ays of George III, and loved Prince Albert like a
son, was a man of sturdy independence, fearlessly outspoken, and
regarded with affectionate confidence both by Queen Victoria and
her Consort."--_Daily News_, May 7, 1910. This was what Lady
Russell felt about him; his fearless outspokenness at Court always
impressed her.

_Lady Russell to Lord Amberley_

PEMBROKE LODGE, _December_ 29, 1874

M. d'Etchegoyen [89] has given me Mill's three essays. I have read
"Nature," a great deal of which I like much, but were it to be read
by the inhabitant of some other planet, he would have a very false
notion of this one; for Mill dwells almost entirely on the ugly and
malevolent side of Nature, leaving out of sight the beautiful and
benevolent side--whereas both abound, and suggest the notion of two
powers at strife for the government of the world. If you bring the
"Conscious Machine Controversy," I may read it, although I feel
very uncharitable to the hard, presumptuous unwisdom of some modern
metaphysics.

[89] The Comte and Comtesse d'Etchegoyen (_nee_ Talleyrand)
were intimate friends of Lord and Lady Russell. He was a French
Republican, who had been obliged to leave Paris at the _Coup
d'Etat_.

_Lady Russell to Lord Amberley_

PEMBROKE LODGE, _March_ 28, 1875

This is our Agatha's birthday, and the spirit moves me to write to
you. Every marked day, whether marked by sorrow or by joy, turns my
heart, if possible, more than usual to you, and makes me feel more
keenly how all the joy and perfect happiness once yours has been
turned to bitter sorrow and desolation. I find it is far, far more
difficult to bear grief for one's children than for oneself, and
sometimes my heart "has been like to break" as I have followed you
in thought on your long and dreary journey, and remembered what
your companionship was when last you went to the sunny South, to so
many of the same places. You have indeed been sorely tried, my
child, and you have not--would that I could give it to you--the one
and only rock of refuge and consolation, of faith in the wisdom and
mercy of a God of love. But I trust in Him for you, and I know that
though clouds hide Him from your sight, He will care for you and
not forsake you--and even here on earth I look forward to much
peaceful happiness for you, in your children, in books, in nature,