life charged with every kind of interest. But now when I look
calmly around me, I see that these interests are for ever growing
and grown too many and powerful, and that were it to please God to
call me I might answer with reluctance.... See how I stand. Into
politics I am drawn deeper every year; in the growing anxieties and
struggles of the church I have no less [interest] than I have
heretofore; literature has of late acquired a new and powerful hold
upon me; the fortunes of my wife's family, which have had, with all
their dry detail, all the most exciting and arduous interest of
romance for me now during nine years and more; seven children
growing up around us, and each day the object of deeper thoughts
and feelings, and of higher hopes to Catherine and me,--what a
network is here woven out of all that the heart and all that the
mind of man can supply....

FOOTNOTES:

[348] See Appendix.

[349] Herbert to Gladstone, May 27, 1855.

[350] _Many Memories_, p. 229.

[351] Vitzthum, _St. Petersburg and London_, i. p. 170. A full account
of these parliamentary events from May to July, 1855, is to be found in
Martin's _Prince Consort_, iii. pp. 281-307.

[352] Ashley, ii. pp. 320, 325.

[353] Memo. April 17, 1856.

[354] To Robertson Gladstone, Dec. 16, 1856.

[355] To Mr. Elwin, Dec. 2, 1856.

[356] Simpson's _Many Memories_, p. 238.

CHAPTER VIII

GENERAL ELECTION--NEW MARRIAGE LAW

(_1857_)

No wave on the great ocean of Time, when once it has floated past
us, can be recalled. All we can do is to watch the new form and
motion of the next, and launch upon it to try in the manner our
best judgment may suggest our strength and skill.--GLADSTONE.

In spite of wise counsels of circumspection, Mr. Gladstone clung to the
chances that might come from personal communication between himself and
Lord Derby. Under pressure from his friends, he agreed with Lord Derby
to put off an interview until after the debate on the address. Then,
after parliament met, they took the plunge. We are now at the beginning
of February.

This afternoon at three I called on Lord Derby and remained with
him above three hours, in prosecution of the correspondence which
had passed between us.

I told him that I deliberately disapproved of the g