am not at all anxious for a merry party at Minto--the quieter the better for me. But I can understand that Lady Minto would like some gaiety to divert her spirits, when ”Our dear f.a.n.n.y” is gone. I cannot say how much I think on the prospect of finding you at Minto--and of Bowhill likewise. I hope I am not unworthy of the heart you gave me ... and I trust every day will prove how grateful I am to you.
WILTON CRESCENT, _July_ 4, 1841
I got your little note yesterday, after I had sealed my letter....
My dearest f.a.n.n.y, I am so happy at the thought of being soon at Minto. If you believe that I feel the strongest devotion to you, and am resolved to do all in my power to make you happy, you believe what is true.... This will reach you soon after your arrival. I can imagine how busy you will be ... and long to join you.
A few days later he reached Minto himself. Lady f.a.n.n.y, writing to her sister Mary, describes their days together, and adds: ”They are all except Gibby so much too respectful to Lord John. Not to me, for they take their revenge upon me, and I am unsparingly laughed at, which is a great comfort.
I shall write once before it happens. I dare not think what I shall be when you receive this.”
MINTO, _July_ 19, 1841
My last day as a child of Minto. How fast it flew. How quickly good-night came--that sad, that dreaded good-night. But sadness may be of such a kind as to give rise to the happiest, the purest feelings--and such was this.... He and I sat in the Moss house.
Never saw the glen more beautiful; the birch glittering in the sun and waving its feathery boughs; the burn murmuring more gently than usual; the wood-pigeons answering one another from tree to tree.
Had not courage to be much with Mama.
They were married on July 20th in the drawing-room at Minto, and set off for Bowhill, which had been lent them for the honeymoon by the Duke of Buccleuch. Never did statesman on his wedding-day take away a bride more whole-heartedly resolved to be all a wife can be to him in his career. Her mother was now perfectly happy about the marriage, though the disparity of age, and fears about the great responsibility her daughter was undertaking in the care of a young family--one boy and five girls--had undoubtedly made her anxious. Lady Minto felt very deeply the parting with her dearly-loved child, and after the wedding she sent her the following little ballad:
A BORDER BALLAD
AIR: ”_Saw ye my father_”
Oh saw ye the robber That cam' o'er the border To steal bonny f.a.n.n.y away?
She's gane awa' frae me And the bonny North Countrie And has left me for ever and for aye.
He cam' na wi' horses, He cam' na wi' men, Like the bauld English knights langsyne; But he thought that he could fleech Wi' his bonny Southron speech And wile awa' this la.s.sie o' mine.