ached friend and family physician), I
did so when I was here before, and I am following the advice he then
gave me; but for these physical effects of mental causes, what can be
done as long as the causes continue?...

Hayes (my maid) and I are to take the _coupe_ of the diligence wherever
we can get it on our route, and so proceed together and alone. I shall
pay for the third place, but it is worth while to pay something to be
protected from the proximity of some travelling Frenchmen; and paying
for this extra place is not a very great extravagance, as the cost of
travelling by public conveyance on the Continent is very moderate.

I do not know when Blackwood intends publishing my things. I gave them
into Chorley's hands, and Chorley's discretion, and know nothing further
about them, but that I believe I shall be paid for them what he calls
"tolerably well," and therefore what I shall consider magnificently
well, inasmuch as they seem to me worth nothing at all.

I hear of nothing but the change of Ministry, but have been so much
engrossed with my own affairs that I have not given much attention to
what I have heard upon the subject. I believe Sir Robert Peel will come
into some coalition with the Whigs, Lord John Russell, Lord Howick,
etc., and this is perhaps the best thing that can happen, because, by
all accounts, the Whigs have literally not got a man to head them. But I
do not think anything is yet decided upon.

And now, my dear, I must break off, and write to M---- M----, _and_
George Combe about Miss C----'s virtue (why the deuce doesn't he look
for it in her skull?), _and_ Mrs. Jameson, _and_ all America.

I breakfasted this morning with Rogers, and dine this evening at the
Procters'. What an enviable woman I might appear!--only you know better.

Yours truly,
FANNY.

MORTIMER STREET, Friday Night (_i.e._ Saturday Morning,
at 2 o'clock), December 19th, 1845.

No! my dearest Hal, I do not think that to one who believes that life is
spiritual education it needs any very painful or difficult investigation
of circumstances to perceive, not why such and such special trials are
sent to certain individuals, but that all trial is the positive result
of or has been incurred by error or sin; and beholding the beautiful
face of bitterest adversity, for such is one of