Volume Ii Part 45 (1/2)

”Trieste, _Wednesday_, March 29.

”I believe what I now send you is good, but I will not be certain till I hear you are of the same mind. The truth is, I am so broken in courage as well as health, that it is only the continued insistence of my daughters drives me to the desk at all, and they are perhaps only minded thereto by seeing the deep depression in which I live, and which they ascribe to idleness.

”I hope at all events to hear from you soon, with tidings of the great paper, and if soon after with proof of the present, _tant mieux_.

”I believe I have seen my last of London, and I am sorry for it, and sorrier not to see you again,--not but I feel you would scarce care to meet me, depressed and low-spirited as I am now.

”I have just seen the aide-de-camp the Emperor here sent to Berlin, and who had a confidential interview with Bismarck.

”The Prussians are furious with us, and not over friendly with Russia.

Bismarck even said that if Austria should be attacked by Russia they will stand by her, but not support her in any aggressive policy. He added, 'Do what you like with Turkey, but don't interfere with the German rights on the Danube.'”

”If Bright had been still in the Ministry I could have understood Henry Bulwer being made a peer as a subtle attack on the House of Lords. What it means now I cannot guess.

”If I was not an official with a uniform and a quarter day (both d------d shabby), I'd make an O'D. on the Princess's marriage in this way. The Queen, seeing the impossibility of elevating English democracy, sees that she has but one other thing to do, which is to come down to it. This is like old Sheridan, when appealed to by a drunken man in the gutter, 'Lift me up, lift me,' replying, 'I can't lift you up, but I'll lie down beside you.'”

_To Mr John Blackwood._

”Trieste, _April_ 16, 1871.

”I have got a short leave, and having determined to venture on the road, I mean to start on Wednesday, and, if I can, reach town by Sat.u.r.day next. My plan is--as I want to go over to Ireland--to do my 'Irishries'

until such time as you arrive in London, where, I need not say, I have no object more at heart than to meet you and Mrs Blackwood.

”If I could manage a rapid run south and west in Ireland, I'll try what I could do as 'A Last Glimpse of Ireland,' and only wish I had a little more strength and more spirit for the effort.

”Write me a line to meet me in town (at Burlington Hotel) to say when I may hope to see you--to see you both, I mean.”

_To Mr John Blackwood._

”[? London] _Tuesday_, April 25, 1871.

”What with being nearly driven over ten times a-day, and the certainty of being over-dinnered at night, I have a perilous time of it here.

”I was delighted to get your cordial note, and more so to count upon seeing you so soon, and I hope, too, Mrs Blackwood with you. My plans are to visit Ireland at once, so as to have as much of London as I can when you shall have arrived.

”How I would wish to have you over with me in Ireland, but I suppose the thing is impossible.

”I have got an autumn invitation to Sir Healy Maxwell, and if we could manage it perhaps we could then make a little Killarney excursion together. _Nous en parlerons!_

”I wish I may see and be able to record something in my new ramble worth sending to 'Maga,'--at least I will try.

”They tell me here that the Tories might come in at any moment by a snap vote with the Radicals, but that they are too wise to be tempted.

”I hear that Tichborne is certain to win his suit: indeed fabulous odds are laid in his favour.”