far into August, but the
stars may be more propitious.

We are all grumbling at an unusually cold year, and the
progress of vegetation seems to be suspended, but I trust no
serious harm is yet done; as Louis Napoleon said, _tout peut
se retablir_.

It would indeed be delightful could I negotiate for a right
to bring you back with me on coming southwards.

So glad to hear a good account of your health and appearance
from our Lord Advocate; a clever chiel, is he not?--Ever
affectionately yours, W.E. GLADSTONE.

My wife sends her kind love.

10 Downing Street, Whitehall, July 25, 1871.

My dear Friend--From day to day my hopes of attending the
Scott Centenary have been declining, and I regret much to say
that they are now virtually dead. The extraordinary
obstructions which have been offered to public business
during the present session have now, as you will see, brought
us to such a pass that some suggest an adjournment from
August to some period in the autumn, to enable us to get
through what we have in hand. Whether we do this, or whether
we finish off at once, it is now, I fear, practically certain
that there is no chance of my being free to leave town at the
time of the Centenary.

We paid Tennyson a visit from last Saturday to Tuesday. He is
a sincere and ardent admirer of Scott, and heartily wishes
well to anything which is likely to keep him before the minds
of the on-coming generation.

His Sussex abode is beautiful, 600 feet above the sea, with a
splendid view. He seems to be very happy in his family.

With regard to the Emperor of Brazil, I think any application
made to him would come best from those officially connected
with the celebration. At any rate, I fear it would be
obtrusive on my part to mix in it, as I have no special
relation with him, though he has made a most pleasing
impression on me.

I now expect to go to Balmoral in the middle of September,
and should much wish to know whether I might visit you on my
way north or south.--Always affectionately yours, W.E.
GLADSTONE.

10 Downing Street, Whitehall, August 8, 1871.

My dear Dean Ramsay--Do what you like with the inclosed. It
is written at the last moment, and because you asked for it,
by a man who was nine hours in the