Volume Ii Part 30 (1/2)
[Undated.]
”The Russians, people think here, will open the ball next spring by pus.h.i.+ng the Montenegrins to a rupture with the Turks, and thus opening an opportunity for themselves to come in. Prussia is then to cross the Maine, and the rest to follow.
”Then of course the programme of those who, like myself, are 'Know-nothings'---- But it is, at least, _vraisemblable_.
”I am convinced we ought to resort to conscription, and the time is fit for it. Now that you have given the ma.s.ses privileges, let them a.s.sume duties. So long as you denied them the suffrage, you pretended to govern them and for them. Now the system is changed: _they_ have taken the responsible charge of the State, and its first duty is defence.
”What hatfuls of money d.i.c.kens is making in America! I am half persuaded I could do the 'trick' too, but in another way.
”Give my warmest and best regards to your wife, and all my good wishes for the 'year time' (if the word be English).
”Have you seen Patton's book--the ugly side of human nature? My youngest daughter made a very clever review of it, and, I believe, burnt it after.”
_To Mr John Blackwood._
”Trieste, _Jan_. 16,1868.
”Though I did not fully concur in your view of M'C.'s letter, I have made such emendations and additions as will make the sarcasm thin enough to appeal to you.
”I still think it is the best squib I have done.
”Trusting that you will now be of my mind, and that my codicils, &c., may come in aright.
”I have just returned from attending the ex-Emperor's funeral,--four mortal hours in a uniform on a mule, with a fierce north-easter and a High Ma.s.s!”
_To Mr John Blackwood._
”Trieste, Jan. 28,1868,
”'G.o.d only knows who has the ace of diamonds!' I once heard a pious whist-player exclaim at the last trick of the game. In the same devotional spirit I am tempted to say, 'G.o.d only knows what has become of certain O'Ds. that I sent you on the 6th of the month!' Never mind.
Herewith goes a story which, if not as rattling, is, I think, better _reading_ than the last. May you think so!
”Did you read in 'The Times'--an extract from 'The Globe'--an account of Maximilian's funeral? It was written by my youngest daughter, aged eighteen, and I think very creditably done. I wish I may see her hand in 'Maga' before I die.”*
* Sidney Lever (Mrs Crafton Smith) was the author of a volume of verses ent.i.tled 'Fireflies,' which was published in 1883. She also wrote a story ent.i.tled 'Years Ago,' which appeared in 1884. She died in London in 1887.--E. D.
_To Mr John Blackwood._
”Trieste, _Feb_. 8, 1868.
”I suppose I wrote 'oats' as Sir Boyle did 'gout'--because he could not spell 'rheumatism.' I only saw the blunder myself a couple of days ago.
As to 'M'Caskey,' I am not often wedded to my own opinion of my own things, but I declare I still think it a telling squib, and that no earthly man could avoid seeing that it meant sarcasm, not seriousness.
Your _first_ impression, I am sure, has affected your judgment of the 'revised code'; but at all events I am determined not to lose it, so if you say no, don't let me lose the opportunity of giving it to the world while the subject is the uppermost one in men's thoughts.
”I firmly believe it would be a great success. Bowes, the correspondent of 'The Standard,' to whom I read it, said he thought it _better fun_ than any in O'Dowd.