re happy and not miserable. But
Fear? we said. No; they are unaware of impending doom; when hawk or kite
pounces on its prey, the small bird has little or no apprehension; 'tis
death, but death by appointed and unforeseen lot.

_J. M._--There is Hunger. Is not the probability that most creatures are
always hungry, not excepting Man?

To this he rather assented. Of course optimism like this is indispensable
as the basis of natural theology.

Talked to Mr. G. about Michelet's Tableau de la France, which I had just
finished in vol. 2 of the history. A brilliant tour de force, but strains
the relations of soil to character; compels words and facts to be the
slaves of his phantasy; the modicum of reality overlaid with violent
paradox and foregone conclusion. Mr. G. not very much interested--seems
only to care for political and church history.

_Monday, Dec. 31._--Mr. G. did not appear at table to-day, suffering from a
surfeit of wild strawberries the day before. But he dined in his dressing
gown, and I had some chat with him in his room after lunch.

_Mr. G._--"'Tis a hard law of political things that if a man shows special
competence in a department, that is the very thing most likely to keep him
there, and prevent his promotion."

(M165) _Mr. G._--I consider Burke a tripartite man: America, France,
Ireland--right as to two, wrong in one.

_J. M._--Must you not add home affairs and India? His _Thoughts on the
Discontents_ is a masterpiece of civil wisdom, and the right defence in a
great constitutional struggle. Then he gave fourteen years of industry to
Warren Hastings, and teaching England the rights of the natives, princes
and people, and her own duties. So he was right in four out of five.

_Mr. G._--Yes, yes--quite true. Those two ought to be added to my three.
There is a saying of Burke's from which I must utterly dissent. "Property
is sluggish and inert." Quite the contrary. Property is vigilant, active,
sleepless; if ever it seems to slumber, be sure that one eye is open.

_Marie Antoinette._ I once read the three volumes of letters from Mercy
d'Argenteau to Maria Theresa. He seems to have performed the duty imposed
upon him with fidelity.

_J. M._--Don't you think the Empress comes out well in the correspondence?

_Mr. G._--Yes, she shows always judgment and sagacity.

_J. M._--Ah, but besides sagacity, worth and as much integrity as those
slippery times allowed.

_Mr. G._--Yes (but rather reluctantly