not agree. But on the other hand, if
we show ourselves for strong measures without lenitives, I fear we
shall entirely lose the confidence of Ireland.

_February_ 22, 1846

We are much occupied with the affairs of Ireland--I am engaged in
persuading Lansdowne to speak out upon the affairs of that unhappy
country, where a Bill called an Insurrection Act seems the ordinary
medicine.

_Lady John to Lord John Russell_

Minto, _February_ 23, 1846

You were quite right to send the children out in spite of the
remains of their coughs, but how hard it is for you to have all
those domestic responsibilities added to your numerous public ones.
It is more than your share, while I linger away my hours on the
sofa, without so much as a dinner to order for anybody. Your
Coercive measures for Ireland frighten me. I do not trust any
Englishman on the subject except yourself, and you cannot keep to
your own opinion in favour of leniency and act upon it. I often
think how unfortunate it is that there should be that little
channel of sea between England and Ireland. It prevents each
country from considering itself a part of the other, and a bridge
across it would make it much more difficult for Orange or Repeal
bitterness to be kept up. I send you Lord William's [26] letter.
But first I must tell you that in a former letter from him he
compared you to Antony throwing away the world for Cleopatra.... I
read one of Lord Campbell's Lives aloud yesterday evening--Sir
Christopher Hatton--a short and entertaining one; but from which it
would appear that a man can make a respectable Lord Chancellor
without having seriously studied anything except dancing....

[26] Lord John Russell's brother.

_Lord William Russell to Lady John Russell_

Genoa, _February_ 12, 1846

My dear Sister--I thank you much for your letter of the 4th from
Minto, but regret to find my letters make you not only angry, but
very angry. If I was within reach I should have my ears well
cuffed, but at this distance I am bold.... You will not have to get
into a towering passion in defending your husband from my
accusation of loving you too much and dashing the world aside and
bid it pass, that he might enjoy a quiet life with his Fanny. I
begin by obeying you and asking pardon and saying you did quite
right n