Volume Ii Part 30 (2/2)
”Strangely enough, the same post that brings me your discounted view of O'Dowd brings me a note from Dr Burbidge, the head of the Malta College, in which he says------ But I will just send you his note, and not garble it by quoting, so I send it in its integrity.
”The Irish Church is doomed. The only question is not who is to use the crowbar, but how to get out of the way when the edifice is falling. It will certainly crush more than the parsons.”
_To Mr John Blackwood._
”Trieste, _Feb_. 28, 1868.
”The enclosed portrait will show you that the gentleman who took Ninco Nanco for Victor Emanuel, as recorded by C. O'Dowd, did not make an unpardonable mistake. I saw it in a shop this morning, and was so amused by what I feel to be a corroboration of my story that I could not help sending it to you. The king makes a far better brigand than a sovereign, and looks every inch a highwayman.
”I have been wondering at your long silence, and fearing all sorts of disasters to a story I sent you a full month ago; but I take it you have been dining out, and talking Scotch reform, and distribution, and education, and Ireland, and Abyssinia, and forgetting me and all about me,--and very natural, all things considered. I do envy you a bit of London life--as a refresher: not that I crave to live there always, but to go occasionally. To go and be treated as they do treat a stranger who does not bore them too often is very agreeable indeed.
”The world is in a strange lull just now, but the wise people say that France is making immense preparations, and certainly her agents are buying up not only all the corn in Egypt, but all the horses in Hungary.
Here they are disarming lazily and honestly. B[eust] avows that he has no thought of attempting to reconquer the lost position of Austria, accepts defeat fairly, and will try to make profit out of disaster by turning the nation to internal questions--to wise reforms and prudent economies. It sounds very sensible, and people seem to believe it too.
”The position of Italy is very critical,--so much so that, if L. Nap.
were to die now, it would be an even chance that the whole edifice would come down with a run, and the old Bourbons and priests be as they were.
It was by the public opinion of Europe the United Italy was made, and the Italians have exerted themselves manfully to disgust the world of all the good impressions in their favour, and show how little they deserved their luck. All security in Europe is gone. No man dares to prophesy what's coming; but that great events are brewing, and great changes, none can doubt. As to alliances, too, everything is uncertain.
It is like the cotillion, where any one may walk off with his neighbour's partner; and one wouldn't be surprised to see France dancing with Russia ere the ball breaks up.
”I am far from easy about the state of our relations with America, for though a great majority of the educated men there like England, and would abhor a rupture, the ma.s.ses have a furious desire to wound our national honour, and would do anything to inflict a stain upon us. We ought to have sent them a duke, or at least a marquis, as Minister.”
_To Mr John Blackwood._
”Trieste, _March_ 3, 1868.
”I was glad to get your note. I could not imagine what had become of you, and was searching the papers to see had the Queen sent for you, and then speculating whether you'd offer _me_ a bishopric, or, like Sancho, the governors.h.i.+p of an island. G.o.d help me, I believe I am fit for nothing better!
”I'd do Dizzy, but it would be flunkeyism in _me_ just now. It would be such a palpable bid for a place; and though I'd like to be 'in Lunacy,'--I mean a Commissioner of that ilk,--I'd not like to 'compa.s.s it.'
”I'd far rather review Kinglake; but just because I like both the man and his books, I shrink from it. First of all, I am away from all sources of information here; and though I might gather books about me, I could not command what would be more essential still--the corrective power of personal intercourse. It would grieve me sincerely to do him badly, and I could by no means say that I could do him well. Just in proportion as I hold his opinions about the Emperor, and think that he--Kinglake--alone understands this man and has had the courage to avow his opinion, I am afraid that my very partisans.h.i.+p might damage where I meant to serve, and prejudice what I would rather uphold. It is with great reluctance I decline what has immense attractions for me.
”I cannot forgive you not printing 'M'Caskey.' Posterity never will pardon it, and my literary executor shall devote a full page to abuse of you in his behalf.
”By all means give 'Thornton' this month, but the O'Ds. I now send I am even more anxious about, especially the Irish one. I _know_ if they give way to the tinkers they'll spoil the kettle. Of course I can speak without a tinge of prejudice. I feel as judicially important as a Judge in Equity, but I _do_ think the No. of Mag. without me has a want of flavour, even though the flavour be that of lemon-juice.
”I have a half hope of going over to England after Easter. Shall you be there? I'd like a dinner with you at the Burlington. Hech, sirs! it stirs my blood to think how gay I could be--gout, debts, and all 'in no wise to the contrary, nevertheless, notwithstanding.'
”Why won't they (by way of young blood in the Administration!) make me Under Secretary, F. O.? I know more of the Continent and foreign questions than the whole lot of them.
”They have a line of character in French theatricals they call 'grand utilities.' What a splendid thing it would be to introduce it into political life. I think I'll make an O'Dowd on it, and recommend Cornelius himself to the Premier's notice. From Tipperary to Taganrog is a wide sweep, and I'd engage to 'talk' anything from Pat to Panslav-isms. If you see Stanley, mention it.
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