But do not
let this sound like complaint from me. Few have such cause for
ceaseless and unbounded thankfulness.

...If you come across Armstrong's poems(137) pray look at them. An
Irish youth cut off at twenty-four. By the by, Wortley's children
have admirable acting powers, which they showed in charades very
cleverly got up by his wife as stage manager. Grosvenor seconds
the speech, and F. Cavendish moves the address. We have had divers
thrushes singing here, a great treat at this season. I like them
better than hothouse strawberries.

_July 7._--I cannot feel unmixedly glad for yourself that you are
returning to Chiswick. For us it will be a great gain.... Disraeli
and I were affectionate at the Mansion House last night. Poor
fellow, he has been much tried about his wife's health. The King
of the Belgians pleases me, and strikes me more as to his personal
qualities on each successive visit. God bless you, my dear duchess
and precious friend, affectionately yours.

_1867_

_Hawarden, April 29.--We both_ hope to have the pleasure of dining
at Chiswick on Wednesday. We assume that the hour will be 7.30 as
usual. I shall be so glad to see Argyll, and to tell him the
little I can about the literary department of the _Guardian_. I
write from the "Temple of Peace." It is a sore wrench to go away.
But I am thankful to have had such a quiet Easter. The false
rumour about Paris has had a most beneficial effect, and has
spared me a multitude of demands. The birds are delightful here.
What must they be at Cliveden.--Ever affectionately yours.

_Holker Hall, Sept. 22._--We find this place very charming. It
explains at once the secret of the great affection they all have
for it. It has a singular combination of advantages--sea, hill,
home ground, and views, access, and the house such an excellent
living house; all the parts, too, in such good keeping and
proportion. We much admire your steps. The inhabitants would be
quite enough to make any place pleasant. We have just been at that
noble old church of Cartmel. These churches are really the best
champions of the men who built them.

_Nov. 23._--I cannot let the moment pass at which I would have been
enjoying a visit to you after your severe illness without one word
of sympathy.... Our prospects are uncertain; but I cling to