_April_ 12, 1854

DEAR SMITH,--As I find some rumours have been mentioned to Lady
John, false in themselves and injurious to me, I beg to assure you
that it has been the greatest comfort to me to find that I received
from her the best encouragement and support in the course which I
ultimately adopted. She could not fail to perceive and to
sympathize in the deep distress which the prospect of abandoning
the Reform Bill caused me, and it was my chief consolation during a
trying period to find at home regard for my fame and reputation as
a sincere and earnest reformer. That regard has now been shown by
the House of Commons generally, but there is no man in that House
on whose friendship I more confidently rely, and with good reason,
than yourself.

Yours ever truly,

J. RUSSELL

[42] Lord John's election agent.

_Lord Spencer to Lady John Russell_

LEAMINGTON, _April_ 14, 1854

DEAR LADY JOHN,--I cannot resist giving you the trouble to read a
few lines from me on Lord John's speech the other night.
Remembering the conversation we had on the subject of the proposed
Reform Bill, when I ventured, perhaps too boldly and too roundly,
to let out my unworthy opinion in a contrary sense, I think I ought
to tell you that I had arrived some time ago at the same conclusion
which Lord John announced to the House of Commons the other night,
and I really believe if I had not, his reasons would have made me.
I never read a more convincing speech, and I never read so
affecting a one. No man living, I believe, could have made that
speech but your husband, and it gives me great pleasure to offer
you my heartfelt congratulations upon it.... Pray forgive me, dear
Lady John, for intruding thus on your time, and believe me,

Very faithfully yours,

SPENCER

_Lady John Russell to Lord Minto_,

PEMBROKE LODGE, _April_ 24, 1854

MY DEAREST PAPA,--... I must dash at once into my subject, having
only a quarter of an hour to spend on it. It is that of John's
position; he has, I believe, raised his character in the country by
the withdrawal of the Reform Bill. His motives are above suspicion
and unsuspected; whereas, owing to the singular state of the public
mind, it seems pretty sure that they _would_ have been, though
most unjustly, suspected, had he persisted in his resi