ou
perceive. How often have we not discussed what would have become of him,
with that "rocket brain" of his, in less quiet times! Yet, when he
was addressing a deputation of workmen the other day, he recommended
patience to them as one of the virtues that count under wisdom. He is
curiously impatient for knowledge. One of his reasons for not accepting
Colonel Halkett's offer of his yacht is, that he will not be able to
have books enough on board. Definite instead of vast and hazy duties
are to be desired for him, I think. Most fervently I pray that he will
obtain a ship and serve some years. At the risk of your accusing me
of "sententious posing," I would say, that men who do not live in the
present chiefly, but hamper themselves with giant tasks in excess of
alarm for the future, however devoted and noble they may be--and he
is an example of one that is--reduce themselves to the dimensions
of pigmies; they have the cry of infants. You reply, Foresight is
an element of love of country and mankind. But how often is not the
foresight guess-work? 'He has not spoken of the DAWN project. To-day he
is repeating one of uncle's novelties--"Sultry Tories." The sultry
Tory sits in the sun and prophecies woefully of storm, it appears. Your
accusation that I am one at heart amuses me; I am not quite able to deny
it. "Sultriness" I am not conscious of. But it would appear to be an
epithet for the Conservatives of wealth. So that England, being very
wealthy, we are to call it a sultry country? You are much wanted, for
where there is no "middleman Liberal" to hold the scales for them, these
two have it all their own way, which is not good for them.

Captain Beauchamp quotes you too. It seems that you once talked to him
of a machine for measuring the force of blows delivered with the fist,
and compared his efforts to those of one perpetually practising at it:
and this you are said to have called "The case of the Constitutional
Realm and the extreme Radical." Elsewhere the Radical smites at iron or
rotten wood; in England it is a cushion on springs. Did you say it? He
quotes it as yours, half acquiescingly, and ruefully.

'For visitors, we have had Captain Baskelett for two minutes, and
Lord Palmet, who stayed longer, and seems to intend to come daily. He
attempts French with Madame de R., and amuses her a little: a silver
foot and a ball of worsted. Mr. and Mrs. Grancey Lespel have called, and
Lord and Lady Croyston. Colonel Halkett,