admired everywhere, from the Grand-Duchess herself down to the grisette. She is dubbed Countess, and myself Baron, she miladi, I monseigneur; who would ever go back to little Chesterfield Street? What is D'Israeli's father about? What am I about myself? Something: but what will it come to? L'ignoro. Very miscellaneous, a retired statesman, preternatural interventions, society, motives, love and gallantry, an English Rasselas, &c. &c. About a volume and a half done. Colburn pleased, but idle; I can get nothing definite, except for the New Monthly, which, though bribed high, I refuse. Why did Bulwer leave him? I have said all I have got to say, and will only add that we shall be here till May, when again to Ems for another season, then Switzerland, then to Italy, and then if England is England, and I alive (not unless), to crack a bottle in Guildford Street, so I remain ever yours and your wife's,

"R. P. W."

R. Plumer Ward, Esq., to Mr. Austen.

"My dear Austen,

"Lausanne, March 14. 1837.

"Most loth I am to return to it [England], for this climate is superb, and I have been superbly well all the winter, though slightly attacked by the influenza, which has reached us, but in a most mild form, so, as old people have bad chances with it chez vous, I am loth to be among you again. Nevertheless we start

for Paris on the 28th on our way home, only I trust for the summer, and return to the Continent, perhaps to Nice, in the autumn, nor would I go at all but to arrange plans for Mrs. P. W.'s son, a most fine boy of 11 years, who, lucky dog, has just succeeded to his uncle's estate, a good 5000l. a year, in Staffordshire, which will become six by the time he is of age. Two houses, one with a park, and about 1000l. a year are offered to my wife, who is guardian, by the trustees, to keep up the place and educate the children, and, as the place they say is delightful, she has a serious wish to reside there. On my part I have too many melancholy associations in respect to Gilston to wish much to return, and the necessity of deciding between the two is really the sole reason for our now going home."

R. Plumer Ward, Esq., to Mr. Austen.

"Dear Austen,

"Gilston Park, July 23. 1837.

"I am in a thousand minds whether to return to the Continent or not; certainly I dread another winter or spring here. I am suffering from our worse than Vent de Bise more than ever I did in my life. Rheumatism most impertinent, and surely there is nothing left in the country worth staying in it at the expense of health. But for my good wife I would go, never to return; and you and yours might find me out in your summer excursions, and put me in mind of what had been. I am afraid I am Gorewellish as well

*

* A grumbling character in "Pictures of the World."

as Tremainish. So Mrs. A. had a presentiment of this? Yet you never saw (certainly not abroad) any thing like this place. We are literally in a bed of roses, and, you will say, ought not to rise from it; yet too much bed you know relaxes. In fact I believe I am like my master (Paley), who used to say his happiness would naturally have been to keep a public-house by the wayside and examine the pas

sengers.

"R.P.W."

R. Plumer Ward, Esq., to Mr. Austen.

"Dear Austen,

"Brighton, Oct. 18. 1837.

"After having been at Bath, which almost killed me, we have been here five weeks, and shall have been six on the 24th, when we depart for Gilston, to be there, after a visit on the way, on the 31st. This place makes me flourish, particularly by the artificial waters. Who would go to Carlsbad when he can get them so much better here, that they are actually ex

This and sea breezes

ported to Berlin and Vienna? have dissipated heartburn, and I quaff my pint of claret a day with great glee, preparatory to the Offenburg to come, for your trouble about which I owe you all my thanks. Mean time I have not been idle, and you will soon see announced by Murray, 'Strictures on the real amount of the precedent and character of the Revolution of 1689.' Something different from 'Tremaine,' and as it is a professed review of Mack

intosh, Fox, and Locke, I must prepare for war. Colburn has had other gear of mine, which I suppose is coming out by this. So you see I have not left off business; pray Heaven it does not leave off me. The truth is, with tolerable health I must do something, or with even many blessings I should sink under ennui. Thank Heaven her temple is not to be found here, but I dread Gilston not a little*, and the chances are you may see us before Christmas in Chesterfield Street. Meanwhile, with my love to your wife, and the remembrance of mine to you both, believe me

ever much

"Yours,

"R. P.W."

Under the excitement of politics events will occur to interrupt long-cherished friendships; it is one of the greatest drawbacks to this most fascinating of pursuits. Differences of opinion, changes in the mode of action, the necessities of administrative arrangements, all these have so wide an operation, and often so directly personal an influence, that they cannot be viewed with indifference like other pieces of personal conduct, of which we may disapprove, but which do not affect us. Something of this nature had occurred to separate Mr. Ward from one of his oldest political allies; and I find it difficult to say which is more touching the frankness with which reconciliation

This place was saddened to him by the melancholy deprivations of which it had been the scene.

was sought and explanation tendered, or the readiness and, if I may use such a term, tenderness with which it was met. So noble a lesson of Christian conduct is furnished by two old politicians, whose hearts one might have supposed to be seared by the trials to which their feelings had been exposed in various political conflicts, thus eagerly renewing friendly ties, and effacing former misunderstandings, that I cannot bring myself to omit the following letters. I have suppressed the name and all circumstances that could proclaim the author, not because he could feel ashamed of his desire for reconciliation, but because that is not necessary to enable me to put forward the lesson against cherished enmity which he will rejoice to be the means of giving. Another instance is added to many, that a tender conscience and a Christian spirit are not the exclusive property of the simple and the recluse.

My dear Ward,

to R. Plumer Ward, Esq.

"Nov. 13. 1837.

"A letter from me will surprise you. I hope it will not be unsatisfactory to you; but having long and long wished to communicate with you, and to endeavour to set you right in regard to me, I must at length carry this wish into effect. I was yesterday evening brought to this determination by a passage which I read in a published letter of Sandford, whom we remember at Christ Church; and it is as follows:

VOL. II.