e gratified, as he had begun to be a little
annoyed at being such a very long time without hearing from your
Majesty.

Lord Mahon has sent Lord Melbourne his book.[120] Lord Melbourne has
not yet read it, but he has read the review of it in the _Quarterly_,
which seems to be a sort of abstract or abridgment of the book.
The effect of writing it in French has naturally been to direct all
attention and criticism from the merits of the work to the faults of
the French. People who have read the work speak of it as entertaining,
and the times are curious and interesting. The characters engaged in
them, striking and remarkable. Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear
that Pottinger's conduct is so universally approved. He always
appeared to Lord Melbourne to be a man of great ability, resolution
and discretion, and Lord Melbourne much rejoices that he has turned
out so.

Hallam's opinions Lord Melbourne believes to be in general sound,
and such as have been held and approved by the most able and
constitutional statesmen in this country.

Lord Melbourne is much rejoiced to hear of the Princess and the Prince
of Wales, and also that your Majesty is pursuing your studies quietly,
cheerfully, and happily.

Lord Melbourne is very sensible of the interest which the Baron takes
in his health and which he warmly reciprocates. There is no man whom
he esteems more, nor of whose head and heart he has a better opinion.

We expect here to-morrow the Duchess of Sutherland[121] and Lady
Elizabeth Gower,[122] who have been kind enough to propose to pay Lord
Melbourne a visit.

[Footnote 120: _Essai sur la vie du grand Conde_, afterwards
published in English.]

[Footnote 121: Formerly Mistress of the Robes.]

[Footnote 122: Afterwards Duchess of Argyll.]

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

TO CHAPTER XII

Repeated debates took place during the year (1843) on the Corn Laws,
the agitation against them steadily growing, Mr Cobden coming on one
occasion into violent conflict with the Premier. The events of
the previous year in Afghanistan were also the subject of constant
discussion in Parliament. A movement of some importance took place in
Wales in opposition to the increasing number of toll-bars, bands
of rioters dressed in women's clothes and known as "Rebecca and her
daughters," demolishing the gates and committing acts of greater or
less violence. A verse in Genesis (xxiv. 60) fancifully applied gave
rise to this name and