s _apotres_. My opinion of him is completely dual. His life
of Our Lord I thought a piece of trumpery; his work _Sur les
langues semitiques_ most able and satisfactory in its manner and
discussion.

The notes in the diary bring us up to the decision that was to end the
great ministry:--

_Dec. 1._--Dined at Mr. Forster's and went to Drury Lane to see in
_Antony and Cleopatra_ how low our stage has fallen. Miss K. V. in
the ballet, dressed in black and gold, danced marvellously. 2.--To
Windsor, and had a long audience of the Queen. Dined with H.M.
Whist in evening. 3.--Castle. Prayers at 9; St. George's at 10.30.
Off to Twickenham at 11.25. Visited Mr. Bohn, and saw his
collection; enormous and of very great interest. Then to Pembroke
Lodge, luncheon and long conversation with Lord Russell.... Read
_The Parisians_. 6.--Packing, etc., and off to Hawarden. 13.--Walked
with Stephen Glynne. I opened to him that I must give up my house
at or about the expiry of the present government. 15.--Read
Montalembert's _Life_; also my article of 1852 on him. Mr. Herbert
(R.A.) came and I sat to him for a short time. 17.--Finished _Life_
of Montalembert. It was a pure and noble career personally; in a
public view unsatisfactory; the pope was a worm in the gourd all
through. His oratory was great. 19.--With Herbert set about making
a walk from Glynne Cottage to W. E. G. door. 20.--Sat to Mr.
Herbert. Worked on version of the "Shield" [_Iliad_]. Worked on
new path. 23.--Sat 1-3/4 hours to Mr. Herbert. Worked on correcting
version of the Shield and finished writing it out. Read
Aristophanes. 26.--24 to dinner, a large party gathered for the
marriage. 27.--The house continued full. At 10.30 the weather broke
into violent hail and rain. It was the only speck upon the
brightness of the marriage. 29.--Sixty-four years completed
to-day--what have they brought me? A weaker heart, stiffened
muscles, thin hairs; other strength still remains in my frame.
31.--Still a full house. The year ends as it were in tumult. My
constant tumult of business makes other tumult more sensible.... I
cannot as I now am, get sufficiently out of myself to judge
myself, and unravel the knots of being and doing of which my life
seems to be full.

_Jan. 1, 1874._--A little _Iliad_ and _Odyssey_. 2.--Tree-cutting.
Read Fit