lking a good
three and thirty miles last Monday, some of it the roughest ground I ever
passed." He was always wont to enjoy proofs of physical vigour, never
forgetting how indispensable it is in the equipment of the politician for
the athletics of public life. On his return home, he resumed the equable
course of life associated with that happy place, though political
consultations intruded:--

_Sept. 6._--Settled down again at Hawarden, where a happy family
party gathered to-day. 13.--Finished the long and sad but
profoundly interesting task of my letter to Miss Hope-Scott [on
her father]. Also sent her father's letters (105) to her.... We
finished cutting down a great beech. Our politicians arrived.
Conversations with Bright, with Wolverton, with Granville, and
with all three till long past twelve, when I prayed to leave off
for the sake of the brain. 14.--Church morning and evening.... A
stiff task for a half exhausted brain. But I cannot desist from a
sacred task. Conversation with Lord Granville, Lord Wolverton, Mr.
Bright. 15.--Church, 8-1/2 A.M. Spent the forenoon in conclave till
two, after a preliminary conversation with Bright. Spent the
evening also in conclave, we have covered a good deal of
ground.... Cut down the half-cut alder. 16.--Final conversation
with Granville, with Wolverton, and with Bright, who went last.
18.--Wood-cutting with Herbert, then went up to Stephen's school
feast, an animated and pretty scene. 21.--Read Manning's letter to
Archbishop of Armagh. There is in it to me a sad air of unreality;
it is on stilts all through. 27.--Conversation with Mr. Palgrave
chiefly on Symonds and the Greek mythology.... Cut a tree with
Herbert. 28.--Conversation with Mr. Palgrave. He is tremendous, but
in all other respects good and full of mental energy and activity,
only the vent is rather large. 29.--Conversation with Mr. Palgrave,
pretty stiff. Wood-cutting with Herbert. Wrote a rough mem. and
computation for the budget of next year. I want eight millions to
handle! _Oct. 2._--Off at 8, London at 3.

The memorial letter on the departed friend of days long past, if less rich
than the companion piece upon Lord Aberdeen, is still a graceful example
of tender reminiscence and regret poured out in periods of grave
melody.(299) It is an example, too, how completely in the press of turbid
affairs, he c