I
have never yet heard the famous Jenny Lind, whom all the world raves
about. Spedding is especially mad about her, I understand: and, after
that, is it not best for weaker vessels to keep out of her way? Night
after night is that bald head seen in one particular position in the
Opera house, in a stall; the miserable man has forgot Bacon and
philosophy, and goes after strange women. There is no doubt this lady is
a wonderful singer; but I will not go into hot crowds till another Pasta
comes; I have heard no one since her worth being crushed for. And to
perform in one's head one of Handel's choruses is better than most of the
Exeter Hall performances. I went to hear Mendelssohn's Elijah last
spring: and found it wasn't at all worth the trouble. Though very good
music it is not original: Haydn much better. I think the day of
Oratorios is gone, like the day for painting Holy Families, etc. But we
cannot get tired of what has been done in Oratorios more than we can get
tired of Raffaelle. Mendelssohn is really original and beautiful in
_romantic_ music: witness his Midsummer Night's Dream, and Fingal's Cave.

I had a note from Alfred three months ago. He was then in London: but is
now in Ireland, I think, adding to his new poem, the Princess. Have you
seen it? I am considered a great heretic for abusing it; it seems to me
a wretched waste of power at a time of life when a man ought to be doing
his best; and I almost feel hopeless about Alfred now. I mean, about his
doing what he was born to do. . . . On the other hand, Thackeray is
progressing greatly in his line: he publishes a Novel in numbers--Vanity
Fair--which began dull, I thought: but gets better every number, and has
some very fine things indeed in it. He is become a great man I am told:
goes to Holland House, and Devonshire House: and for some reason or
other, will not write a word to me. But I am sure this is not because he
is asked to Holland House. Dickens has fallen off in his last novel,
{238} just completed; but there are wonderful things in it too. Do you
ever get a glimpse of any of these things?

As to public affairs, they are so wonderful that one does not know where
to begin. If England maintains her own this year, she must have the
elements of long lasting in her. I think People begin to wish we had no
more to do with Ireland: but the Whigs will never listen to a doctrine
which was never heard of in Holland House. I am glad Italy i